Week of May 17!

[Piglet68]

October Mamas Roll Call :belly

momtol&a
snugglebutter 10/01
mirthfulmum 10/03
TracyK 10/04
mhurst 10/04
kraftykathy 10/04
Jillerina 10/04
water 10/06
Proudly AP 10/08
mayasmama 10/08
FutureMama 10/09 BOY!
bluehalo 10/10
allformyboys 10/11
Lucysmama 10/12
bendmom 10/12
momadance 10/13
Mandi 10/14
rhemp 10/14
wannabmommie 10/15
krnflwr 10/16
gmvh 10/16 TWINS!
Piglet68 10/18 BOY!
MommyMuse 10/19
BeauGeek 10/20
BeansMomma 10/20
CourtneyandLogan 10/21
EmbersMOM 10/21
Stanleymama 10/23 BOY!
gottaknit 10/24
3boyz4us 10/24
Ctmom70 10/24
aspiring mama 10/25
truebluexf 10/27
Soogie 10/27
ameliabedelia 10/29
flitters 10/30
AnnR33 10/31

Good morning, everybody! Hope you all had a nice weekend.

Welcome to bluehalo, our newest October mama!

My mother is here and we are having so much fun! She and DD are getting along great and it just warms my heart to see them together. I'm so glad we've decided to move back home - these years are so precious to miss!

Question of the Week: are you taking any birthing/breastfeeding classes?

I'm not. With my first, I attended LLL meetings while pregnant, read up on "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" as well as some Dr. Sears books. And of course spent way too much time here at MDC! I felt very prepared for breastfeeding. And since I knew I was having a cesarian, I didn't bother with birthing classes. I did have to attend one as part of a tour we did of our hospital and I got so freaked out when they started talking about labour that I almost fainted - DH had to prop me up in my seat! Guess I would have been a homebirth flunkie, lol!

[momadance]

Hello mommy's!

QOTW? I actually go to my first LLL meeting tomorow. Looking forward to it! My very close friend is a leader, and I know some of the mom's at this group, but I NEED ALOT of support and preperation. I bombed nursing MIles, and it still negatively effects me when I think of the lack of support I had, and how much we missed out on in those first years. I cry just thinking about it! This time I've vowed nothing short of having my breast removed will stand in our way, till #2 wants to stop!

As far as any birthing classes, I'm not too interested in techniques, or methods.
We thought about a Doula, but I'm not interested in that either.

[blessed2bamommie]

:wave I spent the whole weekend on a birth high, since I've found the perfect doctor and the waterbirth is not just me speaking it in faith anymore; but, a reality! :D I'm *so excited. Its kinda hard not to share it, like at the dinner party we had. They wouldn't understand....:shake Although, I think if I had been paying attention to the chiro's conversation, he would have! :LOL He was talking about b/c of births going from natural tohaving so many interventions, like forceps, etc, he's having to care for more nbs in his practice. Perfect opportunity to bring it up and one of the girls nearly fall out when she had already said, "I *know you're going for an epidural." I guess not having a theme was probably enough for them that night. :LOL

:w to our newest dd buddy! :D


QOTW: Good question....a mama who's here and lives locally said 5 mos for LLL, so I can get the entire series. Do all LLLs have the same sessions? :scratch I saw one this month on Advantages, I kinda felt like I didn't need that one since I'm already sold. So, maybe the other sessions. I was interested in Bradley. I'm think its 12 weeks, so I might need to call and see when I should start. I guess I shouldn't wait until *exactly 12 weeks out! :eek I have heard several *first time mamas now who have gone early! I'd also like to take infant cpr. Well, I guess I need to see if I can get my email from the black hole. :rolleyes: :wave

Have a blessed week! :D

[ameliabedelia]

LLL has a series of 4 different topics for meetings, however each meeting is always different. All LLL groups have these same topics and series, however each individual groups taylors it to meet them moms attending that day. For example, for the advantages one, one month at that meeting they may talk about advantages for the baby. The next time they come around to that topic again (4 months later), they may talk about advantages to mom. I started going to LLL when I was 7 months pregnant with DD and I have been going faithfully ever since. I always get something knew out of it, and have made some great friends through going. I think the support and meeting like-minded moms is as important as the information you will get. Plus, as a pregnant mom, I found it enourmously helpful to see other moms breastfeeding, to hear about their problems and stories (so I could know what to expect), to say babies that had to be breastfed frequently, etc, etc. Anyway, my point is, even if you already know all the advantages of breastfeeding, I would be willing to bet that you will get A LOT of going anyway.

Well, I am already in LLL, and no we won't be taking a childbirthing class. We took Lamaze with DD, and it really wasn't that helpful. I have thought about taking Bradley, but I think I would rather just read up on it myself and share the info with DH. Finding a babysitter for DD to go to class would be huge problem for us, since she has never had a sitter. Plus, I really don't want to spend the money and DH really doesn't want to go. So, we aren't going to worry about that.

I also took a few childcare classes at the hospital while pregnant with DD. They were free to those giving birth at the hospital. Since I am not giving birth at a hospital this time (unless there is an emergency or something), we won't be taking any. Plus, I really didn't get much out of them.

[3bees~1flower]

Mornin' !! We had a good weekend...had 7 graduations to go to.

QOTW: no, we'll not be doing birth classes...i will have a scheduled c-section. as far as bf'ing classes go....well, I'M the teacher :LOL....i'm a certified bf'ing educator. plus this is mt 4th baby to bf so i think we have it down pretty good :LOL.

have a great week!! oh, and i'm finally starting to feel the little bean more...they ain't kidding when they say every pregnancy is different...sheesh!

:love

[Soogie]

This is #3 for me and I've been a member of LLL since 10/2000. I've actually done all the required readings to become a leader but life got busy and the LLL group in Houston that I last went to did not need another leader so I haven't finished up with it. Still debating whether or not I should commit myself. I would really like to take a Bradley refresher course. We tried to take it when I was pg with dd#2, but my ds#1 was only 14 months old when it started and he had a really hard time being separated from us, staying with a babysitter, so we had to quit after just 4 weeks. I didn't feel as prepared the second time around and was more anxious. And this time we're planning a homebirth and I want to be as calm and relaxed as possible. My kids are now 3 1/2 and 2 and I think that they would do okay with a babysitter at this age. And I really want to take it so that my DH and I have time to totally devote to this new being inside me, even if it's just 3 hours a week. I felt like with #2, my pg came second to parenting a toddler. There were times where I actually "forgot" I was pg, until dd kicked me really hard, snapping me back into reality.

Susan
mommy to Aidan (3 1/2), Fiona (2), and little boo edd 10/27/04

[OakEmber]

We had a nice weekend, went boating for a few hours on Sat. Lots of relaxing throughout the whole weekend.

QOTW- You know, I never did any breastfeeding prep with my DD, except for reading online but I think that came afterwards. I ended up nursing her for 37 months so I think I did alright ;) I'd never really been exposed to bottle feeding, everyone in my family has BF so I guess I am pretty lucky. I'd love to attend LLL but I don't really like driving out of town in the evenings, esp. in the winter so that is a real deterent for me. Luckily I have internet access and MDC is all I need!

As for the birth classes, I did attend one when I was pregnant with Ember...we chose to do the "get it all over with at once" type :LOL (the weekend workshop). It was OK but I got more out of the books and internet I'd read (Birthing from Within), it was more to educate Dh. No I won't be attending anything this time, I did just finish Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth and am now reading Spiritual Midwifery.

:OT
I decided to book an u/s afterall, I figure that since I had the surprise with DD that this time I'd experience the other way. So I go this week on Friday:exclaim

[bluehalo]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone :)

Susan, I totally hear you about feeling like your second pregnancy was secondary to parenting a toddler. The whole experience of this pregnancy is *so* different to me from when I was pregnant w/ my first child. I don't have the time or mental energy to obsess over everything that I did the first time around. Initially I felt less connected to the baby than I remember feeling w/ my DS, but more and more now, I'm aware of the miracle of the fact that I really don't have to do anything ... my body knows what to do, even if I'm not reading and obsessing over every little stage. And now that I'm much more visibly pregnant, and I feel the baby moving around all the time, I'm feeling much more connected and attached to this new little one :)

QOTW: DH and I will be taking Birthing from Within classes. With our first pregnancy we took the hospital based class, which actually wasn't bad. But E. was an em. CS due to fetal distress, so we didn't get to use everything we had learned. I wanted to take Bradley classes, but the closest class was too far away, so we read the book and did the exercises on our own. This time there actually are two local Bradley instructors, but we're driving 1.5 hours to take the BFW class. I think w/ the emotional "baggage" both DH and I have internalized from the trauma of E's birth, it will be really important to the success of this birth to try our best to work through it ahead of time. BFW seems like it's targeted towards that kind of internal work, so it seems idea for our situation.

I might start going to LLL a few weeks before the birth. I had no problems nursing my son, but I know I may not be that lucky in the future, so I do want to have a support network in place should I need it.

[mirthfulmum]

Well it's been an interesting weekend here as the stomach flu that knocked me out for a couple of days made its way to Alias and then to my husband (he is currently lying on the couch riding out the tail end of the bug). I'll be glad when everyone is feeling normal again.

QOTW: When pregnant with Alias we took really great birthing classes. They were offered by The Lower Mainland Child Birthing Society and had no hospital or particular technique affiliation. The classes were all about teaching us what our options were, the pros and cons of those choices and empowering new parents to ask questions so that we could have the birth that was right for us. It was in these classes that I first heard about Mothering magazine and Dr. Sears. I am not feeling any anxiety or stress around the baby's upcomming arrival. It has only been two year since Alias was born so I still feel like I have a good handel on labour and delivery. So I most likely won't be taking any refreshers.

[Lucysmama]

Hi everyone! Hope you had nice weekends! Dd's Grandparents took her to the zoo so dh and I went out to a play and dinner. It was very nice. (But the play kinda sucked.)

QOTW: Yes, I am going to start going to LLL. Like momadance, I completely screwed up breastfeeding my first. I ended up pumping and giving it to her in a bottle, and eventually quit and went to breastfeeding. (I have so much respect for mamas on this boars who exclusively pumped for a year! It is SO hard to keep it up that long! I did it for a couple months.) So I need a LOT of help and support with breastfeeding.

I don't think we will attend birthing class. We were going to do Birthworks, but I think I have changed my mind about it. I just wanna go with the flow during labor and delivery, and not be thinking about a method.

[mommy2three]

" I bombed nursing MIles, and it still negatively effects me when I think of the lack of support I had, and how much we missed out on in those first years. I cry just thinking about it! This time I've vowed nothing short of having my breast removed will stand in our way, till #2 wants to stop!"

Momadance- That's what happened with me too! I had a terrible time nursing my twins (ended up pumping instead of physically nursing for what seemed like forever). Anyway, during my second pregnancy I knew I was going to exclusevely nurse and kept that mind set! I'm still happily nursing him now (he's almost 2) with our fourth on the way. I think it really helps having the mindset that you're going to nurse no matter what. I'm not sure if I would have done so well if I didn't think that way because we had thrush issues, poor latch among other stuff but we kept at it and have a wonderful nursing relationship!

[Lucysmama]

Aley- That is so wonderful to hear! :love

[Jillerina]

Our weekend was a good one too. Yesterday we went to a big end of session party for our community organized playgroup. It was held in a park and there was so much to do. Clara had a blast and so did DH and I watching her run around with a huge grin on her face.

QOTW: I won't be doing any breastfeeding preparation this time either. I seem to be a lucky woman. I went into breastfeeding Clara completely expecting it to be fine and it was so now I'm just gonna go into this experience with the same attitude. I do have lots of people available to me (as well as the local LLL group) if things don't go as smoothly as I expect them to.

I will be sort of taking a childbirth class. The Doula we've hired includes 3 sessions before the birth that cover any topics we are interested in learning more about. I know one of our sessions will be more focused on helping us prepare Clara for the arrival of the baby but the other two will likely be focused on pain management and our birht plan. I did take the typical hospital classes last time - they were OK at best.

Wannabe - I'm so glad you found a doc worthy of you and that your dream of a waterbirth will be a reality.

Bluehalo - welcome!!!!

EmbersMom - we are doing the opposite of you. We found out Clara's was a girl at 19weeks so this time I want to experience the surprise at birth so we didn't find out! Poor DH, thinks it was a mistake now, he really wants to know the sex but it is too late, we've already had our ultrasound.

[Piglet68]

This time I've vowed nothing short of having my breast removed will stand in our way...

You know, this attitude goes a long way. I basically went into it with that same attitude. It's hard to describe it without sounding like I'm bashing FF moms, but I really went in thinking "over my dead body", kwim? Of course, I recognized that it might be out of my hands, but I figured I'd deal with that if and when it happened. I think getting a bit angry inside about it really helped, because I am naturally a very non-confrontational person (I start crying uncontrollably) and knew that I would have to draw on some inner resources to battle any formula-pushing hospital staff. It came in handy when I had a visit from just such a ped, who threatened supplementation if DD lost "one more ounce". Being able to tap into that inner anger really helped me cope with that.

of the girls nearly fall out when she had already said, "I *know you're going for an epidural." I guess not having a theme was probably enough for them that night

Letia, you crack me up! The "theme" thing gets them every time, lol!

As for your questions about LLL, I encourage you to start going ASAP. Most groups don't stick to the topics that rigidly, preferring to go with the flow and see what questions get raised that day. It's such a wonderful networking resource. I absolutely love it and am looking forward to rejoining my old group back home with this baby, even though I feel that we have the BFing thing down pat, I just loved the social aspect and being around "normal" mothers (who coslept, CD'd, etc).

bluehalo: I feel the same way about this 2nd pregnancy. I'm only just now starting to feel attached as I get bigger and think I'm feeling movement now.
DD pretty much keeps me busy and I don't have time to focus on it like I did before. But then, that might be a good thing, too, lol.

mirthfulmum: BC rocks, doesn't it? My friend in Nanaimo just told me about her classes and how they told the mamas not to listen to anybody who says you need to let your baby cry. they said you cannot spoil a baby and that they need all the love they can get, and to be held, etc. it's so nice to see places where things are not the same old baloney, kwim?

[flitters]

hi everyone!

glad to hear about the good weekends! ours was really nice too. i'm feeling great although i'm already looking forward to next weekend!

QOTW: there is a group which my midwife is part of that offers classes and we are going to take their birthing class. basically it sounds like a general class that isn't specifically one method but will cover various techniques people find helpful for a natural birth. it's 4 weeks and we'll probably do it in september since i'm due at the end of october. i don't really feel like we need it but think it will be good since this is our first. i also think dh will benefit a lot since his plan for the birth is to do whatever he is told to do by me or our midwife so maybe this will make some of our requests more familiar when the time comes. we'll also take the cpr class and i'll probably go to the babywearing workshop at some point. and maybe family yoga for me, dh and the babe. nobody in my family has ever had problems nursing so i don't expect to, but they also host LLL meetings so maybe i'll make use of that too if i need help or support.


and, just as a footnote, i'm loving being pregnant! :love

[krnflwr]

Hello All, and welcome to BlueHalo.
We had a rainy, drizzly weekend here, and spent today trapped inside one large room with 9 other moms and what seemed like a gazillion little kids (Communication Skills workshop for LLL)...so we are very ready for some warm, sunny, outdoor fun.
QOTW: As a nursing mom and a LLL leader, I think I have the basics of bf-ing down-pat at this point ;) but definitely know how important it is to have a positive attitude and support system to ensure bf-ing success. I'm trying to gather enough local preg moms together to get a Bradley class going, otherwise the closest one is an hour away. With Hannah we took the lame hospital class, which at least helped DH understand the basics ("oh, the baby comes out *there*!"). This time I thought we'd try something a bit more in depth, and hopefully helpful for both of us.

[momadance]

http://65.54.172.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=5fbc2f8152061baeda8d01858cc2c49b&lat=1084835188&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2emothering%2ecom%2fd iscussions%2fshowthread%2ephp%3ft%3d146184%26goto% 3dnewpost

here are a couple maternity things I listed. I don't dig black (at this point in my life) and have NEVER! done pink, so have a look!

[BeauGeek]

QOTW:
With this being my second nursling, I think I got breastfeeding down ;)
I will be taking a VBAC class as recommended by my OBGYN, hes so excited that I want a VBAC.

[blessed2bamommie]

Here's the link again, it didn't work for me:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=146070

You're too skinny for me. :( I'm more of a 1x girl.

[gmvh]

I've finally decide to officially delurk... I'm pregnant with twins and their forty-week due date is October 16th; my goal is for them not to show up until at least October 1st. These will be our first two children and we're very excited!

QOTW: I'd like to take Bradley classes but the only instructor in town was midway through a series when I contacted her, so Karin, add me to your list of interested local folks! I've started attending LLL meetings and have found the group to be very warm and welcoming. I'm thrilled that one of the leaders has twins (which she nursed, albeit nine years ago) so hopefully she'll be a great resource.

I've enjoyed reading these threads over the past couple of months and I look forward to participating in the future!

[Lucysmama]

YAY! Our first multiple pregnancy in October! :banana :banana Congrats, mama! And welcome to our due date club!

[bluehalo]

Gretchen -- Congratulations!! :) How exciting!

[krnflwr]

Welcome, Gretchen, glad to see you here! I will certainly add you to my Bradley list. In fact, I was going to ask you about it at the next LLL meeting. :)

[blessed2bamommie]

:w Gretchen!!!! TWINS! :yikes: I am a bit jealous that the doc confirmed we aren't having them. Daddy was the twin, and hence why my aunt's children had the twins and not any of us. But, then again, its probably a novelty thing that will be lost in the more practical times.

:eek that makes me think I should contact the local bradley instructor. i want to be able to get in the whole series!


OK...anybody's nipples feel like sandpaper! :bigeyes This am I noticed something on them, I was wondering if it was the white crust of colostrum, or if they are peeling! :yikes:

Have a blessed day mamas! :D

[stanleymama]

Welcome gmvh and Bluehalo :w

Had a nice wekend. Took the boys to the park with sil and watched the cousins play. It was such a beautiful day here!

QOTW: I probably won't be taking any classes since this is #4 and i have successfully bf'd all 3. There is a breastfeeding core/support group that is starting in the area that I am going to join so that I can help out other bf'ing mamas.

Beaugeek--so awesome you are trying for a vbac. My youngest was a vbac and it went wonderfully. In fact he was the easiest of all 3.

My u/s is scheduled for next Tues. I can hardly wait!!!!

Have a great week everyone!

[AnnR33]

Good Lord! Pregnant women should not be made to MOVE! Just getting the house ready to show for the realtor is hell-it's like moving twice! I have to box up all the pictures and personal items, clean, get rid of any extra furniture like small shelves, quilt rack, etc. and of course...where do all the toys go??
All I can say is that it better sell quick!!

I really have had to watch myself though and take breaks and remind myself to just push things aside that are too heavy. I have my next prenatal next week and I know she'll yell at me to slow down.

But besides all the craziness I really am looking forward to Seattle and actually getting to use a midwife!! I haven't starting calling any yet but know I should soon. Should I wait until July when I get there or start now?

Take care and welcome our new moms!
Ann

[Piglet68]

Welcome, Gretchen and congrats on the Twin pregnancy! Did you know we have a Parenting Muliples board here? You should check it out. :)

I've added our new October mamas to the list, and also started adding sex (and in gretchen's case, twin) announcements. for those of you who will be determining the sex, I'll add when know. we'll see if the Girls or Boys end up outnumbering, lol.

Well, I am SO excited to announce that my baby is officially KICKING!! :banana

Last night while watching TV I felt alot of movement, but it was all "internal". I couldn't feel anything with my hand on my belly. I was probably 90% sure that it was the baby I was feeling, and not gas or muscle twitches. Well, last night I woke for my usual 3 am insomnia party (hah) and felt baby moving again. I put my hand on my tummy and it got kicked!! It was absolutely a kick! And I've been feeling him ever since. He's playing around right now! :love

I'm so excited. This is such a wonderful stage of pregnancy, feeling the baby moving. Flitters, I couldn't agree more that I just love being pregnant. I'm going to savour every bit of this I can, since it will likely be my last.

I also had to share my Blessings from the Diaper Goddess with you. I ordered some dipes last week, and yesterday noticed that the WAHM had just posted a 10% discount offer to MDC mamas. So I emailed her and asked if I could have the discount, and apply it to an extra cover. So I ended up getting a fleece cover for half price. Yay! THEN...as if that weren't nice enough, another WAHM I placed a big order with told me that based on the measurements I gave her, her large size covers would not fit my DD (I ordered mostly newborn stuff, but wanted to get DD some pretty covers to wear under her summer dresses). So she asked me if I would like to test some xtra larges for her. I get my 2 covers for free! :banana

I don't know what I did, but the Diaper Goddess must be very pleased with me these days! :love

This is my last day of work this week: I'm taking the rest of the week off. All our faculty are heading to a conference in San Fran tonight, and I want to spend some time with my Mum. My first vacation! :D

[bluehalo]

Nipples like sandpaper? Well, mine don't actually feel like sandpaper, but they feel like someone has been rubbing sandpaper all over them :( I didn't have *any* breast tenderness w/ my first pregnancy, so this has really taken me by surprise. I mistakenly thought it would ease up after the first few months. Nope. I notice it most at night when my squirmy 4 year old co-sleeper jabs me w/ an elbow or knee. Ouchie!!

Oh, and a weird breast story ... I was cleaning out my car yesterday and was leaning over the back seat into the back part for a minute or so, apparently causing enough constant pressure on one breast for it to leak a decent little puddle of colostrum. Wow, I wasn't ready for leaky breasts quite yet *lol*. I mean, I haven't lactated in about 3.5 years (had to wean my son sadly early due to a chemotherapy treament I needed to undergo :( ) . But it a strange way it really excited me ... I'm so looking forward to nursing this new babe, DS and I had a *lovely* nursing relationship while it lasted, and I can't wait to nurse a baby into and through toddlerhood. *sigh* Sorry if I'm babbling, just felt compelled to share that w/ someone who wouldn't just be grossed out by leaky breasts ;)

Is anyone else undecided about finding out the gender? I have my ultrasound (3D! I've never had one of those!) next Thursday, and while I've been pretty gender obessed, I'm scared of feeling let down if we find out. Like when you're a kid snooping for Christmas presents, and when you finally find them, it's so anti-climatic. Does that make any sense? Anyway, I'm fairly certain that we'll find out (we didn't w/ DS) ... but I was wondering if anyone was feeling similarly conflicted about the issue. I don't really have a gender *preference*, truly ... I just want to know. I want to start sewing for the new baby, and there's only so much exciting to do that's gender neutral.

I too am really loving this stage of being pregnant. It's so exciting to feel the baby moving all the time. Every once in a while I can feel a good kick from the outside, but not predictably enough yet for DH or DS to catch a wallop. It's so nice to finally be obviously pregnant, and not just look really chubby *lol*. I hate that in between stage. This is likely our last pregnancy too, although I feel too young to say that, so who knows ... but I'm trying to savor every minute regardless.

I just changed OBs, and had my first "real" appointment (previously I'd had just a consultation w/ her) w/ her yesterday. I feel *so* much better. I too am shooting for a VBAC, and man is the climate around here icky :( We explored the whole homebirth option, but for several reasons we (mostly DH, but me too although I could have gotten over it w/ his support) decided not do go that route. Yikes, the HB climate around here is even worse than the VBAC attitudes :tsk It really is *so* sad. Anyway, I'm so happy w/ my new doc ... she's so easy going but matter of fact. I've been really up front w/ her about all my concerns, and she's totally cool with everything. I was having some trust issues w/ my old doc, so it's such a relief to feel like I'm being heard and not feeling like I'll have to do battle w/ my doc and hospital staff while I'm in labor. Right now I'm interviewing doulas, and then I'll be done "hiring". Whew!

Ann, I can't imagine moving right now!! Where are you moving from? We fantasize about heading to the west coast. I feel like such a freak here in the middle of conservative-land. Hope the packing and moving goes as smoothly as possible!!

Good Goddess Piglet, what a diapering score! Does anyone want to share their diapering plans for the new babes? I plan on using a combination of "systems" ... I have about a dozen fuzzibunz w/ inserts for XSM, SM, and Meds (and lots of PTs left over from DS), then I have a few dozen prefolds in each size that I'll use w/ snappis and wool covers or soakers, and then I have at least a dozen fitteds for each size (a lot left over from DS, and some newborns that I've been sewing, they're *so* tiny!!) that I like to use to go coverless (or w/ the wool if I'm wanting to use a cover w/ them). I think this should be plenty so I don't have to wash daily. I really only had to supplement my stash in the newborn and small sizes. I miss buying diapers *lol*

Well, I think I've babbled enough for the day! Sorry if I've violated the protocol by deviating all over the spectrum from the QOTW ;)

[OakEmber]

Welcome Gretchen, and double congrats:exclaim

Bluehalo- I posted a thread about this exact dilema in the P&B...here you can read what I had to say and what was said to me if you like. http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=145154

I started out adamant that I wasn't going to find out (really I didn't let myself entertain the notion of it at all because I'm stubborn :LOL). I didn't find out with DD but this time it's driving me crazy...so I booked an appt. for my u/s (at first I had declined the u/s, I new I couldn't resist finding out if I went). I think it will help me bond this time too in all honesty, I had a m/c before this pregnancy and it has been harder to feel the bond (or maybe it's just because I am so busy with my first). Last night I had my very first baby dream this pregnancy, in my dream I went to the u/s and was told it's a girl...we'll see ;)

[Piglet68]

Forgot to address Letia's "sandpaper nipples" question. I'm not sure that description fits, but just in the last couple of days it has really HURT when DD latches on. I'm having to really limit her nursing now. Fortunately, she is pretty cool with that. I think maybe my milk is really disappearing now. I can still express creamy milk, but it isn't squirting, y'know? My breasts just feel so empty, and I think that is why it hurts so much.

The only benefit to this is I can still sleep on my tummy! which is nice b/c it's the position I sleep best in and I couldn't do it after only about 6 weeks when I was PG with DD due to large, sore breasts. Now my breasts are so floppy I can move them to where they are comfy, lol. I also have one leg drawn up so that all my weight isn't on my belly. I know soon my belly will be too big for this, though.

To all you VBAC mamas: :bow :bow :bow
I so admire you!

Forgot to mention to Ann: I would start phoning midwives in Seattle now and explain your situation. The good ones tend to get booked up fast!

bluehalo, you want to talk diapers? uh-oh! lol
that conversation could get Lengthy! I could talk about diapers all day. You should visit the diapering forum. we routinely discuss newborn stashes and it's so fun!

[gmvh]

Thanks for all the welcomes! Compared to what I hear you guys talking about, I feel quite behind the curve on much of what I feel like I need to get done before these two arrive. I think not feeling any movement yet is keeping me from being motivated to get started. I have an appointment with my m/w on Friday so hopefully she'll be able to hear them without problem (I had a m/c last fall). I do not believe we'll be finding out the genders ahead of time. Knowing we're having twins seems like enough of an ahead of time surprise!

We are planning to use cloth and yesterday I ordered my first covers. My SIL is an excellent knitter and has agreed to be our wool soaker knitter which I am very happy about. She's been researching wool weights and patterns so we should be all set! We have friends with a child two years older than ours will be and we will be inheriting much of their diaper stash as a jumping off point.

Karin: Thanks for adding me to your Bradley list, I appreciate it! Let me know if I need to start drumming up women while sitting in Dr. R's office! When is your next Friday there?

Have a good afternoon everyone!

[blessed2bamommie]

Gretchen, I understand that you may be concerned about not feeling movement. :hug I was too, and I had a m/c last winter. I just saw the doc friday, and right now its normal to not be sure of movement and although, believe it or not girls, I was *tryin to be polite, she mentioned tryin to defrientiate from gas. And, I said oh yeah! :LOL I'm with you in the same part of the month and she said that its about the time when you should be feeling it, the window. By next month, and with your *two she said you'll be like oh yeah!!! :hug I'm *sure everything is just fine. I understand your anxiety.

My soaker is here....:love Sooooooooo cute! I guess I gotta lay low and stay away from the tp a while. I want to allow others since I'm having up to 3 showers to supply my stash. But with stock going so fast I'm not sure that its realistic. I might be on my own unless I get gift certificates, and I guess that's not a fun for folks....:scratch

[ameliabedelia]

Yay, we have a twin pregnancy!! Congrats to Gretchen!! And, Welcome to Bluehalo.

It's funny that so many of you say that you feel less connected to this pregnancy. I actually feel more connected with this pregnancy than I did with DD. I think it is because I know now what the end result of pregnancy is (not that I didn't know before, I *knew*, I just didn't KNOW, if that makes sense to anyone). Plus, I had a mc just 6 weeks before I got prengant again, so it made me realize what a miracle the whole process is and savor how this pregnancy is healthy so far and really savor every movement I feel. I am really loving being pregnant too, for the most part.

Does anyone else feel that time is just flying with this pregnancy? It feels as though I just found out the other day. And, here I am 16 1/2 weeks already! It just feels as though time is flying!

I am seriously having to cut back on DD's nursing as well. Fortantly, I manages to nightwean without any problems and can get her down to maybe 4 times during the day. That is still hard for me. It isn't so much that my nipples are sore (although they are), or is more that nursing makes me antsy and makes my skin crawl. Every time she wants to nurse, I let her but then I find myself offering her all these other fun things to do (let's play hide and seek, let's read a book, let's blow bubbles, let's have some cheese, etc., etc.). It is working somewhat.

:OT I just finished reading The Nanny Diaries . Has anyone read it? It must be my pregnancy hormones, but I started bawling when I reached the end. My heart just broke for that poor boy, and all the kids whose lives they satire.

[Lucysmama]

YAY for the VBAC mamas! :banana I'm having one, too! We are planning a home VBAC...my midwife leads the ICAN chapter of Greater Cleveland, and she specializes in VBAC mamas. She has a 100% success rate. That's right, out of 650+ births, all attempted VBACs were successful! I am so inspired by this that I have no fear of having a VBAC at home. We're planning a waterbirth. It's nice that my mw has so much experience with we VBACers. She is very sensitive to our extra emotional birthing and pregnancy baggage, and we spend a lot of time talking about it. After my prenatals, I feel like I was just a great therapy session. :love

Here's hoping we have beautiful and empowering births in October! :grouphug

[mirthfulmum]

Arrrg I wrote out a long post and I lost it... And know I'm too darn tired to write it all up again. :irked:

Oh well. I can at least welcome Gretchen and bluehalo :w

[bluehalo]

She has a 100% success rate. That's right, out of 650+ births, all attempted VBACs were successful! I am so inspired by this that I have no fear of having a VBAC at home.

Wow, that's *awesome*! I'm glad there are still some areas where women have the VBAC support that they need! Here CNMs can't/won't attend VBAC moms, and while I did find one lay midwife who was willing to travel ~2.5-3 hours to attend my HBAC, it didn't turn out to be the right decision for my family.


Here's hoping we have beautiful and empowering births in October! :grouphug

Ditto that!! :thumb

[OakEmber]

Ann, I feel for you...these days I can hardly manage to keep my house clean, I can't imagine trying to pack it all up! Let others help as much as you can, hopefully you'll have some offers!

[True Blue]

Hi all, been busy with a sick DS. :( Feeling the baby a lot more now though, and DH felt him/her kick the other night for the first time. :) I'm 17 weeks today. Does anyone else think it would be helpful if we wrote our # of weeks in the Title area? Like we did in TTC? I know all our due dates are on the front page, but it's annoying to refer to constantly when you're wondering. :)

I won't be attending a birthing class, I had a very thorough one last time in crunchy Berkeley and have become a bit of a self-educated "expert" since then. ;) I am going to order the hypnobabies course though, in hopes of having a better natural experience than last time (meaning: less discomfort).

As far as diapers go....I have 2 RB FLAM's (splurge), 2 Nanipoo's (don't think I will get more of these, they seem big and really kind of stiff), 1 FCB (so cute but I doubt I'll be lucky enough to score more LOL), and a Snapdragon. Definitely getting more of those when she reopens for custom orders! The size is perfect and the price is too!! I will also sew some prefold-type deals from hemp french terry I have. I plan on making them the size of premie prefolds. I had a diaper service and infant prefolds last time, and let me tell you, even on my 8lb2oz 21 1/4 in baby, they were huge and bulky, I hate them and used disposables the first few weeks instead. So I'm going to make premie size that will be more absorbant than the actual premie cpf's. I have lots of little covers from DS, but I'd like to find a wool one that will fit a newborn (I got a SP small but it looks way too big for the beginning).

[mirthfulmum]

Good idea truebluexf.

[blessed2bamommie]

:wave I think that's a great idea, Amy. It really helped us in ttc know where everyone was.

:yikes: I need to shadow you shoppin! FLAMS *and FCB! :shake I got a nb soaker from the tp and a fuzeasy (the blue skies auction), that Lori said would fit a nb. I wonder if Kiwi Pie will fit a nb...:scratch I need to keep in the back of my mind a cover that's not wool, pref organic cotton so mil won't break into hives holding the baby.

We are in an apt and want to build a healthy home and relocate to the city where our church is. Now,that I've found the birth I want, I'm scared to move (and its not a job thing, just convenience and the housing market is lower, so we have options). Dh has talked about moving after the baby is born. I was thinking with a nb! :yikes: I'm not sure he knows what he says. :shake I'd like to get the place ready tho and not have to worry with a nb. Course, who wants their home packed up with a nb either. :rolleyes:

Yes, Amelia! :eek When folks tell me I'm about halfway through I think :yikes:. And I think about the stash I have to get ready.

Pig, they stopped feeling that way after my bath. I guess they just were dry and crusty. :eek I can still manage my belly too! :D Which is great since I am a belly sleeper. I would hurt my boobs early; and the sandpaper incident; but, I have two pillows stacked and I lean on those. Sometimes I can't myself just laying right on it during the night.

So, are anybody having showers and registering? Church women are giving me one, maybe my workout buddies, if they forgive me for being so anti-social and skipping the showers that took place when I lost Jordan and the anniversary, and maybe my mamas former assistant principal, who's daughter I was friends with in elementary school. I don't have IRL friends that can throw me one to include the girls I had dinner with the other night, another girl and at least one or two sils. I'm not sure what to do about them....:scratch I'm also not sure how to do the diaper thing, since I am not ordering packages like at Natural Babies, or UTN, FBs, or any that seem to be readily available. I'm trying out different WAHM dipes, and was thinking about Felicite, so I can pick and chose; but, I'm concerned about availability.....:scratch

Have a blessed day mamas! :D

[bluehalo]

re: dipes ... I actually pulled out my newborn and small stash today and am ashamed that I've been thinking about buying more!

I have 10 XSM FuzziBunz, 10 teeny newborn fitteds that I made, a few Kissaluvs size 0, a couple dozen preemie prefolds and a bunch of misc. covers.

For smalls, I have around 10 FBz, at least a dozen random fitteds (some I made, some nannipoos, a few Sandy's, a few Gabriel Baby ... these are all left over from DSs diapering days and a box I traded for w/ a friend), a few dozen infant prefolds, and some more misc. covers.

I have a few more XSM and SM FBz on the way too. I was planning on buying the microfiber inserts, but I have so much fabric that could be sewn into stuffers it seems obscene to spend the $$.

Trueblue, I too love hemp french terry. It's my favorite hemp diaper fabric ... well, it's a toss up between that and some knit terry I got in a co-op a few years ago that had a touch of lycra in it and it was positively soft and held up *so* well in the wash. I like french terry so much better than fleece.

I've been trying to avoid the diaper forum ... I get swept up into the frenzy so easily, I just don't need the temptation ;)

[True Blue]

LOL...I know...it's so addicting...I've gotten better though. I fell in love with FCB (unfortunately) but I have a decent size 2 stash of them and RB...but now DS is potty training so I don't need more for him anyway. BUT I am having fun with the nb stash...though I'm trying to be economical, hence the ones from Posie Patch (they do however look really, really nice, and I plan on getting some size 1's from them too...I'm really into systems with less sizes!!). I like hemp french terry better than fleece too bc it doesn't lint so much, so it seems like it stays more abosbant for the life of the fabric vs losing a lot of the absorbant material wash after wash....

[Piglet68]

18w2d (love this idea)

okay, okay...I'll talk diapers, lol

I scored 4 kindheartedwomen n/b dipes the other day and I'm so thrilled. I also have on order:

6 nanipoos n/b
8 loveybums n/b
4 Itty Bitty Buns
4 loveybums PUL covers n/b
4 loveybums PUL covers sm
1 loveybums wool cover sm
1 Bitty Buns night fleece, 1 day fleece in small

I'm going to get a dozen preemie prefolds for backup (thanks to whoever said the infants were too large on their >8 lber....I was wondering about the size).

Still waiting for stockings so I can get more KHW, a bunch of snapdragon hemp fitteds in n/b and small, some snapdragons covers...and that should do it!

[kraftykathy]

21 weeks :)

QOTW - I won't be taking any classes this time either. Money's tight right now and I also feel like I've read practically everything there is out there already, ya know? I might check out our local LLL just for social reasons.
If I did take anything, I would take more yoga. The relaxation and breathing they teach in yoga worked wonderfully for me when my last baby was born.

I got to meet with the third midwife of our clinic yestarday. She also has a student shadowing her. I love them both. I'm really hoping that I get them for the birth. They also live much closer to me than the others so it would be very convenient. Last time I had a very short active phase of labour so they are going to have to get over here pretty quickly, lol!

Baby didn't like the doppler this time and was squirming around quite a bit while taking the heartrate (156) Maybe next time I'll try the fetoscope? But I'm so happy to be feeling such strong kicks and wiggles finally!

I'm pretty impressed with everyones dipe collections! I have a couple dozens small shaped prefolds that are made to fit in Nikky pants, these are left over from my last baby 7 and a half years ago. They are still in great shape and will keep us in dipes for the first couple of months. I need new covers and some larger size dipes. I might just stick to prefolds this time. It's so economical. But I'm pretty good with sewing (and my mom is supposed to be getting me a new sewing machine for my birthday. Mine is ready to die) so maybe I'll make a few fitted dipes too. Does anyone know where I can get a good pattern?

I started knitting a white cotton romper. The pattern seems a bit big for newborn though. If it turns out nicely I might make a few of them in different colours. I'm sure I can also make wool soakers. Anyone else like knitting?

Yestarday afternoon I mowed the lawn for a couple hours (we have a HUGE lawn). My husband does most of it right now, but I was feeling energetic and I thought as long as I stop before I feel tired I should be fine, but today I'm just pooped out! I also had to catch a 100+ pound ewe that morning, though I made sure I didn't lift her, I just tried sort of walking her to where I wanted her to be. She had twins that morning and she needed to be put in the maternity pen so she could have a little rest and some bonding time with her babies. (We've had terrible luck with lambing twins this year but hers are doing great!) So today I just gathered the eggs and sorted them and then spent the afternoon resting and knitting. The hardest thing about being a farmer is that you can never call in sick when you want a day off!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Kathy

[momadance]

19 weeks...

I have some CPF's the small ones, about 2 dozen. I might get a dozen more in that size and then get 3 dozen premium size. I got a super cute wool soaker with a big mushroom applique on the booty a couple weeks ago, a stacinator and some other covers. I'm a conisgnment/thrift store hound, and I've found some ok stuff. I basically need to stock up on covers. And unless it's something super unique and cute, I'm a plain janer when it comes to wrapping up little bootys!

I'm not worried (to much) but I had been feeling movement since around week 13, and in the past 2 weeks haven't felt anything! I'm going to guess little beans hanging out in the back or something. I'm confident nothings wrong.

[Wabi Sabi]

I had an ultrasound this morning and the big news is that

It's a boy!!

Yep, there is no mistaking that this kid has a penis and testicles! Funny thing is, I was utterly convinced that it was a girl. So much for mother's intuition, eh?

My husband is happy because now he doesn't have to worry about people giving us anything pink or lacy. Apparently, he finds anything that fits that description to be "vomitous."

My mother is happy because she saved all of my 6 year old brother's baby clothes.

I'm happy just to know one way or the other! Garage sale season is at full-hilt around here and I'll betcha that I can manage to clothe this kid for his first full year for next to nothing...

QOTW: Yes, I am taking a set of classes since this is our first. My midwife recomended classes that are offered at a local birthing services organization. The classes are more geared towards homebirthers and others looking for a natural birth experience. My midwife actually teaches part of the course. I'm looking forward to starting them next month because I'm really hoping to meet some more like-minded parents-to-be!

As for diapers, I bought 22 Cloth Baby fitted diapers from the TP when I first found out I was pregnant. I also have 2 Bummis covers, and two wool covers- all in size small. I want to get several more various covers and a couple dozen prefolds. I'm really hoping to skip the newborn sizes and go straight to smalls since money is so tight. If they're a little bit big and bulky on the baby for the first few weeks, then so be it. We'll manage.

As for showers and registries, my aunt is planning a shower for me in August in conjunction with our annual family reunion. I plan on registering at one "normal" place like Babies 'R Us, and then also online at naturalbabies.com. Like Letia, I'm concerned about availability when it comes to using Felicite and WAHMs. I would REALLY appriciate some cloth diapers, so I'll go ahead register for some, but I don't know if I can realistically expect anyone in my family to shop from an online registry. Still, I guess it can't hurt to try...

[True Blue]

Congrats Futuremama!!!

Wow Felicite...never saw it before! Cool site. :) I registered for the 3 things I need at Babies R Us, and the rest is really dipes...I might just stick with Naturalbabies but we'll see!! (I figure if someone else wants to buy me some Kissaluvs 0's I will certainly let them LOL)

[water]

Ok, dipes. :D Do you know that I have made a SPREADSHEET with all the diapers I've bought, what size they are, the pound range they fit, who made them and what material they are made out of? Yes, I am a dork....

So far I have (checking spreadsheet):

4 BizzyBHive fitteds, 3 NB, 1 small
5 SugarPlumBaby fitteds, 2 nb, 2 small
3 Mudpie Babies fitteds, small (on order, yay!)
3 Mudpie Babies AIOs, 2 small, 1 med (on order)
3 Bitty Buns fitteds, small
3 Tootsweet fitteds, small
4 Loveybums fitteds, med
2 Crystal's cloth fitteds, small (on order)
2 FMBG AIO's, small
1 Patchwork Pixie elfin under, small
1 Lambkin fitted, small

I also have an elbee order number, but the kid will be born before I see those diapers! And I'm waiting for PP, RB and KHW to stock again... :)

As far as covers go, I haven't even really started collecting. I have a couple Polar Babies, and Bumpy day and nights left over, and a wool Tootsweet, and a wool Biobottoms, and a wool Bumpy. So I'll start hyenaing after my fitteds collection is done.... ;)

Oh, the reason I am not really buying nb stuff is that I have big babies, and oh Piglet, I really didn't think the infant prefolds were too big on my son, but we did wait for a couple of weeks to start cding, so he was more like 10 lbs at that point...

[AnnR33]

Oh don't get me started on diapers...LOL I have 3 lg totes full and CANNOT buy more! But those lists are so tempting to start looking again, he he

Embersmom-the cleaning is about to kill me! People have offered to help but it's hard to ask people to clean your gross bathroom or scrub your floor ya know?? The next 2 wks will be the hardest since we list the house next week and the firs open house is June1. My parents are coming this weekend to help but it's hard to even know where to start-we have waaayyy to much crap!

Piglet-I'm glad you said that about the midwives-I think I will start calling now-I've picked 2 so far-the Pugent Sound Midwives that have been recommended many times to me and the Cascade Midwives in the similar area. It'll be weird over the phone to try to make a 'connection' but hopefully I can set up a mtg in the next month when we're out there house hunting.
Ann

[3bees~1flower]

on dipes....i had made a bunch of prefold type dipes for ds when he was born, but i have been thru so many phases and stages of diaper making that i don't want to use those anymore. i will be making all my nb dipes....fitted flannel and micro fleece pocket type, i guess you would call it... i also make my covers with PUL, will try wool.....*IF* i can ever get the whole lanolizing thing figured out....anyone have any IDIOT PROOF detailed instructions on how to do it...i have tried, but still end up with leaking and it seems like i have to relanolize quite often.

anyway, i have all of 4 (!!!) nb dipes made as of now. i also need to make ds #3 more/new dipes as a lot of his are falling apart (they were made with a used sheet that i bought from the salvation army) soooooo, i have a lot of sewing i need to do.

a friend of mine asked if i anyone was giving me a baby shower...i just kinda laughed and siad, ummm, no, it *is* my FOURTH...i don't need anything. unless this is a girl then i would, but not to warrent a baby shower....my brother has a girl, so i could always borrow her stuff if i needed and another friend of mine has 2 girls.

:wave

[Soogie]

In my diaper stash I have about 24 Motherease Popolinos ( I think they are called the one-size ones now), 24 Fuzzibunz (biggest score - I got these free in a raffle!), some Motherease Sandy's, some all in ones. lots of doublers. I'm not even sure what sizes I have. I also have a few Aristrocrat wool soakers. And surprising all of the dipes except one are in excellent shape after 2 kids. I might have to check out a few other dipes to add to my stash. Collecting does get addictive.

Susan
mommy to Aidan (3 1/2), Fiona (2), and little boo edd 10/27/04

[Lucysmama]

19.5 weeks....

Oh, diapers! I have had quite the hyena stash for a while for dd, but she outgrew most of it. I didn't start cloth diapering till she was 1, so I have only a few newborn things:
-2 Sugarplumbaby AIOs, newborn (so soft, I want more.)
-5 Mudpie Babies AIOs, small
-3 Prowraps, 6-10lbs
-1 small FMBG AIO

That's it! I need a whole ton of fitteds from Tootsweet, BBHive, and First Class Baby.

My MIL has women living in her building in Turkey busy knitting soakers for dd and the new baby. (My first pair of soaker shorts are en route!) She is starting a knitting co-op over there...they will knit soakers, we will sell them here in the US, and pay the knitters a very high wage. These ladies don't have a lot of job prospects or skills, but they can knit beautifully! So my MIL wants to help them out. :)

I just came from my ICAN meeting and feel so pumped up for my HBAC! :banana I can't wait to labor and birth!

[blessed2bamommie]

While I was ebayin look what I missed....

believe it or not, I wasn't ebayin for dipes! I found 3 1x items for this soon to be balooka boobed and already pear shaped mama!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63858&item=4151560085&ssPageName=STRK:MEBWN:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63858&item=4151136543&ssPageName=STRK:MEBWN:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11534&item=4151109850&ssPageName=STRK:MEBWN:IT

Do you *know how much I'm gonna have to :hide: for a while? Got stuff under retail tho. :D

Dipes, dipes...not a whole lot!

4? maybe :scratch sugarplumbabies
blue skies fuz easy
nb felted soaker from tp
I got fairied! :bouncy a homemade flannel fitted w/ rainbow serging and umbilical snapdown

smalls
fuz garden melon
fuz garden strawberry with seeds

mama here gave me her rice paper liners she didn't need :D

Not sure when my next purchase will be...since I made one for baby and 3 more me this week. I'm layin low for now.

I *have to make sure I don't forget to get something non wool for mils allergy! I was thinking cotton, pref organic. Thought I heard talk of bummis comin out with one....nothing yet. I've got a bit of time.

I'd like Kiwi Pie, Toot Sweet, (she's about to take a have #2; but, I think I'll be allright to score a couple before time. as she sends out some info for her stocking :hide: ), a couple Bottombumpers, I'm *praying to get a couple FCB. It would be nice to have others help with the stash; but, how is *that gone work.

Do tell Flit, what ur gettin from BRU. Right now I can think....don't they have the Aventis Asis and Arms Reach sleigh.....and car seats.Otherwise.....:rolleyes:

OK, I've been really tired this week, and I'm planning to get up and go to the gym tomorrow? I don't act like it....I'm on a maternity score high....I wasn't sure *what I was gon have to look like since I have arrived at this size. :shake I just have to be easy on myself. I just couldn't care less when Jordan died. I think I'm doing pretty good tho workin out and so far only 8 lbs! :D (Not that I need to gain a whole lot.....)

Did I say :balloons Jenny! :hug OK, I guess I better check the rest of the posts tomorrow after the gym. :bolt

[Lucysmama]

Oh, I forgot to say....

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SON, FUTURE MAMA!!!!

You must be so excited! Let's see...we have two boys so far due in October....and a lot of surprises!!!

[OakEmber]

CoNgRaTulAtIoNs Future Mama on your son!

[True Blue]

Good morning ladies!! DS is busy so thought I'd drop in and say hi before his fever starts to spike again (went up over 104 last night, poor thing). I think we will have to return to the dr tomorrow if things don't shape up some today.

The only things I registered for were the Sit n Stand stroller (DS really doesn't sit in the stroller much at all, so a regular double would be a silly investment...but I really want some type of double for big outings! And this could be used all the time bc he can get in and out as he pleases without being a pain to me LOL. I do sling a lot with the little ones, but a stroller is still a nice thing to have.), Crawl n Cruise Playground (for walking...early yes but we borrowed this from a friend for DS and he LOVED it), and a new bouncy seat, the Ocean Wonders one (ours just doesn't have much bounce!). I need a kick and play, but they didn't have one to register for. DS loved that thing too.

When you guys register for pumps....get good ones. Hand pumps generally work so-so. DO not buy the Evenflo pumps. Go for a good one, Ameda or Medela, if you want to get real milk results with minimum discomfort!!! Just a little friendly FYI. ;)

I can't believe I am 17 weeks, it seemed like it would be forever til I got here...I love that we are all at that stage now where we can feel the baby(ies) move. It's the best part!!!

[Lucysmama]

I was lying in bed last night with my hand on my belly, and the baby gave me such a hard kick, it knocked my hand up!!! Then it kicked a few smaller ones. It was sooooo great! :love

[3bees~1flower]

true --- don't forget about the Avent hand pump...that's probably the best hand one i have ever used.

[AnnR33]

On the subject of pumps-I'm used to the Medela Pump in Style (which is awesome if you need a good one) but I tried the Avent hand pump on a weekend trip when I was only nursing once a day and it about pulled my nipple off :eek LOL It worked fine but it was really hard on my boob and hurt! I heard they were so great so was surprised I didn't like it but just goes to show that everyone is different.
BUT-never get a cheap pump-it will suck and you will not have any benefits!
Ann

[Lucysmama]

I was an exclusive pumper for a while, and you shoulda seen my pump! I rented a hospital-grade one. It was HUGE and heavy and loud, but man did my milk fly out of me!

Thanks for the advice on manual pumps, I may pick on of those up a few months after birth. (I don't want any pumps or bottles in the house till breastfeeding is established.)

[gmvh]

Good morning!

What fun reading about everyone's diaper stash. My list is very short:

4 wool Bumpy's in nb
6 wool soakers in the works by SIL

And that's it. I guess I better get to work on it. I'm contemplating getting some Kissaluvs in size 0 for nighttime changes but I would like to keep things as simple as possible and am planning on using CPFs as our primary diaper. Who knows what I'll do. I do have to say that I'm making wipes and if nothing else, I'll just tape wipes to these two because I think I'll have close to 72 by the time I'm done!

I've looked around at registry options. I've looked at Felicite but didn't like the idea of them operating as the "middle man" so to speak. It seems that if you register for something from someone/someplace that is not on their participating merchant list, then they collect the money from the gift giver and purchase the gift for you. I'm not sure why that makes me uncomfortable but it seems that unnecessary complications could arise. Has anyone seen or used a similar site called Stepcast? It seems to give gift givers the option of just indicating that they bought a gift without buying the gift through the site. I'm not sure why I'm going through all this since I'm pretty sure we won't have a shower. My immediate family all lives in the Seattle/Olympia area and my husband's family all lives in western NC and we're outside Chicago. We've only been here for a year and know no one. Oh well.

Still no movement from my babies. I'm glad I see my m/w every two weeks because it's starting to stress me out a bit. I did read on another site that a woman pregnant with twins didn't feel hers until 24 weeks so hopefully that's similar to what I've got going on. Less than 24 hours until my appointment. Keep your fingers crossed for us please!

I had to giggle about being able to sleep on my belly - how I wish I could! I think it's now getting bigger than my boobs and they're huge!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

[flitters]

Do tell Flit, what ur gettin from BRU. Right now I can think....don't they have the Aventis Asis and Arms Reach sleigh.....and car seats.Otherwise.....:rolleyes:


hahhaha, boy that had me confused! :D i think you meant that for trueblue, but i was trying to remember what i was going to get from BRU when i realized i didn't even know what the BRU initials meant (though I did figure it out)! i guess it's no surprise that i don't think i'm getting anything there as of yet. the nearest BRU is far from where i live (not counting amazon.com).

SO... baby shopping stuff...

we have one sling.

we ordered a moses basket this weekend. we plan to put it on our bed and start training the dogs to be careful and stay off of it well before the baby arrives.

we are going to start out with a diaper service so i don't need tons of dipes. we are going to buy a few to decide if we want to stay with the service or do our own washing. i also have a list of covers i want to order from NaturalBabies which has a good selection. i've been waiting over a week for a reply to my email so i'm kind of disappointed to not have heard back since NaturalBabies is supposed to have great customer service. i still want to buy from her cause then i just need to order from one store since her selection matches what i want to buy, but i wish she'd write back to my email.

what kind of carseat are you guys going to use? i can't decide between something like the britax which is supposed to be really good and can go from infant all the way through toddler or something specifically for an infant which has the base and removable part where the baby goes so you can carry it. that would be nice if the babe is asleep and to have one base in each car (we have 2) and just one seat. with something like the britax we'd buy 2 whole seats. but i guess we'd need to buy more seats anyway if we get the infant type. what do you think?

[krnflwr]

Ohmygosh, did I wear myself out doing research on car seats when preg with Hannah! I don't know all that has changed in the past year or so, but I do know that as highly as Britax are rated, there are less expensive and just as safe (some safer) models out there. Don't be fooled into equating $$ with safety.
I really like epinions.com for good advice on car seats. Some of the reviewers are professional car seat installers and get into the nitty-gritty of each type of seat, pros and cons. Some reviewers are experienced moms, with several kids and years of experience. All-in-all, its a great site to get some useful info and learn from other's experiences.
We did start with the tiny infant seat, that pops in and out of the base. Boy was that thing a pain to lug in and out of the car. :irked: We used our sling so much, after a while we just stopped taking it in and out. Hannah grew out of the seat much sooner than I expected (7 or 8 months), so we had to buy another one....a convertible one because she wasn't old enough to turn face-forward yet. Then at about 18 months or so, she really grew too big for that seat, and we moved into a front-facing seat that converts into a toddler booster one. All three were pretty expensive, and I'm not sure how just one seat could have made all these transitions. But I don't know what is out there on the market currently. Anyway, I don't have any particular brand advice (besides Britax isn't all that great, despite the pricetag) but don't expect one find one seat that is truly safe for all stages of a baby's life. As baby grows, so does the car seat. Did that help at all? Sorry if I just confused the issue. :confused:

[krnflwr]

Gretchen, try not to worry too much about not feeling movement yet. I don't know how much different it is with twins, but I hardly ever feel Baby Cookie move (or I'm not sure that it isn't gas pains). I didn't feel Hannah move until 22 or 23 weeks, but once she started...yikes, she never stopped. I know it's hard when everyone else is talking about big kicks, but I'm sure it is all okay. Your little guys are just really little still. ;)
BTW, do you know if they are identical or fraternal twins?
Good luck tomorrow! Let us know how your appt goes.

[OakEmber]

Flitters- I don't remember where you live but it makes a difference as to which carseat to start out with. We have real, true winter here and having the infant carseat is almost a necessity...you can't bundle a baby up and put them into the car (at least your not supposed to as the bulky clothing makes the fit wrong) so with the infant seat you can place warm blankets over top, etc. Another thing to consider is a future baby, with one infant seat and one convertable carseat you should *ideally that is* be able to get lots of use from both. We had the infant seat for Ember (an Evenflo 5pt. harness) and then used the Fisher Price safe embrace convertible (unfortunatly FP quit making carseats which sucks because it has been an AWESOME seat!) backwards and are still now using it forward (and she's 3.5)...she still has 1.5 inches and about 7 lbs before she outgrows it, at which point we'll get her a booster and the baby will still be able to use the FP one.

In looking for carseats I'd personally look for 5pt. harness, non-twisting straps and EPS foam (the kind they use in bike helmets), I'm not really comfortable with the thought of just a plastic shell myself (you don't have much choice in the infant though, at least when I bought mine in '00 so the one I have doesn't have EPS, just my FP does). Some carseats have such thin straps, the FP one I have has thicker ones like a vehicles seat belts and they've never twisted on me. And of course make sure it fits snuggly in your vehicle, that's really most important.

Just another note, Ember would have fit the infant for a full year since she was dainty, hehe, but because it was cumbersome and I prefered carrying her not the seat we only used it for about 6 months. When we started using the big seat it looked sooo big on her, I know it is rated to be used with newborns but she would have swam in it!

Hope this helps.

About movement, don't worry Gretchen..I'm still not feeling much and this is my second (well third but second that I've been to the feeling movement stage) pregnancy so I am supposed to feel it sooner this time around. With DD I don't actually remember when it started, only that it blew my mind when I had my 18 week u/s and I could see her kicking around on the screen but couldn't feel a thing! I go tomorrow and will probably feel the same thing! It must have been around 21 weeks or so that I felt DD. I'm still in the think I've felt the occasional movement but not sure stage!

[mirthfulmum]

I have started so many posts today but kept having to abandon them as there was always some interruption or another. My brother is here from Chicago visiting and Alias is loving having his uncle here. It is so neat watching the two of them play together. My brother will make a great dad some day.

On the topic of car seats... For Alias we got an Alpha Omega car seat (that's the kind that goes from rear facing new born to the small child booster seat). Like Amie, when we first put Alias in the seat he looked so tiny all strapped into his gigantic car seat. And honestly, I didn't much like using it for a newborn. The seat didn't recline enough so Alias needed a lot of extra head support in the seat. Plus it was difficult getting him in and out of the car seat when he was asleep. He always, always woke up. So this time we decided to get the bucket seat, and then graduate to the Alpha Omega when the baby outgrows the bucket. It means spending more money but I feel like it's worth it. I don't like the idea of using the bucket seat to transport the babe (that's what the sling is for right?) but I found out there were times when having a car seat that I could take out of the car when I needed to would come in very handy.

And thanks for the epinions.com suggestion krnflwr. Sounds like an excellent place to start my car seat shopping.

[bluehalo]

We'll be using the same car seats we used for E., apparently most are considered safe 6-10 years from purchase, and E's baby car seat will be 4.5 years old when this new babe is born. It's a Graco bucket, nothing fancy, but 5 pt. harness and the nice foam. It's certainly functional, and I think as safe as anything I could buy new, so... We moved Ethan to his Britax Roundabout at about 6 months (rear facing, of course!). I have to say that I've *loved* my Britax (E. spent a few years in the roundabout, and we're currently in the Marathon). We're really, really satisfied with our experience w/ the product and the company (NAYY ;) )

I didn't have a shower w/ Ethan ... I get self-conscious really easily and the thought of sitting around while people watch me open presents made me uneasy. We had a nice "welcome baby" party after he was a few months old, and of course we received lots of gifts for that and in between. I don't think we registered anywhere though. I might register at Target just for some basics just so people who don't have a clue what to buy can choose something that we'll acutally use (as opposed to a big package of sposies *lol*).

Someone mentioned the Arms Reach co-sleeper, which made me remember that I wanted to ask about our co-sleeping situation. Our 4 year old is still in bed with us, with no signs of moving out. We have a king sized bed, and it's just right for the 3 of us, but would be tight w/ a baby too. I'm thinking about putting a twin right beside ours, either for DH or DS to sleep on, so we all have a bit more room, but I definately don't want DS to feel isolated b/c of the new baby (I know, in a bed right against ours is far from "isolated" ... but he's a huge cuddler and loves to be right against one of us (preferably me) while he sleeps). Or, I'm wondering if a co-sleeper would be a better option, but that's pretty short term, right? If this baby is in bed w/ us as long as E. has been, we'll need more room in the bed once the baby outgrows the co-sleeper anyway, so why not just start w/ the twin bed solution. Any other ideas I'm overlooking? Has anyone made it work cosleeping w/ an older child and the whole family in one bed (I've heard of parents who split up into two beds for the night, a parent and child in each bed, but I love being all cozied up together.)

[True Blue]

We have a Graco infant seat and a Britax Roundabout. The reason Britax is the best, even though there are other seats out there that are as safe when used correctly, is the Britax Roundabout is easiest to use correct ALL THE TIME. The no-twist straps help ensure your baby is strapped in correctly (a twisted strap does NOT offer the same protection as a straight one; the twist makes a weak spot should you have an accident). The built-in seatbelt locking clips are fairly foolproof, ensuring the seat stays tightly installed. It is the ONLY convertible seat (well, the RA and the Marathon) that can be tehtered while rear-facing, something that makes the seat MUCH more stable, and easier to get it at a good recline for a younger child. A GREAT source of information (and just teeming with certified car seat techs) is the carseat board at parentsplace.com. I would personally highly recommend spending the money on the Britax, your child will be in it a long time. If I could turn back the clock, I'd have gotten a Marathon (though they actually came out a few weeks too late for DS, who outgrew his infant carrier at 3 months) since it is much taller and allows you to use it probably a whole year longer. My DS is in the 90-100th percentile for height and at 24 months does still fit in his RA, though by 2.5 we will probably have to find something bigger, and I don't feel he will be mature enough for a seatbelt positioner.

Also, please remember a few important things:
-Babies don't outgrow infant carriers just based on weight (they usually go to 20lbs)...there needs to always be at LEAST one whole inch above their head to the top of the seat when rear-facing. In accident, their body is going to move upwards on the seat, making that space imperative.
-Don't make your kids forward-face until they are AT LEAST one year old AND 20lbs. Before 1 year, their skeleton is not strong enough to properly support their head in an impact.
-Please get help installing your carseats....you have no idea how many little things you could be doing wrong! I was anal about mine, then talked to a tech and found out I was STILL doing potentially dangerous things!!

I liked having my infant carrier, albeit it was used a short period. But you could definitely get away with just a convertible seat (unless as mentioned it is cold where you live, where it would def. be more convenient to have the carrier). It's also nice to have sometimes when you go into a restaurant or something, less cumbersome than a whole stroller. JMO.

Gotta run DS is feeling yucky again. :(

[momadance]

We are looking into getting either the britax wizard, or the alpha omega, though a previos poster knocked it, so maybe it will be the wizard!

As far as pumps go, I won't invest in one until I see a need. I've never really been away from ds who is 3 (how did that happen? 3y's old?!) So i'll wait to see if a need arises before plunking down the dough!

[krnflwr]

On co-sleeping, we bought a co-sleeper when Hannah was born and, honestly, hardly ever used it, at least not for sleeping. It made a great diaper changing area, and a convenient laundry hamper. There this bar on the side of the co-sleeper that prevents you from laying comfortably in the co-sleeper (very uncomfortable if trying to nurse), perhaps it is supposed to keep the baby from rolling out onto the big bed, but it turned what we thought was a great idea (safe spot for baby while cosleeping) into a major PITA. We kept it strapped to the bed for months, mainly for safety since Hannah slept on that side of the bed, but she would never sleep in it alone. She was (is) a total snuggly sleeper. Once she started pulling herself upright, we bought a twin and pushed the two beds into the corner. Made one big huge family bed, where we all have room, and put the headboards at the feet. So it is sort of like a big, 3-sided crib. Looks strange, takes up most of our bedroom, but we all sleep well.
Anyway, that's our experience with the co-sleeper. I think when Baby Cookie arrives we'll just add him (her?) to the big bed and hope for the best.

[OakEmber]

Bluehalo- I don't know what we will do as for sleeping arrangements either...we have our 3.5 year old DD in our bed and I feel the same way as you, I don't want to force her out...our bed is only a queen and there is no way we could fit a twin in our room as well, I am thinking about a co-sleeper too...also to have a safe place for baby to nap sometimes so I can spend time with DD.

Momadance I agree with you about the pump thing, I never needed one with DD...I'd express a little by hand for cereal but that's all I ever did and I couldn't justify spending money on a pump just for that.

:OT
Just a few hours until my U/S!

[Lucysmama]

We're getting a Snugglenest...it's a little insert that goes in your bed so the baby can be in there. That way, I won't be so worried about dd rolling over/kicking the new baby.

We have a queen and a twin pushed together, it's great!

[BeansMomma]

18 weeks 2 days

Good Lord! Pregnant women should not be made to MOVE! Just getting the house ready to show for the realtor is hell-it's like moving twice! I have to box up all the pictures and personal items, clean, get rid of any extra furniture like small shelves, quilt rack, etc. and of course...where do all the toys go??
All I can say is that it better sell quick!!



You and I are in the same boat! Last weekend was our marathon packing, fixing, unwanted items donating, gardening and cleaning weekend since our house went on the market Monday. We packed up about 1/3 of our belongings and moved them into the basement. Had to pack away all our personal items as well - I really miss our photos :( I have never felt so exhausted as I did on Monday morning.

My realtor says "Make the house look like a hotel" and "Nothing smaller than a grapefruit out in view as an ornamental item". Good advice! Our house looks a bit sterile, but OH so clean! (Which is my personal preference - but my DW tends to have a different slant) :eyesroll.

Well, we must have done something right because we had our first full price offer by 1pm on Monday! YEEHAW! Then we received a full price backup offer on Wednesday in case the first goes through. :banana Such a relief.

Now all we need to do is arrange closing on our new house (which is perfect, btw) to coincide with our sale and we'll be set to move in about the 3rd week of June. All I can say is I'm glad we've already done some of the packing and shedding of posessions we really don't need.

OK - for classes, you bet - this is my first baby and I'll be attending some basics at the hospital where we'll deliver. Hoping that the breastfeeding comes naturally, but my SIL had a very tough time - I wish I'd known about LLL at the time - looks like an awesome support system.

:hide: Am I the only imbecile here who knows nothing about cloth diapers? All those acronyms have my head swimming. I'd really appreciate any websites you know of that start from the beginning in explaining options and systems? I'm fully behind using cloth - I just have no idea where to start.

We will have our anatomy ultrasound on Friday next week - can't wait. I haven't felt any distinct movement of little bean yet either - and I know I shouldn't worry. Seeing the little guy in action during the US will be a huge relief.

Have a great Friday everyone!

[krnflwr]

I just wanted to add that I wasn't trying to diss the Britax car seat at all. Often it happens that people equate the high price tag with extra safety, and that shouldn't be the case. I just wanted to point out that there were other seats out there that were just as safe (or safer) for less money. Like the FP Safe Embrace, which unfortunately isn't manufactured any more, is a stronger, safer seat by design, but about half the price. Research needs to be done to find the one that works the best for your car & your family. I wasn't trying to slam anyone's car seat. :innocent

[gmvh]

19 weeks

Hooray! They've both still there, hearts beating away. Hearing them certainly lets me relax about not feeling them and in many respects I think I should be thankful they're not going nuts in there just yet because before I know it I'm sure I'll have so much movement I'm not going to know what to do!

Carseats... For a long time I was planning on getting a Marathon and calling it good. I think I may still go that route and keep my fingers crossed that these two are big. If they show up and are skinny scrawny, I'll send my mom or husband out for Snugrides and a stop at the sheriff/police department to get them installed.

Susan, I know what you mean about diaper acronyms! I've slowly started working out what a lot of things mean but when folks get into the WAHM-realm, things get way above my head really fast.

Have a great weekend everyone! Any exciting plans?

[bluehalo]

Gretchen, So glad the U/S was reassuring! I'm looking forward to ours scheduled for the end of next week.

No exciting plans for the weekend here. DH was out of town most of this past week, so we're looking forward to some down time. Lots of work to do around the house and the yard, and he's training for a mountain bike race, so I'm sure he'll want to put in quite a few riding hours. What about everyone else?

[True Blue]

Sorry Karin...I hope my post wasn't harsh, I know you weren't trying to bash it. :) I just wanted to be sure people understood WHY it was considered best, though there are certainly other very safe seats out there!! I wish wish wish I could have gotten my hands on a Safe Embrace. If I had known it was being discontinued, I would have bought it before DS was born!! My big dilemma will be soon when DS gets too tall for the RA....do I go with something like the Husky? I don't know. I hear so-so reviews about combo five-point/belt-positioner seats, but it also sucks to have a zillion different seats to go through LOL. But then again, I'll need something else once the new one is a few months old anyway, and better to upgrade DS than buy another RA or something.

I'm tring to get DS slowly used to sleeping more of the night in his toddler bed (which is up against our bed, just a few inches lower) bc there is absolutely no way 4 of us can sleep in our queen bed. I'm hoping to maybe even get him starting the night in his own room by then, but we'll see. I hate having him so far away, but it has to happen eventually I guess. Ideally (to me, not DH LOL) that wouldn't happen til #2 is big enough to go sleep with DS...but DH is less than thrilled with everyone being in our room that long.

Beansmomma -- check out the diapering board here at MDC for lots of cloth info. :) Do a search for newborn, and you'll get pointed in the right direction for your more immediate needs! ;)

[OakEmber]

I'm back from my u/s and Oakley is a BOY!! :boypin Everything looks great!


Have a great weekend everyone!

[mirthfulmum]

Congratulations Amie!

Wow, if I'm not mistaken, so far we've gotten all boys. I have my u/s on Tuesday, I wonder if I'll buck the trend.

I like the Snugglenest idea for the new baby. Last night Alias woke up in the middle of the night, climbed into our bed, over DH and curled up with me. And I thought to myslef before I drifted back of to sleep, "what am I going to do when I have a newborn occupying this spot?" The Snugglenest sounds like it would help aleviate some of my co-sleeping anxiety. Going to add that to my new baby must have list along with a Sit-n-Stand stroller and a bucket car seat.

I'm so looking forward to tomorrow. We're going to the Children's Festival (we have tickets to their African drum show) but it looks like we'll probably get rained on. Oh well, it'll probably keep the crowd small. And we really do need the rain. I can't wait to dance and run and play and get our faces painted and eat too much ice cream :bouncy. One of the best parts of having kids is that you have the perfect excuse to act completly silly!!!

[bluehalo]

Congratulations Amie!

Mirthfulmum, the Children's Festival sounds like fun ... hope you get nice weather. And you're absolutely right ... I love having the "excuse" of being a mom to a young child so I get to act goofy :)

[Lucysmama]

Amie-
Congrats on your son!!!!! :banana :banana :banana

Wow, all boys so far! Today I think I am having a girl. But by tomorrow I am sure I will be convinced it is a boy. ;)

I had a prenatal today with my MW....2 hours long! :love She is great. We tried to hear the heart with the fetoscope, but no luck. The baby kicked the fetoscope, though! No doubt it is healthy and strong.

[Court]

Congrats Amie! So was Ember's prediciton correct, I can't remember? I get my ultrasound Sunday morning and I'm already nervous. I don't know why I get this way, but I feel nauseaus, it's just too exciting ;) . This baby is hillarious, kicks and flips like crazy - so this makes me think it's a boy. That's exactly how Logan was in utero, just hyper. If it's a girl, she's gonna be a very active one. I don't know why I think of girls as being laid back, like they're just too reasonable too act so crazy :)

I feel more connected w/ this pregancy because like someone said before, I know what the end result will be. This baby already has such a funny personality, I'm really loving this pregnancy.

I've loved the talk of cloth diapers. I didn't use them until the end w/ Logan - and I used prefolds. He's since potty trained. I go back and forth w/ whether or not I want to invest in all cloth and go that route. I think what it is, is I get so intimidated by all the choices out there. I don't know how you guys know which WAHM to support, etc. I've scoured the diapering forum, and I'm still confused. One minute I'm totally sold on Fuzzi bunz, and then the next minute I'll read a bunch of bad reviews. I think I may wait till this baby is about 15 pounds (which will probably take about 3 weeks ;) ) and then invest in some fitteds and covers. I just don't think I can handle washing diapers those first few weeks, I'll need all the sleep I can get. And I know no one else around here will help with that.

Take care everyone!

[Piglet68]

Congratulations on all the BOYS! :banana

carseats: we started with a Peg Perego infant carrier. I loved it, though I really wanted a Britax, lol. We did use the removable carrier from time to time and it was very convenient. And we knew we'd be having another, so both kids have their own seats already. By the time we were ready for a bigger seat for DD, we were in Canada and I was having a hard time finding a Britax. Ended up buying a Cosco Alpha Omega and I HATE IT. The straps are ALWAYS twisting and you basically have to remove the carseat to fix them. I hate it, hate it, hate it and wish we had the money to ditch it and buy a Britax.

Is there anybody here who is NOT cloth diapering? lol...(don't be afraid to speak up, hee hee).

we are cosleeping with my DD and we have a king. We'll either get a twin to add on when baby comes, or go with 2 queens (depends on whether we bring our king back with us when we move). I'm doing some nightweaning with DD and it's going slowly but very well. Hopefully by the time baby comes she'll be regularly sleeping through the night with no nightnursing. Two nights ago she did it for the first time, yay!

We're having a ball with my Mum visiting. She bought me the Old Navy maternity jean jacket that I'd been coveting. And we found tons of AWESOME deals at Gap and Gymboree on their old winter stock for baby boy. Nothing for over $10...cute stuff!

water: I made a diapering spreadsheet too! I'm a geek! :) I made one to compare all the diapers I was thinking of getting, in terms of layers, material, doublers. I also made lists of the diapers I was ordering by size, by WAHM, and by price, lol. Yup, I'm a spreadsheet addict!

mirthfulmum: I can't wait to be in Van next year for the children's festival!!

Oh yeah, and I'm officially now in Pregnant Mode when it comes to physical activity. I do tire after a while, feel tightness in the belly, etc. I'm not in as good physical shape as I was before (I used to powerwalk regularly) so I'm not surprised. In a way I like it b/c it makes me feel so pregnant. But OTOH, I wonder just how much worse it will get!

[mirthfulmum]

Got back form the Children's Festival and we had a fantastic time! And it hardly rained! Only a sprinkle. We danced and sang. Alias got his face painted like a tiger (very cute) and we played so hard that we all came home exhausted (well Alias fell asleep in the car). I think the baby also had a great time too. With all the music and dancing the baby was so quite and still. Almost like she/he was just listening and taking it all in. As soon as we got home and I laid down on the couch the baby started wiggeling and kicking up a storm.

The past few days have just been dragging. I can't wait for my u/s! I try not to think about it but I can't help it. Whenever I have a quite moment my mind instantly begins to calculate how much time I have to wait. My appointment is on Tueday at 6:30pm. So not much longer. But I already know that Tuesday is going to feel like a very long day.

Piglet - I'm cloth diapering but using a diaper service so I am a bit lost when I read you gals' diaper posts. I am so terrible with staying on top of the regular build up of laundry. I know that if keeping the babe in clean diapers were up to me I would buckle and switch to disposables.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

[Lucysmama]

I am leaving in the a.m. for vacation at our lakehouse. It's waaaaaaay up north on Lake Superior in Copper Harbor, MI. (www.copperharbor.org) I am so excited to just get away for a week. We are going to hike and hike and hike. :D So, I will "see" you mamas next week! Good luck on your ultrasounds!

Piglet- I totally have that Old Navy maternity jean jacket....and I wear it 4 or 5 times a week. I love it! The fit is so great...totally worth the money!

Is anyone here besides Letia and I NOT having an u/s or finding out the gender? Letia, are you still thinking it is a boy?

[flitters]

hi everyone!

let's see... we are not having a routine ultrasound so we won't be finding out the sex. (although if something comes up and it is medically indicated that we have an ultrasound, we will find out the sex if possible). it's been fun compiling a list of who thinks it'll be a girl and who thinks it'll be a boy. i'm thinking boy, but i did have an extremely vivid girl dream about a month ago.

we are using a diaper service too, at least in the beginning. i have a feeling we'll switch at some point to buying and washing the dipes. i've still been reading all about the different kinds of diapers, but mostly i'm just getting covers (our service doesn't do those) and a couple fitteds to try. dh actually got all excited the other day when he spotted the diaper service van in our neighborhood - he was very cute!

i'm still undecided about whether to get an infant car seat or just start with a britax convertible type thing that goes from infant - booster. i think our plan is to go look at them in person and then decide. i suspect we'll probably end up starting with the infant seat and then upgrading.

and of course, HOORAY for all the boys! :balloons

[Court]

Just had the ultrasound and it's a boy! Everything looked great. So looks like boys are taking over. I don't know if anyone will even see this, since it's Sunday, oh well. Two boys, wow. :)

[mirthfulmum]

Well I saw it Courtney and congratulations! :carrot :banana

I am totally amazed that we have no girls yet. What are the odds?

[blessed2bamommie]

:wave yall! I'm too lazy to go back and read posts and answer; but, since I specifically saw Katie's question---nope, still no u/s, and doc was 'that's just fine, and that all the technology was optional and she's usually trying to convince women not to have so many! I *do* still think its a boy; but, if I see a vagina, won't *I* be surprised! :LOL I have been right on for two other friends, and to be wrong for my own would be kinda embarrassin! :blush Congratulations :balloons on all the excitement of finding out! I feel good about my decision though. I would almost maybe envy those who were finding out; but, then again, personally I'm not up for filling my bladder again to *extreme discomfort and *wait* for someone to call me and *pee on the table all over myself.....:rolleyes: It wasn't a good experience having a u/s to say the least!

OK, whoever was confused about cding: Basicially dipes work different with each babe. From what I understand on the first stash is buyin dipes to try and figure what works for *you*! Personally, I find deciding on a carrier more :nut.

Carseats....that's another decision that :nut I don't know. Mil gave us a sub to Consumer Reports and that's a start for checking car seats. I hear whatcha sayin Amy about the Britax, and you have a point. :scratch :confused: I've got a bit of time.....::p

Well, have fun, Katie and have a safe trip! I'll miss ya! :hug

NC is on *fire* I didn't leave the apt until late afternoon yesterday, and I was *ready* come back home! :( Its not even *summer* ! :bawl

I'll be posting the rest of the summer from the beach. :shake

[ameliabedelia]

C&L, Congrats on the boy!! Woo Hoo. It is kinda funny, everyone is boy so far, but I also belong to a playgroup IRL and 5 people have had babies recently or are preggo and due soon, and they are ALL boys! Weird!

As far as dipes go, I don't have much of a stash. I am one bumkins cover, lots of cpf and a bunch of A Better World AIO's. These were all given to me. I seem to know lots of people who are done having kids, so I am getting lots of stuff for free!! :carrot

For carseats, DD is in a Britax Marathon, which we love. When she a little we had her in a convertible, Century Accel. Not a seat I would reccomend. It was the t-shield which isn't as safe (DH bought it without consulting me) We never had an infant seat for her, and I would have only wanted one for the first few months or so. She was 20 pounds by 6 months, so we would have needed a convertible anyway. For this babe we have a Cosco (can't remember the model now), infant seat. It is actually an older, model they don't make them anymore. It is an infant carrier which goes up to 35 pounds. It is only rear-facing, not a convertible and is a carrier, so I think it will fit a newborn well and an older baby well. It looks to be small enough to fit a newborn, and reclines enough for a newborn, (plus is fits really snugly in our car) yet it goes up to a higher height and weight.. We will probably never use the carrier part of it, since it is heavier than a normal carrier (and I think those look heavy enough anyway) I bought it used from a friend. Normally, I wouldn't use a used car seat, but I trust my friend, and she swears up and down that it was never in an accident, would send me any recall papers, etc., etc. We will get this baby a Britax as well, when he (?) outgrows this seat or when we can afford the Britax (whichever comes first) :LOL