Not Mamas... Yet Tribe, Part XVII (Winter 08/09)

[CAndMe]

Welcome to the Not Mamas... Yet Tribe, Part XVII (Winter 08/09)

(with thanks to Rico'sAlice for most of this text)




Iaorana! As-salaamu `alaykum! Merhaba! Γεια σου! Ãyubõván! Jambo! Hola! Boa tarde! Ciao! Guten Tag! Bonjour! Magandang Hapon Po! Selamat petang! Konnichiwa!

Hello! Returning members, glad you made it over, hope the trip wasn't too hard. Just put your feet up and relax for a while. We've got organic lemonade, coffee (regular and Swiss-water-process decaf), pastured raw milk, kombucha, kefir, whatever you're into. (No EBM available here- Sorry. Check out the Love Threadfor that.)

Newbies! We are sooo excited you're here. We hope you stay a while and never leave... unless it is because you become a mama.

Anyway, this thread was originally started to give those of us who are not yet parents a forum here at MDC to discuss the unique concerns of those who are into NFL, and excited about AP but don't have any munchkins to apply these concepts to...yet. (Although some of us have furbabies, young family members, students, etc. that we are involved with.)

As I mentioned, a few of us have gotten pregnant while here, others are TTC now, some in the next few years, some of us aren't even close. We've also had the occasional visitor that is a "Not Mama...EVER" ie, male nannies and such. We're happy to have all y'all!

So here we are. And here you are. Let the party begin!

NMY Offshoot Threads

NMY Graduates Love Thread
NMY Graduates Love Thread, Part Two
NMY Graduates Love Thread, Part Three
NMY Fitness Thread


Official NMY Status Roster
Getting to know you...getting to know all about you...

Post in the thread if you want your information added, updated, or changed. If it seems as if I didn't see it, send me a PM. Thanks!

Graduates

Katt, age 30 mama to Teotimo since 12/27/06
~Shanna~ mama to Fenton Edward since 3/26/07
Holiztic mama to Quinn since 4/13/07
BeccaBear, age 28 -mama to Alexander Lewis since 5/6/07
Rico'sAlice, age 27 - mama to Johannes Edward since 5/20/07
turtle81 , age 25 - mama to Phillip since 6/02/07
farmama, age 29 - mama to Natalina since 7/17/07
Maela, age 26 - mama to Maev since 7/17/07
jodib, age 29 - mama to Rosalie Jayne since 7/23/07
PiePie, age 36 - mama to since 8/16/07
arelyn, age 25 - mama to Micaiah since 8/16/07
hazieluna, age 35 - mama to Aidan Sebastian since 9/15/07
ATD_Mom, age 32 - mama to Alasdair since 9/16/07
Sihaya, age 24 - mama to Calvin since 12/22/07
GathererGirl, age 27

Pregnant

Alcyone, age 29
blizzard_babe
cking
snozzberry, age 29
witchygrrl, age 29
zoebird, age 31
babysnyder'smommy, age 25
MujerMamaMismo, age 29
Safigee, age 28
JessicaRenee
Texmati

TTC Currently

binkin
DvlDg, age 24
MrsMiller, age 22
oneKnight, age 21
barose
CalaRei
CourtBChase
Kriket, age 24
MBFoley, age 32
Zejh, age 31
GuavaGirl, age 25
Mama Khi, age 30
Patronia, planning on August 2008
sphinxie, age 29, planning on Spring 2008
stretch358, age 31, planning on Summer 2008
LibertyBelle, planning on Mid-October 2008
willowbean
MamaDK
APBTlover
Angi



TTC 2009

AsYouWish
doulaLeah
crunchysamma
Hellga
MEcatlady17 -25
Monarchgrrl - 30
Knittinanny - 27
jaclyn7 - 24
Tippy
Bazile - 22
Oztok5, around...Aug, Sep, Oct
Jenne - 31

TTC 2010 and beyond

Charliemae, age 20
Just_Isabel, age 22
Kyamo, age 23
Lambsauce, age 18
Rico'sAlice, age 27 (TTC #2)
Shaina, age 20
Sk8ermaiden, age 23
CAndMe, age 19
Kimiij, age 24
ashcav
akaisha, age 22
Oiseau
Freud, age 25
Hesperia, age 21
JlyGrnMigt, age 29

Not Sure Yet

anonyma, age 33
asoulunbound, age 20
joiedevivre184, age 19
ladyinred, age 27
MsHelena, age 22
TwilightJoy, age 21
justbecca, age 21
MonkeyScience
Sage.Naissance
Andee, age 23
Neuromancer
helen_emily, age 22
Zephyrine, age 19

Planning to Adopt

w8ing4myDD, age 38, adopting from China in 2009/10
crunchysamma
justbecca
MamaDK

Birthdays

January
MamaDK...6th
Tippy...15th

February
Monkeyscience...5th
Akaisha...6th, 1986
snozzberry…Kelly…9th, 1978
Kyamo…10th
Sihaya…Steph…12th, 1983
Neuromancer...19th, 1977

March
Frog...2nd
justbecca...5th
stretch358…5th
Alcyone…Lorry…7th, 1978
CAndMe...8th
AsYouWish...13th, 1977

April
MujerMamaMismo…4th, 1979
Lambsauce…Allie…7th, 1989
Rico'sAlice…Alice…9th, 1980
JessicaRenee...10th, 1988
~Shanna~…14th
oneKnight…14th
anonyma…21st, 1974
willowbean....26th, 1979
CalaRei....27th
APBTlover

May
Binkin…4th
witchygrrl…12th
ashcav...22nd, 1987
blizzard_babe…Sara…24th, 1979
Patronia...29th

June
Sk8ermaiden...20, 1984
Jenne…24th
PiePie…27th
helen_emily


July
Angi...2nd, 1970
arelyn…4th, 1982
ladyinred… 4th, 1981
Kriket...5th, 1984
CourtBChase...11th
doulaLeah...14th, 1982
GatherGirl... 15th, 1982
Jaclyn...July 23, 1984

August
cking…Christina…4th
Oiseau...5th
Andee...9th, 1985
Charliemae…Charlene…14th, 1987
Sage.Naissance...28th
MEcatlady17

September
Kimiij...1st...1984
DvlDg...5th
babysnyder'smommy...6th
Bazile...7th, 1985
Hellga...16th, 1984
Mama Khi…25, 1977

October
JlyGrnMigt...8th...1979
BeccaBear…Rebecca…10th, 1979
MrsMiller…Barbara…12th, 1984
Hesperia...12th

November
zejh...18th
Monarchgrrl...20th, 1977


December
barose...1st
Shaina…5th, 1988
semisnotapirate…Sara…24th, 1984
Knittinanny...12th

Hey baby…what's your sign?

Capricorn
farmama
MamaDK
Tippy

Aquarius
Just_Isabel
Katt
Sihaya
snozzberry
monkeyscience
Akaisha

Pisces
Alcyone
AsYouWish
Holiztic
MsHelena
stretch358
justbecca
CAndMe
Frog
Neuromancer

Aries
MujerMamaMismo
oneKnight
Rico'sAlice
~Shanna~
JessicaRenee

Taurus
anonyma
binkin
wateraddict
witchygrrl
CalaRei
willowbean


Gemini
blizzard_babe
Maela
w8ing4myDD
Sk8ermaiden
Patronia
ashcav
helen_emily

Cancer
Jenne
PiePie
zoebird
doulaLeah
Angi
CourtBChase
kriket
Ladyinred
Kriket
MBFoley


Leo
Charliemae
cking
Andee
Oiseau
MEcatlady17
Jaclyn

Virgo
DvlDg
Kimiij
Sage.Naissance
Hellga
Bazile


Libra
BeccaBear
Mama Khi
MrsMiller
babysnyder'smommy
JlyGrnMigt
Hesperia


Scorpio
zejh
Monarchgrrl

Sagittarius
Shaina
barose
Knittinanny



Post in the thread if you want your information added, updated, or changed. If it seems as if I didn't see it, send me a PM and I will do my best to fix it. Thanks!

[texmati]

subbing! I didn't realize that there was info at the top of the thread. My name is aquarian... and we are very very very tentativly thinking 2009...*crosses fingers*

Plus I'm hindu... we say namaste!

[kimiij]

As much as it hurts me to say...

*Can I have my age changed to 24 in the first post?*

Anyways, I'm not the most frequent poster here but I'm looking forward to chatting more with you ladies...

[texmati]

Kimiij! 24's not old at all! I'm turning 27 soon, and am really, really not looking forward to it. I feel as though my youth has passed me by!

Really-- I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I really really never though that I would be 27 and not be a mom yet. It wasn't in my life plan at all. In fact-- can I have my age changed to 24 too?

[jaclyn7]

Thank you so much for starting this thread :love. Could I have my birthday switched from June 23, 1984 to July 23, 1984? ETA: First day of Leo, too.

*Quiet weekend here, my last nablopomo post is tomorrow and I cannot think of anything to write. It's just that really wonderful time of year for me, when the cold hugs me close to home and my sweet and I spend more time in front of the tree than doing anything else...

Hope those that celebrated it had a wonderful American Thanksgiving.

[helen_emily]

Hi Ladies!

I was hoping I could join. :joy:

I'm 22 (my birthday is in June, Gemini!) and at the moment I'm working as a nanny, which I love. A mama I was babysitting for actually introduced me to MDC and I have learnt so much!


As far as TTC goes, I guess you can put me on the list under "not sure" hehe.

I had originally planned to TTC 2009 but have now changed plans completely - my partner isn't quite ready yet, so we're planning to travel Feb - June next year.
After that I'm going to study and get a Certificate in Children's services (which takes 10 months), and he is going to start an apprenticeship. So we won't be ttc till at least late 2009 depending on how everything is going.

Also, I am sure that at some point (hopefully soon) in my life I want to become a foster carer. In my experience of fostering (my aunt was a foster carer), the children coming into your care can have a lot of issues and might do better in a family where they can be the primary focus of your care. So I am contemplating going straight into foster care before TTC my own children.
It just seems so ridiculous that there are children and babies that need love and care, and I have all that to give. I would do my best to look after any child who needs care, any time, no questions asked.

A lot of my friends think I'm nuts for thinking about all this at my age though which makes me doubt myself sometimes... I'm happy to see some other "not-mamas" my age on here too :wink

I hope that's everything... and not too much detail!


ETA: I forgot to mention that I live in Australia... but happy Thanksgiving to all you Americans here!

[jaclyn7]

Aquarian, I always assumed that I would be a mom at 24 and I cannot believe that it's not going to happen... no offense taken. We all have visions of how are lives will play out it, it's not an indictment of anyone else but being a young mom with a house full of kiddos was my dream and its interesting to see my dream take on a new shape.

[jaclyn7]

Wow, H-E - you're quick. Welcome :joy:

I think its so lovely that you are planning to foster!

[helen_emily]

Hey jaclyn, thanks for the welcome :)

I have always been drawn to the ideas of both foster and adopting. Adoption seems very complicated here in Australia but at the moment we need more good foster carers.
Having seen my aunt look after many "methadone babies" over a few years of my childhood is probably one factor that has helped me see my dreams more realistically - I know that it can sometimes be very very hard on the foster carer. The fact that I'm interested in looking after infants and younger children is the main reason I think it would be a good idea to try out fostering without having other children in the home - the babies my aunt fostered needed all of her energy all of the time!

As far as the "having children by..." dream goes, I have always seen myself with at least one baby by 25, which is totally different to everyone else my age I know...

Anyhow I don't mean to ramble on. Posting in here reminded me to update my sig, I hadn't done that for over a year I think! I tend to lurk and not post but I will try to be more active in here!

[oiseau]

I'm here. Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Mine was fun, except that I'm still experiencing some lingering symptoms from my mysterious illness a few weeks ago.
I've been having a lot of trouble with school work and depression and not being able to get stuff done. Yesterday I finally made myself go do a huge chunk of work at school and as a reward, I went to check out a new cloth diaper store near school after I finished. My excuse for going was that I was picking up some stuff for a pregnant friend, but really, I just wanted to go to see all the diapers and touch them and investigate after all the time I've spent researching cds on the internet. They had tons of cool diapers and it was nice to actually see the stuff I've been looking at online. I so wanted to buy some adorable imse vimse diaper covers and a matching blanket with jungle animals and farm animals, but I'm too poor right now. Anyway, it was a nice reward for getting all my work finished up.

[kimiij]

Kimiij! 24's not old at all! I'm turning 27 soon, and am really, really not looking forward to it. I feel as though my youth has passed me by!

Really-- I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I really really never though that I would be 27 and not be a mom yet. It wasn't in my life plan at all. In fact-- can I have my age changed to 24 too?


I know that 24 isn't old. I guess it just doesn't feel good to get older and older without a partner and thus, without any sign of children in the near future. Just being impatient I guess. :p

[Andee]

I'm popping in again. :) Since changing jobs in June, I haven't really been around much aside from lurking. The current position I have, I am encouraged to go online when I'm bored so I'll probably be around a little more.
Aquarian, I always assumed that I would be a mom at 24 and I cannot believe that it's not going to happen... no offense taken. We all have visions of how are lives will play out it, it's not an indictment of anyone else but being a young mom with a house full of kiddos was my dream and its interesting to see my dream take on a new shape.

Ditto. I'm still only 23, but it's not looking good on the baby front. We have a house to finish, unstable jobs, no health insurance... I want everything to just fall in place RIGHT NOW. I still hope for an accident, but I doubt that it'll happen. :shrug

Helen_Emily, I have an aunt that lives in Australia, along with her husband and two grown children. I think they live near Melbourne. I haven't heard from them in forever, but it piqued my interest. And everything I know about foster care makes it seem both difficult and extremely rewarding. How does your partner feel about it?

oiseau, I love baby stuff browsing! That sounds like a perfect reward for a job well done.

[helen_emily]

Hey Andee :) I don't live near Melbourne but I have been there and it's a lovely city. As far as my partner, his feelings on it are complicated. He hasn't really had experience with foster caring but he is open to the idea. Because his feelings about it have changed so much already (when I first brought it up he said never!) I try not to talk about it too much or it'll seem like nagging! His main reservation now is that he would prefer to have our own children first.
There are information sessions put on by the government so when we get back from travelling I hope we can go to one together and learn some more. I really hope that fostering is part of our journey together.
Put it this way: if he does decide that he's ready to have our own baby before 2011 then I will be overjoyed to concentrate on that instead, at least for a while!

I know what you mean about hoping for an accident...
we conceived accidentally early this year and it broke my heart when I miscarried. I have no idea how it even happened in the first place which made things even more tumultuous!
So now we have to be like, triple careful, and despite all that I still feel disappointed (and a little bit relieved) every month.

[texmati]

Helen_emily, I"m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. That must be so hard.

DH and I have had a few pregnancy scares, so I know about that relived + dissapointed feeling. DH shocked me last night... I brought up kids and he said "well, we're just waiting on you, right?" I was shocked! Just a few months ago he seemed so unsure. Go figure :lol!

[Andee]

My DP's opinions have also changed so much since I met him. 5 years ago he was extremely against having children. He didn't care for them and certainly never wanted to be a father. Somehow aging a little has tilted his view. :) Now we're just waiting for things to fall into place before we ttc.

Helen_Emily, I'm very sorry to here about your miscarriage. I can't imagine what that would've felt like. I do understand the disappointment/relief with every new cycle. I wouldn't say I've had pregnancy scares, but there were times where conception was very possible. Even though I know the time isn't right yet, I can't keep myself from anxiously hoping...

Texmati, congrats on the name change. :wink

[w8ing4myDD]

Hey there! I'm back too!
Haven't been around here much lately, but we're still waiting on our referral from China....
..maybe 09, maybe 2010...arrrg....


...and for those of you feeling old, I'm 38 now!

Welcome all newbies! Looking forward to some fun convos....

lisa

[justbecca]

I'm coming back! Life's been crazy, this semester kicked my butt, and i don't have internet at home (kinda) so i disapeared for a while. I'm bumming my neighbor's wireless right now, aptly named bushidiot, so i'm around. Sage reminded me in another thread i haven't been back in a while, so here i am!

i also thought you guys might understand and appreciate a couple pictures without laughing at me like my friends might...my little kitty has cerebellar hypoplasia, basically kitty Cerebral palsy. She walks funny, took 6 months to learn to eat solid food, and takes some extra grooming work and such. She's also the happiest cat i've ever met (and i've met a lot!) . She goes through phases where she wants to be attached to me at all times, and it can get a little difficult, so, what's a crunchy mama-wannabe to do?

THIS! http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=291p9hu&s=4

becca

[Jenne]

:nono :nono02: I go away for just a few days and what do y'all do? Get lost! Hurmph. I had to come track y'all down after you *abandoned* the other thread. Hmph. :nono:nono02:

:D THANKS for the new THREAD! I was getting a little tired of summer myself. Especially cause it snowed where I was this morning. :D Yay! Winter!

News? Let's see. I have a UTI. Yep. This will be antibiotic #3 for me in less than 9 months. I feel like I have been sick nonstop since April. Grrr. Sucks. I hadn't been on an antibiotic since Feb. 2001 prior to this year...what gives? I'm taking Vitamin C, prenatals, and acidophilus but it doesn't seem to be keeping me well. :irked: Oh, and I love the ER visit, doctor's visit, and Urgent care center visit this took to get a diagnosis. I also love voiding blood. That isn't SCARY as all heck!

New topic: If you were pregnant and had an ultrasound and gave a copy to your mom or your partner's mom would it get hung on the fridge? Just curious. My m-in-l didn't hang up hers up from my s-in-l and I think that is odd so I'm just polling people I know.

Thanksgiving was okay. Lots of driving in the care, pain, blood, and peeing. :) Always a fun time. I got to see my brother and grandparents which was fantastic. :) Inlaws were okay. Not good. But okay. It's a step in the right directions at least. :)

I haven't had a period since June. I'm thining of starting Vitex. Anyone here tried it? What do you think? Is there something else I should do to trigger flow?

How was everyone else's weekend? Those with Thanksgiving celebrations how were they?

Jenne

Oh, and I'm now 31. And I guess put me in 2009???? Scary.

[jaclyn7]

If you were pregnant and had an ultrasound and gave a copy to your mom or your partner's mom would it get hung on the fridge? Just curious. My m-in-l didn't hang up hers up from my s-in-l and I think that is odd so I'm just polling people I know.

Hmm, hard to say. A lot of older people are more superstitous, but then again some people don't like lots of bits here and there. I'll probably give one framed, but then again who wants all that stuff? Its great for you as the parent, but I don't know... who knows, I could just be very odd.


Sorry about all your health stuff :hug No real advice, I wonder if its all connected though, what did they say to you? Have you tried cranberry pills or natural organic cranberry juice? My friend swears by it and apple cidar vinegar.

[Shaina]

i had to come looking for you guys what the heck no link :(

anyways can you change my age in the beggining thread to 20 since thats what i will be on Friday

[zejh]

I'm also 31, as of my birthday!

Had an excellent Thanksgiving--cooked everything with my mom in my kitchen here, so it was me, dh, and my parents in our new apartment. (Our first year in it, I mean--the apartment is rather old, and the oven in our kitchen is around 60 years old, works great, though!)

Oh, and I finished nanowrimo! I'm a winner. :wink Now just to write another 50,000 words so there's something of a plot...

[oiseau]

About the ultrasound pic...I'm betting my mom would put it on her fridge. Either that or just carry it around to show to people. She has pictures of her random neighbor's kids on her fridge, so I would hope my fetus would go up there too.
As for my partner's mom....tough call. She puts lots of stuff on the fridge, so it might go up there. I'm not really sure. It definitely would not go up on my dad's fridge because 1. he has nothing on his fridge, and 2. My stepmom would throw a fit. They have tons of pictures in their house of family and I think there's only 1 pic of me and 1 of my brother....and they're on a bottom shelf of a bookshelf or coffee table or something. There might be another set on my dad's desk in his office. Step-mom doesn't like us. My dad would probably keep it by his desk at work.
....this is all hypothetical though, since I'm not really sure I'd even want an ultrasound to begin with...

Emily...Where are you in the boston-ish area? I'm in Malden.

[Kyamo]

I'm not sure. My parents would be glad to get it and see it, but I'm not sure they'd put it on the fridge. I think they might feel it was kinda medical/private and not really to be displayed?
My parents-in-law have a blank fridge, but they might display it somewhere else. Again, not sure.
I wouldn't really care either way, provided of course that the pregnancy was no longer a secret.

[Jenne]

:thumb

[GuavaGirl]

So, a little bit of exciting news for me......

I've really been feeling the baby fever lately. Like, to the point of crying about it, etc.
My poor DH is so confused and shocked at the power of the female maternal instinct. :) We had planned to wait for another year (until he's done w/school), but really if we got pregnant now, it would be fine. (we have health insurance, a spare bedroom, good health, sort of enough money) So, we had a heart to heart and by the end of the convo he said that he thought we should just start now. I was so excited! I'm gonna give him a few days to think it over, but for right now, the ball is basically in my court. As soon as I'm ready we're going to start TTC!!!!!!!

I feel excited, intimidated, joyful, and like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders!

FYI, I turned 25 in oct. & been married for 3.5 years.

( Oh! and if you want to see us in our awesome Halloween costumes, click on my name below, then scroll down to the second post. )

[knittinanny]

Guava, those are bee-utiful! :duck: No really, you did a good job. I wish my cat would let me make her costumes. Congrats on being about ready to start TTC!

The 3 month mark is approaching for me and I'm starting to get a little nervous. I mean, besides not being sure how we're going to pay for the treatments (things will work out), I feel way more prepared to have a baby than anyone I know IRL, but I still feel like there's so much more I could do to get ready. But then again, I like to obsess about things. :eyesroll

[Andee]

She goes through phases where she wants to be attached to me at all times, and it can get a little difficult, so, what's a crunchy mama-wannabe to do?

THIS! http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=291p9hu&s=4

becca
That's too fantastic! I wonder if my cat would go for that. He's been really clingy since we moved.
THANKS for the new THREAD! I was getting a little tired of summer myself. Especially cause it snowed where I was this morning. :D Yay! Winter!

...

New topic: If you were pregnant and had an ultrasound and gave a copy to your mom or your partner's mom would it get hung on the fridge? Just curious. My m-in-l didn't hang up hers up from my s-in-l and I think that is odd so I'm just polling people I know.
It started snowing here in Michigan last night too. I think we got something like 6 or 7 inches overnight and we're supposed to get more. I love how beautiful it is, but WOW it's cold!

With the ultrasound question, if I got one I think my mom would just take the picture to work and show it off. She isn't much of a "picture on the fridge" kind of woman. I don't know what my future MIL would do. After 5 years of being with my DP, I've still never met her because she lives in Florida. We keep wanting to vacation there (now would be a good time!:cold:), but it never works out with work and money. :(

GuavaGirl, Congratulations!! I hope for you two a short wait. :) Are you temping at all?

[JessicaRenee]

Here I am!

Can I be switched to "TTC currently" pleeeease? :-)

[zejh]

Here I am!

Can I be switched to "TTC currently" pleeeease? :-)

Oh, yeah, come to think of it I should be on "currently" too, though at this point in the year "2008" pretty much means the same thing... :wink

[kimiij]

Here I am!

Can I be switched to "TTC currently" pleeeease? :-)

Congrats! So everything has worked itself out?

[JlyGrnMigt]

iirc, GathererGirl had her baby, so can be moved to the graduates list.

I'm 29 :gross, and I guess we're aiming for 2010. Well, after the wedding at least, and ideally timed to avoid both birth in China or an expensive flight home to avoid birth in China. :)

He held a baby on Thanksgiving though, which was awkward and awesome. He said he liked it! I think it's time to change my sig...

[ladyinred]

Yay new thread!:joy::joy:

RE: UTI Jenne - If you can get ahold of this herb called Uva Ursi (Bear berry) it's really effective. The last UTI I had got pretty bad but with uva ursi, tons of garlic (DF thought that part was hilarious and stinky) plus some cranberry juice without sugar I managed to get rid of it without anti-biotics. I was having a real string of them and the thing is the anti-biotics get rid of the good bacteria that help combat the UTI's in the first place so make sure you take tons of pro-biotics to help rebuild your natural immunity.

RE: cat sling justbecca - DF and I need to get one of these. One of our cats is so clingy with DF and just wants to be carried around all the time when he gets home from work

RE: TTC - Congrats JessicaRenee and GuavaGirl and zejh :joy::joy: Wishing you lots of happy sticky baby vibes

Can I get my age changed to 27 on the intro? We're still not sure when we're going to start TTC, it seems like it's not going to be for a long time though. But the last time I got really weepy about babies DF decided that we are no longer simply DTD we are practicing to TTC with protection!:love

[JessicaRenee]

Congrats! So everything has worked itself out?

Not completely, but we're getting there. A month ago, Chris would barely touch me and I'd kick him away. Now he gets about halfway in. YAAAAY!

[GuavaGirl]

Andee: Yeah, I actually just started temping. I re-skimmed TCOYF a couple days ago. I've been charting just AF and CM for about a year. I think taking my temp. at the same time every morning is going to be hard, because at this time in my life I don't have a very regular sleep schedule. I wonder how much it will affect the accuracy.

[oiseau]

Not completely, but we're getting there. A month ago, Chris would barely touch me and I'd kick him away. Now he gets about halfway in. YAAAAY!

That's totally awesome!! I'm happy to hear that things are going so much better!!:joy:

[Kyamo]

Wow! So many people TTC now!

I'm not TTC, but I'm having one of those times where I have myself half-convinced I might be pregnant. I'm still on the pill, so most likely not, but I have better reasons this time than some other times. :eyesroll

[CAndMe]

Hi all, I am crazy busy right now with finals and everything. So sorry about the delay. I'll be back at the end of the week to update everything. :o

[kimiij]

Not completely, but we're getting there. A month ago, Chris would barely touch me and I'd kick him away. Now he gets about halfway in. YAAAAY!

That's great! :joy: Sending you some baby dust :dust

[JessicaRenee]

:Hug :throb :loveeyes:

[ladyinred]

I'm trying to think of a Christmas present for a couple who have just found out they're pregnant with their first baby. I'm thinking a book since they're both book type people. Any suggestions? I'm not too sure where they're going to fit on the baby raising AP continum but they're pretty green and have some friends who are are AP but I don't want to be pushy and be like "This is what I want to do when I have a baby so you should try it too :)" or something like that. I'm really happy for them. They've been trying for a long while.:joy::joy:

[GuavaGirl]

ladyinred: I just gave a gift to a couple who just found out they're having a baby. They've been trying for a year, so it was really exciting. I ended up getting them a cute hallmark card specifically for Pregnancy congratulations, and then I got a pregnancy journal for her. It was specifically made for recording pregnancy events and there were pages to fill out things like "How did you first find out", "Post 1st ultrasound and big belly pic here", "What have your cravings been", "List potential baby names", etc. I thought it was pretty cute, and I'm totally gonna do something like that when I'm pregnant.

Oh! I'd check out etsy for some unique pregnancy related gifts too.

[kimiij]

What about a subscription to Mothering magazine?

As far as books:

Thinking women's guide to a better birth by Henci Goer
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Birthing from Within by Pam England
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin

[Shaina]

books:

anything by Dr.Sears is good since its by a well known family/baby doctor

[Andee]

I would love a subscription to Mothering when I get pregnant. :)
I love the idea of giving them a book. Also, you could start stocking them up on essentials like cloth diapers (if they plan to use them), baby toys, or baby clothes. When I had a friend that had just found out before Christmas, I gave some organic clothes and a little toy wrapped in a baby blanket with ribbon.

[tippy]

subbing...

i haven't been around in a while. i've had a terribly busy couple of months with school and work, but classes are over for the semester, so i'm back!!

[JessicaRenee]

On an ever-so-slightly unrelated note...tomorrow is our 5-month anniversary! :joy:

[texmati]

Happy Anniversary, Jessica!!!

[Shaina]

happy anniversary Jessica

on another note i got a tattoo
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Muahh_BOB/?action=view&current=tattoo-1.jpg

[Andee]

Happy Anniversary, Jessica!!!:thumb

Nice tattoo, Shaina. What's the story behind it?

[ladyinred]

Happy anniversary Jessica!

Nice tatoo Shaina!

Thanks for the advice everyone. Happy weekend!:joy:

[Shaina]

Happy Anniversary, Jessica!!!:thumb

Nice tattoo, Shaina. What's the story behind it?

not to much of a story its my fav quote. and i've realized lately that you need live where your heart wants to be because if you dont you'll be miserable

[Sage.Naissance]

RE: Vitex (for Jenne I think)
I am supposed to be doing a three month treatment of vitex. I havent gotten very far with it because it tastes so horrendously bad I cant seem to bring myself to take it every day. I have both tincture and tea. I found the secret to taking it was to put tincture drops in a shot glass, put in a teeny bit of hot water to help evapourate the alcohol and squeeze in a wee bit of lime. Somehow it just went down easier that way. It does definitely work for regulating hormones. If you want to induce menstruation you could use a sprig of parsley vaginally, or take a lot of ginger tea. Among other things... I could look some more up but those are the ones I think of off the top of my head.

As for me... I had a crazy week and am feeling a bit shaken up. Read my blog for details.

[Jenne]

Sage- Thanks for the advice! For some reason I had assumed Chasteberry/Vitex was pills. Eeewww. I'm not sure I can do a liquid. Hmmm. I'm gonna go to the herbalist on Monday so we'll see. A sprig of parsley? Really? Hmmm. Do you know anyone who has actually done this? Will it bring on menses or is it to regulate menses? How long does it need to be there? How many times? Hmmm. I eat an awful lot of ginger. I haven't noticed any effect.

As for your blog...yeah...that's complicated. :) I'm glad you found the tenderness and such that you were needing. Sometimes friends make the best more-than-friends. :D

Jenne

[jaclyn7]

Good Sunday all, I hope a lovely weekend was shared by all.

Sage, complicated, imperfectly perfect, lovely, and probably just what was needed by both of you :hug

Love the quote and tattoo. I'm trying to schedule an appointment sooner than later to have a swallow place on my left wrist.

We might try this week, but as the days grow closer I'm scared and wonder if I will ever be ready. I guess I'll just have to jump in feet first and go back to our original plan of taking it day by day, casually not not trying - but January seems like I better idea. That is until I see a sweet babe and my heart melts and I forget about the last 10 lbs. I want to lose...

[Zephyrine]

I'm wondering if I could join this group.
I'm nineteen, and with no plans for children for the next 5 years anyways.

[CAndMe]

Ok, I think we are officially updated. Sorry for the delay. Congrats to those currently TTC. GuavaGirl, I put you in TTC if that's ok.

Shaina, It's beautiful!

So I presented my childbirth film in class on Friday and it went really well. The professor seemed impressed and the whole class (58 women, 2 gay dudes) had sooo many questions about childbirth options and why don't we know this and how does it work when you have a midwife, etc. It was really great. But alas, more time for some more finals this week. So psyched for Christmas though!

[helen_emily]

RE: Vitex (for Jenne I think)
If you want to induce menstruation you could use a sprig of parsley vaginally, or take a lot of ginger tea. Among other things... I could look some more up but those are the ones I think of off the top of my head.

A sprig of parsley? Really? Hmmm. Do you know anyone who has actually done this? Will it bring on menses or is it to regulate menses? How long does it need to be there? How many times? Hmmm. I eat an awful lot of ginger. I haven't noticed any effect.

Jenne, I have actually used a combination of mega-dosing vit C and parsley to bring on menstruation a couple of years ago.

As far as the parsley goes, I actually brewed up pots of parsley tea and drank that constantly during the day.
I also made a parsley "pessary" by separating the leaves from the stems then kind of rolling the leaves into a ball for insertion. Make sure they're way up near the entrance to your cervix. I did a pessary for three nights and tea during the day for the two days. The third morning I woke up with my menses.

I had also been mega-dosing vit C for two days before starting the parsley treatment (so 5 days total) but if you're just bringing on a late period, the parsley might (should) help.
It softens the cervix I believe?

My cycle was very irregular at this time and I used a combination of vitamin E and C to regulate it. I can tell you more about that if you want?

HTH and wasn't too much info :innocent

Sage.Naissance I am really curious to know where you found info about using a ginger tea to bring on menses? My pregnant friend is currently using ginger tea to help control her extreme morning sickness... I had no idea it has any effect on your cycle, could it cause issues for her pregnancy?

[texmati]

Shaina! What a wonderful tattoo. I'm jealous-- I'm terrified of needles, I know I'll never get one.

[Andee]

I'm wondering if I could join this group.
I'm nineteen, and with no plans for children for the next 5 years anyways.

I don't think I would be out of line to say
:w
Pull up a chair and make yourself comfy! :)

[Shaina]

Shaina! What a wonderful tattoo. I'm jealous-- I'm terrified of needles, I know I'll never get one.
aww thank you. ya it didnt really hurt for me, have you ever seen a tattoo gun? it doesnt really look like a needle at all actually:wink

Welcome Zephyrine


update:

so new with me I'm moving back to colorado here in a few weeks and i am so excited it was time for me to make a decision for what i needed in my life in the moment not just in the long term of things. I'm getting an apartment with one of my really good girlfriends and i'm super excited i plan on moving up there as soon as i can find a car to buy which is definitely turning into a hassle.
on another note i started dating this guy who is definitely a cutie i'll post a picture here soon. at the moment i'm not sure if its going to turn into a super serious relationship but it is nice to be having sex again and he's a super sweetheart he came down from CO (4 hours) just to spend one day with me for my birthday last friday so he's a keeper for the moment. other than that not much else is going on. just living each day..day by day :)

[jaclyn7]

Welcome Zephyrine!

Happy Monday to the rest. Anyone have snow pictures to share? I'm getting restless and longing for some winter white!

[Sage.Naissance]

Sage.Naissance I am really curious to know where you found info about using a ginger tea to bring on menses? My pregnant friend is currently using ginger tea to help control her extreme morning sickness... I had no idea it has any effect on your cycle, could it cause issues for her pregnancy?

Medicinal doses of ginger are an abortificant. Simple ginger teas would not be sufficient to induce abortion(though I would be concerned about anyone with a tendancy to miscarry) but very high amounts of ginger in combination with other things can do it. I am talking the strength I would use to fight off a nasty cold, where I would boil an inch of root for ten minutes until its almost as dark as beer and drink that several times a day(no more than four though). This information comes from several sources primarily Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing year by Susun Weed.

Parsley is an emmenogogue so it induces menstruation, not regulates it. Vitex is a hormonal alterative that regulates it.

Let me pull out my trusty wise woman herbal...

Other emmenogogues:
Tansy leaves(tanacetum vulgare)
Pennyroyal leaves (hedeoma pulegioides) Tincture 20 drops in hot water, up to three cups per day, up to five days
And as mentioned before: vitamin c


Thanks for reading about my lusty week guys! hehe. Sometimes its fun to kiss and tell.

[ladyinred]

Welcome Zephyrine!

Happy Monday to the rest. Anyone have snow pictures to share? I'm getting restless and longing for some winter white!

:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol I'm freezing and everything's covered in snow up here in New Brunswick:cold: No pictures yet. I should go take some though. We had -27C wind chill yesterday. Tomorrow it's meant to go up to 10C with rain. Crazy weather makes lots of mess :P I like the snow, not the mess.

[helen_emily]

Parsley is an emmenogogue so it induces menstruation, not regulates it. Vitex is a hormonal alterative that regulates it.

Let me pull out my trusty wise woman herbal...

Oooh thanks for your detailed reply. I have never been sure whether we're allowed to talk about some of this stuff at MDC to be honest. But I would love to learn more if you have any good website recommendations (or even books... although I'm trying not to buy so many hehe)

I think my friend should be ok, she doesn't actually like ginger at all so she's using the minimum she can to help her symptoms. Thanks for the explaination :D

I've never heard of Vitex before, I'll have to do some reading about it!

[GuavaGirl]

So, I just wanted to let everyone know that I finally have my art showing at my favorite local coffee shop in town!

I posted pictures on my blog (http://www.alishavernon.com).

[zejh]

So, I just wanted to let everyone know that I finally have my art showing at my favorite local coffee shop in town!

I posted pictures on my blog (http://www.alishavernon.com).

Cool! :thumb
(One of these days I'd like to be organized enough to be able to do that with my art.)

[oiseau]

Just checking in. I'm still sick...it appears that I have some type of chronic bowel/colon disease. My guess at this point is Crohn's but there are a few other possibilities. I'm in the middle of prep for a colonoscopy tomorrow:( Hoping to get some answers then.
In other news, my partner and I may be making a HUGE move and lifestyle change soon. I've been doing a lot of soul searching during my illness and have come to the conclusion that I'm really just wasting my time in grad school. It's not what I want to be doing now and I have no use for the PhD it would ultimately earn me. We're in the middle of strategizing right now to come up with a plan before I quit. My DP had an awesome interview last week for pretty much his dream job and he hears back on Friday. If he gets it, we'll have to somehow figure out how to rapidly move back to the Baltimore-DC area with no money and me being ill. We've always said we didn't want to move back to that area (I lived there for 5yrs while I did undergrad and he lived there for 3yrs while he got his Masters...it's where we met)....but this job would kind of erase all the negatives. Plus, rents are so much cheaper there than here (Boston), that we'd actually be able to rent a whole farmhouse....and have chickens!! I'd have to find a job, but there's so much more available down there than there is in this area for people in our field. It's going to be crazy, but it feels like it's right and it feels like it's taking a huge step towards getting to some of my important life goals. I think I just need to be away from school to get physically and mentally healthy again. And the sooner I get healthy and settled financially...the sooner we can think about TTC.
I'll stop rambling...this is pretty secret in real life, so it feels good to get it out.
Happy Anniversary other Jessica, cool tattoo Shaina and art Guava...and good luck Sage with your boy!

[tippy]

oiseau - hope you feel better! and good luck with all the possible transitions!

guavagirl - i <3 ur work. it's amazing! good luck at the showing!

[Zephyrine]

Thanks for the welcome.
I'm up to my knees in snow here too. I currently reside in northern Ontario while attending university.

[Jenne]

I am so stressed! I'm trying to get my house all packed up and ready to be painted and carpeted before we leave for our honeymoon on Sunday. Crazy! Oh, and working too. And getting new employees ready to start the first of January. And take care of Christmas planning. And figuring out where we are going to live while my house is on the market. And...and...and...

Calgon! Take me away!

I started Vitex this morning. I decided although I bought the pills, to do the tincture this week since I have OJ available and take the pills on the honeymoon cause they would be easier. I started with 1ml every morning this week. Then next week I'll move to 1 pill in the AM and 1 in the PM. I am hoping that is right. The tincture doesn't have how many mg of stuff is in it.

DH is wanting help moving boxes so I'm gonna go help...

exciting news guava girl about the show...oiseau follow your heart...thank you sage for the info...welcome new NMYers.

OH! And BFF confided they are going to stop preventing in February...exciting times!

[Kyamo]

There's not a ton of snow here, though the ground is covered. However, after all that rain, its now an ice rink everywhere. I took the bus to work yesterday instead of walking because I was having to walk half as fast and didn't want to be late.

I'm still wondering if I might be pregnant (please tell me I'm not the only one that does this, becoming half-convinced I'm pregnant despite chances being really low?). I guess I'll probably have my bubble burst next week as I'm nearly done this pack of pills. It'll be good to know rather than keep wondering though.

We're leaving on the 20th to visit in-laws (9.5 hr drive) so I'm rushing around trying to get everything done before we go.

[JessicaRenee]

We're moving out to Utah on the 19th and we don't have an apartment or even jobs yet! Scary! Chris' sister is going to go look at a couple places or us tomorrow.

[GuavaGirl]

Kyamo: oh, you're definitely not the only who thinks she pregnant...even in times of very low odds. :)

[Sage.Naissance]

Kyamo, I had protected sex once the day after my period once and thought I was pregnant... Every logical thing in the world screamed that I was not pregnant but somehow I thought that I would be.
Interestingly enough after a week long love affair of, I'll be honest, a lot of sex(protected still of course) while I was ovulating and I havent even worried a bit about it... Maybe its because in the first scenario it would be an absolute true disaster, and in the latter case it would at least be with someone I love, so I didnt panic.
Jenne, good luck with the vitex!! It should work well. Please remember not to take it for longer than three months. It is an alterative and should get you on the right track and you shouldnt need to be taking it longer than that. If things dont resolve themselves on the vitex after 3 months, I encourage you to see a naturopath. I am not sure if it is generally the case but I was instructed to stop vitex on my bleeding days. I am not sure who advised you to take it but I would see whether this would be the case with you.

I am always happy to share what info I have!

Things are getting pretty good for me. I am happy. Perhaps just feeling better after having some much needed sex, but its good. I also may have a date soon. A friend of a friend who is just exceedingly handsome has shown an interest in me, and I let it be known that were he to ask me on a date, I would say yes. I have no expectations of it going anywhere serious, but I look forward to a fun few dates. Portland is starting to feel like home.

I am not sure if I told you guys I am moving. I am moving into a wonderful place with some really great people who suit me more. Unfortunately my current roomate(who owns our house) is pissed at me for moving and has resorted to passive agressive notes, and making judgements about my lifestyle! I am welcoming this transition.

I am working on building up a doula collective here and so far it is looking wonderful. I cant wait to see what happens with it! It's all very exciting.

Zephryne, where in Ontario are you? I am from Ontario originally. Sometimes I get an intense craving to move to Toronto, I have to squash it but I have come full circle from hating that city to loving it. It is so kind to me.

[Kyamo]

Zephryne, where in Ontario are you? I am from Ontario originally. Sometimes I get an intense craving to move to Toronto, I have to squash it but I have come full circle from hating that city to loving it. It is so kind to me.

I know you weren't asking me, but I live in Toronto.

[tippy]

There's not a ton of snow here, though the ground is covered. However, after all that rain, its now an ice rink everywhere. I took the bus to work yesterday instead of walking because I was having to walk half as fast and didn't want to be late.

I'm still wondering if I might be pregnant (please tell me I'm not the only one that does this, becoming half-convinced I'm pregnant despite chances being really low?). I guess I'll probably have my bubble burst next week as I'm nearly done this pack of pills. It'll be good to know rather than keep wondering though.

We're leaving on the 20th to visit in-laws (9.5 hr drive) so I'm rushing around trying to get everything done before we go.

:) you are definitely not the only one!

[Andee]

Kyamo, I'll just add one more voice the "you're not alone" chorus. :) We're definetly not ttc yet, but we're not doing a whole lot of anything for prevention either. Just this cycle I had myself so convinced that we got pregnant. Everything screamed symptom to me -- heartburn, exaustion, slight cramps, etc.. I've finally just come to the conclusion that my PMS symptoms look like pregnancy, therefore I'll never actually know until I miss a period. :eyesroll

Sage (as well as anyone else), I think you might enjoy this website about passive-aggressive notes. (http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/) I found the book in Barnes and Noble one day recently while browsing, and you made me think of it. :D

[oiseau]

I love passive aggressive notes!! My lab-siblings and I have made a game of leaving each other passive aggressive notes. I'm not that great at it though...my notes apparently are just plain aggressive... I'm getting better at it though.
I'll join the list too. Even though we only have sex once or twice a month (i've been sick, plus suffering from non-existent libido), I always think I'm pregnant. We did have one really serious scare back in April when my period was actually late. I was about to test, but started bleeding before I got home that day. I realized then that on a daily basis I have most or all of the typical early pregnancy symptoms. I'm wondering when it really happens though, if I'll just KNOW or just be puzzled until I actually test.... We'll see.
Also, as a PSA...colonoscopies are AWFUL. Everyone kept telling me that the prep was the worst part and, well, the prep did suck, but being held down while a nurse pressed on my abdomen and a doctor rammed a tube through my apparently very twisty colon was terrible. The meds they gave me hardly did a thing so I was conscious and very capable of feeling pain the entire time. Just being in the hospital made me feel so vulnerable and powerless and made me so glad we're planning a homebirth. They still don't know what's wrong with me, but I've officially been sick for 4 weeks now...yay?

[Sage.Naissance]

Oiseau I am sorry to hear about your colonscopy... I have the deepest sympathies. My father has gone through a number of them. Actually I was at a christmas party in an older and a lot of colonscopy jokes started going around... then all of the fifty-somethings looked at us 20-somethings and were like... oh my god we sound so old...
Oh passive agressive notes... I will entertain myself for a while with that. I have seen the site before but it will bring some much needed light to my situation.
Cheers girls.

[Kyamo]

Sorry oiseau. I hope you figure out what's causing it.

I've finally just come to the conclusion that my PMS symptoms look like pregnancy, therefore I'll never actually know until I miss a period. :eyesroll

Yep, that's why its so easy to get convinced. EVERY pregnancy symptom could be something else instead. Breast pain? Pregnancy or PMS or just random. Nausea? Pregnancy or ate something bad or gas or getting sick. Spotting? Implantation bleeding, or took a pill late, or sex caused it, or random. Cramps? Pregnancy or periods coming. Extra tired? Pregnancy or stayed up too late or stress or coming down with a cold. Etc etc etc.


This time for me, it was a one-time blob of bright red blood 3 weeks ago, and more than usual breast pains for the last 2 weeks. I know, I'm being stupid.

[Sage.Naissance]

Kyamo, say hi to Toronto for me! What neighbourhood do you live in?

[Jenne]

I'm finishing up packing and getting ready to drop into bed...but I had to post. In the "I know I'm not pregnant but what if I am category"--I POAS today since both yesterday AM and this AM immediately after breakfast I got sick. BFN (of course) and after I did it I thought, "Well, that was $5 down the drain. How in the world could you be pregnant you haven't had a cycle since June!!!" And then I laughed...

So, we are going on our honeymoon TOMORROW!!!! So excited.

Oiseau-have you had your allergies tested? Particularly since you just came off some antibiotics you might look into that. I had an Upper GI thing done (I didn't want the colonoscopy too) for nothing as it turned out to be a corn, onion, and garlic allergy...either way I hope you feel better soon.

Everyone have a wonderful week! :D See ya soon! :thumb:love

Jenne:D

[oiseau]

Jenne-
I had a whole food allergy panel done a couple years ago and I'm allergic to all dairy, eggs, grapes, sesame, blueberries and I have mild allergies to a few other random things. I had been cheating a bit on the dairy...cheese specifically...but I've cut all that out since I've been sick. It would be nice to get another allergy test done to see if anything has changed, but I don't have the money for that. If I end up back in MD, I can go back to see my old naturopath. My health is just a giant disaster right now.

[JessicaRenee]

WE DID IT WE DID IT WE DID IT!!! :joy: :1praying:

[kimiij]

WE DID IT WE DID IT WE DID IT!!! :joy: :1praying:

Congratulations! I am so happy for you two :joy:

Sending you some baby dust :dust

[Kyamo]

WE DID IT WE DID IT WE DID IT!!!

WOOOOOOT!!!!


BFN (of course) and after I did it I thought, "Well, that was $5 down the drain.

I bought one today from Dollarama for $1. I have seen them at Dollar Tree in the States for $1 too.

Kyamo, say hi to Toronto for me! What neighbourhood do you live in?


PMing you.

[JessicaRenee]

Congratulations! I am so happy for you two :joy:

Sending you some baby dust :dust

Thanks! Apparently I will be able to conceive on/around the 24th. Woohoo!

[oiseau]

yay! I'm so glad you finally got everything to work out!!! Be sure to enjoy it while you're working on procreating ;-)

[GuavaGirl]

This is random, but I need some advice.


I want to tell a family that I've recently started babysitting for, that I want to quit, but I can't think of a way to do it w/o sounding insulting. I live in a smallish town, so I'll probably see them from time to time, and I just don't want it to be weird.

The reason is that their son has got some bad behavior and it really stresses me out. I have stress/anxiety issues and I'm really trying to get that all down to a minimum esp. since we're TTC.

I'm a good babysitter. I babysit for several other families so I know kids aren't perfect, but this kid seriously raises my blood pressure. (well, it feels like it.)
Plus, their last babysitter quit too, so I know it's not me.


Anyway, what would you say?


Thanks!

[tippy]

This is random, but I need some advice.


I want to tell a family that I've recently started babysitting for, that I want to quit, but I can't think of a way to do it w/o sounding insulting. I live in a smallish town, so I'll probably see them from time to time, and I just don't want it to be weird.

The reason is that their son has got some bad behavior and it really stresses me out. I have stress/anxiety issues and I'm really trying to get that all down to a minimum esp. since we're TTC.

I'm a good babysitter. I babysit for several other families so I know kids aren't perfect, but this kid seriously raises my blood pressure. (well, it feels like it.)
Plus, their last babysitter quit too, so I know it's not me.


Anyway, what would you say?


Thanks!

guavagirl - i would probably say something along the lines of this "i'm sorry, for personal reasons i am going to have to stop babysitting for you". i'm a non-confrontational person, and i really hate to cause drama for myself, so i would keep it vague. if they kept pressing you for reasons, you could mention that you are TTC and are trying not to cut back on what you've been doing.

[GuavaGirl]

Thanks tippy! That makes me feel better. I just sent the email, and then I think you were posting this at the same time. I feel better though, because I wrote something along the same lines of what you said. I think it's pretty funny that I asked about this on here, cause it's really not that big of a deal, but at the time, it seems like it, ya know? ...and I always get scared that people are going to get really mad at me.....and take away my birthday...or something like that. :)

Here's what I wrote:

Hi Christina,

I actually won't be able to babysit on Tuesday.

Also, I'm really sorry, but I don't think I'm going to be able to babysit for you in the future either. I love your family, and you've been nothing but nice, but the truth is, Jordan can really stress me out. I have some issues with anxiety (physical symptoms with my hands) that I'm really working to lessen/eliminate, especially since we've recently decided to start trying to have a baby, and at this time, it's just really not healthy for me.

This is hard for me to do, and I'm sorry for the inconvenience.


Wishing you the best,

Alisha

[APBTlover]

WE DID IT WE DID IT WE DID IT!!! :joy: :1praying:


Yay!!!! :joy::joy:

[GuavaGirl]

So I just called and made an appt. for "preconception visit." I was a little disappointed because the receptionist wasn't really sure what I was talking about. I've read about making an appt. like that (on here, and other sites) and I thought it would be a little more well known. Now I'm kind of scared of getting there and them being like "uh, what exactly do you want?" There is one midwife that works there, but she only meets with you if you're already pregnant. (& that's the only midwife in my town!)

I'll let you know how it goes. It's on Wednesday.


Has anyone else done this before?

[Shaina]

WE DID IT WE DID IT WE DID IT!!! :joy: :1praying:
yay!!!!!:love:thumb:joy: i'm so happy for you

[Kyamo]

So I just called and made an appt. for "preconception visit." I was a little disappointed because the receptionist wasn't really sure what I was talking about. I've read about making an appt. like that (on here, and other sites) and I thought it would be a little more well known. Now I'm kind of scared of getting there and them being like "uh, what exactly do you want?" There is one midwife that works there, but she only meets with you if you're already pregnant. (& that's the only midwife in my town!)

I'll let you know how it goes. It's on Wednesday.


Has anyone else done this before?


Who did you make an appointment with? Family doctor? ObGyn? Midwife? :confused:

I've never heard of a preconception appointment. At my regular physicals, my family doctor has asked me about my plans though, and basically just told me to start taking prenatals before TTC.

[CAndMe]

Jessica, that's awesome. I'm glad you guys were able to get through it. :champagne heres to doin' it.

[GuavaGirl]

Kyamo: It was an "Ob/gyn Midwifery Center" I think it's like the hospitals birthing center and it has 1 midwife.

[Sage.Naissance]

Independant midwives are probably more accustomed to such visits.
I think they can be valuable for people who want to conceive. I would be interested in addressing fertility issues, screening for STIs, discussing nutrition, checking pre-pregnancy normal blood pressure. I would be looking to see if you had recently been on the pill and see if we could straighten any hormone issues out before trying to conceive... I am not a midwife yet but those would be my considerations. I think that is a good idea, but yeah, an OBs office might be a little confused as to why you would want to do anything like that. I would actually reccomend doing an appointment like that with a naturopathic midwife or an independant midwife personally, they might have more of value to offer. What are your goals surrounding this appointment.

Jessica, congratulations on your sexual success! I am so happy for you. As was mentioned before, enjoy it. sex can be so wonderful once you get the hang of it. Be patient with yourself regarding conception and the sexual progress you make in general. Dont put pressure on yourself or him to conceive, first get accustomed to the act, and start to enjoy it, and it should come naturally from there. Be well, darling.

Guava girl. I have had to quit full time nanny jobs for similar reasons... except it was the parents stressing me out rather than the kids! I always find the grown ups way harder to handle! I hope they take it well and that you have success in getting a handle on your anxiety. I have made a lot of progress i that area over the last few years. If you want to talk pm me.

So, what are everyone's holiday plans?

I have a big family christmas/recital happening here where I have to play the piano for my whole family and their suburban neighbours on the 21st.. and I only have been playing for like two months.
Then I head to my aunt and uncles about an hour and a half south to hang out for a week, and relax. We are having a 7 course dinner on christmas night with about ten of their friends. I am really looking forward to that!
Then once I get back from there I will be moving into my new amazing house!! And then on January 6 I find out whether I got into school (holy crap! Seriously, I am terrified to find out). No new years plans though.

[Kyamo]

Had to use the divacup today. Not pregnant. :gloomy:

Holidays... leaving on Saturday for the in-laws, 9.5 hour drive, blah. Being there is pretty boring, but I'll get a lot of knitting done. Coming back the 30th, working 31st and 1st. Visiting my parents on the 2nd (only 20 mins away). Then back to the regular schedule.

The beginning of 2009 also marks time to re-apply to the school board though. Eek.

[ladyinred]

I'm a bit behind on the thread but congrats Jessica, that's wonderful.:joy::joy:


GuavaGirl - I think you did the right thing. We spend so much of our time working and if that work is causing you stress and it's only part of what you do for work, it's good to stick to those jobs that don't cause you so much anxiety and stress, especially if you're TTC.

Kyamo - I'm sorry to hear you're not pregnant yet ( but yay divacup!) I'm sure it will happen when it's meant to happen :hug

I got to buy a baby sling for someone today for a present. It was fun looking at all kinds of baby stuff. I nearly got them a Dr. Sears book I found but I don't know, if felt too... pushy. Like this is what I want for when I have a baby so you should want this too. I don't know, I probably read too much into things.

Anyway, the sling I bought comes in three sizes based on the person who's wearing it's size. I'm pretty small but the people I'm buying for are both much taller and bigger than me and the lady at the store looked at me like I was crazy till I explained it wasn't for me. I hope it fits. They still have about 6 months left before the baby comes but I'm so excited :love It's hard having so many people around me with babies sometimes but I love oogling them :thumb

This is going to be Df's first Christmas with my family hopefully, as long as the weather doesn't turn terrible. We're driving about 6 hours on Christmas Eve to go stay at my Aunt's house and hang out with my mom's side of the family for three days. May stop in on my Dad's side on the way home. Not sure if Df's ready for that though. That side of the family's much more religious and straight laced. We'll see. Happy Holidays everyone!

[kimiij]

I got to buy a baby sling for someone today for a present. It was fun looking at all kinds of baby stuff. I nearly got them a Dr. Sears book I found but I don't know, if felt too... pushy. Like this is what I want for when I have a baby so you should want this too. I don't know, I probably read too much into things.

I know what you mean. I get kind of nervous too when I'm picking out baby gifts. I often want to get things that I would want for myself and so I have to edit my gift choices. I still get them something in line with my thinking but I don't go overboard.

[CAndMe]

Hey all!
Holiday plans-wise Chris and I will have a Christmas eve dinner at my mom's (maybe go see his parents during the day, if he wants) then on Christmas day we drive up to NY and visit my dad and little sister for a few days. Then I have to come back to do inventory at the store. :cold:

[tippy]

for the holidays...
dh and i are leaving this weekend to drive home (FL) for the holidays. we are going to be there for 2 weeks, so that should be nice. i always love going home and seeing my fam and friends, esp since we go home only 1x/yr.

i hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! i hope 2009 is filled with happiness and love for everyone.

[oiseau]

our holiday plans:
We're heading down to PA to spend a few days with my mom. We're not leaving until Christmas day since josh has to work christmas eve. So we'll get there sometime late in the day Christmas and spend that day with my mom and brother. I think we're going to spend friday with my dad for most of the day. I think josh is going to steal my car and take it up to his parent's house for saturday for his mom's family's big christmas gathering. I may or may not be going along. I'm not sure if I'm up to dealing with his mom...I'm really overwhelmed by her entire side of the family...and I also just don't want to make that extra drive (they're about 3hrs from my mom).
We're heading back home on Sunday so josh can be back at work on monday. That's it for official holiday plans. Our good friend (josh's ex gf) is going to be visiting tues and weds and we're both really looking forward to that. Lots of people think it's weird that the three of us have a good relationship, but we have a lot of similar interests...and it just works.

I got the results of my colonoscopy yesterday and they found....absolutely nothing... The GI doc thinks I just had a bacterial infection due to being on abx from my iguana bite and that triggered my IBS to act up. I guess it's good to know everything is (relatively) ok, but it's also really frustrating because there's no real way to treat this. I'm thinking a lot of it is just stress related as well...
We're in the process of coming up with a plan for the next few months/years to make things happier and less stressful for josh and I both. I'm probably going to be giving up my current grad program and switching to vet school. We've been trying to figure out how that'll work for having kids (probably putting off TTC til 2014) and then raising them with minimal need for daycare. Josh surprised me by saying last night that he'd seriously consider being a SAHD, at least part time. It's nice to know he'd be just as upset as me if we had to put them into daycare.
We're holed up hiding from a bad snowstorm outside.

[Kyamo]

Kyamo - I'm sorry to hear you're not pregnant yet ( but yay divacup!) I'm sure it will happen when it's meant to happen :hug

I know... its not the best time anyways (hence the birth control... lol). Can't help being a bit sad though.

[Tracy]

I just wanted to peek into your thread and let any of the older NotMomsYet know that some of us were later when we had our children.
I didn't meet my husband until I was 38 and I did not get married until I was 41 and then I had DS when I was 43!!!! I know that must seem like an eternity but you know it was worth it. and I am convinced the baby/child comes at the exact right time.

I send you guys big hugs and I hope 2009 is the year where a bunch of you become mommies!

Happy Holidays!

[GuavaGirl]

So here's a little update on our TTC plans.

We were planning on trying this cycle. I went to the dentist (hadn't been in a while) and I have a cavity, and my gums are not in the best shape. So now we're thinking about waiting another month until all of that gets taken care of. I'm a little bummed. I know it sounds pathetic, but when you're that close, and then it's like "oh nevermind", it's a slight let down. Esp. since we have this little vacation planned, which happens to be right around when I ovulate. We thought it would be a great TTC kick off vacation too! (we keep going back and forth on what we should do, trying to determine what is safe and what isn't)

...and to top it all off, yesterday as I left a house I was babysitting at, the little baby did not want me to go. He didn't want to let go of me and was all upset when I was leaving. This hasn't happen before with him. Maybe it was because we did a lot of snuggling that day. Anyway, I was fine, but then as I was driving down the road I got really sad all of a sudden, got home, and just started crying. I was missing this kid already! My poor DH was like....."uh I'm sorry you're so sad, but he's not even your baby honey.???" He's constantly baffled by the power of maternal instincts. :)


Oh, and Tracy, thanks for the reality check. :)

-Alisha

[kimiij]

For those who celebrate, how was your Christmas?

[talk de jour]

Hey all!

I'd like to join you ladies.

I'm Lindsay; I live with my dp/fiance Dave, two kitties and a huge GSD in beautiful Florissant, MO.

I found MDC through a link to a thread and just started reading... and here I am!

We're "not not TTC" and are looking at possibly having to deal with some fertility issues when we really start TTC for real. :\

[Andee]

Welcome, talk de jour!

I've been hiding out for a little while, working on a "sock" monkey (http://www.flickr.com/photos/25740578@N03/3142484956/) that I thought was just too cool. Unfortunately, the little girl that I gave it to didn't like it. Those were her exact words on first sight -- "I don't like it." :crying Well, that was 50-some-odd hours down the drain. When I asked why, she told me she wanted a princess barbie instead...

In other news, DP's and my fifth dating anniversary was on the 15th! I can't believe it's been FIVE YEARS already!

I gotta go. Happy Holidays!

[jaclyn7]

We had a lovely, if bittersweet Christmas. Both Kyle and I lost a grandparent this year (his in December just before his birthday) and I had a chemical pregnancy that ended on the 22nd, but honestly it has just brought us all that much closer.

We're really struggling with when to try...

:hug Andee & welcome Talk du jour

[knittinanny]

Andee, that monkey is so cool! I'm sure once the barbie-lover turns about 14, that sock monkey will be the coolest thing she owns.

Jaclyn, sorry for your losses! The holidays can be a hard enough time without extra sadness!

We did absolutely nothing for the holidays. DP has/had the flu and a terrible cough and spend 5 days asleep on the couch. I knitted and read books. All in all, not so bad. I'm fairly bummed to be back at work after all that relaxing, though!

[oiseau]

We had an uneventful Christmas. I came down with my 2nd case of gastroenteritis last monday and after much deliberation, we decided to cancel our christmas travel plans. I'd been looking forward to seeing my parents and brother, but in the end, it would have been too much driving and I just wasn't feeling well enough. We went out on Christmas eve to try to get some food (we hadn't planned on being home and had no groceries) and after having not eaten for 3 days and being tired....the trip to the store was a huge disaster and ended with me having a huge meltdown, just crying big fat tears while everyone else in the whole foods was happily planning for a the holiday. Josh and I have had a bad time with Christmas as long as we've been together. Miraculously, after I cried for a while, I perked up and felt much better and we promised we'd have a good Christmas day with no tears this year.
We went downtown to our favorite Japanese hot-pot restaurant and had a lovely day. He left on friday to go see his family and I stayed here. One of my host-sisters from my exchange year in France happened to be in the area, so I spent Friday afternoon/evening with her and had an awesome time. It's been a quiet weekend since then...I was sick again yesterday, but today I am determined to make it in to school and finish a giant project that's been looming over my head for months and MUST be finished today. And with that, I must be off..before I get too distracted by MDC and don't make it out the door for hours....

i LOVE the sock monkey!!

[talk de jour]

We had a lovely, if bittersweet Christmas. Both Kyle and I lost a grandparent this year (his in December just before his birthday) and I had a chemical pregnancy that ended on the 22nd, but honestly it has just brought us all that much closer.

We're really struggling with when to try...

:hug Andee & welcome Talk du jour

:hug I'm sorry for your losses. :(

[zejh]

Checking in... Aside from our Christmas Eve flight turning into a Christmas morning flight, arriving at my parents' house at 4am, it was a really good Christmas--the first one my parents and I have actually spent at home in 5 years (we've been going to Florida in recent years), and the first Christmas for me and dh as a married couple! :joy:

As far as TTC goes, dh and I have decided to say "screw it" on worrying about timing--if I get pregnant this month, I may have to end up missing my cousin's wedding in the fall, but, well, it could also take a few more months, so why bother worrying about the what-ifs on when it happens?

Anyhow, the really good news is that our finances seem to be very much under control (a large part of why we're not worried about timing), and with any luck, dh's work hours will be more normal within a month when the project he's working on goes online.

Oh, and the sock monkey is so cute! (I know my mom would've been mortified if I'd said anything negative to someone about a gift--I was on strict orders to be polite even if someone gave me something that was obviously a cheap drug store toy, and my mom did enough sewing that I could always tell if someone had put real effort into something...)

[ladyinred]

talk de jour :w Nice to meet you.

jaclyn7 - I'm sorry you've been struggling with so much loss but glad that it's brought you closer to your Dp. I don't know what it is about December. I lost three of my grandparents in Decembers of different years. I hadn't even heard of chemical pregnancy until earlier this year when one of my friends had one. Luckily she's managed to get pregnant for real now and is due in July :joy: I hope that things become clearer for you about when you want to try.

zejh - Seems like a really good attitude to take, just have fun and see what happens :) Enjoy!

oiseau - I'm sorry your Christmas started off rocky but it's great that it turned around.

Our Christmas was pretty great. We started out not so good, weather kept us home Christmas Eve and I was afraid we wouldn't get to go to stay with my family like we'd planned but the weather was better on Christmas day so we left at 6am to drive for 6 hours! It was crazy but really really fun. I love my family and Df seemed to really enjoy meeting my extended family. We played some crazy games, ates lots of awesome food and came back on Saturday. It's nice to be home. I'm trying to get lots of cleaning and organizing done this week before school starts up again.

Hope everyone's enjoying the last few days of 2008:joy::joy::joy:

[Andee]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! It's getting quiet in here. :wink

jaclyn7, :hugs
oiseau, are you feeling any better? How'd your project go?
zejh, that's awesome that you have all your financial ducks in a row. :) Any news on ttc? I just can't hardly wait until we get to that point!

Thank you everyone for the nice comments on the monkey. :innocent I'm very proud of him. Things are going pretty blah over here. DP and I have been sick for almost three weeks with what we think is bronchitis. I was a little worried that we'd have to go get antibiotics (we are currently without insurance), but apparently they don't work on bronchitis anyway because it's viral. So I'm just waiting to feel better...

I don't generally do these, but does anyone have any new year's resolutions?

[jaclyn7]

Thank you all for your kind wishes. It's snowing (again) here in Vancouver and I'm putting away our Christmas/solstice decorations - another year has begun.

I think for 2009, my big resolution is to let go of things more easily and go with the flow. I'm so uptight in many ways and the fear of everything not being just perfect is tiring. I'm not really sure what is holding us back from actively trying besides materialistic expectations and my fear of failure. We've sorta tried twice with the two losses, but we've hidden behind the "sorta" as somehow that dimishes our pain or our desire to start a family and I know we have both outgrown that safety net...

[kimiij]

My New Year's Resolution is to try and stay true to the following three words: Discerning, Hopeful, and Persevering. I'm trying to be discerning about the path that I'm supposed to take this next year, trying to be hopeful about new opportunities, and try to persevere through any crap that might come my way.

I adapted this idea of a three-word resolution from the Motherlode blog/column on NYTIMES. The author suggested creating a one-word New Year's Resolution. Well...I couldn't stick to one, so I came up with a three-word New Year's Resolution.

[Sage.Naissance]

My school is deciding on what applicants to accept in exactly three days. At this time on the sixth a bunch of women will be deciding my future. I am feeling very sick thinking about it, and hope that you will all send good vibes on the sixth in support of me getting into school. So much is dependant on this, I am getting more freaked out by the day!!!

My new years resolution is to bring in some money this year, and be better at saving.
I had a wonderful new years, very very good new years kiss....
All moved into my new house and things seem to be good, but I cant get this whole Birthingway decision out of my head.

[zejh]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! It's getting quiet in here. :wink
...
zejh, that's awesome that you have all your financial ducks in a row. :) Any news on ttc? I just can't hardly wait until we get to that point!
...


Well, financial ducks are getting close, but it looks like the postal service is making things a little less happy by getting one or two of our credit card bills in late. :irked: But the paying off part isn't worrisome.

As far as ttc, my body's being a little weird this month. We actually first started trying right after we got married in July, and I actually was pregnant back in August, but that only lasted through early September (I only really knew I was pregnant for barely 2 weeks). We were intending to try again right away, but stuff came up in October and November to sidetrack us, and the past month the problem seems to be that my body's decided too much is going on right now... (theater, travel, general stress) The frustrating thing is how easy it was last summer, and of course, trying not to stress is not a good way not to stress... :eyesroll

Anyhow... hopefully that'll happen sooner rather than later. (And, yeah, if it doesn't happen this month, well, that means we don't have to worry about getting to my cousin's wedding in the fall, right? 'cause, it would be hard to get several states over from here either very very pregnant or with a very very young baby... But still, if I had to pick one dilemma to have this year, I'll take having to skip a wedding because I'm having a baby!)

So, yeah... New Year's Resolutions: (1)Get everything in order, and (2)Don't stress, dwell, worry, etc. Just get stuff done, then enjoy life. (Easy to say when the hormones aren't swinging at me...) and related, but I'll give it its own number: (3)Last year was last year, good and bad. I can't live in the past on the good things, and I don't need to think about the bad things anymore (just deal with anything related as it comes up, obviously)

[Grateful]

Hi everyone. Would it be okay if I join in?

I'm Kit and I've been married a couple of years. No little ones yet, but we're (slowly) moving that direction. Sometimes I wish we were ready already(!) and other times I'm content to let things unfold as they will.

I hope maybe it will be helpful to hang here with some folks in a similar situation. Hope to get to know you!:D

[jaclyn7]

Welcome Kit!

Sage - everything crossable is crossed for you, I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday!

zejh - your #2 probably applies to most of us, how much we worry - it's crazy.

[jaclyn7]

Slightly back onto the buying things for baby, I received a gift card for Amazon.ca from my work golf tournament in September and I finally decided that I just had to take care of it. So, I grabbed a few books that I've wanted for a while...

"The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer, "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth", "Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife" by Peggy Vincent, and "Natural Pregnancy Book" by Romm Aviva!

I'm so excited, I've really slacked off with my Mama reading for too long.

[JessicaRenee]

So we just moved from Monterey to Salt Lake City a couple weeks ago. I love our little apartment and its location (a 5-minute walk from everything--Church, store, restaurants, Chris' school). Right now we're looking for work and enjoying the snow. :-)

Bed life is good, hehe. It's amazing, like we never had any issues. We're so happy! Things have been going so well that...

I think I'm pregnant!!! I've just been getting the impression over and over again...and spotting...I'm going to take a test next week. :love We're trying not to get too excited until I test, though.

[jaclyn7]

That is amazing Jessica! :joy:

[Grateful]

"The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer, "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth", "Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife" by Peggy Vincent, and "Natural Pregnancy Book" by Romm Aviva!

Good list! I've read a couple of these. I just got "Birth as an American Right of Passage" by Robbe E. Davis-Floyd. Also great!


I think I'm pregnant!!! Wow! That's wonderful!:joy:

[adinkra]

Happy New Year! I'm still new around these parts, but Hesperia invited me to join, so... here I am!

My nickname is Marti, I've been married to my college sweetheart for 3 years (after dating him for 7), and we're planning to start TTC in August or September of 2009.

We're also planning on buying a house in late 2009.
My freelance business is booming, and my part-time tax work is looking to do the same this year.
And I start grad school classes on Tuesday. :help

Planning to spend some distraction time here and looking forward to getting to know all of you!

[Sage.Naissance]

Jaclyn, Good book choices! I only own Ina May's guide. I must build up my collection.

Jess, I cant believe you think you are pregnant! That is crazy! Could you be the first graduate from our cohort or NMY? If you are not now you probably will be. Savour the bedroom girl! I am so proud of how far you've come(no pun intended!)! Good luck sweetie! I am so envious that you are in the position to get pregnant.
I am so far away from considering intentionally getting pregnant! I would love to get a boyfriend one of these years....
Anyways I am happy to ring in the new year with you all as my internet friends! I am feeling great! Welcome to the newcomers!
I will let y'all know over the next few days about my school results.

[ladyinred]

Sage - Best of luck!

Jessica - Wow, that's so wonderful :joy: I'm so happy for you :joy:

adinkra - Welcome :)

Friends of mine had two big announcements over Christmas. One was that they're engaged. This was not a big shock to me, I've known about it for a while because I'm standing with them and they've been planning their wedding for a really long time now. The second announcement is that they're pregnant! She had a chemical pregnancy not that long ago unfortunately and they were really excited about it and really sad when it turned out to not be an actual pregnancy so they're extatic about this one. She's due in July and they're getting married in October. I got to see the ultrasound picture, so amazing. Even though I'm not crazy pro ultrasounds, it is really cool to be able to see a picture of your baby while it's still inside of you. And in their case I can understand wanting to make sure there was actually a baby cooking in there :)

I set a ton of New Years goals this year. My brother and sister-in-law gave me this great journal/day planner that has places to set different kinds of goals for the year and talk about their progress and things, it's really wonderful.

Happy New Year everyone!

[JessicaRenee]

Thanks everyone!

Sage, I really couldn't have done it without that message you sent me. Answering the questions you asked really help me so much! *hugs*

[kimiij]

Wow! I'm so happy for you Jessica!! Keep us updated - hopefully it's a BFP!

[CAndMe]

Just popping in to say I'm crossing my fingers for you Jessica. :joy:

[Shaina]

Jaclyn, Good book choices! I only own Ina May's guide. I must build up my collection.

Jess, I cant believe you think you are pregnant! That is crazy! Could you be the first graduate from our cohort or NMY? If you are not now you probably will be. Savour the bedroom girl! I am so proud of how far you've come(no pun intended!)! Good luck sweetie! I am so envious that you are in the position to get pregnant.
I am so far away from considering intentionally getting pregnant! I would love to get a boyfriend one of these years....
Anyways I am happy to ring in the new year with you all as my internet friends! I am feeling great! Welcome to the newcomers!
I will let y'all know over the next few days about my school results.

i'm with you on the boyfriend part

congrats Jess let us know as soon as you know:joy:

i also have some more news but i just dont have the time right now i'll come back later:thumb

[Andee]

Jessica, congratulations!!!!! :love

Keep us updated for sure. When are you going to test?

[Andee]

"The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer, "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth", "Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife" by Peggy Vincent, and "Natural Pregnancy Book" by Romm Aviva!
Those are all books that I really want to read as well. Nice list! :thumb

Adinkra, welcome. :) Your siggy says you knit? I know how to knit, but I don't do it much (I'm more of a crochet girl). In fact, I started a sweater four years ago that's still on the needles! :innocent What kind of projects do you do?

[JessicaRenee]

Jessica, congratulations!!!!! :love

Keep us updated for sure. When are you going to test?

Probably the 11th. :-)

[oiseau]

Hi friends...welcome new people
Other Jess...sending good wishes your way! Glad things are working out!

I've been going to a HUGE scientific conference for the past few days. It's the main conference my lab attends every year and it just so happened to be in our city this year. I was excited not to travel and to be able to sleep in my own bed every night, but it's also been a pain because normally, in between sessions, I would just sneak back to my hotel room and chill....but it's an hr long public trans. trip to get back to my house...so I spent a lot more time there than I would have liked. Anyway, it's over now and I have time to myself again.
I'm debating going to visit my parents in the next day or so. I missed going home on Christmas because I was sick, so I'd really like to go see them. One of my ratties needs to go in for surgery though and my vet only does surgeries on Sunday. I feel like it would be best to do it this Sunday and I'm trying to decide if I'm comfortable waiting an extra week.

As for new year's resolutions, I didn't make any. Josh's was to not eat high-fructose corn syrup ever again. I already avoid it like the plague, so I'm good there. I guess I just start every new year hoping that I'll be healthier at the end of the year than the beginning. I'd love to be able to cut back on some of my meds and get better about focusing more on healing by making dietary changes. Taking my fish oil and probiotics every day. Getting my head in a happier place. This year is going to bring some huge changes and I hope everything works out well and for the best.

[Sage.Naissance]

I got in!!!! I was accepted to birthingway today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oiseau]

:joy: congratulations!!! :joy:

[Kyamo]

I got in!!!! I was accepted to birthingway today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!

I can't wait to hear the results on the 11th, Jessica.

[knittinanny]

I got in!!!! I was accepted to birthingway today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:joy::twothumbs:flowersforyou:

Congrats! That's so awesome!!

[ladyinred]

I got in!!!! I was accepted to birthingway today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay!!!:joy::joy::joy: Congratulations!

[CAndMe]

Congratulations, Sage! :clap

[APBTlover]

So much :joy::joy: going on here! I'm only gone a few days and look what happens! Congrats!

[tippy]

welcome newbies!!!

sage, congrats! that is awesome news!

nothing much happening over here. just trying to get back into the swing of things at work - it sucks! dh and i are still thinking about starting to ttc in apr. we've already started talking about our ideas as far as child care, etc. yikes, it's getting a little too real for me!! :dropjaw

[Charliemae]

Hey NMY's! I'm not new here at all, but I'll re-introduce myself after I respond to these posts :innocent

Sage.Naissance I am really curious to know where you found info about using a ginger tea to bring on menses? My pregnant friend is currently using ginger tea to help control her extreme morning sickness... I had no idea it has any effect on your cycle, could it cause issues for her pregnancy?
It can bring on menses, but it takes a much larger dose (or concentration) then tea to cause a miscarriage though.


I adapted this idea of a three-word resolution from the Motherlode blog/column on NYTIMES. The author suggested creating a one-word New Year's Resolution. Well...I couldn't stick to one, so I came up with a three-word New Year's Resolution.

I really like this idea. My new years "resolution" is to live more authentically. I think that Authentic could be my one word.

[Charliemae]

Hi all! :wave

I don't recognize anyone on this thread anymore :( but I used to post on NMY regularly back in the day. I even have a few posts on the original monster thread! I made some AMAZING friends from this site; I had the EXTREME privilege of meeting and staying with Rico'sAlice (the one credited with the words in the first post) and her stunning son last march. I also got to meet TwilightJoy, and MsHelena on that trip. I first "met" them all on here so ... :joy: I still keep in contact with a few others who used to post here too.

In other words, I look foreword to getting to know all of you "new-to-me" ladies, and I hope you don't mind me crashing your party.

About Me: I'm 21 years old. I live in Washington. Single and dating, sort of. In my Junior year of college with a double major in Early childhood education and elementary education.

I'm sure my crunchy credentials will be made obvious as I post so I wont list those. ;)

[Andee]

Congratulations, Sage!!! :champagne

Welcome back, Charliemae

Off to bed now...

[Sage.Naissance]

Thanks so much for all the love guys! I am feeling it!
I also just got asked to breakfast with this guy I've just started seeing so I am a bit giddy about that. Things have never been sweeter. xo Cheers! :joy:

[CAndMe]

Thanks so much for all the love guys! I am feeling it!
I also just got asked to breakfast with this guy I've just started seeing so I am a bit giddy about that. Things have never been sweeter. xo Cheers! :joy:


Breakfast dates = the best!
Hi Charlie, I remember you from a while back. I think a lot of us in this cohort plan to stick around for a while.

So I was afraid that not only was I going to lose my job but that the store would have to go out of business there for a while. The new bill that was just passed requiring *all products* for under 12yo's to be tested for higher standards of lead would have put our little resale store (and goodwill's kids stuff, and ebay, and craigslist, and yardsales.....) out of business. The bill was to target manufacturers and hold them up to higher standards after the big lead scare last year. However, the wording was terrible and it would have ended up putting literally thousands of American small businesses under. Just yesterday though, CPSC amended the bill so that it no longer includes resale. Although I don't think the wonderful boutiques and SAHM businesses are in the clear, which is the other half of the issue. :( If any of you would care to do so, there are a few petitions floating around on the intarwebs, however most of them are state specific so I won't link you to any.

So back to news that pertains to our Canadians also.

Chris and I are talking wedding!!! :joy:

No babies for at least 3 years though, still.

[JessicaRenee]

Thanks so much for all the love guys! I am feeling it!
I also just got asked to breakfast with this guy I've just started seeing so I am a bit giddy about that. Things have never been sweeter. xo Cheers! :joy:


WOOHOO! *dance*

[Charliemae]

I also just got asked to breakfast with this guy I've just started seeing so I am a bit giddy about that. Things have never been sweeter. xo Cheers! :joy:
Congrats!
I have this insane date thing that I don't know if it's a date or we're just hanging out but what guy asks a girl to dinner to just hang out at 7:00 on a Saturday?! :o

Breakfast dates = the best!
Hi Charlie, I remember you from a while back. I think a lot of us in this cohort plan to stick around for a while.

I'm so tickled that you use the word "cohort" because my program is a cohort education program. I'd never even heard of it before that.

When I first joined MDC (when I was like 18 heh) I was in a serious relationship. Now that I'm not it's a little harder to get into some of the planning and things that are so much fun.


Chris and I are talking wedding!!! :joy:

That's so fun! I have several friends (most of them internet) that are planning weddings right now. :love

[Shaina]

I got in!!!! I was accepted to birthingway today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yay!!!!!!!!!!!:joy::thumb:love

[JessicaRenee]

So we were at the store the other day and I was going to buy a pregnancy test but Chris said, "Why don't we just wait and see what nature says?" So...we'll just assume that if my period doesn't come by the 12th or 13th that it's a yes. Heheh! I like how sneaky Chris wants to be. He doesn't want to tell anyone until about 4-5 months into it, either. I was going to hold out till the end of the first trimester (just in case), I don't know if I could do it another 2 months! Ahh this is so exciting but waiting for the 13th to arrive is killing me!

Oh, and look at the little baby cap I finished yesterday! :-D http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3180103459_093e81e91e_o.jpg

[Shaina]

So we were at the store the other day and I was going to buy a pregnancy test but Chris said, "Why don't we just wait and see what nature says?" So...we'll just assume that if my period doesn't come by the 12th or 13th that it's a yes. Heheh! I like how sneaky Chris wants to be. He doesn't want to tell anyone until about 4-5 months into it, either. I was going to hold out till the end of the first trimester (just in case), I don't know if I could do it another 2 months! Ahh this is so exciting but waiting for the 13th to arrive is killing me!

Oh, and look at the little baby cap I finished yesterday! :-D http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3180103459_093e81e91e_o.jpg
i dont think i could handle not testing

and that is a super cute hat

[Charliemae]

I love the IDEA of not testing, but I don't think I could pull it off. I'm much to obsessive :lol

[APBTlover]

We're planning to start TTC next month (I know, I've said it a million times, but something ALWAYS comes up...), and we're considering not testing. On the other hand, I am quite the impatient one, so, we'll see.

I need to lose more weight by next month. Blah. I wouldn't mind this being post-baby weight, but I don't want to start out with this much excess baggage, ykwim? :o I guess it's a silly concern in some ways, but I really want to enjoy pregnancy, not have that little voice in the back of my mind fretting about my striking resemblance to some type of livestock. :wink

[JessicaRenee]

It is kind of hard at times, but I do like waiting to see what nature has to say. My period's never skipped or been late so that's our "test". :)

Meanwhile I've been looking for midwives in the Salt Lake City area and knitting baby stuff to keep myself busy...aside from the fruitless job search, anyway. :-P

[APBTlover]

I wish I knew how to knit. Any resources you recommend? I have some marginal crocheting skills, but I see lots of knitting patterns I positively lust after.

Good luck with the midwife search! I found out months ago that there is no one who can legally attend my homebirth. :( Right now we're looking at UC or a hospital birth. Normally it would be a no-brainer, but my mom's OB has an acceptably low c-sec rate (<15%) and our local hospital... well, I wouldn't trust them with a stray dog, no kidding. DH is gung-ho about UC, but I am still debating.

[Andee]

i dont think i could handle not testing

and that is a super cute hat
:yeah:

I need to lose more weight by next month. Blah. I wouldn't mind this being post-baby weight, but I don't want to start out with this much excess baggage, ykwim? :o I guess it's a silly concern in some ways, but I really want to enjoy pregnancy, not have that little voice in the back of my mind fretting about my striking resemblance to some type of livestock. :wink
I know what you mean. I have quite a bit of weight I wouldn't mind losing before we ttc, whenever that's going to happen. Right now I'm a *gulp* size 16. :bag: I can't imagine doing those beautiful pregnancy pics with a bare belly at my starting size. I wouldn't mind getting down to the weight I was when I met my DP, but it's hard getting motivated sometimes (especially up here :cold:).

[APBTlover]

I can't imagine doing those beautiful pregnancy pics with a bare belly at my starting size. I wouldn't mind getting down to the weight I was when I met my DP...

Yep. I have gained roughly 40lbs since I met my DH... he has gained about the same amount, but no one can tell! It's definitely noticeable on me, though. I think I would be well-pleased with losing 20. But in a month? I don't know. I had lost some in anticipation of TTC but then the holidays happened to me. :innocent

[Charliemae]

Maybe someone should revitalize the NMY fitness tribe?

Here's the link to the old one that Isabel started back in 2006
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=524452

I'd recommend starting a new one if enough people are interested. :innocent

[APBTlover]

Ooo, that seems like a great idea! I need someone to hold me accountable. It's not only weight loss but a general shift toward better health that I need to do anyway. I have a wealth of knowledge, believe fully in the power of a natural diet, etc, but have this amazing ability to say, "it won't hurt to do this (poor posture, not working out, drinking far too much Dr Pepper, drinking far too little water, one and on) one more day." Which has turned into, oh, 4 years. Eeep!

[JessicaRenee]

I wish I knew how to knit. Any resources you recommend? I have some marginal crocheting skills, but I see lots of knitting patterns I positively lust after.

For beginners, these are the two sites I recommend most:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/ (videos of all the basic stitches, youtube.com has a bunch too!)
http://www.ravelry.com/ (knit & crochet community, with over 150,000 members willing to help you out :))
Your local craft/knitting/yarn store should have weekly knitting classes too. Good luck with knitting and everything!

[Andee]

I have a wealth of knowledge, believe fully in the power of a natural diet, etc, but have this amazing ability to say, "it won't hurt to do this (poor posture, not working out, drinking far too much Dr Pepper, drinking far too little water, one and on) one more day." Which has turned into, oh, 4 years. Eeep!
Yeah, I'm right there with you. :innocent I think I was 180 when I met my DP, crash dieted down to 140, and then over the course of four years gained, oh, only about SIXTY POUNDS. :bang:hopmad:bag: When I was on disability two summers ago I ended up learning A LOT about nutrition and became veg*n, but I still let myself eat horribly. There's really no support for change here; DP's gained weight also and can't see himself adopting a healthy lifestyle just yet.... I like the idea of a support thread, but I don't know if I could stick to it. Great idea, though. :thumb

For beginners, these are the two sites I recommend most:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/ (videos of all the basic stitches, youtube.com has a bunch too!)
http://www.ravelry.com/ (knit & crochet community, with over 150,000 members willing to help you out :))
Your local craft/knitting/yarn store should have weekly knitting classes too. Good luck with knitting and everything!

I also like the forum www.craftster.org. I go there for crochet patterns and tips, but they have all sorts of sections on all different crafts.

ETA our Joann fabrics store offers knitting 101 courses. Maybe yours would too?

[Andee]

Ugh. I'm at work, crocheting a little bit of nothing, tending the window of this supply crib. Some guy came up to my window and saw what I was doing and asked if I was "making something for baby". I told him no, definitely not and he responded with "You no having baby???" (his native language is not english). He then proceeded to look me up and down and shake his head in confusion.:irked:
So maybe I am ready to lose weight. Like now, please.

[Grateful]

I have a little weight to lose too. I used to be really active, but well, you know, life gets in the way. Now it's incredibly :cold: outside so that just makes it harder to get out. I have access to a local pool, so I'm planning on starting swimming habit 3x a week. Anybody have any other exercise ideas??? What have you enjoyed in the past?

Jessica, I really like your idea of waiting for your body to let you know whether you're pregnant. It seems like ttc and pregnancy are both vital times to listen to your body, so it's just fitting. Now, that's not to say I'd have the patience for waiting. :innocent

Have a nice week everybody.

Kit

[Jenne]

Okay, JessicaRenne--down here it's the 12th...any signs? :D

Hey y'all! I back from the great beyond! CharlieMae I remember you! :D Sage congrats on school! Oiseau I hope you've been feeling better the past few weeks. CAandMe congrats on the almost wedding! Welcome new NYMs!

I think I covered most of the big events...I can only scroll back so far and my memory is only so good. ;)

I hope everyone is off to a wonderful 2009. DH and I signed a contract to have a new house built for us. We are crazy excited. Right now we are in his 1 bedroom apartment while my house is on the market to sell. Hopefully it will sell quickly and the new one will be built quickly because gee whiz it is a tight fit.

I'm working on a baby blanket for my DH's brother and his wife. They are jerks but I like to knit and it isn't the baby's fault his parents are the way they are. :) That is an adorable hat! (I think it was JessicaRenne's but it may have been Andee's ((Sorry I don't recall!))...did the yarn create that pattern or did you?

Okay, well, I have to go get caught up on work. So glad to be back!
Jenne

[JessicaRenee]

No period yet! And no signs of a period! Every month for 3-4 days before my period I'll get cramps throughout the day (a minute here, a minute here). I've gotten that every month without fail since my first period at the age of 12 and so far, it hasn't come. SQUEE!!!

[jaclyn7]

Sage, I am so happy for you :joy:

Hi everyone else & tonnes of baby dust for those that are trying. ACC for you Jessica!

[jaclyn7]

Oh, I am game if anyone wants to start the get fit & healthy support thread for us NMY...

I think variety is the key with exercise and forcing yourself to do a little bit every day (even if it is just 20 minutes). Don't laugh but I love Richard Simmons, along with a Kathy Smith step tape (how old school), the cheapo pilates machine from the shopping channel, walking, and dragging myself to the gym. I just need to do it especially for the first time in a long time my eating is pretty good thanks to WW.

[APBTlover]

ETA our Joann fabrics store offers knitting 101 courses. Maybe yours would too?

I wish. I live, shall we say, in the sticks. I love it, but it's more than a little inconvenient when it comes to crafting... no craft store of any description in less than an hour's drive.

I :love Craftster! I don't know why it didn't occur to me to see if they had some rank-newbie tutorials.

This weekend, DH and I walked over 3.5 miles. We did some Pilates together (he's all about getting his "core" back in shape), and I did some other general stretching, etc. Really kept an eye on what I was eating. And GAINED 1.5 pounds! How is that possible? No way I believe it's all muscle. Blah. Now I am do depressed I want to go eat a large order of French fries. :innocent

[Shaina]

so Jessica any news?

[Sage.Naissance]

JessicaRenee you are going to want to test to confirm any suspicions before you get too excited. Not to be a buzz kill but starting to have sex might shift your periods a bit.
Thanks for all your congrats guys!
I have so far hung out with this guy every other day for the last two weeks... seems we are seeing a lot of eachother. I have no idea where it is going.

[Charliemae]

JessicaRenee you are going to want to test to confirm any suspicions before you get too excited. Not to be a buzz kill but starting to have sex might shift your periods a bit.


Although this is true, you don't have to test. Zoebird didn't test with Hawk, and a lot of people choose to just trust their bodies. Especially if her and DH(?) aren't planning on sharing the news any time soon.

[Jenne]

So FF gave me crosshairs and a day to test today. Too bad we aren't trying. I'm trying to remain indifferent. It's tough. And a surprise!

Y'all stay warm now, ya hear?
:cold:
Jenne

[Shaina]

wow its dead in here!
any news Jessica?

[JessicaRenee]

17th and still no period, plus I've had a few other early pregnancy symptoms. Woohoo! :-D

[JessicaRenee]

Okay, you all talked me into it...

Look what I got! (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3205619678_c86ba1055f.jpg)

I want to frame it! Ahh! Best Christmas present ever (yep, we conceived on December 25th). :joy:

[ladyinred]

Okay, you all talked me into it...

Look what I got! (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/3205619678_c86ba1055f.jpg)

I want to frame it! Ahh! Best Christmas present ever (yep, we conceived on December 25th). :joy:


CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!:joy::joy::joy::joy::joy::joy ::joy: Wow, that's so amazing. I'm so happy for you both. You're right, best Christmas present ever!:love

[CAndMe]

Whoooohooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! Wow! That is so amazing Jessica. Congratulations on your Christmas-made baby :123

[bubbledumpster]

Hello! I figured I should probably start posting here, considering the high frequency with which I run into this forum when Googling things. Baby wearing, WWOOFing, cloth diapering, homeschooling, I think I belong here. =) My best friend recently had a baby and was on this forum every day. It deeply influenced her choice to have an unassisted homebirth.

I'm 21 years old and have been cohabiting with my lover and very best friend since I was 16. We both love babies are very eager to have them, but we want to explore the world first. We suspect we'll be ready to TTC when I'm about 25, so that means 2012! :eek

Anyways, I research, it's what I do for fun. When I decided I want something I spend the next couple months feverishly reading every last bit of info about it that exists. I figure you can't have too much information when it comes to the creation and forming of a human being, so 4 years prior doesn't seem like overkill.

My name is cavale, and my birthday is may 12 (looks like i share it with someone already active!), 1987. Which makes me a Taurus.

Right now, the sam and I are gearing up for the Ocala :RainbowRainbow Gathering.

(PS can anyone point me in the direction of a glossary for all these acronyms!?)

[kimiij]

Welcome bubbleddumpster!

There's a full list here of acronyms and abbreviations: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=522590

[kimiij]

Congrats Jessica! Wishing you a happy and healthy nine months!

[Shaina]

Hello! I figured I should probably start posting here, considering the high frequency with which I run into this forum when Googling things. Baby wearing, WWOOFing, cloth diapering, homeschooling, I think I belong here. =) My best friend recently had a baby and was on this forum every day. It deeply influenced her choice to have an unassisted homebirth.

I'm 21 years old and have been cohabiting with my lover and very best friend since I was 16. We both love babies are very eager to have them, but we want to explore the world first. We suspect we'll be ready to TTC when I'm about 25, so that means 2012! :eek

Anyways, I research, it's what I do for fun. When I decided I want something I spend the next couple months feverishly reading every last bit of info about it that exists. I figure you can't have too much information when it comes to the creation and forming of a human being, so 4 years prior doesn't seem like overkill.

My name is cavale, and my birthday is may 12 (looks like i share it with someone already active!), 1987. Which makes me a Taurus.

Right now, the sam and I are gearing up for the Ocala :RainbowRainbow Gathering.

(PS can anyone point me in the direction of a glossary for all these acronyms!?)

i've been to Ocala have you ever been to a national this year it is in New Mexico www.welcomehome.org

[oiseau]

Congrats Jess :joy:

[bubbledumpster]

i've been to Ocala have you ever been to a national this year it is in New Mexico www.welcomehome.org

Yes! Ocala last year was my very first gathering and I was only there for two days but it completely changed my life. My second gathering was the 2008 nationals in Wyoming!

And now I'm starting out on a year long journey along the rainbow trail.:joy:

[Shaina]

Yes! Ocala last year was my very first gathering and I was only there for two days but it completely changed my life. My second gathering was the 2008 nationals in Wyoming!

And now I'm starting out on a year long journey along the rainbow trail.:joy:
thats awesome yeah i've been going to nationals since i was 6 months old. its an amazing experience i cant even imagine how it would be starting it later in life:treehugger:

[ladyinred]

Hello! I figured I should probably start posting here, considering the high frequency with which I run into this forum when Googling things. Baby wearing, WWOOFing, cloth diapering, homeschooling, I think I belong here. =) My best friend recently had a baby and was on this forum every day. It deeply influenced her choice to have an unassisted homebirth.

I'm 21 years old and have been cohabiting with my lover and very best friend since I was 16. We both love babies are very eager to have them, but we want to explore the world first. We suspect we'll be ready to TTC when I'm about 25, so that means 2012! :eek

Anyways, I research, it's what I do for fun. When I decided I want something I spend the next couple months feverishly reading every last bit of info about it that exists. I figure you can't have too much information when it comes to the creation and forming of a human being, so 4 years prior doesn't seem like overkill.

My name is cavale, and my birthday is may 12 (looks like i share it with someone already active!), 1987. Which makes me a Taurus.

Right now, the sam and I are gearing up for the Ocala :RainbowRainbow Gathering.

(PS can anyone point me in the direction of a glossary for all these acronyms!?)

Welcome Cavale. Looks like you'll be right at home here. What's Ocala?

[APBTlover]

Woo, Jessica!! :joy:

[w8ing4myDD]

:joy: Holy Cats--I leave for a while and all sorts of craziness happens....

First of all, CONGRATS JESSICA! ! YAY! :joy::joy::joy: So happy for you!

Also, congrats to you on school, Sage, that's great! :thumb

Welcome to all newbies--this place is great!

Went to the gym for the first time in like a year today, so if people want to start up that fitness thing, sign me up!

lisa

[Sage.Naissance]

Wow Jessica, that is just incredible. Congratulations. I am so happy for you.
I wish you happiness and wellness in this new and beautiful stage of life.
I presently am hoping for just the opposite. Seems that I am in the midst of a "oh my god the condom broke" streak. The iminent threat of pregnancy always adds romance to a new relationship.... Anyways I just finished menstruating so I think Im fine but I should probably take some herbs anyways...

I am on a rediculously late schedule right now and sort of in party-mode since I was accepted to school so that is kind of getting old, I am feeling a bit partied out. So I am going to start a new novel and try to get the boy over for a movie night soon... Ideally I'd like to trip out to the mountain to go hiking. The weather here has been absolutely incredible. I am playing frisbee in january. I could never have imagined that in Montreal. Oregon rules.

[Kyamo]

The good news is, I have just got a new job (bringing the total to 3 part time jobs), TAing a first year physics class at my old uni. So I have been going crazy studying (this is rusty knowledge) and preparing, since I found out I had the job yesterday and I start tommorrow. That will even out though, I'll have a lot more time to prepare for the second class. It's just for one semester though.

And, since we've pegged TTC to paying off that car loan, new job = sooner TTC. However, at least in the short term, that extra money isn't going to go to the car loan at all, but to an emergency fund in case the bad news happens.

The bad news is that Chris's contract at work expires in October, and while thankfully his job shouldn't be in any danger, there's a good possibility they might go on strike before a new contract is settled. Strike = loss of income = money from above pays bills during strike instead of extra payments on car loan = delay TTC. Hopefully it doesn't happen.

[Sage.Naissance]

Happy Obama day!!!!!! :joy: :joy: :joy: :joy: :joy: :joy:

[ladyinred]

The good news is, I have just got a new job (bringing the total to 3 part time jobs), TAing a first year physics class at my old uni. So I have been going crazy studying (this is rusty knowledge) and preparing, since I found out I had the job yesterday and I start tommorrow. That will even out though, I'll have a lot more time to prepare for the second class. It's just for one semester though.

And, since we've pegged TTC to paying off that car loan, new job = sooner TTC. However, at least in the short term, that extra money isn't going to go to the car loan at all, but to an emergency fund in case the bad news happens.

The bad news is that Chris's contract at work expires in October, and while thankfully his job shouldn't be in any danger, there's a good possibility they might go on strike before a new contract is settled. Strike = loss of income = money from above pays bills during strike instead of extra payments on car loan = delay TTC. Hopefully it doesn't happen.

Kyamo I know exactly what you mean. My Df's contract is up in September and for a while it seemed like his job was safe but now all of a sudden it looks like he's not going to be employed come September so we're in a bit of a panic. I have a job interview tomorrow for a full time teaching job and one on Monday for a substitute daycare job. That's great that you're able to create an emergency fund just in case. I hope you end up not needing it.

[bubbledumpster]

thats awesome yeah i've been going to nationals since i was 6 months old. its an amazing experience i cant even imagine how it would be starting it later in life:treehugger:

Oh, wow. And I can't even imagine how amazing it would be to have always gone! But, I guess my future baybeez will know. :)

I struggled with social anxiety while out there, so I didn't really meet or spend time with anyone. That's part of the reason I'm going on this journey. I think I can grow and learn a lot about interacting with other humans and hopefully shed a lot of my fear by forcing myself into a situation where I HAVE to practice human-interaction, in such a safe and welcoming place.

Welcome Cavale. Looks like you'll be right at home here. What's Ocala?

Thanks!
Ocala is the regional Rainbow Gathering for Florida. You can learn more about the Gathering at the link Shaina posted.

welcomehome.org (http://www.welcomehome.org/)

Now, I have a question. What does DF stand for?

[ladyinred]

Ocala is the regional Rainbow Gathering for Florida. You can learn more about the Gathering at the link Shaina posted.

welcomehome.org (http://www.welcomehome.org/)

Now, I have a question. What does DF stand for?

Thanks for the website. Df stands for Dear Fiance.

[JessicaRenee]

Oh, can I be added to the Pregnant list in the original post? Pleeeease? :)

[texmati]

oooh... me too if ya'll don't mind. I know I haven't been posting much lately, but I have been lurking!

[CAndMe]

oooh... me too if ya'll don't mind. I know I haven't been posting much lately, but I have been lurking!

:joy: Congratulations!!!!!!!

You are both officially on the preg list!

[jaclyn7]

Congratulations to the new Mamas to be.

What another cold week here, how is it like in your part of the world? I've been staying in doors far too much and I'm so tired of January, I'm ready to make a big deal of Valentines and enjoy some pretty red & pink decorations. I've also booked some tanning appointments as I feel a touch of SAD...

How about you, what are you doing? It is so quiet here.

[jaclyn7]

BTW, I read the Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent last week - it was absolutely wonderful, a definite must read for Mamas and Mamas to be. She has a very gentle way with words and the birth storys provided a wonderful narrative to the midwifery experience of the 1980s.

I'm so happy to live in BC where midwives are covered by my provincial health care plan and I'm looking forward to our future homebirths even more.

[Betnybaby]

Hi. Just wanted to join in. I've been lurking for a while but haven't posted much. I've been married for 3 years and I'm 23 and it's so nice to find other people who aren't actually having babies yet but can't wait and are doing the research. We are looking at TTC maybe 2010 but depends on financial stuff. So nice to meet you all. BTW I live in New Zealand and it's lovely and warm here as we are in the middle of summer. It's 8.30pm and I'm still in shorts and a t-shirt.

[knittinanny]

:flowersforyou: Congrats to our mamas to be! It's been a while since I've been here. I've been traveling with DP for our anniversary :joy: planning our garden, and doing lots of TTC research. I have an 'open day' appointment with London Women's Clinic this Saturday. :D

Welcome, Betnybaby! New Zealand sounds nice this time of year! Here I am trying to appreciate the sunny 8 degree Celsius weather...:cold:

[oiseau]

It's been freezing here...I'm near Boston. We have a ton of snow on the ground. I'm really good at bundling up and wearing lots of layers though, so I'm coping ok. I was babysitting last week and the little girl I watch wanted to play in their guest bedroom while the cleaning people were cleaning the rest of the house. The heat stays off in that room when it's not in use, so it was 7C. After awhile, we just got under the covers on the bed and hid until the freshly mopped floor dried enough for us to sneak back downstairs!

In other news, my good friend had her baby on Friday.:joy: A very cute little girl named Ellie. I'm excited for her, but sad I don't live closer so I can be more helpful (bringing over food and whatnot). I'll get to visit in March, so that's something to look forward to.
I'm also feeling the ache for a baby of my own a little worse now too. I actually physically feel empty, like a part of me is missing. I am officially quitting school at the end of this semester and I secretly hope I can get things together to make TTC happen earlier than 3-4 years from now.

[ladyinred]

Betnybaby - Welcome! I have a cousin who lives in New Zealand. I'm jealous of your weather. It was -31C this morning here, now it's -19 with a windchill of -29. I'm frozen from walking downtown.

Teximati - Congratulations! That's wonderful news!

I have some great news that I'm finally allowed to share, I'm going to be an aunt in August :love My brother and his wife had been trying for a while and I just KNOW they're going to be wonderful parents. I bought them a sling for Christmas and they're very excited about it. I'm not sure how AP they will be but they have a few friends who are so I think they will be at least somewhat :)

I got to go visit with my parents and friends and their babies this weekend and talked a lot about babies and pregnancy. I hope I don't have to wait very much longer. We've finally set a wedding date, the long weekend in May, 2010 but I didn't get the job I just had an interview for so I'm still waiting for that magical job that will give me mat leave (as well as the joy of having my own classroom and security etc.)

[Kyamo]

Here I am trying to appreciate the sunny 8 degree Celsius weather...:cold:

I WISH it was 8C and sunny, lol. Today was a high of -7C and sunny, but we have had several days with highs less than -15C recently.


but I didn't get the job I just had an interview for so I'm still waiting for that magical job that will give me mat leave


Sorry you didn't get the job. I am not so worried about mat leave from the employers perspective in the sense of getting my job back after, because I think I'll stay home with baby for a few years at least, but what bites my butt is that my tutoring job considers us "self-employed contractors" rather than employees. Which means they don't deduct EI from our pay, which means those hours don't count towards the number of hours you have to work in the year preceding a mat leave in order to get the EI mat leave payments. I don't work enough hours at Shoppers to qualify, but if the tutoring place counted too, then I would!! Bleuuurgh.

[Jenne]

Congrats to JessicaRenee and Texmati! :D Yay! I've had 5 - tests but no period. I think maybe I need to up my Vitex dose...but since we don't want to concieve between now and April (don't want a Nov-Jan baby! :D Unless God has other plans for us which we would be open to...but we are trying the family "planning" thing. :D ) so then I think maybe I should just taper off the Vitex and wait to start again in April.

We have our last meeting for our new house on Saturday. Very exciting. I can't wait to be able to walk normal and not heel-toe although we can now exit the bed on 1 side and sit on the couch...

I received my Nourishing Traditions book today. Good stuff. Any of you practicing NTers? :)

My BFF and I are taking a quilting class on Thursdays. I'm excited we start this week. I got some gorgeous fabrics from the Moda 1974 line for it. :)

Hope y'all are warm and happy, fat and sassy! :D
Jenne

[ladyinred]

We have our last meeting for our new house on Saturday. Very exciting. I can't wait to be able to walk normal and not heel-toe although we can now exit the bed on 1 side and sit on the couch...


Congratulations on the new house, but why do you walk heel-toe in your current place? Do you mean like one foot directly infront of the other because it's small?

It's really quiet in here, how come?

It's snowy and cold here but we're meant to have some warmer weather and rain next week.

[CAndMe]

I agree, it has been quiet. It's pretty gross out in Central PA right now. We just got a storm yesterday and are expecting another tomorrow. I can't wait to not have to wear clothes. :cold:

So Valentines day? Do you to it? What are your plans?

[w8ing4myDD]

hmm, Valentines Day. Never was a big fan, until I met the DH! Now I have a "date and a card" rule. Unfortunately it takes much reminding, which can take some of the fun out of it! This year I already brought up the question of where we should go on our "date" (it's always just dinner out--I know, wild and crazy!), so maybe he'll take the initiative.....one can always hope!

lisa

[zejh]

Heh, Valentine's Day for me was a time to show off my arts and crafts skills and stay up late the night before making a handmade valentine for every one of the 30 kids in my class... Aside from that, I've never taken it too seriously as a date night type of thing. In fact, I just now realized that neither my mom or I thought twice about her visiting that weekend this year... my parents are happily married, but they also have their wedding anniversary in late January. Of course, my mom will happily give me and dh an evening to ourselves anytime she visits, so if we really want to do something, it won't be a problem. The one thing I look forward to about Valentine's Day is that it means there will be a few months without quite so many diamond commercials on TV (at least until it's almost time for Mother's Day, of course...)

As far as the weather goes, it's been dipping below 20 here most nights, and doesn't get enough above freezing most days to melt anything, and was getting close to 0 a few weeks ago, which isn't as cold as some places I've been... (Celsius is all well and good for science experiments, but for weather, I'll take a scale where 0 and 100 are the approximate extremes of temperature through the year...) :wink

[JessicaRenee]

I was never a fan of Valentine's day either but Chris has been planning something since December, so this oughta be exciting! Aww, my first non-single Valentine's Day! *puke* ;)

[Sage.Naissance]

My valentines: My friends' band (including the guy I am seeing) are playing a concert that night so I get to watch my boy play drums, drink cheap beer, and then make out in public. Yeah!

[oiseau]

My valetines: This year Valentine's falls the same weekend as President's day and I have a 3 day weekend. I have decided to take the weekend to drive to MD to meet my friend's new baby. Hopefully Josh will be joining me (he keeps forgetting to ask if he has President's Day off). We probably won't do anything fancy....or we might see if my friend and her husband want to double date and take baby Ellie out for her her first Valentine's. I'll of course offer to babysit and let them have a dinner date to themselves, but I'm highly doubting they'd want to leave Ellie yet (she'll be 3 weeks). I wouldn't leave a baby that tiny, but if they want some alone time, I understand that too.
In any case, our dating anniversary is March 3, so we tend to skip Valentine's and just celebrate March 3.....3 years this year!!:joy:

[ladyinred]

Congrats Oiseau on three years :) My df and I are coming up on three years as well in April.

Sage your valentine's day plan sounds awesome.

We don't have any plans yet. I asked Df and he suggested we celebrate it a week later like we did last year, which would be fine, except I have a four day weekend that weekend because there are two inservice days leading up to it and I'll be going stir crazy speding that much time in the house and I'll want to do something fun. Plus it's February and that in and of itself makes me go a little stir crazy. We keep getting more and more snow here. Had another storm day on Thursday. I drove friends home in the snow and the roads were so terrible. I don't know what is wrong with this city this year that they can't keep the roads clean. You'd think they'd forgotten we're in a really snowy part of Canada and always get this much snow.

I got turned down for a day care substitute job this week. I felt the interview went really well and I was very excited about the daycare, seems like a really great place. I think they turned me down because they'd have to pay me too much because of my degree. It's a bummer. Plus I went in for my debrief from my last teaching job interview and what she said was all really great for the most part and it seems like I should be able to get a job soon, but being a "top player" and having her tell me to apply for everything because she thinks I'll be a great teacher is all well and good, but it doesn't pay the bills. Meanwhile Df wants to quit his job more than ever but we don't want to lose the house. It's so frustrating. :(

[jaclyn7]

DH & I were never really into Valentine's because we celebrate our love every day in some way and we've found that in our circle the couples that make the biggest deal out of it are the ones with the shakiest relationships. I would gladly give up flowers, cards, and a little chocolate on February 14 to have what we have. Also, I love that any gift, token of affection, or sweet surprise is done on his own.

However, I think this year we're going to try and do something on the Friday night since DH works the Saturday. I cannot believe that it's our 6th Valentine's Day - crazy, the time has flown by. So much fun :joy: and in June it's our 5th wedding anniversary and I'm so excited. Whoot whoot!

[Kyamo]

We don't care too much about Valentines day. Part of the reason is that our birthdays are the 8th and the 10th of Feb, so it sort of gets mushed together. We sometimes make each other cards and/or go out to eat.

My parents are on holiday in Florida right now, and its pretty discouraging having emails every day about how its 20C or somesuch.

(Celsius is all well and good for science experiments, but for weather, I'll take a scale where 0 and 100 are the approximate extremes of temperature through the year...)

Nah, Kelvin is for science experiments, Celsius for the weather!

[knittinanny]

We don't do valentine's either. It seems to both of us like a good way for shops to try to get people to buy stuff despite post-holiday belt-tightening.

Jenne - I'm (mostly) a TF'er. I read all of Nourishing Traditions but have never made any of the recipes. I like Full Moon Feast much better (though NT has a lot of good info).

I had an open day session at the London Women's Clinic yesterday to learn about egg sharing. I'm not sure about it still - there are so many options at this point, all of which are really, really expensive. :irked: But I scheduled my initial appointment where they do scans and bloodwork (where's a fainting icon when you need one?) and I might start making *real* appointments after that! I've started to take prenatals and extra B and vitex and I'm drinking my body weight in raspberry leaf and nettle tea (ok, not really, but almost). It's weird that I'm getting to close to trying. It's exciting, but sort of strange.

[helen_emily]

Wow, I had totally forgotten about Valentines day.

My boy and I are going overseas for a couple of months, to Laos and Thailand. We're leaving on the 15th, so I guess on Valentines we'll be packing and freaking out having forgotten something :p

[oiseau]

I'm sort of trying to incorporate more TF ideas into my cooking. I've not gone as far as to buy any books, but I have checked out stuff online. So far, I've become a fan of kombucha and this super yummy local lacto-fermented sauerkraut. A have also added yogurt back into my diet, but I'm sticking with water buffalo yogurt for now as cow milk doesn't sit well with me. I used to make my own yogurt, but I think that unless I can get my hands on fresh water buffalo milk, that's not gonna happen again any time soon (sheep and goat make me sick too...) I've got a ways to go before jumping fully on the TF bandwagon, but I'm enjoying learning more about it.
I've mostly been following a lot of Weston A Price stuff, some of which I think is useful and some of which I think is malarky (I'm generally very anti milk). I'm very into seasonal, local eating. Also, I'm currently insanely proud of myself for finally (after 3+ years) figuring out how to make a successful loaf of homemade bread :joy:
I'd definitely be interested in any chat about FT over here (or anything about food really....)

[ladyinred]

Just popped in to say that my brother and sister-in-law heard their lo's heart beat for the first time today :) They sent me a sound bite of it. It kind of sounds like really fast heavy breathing! :lol Everything's going well so far. I'm so excited to be an aunt and my parents are excited to be grandparents too :love:joy::love

[akaisha]

helloooooo ladies!

long time no talk. how is everyone? :)

[Andee]

So I've been busy lately, but still lurking. ;)
Congrats Jessica and Texmati! That is too exciting! Have a happy and healthy 9 mos.

I don't think we're doing anything special for valentine's, but we never really do. We celebrate our anniversary and that's enough for me. :love I really do love my guy...
Speaking of him, my ink-slingin' DP got into a tattoo parlor! He's been working on and off out of the house for almost 8 years, but he wanted to make a permanent transition, especially since I just found out that home tattooing is illegal. I guess it makes sense that it is, but it just never occurred to me since he's meticulously sterile. So, anyway, he started yesterday. If he makes enough doing this, ttc might be sooner than I thought! :fingersx:

I hope everybody's February is going alright! :)

[akaisha]

that's great andee! congrats to your DP (and you too)!

[jaclyn7]

Congratulations to you & your partner, Andee.

It seems that NA's winter has lulled many of us into a quiet space at the moment. I've been doing a lot of reading lately (both fiction and "Mama" inspired), but the snow fall from Christmas Eve is finally disappearing from our yard so I hope to be able to enjoy the outdoors a bit more again. Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of our late first term loss, but I'm doing much better than I thought. I guess because I knew for a few days before the actual miscarriage happened and I really allowed myself to grieve so much last year.


On to happier thoughts, I was wondering if anyone had a seasonal table or other decorations in their living space that they changed throughout the year? My house is so beautiful at Christmastime that I'd like to incorporate more decorating throughout the year and I'm looking for decor (natural materials, craft ideas, even a few manufactured finds that will last through many years) and colour ideas to get myself going. I've heard that many people associate months with colours? If you do, what months are what?

[ladyinred]

On to happier thoughts, I was wondering if anyone had a seasonal table or other decorations in their living space that they changed throughout the year? My house is so beautiful at Christmastime that I'd like to incorporate more decorating throughout the year and I'm looking for decor (natural materials, craft ideas, even a few manufactured finds that will last through many years) and colour ideas to get myself going. I've heard that many people associate months with colours? If you do, what months are what?

I have a friend who has a table that she sets up with a waldorf inspired seasonal theme and changes it when the seasons change and midseason. I really like this idea and wish I could do more of this but with our three cats it's hard to set anything like this up. Right now I'm resisting taking down our Christmas stuff because I have nothing to replace it with, especially for our kitchen table. I'd like to make some new table cloths and change them seasonally though, that would be nice.

We had a nice warm day (above freezing) today, our first in a VERY long time, but we're back to cold tonight and tomorrow. I can't wait to see the snow go. We have way too much right now. I like snow, but this is too much.

Hope everyone else's February is going well!:love:joy::love

[JessicaRenee]

A friend of ours changes the decorations in the kitchen depending on the season. In spring they have a green table-runner and use the pastel, floral place mats. The center-piece is a sheep figurine. Over on the piano they keep a basket of pastel candies.

In summer they switch it to a patriotic theme with a vase full of American flags in the center of the table. Around September they change it to colours like orange, brown, mossy green, and gold, with a turkey center-piece and pine cones. It's really cute! :-)

[CAndMe]

Something exciting happened!

I was on Craigslist today and (although I'm not really looking for a second job) thought- what the heck, I'll just see what's posted. So, lo and behold, someone is looking for a nanny for their 3 month old with hours that perfectly fit my availability and specifically mentioned that attachment parenting was important to them. So I emailed the woman and I now have an interview on Saturday! This is slightly more exciting if you know that this is a college town and there are usually 100's of 'nanny available' postings on our craigslist and practically never any needed.

So, for those of you who have done this before, any advice for the interview? I was wondering what I should wear, specifically, but any btdt advice would be wonderful!

[Sage.Naissance]

Awesome CandMe! I just very serendipitously landed a job at a mom and baby boutique, just one day a week for poor pay but I am excited! I start friday! I cant believe I landed a great retail job in the economy, it was really intuition and right place at the right time!
My advice for nanny job interviews(I have had many):
Sometimes my mistake is engaging too much with the parents and not the baby, they will be judging you on how you interact with their kid more than anything so just project love and engage the kid as much as you can.
Be confident and open.
Ask questions that show you know a lot about parenting issues but are non judgemental. Ie if they say "We are using cloth diapers" or "we baby wear" say "oh yeah, what kind of diapers are you using? oh cool I really like those ones"
Be professional and maintain boundaries but realize that this is a super personal job and you need to be personally engaging and relaxed. Being calm but engaged is key.
NEVER criticize their parenting style or be to forceful in discussing your parenting philosophy, they will not want to feel like you want to parent their child, but that you want to care for it and love it. If they say something you agree with, say 'oh yeah I totally agree' but if they are like 'well we are formula feeding because we figure it is just as good' dont engage them in a discussion about breastfeeding or ask too many questions, but probably you will get the chance to educate them at some point.
Realize that you may need to either comprimise your comfort level or reject the position on moral grounds. What if the parents tell you to let their 2 mo old Cry it out? Are you going to be able to do that? If not, you need to let them know or reject the job, you know?
Just be yourself, most of these interviews are around personalities meshing, just be kind and gentle and not too forceful.
Just my two cents.

[JessicaRenee]

If I can just gush about my husband for a moment....

He just got me the greatest Valentine's Day gift ever!!! I came home to a brand new cage for the birds. We had 2 finches, Daphne and Henri (Henrietta...thought she was a boy at first so she started out as Henry but became Henri instead. Before her we had a little zebra finch named Herbert but my s-i-l's cat murdered him back in December :() in a pretty good sized cage but he got a parrot cage so it's a lot bigger, and...

2 more finches! 1 male zebra finch and 1 male society finch. Aww! They are so sweet! I'm trying to think of names for them. Ah, I just love them!

What a sweetie Chris is! :) Now I feel lame, the gift I got him is so small. It's a shirt from ThinkGeek and it says "+20 shirt of smiting" on it. He used to say "+whatever aura of whatever" a lot. After our first date he wrote me a letter and said he loved my "+100 aura of happiness", for example. :)

[ladyinred]

Wow, it's been really quiet in here, how come? Everyone hibernating?


Sounds like some pretty awesome v-day presents Jessica :)


We did our v-day stuff last weekend. Nothing big, but we spent the weekend together, went out to dinner and watched a movie together. This weekend I'm spending with my friend who I haven't seen in a very long time. I hope everyone else is having a good V-day weekend and maybe some are doing some baby making ;)

[jaclyn7]

Happy Sunday everyone!

We had a very quiet Valentine's as my husband actually worked, so I went out to dinner with my lovely parents.

Very quiet here, hope everyone is well. Food for thought, give a 6 word bio of yourself?!

Today, mine would be: Skipping in the in rain or sun.

[Kyamo]

I worked Valentines day too, but like I posted earlier, it isn't very important to us. My parents are on holiday in Florida, and keep sending me emails telling me what temperature it is! So depressing, despite that the weather has not been that bad around here the last couple of weeks. Nothing interesting to report here, really.

[oiseau]

My brain is too tired for a 6 word bio right now, but I'll be back later.
I just got back from meeting my best friend's 3 week old baby girl. I've only ever met one baby younger than that and it was a long long time ago. She's adorable and snuggly and makes the most hilarious faces while she sleeps. :joy:
It was nice to get away for a few days (they live near Baltimore and we're near Boston...so it was quite a trip). We're hoping to move back down to that area soon and it really felt more like being at home than it does here.
I discovered over the weekend that my recent sleep problems have left me sleeping less and being more exhausted than the mother of a 3 week old. Totally depressing thought....I'll be off to bed soon.

[Sage.Naissance]

Hey guys,
My boy totally blew me off on Valentines day, and the next day. We are having a "talk" on wednesday because I have no clue what is going on with him. He is frustrating me to no end right now so I am looking forward to clearing the air but dreading actually having the conversation. I have no clue what I am going to say. I hope to be listening rather than talking but that might be a bit too hopeful. :irked: Great guy but really crappy communicator.
Other than that I started a new job working retail at a mom and baby boutique just up the street from me. Its a great job and I am luck to have landed it.
Tired and crabby lately. Otherwise good.

[jaclyn7]

Big hugs SN, hope your talk with your boy goes well. Things & people are who they are and there isn't much we can do other than to share our thoughts and see how they respond.

I'm not sleeping well at the moment either O, ugh. I was doing so well, but I just cannot seem to wind down at night lately.

[patronia]

Wow, I'm still on the list!

Hi ladies! I dunno if anyone remembers me, but TTC was put off late last year. I'm now hoping and praying that things fall into place this year. I've found God during my time off and have been praying constantly that things will work out this time :thumb
Yesterday I rang a local IVF clinic/sperm bank and am receiving info in the mail soon :D It seems more "real" to me this time, so I'm taking that as a good sign :)

Congrats to anyone who's become pregnant while I was away! :joy:

[Jenne]

:love y'all!!!!

6 word bio for today- You're kidding! More green nose gunk?!

V-Day here was good. We sort of hibernated. We had a $5 price limit as well. DH got me a book of poetry and hand wrote 3 poems and drew a picture of a red rose as a card. :joy: I bought him a bag of Hershey Kisses and then wrote out new tags i.e. Kiss in the Dark, Kiss in the Movies, Kiss after Work. That sort of thing. He loves chocolate and sentiment so it worked. :) On Sunday we went to see He's Just not that Into You. We both liked it a great deal and it was acutally 2.5 hours long. It was really good!

SN- Yuck! You deserve better! Good luck with the convo on Wednesday.

O and Jaclyn- Can you get adjusted? I just read that having your neck and skull out of alignment can cause rampant insomnia. ???

Welcome back Patronia! :)

Jenne

[oiseau]

:love y'all!!!!

O and Jaclyn- Can you get adjusted? I just read that having your neck and skull out of alignment can cause rampant insomnia. ???



I actually just saw the chiro last wednesday and will see him again tomorrow. I know back pain was keeping me from sleep at one point, but this has been going on for 4+ weeks now....who knows what's causing it....

(oh wait, maybe the fact that I'm leaving school in May and am attempting to find good fun well paying jobs for both Josh and I, planning a move 10ish hours from here, and basically completely changing my life plans, all while being moderately chronically ill....)

All said though, I'm doing really really well right now.

[ladyinred]

Congrats Patriona, I hope all goes well.

Sage - I really hope your talk works out. It's hard sometimes to get communication going properly in a new relationship.

Meanwhile I'm feeling really really tired lately. I had a hard long weekend. My friend's mother passed away last Wednesday so I spent the past few days with her, being supportive and such. It was pretty draining and I haven't caught up on my sleep yet.

And everyone's having babies!!!!!:hammer This summer quite a few important men in my life are having babies with their partners. My brother, a close friend from High School and a friend of my df's who I'm pretty close with are all having babies within three months of each other and it's both exciting and frustrating. All three of these men are people who want babies very much and will be amazing fathers. But #)*$# I want a baby! And I'm frustrated at the road block that's keeping me from even hoping right now. I don't buy baby books. I don't look at baby websites, I even try not to look at baby centred threads on MDC because it makes me too sad. I should be looking at the bright side. I get to be an aunt and an auntie to several more babies this year and that will help inform my parenting eventually.

[Shaina]

so i was wondering is anyones DH/DP younger than them and by how much and how old were you when you met?

[patronia]

And everyone's having babies!!!!!:hammer This summer quite a few important men in my life are having babies with their partners. My brother, a close friend from High School and a friend of my df's who I'm pretty close with are all having babies within three months of each other and it's both exciting and frustrating. All three of these men are people who want babies very much and will be amazing fathers. But #)*$# I want a baby! And I'm frustrated at the road block that's keeping me from even hoping right now. I don't buy baby books. I don't look at baby websites, I even try not to look at baby centred threads on MDC because it makes me too sad. I should be looking at the bright side. I get to be an aunt and an auntie to several more babies this year and that will help inform my parenting eventually.
I can relate! Last year I was scrimping and saving and trying to find a way to TTC and everyone around me started getting pregnant! Two online friends got pregnant by accident, one of my old school friends AND my cousins wife, all pregnant at once. I was happy for all of them, but I was still upset because I wanted a baby. It will be a good practice for you, I haven't been around a baby since 2005, I'm afraid I wouldn't know how to look after my own baby anymore!

[Jenne]

Yeah, I hear ya! I'm the oldest girl grandchild my older male cousin had a child 2 or 3 years ago...they are pregnant again and one of my younger cousins (that I happen to share my birthday with) is pregnant for the first time. My BFF is thinking about getting knocked up soon.

I have another freakin' sinus infection. I think I threw up so hard on Monday night that I lodged some emesis in my sinus cavity. NICE. Gross. Been sick all week and not sleeping well. Grrrr. Hates it hobbits.

My DH is almost exactly 6 months younger than I am. :)

Today's 6 word bio: Can't breathe I just want sleep.

:D

Jenne

[Sage.Naissance]

Todays 6 word bio: Going slowly, cautiously optimistic, now communicating.

I had that big talk with my boy last night. It went pretty well. I think I clearly communicated that life is easier when people communicate and he made it clear that he wants to move slowly which is good with me. He appologized for bailing on me on valentines day, and said he was freaked out because it was valentines day and he didnt know how seriously I took that... Anyways I told him that he was being an idiot and that if he had of just communicated with me then none of that would have been a problem.
So we are now going slowly, I am cautiously optimistic, and he is (hopefullly) now communicating.
We'll see.

[JessicaRenee]

6-word bio: Want to knit, stuck at work.

[zejh]

I haven't been paying enough attention, I guess... but I like the 6-word bio thing... So: Hungry and unproductive, going for food. :eat:

(Maybe once I've got more time later tonight, I'll actually say more...)

[knittinanny]

6 word bio (inspired by JessicaRenee): Got to knit at work today.

DP is a year and a half younger than me. We were 14 and 16 when we met (I had just turned 16).

On Monday we had our first consultation at the AI clinic we'll be using. :D It's all pretty stressful though. We have lots of options, some very expensive. It's easy to get carried away really quickly when you want.babies.now.

We've also spent the last 3 days of our 'vacation' time from work reorganizing our basement. Currently everything we own is spread out throughout our house, waiting to be sorted and put in containers. It's a good mess...or something.

Sorry to hear you're sick, Jenne! Sage - cautious optimism is good. These days, I'm cautiously optimistic about everything.

[geometricdune]

Hello! I am new, as in today, to this forum. And as focused as I am on babies I have none of my own. I am holding off on the kids until I am done with my education and my partner and I are financially ready. I am going to be starting midwife school in the fall so I have atleast three more years to wait!

I am an obsesive knitter, and I see I am not the only one in this group. I also do lots of other art forms including mask making and plaster molds. I am very into natual and holistic health practices. I am tattooed and have purple hair. I am queer and poly, my girlfriend is first in the baby line so I will get my fix that way until it is my turn. I love learning about parenting as well as birth practices, I am going to be a midwife after all!

It is great to meet you all. I hope to make friends and learn in the process.