February 08 - 1 Year Ago We Were All Knocked Up!! - Page 7

[Writerbird]

Thanks for the advice, Rynna I didn't think he was overtired, because he doesn't SEEM tired earlier than when I've been putting him down. It hasn't exactly worked yet, but he's... less upset when he wakes up and calms faster, so I'll claim it as a partial victory.

Lauren

Glad the little one is doing better, Newmommy!

It was slimy sweaty hot today, so I did not garden. Instead I managed to finish EG's Birth Day scrapbook. This is the result of a deal I made with my mate - I was burning out fast, and now Sunday is "my" day. He does all the baby care, except for the feeding, obviously. So I'm finally getting to scrap again and I feel a billion times more like myself. I don't know how we'd swing this with more than one kidling, but I think I'd get a signed commitment for such a deal before having the second

[Juise]

Ooooh a day like that sounds great, I'll have to work on that

Okay someone said something about morning sickness flashbacks. Can you tell me what you were talking about? I've been awful nauseous lately and am, um, keeping my fingers crossed.

Also... has anyone else got a ghost baby in their tummy? I've kinda felt some things off and on, but lately it's been crazy. It has me counting the days over and over since the one time we've gotten to dtd so far, and telling myself repeatedly that it isn't nearly long enough to feel movement even IF! I've also been really tired, achy, head-achey and generally feeling like crap, but maybe I've just caught something that's showing up mildly. By now I'm wondering if all the worrying about it isn't making me nauseous. My milk supply hasn't dropped, I don't think, still too much. Does it usually drop right away? bah! I'm all worked up, probably over a cold or something

[Jezzy]

newmommy27, sorry about the bladder infect.. I hope that she is feeling better!

applecore, sorry about your sis. I hope that things get better soon!

Dh made a video of Ashlee swimming yesterday at our baby swimming class. I thought that I would share it with you all. ps. Ashlee is NOT the baby screaming! She actually loved it

Our little fish

[flapjack]

Oh Applecore to you and your sister.
Jenn's not dead, btw Just gone quiet...
Juise, my ghost baby keeps crowning. A truly weird sensation : I was, however, talking to the 30-week pregnant mother of an 11mo this morning, so when in doubt, go take a test Then come back here and post a picture...
Writerbird, you jammy git. I am SO jealous...

[Writerbird]

/ducks the wrath of Helen



Don't be jealous, I expect my mate will renegotiate the terms once EG is mobile and these lovely Sundays will end!

[operamommy]

Juise, ghost babies are pretty common. My ob/gyn commented that every once in a while she'll feel a ghost kick too!

smokeylo, I'm so sorry about your uncle. Many healing vibes to you and your family. *hugs*

newmommy, so glad you followed your instincts and took the babe in! My dd was hospitalized for several days with a kidney infection that began with a bladder infection; those things get nasty fast!

Busy busy here. We had a "staycation" last week. Dh had the week off, and instead of going away we did fun things locally. Went to a zoo and aquarium, a water park by the river, a national forest, an indoor playground...whew...I'm tired! Lots of fun, though.

Writerbird, I need to get out in my garden, but it's soooo hot. 95 degrees yesterday. I ran out just for a few to pull up the rest of the radishes. Soon I'll be picking our peas!

Peter is doing wonderfully. He's been grabbing at nearby blankets, etc. and chewing them. He also laughs out loud hysterically at ds1; it's absolutely adorable.

[sarahn4639]

grace, an ap mom in training

james in the mei tei

look what i made this morning! (the "babylegs" not diaper cover)

some brother/sister time he really does like her, it just doesn't look like it here!

[nausicaamom]

greetings all - one handed typing as per usual. things are going and slowly getting better but almost all of my energy is going to keeping my head above water. it's hotter than hell here, so I'm off to the air conditioned part of the house and hopefully a family nap.

[flapjack]

Whoa. River just went to sleep without being swaddled. It's sweltering here- 27 degrees indoors, which is a bit of a shock after the flooding of last week.
Crap- he's up. Gotta go

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by Writerbird

Thanks for the advice, Rynna I didn't think he was overtired, because he doesn't SEEM tired earlier than when I've been putting him down. It hasn't exactly worked yet, but he's... less upset when he wakes up and calms faster, so I'll claim it as a partial victory.

When babies seem tired, they're already past the point of no return. You want to get them just *before* that point, when they're relaxed and mellow. With Bean, it was simple-- a particular CD, and then I'd wipe his face with a washcloth, change his diaper and change him into pajamas. At that point, the boob would put him to sleep. In fact, by four months he would occasionally pass out just because he had the jammies on; The association was that strong for him. (I'm nothing like that organized now ).

Sleep training books and many AP sources alike will tell you to "avoid sleep associations for your baby." You don't want the kid to think that the only way to fall asleep is in a bouncy seat on top of the washing machine, or in the car, or with the vacuum running, etc. All well and good, but I think they ought to rephrase. Your child is *going* to have sleep associations; Your job is to make sure that they're things you can live with. For Bean it was pajamas; for BooBah it was darkness. Bear, being the fourth child, can fall asleep anytime, anywhere, under any circumstances (an absolute necessity around here if you want to be asleep before 9:00 )... unless it's perfectly silent. Bella often has a hard time sleeping if Mike isn't snoring nearby (in fact all of the children will wake if Mike is not snoring... isn't that *awful?* ). Definate associations... and all things I can deal with.

Also... has anyone else got a ghost baby in their tummy? I've kinda felt some things off and on, but lately it's been crazy. It has me counting the days over and over since the one time we've gotten to dtd so far, and telling myself repeatedly that it isn't nearly long enough to feel movement even IF! I've also been really tired, achy, head-achey and generally feeling like crap, but maybe I've just caught something that's showing up mildly. By now I'm wondering if all the worrying about it isn't making me nauseous. My milk supply hasn't dropped, I don't think, still too much. Does it usually drop right away? bah! I'm all worked up, probably over a cold or something

The first period after each baby, I've wondered about pregnancy. And you know... if I don't get my period in another two weeks, I'll POAS. I'm pretty sure I will, though. As to milk supply, it takes several weeks to drop in most cases; For me, it's usually somewhere around 16-20 weeks.

[lovetobemama]

Sarah, LOVE the pics!

Rynna, great point about the sleep asssociations...it is so much more helpful to think about things this way!

Have had a few ghost pregnancy sensations. Also had AF visit 2 weeks ago. Strangely, also bled a little bit today. Way too much to be break-through bleeding for a pregnancy (plus, I'm nearly positive that I couldn't be positive and HOPE that i am NOT!), but too soon for another AF, so I don't know what is going on. Anyone else have somthing like this? It didn't happen after DS, so I don't know what is going on.

[PlayaMama]

total ghost pregnancy feelings here and still no AF, with laz i was right back into it, who knows?

i have an ob appt for my iud and pregnancy test i'm sure

i don't feel pregnant so fingers crossed i'm not!

i just got a vitamix today from a co-op. it was so cheap i can't believe it! well, cheap for a vita-mix. i made fresh cashew butter, so yummy!

little boy needs attention, gotta go. i love you guys!

[AlwaysByMySide]

Glad to see some swimmers in our DDC! Blake and Taylor and I spend somewhere between 2-4 hours a day in the pool (depending on how hot it gets, and if there is shade from the trees over the pool). Blake sits in a little floaty thing when he's not being held, and just hangs out, floating around, and kicking his legs, perfectly content for hours at a time. After having two girls who couldn't stand the water, it is unreal to me that he enjoys it so much.

In other news, my grandmother has moved in with us. She has dementia, and recently had a stay in the ICU for a few days following gallbladder surgery. Because my mom and I can't bear to have her in a nursing home, she stays here with me and the kids all day, and we get visits from a physical therapist and occupational therapist twice a week, and a home health aide is supposed to start this week. It's been physically and emotionally draining for me (especially at night, because she likes to take her oxygen tubes out of her nose...she can go for awhile without it, but then we'll be woken up with the sounds of her coughing, so I'm checking her every hour or two to make sure it's still on. I got more sleep when the baby was a month old than I do now!), as I am her primary caregiver for the better part of the day, and it is exhausting. The good news is, she DOES know who all of us are...I have no idea how I'm going to deal with it if/when the day comes that she DOESN'T know who I am.

The kids make her happy, especially Blake, and that's all that matters to me.

This week, we are venturing out with her to a doctor's appointment for the first time since she left the hospital about a week ago, and it should be interesting! (Two kids and an 86 year old with an oxygen tank and a wheelchair, in HOTlanta. Oy!)

applecore - Have someone write your sister a prescription for Newman's Nipple Cream. My midwife gave me the script when I was still in the hospital. You can't get it from a regular pharmacy (like CVS, Walgreens, etc.); I can't remember what they called the pharmacy I got it from, but it was close to the hospital, and had a more diverse formulary, I guess. Anyway, that stuff is GOD'S GIFT. Better than ANYTHING I ever tried (and I have tried a LOT of stuff. I'm a redhead; I think we automatically have sore nipples!)

[flapjack]

Emily, I've noticed that since three pregnancies ago, my EWCM is always blood-tinged- could that be it? Otherwise it could just be randomness because you aren't ovulating yet.
AlwaysByMySide, big hugs to you. You know we're in the same situation with my FIL (except that he doesn't have dementia), right? I'm here if you need to vent.
Well, he slept until 5, and ended up rolling back onto his back without waking up. First time I've seen a child hit a milestone in their sleep It's so HOT though, I'm really not looking forward to today.

[lovetobemama]

Hugs to alwaysbymyside and Helen...there's something RIGHT with society when people (to the best of their ability, I know it's not always possible) place the needs of their elder family members high on the priority list. If only we could all do for our parents and grandparents what you guys are doing.

Helen, its awfully heavy for EWCM...not blood tinged, more like mild to occasionally moderate bleeding. If I hadn't already had my first period 2 weeks ago, I would think this is it. Not quite as heavy as 2 weeks ago, but pretty close. I guess I'll just watch what happens over the next few weeks. I don't know what to think about it really.

[birthmommom]

UGH it has super hot here too, almost 100 I think.

Always...I used to live with my mom and grandmother, my nana has bypolar disorder and man when she misses her meds...watch out!!! She also doesn't get around much so I feel your pain in a sense...good luck at the dr.

Smokeylo so very sorry about your uncle.

So I updated Henry's blog if anyone reads that...and posted some new pics in my sig.
Things here are ok...we are still working on sleep issues...some days are better than others. I agree that children learn sleep associations...Henry is sleeping with a certain blanket and likes to have it in is face to sleep. Make me nervous but I check him a lot and move the blanket when he is a sleep. I used some Aveeno Calming bath last night and he didn't fight going to bed as hard, but maybe it was a fluke.
Henry is still working very hard on trying to sit up. He is starting to pull his head up when sitting in either the bouncy seat or the swing...so those will be put away soon. He is starting to like his johnny jumper. I think we may have to get an exersaucer for grandmas house.

I officially started school on June 4th, they are all online classes. It is tough trying to make sure everything gets doen but I feel like over time we will get a routine.
DH finally got his stimulus check, so now we can finally register the car. We will be saving the rest just in case we have to pay 2 mo rent in Sept. Looks like we will be renting a house for $20 more a month starting in Aug. It is a nice house that we may also have the option to buy. I am glad b/c this apartment is just too small and I would rather pay $800 a mo for a 3bd house than a 1bd apartment, and maybe we can get a roommate for the 1 extra room.
Well speaking of finances we are broke...it sucks. We are under a lot of credit card debt, and dh is making me crazy. I spoke to him yesterday about putting ds on medicaid and me going on WIC but he still refuses. I feel like I don't eat enough...and it would be so dishonest if I just went on wic without telling him. I also feel like we cannot afford insurance and need some help. our policy costs us 250 a month and a $30 copay and ds isn't going for his 4mo check up b/c we don't have it...and for some reason dh cannot get past his pride about not being on govt programs that I just want to scream. I get it...but sometimes you need help and that is what it is there for...it isn't forever.

anyway...rant over.
My sister is still doing well bf and I am so proud of her.

Can't believe our babies are getting big so fast.

[flapjack]

Oh Allyn I'm so sorry you're in that situation. I'm a big fan of universal healthcare anyhow but in my book, every individual owes it to society to ensure that children have access to medical care, time for their mothers to adjust to life after birth and the best possible education. I think for us it's slightly easier because we pay our social security contributions separately through National Insurance, which covers unemployment and old age and that kind of stuff, it makes it easier to understand that what you put in now, you get back later. I have to say though, for me it would be non-negotiable and I'd do it with or without him : Even when I was dirt-poor ($10 a week on food poor) I still couldn't handle the idea of the kids doing without necessities.

Emily I don't think you've ovulated yet, but that's pretty much all I know. I'd probably start noting down days and dates of the mystery bleeds, and maybe charting temperatures as well, just in case it doesn't settle down of its own accord.

We're in a really weird situation with my anonymous-letter writing neighbour. We're sure it's him- he's spontaneously badmouthed DH to at least three neighbours that we know of in the last week, and other than advising the police how we feel about them interviewing him voluntarily, there's nothing we can do until something else happens. Weirdly, we don't actually feel that bad- given that it almost certainly isn't teenagers, it makes this street feel like a much safer place to live, and I feel able to let the older kids out to play- I didn't before. Whyever he's doing it, there doesn't seem to be a sane reason, so it takes the burden of guilt off us (although he told someone that once your car's been vandalised, you just don't park it there again. Well, where DO we park it then? Pennsylvania?) In a way, it's almost liberating- and Steve talked straight to his uncle about everything that's happened and what we think, and he's being remarkably quiet about it. One way or another, I believe that things are going to work out for us and we're going to come through this.

[sarahn4639]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

The first period after each baby, I've wondered about pregnancy. And you know... if I don't get my period in another two weeks, I'll POAS. I'm pretty sure I will, though. As to milk supply, it takes several weeks to drop in most cases; For me, it's usually somewhere around 16-20 weeks.

Agreed, it was about 20 weeks that I started losing my milk. But, I did have a dip right before AF always. Could that be it Juise?

Originally Posted by lovetobemama

Sarah, LOVE the pics!

Thanks Emily!

Originally Posted by PlayaMama

i have an ob appt for my iud and pregnancy test i'm sure

i don't feel pregnant so fingers crossed i'm not!
<snip>. i love you guys!

Well we are planning on trying for another one when James is 18ish months so I didn't want an IUD for such a short time but I have been having some random bleeding and worried about getting pregnant too soon for fear of my milk supply. Let me know how it goes, I'm really starting to consider it...... Love you too Playa!!

Originally Posted by AlwaysByMySide

Glad to see some swimmers in our DDC!

We have a hot tub (thanks to my bad back issues before DC) and Grace and James both love swimming in it! Grace is going to do swimming lessons this year at 2.5 and I really hope she likes it! James "swims" in the bath tub too. I just put him in and let him go to town. He kicks and waves and smiles and giggles, it's great to watch. I have swimmers too! It would be awsome to have an actual pool to swim in! It's awsome you are taking care of your grandma, what an amazingly difficult and fulfilling experience that must be!

Originally Posted by flapjack

One way or another, I believe that things are going to work out for us and we're going to come through this.

I'm glad to hear this. What an odd and unfortuate experience this has been!

Applecore, I hope your sister is doing okay. I'm thankful her birth ended up so well and certainly there are times that igornance is bliss! I went thru a very difficult nursing relationship with dd. It was actually almost 8 full months before I was able to nurse without pain. If she is determined she can do it but it can certainly be a difficult road! Loving/healing thoughts to her!

So I just have to share because I don't have anyone else to tell right now. My dd (2.5) asked to take her nap in her tent in the living room today, okay, that's fine. So she's laying down and she poked her head out and said "Mom, I just love you so much! You're my best friend. Good night." Man I love that kid! Then about 5 minutes later she poked her head out again and said "I want to pick up my toys, man it's a mess in here!" I think she's nap avoiding!

[flapjack]

Holy cow. We have video footage. Proof. I don't know what to do right now (so I'm on the net instead of going to sleep)

Sarah, that's so sweet. Why don't you ever come and post with the November 05 mamas?

[birthmommom]

Sarahn...that is so sweet!!!