July 1 - ?? Friends Chat Here

[Dodo]

A new month means a new thread.

Chat away!

[Dodo]

Recent topics include

blue moon babies
absentee dhs
popping sounds
swelling
doulas
names (FTR, I like Darwin, and know of at least one adult with this name)

[ketilave]

I'm posting just so I will get a notice and don't have to remember to search us out. Thinking about skipping my 37 weeks on Mon. 7/5. My mom wants us to come up to DC and I don't want to have to drive back that am or sun night. But, I think the baby also just flipped breech and would like to talk to MW about it. oh well, I'll decide before the weekend. Great article about vaginal breech delivers by Ina May in Mothering. And, since the baby is so active I think there is no need to worry yet - plenty of room to move still. But DARN uncomfortable!

Need to get some lotion on and crash! Finally got my shower today!

[Bearsmama]

Hi Girls,
I know I'll miss some of you b/c I'm just not too organized and my memory is shot right now.

About the swelling, Foxy-Just watch it closely. I know the facial swelling thing is something to pay attention to and Kimberly really gave you some good things to look for, too. My ankles are big at night-especially the left one???Makes no sense to me... :scratch I try to put my feet up, and sometimes that hasn't helped me. It's especially bad when it's a really hot day or we haven't had the air on.

Ket-Hope that babe flips. Perhaps it was just some wild movement. And you'll be pleasantly surprised at your next appointment. :)

Dodo-So weird that you mentioned the name Darwin. I was at the grocery store a few weeks ago and this woman next to me had a little girl named Darwin. I thought it was so unique. I really liked it.

AP-Okay, my doubts about the doula got the best of me and I've cancelled our meeting. Told her the truth-that I was still unsure how I would use her services. Although she seemed really nice with lots of experience, I just got this vibe that what she mostly did was childcare. I know that's what some of this is about, but I think she mostly does overnight care for families. That's not to say she wouldn't be a great doula. I just still had some doubts. Doesn't mean I won't change my mind again... I know I've driven you all crazy with my indecision about this seemingly simple choice. But DH and I have never even hired a babysitter, let alone someone to come into our home at such a vulnerable time. ahhhhhh, what do I know?? All I know is that this just didn't *feel right*.

Also, about birthing attire. I remember thinking about this a lot the first time around. I bought these cute little padded sox to wear in the hospital and I remember my wonderful nurse gently taking them off and putting on regulation hospital sox, saying, "Honey, you don't want to mess up these sweet sox". And I just forgot about all the fun stuff that comes out of you during birth!! I may just wear one of my very boring Lands End nighties. Soft cotton-I have a short one and a long one. We'll see. I guess we'll have to pack those bags soon!

Oh, and I have to come up with some sort of definitive plan for DS during my labor. We know he'll be with the ILs, but we have to figure out timing. Should they come here? Should DH drop DS off? Etc., Etc......

Anyway, sorry again for the Bearsmama novella. I'm going to get a reputation around here! ;)

[naturegirl]

Okay I admit I haven't read up on the last thread to see what everyone is up to... :bag: :innocent But I did want to drop in and say hi! :wave

Ketilave, I hope that baby gets head down too. Although it is fine to birth breech vaginally, IMO, it sure does cause more hassle and the docs really don't like it.

I have a question about home birth and carpets. We have light, champagn colored carpets in our bedroom and where the birthing tub will be. How do you keep all the mess off of your carpets? It seems a pretty petty thing to worry about but...Do you put tarps/plastic everywhere?

My baby has been moving a lot lately and I am just starting to feel more uncomfortable, especially after eating a big meal. The hot weather has also reduced my appetite. Any suggestions? I have been eating fruit galore! I just can't stand to be by the stove or oven with the extra heat and cooked food does not appeal to me.

Oh, and I think we were talking about nesting back awhile ago...I have definately been getting that! I can't get anything clean enough and it is driving me crazy. I have been dusting things and arranging things I forgot I even had! :LOL

Hope everyone is doing well and sorry I haven't posted personals. I just haven't had the time to sit and read through the posts lately. :bag: Sorry

Cheryl

[kimberlylibby]

Leah: I had to giggle on your gluey girl! I hope she survived it okay!

Peeing in a cup: I am sooooo bad at this! I always pee all over my hand. It's so gross!! :Puke

Blue Moon? Can someone explain. I'm a little on the dense side.

Melissa: I had the popping with Libby. It was SO weird.

Traci: I'm pretty sure I should wear the hospital gown during my c/s. :laugh: Nevermind, it's a joke. When I've had to go in for monitoring at the hospital the last 2 times, I've kept my street clothes on. I BEGGED them not to make me change into the butt-baring gown. THe nurse said "Well, you can wear your shorts today, but for your c/s you really have to wear the gown" Hehe.

Ketilave: I hope baby flips back to vertex!

So, who is leaving their child overnight for the first time?? :Waves That would be me! I'm so nervous about leaving Libby!!! She's going to be away from me for THREE days!!!!! Ugh! Poor girl has never spent a night away from mama! And she's showing signs of an ear infection starting up, and when she gets EI, all she wants is ME. I would feel horrible if she just cried and cried at someone's house, but what can I do?? She can't stay at the hospital!! It's going to be a rough transition, because if I have anywhere near the soreness I did with her I won't be able to do much with her for a few weeks PP.

Cheryl: I would personally put something down if I had light carpet!! :)

Kimberly
34w6d!! u/s & appt tomorrow

[lena_girl]

Hi everyone. I can't believe it's July already! I'll be leaving my sone for the first time too, and I am so worried about how he'll be. I'm not worried about after the baby comes and DH is at home with him. They always manage :) I'm more worried about when I'm in labor after we go to the hospital. I am esp. worried b/c I thought we had a plan for that, but I don't think it's going to happen. Two guys from DH's work were going to take care of him. They really don't know anything about taking care of kids, but DS knows them and likes them, plus we would only be a phone call or a 15 min drive away. Now I don't know if that arrangement will be possible. Just like my DH keeps going on trips, so do they. The odds of them being here at the right time are pretty small. My doula's oldest daughter would really like to take care of DS. We'd have to have toys and books packed and they could stay in the waiting room. She has 5 younger siblings and lots of experience with them and the neighbors, but she is so young. I guess it would probably be okay b/c DH could help her out a little if needed since I would have my doula there too.

Oh, man, I'm rambling. But anyway, those are my thoughts re: DS. DH's trip dates were changed. Now he will leave on the 4th and get back wed. or thur. Now, I remeber that two of you were also going to have absent DH's. Who was that? We can whine to eachother ;)

Someone asked if Dh's work dog lives with us. Military working dogs are much different than normal police dogs or whatever. Most of these dogs ended up in this program b/c they are too aggressive to be family pets. Honestly many of them would have probably been put to sleep if they had not had the appititude to do this work. DH's dog is actually not so bad. Actually he is very nice and DS has even gotten to pet him. I'm sure he has mellowed over time. So anyway, no, they do not live with their handlers.

I wanted to go back and adrress everyone individually, but instead let me just say a few things. Please watch all those things like swelling and such. I really don't want to see any of you ladies or your babies having health issues. Kimberly, you are doing great at taking care of yourself and your babe. Hopefully you get to keep that baby in for another 2 weeks or more :)

Wow, now this is long. I hope everyone has a great day!

[ilovebeingamom]

Hi everyone!

Yea! Its July! I remember back in January when I thought this month would never come! Hard to believe, but that was also back when I was puking everyday. Seems so long ago!

Kimberlylibby-so glad to hear someone else had the popping noise! It was wierding me out so much, and I didn't want to ask anyone personally I thought they would think I was crazy. Maybe it is just a ligament or rib popping or something. It doesn't hurt, just was wierd!

And on July 31 there is going to be a blue moon, which is the second full moon in one month. Tomorrow (Friday) is the first full moon. So, it would just be neat to deliver on a blue moon! My due date is August 6 so it is a possibility! Dh says that is our baby is born on that day, we have to switch her name we picked to something that reflects it.

Better go, everyone drink lots of water and stay cool!

[Solange]

Hey Dodo thanks for getting us started for July!:thumb

:wave Naturegirl good to *see* you!

Kimberly here is the link about the blue moon:
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bluemoon1.html

Yes ...leaving our little ones for this birth. My ds and I have talked about what will happen when it is time and he has expressed interesting in coming with us but hospital policy will not allow(lucky all you HB'ers). So he knows if the baby comes at night Nana or Mam-mal will be with him, and during the day he will come but not be with us exactly; but other than that DH will be coming home to sleep with ds while baby and I are in the hospital.

.....so here is who is getting down to the last month/few weeks..everyone here is due between Aug1-7th.

Alegna
rochellep3
JodiM
foxytocin
lena_girl
mamand'ete
madrone
thebipper
Thundersweet
Sweets
apmamma
ketilave
SamuraiEarthMama
Bearsmama
kimberlylibby
Josephsmommy
bewylde
ilovebeingamom
Mamapajama
Jlcampbellkidz

Wow! Isn't it getting exciting!

My baby has really been giving me the alien tummy. Poking hands and feet, elbows and knees all over the place out and about...I love it!

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Dodo: Thank you for starting our new July Thread. Wow, did I say July?
Lena: I know the plans for your child during labor will work out. That was so nice of your Doula's daughter to offer to watch!
Kimberly: If we have to leave DD overnight, it will be the first time. My sister has offered but I think she would do better with my mom. Also, our hospital allows children to stay in the room during labor, delivery and postpartum. At first we had considered having DD in the room but after she went to the first few appointments we found out listening to the babies heart beat freaked her out. But now here at the end she's been acting differently. The heart beat doesn't bother her anymore and I have been prepping her by showing her, her birth video (Which is detailed and graphic) My mother missed nothing. That was fine with me, I feel so empowered when i watch it. Anyway, she has responded just as I was hoping she would and I think we will try to have her there and just have a family member available to take her out of the room if needed. Depending on how I feel and how she is behaving we may also keep her in the room with us the one night we stay in the hospital. My DH and Mom will both stay too. So we have given it all a lot of thought too and I am hoping regardless of where she ends up (with us or family) that she will do fine.
Nature: I am back on the nesting kick. I threw the carseat cover in the wash this morning and I have been cleaning like a mad woman. Certain cleaners, like bathroom cleaners make me nautious so my DH is supposed to be responsible for cleaning the two bathrooms but he is not taking care of it to my satisfaction so I will be on my hands and knees scrubbing them today.
Bears:Quit kicking yourself. There is nothing simple about inviting a stranger into your home. It is better for you to feel comfortable with your decision. The whole point of a postpartum doula is to make the new transition with the baby easier. And if you are not comfortable with her presence it kinda defeats the purpose you know! Always trust your instincts first!
Traci:Undecided about labor/birth attire. I better start thinking about it some more. I would like to start packing the bags for the hospital by next week just in case.

As for me, I got a great nights sleep. I think I only got up 3 times instead of the usual 8 -10 times. I was supposed to have the day off today but my daycare mom has a new job possibility and would like to leave the kids a few hours while she go's to interview. Atleast I didn't have to get up at 6:00 they won't be here till 10:30. I have plenty on my TO DO LIST. I will work hard on it but I know how quickly I tire out these days. No real swelling unless I spend and hour our longer standing. Then some water and propping up the feet seems to make it go away pretty quickly. Knowing that it is now July, and that the weeks have been passing by so fast the realization of how soon I will be taking care of two children instead of one is huge. It has also made me try to slow down during the day and just try to enjoy these last few weeks of having a huge belly and feeling those kicks and punches and other movements.

Have a wonderful day ladies!

[ketilave]

For both births I have been naked - c-section and vbac - and will probably end up that way again.

For the carperts - go to the dollar store and get cheapy shower curtains. Lay those down with sheets over them and voila. Sheets go straight into laundry and toss the shower liners. Also, while at $store get yourself some hydrogen peroxide - does wonders on blood if nec.

DS was left for the first time when I had DD - my sister came to stay so he was in heaven! Didn't miss me a bit - DH was with me just the one night because we had just had DD but after that he went home. I only stayed 2 nights (one was delivery) because I wanted to

Funny thing about if the baby is breech - I just assumed I would deliver vaginally - never asked my mw because no other options crossed my mind. My only issue with it is that the pressure on my lower back has been a lot worse and having the bobbling head in my ribs is a pest esp. when sitting up. Problem with being short that there is little place for the baby to go!

[Jillybean]

hello!

Had my 34 week check-up today. Everything is fine and dandy :) went over my birth plan and I feel really good about everything going the way I want it to. (of course, you never know and I am prepared for that too). I saw the nurse practioner, no midwives were available so I still want to talk about my birth plan with someone who delivers babies! She also said she doesn't think the baby is posterior at this point, but that could change. I will keep doing positioning stuff just to be sure, though. Next visit I get the GBS test, fun!

Kimberly: I hope your appt. goes well. You are doing so great keeping that baby cooking!

Traci: I am thinking a tanktop and some comfy sweats for labor. Well, the pants will have to come off at some point! :LOL Its actually what I wear to bed and so comfy. So I say whatever is most comfortable for you.

Re: leaving children. We actually live with my parents (crazy, I know) so my dad will be watching ds if we need to be gone for the night. My plan is to have ds at the birthing center and he can come and go in the room as he pleases, but we will see how it goes.

Bears: I totally understand about being uncomfortable with someone in your home. I would be, too. We have only ever left ds with my parents so, yeah I'd be weirded out with someone I don't know very well watching him. :hug hope you figure out what will work best for you. Thats what really matters!

Wow, I can't believe some of us are so close! Can't wait to read some birth stories! :D My Dh is very excited by the blue moon thing, too. He thinks the baby will be early, I'm not so sure. That would be 2 weeks before my due date. Not that I would mind... :) The resident mystic at DH's work says this baby will be early and is a girl. Well, she was right about ds (late and boy!) and has been right about all the other babies born to co-workers and their spouses... she just *knows* things. Its neat.

Ok, enough rambling from me. Talk to you all soon!

[ilovebeingamom]

Nesting...hmmm... the idea is there, but the will isn't. I am throwing a girls night out at our house next Wednesday, so I think that will get my butt into gear if nothing else does. I get tired so fast, I can only do one thing on my to-do list a day. Ds's bedroom for instance is a disaster.

Speaking of ds...he embarrassed me so badly at the store yesterday. He was in a really goofy mood, and started saying "mom we are in PRIVATE, aren't we. Yeah we are in PRIVATE." I am trying to get him to be quiet b/c I know what is coming but yet there seems nothing to stop it. Then he blurts out, "Yeah we are in PRIVATE so I can TOUCH your BOOBS!". I was mortified. There were two women near me who both looked at me, and I am sure were wondering how they could report me for child molestation. Oh well, they were just strangers, right? FWIW, I did tell ds that he really embarrassed me and to not talk about my body like that in public again, and he said okay, I won't.

My baby is doing alien thing as well. Especially her feet -they keep poking out around my ribs. And then I can feel her head push down as she is pushing her legs against my ribs. Not really too comfortable!

The other day when I took a walk I had constant BH the whole time. I have been a little afraid to take another one, b/c my m/w is out of town for the next ten days. I don't want to get anything started! It is still too early though, I am 35 weeks today. Plus, baby hasn't dropped or any of the other signs. So, I should be ok.

All right, I better go! Bye!

[rochellep3]

Ketilave-my babe has been breech and posterior recently, and yesterday was palpated as vertex loa! I was so excited :) I too have been getting lots of movement, and so wan't shocked, but I was very happy. Hopefully your little one will behave itself :) Here in AZ breech babes are a no-no for hb midwives, so I was rather anxious.

Bearsmama-I would totally NOT want to have a stranger watching my kids. As much as they can be a pain that would make me really uncomfortable. A few months ago I hired someone I KNEW from church to come watch the kids, in my home, with me here, a few hours a week, and it still took me awhile to get used to her being here. Hmmm, maybe I should arrange to have her come back for awhile after the baby is born...they just cut her hours at work...

Cheryl-Ditto on the hydrogen peroxide-it's the best stuff for blood. Pretty unbelievable actually. My midwife took care of all that stuff, I guess she's a pro by now.

Kimberly-So glad to see you still here! I hear you on the peeing in a cup thing. I actually just told my midwife yesterday that I must not be as huge as I think, because I can still pee in the cup! I definitely remember getting to the point with the other ones where I couldn't see what I was doing, AT ALL and there was just no tidy way to do it...LOL!

Jillybean-We live with il's and have for 3.5 years :eyesroll but the upside is that my kids love their nana and papa and are totally comfortable with them in situations like this. I am also still working on positioning stuff (mw said 200! pelvic tilts a day!) even though babe is finally in a good position. I have had back labor before and am very anxious to avoid it this time! They wanted to know if I will be doing the gbs test next time, and I still haven't decided...

Well, as you all can tell I had my mw appointment yesterday. They had just come from a birth; it was the mom's 3rd and it was longer and rougher than any of them expected, just what I needed to hear! Baby was posterior, ugh. Everything looked ok, actually, better than expected with me. My baby's position was good, my stats were all good, weight was to be expected :eyesroll and I was finally not measuring so small! I am still rooting for middle of August-though I have given up all hopes of any earlier than that. We got 120's for heartbeat for the first time-it has been 160's every other time. I am having braxton hicks again. They had really slowed down for awhile, and now are picking up again. I swear my body totally went into denial for a couple of weeks after the ultrasound. I am glad to be feeling like my normal pregnant self again :D

So, how long will it take us to fill up a thread this time!?!

Rochelle
Mommy to Meg 5/00, Peter 6/02, #3 due 8/04

[mommycaroline]

No clue what we're doing with DD during the birth. I'm thinking we'll have her with us, but I also have a friend who's offered to watch her when we go to the hospital, so who knows?

And, if you can't be naked when you're having a baby, I don't know any time you can. I will be nude and proud of it. Fat rolls and all! LOL. No room for modesty when you're pushing a babe out.

Not much time to post right now, but had to relate a couple of cute stories. Bonnie has been fascinated by my belly all pregnancy. Lately, she's taken to shoving her own belly waaaay out and saying "look at my BIIIIIG pregnant belly!" She's also started talking for the baby. She'll put her mouth right near my belly button and say "I love you, Baby!" and then she'll put her ear right next to my belly, and in a high falsetto say "I love you too, Bonnie!" Sooooo cute!

But, the all time cutest was the other day, she had her head resting on my belly, and the baby made a huge movement. The kind where if I'd been able to see, I probably would have watched a whole arm move the length of my belly or something. Bonnie jumped up, very startled, drew in a very loud, sharp breath and her eyes were as big as saucers. She looked at me, and kind of giggled, in an "I might be about to laugh or cry" sort of tone. I smiled at her and said "the baby just touched your face." She giggled again, and this time was a little happier. I think this was the first time she really "got" that there's a baby in there. She's started talking for the baby since that moment, so I really could be right about that. She's felt other movement before, but always at my encouragement. "Here honey, put your hand right here." I think she thought I was controlling it. But, this movement was so BIG and so unexpected, it made it so much more real for her. Absolutely the most priceless moment of my mothering career. :D

Time to cook dinner. I'll catch up more later. Hope all is well!

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Awwww Caroline: That was so sweet about your little DD. Thank you so much for sharing. My dd still doesn't get it. I wish I could help her understand. But it won't matter soon since the baby will actually be here!

Rochelle: So glad your baby turned. I bet that was a big relief for you. My babe has seemed to always be head down but I still have fears of her turning breech at the last min.

Ilove: What a story. I get embarrased if my daughter throws a tantrum or raises her voice when out and about. Your story is a doozy. No offense but I did giggle when I first read it.

Jilly: Congrats on the good check up. I am all for comfy during labor and birth too.

Just checking in so as to not have to spend an hour catching up on posts. I am making hamburgers for dinner. We finally have some sunshine around here so I am ready to fire up the grill. Grilled Corn on the Cob sounds delicious right now too! Hope you all have a wonderful evening. Happy July 1st!

[Bearsmama]

Hi everyone!
35 weeks today for me. Next appointment is next Wednesday. Not sure if I get the GBS swab that time or the following week. All I know is that my internals start next week. And that can only mean ONE thing...a baby will be coming SOON!! :eek

Feeling exhausted, emotional, and going "inward" a bit lately. Getting really pensive, worried, etc. Physically I feel like I was hit with a big truck when I get up in the morning (why is this?). And throughout the day my energy just wanes. My one ankle is swollen every night. And the heartburn continues. Dairy products and tomato things seem to be the worst culprits for some reason. Oh, and this little guy/gal pokes and thumps when I finally sit down at night. But then is fairly quiet when I actually get into bed. DH and I are hoping that this is a sign of a sleep-loving baby! :)

Kimberly-Still working up what we're going to do with DS when I go into labor. The ILs live 25 minutes away, so they will come here. But if I go in the middle of the night then I think we will ask one of our neighbors to come over and just until it's a civilized hour for the ILs. Of course, I know that labor can be LOOOOOONG. So, hopefully we'll be able to have time before we have to go to the hospital. GOOD luck with your appointment tomorrow. I'll be sending goood baby and mommy vibes.:love

Lena-Yes, DS will be away the end of next week (8th-11th). I'm not obsessing over it or anything, but I am a bit worried about going into labor WAY early. Hey, it happens. Just know I'll be out here whining about it, too! :eyesroll

Ilove-Doesn't January seem so loooooong ago??? Although this pregnancy seems to have whizzed by for me, I can't remember it being cold out. We are the same week today-35!

Dodo-YES, thanks for getting us started for July! :)

Hi AP! :hola: Yeah, our DS will probably not have to spend any overnights exactly with the ILs as I expect DH will come back home to sleep with him at night. SOOO different that our first experience, huh? DH had his jammies with him the first time and we had like a hospital get-away for two days. Of course, it wasn't quite luxurious, but he was a doting husband then. Now, it's all about DS!

Jl-Thanks. We may very very well change our decision AGAIN before the babe is born, but this just didn't feel right. And you are so RIGHT about following your instincts. My DH always says, "Trust your gut".

Jilly-Glad you had such a good appointment. :)

rochelle-I bet we can fill this thread up in a few days! We're so CHATTY. Remember when things were slower here. I don't even think I checked in every day. Now, I HAVE to!

Caroline-Too cute about Bonnie's rxn to the baby's movements. I've not been as lucky. Each time I grab DS's hand to have him feel something, the little bug stops moving. DS is talking to the baby through my belly button. Seems to think that's the "ear". Coming up with funny names for him/her, too. I have to remember to write all this down.

Anyway, that's all for me. I'm going to plunk down on the couch and read for a long while. DS is asleep early b/c he had no nap. BOY, though, was he tough to get to sleep. Just fights it and fights it. Now, if I could only stay awake... :zzz

[lena_girl]

Hey everyone!

I had a hard night last night. I have a lot of preassure/pain all over *down there* My lower back hurt and I was having a few painful contractions. I felt frustrated by it b/c I knew it wasn't anything, but it still hurt. It's not that fun to think that I will keep being uncomfortable for at least 2 weeks. I am 36 weeks today! It feels so wierd saying that. Even though for the most part this pregnancy seems to have gone by fast for me, I am still like you mommas who said that it seemed like this month would never get here. SOmetimes I am feeling a little worried about having a new babe in the house plus my DS who requires so much from me still. I can't imagine how it will work, but I know it will. WOman have been doing this forever, and I'll figure it out too.

Bears- ditto the run over by a truck thing. Sorry you are having problems w/ swelling, heartburn, ect. I seem to have escaped those things this time around. All I can think of is maybe b/c of my low weight gain? I had forgotten about that GBS thing. I was palnning on declining an internal next time, but I guess they will have to poke around in there anyway. My Dh will actually be getting home right around when yours is leaving, but you can still whine to me! :) I'll be able to commiserate.

Caroline- That's so cute. I haven't been able to get DS to feel her move yet, but he talks to her too. He puts his mouth right by my bellybutton and says "Hewwo Sawa!"

Rochelle- Yay for the appt, and great turning baby!

ilove- :rotflmao My DS is always wanting to touch "nummies" too. I'm with you an the nesting thing too. There is a lot I want to do, but my body just isn't in the mood

Jillybean- Yay for another good appt. The blue moon thing is neat. July 31st is my due date according to those online calculators that use 28 day cycles. My cycles are shorter though and I have the 29th or 30th. Of course the nurse at the OB counted wrong and told me Aug 1st. I think I might go with saying July 31st though b/c of the blue moon thing. :)

K8- I think nakeds the way to go too, as long as I'm comfortable with who is in the room. If I'm not comfortable that's not going to help my progress any.

Laurie- will you keep doing the daycare until the end? How long will you "have off"?

AP- my Dh will go home at night too. Much different than with DS when he never left my side for the whole time we were there. I imagine this time will feel so much different with having so much time where it is just the baby and me.

I think that's everyone. BTW, where is Madrone? Anyone else who hasn't been around lately? I know there are a few who haven't posted in a few days, but hasn't it been a while since Madrone posted? Maybe they are having computer troubles again.

Have a great day ladies.

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Lena: My plan is to continue babysitting until I go into labor. If that happens while the kiddos are here, My mom is just 5 min. away and can come help with them till thier mom, grandma, or Aunt arrive. If I felt like I did last pg. I would probably already be finished with them, but I am doing so well. My patience is shorter but I just remind myself they are young and don't know any better half the time. Right now I am planning on being off atleast 4 weeks after the baby is born. Money is so tight I can't imagine being able to go w/o a salery for more than a month. Even one month is going to hurt. I know it will all work out though. Oh and are you prepared just incase you don't wait two more weeks. It could happen. Hope those bags are packed.

GBS Testing: My MW said they would do it at the 38 week apt. but I think I will ask her to do it at the 37 week. Just those early vibes I guess and DD was born at 37 weeks exactly. She said she won't do an internal exam either unless I ask! I am sure I will be curious by 37/38 weeks though.
I would have to go down the HERE WE ARE list and back track through the posts to see who has been missing. My memory is so bad right now and just keeping up with what is posted has been enough for me lately. I hope everyone is OK.
Looks like we will finally have some sunny weather and most likely miss the rain on the 4th YEAH! Even though the rain is gone for now the humidity has stayed and the temp is supposed to be mid 90's and feel like the 100's. YUK. I would like to take my DD and my daycare kids to the park that is in my neiborhood but i don't know how long I can stay outside in the heat. It tends to make me nautious.

Kimberly: How did that apointment go yesterday?

[foxytocin]

Lena, I think you're correct in that we haven't heard from Madrone for a while. Hope everything is ok with her.

Big day here yesterday.......DD and I went in to the OB's to have my swelling and blood pressure checked. The swelling finally stopped, so who knows why it came on so fast? A mystery that will never be solved. Blood pressure was still a bit high, but lower than last week's. And, oddness of oddness, even with all that swelling, I still lost 1.5 lbs weight from last week. I'm giving up trying to compare this pregnancy with my last...........they are completely different. It's like apples to oranges. And the discrepancies only get me to worrying, anyway.
And oh! The baby is finally confirmed head's down! Yahooo! And, a point to think about for those of due in the first week of August, I discussed last week's cx's with the OB and she says that if they had lead to labor, we would have had our baby............i.e., at this point, it's completely safe to let everything progress. Yet another reminder that we're getting oh, so close!

It tickles me that some of our toddlers are talking to the baby thru the navel. DD isn't, but she's definitely spending lots of time perched on top of the belly mountain and aware of all the going's on in there.

Jl, be careful with that heat, ok? Dreadful how it hits you before you even realize you've pushed it too far.

The obsession with lemons continues. I'm seriously considering freezing lemon wedges, dusting them with sugar, and using them like ice cubes. Yummmmmmmmmmmmm.

Ok. Must go be domestic and make lunch for us all before DH gets home. Very 1950's of me, I know, but boy does it save us money and makes for pretty good family time too. Still, I wouldn't make June Cleaver proud. I'll never have it that together.

-Leah

[magemom]

Having some down time on this trip. Normally we would have left 2 hours ago. We really need to get out of here sooner rather than later.

I have been gone since Monday and I am so ready to be home. Plans for this weekend are sorting baby stuff. Still not certain on the car seat- I may plan on buying one next payday.

There were board wise 25,500+ posts since I logged in last!

Kimberly- be careful with your high bp.

Bearsmama- I am super emotional. We had a coworker die from a car accident. Her 14 month old died right away but she lingered a few days. Just really enforced how I need to reasses priorities. Another coworker I was traveling with nearly quit on the spot. Her baby is 10 months old and neither was ready to be apart. The dad brought her up after 2 days and spent 2 days tagging along.

Also on the nursing pain, I told ds2 that I had ouchies and he didn't seem to associate the pain with him. I am sad DS3 weaned, untill I remember the pains nursing while pg.

Lena- I was taking notes while reading- trying to hit on major high lights and had a whoohoo DH is home post, only to see he left again. Hope he makes it home safe today.

I feel I got so huge this past week. I am ready to be home. Hopefully we can leave now.

[magemom]

It is July! Now when asked we can say we are due next month!! Ack!!

[Bearsmama]

Hi Ladies,
How's everyone doing? Hot here today, but managed to spend most of my day in a/c. Had a GREAT day. Got a manicure & pedicure. It was just lovely, and I've said before that I don't really enjoy this kind of stuff that much, but it was just lovely today! Toes look damn cute!

Feeling large and ready to give birth. Had a dream last night that I was going into labor. And in the dream I was having mild contractions and when I woke up I wondered if I had really had those symptoms while I slept? My pelvis felt heavy when I woke up, too. Funny...

Also, getting TONS of kicks on my right side from this little baby. So far over, in fact, that when I'm sitting down it feels like he/she is almost in my back. I hope this doesn't mean that we're breech. We'll see what the status is at my next appointment on Wednesday.

Getting our house organized and crossing things off my list. Little things, but it helps. We've been in our house for a year now and it usually takes us this long to get things together...we're slow... ;)

Yeah, Lena, Where IS Madrone???

JL-About the GBS, do you or anyone else know what if the odds of testing+ for GBS are lower if you tested neg during a prior preg? Or is each preg different, I guess??? Just wondering...

Magemom-Sounds like you are ready to come home and start nesting! Sorry to hear about the tragedy at your work. What an awful thing. Harder to hear stories like this when you're preggers, too. Glad we're all emotional together!

Okay, ladies. That's it for me. I really can't believe that I am now under the 5 week mark! BLOWS ME AWAY!!!

Have a GREAT night, everyone! :)

[mealymama]

That happened to me yesterday!!! Somebody asked when I was due and, as always, I said "sometime in August..." and they said "Oh, next month!"
and I just about blew a brain fuse. Next month I'll have 2 children!!!
Aaaaaaagh!

Well I'm doing this backwards: I haven't read any of the posts from the last couple of days, I'll catch up on them after I write this.
I don't know if anyone has been paying attention to it, but the government is going to be calling several thousand ready-reserve troops back to duty. We are waiting to find out if Brian is going to get a letter this month, and if so, we don't know what to do. If we were married they might excuse him on account of the baby and our financial situation, but since we're not it probably wouldn't matter. He is partially disabled from his time in the service (knee replacement) but that won't matter either.
I'm trying not to let it worry me until we know on what scale they're going to be calling troops in. He still has nightmares from his stint in Bosnia and he was seeing a psychiatrist last year but he doesn't think anybody who hasn't been through it can help him. I just know this would be worse, because during his enlistment at least he believed in his cause, but he's not behind the politics of this war. And of course he was just a kid before, with nothing to lose. Now he has a home, a child, and another on the way. He was joking about how much life insurance money I'd get if he died in combat. Ha ha.
Anyway, I guess there's nothing to do about it but wait and see. At least his business trips to China/Germany were put off indefinitely.
Meanwhile I'm having contractions on and off. I'm feeling them in my low back/hips just like I did with Olivia, and I'm trying to encourage Baby into a nice easy position. I guess the contrax lit a fire under my butt, because I did a lot around the house this week: re-arranged the furniture, steamed the livingroom rug, organized storage and just about finished decorating Olivia's room.... now all I need to do is finish painting Olivia's room and paint baby Amelia's initials over her changing table in the livingroom. I'm also getting a new slipcover for the sofa, since I'll be spending so much time on it.
I can't shake the feeling that I'm going to have this baby early, and most of my feelings with Olivia turned out to be accurate. Still I'm just 32 weeks so I'm not expecting anything to happen too soon...

Well the fireworks start in an hour and I'd better read those posts and run if I'm going to get a good seat ;)
Happy Fourth, everybody!

[naturegirl]

Oh Mealymama, I sure hope your dp doesn't have to go. It sounds like he really doesn't want to and who could blame him. :hug I feel so lucky to have a hubby that is close by all the time. We even work together so hardly are ever apart. I will be thinking of you!

Bears, I have been getting kicks to the right side too. Almost straight laterally. My baby has been in a great position for a few weeks now so I wouldn't worry too much. Plus, there is still plenty of time to move around in there. :thumb The manicure and pedicure sound wonderful. :D I have been worrying about the fumes with that so haven't had anything done, but I am thinking about making an appointment for a pedicure around 38 weeks. I think it would feel wonderful.

As far as the GBS testing, I think it is variable on wether you will test positive the second time around. Heck women who test at 37 weeks and again at 39 weeks can have different results. I think "medically" they say the likelihood is higher but ?? It is a normal bacteria to have anyway.

Magemom, hope you get home soon. Trips really seem to wipe me out lately so I know how you feel.

As for me I had a massage (ahhhhhh) and my home visit with my mw today. My doula came by to meet her too. It is getting serious now ladies. :LOL I don't have another appointment for 3 weeks. Seems like a long time but I feel comfortable going a little longer. No concerns or worries so 3 weeks seems soon enough. We have some busy weekends these next 3 weeks. Going to a pole vault competition for my dh on Sunday (yes the 4th). Get pregnancy pictures taken next Saturday (can hardly wait!!) and my dh is riding in a 200 mile road bike ride the next weekend (the 17th) so I will need to drive and pick him up at the end of it. Plus I need to go to Canada and pick up a passport, and then go to the local Immigration office (an hour or so away) to update my green card in the next couple of weeks. I hope I have the energy for it all. :) Good news is I should have it all done to enjoy the last couple or so weeks of pregnancy and not have anything to stress about after the baby is born. :love

That's about it. I will talk to you all later!

Cheryl
:belly :hippie

[Solange]

:hola:
No doubt girlies! Madrone where are you?????? :scratch

Jenn..sorry about your co-worker...that is just awful.....what kind of work are you in if you don't mind me asking?
Ditto on the feeling huge this week...I have not gained a lot this pg but I have a feeling that since I have been finally feeling well and really *eating* but not being able to do my pilates that I am gaining a few now....UGH! *sigh*.....we will see on Wednesdays appt just how much!

Bears there is lots you can do if your little one is breech to turn them around so don't worry...I get all my kicks on the right side too but that is b/c baby is laying his/her back to my left sideways/headdown if that makes sense....lol...yours could be too....

I am so happy..tomorrow puts me at exactly 4 weeks to go! :banana
I am getting so excited!
Wednesday we go for my VBAC testing and will be tempted by the blasted U/S machine to peek at our baby's sex(have to have U/S for VBAC- policy of the hospital we want to birth at-BS I know)...dh has said recently that he would like to know now what we are having, which makes me so crazy b/c I was fine not knowing and now that I know he wants to know, it is itching me.....but we made it this far not knowing so I need to convince him of that .......and myself...ahhh what to do....

ok gtg to bed busy weekend starts at 10am tomorrow!

[mealymama]

Ok I guess I caught up.
Kimberlylibby, am I misunderstanding you or were you saying you have a birthing video for children that is graphic? If so, can you tell me the title? I want to make sure Olivia is really ready before I commit to having her there. We've already talked about blood et cetera and she seems fine with it. Plus, she saw her cat have kittens earlier this year... but it would still be reassuring to know that she really has a grip on what's going on.

Ilove, I'm sorry but that's pretty funny about your ds :LOL
my dd has never said anything that made me look bad, but she's tried to embarass me a few times. She calls her vagina her "fancy part" and once while we were in the dressing room at a department store she shouted at the top of her lungs "Mama, there's a STRING in your fancy!!!" loud enough for half the store to hear. I was having my period. I was so happy at that moment that she didn't use correct anatomical terminology! :wink

magemom, that's horrible. What a thing for you to think about right now.:hug

As far as birthing attire, last time I bought a very cute flannel nightgown that hit above the knee. It was so soft and cozy and comforting... and when I got to the birthing center they told me no way, I had to wear the starchy skimpy hospital gown. The mid-wife said that when women wore their own clothing it made her job too difficult. :eyesroll She said the same thing about using the whirlpools during delivery, even thought that's what they're there for... oh brother. So I froze my butt off in a paper-thin gown hanging open in the back, with 2 little flimsy squares of blanket. This time I'm using my own blanket/clothing and if they think they're going to tell me what to wear, they can tackle me and put it on me themselves. The things they chose to fight over!

[christeenybeany]

Hey there all,

We are so chatty. Ds is having a rough night sleeping tonight, so we invited him in bed with us. I am having restless legs so I escaped the pressure of sleep to come check the posts. It seems like reading these posts is the next best thing to a sleeping pill. I love catching up with you wonderful ladies and learning about your experiences, but as soon as I start trying to catch up, I get sleepy. It's a good bedtime routine except I hardly get finished catching up and I don't get to post much. I think it's the computer screen and my sleepy eyes. I know it's NOT the topic or the company :thumb

Can you believe it is getting so close, yet so far away. I am not really nesting exactly, but I did go to Sam's today and bought household cleaners in bulk in EVERYTHING even if we weren't out because I was afraid we might run out soon or forget to buy more and I'd be out when I needed it. So now we have stock piles of laundry detergent, dish soap, mr. clean, etc. I'll probably start using it obsessively soon. I'm starting to get in my head a list of things I need to buy to get ready for the hospital and post partum and I'll be buying that too. Does anyone have their hospital bag packed yet? (for those who are going to the hospital) I need to get that done. What kind of things are you bringing (besides the obvious) Last time I brought everything but the kitchen sink. I bought the cutes baby blanket for our little Thomas. It is one of the few things we've bought new for him so far. The cradle that is being stored at our IL's so far will be brought over next weekend! I'm so excited!

Q: What are you ladies doing about laundry detergent? Do you use regular or dye free or some organic type stuff that I've probably not heard of? I don't want to fork over the money for dreft, so I bought All free and clear. I used that with Ben (He was really sensitive for the first year or so) and it seemed to be good. What do yall use?

I am super emotional lately and the coworker tragedy and the dh's going oversees stories are making me misty. I hope that you dh's are home for your labors and plenty of recovery time. I just couldn't imagine what it must be like. My MIL was pregnant with her first child when her dh was in vietnam. The only reason that he was home for the birth of their son was that a major disaster hit (Hurricaine Cammille) and destroyed their home. This was before the baby was born. So I am sitting here thinking "what would I do if my husband was sent to war when I was pregnant, and my house was destroyed right before I was supposed to bring a newborn home!!!" They lived in a hurricaine shelter for the first few weeks of his life--can you imagine? ok I need to go to bed because all this is getting me weepy again.

I hope everybody takes care and has pleasant dreams and don't get too chatty so I can keep up. (just kidding--catching up on these posts is a great way to spend time propping up the feet)

[Bearsmama]

Hi Ladies,
I'm up here at 5:00am in the east b/c I cannot get back to sleep. Although I know that I'll probably crash sometime later today, it's so nice to be up now and hear the birds singing and have DH & DS still snoozing away! :)

Mealy-Hoping your DP doesn't have to go ANYWHERE, of course. And I can completely understand your instincts/feelings about the birth of this next baby. Although I thought I would go early with DS and was 4 days past EDD, you've had a different experience. I would prep early, early, early...

Naturegirl-Glad to here your babe is in a good position AND that you're getting kicks in the same spot as I am. This just all seems so different than with DS, and he was in a good, head-down position the whole time, I think.
Oh, and I've worried about the fumes at the nail place, too. But I did it anyway. I have only had it done a few times in my life and I think it is okay. Of course, I wouldn't want to sit there all day and breathe in all that stuff, but I *think* for a short time all is okay.

Hi Mealy! :)

Christeeny-I've asked the same Q about laundry detergent for the new babe's stuff. Last time I washed everything in Dreft. I'm wondering the same thing if there's a natural, organic-type detergent that would be better (and maybe less expensive) than the Dreft. I like to stay away from the perfumes and chemicals for the new little ones, but something about the Dreft just drew me to it last time!

Anyway, have a bunch of things going on this weekend. I'm not sure if I'll be able to stay awake for all of them! :)

[magemom]

I am a Communications SUpport Specialist. Ha! Fancy name for the documentation requared to run a phone system in a large office. I work out of corperate location but help support the 48 field locations in 4 states as well. We are a team of 3 and I am the least technical, but I can follow directions like a good trained monkey. Normally I deal with contracts and invoices- making sure charges are accurate and as low as can be. Also anything related to cell phones is my area. Ordering, replacing, purchasing and plan changes. This road trip I was an "equipment buddy" helping out 2 folks from tech support upgrade all users to Windows XP and new laptops for mobile employees. On the last day something happened with the printer servers or something and instead of leaving at 11am we left at 3:45. Nothing I had a clue about which was why I could log on to the internet- I had nothing else to do!! It was also storming so it was slow driving. So instead of getting to the home office at 2-3, we got back at 6pm. Ugh. Oh well, OT before the baby's born can't hurt, eh?

The coworker who died was in a different office, and I don't think I ever met her. Most of my conversations with people are over the phone. That is what gets me- the potential to meet her at something is now gone.

I have never been tested for GBS. I did get a call while I was gone I failed my 2nd 1 hour glucose test. This does not look good. Part of me says skip breakfast before I call on Tuesday to get the 3 hour out of the way. And part of me says I probably have GD just send me tothe dietician and give me my glucose monitor. I am a tad concerned with the next pregancy. If I will end up with regular diabetes. I don't like to eat anything that isn't a carb!!


Laundry detergent? I LOVE Dreft. Every baby gets one bottle. I will use half the amount recommended and call it good. I don't like All's version of baby soap, but have used the Free and Clear half and half with the Dreft. Ivory Snow is another favorite and I do use it- even if it washes out the flame retardancy stuff.


DH made it to our first child's birth by 10 days. I told him the due date over and over but he came early 'just in case' I even scheduled an induction for 2 days before he was scheduled to go back overseas 'just in case'. I had no plan for what to do if he wasn't back. There was someone in Iowa who lost their home due to fire and they sent the DH back for 2 weeks to help. I can't even imagine.

You know, I sat down here to balance the checkbook for hte first time in a week and jumped on here.... what does that tell you about my priorities? lol
I need to finish that so I can get up and clean this smelly house.

[naturegirl]

Has anyone use the arm and hammer free detergent? I hear that is great for cd's so I assume it is great for baby clothes too.

Bears, I am sure that a little exposure to the nail stuff doesn't hurt but I couldn't imagine doing that for a living and being pregnant!

Magemom, did you refuse the GBS test or just haven't had it done yet?

I am so thankful, I must say again, that my dh isn't going anywhere and there is no threat that he will. How horrible to have a tornado or fire destroy your home at any time never mind when you just had a baby! :(

Cheryl
:hippie
:belly

[magemom]

I have never been offered it. Last time I had no internal exams so I know it wasn't done with out my permission. If it was ever done I didn't know it.

[Dodo]

Like many of you, my memory is shot. There are so many things I would like to respond to, but I'm afraid that I will forget half of them.

Mealy, I'm surprised that your dp hasn't been able to find a therapist who has been through the trauma of war. I bet that kind of experience is a motivating factor for some to pursue psychiatric studies.

Re: laundry detergent, I use a local kind sold at health food stores. I was very happy with it in terms of baby laundry, but now that I have a mud-covered toddler, I am starting to have doubts. Let's just say that the state of her clothes is not a great advertisement for the stuff.

Re: clothing at birth, Last time I carefully chose an outfit (a soft, comfy t-shirt belonging to dh) only to spend the final hours in the buff. Now I can't imagine giving birth in clothing.

Re: peeing in a cup, I don't have any trouble reaching my stream, but I do have a major problem with clumsiness. At my last appt., I spilt an entire cup of pee on my skirt and undies. Dh kindly assured me that my pee must be little more than water, given that I need to go every twenty minutes.

Re: kicking on the right side, I have this and my baby is said to be in the perfect position.

Re: babysitters for birth. I have no idea what I'd like to do. I am compiling a list of various friends' and neighbours' vacation schedules and will probably make the final arrangements on the spot, depending on who is in town, off work and willing. My major sticking point is that I want dd to be at the birth, but I don't want a caregiver there.

At 32 weeks, I am just now at the stage where pregnancy is becoming a full-time proposition, as in I feel the need to lie down and concentrate on growing this baby. After feeling very disconnected to this baby, I am starting to think of "us" as "we", as in "We need to eat now." I have also started panting. Anyone else short of breath?

We are visiting with my in-laws and my mood and condition is obviously a challenge for everyone else. I don't have the energy or desire to do anything other than the tamest tourist activities (e.g., everyone looked scared this morning when I suggested that we take dd to a cat show, they looked just as scared when I insisted that we spend the morning at the local petting zoo, the exertion of which caused me to spend the afternoon conked out in bed, the boredom of which made everyone else take advantage of my napping to go somewhere more fun).

[mommycaroline]

I have never been tested for GBS. I did get a call while I was gone I failed my 2nd 1 hour glucose test. This does not look good. Part of me says skip breakfast before I call on Tuesday to get the 3 hour out of the way. And part of me says I probably have GD just send me tothe dietician and give me my glucose monitor. I am a tad concerned with the next pregancy. If I will end up with regular diabetes. I don't like to eat anything that isn't a carb!!


Not much time right now, but let me tell you, the three hour is nooo picnic. I learned this time that they can give you a simple blood test that is far more indicative of GD than any other, and will alert you if there really is a problem. The three hour is just diagnostic, it can't actually tell you how you're doing healthwise. Ask for the glycohemoglobin, and look for my post in the last thread if you want my full experience. Much better, much easier, one blood draw, no freaky diet, no long waiting period. All around, a clear choice for the best indicator of GD from what I've researched.

[foxytocin]

[QUOTE=Dodo]
Dh kindly assured me that my pee must be little more than water, given that I need to go every twenty minutes.

:D

Oh, Dodo, that really made me grin! Man, TMI I'm sure, but I swear mine could be reconstituted into something strange and not so different from my prenatals.......and I'm drinking like 80oz of water a day, too. Which brings up the question:
What prenatals do you all take and how often do you take them? Do you continue to take them while breastfeeding? I'm using Nature's Plus Ultraprenatals and I wonder if they are a bit overkill, if there is such a thing. I continued to take them while nursing DD, but not as religiously.

And Cheryl! I say protect that carpet!!!!! With DD's birth, we spilled the olive oil literally 4 times in the last 15 minutes of labor. Shower curtain liners are a very good thing to have around indeed.

-Leah

[mealymama]

Thanks for the :hug 's

Dodo- I don't honestly think he's looked all that hard :eyesroll He's the kind of guy whose head could be falling off and he wouldn't go to the doctor, and anyway this is kind of a taboo subject for him. He would rather have it treated as a sleep disorder than PTS syndrom.
Well on a happier note...
I just couldn't wait to fill the house with babiness, so yesterday Olivia and I adopted a kitten! He's 9 weeks, grey with stripes and tiny! Olivia named him Milo. He is sooo placid (most of the time) and has taken to his new home like a fish to water. He is usually curled up in front of the keyboard while I type, purring in his sleep :) . He only gets up to chase the mouse arrow around the screen :love
Listen to me, I sound like I'm writing a birth story!
Anyway I was thinking earlier that if we gave a kitten to all the heads of state there would be no PTS. I'm thinking of shipping a crate of them to the next NATO summit.

:thumb to everybody whose discomfort/issues are resolving themselves, and

:hugs to those who aren't feeling better.. or feel worse

[lena_girl]

Hey ladies. Heppy 4th of July to the American mommies. I have read all the posts and have some replies to people, but right now I feel like I just need to talk about what I'm struggling with right now.

My Dh left this morning. He's not going anywhere scary or anything, in fact he's not even leaving the US, but he's gone. We are both very worried about me having this baby while he is gone. Part of me keeps saying, no, you still have a while, but there are just things going on, kwim? For the past few days I've been struggling with quite a painful low backache. I just have things going on that I don't remember having at this point w/ DS.

Last night we actually thought that my water had broken. I was standing at the stove making dinner when I suddenlly had 2 big gushes that felt nothing like going to the bathroom. I smelt it and it didn't smell like pee. But nothing else ever came. I think that either the baby did some kind of funky dance move on my bladder (and it didn't smell like pee since I drink so much water) or I had one of those things happen when you have a high up tear and it heals over (which I know is unlikely)

So anyway, right now I just feel worried. Dh made me promise to not do much, basically put myself on a kind of bedrest. It's so hard though. I have so many things that I need to get done before the baby comes and I desperately want to get them out of the way. I'm trying to make myself feel better by doing the things that don't require much, such as writing the list of phone numbers and working on my bag packing list.

Well, anyway. I just feel so down right now, and you ladies and my mom are the only people I feel like I can talk about this with. I feel so angry right now that DH has this job that always takes him away. He will get 10 days of leave after the baby is born, but then I bet he'll be off again leaving me alone with a high needs toddler and a new baby. When DS was born he left when DS was less than two weeks old to go to ROme. I'm sorry for complaining, but I just feel so crudy that I needed to share.

Hope all of you are enjoying your day.

[foxytocin]

Oh, Lena! I'm sorry you are having such a rough time and have to be by yourself for this spell of time. When is your DH scheduled to come home this time around?

Can you give your doula a call today? I know it's a holiday and all, but in my experience most people in the business of delivering and making babies, particularily doulas and midwives and the like, don't put a whole lot of store in the calendar. It might really help to talk with her. Between the on-going bach ache and the gushes, you have every right to be concerned. And I think your Dh is correct in that you should slow down as much as possible. What can you do to help yourself relax mentally as well?
In the end, all the little things we get all worried about in regards to the coming baby are just that, little things. Even if you have this baby tomorrow, you've got what it needs most already: a mother's love and devotion. The rest will all fall into place.

-Leah

[lena_girl]

Thanks Leah. I guess I'm just being kinda self-absorbed and pouty. Sorry guys. I really don't think the baby is coming now, but I just can't but worry. I am feeling better about it now though. He is supposed to come back thursday, so not a long trip.

I am planning to call my doula anyway. She used to be in the military, and married a military man, so she understands about all these things. When I hired her I remember that one of things that I loved about her is her promise that she would be there for me no matter what, even if DH was gone, ect.

Well, just chalk me up to an overly-emotional, hormonal, very pregnant woman. I am taking it easy, restricting my nesting to things that can be done sitting or anything invloving diapers (b/c my diapers make me :D ) Oops, not *my* diapers, LOL. My kid's diapers!

[Dodo]

My goodness, Lena. Your dh's advice is sound, but how are you supposed to follow it when alone with a toddler? Many cyberhugs!

Mealy, my dh has a dr. phobia and is unlikely to seek treatment from anyone, particularly a therapist. Currently, a lot of our couple friends are having relationship problems. Most are in therapy. I keep praying that we keep our heads above water because I know that dh would never consent to therapy.

So it would seem that we all have very watery pee. Maybe this is meant to protect us from embarassment when we pee our pants laughing or sneezing.

[LizaBear]

Hello ladies - we're home from our camping trip.

We arrived at the campsite shortly after noon on Friday - most of the families were already there (some came in as early as Wednesday !). Set up our tent and started chatting to the other families that were around.

Just picture 1 large site with 11 families - totalling 21 adults and 25 children (oldest was 10 years old), and 1 dog.

It was a lot of fun - the kids were great, all running after one another all over the place, getting along great (the only arguements seemed to be among sibling sets !). The adults really fell into a sort of familiar chatter with one another (some of us had met some of the others, but nobody there knew ALL the others). It was so relaxing and laid-back.

Until night-time that is. Aside from a few kids fighting bedtime, that actually went quite easily. Our issue - our bed deflated on us. Yes, there was a hole somewhere in our air-mattress and by the time we actually got to bed, we were literally sleeping on the rocks and roots under the tent - I've got the bruised hips and sides to prove it. I think I got about 2 1/2 hours sleep total on Friday night.

Saturday was nice - I was really quite sore, so opted out of hiking with the others (Okay - I pouted and whined to DH about not being able to go, but there was just NO way I could). Stayed around the campsite mainly - lounging in the shade and watching the kids play.

We were going to stay Saturday night - Brad pumped up the bed just before I went to put Owen down, and we borrowed a sleeping bag to put under the mattress as well. But by the time Owen was drifting off to sleep, he and I were on the ground again. THen the fireworks started and scared Owen so bad - I have never seen him react like that to anything before.

So - 10:00 at night we started packing up to leave, hit the road at 10:45 pm and home at about 1AM.

Not the exit we were planning on , but there was just no way I could sleep another night on the actual ground. If the bed had stayed pumped enough for me to even get to sleep I would have stayed the night and left this morning though.

[ilovebeingamom]

Lena- :hug So sorry to hear that you dh has to leave again! Hang in there and know that you are in our thoughts!

It is amazing to me how much negativity can affect us. I am starting to want to hibernate, and think I need to. I was at MIL's yesterday, and my 17 year old SIL is pregnant. She had already dropped out of school about a year ago, and to me she is very immature. Well, the stupid thing is she keeps buying dogs, which she doesn't take care of, and all my MIL does is complain about it, but doesn't make her get rid of them. Well, when I was there yesterday, I noticed this great dane she had, and it was so strange, it just sat in the dog house, didn't even come out to greet like most dogs. After about an hour, it came out, and I took one look at it, and started bawling. It is completely emaciated. Nothing but bones. I have never had such a reaction before, or seen anything so awful. It has affected me so deeply, I am waiting until Monday to call the humane society, since I don't think anyone will be there today. I considered taking it home, but I wasn't sure about bringing a probably diseased dog into our house. But, it makes me so sad and angry. She claims she feeds it, but it is obvious she isn't. And to think she is going to be having a baby! That people treat totally helpless creatures like this makes me sick. And that MIL just says, "it's not my dog, its not my problem." It is in her yard! Doesn't she have any compassion?

I hate to blame things on hormones, because it always seems to undermine how we are feeling. But I have a feeling that I wouldn't have actually cried like that if I wasn't pg. But, it is still so disturbing to me, I can't shake it. It is kind of representative of how that whole family functions, so that is probably more the issue.

Anyway...I can understand those of you who are dealing with intense emotions. And from what I remember, they don't go away anytime soon. When I was first nursing I kept getting these big surges of emotion with let down.

Sorry about your bed on your camping trip, Lizabear, that is crappy. I can see me making us drive back in teh middle of the night too.

Hope everyone is having a good 4th. It is raining here, so fireworks are canceled. But we did see some in another town last night, which ds really liked. WHo is calling me...better go!

[frognladybugmama]

happy 4th american mommies!

lena- i'm sorry your dh is gone again :hug i hope you can rest as much as possible while he's gone, i can't imagine how tough it is w/ a toddler all alone though!

liza, i think i'd have come home early too! sorry you had such a crappy time w/ that mattress!

i too am still experiencing the overly-hormonal days...i know it'll even out after baby arrives and all, but boy do i get some looks now. i know ppl must think i'm crazy lol.

we finally went out for our anniv a week late today...went to eat in memphis and went to the mall and target. yummm, we had paella, coconut prawns and dulce de leche cheesecake at bahama breeze and i had what they call a lemon breeze (homemade lemonade w/ a sugar cane stick in it)...now i feel great <G> nothing like a full, content belly lol...coming home though, i had 6 contrax's in the hour it took us to get home...i have had a few in the hour we've been home, but not consistently...so at what pt do you call dr to ask what's up? i figure it's probably just from walking, but i don't wanna take any chances since we're delivering in memphis and it's an hour away. still very crampy, low backache and lots of pressure though, sigh...
re:baby clothes, we wash in the baby all - but only use about a tablespoon per load, really don't need much for baby clothes imo...
and re: packing hospital bag - i too wondered if anyone had packed their bags yet??? i started thinking about this today, but haven't actually done anything lol

[mealymama]

Oh, Melissa!!!
That's disgusting. Do you have an ASPCA, or any no-kill shelter or rescue group? Most breeds have rescue organizations, even if the dog is a half-breed they may rescue it. Your Humane Society is probably overloaded with animals this time of year and they ofter euth sick animals when they are full. Please consider calling a rescue organization rather than the humane league unless they have a no-kill policy at your local branch.
I don't know your family but if I were in your shoes I would confront the little brat about her sickening selfishness. Even if she is feeding the dog obviously it has a problem and needs vet care. Sounds like the type who would let her baby waste away and claim FTT, stick it right on formula and tell everybody "Oh, I tried BFing but I couldn't..."
That kind of neglect, without any concience, without any sense of responsibility... it's horrifying even when a tiny baby isn't involved. Ugh.

[SamuraiEarthMama]

bad days around here. warning: serious whining ahead....

yesterday afternoon, nothing sounded good to eat, and for dinner i only had some french fries dh heated up. i tried to take my mind off my insides by doing some knitting, but my gut got unhappier and unhappier as the night went on. heartburny, burpy, roiling... and i knew if i ate anything it would come back up.

a check i thought had already cleared hadn't, and wiped out the rest of our checking account. entirely my fault, though dh was sweet and went to play musical money, letting me stay home and stew about it.

we had free tickets to a pro soccer game and i just totally bailed on them.

i tried to just go to sleep and couldn't. the b/h contrax were constant, and my hips were aching no matter which position i was in. took some pepto bismol, some tums, a hot shower, listened to one of the relaxation cds, sat in the hot tub, drank a little milk... and i still tossed and turned until about 4 a.m. just a miserable, miserable night.

slept until about 10, and dh brought me the sunday paper and a poached egg in bed, bless his heart. but then he went to play his stupid computer game for the next four hours. ds called from california, and while i was talking to him, i had to hang up quick and throw up the egg. then the contractions started again. nobody came upstairs to see if i was even alive until about 2, and by then i'd worked myself up into a royal snit (not to mention having zero energy... i didn't even want to sit up).

dh finally came up, all ready to go to a fourth of july thing, and said, "boy, you look green." yep, thanks for noticing. he fixed me a glass of milk with protein powder and i was able to get that down, and immediately felt a little better. but no way was i going out... i asked him to bring me my laptop, my knitting, some anti-contraction tincture, and some water. my throat was still burning from barfing so i didn't want anything else to eat yet. i told him to go and have a good time, but to have my dd come check on me every half hour or so.

dd did so, and i ate a little corn after a bit (buttered corn sometimes goes down when not much else will). i listened to a webradio station of adult comedy on itunes and finished knitting the little purple booties i've been working on. the comedians actually got a few big belly laughs out of me ("my cousin died from a bee sting last week. the bumblebee... the natural enemy of the tightrope walker.") and i started feeling better this afternoon.

so sorry to dump this on you but i needed to whine a bit!

liza, i hate blow up beds like that.... that's why we invested in some of the thermarest self-inflatable pads. not cheap, but they won't let you down! hope your bruises have healed up...

lena, my heart goes out to you (again!). i hope thursday comes quickly for you... btw, did you know you have two layers to your "bag" of waters? the chorion and the amnion... sometimes the outer one (sorry, i don't remember which one that is!) gets a little leak, but doesn't pop the inner one... my midwife back in CA said this happens more often than you might think. maybe that's what happened with you... probably not anything to worry about, BUT if i were you, i'd start taking my temperature. if one bag has broken, you might be more susceptible to infection, and you want to keep a very sharp eye out for one.

dh and i have decided to let him fly to buffalo, NY, for a juggling festival we've both worked on all year. he was so blue about missing it, and it will only be july 14-18... four nights... i'm not thrilled about him being gone, but he can catch a plane back fast if something gets started (and i'd still only be 38 weeks, when i've never done anything before 40) so i'm trying to be at peace with it. besides, he'll see about a million of our good friends, many we haven't seen since before we moved. i don't have a toddler to deal with, either...

ilove, i know what you mean about the hormones... but i don't think you were overreacting! that poor animal. maybe you need to not spend time over there anymore... you need to beef up those positive vibes before greeting your beautiful baby!

happy anniversary, frog! sounds like you spent it wisely...

re: laundry soap. i just use our regular costco giant bucket brand, but i will set the washer to do a double rinse. none of my kidlets had particularly sensitive or reactive skin, though, so if this baby does i'll be back to ask for advice!

this is my first time living in a place where fireworks are legal. it's quite nervewracking. actually, they aren't legal, but apparently like red-light-running, it's tolerated to the point of practically being legal anyway. i used to live in northern california, and by this time in the summer everything would be on fire if idiots were out shooting off fireworks. our town had a great fourth party, thousands of people crowding the huge community park... free swimming, cheap lemonade and burgers, bands and dancers and skydiving and of course a huge fireworks show. sure, some morons ran around with sparklers (have to keep the fire department and emergency rooms busy) but in general we avoided major conflagurations. tonight, though, the streets are a battle zone and i'm not liking it. just being a nonpatriotic grump, i suppose.

mealy, congrats on your little fuzzy bundle of joy!

foxy, i'm taking Floradix with extra iron... it's the only iron supplemented vitamin i can handle without becoming stopped up like rush hour...

birth clothing? sounds like an oxymoron to me! that's one way i know i'm in real labor, not the putzy prodromo stuff, when the clothes come off. of course, i'm at home and we can close the blinds, so it's not an issue (although i'd like to figure out a way to shield my hot tub from the neighborhood so i could go float in it in labor if i want to during the day...).

i don't remember if i wrote about this or not, but dh's coworkers gave us a little baby book shower last wednesday. it was very sweet, and we got lots of the old classics as well as some newer ones i wasn't familiar with. so even though this will be my fourth baby, s/he gets some nice new unscribbled books to start off with! i even got all the thankyou notes written by noon yesterday (before i started feeling so crappy).

the next day i had a midwife appointment, everything looks good. next wednesday is the home visit, and i'm stressing a little bit on getting the house into good shape... i can vacuum and sweep ok, but scrubbing the kitchen and bathroom floors are beyond me right now. guess dh will get those jobs!

jeeeminy, i didn't mean to write a novel. i've been reading your adventures, just not feeling like writing much. until today, i guess! well, thanks for listening to my kvetching, and i have such sympathy for all of you! a few more weeks and the worst will be past, and we'll have our beautiful babes in arms...

hugs,

katje

[Bearsmama]

Hi everyone!
Hope you're all having a Happy 4th. Very low-key for us at the ILs which was just what we needed. DS is now sleeping comfortably! :)

Lots of movement on the either side of my belly today. Perhaps arms and legs??? Who knows? Ankles are really swollen today. Especially the left one. Weird b/c I was barely outside today and they were bad, and yesterday I was out in the heat for some time and they were BETTER then. Another weird pregnancy phenomena this time around!

Oh, and tonight I had a piece of this wonderful homemade pie my MIL made AND some Trader Joe's oreo-type cookies with peanut butter. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... :yum

magemom-Sorry about your positive glucose. I know there have been a few on here who have had the same issue. Perhaps you can look back on the old threads??? Hang in there. Oh, and I would definitely say that checking in here with youre prego friends is WAY more important than balancing that checkbook!! :D

Nature-Yes, I can't imagine how people can work around the nail stuff day in and day out while prego. I just have a regular old manicure-no fancy stuff. No cuticle cutting either (I'm paranoid). I just have them file and polish and it looks a million times better than when I do it!

Dodo-I felt extremely connected to DS #1 while he was in utero. With this pregnancy I think I started having these same feelings when we went through some testing scares back in March of this year. This is one thing I will miss about being prego. I love thinking of "us" and having a whole world existing inside me that no one really "knows" about. And Dodo-your words about your mood and energy level cracked me up b/c they hit so much for me. I don't want to do ANYTHING that involves being too social...ugh... :eyesroll

Lena- :hug You are ALLOWED to be upset and concerned and bummed about your situation right now. Pregnancy is such a vulnerable time. And not having your partner around AND taking care of a toddler is NOT a small feat. Please take care of yourself. Is there anyone that can care for your DC for maybe a few hours while DH is away???? It might be worth looking into to give yourself a little break...lots of hugs to you...

Liza-So glad you don't have to sleep on the ground tonight!I'm amazed that you lasted as long as you did!!! Glad to have you back! :D

Ilove-Ahhhh, this rollercoaster of emotions! I'm this way almost every single day lately. And you're right-they don't go away easily. I remember crying a lot in the first few weeks after DS was born. It was mostly stuff like "ohmygod he's so gorgeous and he's our son and blah blah blah".

Frog-No, no bag packed here. In fact, I just started thinking about packing a little bag for DS in case he had to go the ILs house instead of them coming here for some reason. Soooo not prepared for the actual going into labor part of this! RE:clothes-I think I'll buy some dreft or allergy detergent and wash with very little of it. You're right-baby clothers don't need much...

That's all for me...Gotta catch some zzzzzzzssss.... :zzz

[frognladybugmama]

bless your heart katje, i sure hope you're feeling better this morning...it stinks being this big and uncomfortable and being sick to your stomach on top of it

bearsmama - i hadn't even thought about a bag for the kiddos for overnight at their gparents when i go into labor :duh...guess i was just concerned about me and baby ian lol :laugh:

feeling better this am...no more big contrax's like last night, guess i just overdid it!

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Wow, I did it. I got caught up and it only took an hour! I havn't logged on since Friday. Just been out and about, so busy. Saturday I went to a local parade that my nephew's baseball team was in. My daughter ended up being in it too cause she wears a chearleading outfit with his teams logo. She had a blast. It was perfect weather too, overcast and breezy! I spent the rest of the day with my mom at her house and we had fun watching old home videos.
Yesterday was a very busy day. We had early morning church and then a fellowship time with food after service. Then we headed to a birthday swimming party for a few hours. My DD has no fear in the water and that scares me. She had a blast though and i loved being in the water. Love that weightless feeling. We then made the hour and a half drive to Granbury and met my friend at her moms house off of the lake. We had perfect seats to watch the fireworks. It was so beautiful and really cool too to see the hundreds of boats gathered out on the lake to watch. It was my DD's first time to watch and she was so enthusiastic. At first every time the popping noise was made she would gasp and say"What's That"! Then as the fire works became consistent she would say the colors, or look stars mommy, and oh it's pretty. It was a special moment with her I won't likely forget. Well all of that was the happy parts of the day. I had a little scare. This baby just wasn't moving yesterday. I even had my DH go get me a french vanilla cappicino from the gas station. That didn't even get her hopping. I was having lots of BH's and had a headache I was really becoming concerned. finally that afternoon I felt a big movement and was relieved. She started moving more that evening but i still was concerned at such a decrease in movement. I decided that I would call the MW today if things hadn't picked up. Better safe than sorry! But she has been satisfyingly active this morning so I will hold off on the call. Still having plenty of BH's but nothing in a pattern or that hurts.
No, I havn't packed a bag for me yet but that is on my "to do" list for this week. I figure it's time now, just in case right!
GBS: I know that we all actually carry it but it's just inactive in most. So I don't think I have read anything to support that if you have or have not had it before that it increases or decreases your future chances. I can't seem to find my links that I have on the subject right now. I will post it if I find it later.
Lena: darn it, I wish your DH could just stay with you right now. Lot's of hugs to you. I second the opinion that you should watch your temp just in case of infection. Have you done any more exams on yourself? Keep us informed on how your doing. I sure hope this is your hubby last trip till after the baby comes!
Laundry Detergeant: DD is extremely sensitive and I just recently started using regular detergeant on her clothes and she's two. I used Dreft forever. Luckily my mom is a bargain shopper and ofter found boxes of Dreft for really cheap!
So sorry, if I didn't respond to everyone, I had a lot to respond too since I missed two whole days. I am feeling very sleepy even though I just got up 2 hours ago. I think I will go try a shower or bath and see if that wakes me up some more.
Have wonderful day ladies!

[magemom]

I wonder if it was the heat, the fireworks or the messed u routine, but I also had lots of BH last night. Which was very hard since ds3 wasn't interested in staying put and I wasn't interested in getting up. :irked: I was so glad I didn't have to chase him all by myself. There were 2 other kids I was really annoyed with. One who kept telling ds2 he could have sparklers and the other who kept setting off noise makers and flashers right by me. The girl used the sparklers light pon-poms and was NOT watching what she was doing. I did use the contrax as an excuse to leave. Hated being the party pooper, but it needed to be done.

Today's agenda? Yard work and house work- cuz neither is ever done!

[Solange]

:hola:

Katje...:hug for you ...I cannot believe you are still :Puke...I think I have finally been free'd of the 9 month M/S I have had...I know I have..I have been eating like I haven't ate in months....Oh wait..I haven't been able to eat in months...:LOL..hope you get a week or two of relief before the baby comes.....

Liz sorry about the camp trip...I would of never made it on the ground sleeping either..ouchie.... :(

Melissa sad story about that dog :crying..did you call this morning to report it? That would make me cry pg or not....

Heather..glad the BH have calmed down for now. I had a day like that too where I had a procession of BH for an hour that I thought ok-one more and I am calling MW..but it all tapered off...teasers those BH...:LOL
I have been wondering about packing for the hospital too...I think that will be one of my "labor projects" when I start to go into labor ....I want to wait until my doula gets to my home anyway since she is going to follow us to the hospital(a 40 minute drive) and it will take her about 40 minutes to get to my house......hhhmmm I hope my labor does not progress fast.....

Bears stop with the cookies and PB...:yum.....:LOL..Oh I need a chocolate fix baaaaad....

Detergent..All free and clear here..good for the dipes and easy on the $$$

Laurie glad the little bean got back to movin' and a groovin' for ya....:thumb

GBS..here is a link I have:

http://www.collegeofmidwives.org/prac_issues01/GBSinfo98a.htm

I really never gave this much thought and my CNMW/OB has not mentioned it yet..so if they don't I won't and if they do..I am not sure what I will do .......I know I was not tested with ds #1.

Well, off to errand running land, to pick up my co-op order, buy belly casting items and hope to do the cast tomorrow!, and pick up a towel rack for the bathroom and a pail to use for the new babies dipes.

Wednesday I go for all my VBAC testing and tomorrow I am officially 36 weeks! :banana :carrot

Have a Great Day!

[lena_girl]

I thought I should reply just so no one worries that I'm out having a baby :laugh: No really, I'm feeling pretty good. My lower back/pelvic pain has lightened up (maybe b/c I've stopped trying to get so much done) I did do a self-exam the other day and found basically no change over what I had felt before. I will watch myself though. Dh is funny and keeps calling to see how I am doing. We recently got cell phones so now he can call me whenever and wherever he wants. :) He is so excited for this little one to get here, I think esp. b/c this time around he knows what he is doing (except for cleaning poo out of girl parts LOL!)

I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling emotional. I think it wouldn't be so bad if there weren't so many stressful things going on. Hopefully after thurs. I can just relax and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy.

AP- good luck w/ the VBAC testing. Enjoy making your belly cast. I'm glad you are finally getting to EAT!

Magemom- That must have been no fun last night. I hope you BH's slow down.

Laurie- wow, sounds like you had fun. I'm glad your little one picked up movements again. I've noticed that my babe doesn't move much on days when I am out and about being super busy.

Heather- glad the BH's went away!

Bears- yum yum! Thank you for your kind words. Actually, DS is doing pretty good for me. We just moved things around in the house so that the second bedroom (that no one sleeps in) is now a playroom kind of place, and we have the computer in here too, so we have been hanging out in here. He plays a such and I relax and spend way to much time on the computer being bored.

katje- :hug I'm so sorry you are having it so rough. I sure hope it gets better for you. And thank you for that information. I didn't know that. That was nice that you got a book shower. I love books! DS has way to many books. Thankfully I haven't had to buy most of them.

ilove- I agree that the mistreatment of that dog is very disturbing. If she can't care enough about the dog that she chose to take responsibility for, I find it scary to think how she will react to her child. I hope you are able to be a good influence and also that you can somehow help that poor dog.

Lizabear- wow you are brave. I don't think I could have gone camping. Between the heat, bugs, and general uncomfortableness, yuck. Glad you didn't have to sleep on the deflated bed though :)

I think I got everyone :) Happy feel-good vibes to all.

[naturegirl]

hi ladies :wave

That poor doggie. I am such a dog lover I would have scooped him up and taken him home with me.

Speaking of dogs. I didn't get much sleep last night because my one year old lab got scared of the fire works and ran away from my in-laws. We didn't find her until 10 this morning. She was gone all night long. I was so worried...It is the first time she has been away all night. Thank goodness she is okay and safe at home.

And speaking of emotions...I was on the phone with dh when he found her and started to :bawl when he said "there she is!"

Other than that the 4th was great. Sunny and hot but really good. I got a little bit of a sunburn on my legs but nothing too bad.

Lena-girl, glad you are feeling better. I haven't had any ctx/leaking scares but I am sure they are a coming soon...

Hope everyone has a great week!

Cheryl
:hippie

[christeenybeany]

hi!
I'm so glad to hear everyone is doing well.
JL--Ben and I spent the afternoon swimming also and he too is fearless. That worries me. His grampa always catches him when he jumps in the water and doesn't let him dunk. We are going to let him dunk the next time we swim so that he will get the connection and maybe develope a healthy amount of fear. My il's have a pool and that is where Ben spends alot of time and will be during my labor and recovery. They have a gate, but I still worry. That weightless feeling is grrrrreat. :thumb

I have a confession.... The nesting bug/hormone/fairy--whatever HIT!
I have been going crazy! I'm not neccessarily cleaning the house in general but I"m obsessing over little things, like reorganizing drawers in the boys' room or washing the pack and play and carseats and yadda yadda yadda. I can hardly concentrate on anything else. :nut :flipped

[ilovebeingamom]

Hi everyone,

I did call animal control today, and the animal control officer also works at the humane society. He wasn't in b/c today is a holiday I guess, but I left a report and he is supposed to check it out tomorrow. I really hope they take all her animals, and hopefully this will also prevent her from getting any new ones in the future. Boy, I am sure the family is going to be P*ssed, but who cares!

I feel like my body is definitely warming up for labor. I think it is a long warm up, but I have noticed it. Lots of BH, also -(warning TMI ahead!) My bowels have loosened up alot on their own. I was fighting constipation before, and it just changed. Interestingly, this has caused the hemorroids to flare up. So I really want them to go down before labor. Pushing with hemorroids? Yikes! I have been checking internally every few days too, and haven't really noticed any changes other than the cervix maybe getting more soft and squishy feeling? Does anyone know if it gets lower as it ripens? I have to reach up pretty far to feel anything. Since MW is 1.5 hours away, I am trying to keep good tabs on what my body is doing!

I have been cleaning the house, but not because of any burst of energy. More like, ok, its gotta be done, lets just do it and get it over with. I cleaned my kitchen thoroughly, including sweeping and mopping under the appliances, etc. I still have to clean carpets. I wish we could afford someone to do it for me, but no, I will bring out the little steamer aand plug away.

I am starting to get tired of being pg. I think wow, it could be a whole month before I have this baby! That feels like forever (for today anyway !) I am looking forward to being able to lay on my stomach again and being able to move around gracefully.

Have a great day everyone!

[MamaDaednu]

He is so excited for this little one to get here, I think esp. b/c this time around he knows what he is doing (except for cleaning poo out of girl parts LOL!)

LOL I know what you're saying!
I think my husband will have a lot more faith in himself this time around. He knows he won't break a baby. However he is a bit concerned about the differences in boy babies and girl babies. It's not a concern in the least for me.

~Daednu

[madrone]

Thanks to everyone who has missed me. I have been gone for computer problems once again. I had an error on my new hard drive that I couldn't get out and so I finally decided to re-format it. But on re-installing software, I have been going in sets of two's and each and everytime after I check the drive, I have an error. So then I have to go through the process of fixing it again before installing the next two things. I haven't decided if it's my BIOS not supporting the HD size or if it's the drive. And I really don't want to spend that much time on it. But I'm going to have to because if it's the drive, I do want the store to take it back and it's not like I can wait for ever and then return it.

We have registered at a hospital about an hour away from here. On our way there for the registration, I got sick. I hadn't gotten sick since about the time that Katje got sick at the cinema. Then, I had tried using toothpaste again for the first time and went to bed afterwards and promptly puked all over my pillow. This time, I puked all over my shoes, some on my pants, and the bus floor. We had to pull into a gas station to clean up the bus and me. Of course, I cannot seem to throw up anymore without wetting my pants, so along with the barf, I had my watery pee on them also. I didn't have a change of pants and undies in the bus (I should know to always have them in there by now), so I had to wear a swimsuit of DH's to the hospital for the registration. At least I had picked them out so it looked they okay. Especially for a pregnant woman.

Oh yeah, and Katje, I puked again last night right after brushing my teeth. You aren't the only one left with it yet. I think I'm over with it, and then it turns out that I'm not.

A bit over a week ago, I was afraid that my water might have sprung a leak. But I guess it was just the baby hitting a full bladder and me having such little bladder control that I couldn't quite figure it out. We had gone to a neighborhood picnic that night, so I quickly made my way home (thank goodness it was after 11 and dark) and changed into a skirt from jeans. The next evening when preparing to wash them, there wasn't very much question as far as what the liquid on the jeans was. Did you wash your clothes immediately Lena? Because even though our pee at this point may not have much of an odor initially, if you let it sit for a while, it gets quite a bit stronger. I was pretty relieved by smelling them later.

There have been quite a few of you who have said something before about being behind on laundry. I've always wanted to recommend using the European system of laundry to you, but have never quite gotten around to it. Here, we have two seperate prices for electricity. We pay about half the price for electricity after 10:30 pm until early morning hours. Oregon had adopted something like this, but they completely didn't implement it correctly by having daytime prices go up for people on the 2 price plan. For us to have to prices, we just pay 4 euros more per month and pay the same day rate. By only running some things at night, we more than pay for the 4 euros. But it means that we basically only run one load of laundry and start that before going to bed. Means that I cannot throw something in the wash once it's too late because I have most probably already put something in there, but that actually worked out better in the case of the jeans that one time. Not everyone can do laundry at night only though because of the location of the washing machine to the bedroom. Since my washing machine is in the bathroom outside, it works out well for me. And I don't get behind on laundry since it's such a set routine.

So, we registered at the hospital in order to be able to say that we were going to go there but there wasn't enough time. But DH is really wanting to go there now. After getting sick on the way there, I'm sort of glad that we just cannot afford to go to Holland because it would be such a longer drive. But I really don't want to have a hospital birth. This hospital is known to be more liberal than the one about half an hour away. The midwife who registered us did give little credibility to what the OB had said on a due date (which he had sited 3 different dates that do not add up in anyway) and said that doctors don't know when and the woman is the one who knows. That was a positive in my eyes. But she also said that some women have to have DNC's when they miscarry because of risk of infection. I didn't quite like that because I really think it's a personal choice and saying something like that to a woman is more like trying to scare them into a DNC. But she also said that if they hear a strong heartbeat, they basically just leave the woman alone to do whatever she wants. I still don't know that I would want to be there though. I just don't see myself as comfortable there and really don't want to drive there. I really hope that I'll go into labor at night and the baby will come in the morning and both DH and DS will basically just sleep through it so that I can be left alone. I'm worried about how my DH will react if he's around. He seemed a lot more confident about a UC when we first started thinking we couldn't go to Holland, but now he isn't at all. I think he has talked to too many people now who think that having a baby is a medical procedure or something. My mom really ticked me off the other day by telling me that I was risking my and my baby's life by not being in a hospital. Maybe I really should be posting all of this on the UC thread though.

Someone else had talked about nursing quite a bit. Maybe Bears? I'm still nursing my DS. My boobs are more sensitive in one sense, but I think I have pretty tough boobs all together. I haven't worn a bra since I stopped needing pads to keep my shirt dry though and I think that going braless makes them a lot tougher. Some of the time though, DS will bite me if he has fallen asleep though and that's just awful. This only happens when I have fallen asleep also and haven't taken his boob out of his mouth. But for the moment that I wake up until it is out of his mouth, my reaction is anger towards him. Once I'm awake enough, I realize he is just a little sleeping guy that I adore. Of course, I yelled when waking up and he automatically started crying (thus releasing my nipple) and is then crying, so we have to start the sleep process again with him hopefully falling asleep first this time. But it kind of disturbs me that I have anger towards him for that moment.

DS has really been crying a lot lately. Like tantrum types of crying. DH finished up with school on the 25th, so he's been around and I think that makes things a bit worse. DS loves DH, but DH doesn't have as much patience and we stay more active (meaning less sleep) with him around all the time.

Just got called down to dinner. Take care all - Tiff

[madrone]

Oh - I forgot to say. I've become anemic and have been very short of breath. I know someone else had complained about being short of breath. I'm on iron tablets, stinging nettle, and dark chocolate now. The iron tablets have made me so constipated it's ridiculous. But I love having doctor's orders to eat dark chocolate every day. They never checked for anemia when I was pregnant with DS, but I'm kind of thinking now that maybe I became anemic with him also. I was having the same types of things then but they thought it was because of me having such low blood pressure. Maybe it's actually a result of both? At least that's what I'm thinking now. Take care all - Tiff

[magemom]

Crap! I was reading the paper and it reported a death. For the life of me I can not remember what town this guy lives in (other than one of the ones I was at this past week), but did ANOTHER coworker die? It said he drowned in a race, I am mostly sure it was the right office, right number of kids, right age.... I have no idea how to find out for sure before tomorrow.

This SUCKS!

[LizaBear]

I had my 32-week check-in with my favorite midwife today. I won't see her until August now

Baby's heartrate is in the 120's.
No sugar this time - great since last visit there was a fair amount in my urine (I still blame the chocolate cookies and the coke I drank just before going in!)
Blood pressure was 114/80
And for once, I was actually measuring right on taget ! *L*

I go back in 2 weeks.

[SamuraiEarthMama]

madrone! great to see you again... but sorry to hear of your trials. barfing on a bus! i don't feel so bad anymore... most of the time i get sick, i do it at home. i love the fact that you have a prescription for chocolate! and don't feel bad about your insticts re: being bitten. you're asleep, it's a completely natural thing to be mad about having your boobie bitten! i'd yell, too...

wonder how ketilave is doing?

thanks, everyone, for the hugs and understanding. i really needed it! you guys are the best. today was much better, and dd and i got a LOT done getting the house ready for the midwives' home visit. always more to do, but at least the house isn't a complete pigpen right now.

think i'll go find some chocolate myself...

and thanks again! :love

katje

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Madrone: So So So glad to hear from you. Those darn computers, they can be so frustrating. I would have broken down and just cried had I had a similar experience that you had on your bus ride. :hug So glad your back with us.

I was so lazy today. I rested all day and took a long nap with my DD. I am looking forward to only having my daycare kids ONE Day this week. I can really use the time off to just focus on Bre and the upcomming birth of this sweet baby. It's just so close! My friends are throwing me a baby shower on Saturday. Someone already sent me a gift from my registry. They sent a glider rocker. I have a really nice glider that even swivels from my DD and I don't really need a new one. I plan on taking it back and trading for the Britax convertable carseat that I want. It's more of a nessesity

Well, I need to go enjoy some time with my hubby. Have a great Evening!

[Bearsmama]

Hi Everyone!

How's everyone hangin' in? Things here are fine. Got a lot done today around the house. It was beautiful out, but we just hunkered down and cleaned, organized, etc. DH goes back to work f/t starting tomorrow. And after almost 5 months of really having him around most days, it feels like it's going to be a weird transition for both of us. I think we were trying to squeeze as much as possible in today. Plus, DH leaves for London Thursday. Say a prayer to the universe that this babe doesn't decide to come 4 WEEKS early! :yikes:

Washed the carseat cover today, put away a bunch of new little things in dresser drawers, etc. Realized that I have SO much stuff for this little babe w/out even going out and getting too much more! I just had to find it and sift through it all. Oh, I still need a little, cute coming home outfit, and perhaps a onesie from that great Granola Threads site that AP suggested.

Rearranged the bedroom recently so I *think* that the co-sleeper can snugly fit next to our bed. We'll see how it goes. We have a twin in DS's room, and a sleep sofa, so if baby and I need to escape to another bed, we can.

Katje- :hug I'm sorry you had such a rough day. I can't believe that you are still sick! What a total bummer. Please take good care of yourself.

Jl-Don't they say to feel for about 10 movements/hour when you're worried about activity?? Sounds like your babe has picked up some steam though. You know,also, at this point they actually SHOULD be slowing down a bit
b/c they don't have much room left.

AP! :) Best of luck with your Vbac testing. We are so close-I am 36 weeks on Thursday of this week.

Lena-You CAN'T have that baby now, sweetie! keep it in, keep it in! For your DH's sake and ours! :)

Christeeny-I, too, am obsessing about these weird little things. Like cabinet drawers, pictures in albums, the silverware drawer, etc. WEIRD! I think one of my biggest fears right now is that I will go into labor and the house will be a PIGSTY. Isn't that a dumb thing to be so worried about at this point? I just know that they ILs or the neighbors will be be in and out of my house...just one of those things I guess... :o

Ilove-I, too, am getting a little tired of being preggers. I really want my body back. I said to DH today that if I'm only have ONE, why does it look like TWINS will be coming out of my A$# in 4 weeks???? I am big, uncomfortable, you name it....still loving feeling my baby move, marvelling at the wonders of it all, but tired, tired, tired of being so uncomfy at this point!

daednu-I know what you're saying about DH feeling a bit more confident this time around. I, too, feel like the little things won't throw me like it did the first time around. For ex., when DS was like 2 days old, we layed him down on the bed, and when we picked him up the bed was wet. We couldn't figure out WHY the bed was wet. Honest to GOD. We were like, Well, what IS it? By golly, it was pee! But we couldn't figure it out. It was like a mystery to us at the time! :D

Madrone-Good to see you! :) Yes, I've been talking a lot about nursing lately. And we are only human! When DS used to bite, I was not a happy woman. And my DS has been crying and tantruming over weird stuff lately, too.

Liza-Glad your appointment went well... :)

This morning we broke out the early videotapes of DS-right after birth in the hospital, at home in those early weeks. And DS was completely freaked out over the hospital footage. He liked seeing his newborn self in mommy's arms, but during the hospital stuff, he actually started to cry... we fast forwarded. But I realized that today was just too much about baby, and not enough about him... he's realizing it's getting close. Even though it was him on the video it was still a baby. Hard for him as I'm sure it will be when the new baby is here.

Okay, enough of me this evening! Thinking of all of you. Just want to say again that I feel so fortunate that I've found you all and can share this amazing ride with all of you!!

:love

[ilovebeingamom]

Madrone-It is good to see you again! I am sorry as well to hear that you have been feeling so awful! The end is near, right?

Bears-You always do such a good job responding to everyone. I always look forward to your replies! I think my ds gets tired of hearing about the baby sometimes too, and I asked him if he wanted to watch his baby movies, and he didn't. He would rather watch his birthday party, or something else. I feel kind of a bittersweetness lately too, only a few more weeks of having just one child, and then our family is going to be changed forever. I want to scoop ds up and hug him and never let go. It is frustrating too, b/c I want to play with him more, but I am soo tired, and have such a long list of things "to do". I need to make him my priority though!

AP- I also want to send you well wishes for your VBAC testing! I hope everything goes just fine!

My friend, mr. hemorroid, has gotten worse through today, which is why I am up at 4 a.m. It is throbbing it hurts so bad!!! I have been trying everything to get it to stop swelling up. I really, really want it to go away soon, b/c I can't imagine having to deal with this pain on top of labor as well. The only thing I haven't tried is homeopathic remedies, b/c I don't know of any. Anyone? It has only been about one day, hopefully if I stay off my feet tomorrow it will be better. It didn't help that I had to pick up 42 pound ds twice today to put him in the shopping cart.

I am jealous of those of you who have your home visits with you mw's coming up soon. Mine isn't until the last week of July! I feel a little abandoned b/c she left for a 10 day vacation while no one is due, and is going to take another camping trip when she gets back, but will still be on call. I don't think she is being unreasonable at all, I just think I am more sensitive to it, b/c my m/w in my first pg, PLANNED her vacation on my due date. And then acted put off when I asked if I could meet the back up m/w in person, etc. In the end, I didn't like her at all, and should have found another care provider early on.


Peace everyone!



:Peace

[lena_girl]

Melissa- :hug I've never had a hemmoroid, but I'm sure it's terrible. I know that the hospital I gave birth to DS in gave moms with hemmoroids a sitz bath. Here's some info on a sitz bath: http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/sitz_bath.html
I too am wishing that I could do more with my son. I know it's frustrating for him b/c he is very active and isn't used to not having a playmate (me). Oh, and good for you for calling about that poor dog!

Bears- sound like you are getting a lot done. I tried to get a lot of stuff done too while DH was still here. I hope his trip goes well for both of you :) My DS is really sensing how close this is too. He goes from being sweet and saying sara's bed, sara's diapers, laying his Ruh-ruh in Sara's bed ect to not wanting to see my belly and trying to be mean to the baby things. WHat do you think your child's reaction will be when the babe is actually here.

Laurie- enjoy your easy week w/o daycare kids every day :) Well, maybe not easy, but nice. That's a great idea to trade the rocker for the carseat.

Katje- I'm glad you are feeling a little better. Chocalate sounds good to me :)

Liza- yay for your good appt.

Magemom- I hope you didn't have another coworker die, let us know :)

Madrone- glad to see you back. COmputers are so very annoying sometimes. I'm so sorry that you are still getting sick. And on the bus :hug I'm glad that you found out that you are anemic so you can take care of it. I developed anemia in high school during track one year and it made me so sick. I was so tired and threw up a lot. Perhaps your anemia is part of why you are still getting sick. WHo knows. Anyway, chocolate sound good to me.

Christeeny- I know what you mean about fearless kids. My DS gives me a heart attack almost everyday! I'm nesting too, but like you I'd rather do things like organizing and stuff, I feel too big and tired to do all the really big stuff.

Cheryl- Glad you got your dog back.. That must have been horrible.

I have to do some good cleaning today. We are having someone come clean our living room carpet and fix two holes that the dog we had tore in the carpet. I have to clean up down there and move toys and stuff out of there.

I talked to my doula yesterday and I think it's set up for her daughter to watch DS. I'm going to go buy some stuff for him today like little toys and playdoh. We also talked about when to call her and all that kind of stuff. I am so glad I have a doula!

Have a good day everyone :)

[Dodo]

I am sitting here laughing to myself because only in my third trimester could a thread with so much information about other women's cleaning schedules be of such interest to me. I actually think, Carpet cleaning, that's amazing. Silverware drawer, done that. I even go so far as to feel jealous of those of you who are progressing in your nesting. Right now I'm on vacation and nesting is necessarily at a standstill. I even packed some of our more severely stained clothes, thinking that I could at the very least do some intensive laundry while away. However, I forgot that my MIL, with whom we are staying, is pathological about laundry. Yesterday while we were out she went into my closet, grabbed my pile of stained clot