20-26 June thread

[JenInMpls]

Hi all,

Thought I'd get this thread started.

On the concert tip: Sarah McLachlan is coming to Minneapolis the last week of August or 1st week of September... I told Jo she could go by herself but she refuses. Figures, doesn't it? And Indigo Girls always seem to show up when I'm at camp. Hmph. Danielle, I'm glad you enjoyed the Prince concert. I don't think I could handle a big, loud concert, this kid is active enough for me when there are loud noises here at camp. Which there frequently are given the # of people and the nature of the place... maybe I should go down the street to the Finnish village, they are always much more subdued... ;)

I wrote on the 'how much is baby moving' thread that I spent all day yesterday with either a hand or a foot in my right ribcage and was tremendously uncomfortable with no chance to lay down and rest. Sprout also spent all day yesterday moving with only a few breaks. Maybe there will be a bit more rest for the weary mama today. Also, my (slightly cruel) friend Robin got me on a laughing streak yesterday that was actually painful and I'm so glad that I didn't pee my pants.

Oh, car news: the insurance agent estimated the damage to Jo's car to be $2000 (ha! hahahahahaha! The steering column alone will cost a minimum of $1200 to repair!) so she's had it towed to a body shop where it first will be stripped down to see what's really broken and then repaired. Oddly enough the insurance company will pay for all of the repairs if done by a body shop on their "list", and they also paid the impound fee and the towing fee to the body shop. After it is repaired Jo will sell it to a student who works in her department and we will buy a new one with the aid of her mother and the proceeds from selling the old one. The blue book value of her car is still fairly high but I know she's going to cut this kid a deal because he's just a college student. Sort of a pay-it-forward kind of thing...

I am tired and actually would be quite ready to go home if it weren't for the bathroom reno being finished this week (YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :carrot) and the painting going on. The front bedroom will actually remain a dusty rose color because Jo just does not have the time or energy to get it painted before I get back. Three people who volunteered to help her were unable to do so for one reason or another. She is busy painting the trim and baseboards in the den, on the 2nd floor landing and is making and painting baseboards for the bathroom. Fixtures in the bathroom will be removed on Wednesday, new tile floor laid Th-F, toilet (maybe all fixtures?) will be re-installed F. After that a massive week-long clean-up will commence and will most likely continue until I return home on Saturday after which everyone will collapse happily into each other's arms and not move for a few days.

Last night (and actually much of today) we had off and L, R and I decided to go to the nice Italian restaurant in Bemidji for dinner. Unfortunately 3/4 of the rest of the counselors had the same idea. When we arrived for our quiet, restful dinner we were brought to a table that was right next to the table of 20 counselors. One of the counselors at the table jokingly asked if we really wanted to sit there, and the hostess realized that we seemed to know these people... and we looked at the hostess and asked for a different table. I'm sure the table of 20+ counselors now thinks we are all snobs, but who wants to spend their evening off sitting next to all of the people you supervise when it's both your *and* their night off?!

Our first week was super. We had a great group of kids, they all stayed healthy, we had 2 cases of mild homesickness and the counselors were not only responsible but extremely flexible. I hope the next 2 weeks go equally as well...

That's about all for now,

love from jen

[sistermama]

Jen - I am so jealous of the bathroom remodel! I'll send you pics of the crazy looking one in my new house, so you can gloat over your new pretty one! What color tile are you having done?

Where are all you mamas??!!

I'm still chugging away on stuff in the house. My mom came over after work today to help me more. We got the whole kitchen unpacked. I think we might actually start sleeping there on Thursday.

[banana girl]

Hey all!

I had so dang much fun this weekend i can barely stand it! Seriously, I just want to move back home right NOW!!!!! We are intending to move back in January..... but that seems so far off. I bet the time will pass very quickly though, what with new baby, Jerome student teaching, packing and moving..... it'll probably fly by!

Gardening with my brother was super fun! I overdid it, of course and had to be put down for a nap... but we got alot done and I had fun being the resident expert, every time I turned around someone else wanted my advice / direction. It was very satisfying to see the results of our labor and i am excited about the project continuing over the next few years. I really don't think they are gonna plant any new perennials this year.... got to get the jungle under control first!

The birth blessing that I did with my friend Kristi was really fun and really special. We kept it pretty informal and laid back, but i did burn a smudge bundle (which smelled like pot!) and we did the belly casting while listening to a cd I burned for her.... mellow gentle music. The belly casting went really well, it was easy and fun. A little weird putting strips of wet cloth on someone else's breasts.. but it helped that it was just us. she said the warm strips of cloth felt very soothing and nice. Boy was her tummy BIG! It was almost twice the size of mine, but my breasts are bigger!!! She was very excited about the maya wrap i bought her... hadn't seen one before and the fabric I found for her really suits her!

We celebrated a mass father's day at my brothers house. My Dad, my in-laws, my brothers' in-laws.... there were about 25 people all together! Was very fun and laid back. I ended up having to take a nap during that gathering too!
And i got an extra bonus surprise from a really good friend of mine... He showed up with his....... SON!!!! Yikes! He isn't "dating" the mother but they are "spending alot of time together". I guess he didn't find out about the baby untill about 3 months ago... and they have to do a paternity test to find out for sure if it is his.... But he's acting under the assumption that it is his son. i'm proud of him for taking responsibility and being a father to that child regardless of "knowing for sure". He has been spending alot of time with her and the baby, she lets him take the baby away for many hours at a time a couple days a week! Seems like really messed up situation, but i am really happy for him. There was a light in his eyes and a bounce in his step I've never seen before. Such a proud papa!
So, i got to snuggle a 6 week old baby for a long time! It felt soo good to have a child in my arms! That cute little babe was passed around the room for about 2 hours! It made me laugh, to think of my child being passed from one eager set of arms to another!

This whole weekend was filled with the love of family and friends, relaxed and calm time with Jerome, good food and lots of laughter. I feel rejuvenated!

with love
Anna Banana

[adventuregirl]

Happy Tuesday my fellow pregnant mamas!

Thanks for the sling tips, Linda and Sarah.

Anna, your weekend sounds like it was awesome! Have you started the iron? In my last mw appt, she asked how my energy level was and I said great, but I am kind of waiting for a dip to occur. She went into a big speech about how if I remain active, get decent sleep, eat really well and am good about supplementing when and what I need to, there is no reason why I have to experience less energy in the last tri. That made me feel better and reading your experience, I figured I'd share, as it seems there are things you can do, you don't just have to suck it up and be exhausted for three more months. Of course there is variance, lots of personal factors at play for each individual, but it always feels good to know you have some options that may help.

Jen, how exciting that all that work will be magically done when you return home! We are planning a wood floor re-finish this summer, and I keep trying to pin dh down to a specific weekend date (I'll have to vacate for the finish part and sleep elsewhere, prob camp). I absolutely must have this done before the baby comes!

This summer has become incredibly busy, I can't belive how many plans just pop up and fill my calender, yikes! I had to establish a cut off though, after my friends' Aug 21st wedding (and subsequent last week of work), I will make NO PLANS. OK, I better get off, I need to go buy food before I have to head to camp for the day.

[JenInMpls]

Jen - I am so jealous of the bathroom remodel! I'll send you pics of the crazy looking one in my new house, so you can gloat over your new pretty one! What color tile are you having done?

Oh, our bathroom was pretty crazy before we started this... and extremely cramped. We have a claw-footed bathtub that was formerly built into a tub surround made out of bead board (like what's normally used for wainscoting), and the whole room was wainscoted with the bead board... but going sideways instead of up and down. Hm. The tub surround took up nearly 1/2 of the room. The bathroom also had a vanity that took up another 1/4 of the room... so you can probably imagine how tight it was in there. We took out the tub surround and the vanity (found the tub was in good condition!) and discovered that whoever had tiled the floor only tiled it up to the tub surround. Under the tub is maple like the rest of the house but it had a nasty layer of linoleum on it at one time and the paper backing and the glue are still fairly attached. So... we are having the old tile ripped out and small hexagonal tiles put in, as they are very appropriate to the period of our house (1910s). The color is "salt and pepper", the tiles are matte white and have teeny flecks of black on them. AND A NEW TOILET!! That won't need plunging or augering or having the handle jiggled every time or the tank lid removed and chains uncaught, etc.

Oh... and the color of the bathroom used to be BRIGHT TURQUOISE. Everything - including the ceiling. :bigeyes Right now it's periwinkle and Jo wants to paint it a more slate blue (what we wanted in the first place, but the paint looked a different color at the paint store under their light).

Anna - where is your family that you are moving home to? Eau Claire? Ooh that's only about an hour away from the Twin Cities!!!

Well, I should go be useful, it appears that I am already late for singing time, at least I am not on the docket to teach a song today. I got a funny, sappy "awwwwww" today during our meal introduction (we introduce all of the foods in German)... we did a "food machine" and I had to pretend I was getting food out of a vending machine... the first thing I got was a strawberry and I said that it was wonderful but not enough, since I was eating for two, after all, and the whole dining hall said "awwwwwwwwww... that is SO SWEET!" ("AWWWWWWW... das ist SO SUESS!"). I shrugged and smiled. What more can you do?! :D

Have been dizzy the past two nights. Anyone else experience dizziness?

xo, j

[banana girl]

Yes Jen, Eau Claire is only about an hour and a half from the cities. Just a hop skip and a jump.(I used to live in the cities)
We are intending to move to "The Farm" in January. My father owns a century farm in the country outside of E.C. Jerome and I are hoping to be able to buy the farm in the next 5 years and do some major renovations. However,the place is in pretty bad shape... foundation, septic, furnace, water pump and heater all need work!!!!! Yikes! We simply can not committ to the project untill Jerome has found a job teaching in the area, and we have had the house thoroughly inspected and had some estimates done on what it is really gonna cost to repair.

It is exciting but scary too. And to top things off, my younger sisiter and her husband just decided to move back in with my dad....... they are in the process of filing bankruptcy due to some horrendous medical bills from an injury her husband sustained two years ago. So in January when we move in with my dad... my sister, her husband and their two dogs will be there! This means 5 adults, a baby, 4 dogs, my two cats... and my brother-in law's 8 year old daughter on weekends! Holy Cr**! When we made arrangements with my dad it was gonna be 3 adults + baby and various pets. So, this has been a family drama, but i think we will work it out. I'm trying very hard to be positive about it and think about all the stuff we will be able to do with that many adults in the house.

We did put our foot down and insist that the big bedroom we are moving in to remain empty all summer so we can do the painting and repairs we want done before a baby resides in it! And while we were there this weekend we tore down ancient wall paper and did a bunch of cleaning / organizing... moving random stuffout of the closet. It felt really good to start, sort of leaving our mark on the room you know. A claiming of territory, if you will!

We are planning on buying paint and starting the next steps when we visit next in July. We are also considering renting a U-Haul and moving a bunch of our stuff there in a month or so. We'll see if that happens though!

I'm really excited about everything... lots of daydreaming and planning going on in my head, it just seems so far away still!

Well gotta go get some work done!
Anna Banana

[CdnAloha]

Hey there! You all sound like you are doing great. I am so excited for you about the house Anna. What a great endeavor and adventure to take on. I'm sure the family being all around will have its moments but like you say you'll be able to get a lot done with everyone there too.

I think this summer is going to fly by although it seems slow to get started right now. This Sunday is my shower. I'm really looking forward to it. I checked our registry and there are a couple of things bought but we emphasized on the invitation that the registry is just a guideline and we will be happy with handmade and second-hand gifts. I'm excited to see what happens...then I'm going shopping.

Have I mentioned before the local WAHM that I am getting my diapers through? http://www.extraordinarybabyshoppe.com/ Susie has been so helpful with everything and she just let me know about a deal for some hemp diapers that a customer had bought and didn't need. The sale won't even benefit her, so it was great of her to let me know.

I started swimming with a training group last night. I'm feeling it this morning, and halfway through the workout I though "yeah I'm keeping up with the faster group, but I don't need to.", so I dropped down to the slower group. Really it's just about keeping active for me, so I'm going to take it easy and not worry about being fast.

Sheryl, thanks for pointing out about keeping your energy for the third trimester. I've been feeling so good, and I would like to hold on to this a bit longer.

Good luck everyone with renovation projects!

Cheers,
Julia

[banana girl]

Hey! Where are all our chatty mommies??? I've been having to lurk all over the place to keep occupied these days..... I guess we are all just so busy living our lives we don't have as much time for sitting in front of a computer! I tell you if i had any choice in the matter I wouldn't be either! Dang this job for being so boring!!!!

I have been exploring the land of cloth diapers recently and having alot of fun. I got my first super cute fitted diap in the mail yesterday along with some brand spanking new prefolds and Bio-clean detergent. Went home and dragged out all the diaps my sister loaned me and did a complete inventory. It looks like there is alot more large size stuff than small so i will need to get some more. And for some reason my sister didn't buy any CUTE diapers. Boring stuff only. Anybody ever hear of "nicky's"? They seem to be diaper covers, but I don't think they are waterproof.... 100% polyester. They are made in Japan and she has a ton of them. Plain white cloth covers...... boring!

I really think i am gonna try to make my own diapers! I've found alot of patterns online, some free but kinda hard to translate from computer screen to my sewing machine, others for sale complete with step by step instructions and pattern peices. I haven't decided what to buy of the many options... anybody tried sewing diapers before? I'm mostly interested in fitted cloth diaps and waterproof covers... but i might try my hand at some AIO's if I am successfull with simpler ones first.

Later ladies!
Anna Banana

[4under6]

Anna-
Isn't diaper inventory fun?
I am constantly taking my stash out and evaluating!
I have tons of teeny-tiny newborn dipes, but not enough smalls in case the baby is bigger and grows out of the tiny ones in a week.
My next step is to pre-wash all of them and get them ready to go!

Nothing much new here.....except I am 30 WEEKS TODAY!
Wheeeee!
It's fun to be in the 30's finally!

[banana girl]

Here is the most useful FREE info I have found on making your own diapers...
http://www.geocities.com/mytafadhali/DiaperSewingTutorials.htm I'm super giddy just thinking about making all sorts of cute stuff with fabric I get to pick out!

te hee hhee drool snort,,,...giggle!
Anna Banana

[JenInMpls]

Anna, you're so funny!

Had another typical Tuesday with crying and not feeling well, went and hid at around 7:45 and knit a while, talked to Jo, went to bed at 10 and felt better by this morning. Think I short-circuited my allergy attack too by finally taking my homeopathic allergy remedy at the very beginning of feeling ooky.

It is once again cold here (50s) and the sun has gone away, although it was shining beautifully this morning.

We got two Nikky wraps from a mom, the ones I have are 100% cotton and frankly, they look so very leaky, somehow. But they are tremendously soft. We also have a ton of homemade contours but I somehow don't believe that they are going to last longer than a week, they are so small.

Yippee Danielle, I join you tomorrow at the 30-week mark. Blows my mind, that's awfully close to the end! Sheesh, I only have one monthly midwife appt left before I have to go in weekly!

I am getting a sore spot where Sprout's foot always seems to be lodged (upper right side of belly just under ribs). It's starting to be chronically painful and when Sprout kicks, it hurts even more. Still, I don't want to encourage those feet to go anywhere else, since I'd rather have them up by my ribs than down by my cervix! I had an "Alien" moment last night watching them kick, push and otherwise move around.

Bathroom renos start this afternoon with the removal of the fixtures!! Yippee! My poor Jo, she's so tired. And now she has to go stay with friends of ours since there will be no toilet at our house!

I had a super peach for snack today. Mmmmmmmm.

*wave*

j

[Tree Swallow]

Hi everyone! I've been very busy but very happy. I'm so excited! My Big V Pillow arrived yesterday. I'm so sorry, I've forgotten who recommended it but it's just wonderful. I got home from work and flopped it out on the bed and I swear I couldn't get up again. I just grew to the bed! LOL I did sleep very well last night, with the added bonus of the narrower pillow allowing me to re-snuggle up with DH, who has been at a distance due to the width of the regular bed pillows I'd been propping up This Giant Belly with.

27 weeks! Hello third trimester! Baby is moving well, and often. I'm feeling great except for achey hips and a little heartburn. I got not one but TWO new pairs of shoes over the weekend -- so I'm quite the happy mama. We also celebrated a wonderful father's day, my DH's first! The kids and I tried to make it special and he told them it was one of the best days of his life. Homemade cards, bacon (yeech) for breakfast and ... do I love this man or what ... I made him steak for dinner. (Yes I'm vegetarian in case you hadn't guessed!) :love

[sistermama]

I've been busy over at my new house. I've gotten so much stuff set up. I can't stand to have things in boxes, it has got to be unpacked, hung up or put away! Everything is starting to look good, except the lawn! We really need to buy a mower. We are sleeping there starting tomorrow night.

I had my 28 week appt today. Can't believe I start every two weeks already! My iron was a little low, but I just started taking the Floradix. Baby is still head up, but I won't start worrying about that yet!

I finally broke down and made a chiro appt, don't know why I took so long. But I'm starting to feel like all my joints are held together with string. Guess that's a good thing for labor, but not so great for trying to walk, etc.

Ellen - your pillow sounds great!

[banana girl]

"Busy, but good" so that's where everyone is! I wish i was... busy that is. Work has been excruitiatingly dull lately, I hate being idle. However my boss doesn't seem to care as long as i am keeping on top of what there is to do. Which is pretty minimal. He has projects he's working on and simply wants me to handle the normal operations so he can finish what he's doing. I guess i shouldn't complain.. i'm off my feet most of the day, with free time to play online.. but still, I'd much rather be at home, nesting!

sistermama good luck with the new place... BUT don't over do it!!! Give it and yourself some time to settle in. I know living with boxes suck but please take good care of yourself, your much more important! Do you know if the chiro you contacted is knowledgeable about Webster's technique? ths can make a huge difference during pregnancy. My chiro has recently had to adjust me in this manner and I won't lie to you, it hurts. BUT, it will help the baby position itself better and you should be in less everyday pain. anyway, good luck getting some relief!

So Ellen, you like your new pillow huh.... i think it was Adventuregirl who recomended it... i may just have to check it out. I am sick of the wall of pillows between Jerome and I at night... although he elbows me less often! Sounds like you had a pretty special Father's day. Just curious, how was this your DH's first father's day? Are you remarried? I seem to recall you explaining before, but... placenta brain draws a blank. I didn't do much for my hubby, mostly because I didn't want to show him up too much. (He didn't do anything for me on mother's day, in fact he stated that I wasn't a mother yet! He's still trying to live that one down!) I did make him a card from the baby. It said "Thump, wiggle, squirm... big stretch.... thump!" with a translation about having a happy father's day and stuff. It was pretty cute if you ask me!

Hey Jen I'm sorry to hear that Sprout's getting to be awfully uncomfortable... I hear you sister! I just had to get up and dance around the office to get this bundle of mine to stop pushing so hard on my belly button! I know exactly what you mean about having an "Alien" moment.. it is surreal to look down and SEE your stomach being stretched out in weird ways!
I hope the bathroom renovations go well for Jo and that she's not too exhausted from the process! How soon till you get to go home to her?

Greeting to all the rest of you mamas, I hope you are all super busy and super happy. We miss you. Just wait till we are all almost due, exhausted and in need of tons of reassurance, we'll be filling up page after page then! Enjoy your energy and mobility now!

With love,
Anna Banana

[adventuregirl]

Hello Lovelies!

Ellen, I am so glad you like the Big V! Mine has been wonderful.

I am beginning to only really be comfortable on my left side, which makes me sad because my dh sleeps on the other side of the bed, so less snuggling these days. And when I do roll over for some, my belly is so in the way! He snuggles up too, but he's not as needy for snuggling as I am, oh well. We'll soon have a baby to snuggle with, I'll get my fill....

I'll be joining you 30 weekers in 2 days, yahoo! Feels like such a milestone. This is starting to happen really fast!

Anna, yes, good but very busy is my line too. I sometimes wish I was less busy with work and stuff, but I am happy that I am keeping busy, active and time is not dragging.

Birth class is going great, only one left. We've talked about so much, and practiced all kinds of breathing and relaxation techniques. It is so awesome to see and talk with a bunch of homebirthers and not feel like a weirdo.

OK, keeping this short (for me) maybe I'll actually have some time to look at another thread today. :D Happy Thursday!

[JenInMpls]

I hope the bathroom renovations go well for Jo and that she's not too exhausted from the process! How soon till you get to go home to her?

Well, they've begun, Jo said that our den looked like 1/2 of a Cialis commercial yesterday with a cast-iron claw-foot tub sitting in the middle of the room. Oddly enough, it was only painted on one side - the back side is black cast iron. Jo will repaint the whole thing. The old toilet has GONE AWAY :carrot and today the tiling starts. Jo is staying with some very generous friends of ours (the same ones who lent us their Saturn for a month) last night and tonight. On Saturday she's showering at our neighbor's!

I go home in 9 days. I can't say I'm too sad about it. I'm ready to just be at home and relax, not worry about evening programs, teaching teenaged girls about knitting needles and yarn, and being late for meetings, which I am right now. Oh, heck.

later - Jen and sprout *PUSH* oof

[Tree Swallow]

Hi, everyone! Yes, my DH is my new husband. We've only been married since March! My two other children are from my previous marriage. This is actually my fourth pregnancy; I lost my first daughter at the age of 8 months due to a heart condition, basically.

Anyway, this pregnancy thing does get in the way of the snuggling. We generally sleep just attached to one another, which is a dream come true. First husband was a touch-me-not, always claiming to be too hot and uncomfortable at night to snug with me. :eyesroll

So sistermama, you've start on every-two-week appointments? I couldn't remember when those began and was wondering. My next appointment is July 8, so perhaps I'll be starting every two weeks after that. I'll be 30 and a half weeks at that point.

I'm not taking any childbirth preparation classes. I wonder if this is a mistake. I don't think they're going to tell me anything I don't already know, and besides they'll be offered by the hospital. I'm having a regular hospital birth and I'm afraid I'll just end up being pissed off.

Regarding interventions -- remember we were talking about how disgusted we are at the baby birth shows on TV? Well, my DH is coming along nicely in his "training." Another woman here at work had a baby last week. (He and I work at the same place.) We'd heard she was induced. I think there was an epidural (no surprise to me.) Well today, he exclaims, "I just thought of ANOTHER intervention that Shannon had!!" Apparently, she'd been given all this medicine for her blood pressure ... it was too high, then too low, more medicine to bring it up, more to bring it down. Sheesh.

[chrissy]

Hi girls!

Ellen, I feel so lame writing these words as they don't even express a fraction of what I, and more so-you-feel, but how horrifyingly traumatic to have lost a child. :hug

We are still at the beach. The weather has been great and we are having a lot of fun but I am ready to be home. I'm wondering how my garden is doing- we had lots of itty bitty baby veggies when I left. Wondering if I got anything cool in the mail.

Wow, so lots of you guys are 30 weeks already?! I feel so slow. My little one is just 26 weeks. I think I start my every two week ppointments at 30 weeks too, by the way.

Brian gave me a tie-dye kit from Dharma Trading Co. for Christmas and I bought 3 Noah sized t-shirts and 3 newborn t-shirts. I dyed them yesterday and I love them!! I made them all matching so I think Noah will like that too. The only problem is that the newborn ones are so tiny and if this baby is big like Noah, they might only fit for a day or so. Oh well. I can make more.

I'm thinking my baby might've moved into head down position. I had some uncomfortable moments the other day and all her (?) movements feel different now.

Love to you all!
Chrissy

[hjohnson]

Hi ladies! I know I have been in hiding for a while. Life has been kind of hectic lately. Thankfully it is slowing down. I am at 30 weeks today so I am joining the rest of you. Lately "lil bit" has been kicking my cervix. I wish he would stop. Also I think I am feeling a hand or elbow under my ribs as well. I think he enjoys stretching.

I need to think about ordering diapers because I don't think my friend is going to come through with her stash. She hasn't said anything to me about it lately. I'd rather know that I have diapers instead of waiting especially since we are down to 10 weeks left and Christopher showed up at 39 weeks.

I have an appointment for a massage on Wednesday and I am looking forward to it. I just need to see if my neighbor will watch Christopher for me. She is usually agreeable about that. I need to schedule another appointment for a pedicure as well. I love being pampered!

Christopher gave me a heart attack yesterday. I found him on top of his changing table napping. I took a picture and then returned him to his toddler bed, where he should've been the whole time. I found him on top of his changing table again this morning as well. He is going to give me gray hairs before he is 5!

[JenInMpls]

Wow am I ready to see my chiropractor!

Heather, when I was little I used to "escape" my crib all the time. My mom got so tired of it that she just left the side down and put pillows on the floor.

No news...

j

[fourlittlebirds]

Chrissy, you're not the only one, I'm at 27 weeks from LMP, which puts me at mid-late September but I can see going later than that, since I'm not at all sure about conception date. :) We have been tie-dying too! I'm a little fuzzy on method, though. Can't get quite exactly the results I'm looking for -- either I get unwanted patches of white or the colors muddle too much. There must be some special technique I'm missing. It's fun though -- the kids sure love it! My oldest son is currently over at the (conservative) neighbors' house wearing a tie-dye shirt and tie-dye socks -- I'm sure not helping at all their impression of us as the neighborhood "weird hippies". :lol

Well, a short little update on me -- I'm feeling fantastic. Slowing down, waddling. My hip gives me trouble if I'm not careful, but I think it has really helped this time not to sit in reclining positions. My allergies are finally starting to get better. Top of fundus is halfway between my belly button and bra-line. We're just starting to really see movement from the outside. I think the baby's head-down, because the movements are mostly up high. Baby is pretty mellow -- I'm hoping that is a predictor of personality after birth! This part of pregnancy is comfortable enough -- but boring! Too early for the blessingway, too early to get the baby clothes ready, too early to get the birth room set up -- bah!

[greenbeing]

Hi girls! Just wanted to post a quick hello! Dh and I are enjoying our visit with family and friends. We've also been able to get up to the lake which I missed so much! Sunday is my shower and it still seems like such a shock that it is a shower for me and MY baby!

I can't believe a lot of you mamas are already 30 weeks. That time flew! I'm 27 weeks now and feeling great-many people keep telling me I won't be feeling like this for long. I just try not to listen...

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Meredith

[wardermom]

I'm 30 weeks too!!!! The big count down. Most of mine were born at 38-39 weeks. Wonder what this one will do. I haven't been having that many braxton hicks, which is more comfortable for me.

[Tree Swallow]

I haven't had any Braxton-Hicks, which is in keeping with my other pregnancies. I didn't have any until the final month, I believe.

I get movement everywhere so I have no idea if the lil tasmanian devil is head up or head down. I do feel little squibbly movements up high, which leads me to believe those are feet, so I'm kind of going on the presumption he's head-down. I'll know for sure July 15, when I'm having another ultrasound. I keep feeling around for a little butt or heel, but haven't come up with any yet. :D

[banana girl]

Hey All!

Talked to my friend Kristi for awhile last night, she is due on the 30th and is expecting to go into labor any time now. This is her second child and she "feels" like her body is all set and ready to go. Yesterday was her birthday and she didn't really want to be in labor on her golden birthday, but she's hoping it will happen today or tommorrow. We'll see! I'm very excited for her and can't wait to hold her baby!!!

Meredith, glad to hear you are out and about having so much fun! It's great to visit places that you love isn't it. I had to go see the river when I was home, too cold to swim, butI had to go "visit"!

Hey blue violet! It may be too early to get baby clothes ready, but that hasn't stopped me from washing everything obsessively and folding stuff into neat little piles! I just bought some diapers online and have had fun prewashing my prefolds... getting them all quilted and fluffy. Most of the used diaps from my sister came pretty clean... but I still need to try the sunshine trick on a few!

Heather, have you cloth diapered before? what are you planning on ordering? Just curious... I've been surfing the diapering online world rather obsessively lately... I have sooo much clothes and stuff that this feels like something i actually "need". I am actually hoping to try my hand at sewing my own covers and stuff this weekend if i can find the right supplies at my local Jo-Ann! i just wish i had a pattern to work from.... had some ordered online, but it turned out the site was closed and they can not fill my order right now! How annoying! I guess I'll just have to trace around existing diapers for now.

So chrissy... tie dying is pretty fun, huh? I wonder if my sister would have a heart attack if i tye-dyed some of the boring wraps she lent me???? They may not "take" dye very well anyway. little newborn tee's and onesies would be fun, and i could give some to Kristi when her baby comes! Any hints and suggestions on getting good looking results???

Wow Ellen, you really are a newly wed! I thought I was... we just celebrated one year! Thank you for explaining and sharing with us. My heart goes out to you at the loss of your daughter... i simply can not imagine.
My childbirth classes start in early july.. we are doing Birthing From within classes... which I've heard good things about and have enjoyed browsing through the book. However, i wonder if knowledge is really a good thing. I really don't want to get to academic about this. I'm relying on my body and it's instinctual ability to get me through this. I'm concerned that too much knowledge will keep me in my head and not let me simply "let my inner monkey" do it! however, since I don't want to be unprepared and end up transferring to the hospital out of panic either.... we're signed up for classes. Jerome is actually more excited about the classes than i am! silly hubby!

Hey! Where's Savannah, Caroline.. Lazuli???and Everybody else. It took us 5 days to get to 2 pages! What's up guys? I hope you are all happy, busy and feeling great! Hugs and kisses to all those lovely tummies out there!

Happy Friday!
Anna Banana

[CdnAloha]

Hey Anna, from what I have read about and in Birthing from Within it seems to me it is more about getting in touch with your inner monkey more than filling your head with 'stuff', so it seems it will suite you quite well. I am interested to hear how it goes.

I am not doing a childbirth class cause for the cost I could only afford the classes or hypnobabies tapes. I opted for the tapes, as I figure they will be used whereas in the generic classes we have here albeit natural oriented I would get a lot of un-needed and unnecessary info.

I have started my diaper stash with a baker's dozen of Growing Greens one-size fitted hemp diapers. I love them. :) They are my big splurge and for the rest I am getting all prefolds. I have seen some lovely dyed prefolds though, so I may try some kool-aid dying once I get them. I figure I can experiment cause we'll have covers on them anyway.

I don't think it's too early to go shopping. I will wait next week though. Next Thursday is my birthday and then the shopping for baby will begin. I will do a lot at the consignment shop, so I figure it's best to get started sooner than later, cause I'll probably have to go back a few times to find all that I need.

Also I want to get everything before I am off work cause then it's party time! :balloons I'm considering my time off from work before the baby comes as vacation. My friend from Boston is coming to visit with her three year old twins and we are just going to enjoy ourselves. I don't want to be running to the mall or the shops then and after they are gone then it's waiting for baby.

I have booked a pedicure and pregnancy massage for Monday. Woo-hoo. It's going to be soooo nice. My back gets tired at the end of the day, but otherwise I am not suffering any major aches and pains and for the most part I feel good. I've got my fingers crossed things stay like this.

Hope you all have a great weekend.
:)
Julia

[sistermama]

Hi Mamas,

I haven't moved my computer to the new house yet, so I'm only able to check in at work. Jack and I have been having fun exploring our new part of time and finding the good parks, etc. There is a city pool about 2 miles from our house, which is great because it is so hot. Plus a found a park with a really beautiful playground. The pg is set up on a hill under tons of old trees, the equipment is all new and it is soooo much cooler up there in the shade with the breeze.

I have now officially sworn off climbing up on anything anymore. I managed to fall off a little step stool yesterday while I was hanging curtains, so that is it for me. I don't feel unbalanced but I guess I am. I managed to totally mess up my right sciatica in the process, so now I am icky on both sides. Hopefully Monday will start to help with that.

This little one is persisently head up and I'm not "worried" about it, but I'd be glad for a flip in position. Most of the problems last time stemmed from Jack's bad position, and I really don't want a reply of that. I've started to do a couple things to encourge this baby to flip, at least as an option of available postitions! For the first time this afternoon, I felt some good solid kicks under the ribs, so I think s/he is getting the point!

A weird thing at the grocery store last night, Jack, dh and I were in picking up lemons (I'm drinking like a gallon of tea a day!) when I woman who worked in there walked by me, turned and said, "Thats a girl baby you're carrying" and then kept walking on her way.

Last night was our first night sleeping at the house (me and Jack anyway! John's at work all night) and it felt so good to finally be in our own place!!!! I slept the whole night through, which I haven't done in quite some time.

Hope you all have great weekends, in case I don't get on until Monday. Love, love, love to mamas and babies!

[banana girl]

Boy does a massage sound delightful! I am planning on getting my hair cut today! It's been probably 2 to 3 months since the last cut and i want to go drastically shorter. I am also thinking about getting some chunky blond highlights, cause I have some purple Manic Panic hair dye floating around..... (your hair has to be bleached to have the wild colors show up) I guess I just want to prove to myself that I am still funky and cool, not an old fuddy duddy. te he eh hhee! I'll probably wait on the coloring though.... money :irked:
Besides, i bet my ex-marine boss would not be thrilled if I showed up with purple hair! He's definitely an old fuddy duddy!

Have a great weeknd everyone, i'm signing off!
Anna Banana
:banana

[fourlittlebirds]

Anna wrote: "However, i wonder if knowledge is really a good thing. I really don't want to get to academic about this. I'm relying on my body and it's instinctual ability to get me through this. I'm concerned that too much knowledge will keep me in my head and not let me simply "let my inner monkey" do it!"

I totally agree! Although, sometimes the misconceptions we've been indoctrinated with about birth also get in the way of that instinctual ability, and education can counter that. I guess it's just about finding the right balance.

[hjohnson]

Anna I currently use Cloth Diapers with Christopher but I started when he was 9 months old so I have a few mediums and a whole bunch of larges. I have no smalls to speak of. I am planning on using CPFs and Bummis SWW covers and probally some Proraps classics. For out and about I have some Mollytog AIOs and I need to purchase some Happy Heinys. There is definitely too much to choose from. I also need to get ahold of my SIL and see if she is going to send the clothes back. Currently I have no baby clothes as well. I sent all of Christopher's clothes to SIL for his cousin and now I am hoping that she will send them back for DS #2. I need to get my butt into gear.

[plantmommy]

Sarah, it's not just you! I keep falling off my flip-flops. :blush Stop laughing, ladies, its not nice. :LOL But seriously. They're these Keds ones, and only about an inch high, by I keep mis-stepping, and had to stop wearing them. Annoying, because they're the only ones I don't have to bend to put on.

Meanwhile, Isabelle has the chickenpox! I was exposed as a kid, and don't remember being sick, but remember my sister being sick, and popping her blisters. Also, at 30 weeks, it's not a time that it's dangerous for the baby. So, I'm glad she's got it! Only, the other two should end up with it in two weeks, right when dh is going away on a business trip.

[fourlittlebirds]

Ugh, chicken pox! I'd rather that than the vaccine, though.

Plantmommy, get yourself some birkenstocks! They're so wide, no way you could step out of them. :LOL

Gee, I wish I could go shopping for baby stuff! It's not in our budget though and I don't really *need* anything because I saved all our baby clothes. I do need covers -- I've bought a couple of commercial PUL ones (let's see -- Motherease and Totsbots) which I am totally unimpressed with. I bought a Totsbots fleece cover too which is okay. So far I've been happiest with the fleece cover I made -- the only thing I'm unsatisified with is the velcro, I have not been able to find soft-backed velcro! If any of you have Polarbabies covers, that's what I'm talking about.

[plantmommy]

Oh, she doesn't seem very ill. MUCH better than the vax!

No birks for me - vegan and don't wear leather.

[msrog]

Hi, gals!

I'm back from my vacation, but am too tired to post now and will be gone again for the day tomorrow. I hope to catch up with your posts over the past week this weekend!

Meanwhile, here is my 28 1/2 week belly picture, taken tonight: http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAM2TRszcsWzww

And you should be able to access the other pics for comparison at this link:
http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAM2TRszcsWzy4

I have two appts. Tuesday. Can't wait to see how you all have been doing! The babies are s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g me!! The kicks are on the verge of uncomfortable...

And it's HOT!

Love ya,
Savannah

[4under6]

Gorgeous belly, Savannah!

Sarah-

I once had an elderly Russian sales clerk come up to me when I was pregnant with #1 and say "Dat ees girrl, yah?"
At the time I didn't know, and sure enough, it was.
Course she did have 50/50 chance, but she seemed to be kind of wise in a woman's way!

[4under6]

Ooh, and hello and happy weekend to everyone else!
It's almost 1am and I just got home from work, so I'm sleepy...gotta work at 10:30 am, so I better get going!

Had my 30 weeks checkup today. All is well, and my fundus is measuring at 32 weeks.

[fourlittlebirds]

Plantmommy -- is it that you don't want to buy from a company that uses animal products? Because they do make synthetic versions... :) Not that everyone likes birks anyway, though. The footbeds aren't right for some people. But they make my feet happy like no other shoes have ever done!

Savannah, very nice belly! :D

[JenInMpls]

No birks for me - vegan and don't wear leather.

I just saw that Linda answered to this, but yes, I wanted to say that Birkenstock does make shoes specifically for people who do not wear any leather. The Birko-Flor is a bit hotter, but they are still really comfortable. I have a pair that is 100% synthetic for wearing in water and they're great.

write more later, have meeting -

j

[plantmommy]

No, I didn't know they made non-animal birks! I'll have to check into that.

Meanwhile, it's been a heck of a month for me, I've actually lost a few lbs and midwife measured me at 29 today, although I'm 30 tomorrow. Also, I was having cntx and diarrhea last night (sorry if TMI) so I need to take it easy! I think I'll give Belle some benadryl for her itchies and cuddle up for a nap.

[chrissy]

I'm home! Ahhhhhhhh, I'm so glad to be back. Vacation is nice but I sure do love home.

Speaking of home, I forgot to tell you all that we didn't get the house. :( After assuring us that if we wanted it, it was ours, the owner decided to sell it to another guy. Apparently he had approached her husband about buying the house several times before he (the husband) died and so the lady felt she had some obligation to sell it to him. We are really bummed, but I am feeling like it must've been meant to be, and I'm happy that the next several months will not be as stressful as they surely would have been.

Okay, let's see what I can remember before I get beckoned....

Tie-dying: Linda, mine did run some but not too much. The booklet that came with the kit I used recommended putting plastic wrap on your work surface and topping that with paper towels. Then change the paper towels when they get wet/saturated to the point you think the colors will run. I think that helped a lot. Pretty wasteful though. Next time I do it at home I will probably try to use old rags that I don't mind getting stained. Anna, I think the dyes will work well on any natural fibers but not on artificial ones. I'm planning to dye some of my infant prefolds soon.

Anna, the farm sounds awesome!! I mean it does sound like a big project but it sounds so wonderful.

Poor Ellen- falling off your flip flops! I've been doing that lately too when I wear shoes other than my birks. I'm always a klutz though. I hope the chicken pox aren't too tough on you all. We too are awaiting the pox rather than getting the vax.

Savannah-great belly shot! Can't wait to hear all about your vacation!

Danielle- hooray for your great appointment and your over-acheiver baby!

Linda, I do have some Polarbabies covers and they do seem really nice. Gosh, they are expensive new though?! I heard they are great for newborns and infants though and I did end up getting some good deals on ebay.

Anna, the hair plan sounds really fun!! I know what you mean about the urge to do something to kind of prove to yourself that you are still hip. Last time I felt that way I got my nose pierced. It ended up falling out, then getting infected after I had it put back in so I took it out because I was afraid I'd end up with a big growth on my nose. Now I really want to have it done again (needing to feel cool and hip) but have to wait until after babe is born. Purple hair sounds really fun though!

Sarah, I'm so glad you are all moved in and feel comfortable and happy in your new place!! Is Jack getting used to it as well?

Julia, your Monday sounds wonderful!! I have heard that Kool Aid doesn't work so well on cotton, that it really only works on wool, but I could definitely be wrong about that. Just thought I'd pop my bossy two cents in.:)

Anna, any news on your friend Kristi? How did your Joann's trip go? Tie dying was really fun. I have done it before several times but always with RIT dye and it was always so blah and faded looking. This time I used Procion dyes and other stuff from Dharma and it really looks good, if I may say so myself. I think the kit was pretty cheap. It includes stuff that you dilute in water and soak the fabric in first. I think it breaks down the fabric a little so it will take the dye better. Then you mix up the dyes with water, salt, and some other stuff in the kit and squirt them on. Oh, it also came with a book that showed me how to rubber-band stuff to make it look different ways. After you get the dyes on you squeeze out the excess liquid and wrap the fabric in plastic wrap for 8-24 hours. Then you unwrap and rinse til it runs clear. Then you wash it with detergent that comes in the kit and it's colorfast and ready to go.

Well, that's as far as the history goes and I have blabbed enough.

Well wait, where are Lynsey, Caroline, Sarahb (Chumani), Cuddlemama and I'm sure there are mores who have gone MIA???

Love,
C

[JenInMpls]

hoo yah, the day is drawing to a close... phew.

You can check out Birkenstock's non-leather collection here (http://www.birkenstock.com/c/advancedSearch.py?simple_material=80&submit=Search&manager=Search&store_id=0&user_id=0).

In a week, I will be home...

I don't have a lot of exciting news except that I'm getting a lot of good knitting done and I think this next week will be smooth sailing unless my dean sees fit to somehow put me on some kind of checking-up-on-evening-program-planners duty. :irked:

I had a sad moment today for another mama... there was a phoebe, one of my favorite birds, who had made her nest on top of the fire alarm next to a door in the tunnel through our main building. She was right across the tunnel from my apartment door. I greeted her every time I came and went and finally she was getting used to me, although we weren't sure if she was spending enough time on her eggs to ever hatch them out, because there was a lot of traffic in and out of the door she was next to. Well, today I went to say hi to her to find that her nest was gone. It looks like it might have fallen victim to a chipmunk or other small egg-eating animal. The only sad remnants are the little shadows of egg yolk still on the concrete underneath. It makes me sigh, although I know that it's probably better because now she won't spend time sitting on her eggs that won't hatch out and she'll probably go make a new nest in a tree and start over. But still... I miss greeting her every time I go in and out of my apartment. *sigh*

Well, I think I'm going to go call my mom and let her know that I and her grandchild are still doing fine.

Hugs to you all,

jen.

ps: Savannah and Sarah - I'm sorry, I'm sure Jo has not sent your stuff yet. She's been pulling her hair out with these renovations. I'll get them to you asap!!!

[chrissy]

quickly posting pics...
http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAM27hozbMWzCIg&notag=1

poor phoebe!!

[fourlittlebirds]

Oh Jen, that's sad. I have to wonder if it wasn't an animal but a human that did it -- we have a nest over our front door that has new babies every year, and I can't tell you how many people have suggested that we take it down, even when the eggs are actually in it, so that we won't have to deal with bird poop beneath it! :(

[CdnAloha]

Chrissy you look beautiful at the beach!
And Savanah your belly is beautiful too. :)
I am going to post a couple of photos on the yahoo group when I am done this reply.

I am also going to check out dharma trading. Now I want to tie-dye! I am also looking around for playsilks. I mentioned my friend is coming to visit with her 3 year old twins in August. I think they would really enjoy playsilks. Also I would like to find waldorf dolls available in Canada. Maybe I will call the local Waldorf school - Jen do you think they would know? I'm guessing it's a good place to start.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Julia

[chrissy]

Julia, I'm so glad you posted pictures. They are great! You and your belly are gorgeous! Your kitties are pretty darn cute too, and that mural is beautiful.

Where is everybody???

[msrog]

Chrissy, what a fantastic beach belly picture! I love that suit! I MUST know where you got it. I have not had luck finding an appropriate two piece for my belly...

Jen, sorry to hear about your little bird family, and don't worry about the top - it'll be great whenever it arrives! Even the thought was enough to make me happy... :)

[chrissy]

Thanks Savannah! I really like the suit too. I got it at Target, in the regular section, just a bigger size than usual.

My husband and son are both crabby today! Boo!

[JenInMpls]

I would like to find waldorf dolls available in Canada. Maybe I will call the local Waldorf school - Jen do you think they would know?

Heck yeah, they probably have some in their school store or if not, they can tell you how to get them, or they may even order them for you. Be prepared, they are quite expensive. You might inquire (if you are so inclined and so talented!) as to a doll-making class, we have them at least once a year in our region...

No brilliant thoughts right now... have got the sinus/upper respiratory cold that's been going around, but I caught it early with my remedy again and it seems to be going better today. And I found a pair of capris at JCPenney today for only $15!

Linda - I'd be very surprised if it were a human that took the nest down, we are all very nature-conscious here, and the kids aren't usually unsupervised. I keep holding onto the thought that the mama phoebe has probably begun building a new nest and will try again...

OK, I have to go write up an informal incident report for a discussion I just had with a little girl... poor, dear thing, 10 years old, everyone ganging up on her in the house, so many dynamics that I am sure she does not understand that are playing into this whole situation (race, socioeconomic status, etc...)

I'll chalk it up to preparation for motherhood.

jen

[sistermama]

Julia - the mural looks great! What a good idea to do the sky yellow, I would have stressed over how to do blue and blue.

Chrissy - glad you had a good beach vacation.

Savannah - we missed you - you look great!

Its so nice to see all those gorgeous bellies and know that we are all about the same size. Helps with the "you're not due until when???" comments!

I went to see Fahrenheit 9/11 on Sat, and it was so good but so depressing. It was nice to actually see a movie opening weekend.

This weekend was the first time when I really felt "PREGNANT" as in cumbersome and big. I had crazy Braxton Hicks yesterday and had to just sit down and chill out for a couple of hours. I was actually starting to get a little worried because they were so strong.

Went to the chiro finally this morning, my pelvis is a typical pregnant mess. I'll go at least every two weeks a couple times and then more as Sept gets closer. At least everything fell right back into place easily.

The house is looking really good. I'll have to take some pictures this week.