week of July 19

[Piglet68]

October Mamas Roll Call :belly

momtol&a
snugglebutter 10/01
mirthfulmum 10/03 BOY! Harrison Eliot Smith
TracyK 10/04
mhurst 10/04
kraftykathy 10/04
Jillerina 10/04
water 10/06
KateMary 10/06 GIRL!
Proudly AP 10/08
mayasmama 10/08 GIRL!
FutureMama 10/09 BOY!
bluehalo 10/10 BOY! Noah Daniel
allformyboys 10/11
Lucysmama 10/12
bendmom 10/12
momadance 10/13 BOY! Gabriel Reed
Mandi 10/14
rhemp 10/14
wannabmommie 10/15
MTBto5 10/15
krnflwr 10/16 GIRL!
gmvh 10/16 TWINS! BOY! and GIRL!
Piglet68 10/18 BOY! Sasha Adam
MommyMuse 10/19
JenDoula 10/19
BeansMomma 10/20 GIRL!
Mom2Lily 10/20
CourtneyandLogan 10/21 BOY! Zander Julian
OakEmber 10/21 BOY! Oakley Kai
mtnjenny 10/22
Stanleymama 10/23 BOY!
gottaknit 10/24
3boyz4us 10/24
Ctmom70 10/24 BOY! Alex Richard
Kim22 10/24 BOY!
aspiring mama 10/25
sunshinegal 10/25
truebluexf 10/27
Soogie 10/27
ameliabedelia 10/29 GIRL! Greta Marie
flitters 10/30
BeauGeek 10/30
AnnR33 10/31
guinnessinu 10/31 TWINS! BOY! and BOY!
BlueMoonTime 10/31 GIRL! Alexis

Whew, our list is getting long! Welcome to the new mamas who have joined us! :w

So I'm 27 weeks today, add me to the "Third Trimester" group, lol.

Question of the Week: describe your ideal/dream birth. (thanks to mirthfulmum for this great question)...

So, my dream birth is a homebirth, with my DH, midwife and her asistant or doula. I have two strong women sending me powerful vibes. My labour is easily manageable, and I am able to get up and walk around, eat, drink, etc. I am pampered by everybody...as the contractions intensify, I move to the birthing tub. The pain is like a heavy workout, stretching me to my limits, but feeling good, productive, and not so painful that I'm distressed. Pushing is not the burning, agonizing experience I've seen/heard about...rather it feels good, is full of strange and wondrous sensations. My newborn is placed on my chest, skin against skin, with a warm towel over top of us. His pulsing cord is cut by his papa, and we're gently lifted out of the tub and sink into a lovely, soft, warm, familiar bed. Baby nurses while midwife gently checks him out - no nursery, no bath, no needles, no poking, suctioning, prodding, goop-in-the-eyes....just all gentle as my baby latches on for the first time.

Definitely a "dream" birth. :)

[3bees~1flower]

ooooooo, Piglet, that sounds heavenly!! if i had to guess, that would be everyone's dream birth. the only exception with mine would be that it would just be DH, me, and God!!

we had a good weekend...my G-pa, Aunt and Uncle from CO were here for the weekend (haven't seen them in almost 2 yrs) and we got to spend the evening with them last night at our house, along with my dad, sister and Bil, sil and her little girl. DH smoked a pork loin....YUUMMMM!! it got really cool so DH ended starting a fire in our fire pit and we all sat around that. it was a beautiful evening to be outside.

[OakEmber]

Yay Piglet! :banana another mom moves up...we are getting so close!! Imagine, 2 months from now we will probably start reading our real birthstories! Crazy!!

I am glad you asked this QOTW, Piglet (thanks Mirthfulmum) because twice now you have mentioned your fear of labour and I have meant to say something...not that I really know what to say, just wanted to acknowledge that you said it :hug. Your "dream" story is really nice, I wish you could have it...but I do know that you are at peace with the birth you will have.

My dream birth is actually from a video I watched on Russian Waterbirths, I don't know what it's called maybe someone else does (Katie I think you mentioned it once). It was a midwife having her own, I think they showed both her 3 and 4th children being born actually (if I remember correctly) and she was so peaceful and serene giving birth in water. There were also cool shots of people giving birth in the sea, then having the babies swim...it was cool. So, my realistic dream birth would be in my home, using a birthing tub...non interventive, I don't mind other people being around so that wouldn't change (I'd still have Dh, midwife, my mom and sister, and Ember but being in our home she could be free to do what she wanted), and just a harmonious flow to my labour...with only a few pushes (like my sister who pushed 3 TIMES, not for 4 hrs like me!!) before Oakley glides easily into the water. But since I am probably having a hospital birth, my dream is just for the things I want post birth to happen the way I want them, I am really not worried about the labour itself... I am confident that I will be in control of what happens and am not worried about interventions (with Ember I was in a hospital too but with a regular Dr. and I didn't get an IV or anything so with my midwife I know I will be able to move freely around the room and use different positions, shower and birthing ball like last time)...but it is really important to me that the cord is not cut right away, and that there is no Vit. K injection and of course I get to hold Oakley and BF and that he is not taken from the room. Issues that I are less pressing but still need to be discussed are oxitocin injection for me (I don't think it is necessary but don't so much care if I get it if there seems to be a reason, I just don't want them to routinely jab it in my leg without my knowledge or consent like last time), the antibiotic eye ointment for Oakley (again, don't think it is necessary in our case but will discuss it before hand with midwife), and whether or not we will use oral Vit. K or forgo it. Luckily I don't have to worry about them vaccinating at birth here, it's not done as of yet. The last thing about my abtainalbe dream birth that I hope for is to be dismissed from the hospital after 4 hrs and have all my family together in one bed the first night, not me and Oakley in the hospital by ourselves.

Ok so it felt like I had written a novel but now that I've read it, it's not so bad so I will add a bit about our weekend :LOL Ember has joined the advancing swimmers club started by Emily and Lucy :banana....yesterday completely of her own doing she actually put her face in the water...I'd say went under but it was just to about her eyes, MAJOR milestone for the girl who has never even gotten used to lying back in the tub and getting her hair washed :exclaim I think she might even begin to learn to swim this summer, she is just getting braver and braver! We will be camping at the most perfect swimming lake for a week starting next Sat, so I am sure that there will be much progress while we are there. Speaking of which, this will be the first time that we are the adults camping for that many days (Sat-Thurs), though I have camped that long many times it was always with my parents and though Dh and I have camped many times it has still been with my parents and usually for only a couple nights...feels like a big milestone for us :rotflmao

[Lucysmama]

I like these fantasy birth scenarios...here is mine!

I picture labor starting on a crisp lovely fall day here in the valley. In early labor I would go for a stroll with dd and dh (we live in the National Park and there are literally trails in our backyard that run by woods, meadows, river, and waterfalls) to get things moving along. When I am ready, we would head for home. Dh and dd would busy themselves with something quiet while I get in the birth tub upstairs and labor alone. I'd have some nice music and aromatherapy. When I felt the baby's birth was imminent, I would call dh and dd to come upstairs and be with me for the final few moments. Just the 3 of us would be present as our new baby was born gently into the water. We would lift up the baby slowly, and place it on my chest. I would check the gender myself, and let dd and dh have a look for themselves, too. I would breastfeed the baby. Then we'd get out and get wrapped up in warm blankets and lay in bed, just the 4 of us. After a while, we'd have something yummy and filling to eat and the baby and I would go to sleep. :)

Uh....notice there are no midwives present in this scenario. :LOL I guess deep down I do want a UC, but since I am home VBACing for the first time, I do want a midwife there. I think. :LOL I do plan to wait a long time before calling her, though. So everything could be just like that scenario, only with Pam there for the last part.

[stanleymama]

QOTW: Let's see..good question BTW. Well since I am having a hospital birth, and I really love our hospital. It is small and they use cloth on all the babies. My dr. is older and just wonderful. I guess for me my dream is to have it be short and sweet. So my dream would be laboring for a short time, walking up to the hospital and then shortly after give birth to my new little boy. Immediately after, he would latch on like a pro and dh and I would marvel at our new little blessing. My 3 older boys would then come and bring mommy a yummy chinese dinner and meet their new little brother. The next day we would have our celebration meal and then come home.

Our hospital puts on a private celebration meal for you and your dh in your room. The food is actually quite good. They set up the room and dim the lights for a romantic atmosphere. The table is nicely decorated and you celebrate the birth of your babe.

[ameliabedelia]

25 weeks

I haven't been on much, have been so busy lately. We are moving at the end of July to my parent's house and then we will be moving again in the middle-end of August to our new home. It is all so hectic. We don't even know WHERE our new home will be, just that we are pretty sure it will be in NH, since DH is looking for a job there. He is an un-certified teacher, but has 4+ years experience so in NH he will be able to get certified without taking any classes, just demonstrating competancy which will save us tons of time and money. So, things are really up in the air for our family now. But, we are pretty sure he will find a job there and it will all work out in the end, but right now things are busy and stressful. We are selling almost all our things (just saving clothes, diapers, books, toys and kitchen stuff).

QOTW: My dreambirth is like Lucymama's (complete with the home in a National Forest and walk in the morning, that is a real dream LOL). I guess my dream is to go UC, but I don't feel at this point that I could do it. I am not ready for that. But, I do have hopes that my birth may go more like Piglet's with the midwives present. So, that is my "realisitic dream" birth. Although we won't have a water tub. I would really like one, but dd will also be present for the birth and she LOVES the water, so I don't want anyone to have to worry about her drowning in the water tub or playing in it or water damage from water on our floor or any of those things. (I am such a cheater, instead of writing out my own dream birth, I just steal everyone else's). LOL

[krnflwr]

QOTW: I am such a cheater, instead of writing out my own dream birth, I just steal everyone else's. LOL

I hear you, ameliabedelia. As I read each person's dream birth, I'm nodding my head, thinking "exactly!".
My vision of a great birth would definitely include being in a large body of warm water, surrounded by loving and supportive people (who are being very quiet), minimal to no anxiety on my part, nice flowing birth, some warm cuddly bonding time with DH and DD after babe arrives, a yummy (and spicy) celebratory thai meal and then all of us snoozing in our big family bed.
In reality, we'll be at a hospital...but one that has big labor tubs and is the more progressive hospital in our area, so I'm hoping for an easy time having my non-interventionist wishes met. I'm also planning on escaping as soon as possible afterwards, hoping things work out so we can all get discharged and be home together as soon as possible. After Hannah's birth, my OB was fine discharging me a few hours after birth....but I couldn't get anyone to let me take the baby home that soon. Oopsie, something I definitely overlooked. No sense leaving w/o the baby, huh?
I need to do some counting and look at my calendar, but I think I might be 28 weeks now. So, 3rd trimester here I come! Doesn't seem right, I don't feel that far along in my brain yet, even if my body looks it (and more!). I've had people comment to me lately about "that baby's due any day, huh?" and "any time now". I'm trying to not get too upset about it, but do feel the defensive need to explain to them that the baby isn't due until Oct. So please keep your rude "large as a barge" comments to yourself! :irked:

[krnflwr]

OakEmber,
I checked out the Cuddly Carrier you mentioned in last week's post, and had a few thoughts to share. A wrap/tie carrier is great but has a higher learning curve, in general, than a pouch or ring sling. It can be used in many more positions and usually can be used for a longer period of time, although many ring slings work well into toddler years, too. I have heard from several moms, however, that the wrap/tie carriers that are made from stretchy t-shirt-like material are very hard to get to fit well, and are more of a pain than they are worth. The best wrap/tie carriers, from what I've read and heard, are the Didymos or other woven fabric carriers. These made from woven fabric, however, are much more expensive. I found my Didy, after an exhaustive search of several months, on ebay and even then it was over $60 (second-hand). I'm really looking forward to using it w/ a newborn, since it didn't get too much use w/ Hannah. She never liked being carried on my back, unless she was high up above my head, in the big frame backpack. And she was too big, by the time I got the Didy, for any of the front positions.
Anyway, that's my $.02. I think this looks like a nice wrap carrier, but I think it is probably made from a stretchy fabric (based on the price, I never saw any fabric description). If it is, make sure you are clear on their return policy or be prepared for it not to work as well or comfortably w/ a larger baby. It might work great for a tiny baby, but may last long in your babywearing life. HTHs!

[AnnR33]

I'm not sure if I'm going to get my "dream" birth or not. The birth ctr I really want checked on our insurance and it won't cover anything! :( We can switch to a new carrier since we're moving to WA but the bith ctr is in the process of being "certified" or whatever by that company and can't guarantee that it will be done by the time this babe comes...so not sure where that leaves us. We really cannot afford the $5000 out of pocket for the whole cost-who can? I'm actually waiting on a call from them now to try to work this out.
Otherwise It'll be with a CNMW in a birth suite at a hospital which will be the next thing I look into but hate to have to do it at all! I have heard some good things about the hosp-it was ranked as one of the top "baby friendly" hosp in the nation but not sure what that means exactly. I just don't want to deal with hosp procedures at all.
OK, done whining...

Counting down the days until we move-only 12 to go!
Ann

[mtnjenny]

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here! I love hearing all of your "ideal" births. Basically, not having done this before, I'm just hoping for as peaceful an experience as possible, with as little interventions as possible, and with DH involved as much as possible! We'll be at the hospital, and like a few of you, the hospital is very progressive and open to our wishes. Although, now that I start thinking abou it, I can envision it all happening in our hot tub, outside on the deck, looking at the woods (we're out of view of neighbors,) with cat, dog, and hubby being the only helpers...hee hee.

Stanleymama, how cool that they have a special dinner for you. I love that. BTW, did I see you're in WI? DH and I both grew up in Madison...

Krnflwer, hopefully those rude people don't realize how rude they're being. One of the things that has amazed me the most about all this is how differently every woman's body looks with pregnancy.

All you ladies who are moving, hang in there! I can't imagine!

[Lucysmama]

Welcome Jenny! :w

Giving birth outside in a hot tub sounds AMAZING! If I were you, I'd be all over it! I even tried to convince dh to rent a hot tub for October to put in our yard. Didn't work! We are going to rent a tub and have the baby in our house instead!

[mtnjenny]

Thanks for the sweet welcomes - I wasn't sure if I should jump in or not!

You homebirthers are so brave, really. I'm just a little too chicken for that...Maybe next time for us!

[BeansMomma]

27 weeks tomorrow!!!

Is it really almost the third trimester?!?! Ugh. I'm already starting to feel the discomfort that I am sure is soon to be even more pronounced through these next several weeks.

Re: previous comments about testiness and mood swings... Ugh - I have been so snappy and snarky lately - luckily my DW calls me on it and that, of course, makes it all the more frustrating. :bang For anyone on the roads in Portland these days, watch out because I've also developed a severe case of Royal Road Rage... my goodness - you know it's bad when your partner emails you to go easy on others on the road - heh heh. :cuss

QOTW: uh, er, um... well, uh... first time mom here - fighting off the fear and dread is about as far as I've got. I start classes soon (hoping to get into something progressive on top of hospital classes) so maybe I'll get past the fears and into the dreams part. One thing I definitely am hoping for is that the labor spa at my hospital is available when I arrive; they won't let you deliver there - but at least hanging out in the whirlpool would be sooo nice.

[Lucysmama]

You homebirthers are so brave, really. I'm just a little too chicken for that...

I think hospital birthers are brave! I'm too chicken to go to the hospital again! :laugh:

[OakEmber]

I think hospital birthers are brave! I'm too chicken to go to the hospital again! :laugh:

I think that Katie's got it right :thumb But I do remember thinking the same way as Mtnjenny the first time too. Unfortanately for me my home isn't really an option...unless I did an UC and that's a whole other level of bravery that I don't have. :)

Krnflwr/Karin- you are so wise! I was looking at the how to use pictures and that scared me :LOL, I really do think that to start with I need a pouch type without anything to adjust! Thanks for the advice, I definately appriciate you looking out for me like that :hug Sorry about those comments you have been getting, some people should just :foot I get a mixed bag of comments, from looking huge to looking great, I don't know who to believe :LOL

Stanelymama- you said something on last weeks thread about selling FuzziBunz?? Are you a WAHM? Not sure what you can and can't say but if you do have a website or something I'd be interested in checking it out, you could PM me if you do.

[stanleymama]

mtnjenny-- :w Small world. We live just an hour northwest of madison in a small town. Richland Center--ever heard of it? We frequent Madison quite a bit.

OakEmber--Yes I am a wahm. I don't have a website as I just maily focus on local sales. PM though and I will send you my info.

To all you homebirthers--i think you are pretty brave as well. I tried a homebirth with my first, and it turned out we had a bad midwife. Long story. After 52 hours of labor we went to the hospital and had a wonderful birth.

[Piglet68]

27 weeks, 1 day

Glad to see you jumping right in, Jenny! As you can see, we all love to gab! :blah

How about my "reality" birth? Well, my first birth, a scheduled c-section, was about as wonderful an experience as I could have hoped for. Everything went smoothly, I was excited, nervous, and thrilled all at once. I had very little pain - just a bit ouchy when they put the epidural cath in. Otherwise, the pain meds worked their wonders and none of it interfered with nursing, with baby, or with being able to sleep with her. My recovery was super fast - I was up and walking that evening and the nurses all said I was doing great. So this time around I'm hoping for the same thing, except I'm also hoping I might be able to leave a bit early (last time I was actually quite enjoying the "service") b/c I'm really concerned about being away from DD so much.

Ann - the PNW is pretty progressive, and if the hospital is rated "baby friendly" then you will be in for a treat. I gave birth at such a hospital in Boston (I forget who assigns the ratings, but the hospital must have all sorts of things in place). ALL nurses must be trained in BFing. There must be lactation consultants around for you at any time, and they must have a certain percentage of successful BFing mothers on discharge. Rooming-in with baby is strongly encouraged (technically they are supposed to be in the bassinet beside your bed, but I know I wasn't the only one whose newborn slept on her chest!). You are required to be with baby immediately after birthing (even cesarian mamas) and allowed time to bond and practice BFing. It was really a wonderful experience - I had only one negative "run-in" and that was with a visiting ped who was not part of the hospital (I hadn't picked a ped before I gave birth so I got whoever was around that day, and she was a Formula-pushing, nasty-bedside manner, cow! the nurses told me "she makes everybody cry").

Okay, well yesterday I had a "breakthrough" experiment, so here's hoping for the same today. Off I go to the lab: only five weeks until we leave for Vancouver!!

[mirthfulmum]

Piglet & Amie - Your comments on my Flok/Folk fest. typo had me giggling. My typing is terrible at the best of times, but now with pregnancy brain... Oh how I wish MDC had spell check.

:shy I don't remember who it was who pointed out that I may have miscounted my weeks but you are right. Upon a more careful count, I am 29 weeks, not 30. I'll be 30 weeks on Sunday. I guess I was just getting excited and hopeful and a bit of wishful thinking. I really can't wait for our little Harrison to make his grand appearance. (Okay major preggo brain. Dh looking over my shoulder just pointed out that I spelled our new baby's name wrong. I can not believe how mushy my brain is! :eyesroll)

QOTW: It is really great reading everyone's dream births. They sound so wonderful. I guess I'm a bit more of a realist when it comes to my dream birth. For me I spend the beginning of my labour at home in our tub while Alias and DH play together in the living room. The midwife arrives to tell me that it's time to move to the hospital. Our friends then come over to care for Alias and he is excited and worry free as DH and I leave to walk the 5 blocks to the hospital with the midwife. Shortly after we arrive in our private room I have the desire to push and with DH looking on I push a handful of times and Harrison is gently delivered into our midwives hands. He is healthy and pink and brought to lie on my chest. DH cuts the cord and we spend the next few hours in quiet awe and bliss as we meet our new son. Harrison latches and nurses like a pro and we are told we can go home anytime. Alias arrives to meet his new brother. And with Harrison tucked cozily into his sling and Alias' little hand in mine we all walk home together as a family. The whole event takes less than 12 hours.

On the sling topic, for my two cents, this Kidlets Carrier (http://www.kidletsclothing.com/product~productID=2.html) is the best sling/carrier I've ever come across (and like many of you I went through soooo many baby carriers with Alias). It's a bit pricey but I was able to use it until Alias hit 26 pounds and my back just couldn't take it anymore. It is so versatile, made from organic undyed cotton and it's hand made (Kidlets clothing is a real mom and pop operation with the mom doing the sewing, the dad working the register and their son serving as model and inspiration).

Welcome mtnjenny! Happy you felt comfortable just jumping in and joining us.

[AnnR33]

Thanks Piglet for the reassurance about about the hosp-I still hope I don't need it but it's good to know the rating means something and their nurses are trained. And good luck with the lab!

Anybody actually doing the Kegal exercises?? I know I should-esp since it's #3 but I never think about-until I laugh or sneeze and OOPs LOL
Ann

[bluehalo]

QOTW: I love reading everyone's blissfull sounding dream births :) I'm going to share my "reality" dream birth, since I'm in a place right now where I want to focus on how I can really help this go the way I want, instead of being wistful about what I wish could have been, yk? ...

So ... I imagine starting labor at home, going about my daily stuff, cherishing the last few hours alone and peaceful with my son. As things become more intense and I'm sure this is *it*, calling DH (if he's at work, etc.) to let him know what's going on. I'm sure I'll be doing some last minute cleaning up, etc ... the thought of going to the hospital to birth a baby and coming home to a messy house makes me want to hyperventilate :LOL I'll probably fondle some cloth diapers, getting excited about the thought of having that sweet bottom to diaper soon (I know, I know, I have problems, tee hee... ). I'll call my two friends who will also be my additional support people, give them a heads up, call my parents to let them know we'll be needing to drop Ethan off with them sooner than later. I really hope I don't have to leave for the hospital in the middle of the night ... I'd hate to have to wake Ethan up to leave, and I wouldn't feel right leaving w/o telling him, yk?

Continue to labor at home, my one friend (a L&D nurse) will come over around this point and check me ... hope to head to the hospital around 5-6 cm. Get there, get settled in and comfortable and secure feeling. Proceed through active labor, vocalizing, and rocking on the birth ball, and working with DH and my girlfriends to cope, thinking about the new family we'll be forming, about this new little bundle of love we're about to meet, maybe showering or getting in the labor tub (they have a tub, but you're not allowed to actuall *birth* in it...) to help cope ... being treated respectfully by the nurses and the doctor. Finally feeling the urge to push, feeling exhillirated and empowered and relieved, and finally pushing out my baby! Having a peaceful few hours to connect with him, having Ethan and my parents come to the hospital to meet him, and heading home soon after.

~~~~

Wow, it's so surreal, so many of us in the 3rd trimester ... We'll be holding these sweet babes before we know it!! :love

[3bees~1flower]

:shy I don't remember who it was who pointed out that I may have miscounted my weeks but you are right. Upon a more careful count, I am 29 weeks, not 30. I'll be 30 weeks on Sunday. I guess I was just getting excited and hopeful and a bit of wishful thinking. I really can't wait for our little Harrison to make his grand appearance.


ummm, that would be me...:LOL....i was just teasing...i really can't wait to meet our bean either....

[Piglet68]

Well, I am just totally psyched and excited.

A dear friend just emailed me with her birth announcement. Their baby girl (they didn't know ahead of time the gender) was born on Emily's birthday!! her due date. They sent me what has to be one of the most gorgeous newborn photos I have ever seen.

I've been talking about babies and AP stuff since way before they conceived, and then she had an early miscarriage, so this PG was so wanted and welcome. I got her totally on board with AP, mum bought her Dr. Sears' Baby Book and she ate it up! I sent her a newborn sampler of cloth diapers, and my own "Cloth Diapering 101" sheet I made up for her. She is just going to be the most AWESOME mama - she is so ga-ga over babies as it is, and so loving and affectionate.

Anyways, I'm so glad I'm pregnant, because if I weren't I would be like "waaaah! I want one!"...and just living this whole experience with her has made me even more excited about meeting baby Sasha.

So I just had to share my warm, fuzzy, pregnant, baby-love vibes with you all. We're all getting close!!!!

:love

[flitters]

hi mamas!!! welcome mtnjenny!

ooooh, slings. my first baby purchase was a pouch sling from walking rock farm. i think it will be really soft and comfy and the right warmth for our autumn baby. i'm also going to sew an ABC and maybe a non-padded pouch as well.

fun QOTW, but it's funny, i haven't really thought about birth as such... i feel more like i've set things up so that i'm likely to have a very positive birth experience and now i just wait and see how it goes. of course it's the big things i care about most - healthy baby, healthy mama, but now thinking about it more i guess there are certain detail things i envision too... labor beginning in the wee hours of the morning and laboring alone for a couple hours while it's still dark before calling our midwife and doula. dh being really strong and supportive. the dogs just lying on the couch watching. getting into the birth tub and finding some relief and extra strength from the water. pushing out the baby when my body feels ready and not tearing at all. feeling strong and powerful and fearless, knowing i can cope with any pains of birth and the intensity of the experience like billions of women before me. feeling the baby come out of me and maybe catching it myself with dh's hands right there too. bringing it to my chest and having it nurse right away. feeling amazed to meet the baby i've been carrying these months and overwhelmed with love. and then looking at its face.

:grouphug

[krnflwr]

Who said they had a pattern for a sling or pouch? Care to share??

[kraftykathy]

Oops, I've been off for a couple of weeks and I can't believe how busy everyone here has been! It's going to take me awhile to catch up, lol!

QOTW - Okay, I'm also hoping for a dream birth like Lucysmama!!! We live on a pretty little farm. Our house is at the top of a little hill and at the bottom runs a small stream that runs out of a maple bush. It's spectacular in the fall and I've dreamed of walking through the woods in early labour as well! We are having a midwife attended homebirth, but like Lucysmama, I dream of birthing too quickly for the midwives to arrive. I'm getting an inflatable fishy pool for the birth but I'm going to wait until I'm actually in labour to decide if I'm going to use it or not. Yeah, in my dreams the birth is just me and dh (and our kids). In reality the midwives will likely be there, we'll see. I also hope to catch this baby with the help of dh. I caught our last one, but hubby was a little overwhelmed by how many people were crowded into our birthroom (for some unknown reason there was a whole bunch of interns there though no one asked me if this was okay?!) and he sort of got shunted to the side, poor guy. I really look forward to having him feel truly involved and needed this time!!!

I saw the midwives today (it is a group of several midwives, assistants and students) and so far we have gotten to know each one. But now we've finally found out which 2 midwives will be definately attending our birth. We are very pleased with these 2 ladies (and their student). I dream of a UC, but if these ladies do happen to make it there on time I know it will be a great experience!


Kathy

[mtnjenny]

I've been trying to figure this out, but I finally have to give up and ask...what's UC?

All the sling-advice has been great, thanks everyone! My sister gave me her Maya wrap, but I love checking out all the different options.

I know everyone's enjoying the "dream births," and keep 'em coming, but I've been dying to ask, as a first-timer, what's something you wished you would have remembered to do before the baby came? I know we can't plan everything for such a life-changing event, but I'm tryin' hard to get as many bases covered as possible before I start teaching again at the end of August. Hope it's not selfish to ask, hopefully others can benefit also!

[Lucysmama]

MtnJenny - UC is Unassisted Childbirth. You can read more about it at www.unassistedchildbirth.com

We would definitely be having a UC if this wasn't a VBAC(vaginal birth after cesarean)...but being a VBAC I feel more comfortable having it attended by a professional. Maybe next time... ;)

[flitters]

i made a little video of my tummy getting kicks from the inside.
i'm not sure how long i'll leave the link in public like this, but i thought some of you might enjoy it.
it is about 4MB (mpg - video and audio) and runs for about 20 seconds.
it generally won't just load if you click the link but it will work if you right click and save it to disk.

i think it's cute.

if you want to see the little movie pm me and i'll send you the link... i just didn't want to leave it up here indefinitely

[Lucysmama]

:( Linky no worky.

[flitters]

did you right click and do "save target as" ?
it won't load directly if you just click it like a normal link.

[blessed2bamommie]

I got it! :D Cute! :love OK! YOU make me look like I'm carrying twins!!!! :shake I was in NO in the tub and I saw my belly moving. I started laughing and I needed to tell dh so he wouldnt call the paddy wagon. :shake I called him to come and I guess I started the baby. He stopped. :(

[sqoya]

flitters - what a great movie!!! I love the music and the different shots. I was just thinking about doing the same thing... as soon as our house is done being painted, I can remove all the tarps, find my camera, and try it out!

QOTW: Being a first timer, I've just been focusing on what I DON'T want, i.e. no epidural, no episiotomy, no separation from the baby, etc. Since we're using a freestanding birth center, I think I can put all those worries behind me and now focus on what I DO want! YAY!!! I'm one of those people that researches everything for hours before making a decision, but I haven't done any reading on birthing itself (this has surprised all my friends)! I guess it seems like it can go any route, and no matter how much I prepare, it will be different than I ever dreamed of. Our first birth class is tomorrow, I'm so excited!!!

BTW, anyone trying hypnobirthing? It seems like hypnobabies is really popular.

[mirthfulmum]

I've been dying to ask, as a first-timer, what's something you wished you would have remembered to do before the baby came?
I wish that I had been better prepared mentally for just how huge a transition it is to have a little new person join your family. I know it sounds like this would be so obvious, but everyone kept telling me how great everything was going to be and how I could "handle" it. Then when Alias came home and those first few weeks of learning and adjusting and pacing for hours in the middle of the night, I was totally surprised by how unprepared mentally I was for parenthood. But fortunately the sense of feeling in over my head only lasted a couple of weeks. Before we knew it we had found our new family groove.

And did somebody mention Kegels? :bag: Yeah... I keep meaning to do those.

[Lucysmama]

mtnJenny -

I would have lined up a lactation consultant and a postpartum doula before having dd. I ended up with a cesarean that was very difficult to recover from and I really didn't know where to get help when I needed it. I tried to do it all myself, and well....it didn't really work out for me. :) I also would have visited a LLL meeting or 2 before I had the baby. I didn't really know about them then, though.

I mentioned this last week, but I will mention it again since you weren't around....I am asking my MIL to organize a "feed the new parents" schedule this time. The idea is to have everyone who wants to help sign up for a date after the baby comes to bring us dinner....whether it be a casserole, a pizza, or Chinese take-out.

Little things like that I think will make our transition a lot smoother this time.

[3bees~1flower]

Who said they had a pattern for a sling or pouch? Care to share??
well, i mentioned that i'm going to make my own sling....the pattern i have is on this site... www.ida.net/users/stace/sling.html i have made one that *may* work, but is a little shallow...i will make a better one at some point. hope it works for you!!

[Piglet68]

flitters: the video is precious! I also took shots of Emily moving in me, and will try to get some of Sasha. It is just SO cool, isn't it?

Mandi: I definitely recommend going to LLL meetings NOW. I started when I was about 25 weeks, and I am SO glad I did. It really taught me so much, and I felt really confident about breastfeeding when I went into hospital. I had my "womanly art of breastfeeding" book, and the numbers of my LLL leaders. Our hospital also had lactation consultants available, but I wouldn't have relied on them for all my knowledge. It's much better to go into it informed, rather than depend on whomever comes around.

One mistake I made was not choosing a ped before I went in. I just figured someone from the hospital could pop by while we were in there. Well, I ended up with a royal b*tch of a ped and she made me very upset. I wished I had found someone nice beforehand. You don't need any stress when you are postpartum!

Also, do research c-sections. I know most people don't want one, and hopefully won't end up with one, but if you find yourself having one and you know NOTHING about them, it can be pretty scary. Find out everything: if you end up having one, where will your birth center transfer you to? Do you have a choice of hospitals? What about your choice of anaesthesia (spinal or epidural), whether your spouse can be there in the room, can he cut the cord, hold the baby while you are being stitched up? Who will be performing the surgery, and most importantly...what are your hospital's policies regarding c-section mamas - are they allowed to be with baby immediately after the birth? Are they allowed to room in? Some hospitals make distinctions, even if mom and baby are both healthy after the cesarian.

Finally, for after the birth, I'd try to keep family and well-wishers away for a few days, unless you can be sure they will be a help and not a hindrance. I went into parenthood very confident and sure of how I wanted to do things (BFing on demand, cosleeping, no CIO, etc...) but still....in that emotional postpartum phase I did NOT want people around questioning me, pressuring me, trying to be "helpful" and not letting me find my way.

[flitters]

I'm glad you guys liked the video. I thought it was cute. I'll probably take the link down at the end of the day (and if anyone else wants to see it they can PM me).

Piglet, I think the baby moving is really cool too. It would be neat to compare the videos of Emily and Sasha. I'm also amazed at how strong the kicks can be... like if I'm leaning into my desk they are almost strong enough to roll my chair out a bit.

Mandi, I hope you make a movie too! I'd love to see it if you can share!

wannabmommie, it's so funny how so many times I go to show someone the movements and they stop instantly. Smart little babies! As for comparing our tummies, It's really interesting how differently people carry (high, low, round, oval, in, out)... even just changing position makes a surprising difference. Lying on my back I look way less pregnant than standing up.

Actually, now that I'm showing, the variety of things people say about my pregnancy and my tummy is actually pretty amusing. Within one lunch break I've gotten both "Oh, six months, you're so tiny!" and "Wow, you're showing a lot for six months!" They almost always claim to be experts too (especially the men). Like "I have 16 nieces and nephews and I've seen lots of pregnant women." or "Pregnant women don't show until 5 and a half months." I always just kind of smile (although I think sometimes I can't hide my smirk) and try not to roll my eyes.

Why is natural, healthy variation such a difficult concept??? Why do people come up with these ideas of a pregnancy mold that everyone should fit? They can't even agree with eachother! Oh my.

:grouphug

[OakEmber]

Flitters- I checked it out too, that was neat!

Mandi- I think that is a very healthy outlook you have and will serve you well.

Katie- that feed the family menu plan is a great idea...I just don't know if it's something that I'd feel right about organizing for myself and I don't know who I could delegate it too....maybe someone will ask!

Oh, and Mirthfulmum...that looks like a great sling, I still dunno what I'll do but I think I will wait until Sept. when I will be bringing in a little money to buy one anyway.

[AnnR33]

Mandi- I would stock up on good protein snacks-a big variety so when you're being picky your DH can offer lots of stuff-dried fruit, cheese, nuts, yogurt, etc And some frozen meals in the freezer ready to pop in the oven. I was so hungry for "good" food but certainly didn't want to cook so ended up eating not the best stuff.
I would also second going to LLL mtgs now-they are a great support and will give lots of advice and info that you can take what you need from.

Dr's appt today and the heartbeat was 168-that's the fastest yet...but it's ranged from 128 to 168 so who knows what this baby is doing in there. Last appt with this dr and now I'm on my own until I find a midwife when we move-hopefully soon.

Good news-she said new research says that back sleeping is not so bad after all and is fine for most women. babies are not affected by it at all and you should only stop if you get a little lightheaded-but the oxygen to the baby is not affected even when yours is in this case. Good news to me since I was going crazy finding a decent position to sleep in.
Ann

[stanleymama]

Flitters--I too enjoyed the video:) Thanks for sharing it with us!

And wannabe--my dh is always thinking I am playing tricks on him when it comes to the baby moving. With our first two, they stopped every time he would touch my belly. I would tell him that they were just awed by their daddy. With Samuel and this baby he has felt them really early on, but he will still do the "yeah right" look when I tell him to feel the baby move. He does it just to get me going :eyesroll He can be such a stinker.

[Lucysmama]

Hi all!

I just came back from my ICAN (International Cesarean Awarenesss Network) meeting, so I feel all pumped up about VBACing! The topic was "Healing from Traumatic Birth" and was very nice to talk thru with so many women. The meetings are led by my midwife, so it's also cool to see her too. We all went out afterwards to dinner and at 12:30am I am just getting home now! Cool to talk about homebirthing and AP and stuff with so many mamas!

Also, my MIL came over today with a great gift. She brought me a HUGE bag of old linens for our homebirth. All stuff that can get bloody and ruined....mattress pads, sheets, towels, blankets, washcloths, etc. I was so happy to get it all and not have to worry about ruining our things!

Hope you all are having a good night!

[Piglet68]

Lucysmama: how wonderful that your MIL is so supportive! And, how empowering to attend that meeting!!

Ann: you know, I've never bought all that about not sleeping on your back, left side, etc. I sleep wherever I can get comfortable, and since that itself is a challenge, I'm not going to make it any harder on myself with more limits, lol!

Well, ladies, I'm sure looking big these days. I LOVE it. I'm also starting to relax a bit about moving. I realized I'll be 32 weeks, not 34 as I'd thought, and that's not so bad. I feel okay right now, just a bit slow. Still, looks like my Mum will fly out here and fly back with me and DD, so it will be great to have an extra pair of hands.

Can we talk emotions? I cannot believe how emotional I am these days. DH and I got into a teeny scrap the other night, nothing big, the usual stuff, and I wanted to just lash out and kill him (which, by my usual modus operandi means lashing out with my tongue - verbal assault! :) ). It was all I could do to hold in my words, which I knew would be mean and petty...then the next morning I was SO depressed. And I honestly couldn't figure out why. We made up via IM while at work, and at home last night everything was fine. But now I find myself reading some posts and getting really worked up and almost snarky. Like some lady complaining about her jerk of a DH and I'm thinking "ditch the bum". Not exactly helpful advice, kwim? Anyways, I'm just not like this usually, and I'm finding it interesting on the one hand, but very challenging on the other. I'm having to exercise restraint, and yet still I know I'm snapping a bit....sigh! Hormones - gotta love 'em! :)

[mirthfulmum]

Katie - The workshop sounds awesome! I wanna go and I haven't even had a C-section. And your MIL sounds great. It's so nice to have another woman in your life who "gets it" (since you and I are in the same boat with mom's who are totally clueless).

I have to keep this short as I am soooo swamped. I fell asleep early last night and didn't get my readings done for class today so right now Alias is watching a movie as I try and skim the assigned articles. And I really need to get a shower in there somehow.

[True Blue]

You know, it's so weird to be so far behind everyone...DS was due near the beginning of the month, so I was always one of the closest to being due! :innocent

My dream birth? Well I'm hoping for it. ;) Here at home, preferably in water (or at least in water for labor), DH, me, and my sister, with my mom and DS nearby (but probably not in the room or even in the house). No directed pushing, I don't want popped blood vessels everywhere this time....I'll push when and for as long as I feel like. Baby comes, goes right on me (perhaps even I catch him/her), nurses....wait to the cut cord....then eat some birthday cake and curl up in bed. :)

Piglet, I hear you on the strange emotions. Except I would almost say I am more depressed than anything else. I mean, not severe depression or anything, but just kind of down and blah about just about everything. Maybe the bedrest did it, I don't know. Plus most of the kdis' activities shut down here in July and August (at least he ones for tots) so we're pretty homebound and bored (play equipment at parks is much too hot to use here in the summer). And I almost cried the other day, when I was driving down the road and 3 of us about ran over a turtle, when I saw the first man drive back and take the turtle out of the road. :love

Let's see, what else is going on? Going to the in-laws this weekend, and also going up to my old university (an hour away from them) for a sorority alumnae weekend. I'm pretty excited, it will be fun. And I'll be spending the night away from DS for the first time...so I'm pretty nervous about that. He'll be with DH so it won't be so bad, but still. I'll be staying at the sorority house so it'll be a good time.

I can't think of anything I forgot to do before DS's birth...the one thing I did so, since I was having a hospital birth, was have my bag packed and ready at 34 weeks just in case :LOL

This morning I was going through my diaper collection, and oh my I have more than I realized! I was going to start making some more cuddlebuns soon, but after seeing what I have, I'm just going to wait to see if it's a girl first (to see if I can buy some cute girly prints to mix in with the boy ones I have). Such a shame to have most of that dipe shopping done! :LOL

Time to go take a nap, I'm beat!!

[krnflwr]

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but because of a shoulder injury I have a really hard time laying on my left side. I was worried because "they" always tell preg women to lay on the left. So I started polling all the OBs and midwives I could get my hands on, both IRL and online. They all agreed that the bottom line is however you can get comfortable (and actually get some sleep) is fine. Unless you have a particular medical condition or your body protests (feet numb, back aching), however you can lay is fine. Left side is best if your bp is high, right side is best if you have heartburn. But sleep is sleep and very precious, so there is no need to get all worried about harming the baby if you wake up on your back. Even tummy sleeping was recommended to me, if you make a nest to fit your belly into. I've tried it and it takes some manueuvering, but I slept really well.
Just wanted to share my sleeping info w/ you all.
Hannah is clamoring for my attention...so bye for now.

[Wabi Sabi]

Wow, its been a while since I've posted!

Piglet, I've also been incredibly emotional recently. Like Truebluexf, I've just been a bit down in the dumps. We're not talking clinical depression or anything else like that, just dealing with more stress than I'd like which in turns leads me to feeling down in the dumps. My husband and I have been financially falling behind thanks to both of us having unexpected car troubles that are costing us big money. It also doesn't help that due to a mistake in filing the right papers for our property taxes our mortgage has shot up nearly $200/month (ugh- we could both just kick ourselves for that one!) not to mention that we're paying for our midwife out of our own pocket. I know that they say money isn't everything, but it sure would be nice not to have to worry about just getting by! Really, that is the ONLY thing I can think of that is much of a stressor in my life at all...every thing else is just hunky-dory! ;)

Like several of you, I don't really worry about my sleep positioning. Even if I make a conscious effort to lay on my left side, as soon as I'm asleep I roll over to my back or to the right! With enough pillows, I've even been sleeping in a modified tummy postion...

QOTW: Since this is my first birth, I'm really not sure what to expect. I've really tried not to over-think what I want since I'm told that the birth and labor process never goes the way you expect it to go! The few things I know that I don't want- monitering, lots of interventions, etc- aren't really issues since I'm planning a homebirth. I'm going into this with the mindframe that I'm not going to have any specific expectations and that I'll just take it one step at a time when the time comes...

On a totally different topic, I love being able to put faces on many of you thanks to the yahoo group! I just got a digital camera and hope to figure out how to use it soon so that I can also post a couple of pictures!

[Court]

Hey everybody! I'm identifying w/ a lot of you this week, re: emotional rollercoaster. My midwife was just here this morning and she always makes me feel better. I know it's just hormones, but I had to choke back tears talking about my weight w/ her, since I've been gaining it way too fast. (this is due to eating dessert and cereal everyday :eyesroll ) She says to only eat one dessert a week, so we'll see. I mean, I really don't care cause I know I'll loose it fast like I did last time, but it's just that feeling that I'm not doing something right or perfect. But it's so hard to stick to a "diet" being pregnant when you feel like crap you know? Like, I'm on my feet running around w/ a toddler all day and I'm just in excruciating pain from the waist down by the end of the day, that damnit I just want some Cocoa puffs before I go to bed. Also, the baby is head down, so I hope he stays that way.

QOTW: I think I've actually planned my "ideal" birth, which is basically just at home, w/ midwives, my dh, and ds. I just hope it goes smoothly and quickly, but not too quickly. As long as baby and me come through it w/ no complications, that will be ideal. I get so excited about my birth when my midwife comes over. She brought her assistant for the first time, and this woman just radiates joy and beauty. I feel so lucky that I get to be surrounded by such great women when I give birth. And to have the luxury of being in my own home w/ out 18 different random nurses coming in to poke at me.

Logan and I went swimming on Monday, we're trying to make it a once a week thing at least. He's a little water baby, has no fear- which is scary for me. He sees all the other kids diving in and swimming underwater and he starts to do the same thing. I keep trying to explain to him that we can't breathe under water. So we've been working on holding our breath and just going under for a second, which he seems to be getting the hang of. We also hang on to a floaty mat together and just kick ourselves around the pool like a little boat. It's very relaxing for me. Then we go lay on the blanket and have snacks and juice. I'm really enjoying these last few weeks alone w/ him, oh lord I'm gonna start crying again.

I can't wait to see your pictures, Futuremama! Take care everyone :love

[OakEmber]

Has anyone else's baby gone through a major growth spurt?! The last couple day it seems there is no room left to move around in there, it feels like Oakley is taking up my whole uterus now...he must have gained a pound I swear! Things I could formerly do, like bend over are becoming a challenge now.

I'm tired these days too, which is why my posts are fewer and far between...sorry guys, I am reading and mentally responding to your posts but I just don't have the energy to actually respond :innocent Hopefully I will find our camping trip relaxing, today and tomorrow I am running around trying to get all the things done for Sat. and we won't be back until Thurs. The men will be in charge of cooking which will be a nice break and I will be relaxing on the beach and in the water.

Had to add...Courtney, I'd say if you want the cocoa puffs...eat the cocoa puffs, I saw your picture and don't know what you could possibly be talking about re: weight :exclaim

[krnflwr]

Courtney,
like OakEmber said, eat the cocoa puffs and enjoy them! :) At least they are fortified, so not without some nutritional value, and the milk gives you calcium and protein. Rationalization will get you everywhere. :thumb
I have found my belly belt (support girdle dealiebob) to be invaluable lately. It was getting to the point where I could barely walk by the end of the day, and even w/ chiro adjustment, the hip (sciatic nerve) pain was intense. My belly just seems to pull and ache. Wearing the belly belt has made a HUGE difference. I'd recommend trying one out. Hopefully it will help you, too.
I do feel like Baby Cookie has just gone through a major growth spurt. I feel somewhat like a stuffed turkey. I wish we could grow taller as we gestate, make some more space.
I feel so cramped. Both physically and mentally. Like it's getting harder and harder to juggle all my roles. I'm worried about how hard it will be to adjust once the baby arrives. I know people have been doing this for eons, but I'm finding it hard to imagine in personal terms. I haven't been feeling too weepy lately, more like preoccupied and impatient. Snarky, too, at the drop of a hat. I'm ready for some of that glowing mother earth joyous feeling again.

[blessed2bamommie]

:banana I got a dipe!!!! A FLAM :love off the tp! Its fish and sand pails. Its perfect b/c we were talking about getting the baby a pail and dh was talking about a board and frisbee....:shake when we went to the beach for our 6th :bag: anniversary Sunday. The significance was lost on dh :eyesroll: but I knew that the pattern commerated the baby's first beach trip. (in utero) I'm soooooooooo psyched! I've been hangin out at diapering and the tp all day. I've visited the sites of the WAHMS who's lists I'm on. I reaaaaaaaaaaally needed some fluff! And now I have 7 dipes! :yikes: I've been buying a little at a time throughout pregnancy and then I got to buying mat clothes and somewhere in there got a soaker off the tp. I'm now at 7 mos and I only had 6 dipes and 3 covers I think. :eek MIL gave me some birthday money and of course, its for dipes and after showing her my stash the other day, when she mentioned that she used real diapers on dh, unbeknowst to him, :shake, I revealed I was using them too and how they'd changed. I showed her my stash yesterday and she went :nut! She :love them sooooooooo much and decided she wanted to change the baby with spb. She had me lay them out as I pulled them out and then she said buy $60 of dipes; because she doesn't shop online. She also told me I can't look at them. She wants to do something with them! :shrug This one is mine. I need to look at this one and pet it. I'll get those other dipes as soon as WAHMS stock. Here's the pic! http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&uid=2415568&gid=4808964& :love


:wave

[Lucysmama]

Has anyone else's baby gone through a major growth spurt?! The last couple day it seems there is no room left to move around in there, it feels like Oakley is taking up my whole uterus now...he must have gained a pound I swear! Things I could formerly do, like bend over are becoming a challenge now.


Me too! I feel like this baby is FILLING up my uterus now. I can't imagine it getting twice the size in the next 11 weeks. I feel things in my pelvis and up under my bra at the same time! I really feel huge.

Plus, my baby switched position a bit....still head-down, but now the butt is smushed against my belly, right above my navel. Its spine runs along my middle front belly. VERY uncomfortable. If you feel my tummy, you can feel this little hard round rump right under the skin!

I am getting SO tired. I have to sit down a lot, and by the end of the day I am totally wiped out. My back aches, my belly feels stretched out and a bit sore, and my pelvis feels heavy and full.

Ok, I guess that's enough complaining! I just can TOTALLY relate, OakEmber!!!!

[sqoya]

Thanks Ann and Piglet for reminding me of LaLeche Leage meetings! I nearly forgot that there's a meeting next Tuesday! I am so thrilled - from what I hear we have a great group here. Luckily, the 2 midwives also offer their assistance with breastfeeding, so between LLL and them, I'm hoping I'll figure it all without too much frustration!

Good advice, Piglet, about choosing a ped and knowing about C-sections. I think having a c-section is the one big fear I have about childbirth. I just hate hospitals and view c-sections as MAJOR surgery. If I had one, I think I would feel so guilty, no matter how necessary it was. I need to overcome that somehow.

Ann, did you buy frozen meals, or make them? I'm trying to think of what meals I could make myself. Probably lasagna, and um, ??? :confused:

Yep, the baby always seems to stop moving when my husband puts his hand on my belly. We joke that he puts the baby to sleep, and hopefully he has that same effect on the baby in 3 months!!! :)

[mirthfulmum]

I too am feeling so huge. Definately had a growth spurt here. I have noticed in the last week or so that quite a few of my maternity pants are either getting too small or that the elastic waist band is on the last few remaining buttons. I have a feeling that I'll be running to a couple of second hand maternity stores soon to pick up a few more pairs of pants. That and my shirts are getting so short. UHG! Why do they make the belly pannels on maternity pants so huge and the maternity shirts so short. It bugs me when the belly panel on my pants hangs out below my shirt. I know it's vain but hey, I've gained 20 punds so far, am constanly sweating like a pig and am chasing after a two year old. I just want to look nice and not have the belly pannel of my shirt hanging out. Ummmmm..... did someone mention hormones? Boy, anything will set me off lately.
Harrison has recently discovered what a good foot rest my rib cage is. He is small enough that he can move them in and out but I know the day is rapidly arriving that he will just push his little feet up under my ribs and leave them there. One of his favourite moves to do right now is to push on my pelvic bone and stick his little bum out as far as he can, all while stretching out his legs. It is probably one of the most uncomfortable experiences I have ever had. Having done this before I know that somehow they find a way to squeeze in there but it is hard to imagine that he's going to get bigger and stronger.

[Lucysmama]

One of his favourite moves to do right now is to push on my pelvic bone and stick his little bum out as far as he can, all while stretching out his legs. It is probably one of the most uncomfortable experiences I have ever had.

OMG, Mirthfulmum, my babe is doing that, too! I remember dd doing that towards the end of my last pregnancy too. Just when you are feeling SOOO full and pulled taut, the baby S T R E T C H E S its little limbs out! :eek I agree, that is SO uncomfortable!

[Jillerina]

Mirthful, I totally agree on the maternity shirt thing. It REALLY annoys me too.

I am right there with everyone else feeling big, hot, slow, tired, and sore. I feel like I did during the last weeks of my pregnancy with Clara! My pelvis feels so loose and stretched out, After a long walk I hurt for the rest of the day (and the day after too). Anyway, I could complain and complain but I do have some great news to add. I met my midwife yesterday and got a tour of the birthing house. It was awsome (the appointment and the tour), the house is a beautiful old presbitary all stone and wood. It is set up like a big ole house on the inside with offices downstairs for prenatal visits and birthing rooms upstairs. My midwife seems just great; she was super easy to talk to, very knowledgable and overall a nice woman.

Anyway, this weekend should be fairly quiet. DH and I will be taking DD to the zoo on Monday! We can't wait.

Have a great weekend gals and try to stay cool and comfortable!!

[mirthfulmum]

Jillerina - The birthing house sounds wonderful! And it's great that you like your midwife. Sounds like you are going to have a beatiful birth.

And I'm glad that I'm not the only one whose baby seems to be trying to push their way out thru some side exit. Alias was never this active. I think I'm going to really have my hands full with these two boys... can't wait!

[True Blue]

Yep we've had a growth spurt here too. Actually, a couple weeks ago, I grew 1 1/4 inches around in my belly in just 2 weeks!!! Our babies are now growing about 1/2 inch a week...isn't that amazing? Bending over is definitely getting more difficult, and this baby seems to move more than DS did. I haven't had any crazy stretching sensations really, but sometimes I feel really claustrophobic in my own body and can't breathe well.

I keep getting these urges to get things ready too...but in my head I still feel like it's a little too early. Like I want to wash all the dipes and buy baskets for them for the changing table...and I have to paint the changing table...and I want to wash all the newborn clothes from DS (lots of gender neutral stuff in there) and put them away....but I think 14 weeks is a bit early LOL.

We're trying to get DS into his own bed, and it is going ok. But I've decided now I'm going to have DH build a cosleeper like the Arm's Reach wooden one (that's like almost $300, yikes!! but we can build it for like $50) bc I'm a bit nervous about DS climbing into bed in the middle of the night and squishing the baby, or there being nowhere for me to safely lay the baby when he does come in to cuddle (we only have a queen).

Letia-- congrats on the FLAM score! :thumb Get shopping girl!! The Kissaluvs outlet stocked the other day....

[BlueMoonTime]

I've been trying to honestly reply to this post for several days now, and I find that I'm such an axious person that I can't even come up with my own dream-birth :(
As long as it goes as smooth as possible, and our baby comes out as healthy as she can be, that's what makes me happy...
And to all of you "medication-free" and homebirthing women: You Go Girls!!!
You all are my true heros! :D
*Niccole*

[mtnjenny]

Ouch! I haven't gotten to that rib-poking, limb-stretching stage yet I guess! Luckily, it stays relatively cool and dry where I live, but when I go to the "flatlands" I can feel that humidity...ugh.

I'm trying so hard not to dwell on the uncomfortable-ness. This has been a long time coming for DH and I (two ectopic pregnancies, two emergency surgeries, only one lonely tube left.) so in light of all that, all I can feel is SO thankful that all of this is happening- the good and the bad. That said, I've still got 3 months to go, getting bigger and bigger... But still, what so many people would give to be in our position!

(OT, all that history is also why we're doing the hospital-thing. After basically saving my life twice, we got to know them all - doctors were amazing and the nurses...all I can say is, angels!)

Mandi, I've been thinking about preparing frozen meals, too. I was thinking about lasagne, this yummy white-bean-chicken-chili that we love, enchiladas, maybe some banana bread...that's all I've thought of so far. Other kinds of soups and stews would be yummy and easy, too. Also, when Mom and MIL come to town from WI, we'll put them to work in the kitchen!

Happy Friday everyone!

P.S. Check out Kissaluvs website for their outlet, just ordered some size 0s - how fun!

[gottaknit]

Ahhhh!!!! It's going to be 100 degrees in Portland today! :scared

I know this is nothing to those of you in hotter parts of the country, but let me explain something: No one in Portland has air-conditioning. Including me. Only malls and offices and theaters have air conditioning.

Hot weather is absolute torture for web-footed Oregonians! I want my rain back!

[OakEmber]

Oh Nancy...hope you are planning on spending the day at the mall then! It's gonna be really hot here too (but about 5 degrees cooler) but thankfully I will be able to hide out in the house or go for a dip in the river to cool off.

Kaite- Thanks for pointing out that our babies are gonna double in size yet :mischief I had been conviniently forgetting that fact ;)

Know what makes you feel really far along?? The May 05 board is up, how is that possible...

Truebluexf- I too have been getting major nesting urges, and honestly I don't think I even had them with Ember! I too want to wash my CD and was wondering if it is too early...will they get all dusty between now and then? Then again, the more you wash them the more absorbant they become right, so maybe we should give into that urge only to rewash again closer to Oct :LOL I actually did some rearranging in the kids room the other day and paid for it for 2 days, not a good idea to be moving furniture around :exclaim
We are also thinking about building our own co-sleeper and I have in mind that it will be more of a sleeping space for Ember than Oakley as well. Then again, I am thinking about finding a way to make it more long term. About getting her to sleep in her own bed, I don't know if that's gonna happen anytime soon...I thought that maybe she was getting closer because the last couple days she has been talking about sleeping in there (on her own accord) and wanting to have a sleepover with Daddy in there (too cute) but we tried it out last night and there was no way, Daddy got the boot within minutes and she wanted Mommy ( :love ) but she wouldn't even sleep in there with me! She wanted the whole family together :)

It was so cute yesterday too...Ember and I were alone and she says "Mommy, do you think having a baby is going to be fun?" It was so sweet. Then later she was telling my mom about how big of a helper she'll be...she's gonna change diapers and everything ;) It was nice because then my mom and her had a conversation about how I was a big help when my sister came along (I was 6).

[Lucysmama]

Amie - Sounds like Ember is going to be a great big sister! Best wishes for a smooth transition! :)

MtnJenny - Sorry about all your difficulty getting/staying pregnant. It took us 1 year and 2 miscarriages to get pregnant with this baby. I feel kinda guilty about complaining too. I'm very grateful for this healthy pregnancy!

Jillerina - YAY! :banana So happy you like your midwife and birthing center! Have a great birth!

I feel like someone kicked me in my pubic bone. I guess the baby's head is pushing on it, cause it is SOOOOO sore. I woke up this morning and had to hobble into the bathroom. Dd and Dh and I were going to go hiking/camping this weekend, but I don't know if I am going to be up for it. :( We might have to do something less strenuous where not a lot of physical acivity is involved.

[gottaknit]

Katie - I've been having pubic bone pain a lot, too. It's so difficult now to stand on one leg while putting on clothes, getting in and out of the car, etc. Someone suggested to me it may be pubic symphisis disorder. He's a link.

http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/pubicpain.htm

(BTW, it has nothing at all to do with being "plus-sized" or not.)

I plan to ask my CNM about it at the next prenatal, on Tuesday. Hope you feel better soon! :)

[Piglet68]

27w4d

Hey everybody!

Letia: I can't believe "ye who scored a Blue Skies Fuz" is now, at this point, still only proud owner of 7 diapers, LOL. I've actually pretty much completed my stash. I'm just waiting for 2 Posie Patch covers and some small diapers, oh yeah and I have to get those backup prefolds before we move...but otherwise I'm done.

And I hear y'all on the nesting thing, although since we are moving there is nothing to do but wait. Still, I don't see why you can't start washing, folding, and loving those diapers now - as someone said, it's nice to get a few washings in to soften them up, especially if you are using prefolds.

Growth spurt: yup! I understand baby is about 2 pounds now - amazing that he will triple in weight before he's born!! I do feel huge, but so far still not restricted in my movement, just my overall level of stamina is down. Also, on days when I do data analysis I'm sitting in a chair for 8 hours and that is really hard on my butt. But it's also partially my own fault for not getting up and walking around every now and then - I get too caught up in my work!

Jillerina: your birthing center sounds so lovely - congrats!!

Hey, all you mamas talking about feet in the ribs and bums in the gut...how do you tell??? I was this way with Emily too - I just cannot picture what is what. I get some kicks up high, some in the middle, some low - I don't know what is hands or face. Last time I had to ask my OB at my checkups to tell me where she was, etc...I feel so lame compared to you guys!!

Courtney: eat those Cocoa Puffs. I, too, was thinking about your photo and that you needn't worry. I basically eat cereal every night before bed (organic honey nut o's...but let's not deny they are full of sugar!). I also eat a chocolate bar almost every day. Enjoy it! I, too, know it will come off after baby is born, although I'm pleased with my weight gain these days. I've gained a total of 23 pounds now, which is pretty much right on target for me. If I keep gaining a pound a week (which I've been doing so far) then I'll have gained 35 - my goal, and what I did last PG.

gottaknit: I can't imagine!! I'm from Vancouver, and I know how it is with the air (as in, nobody has it) - that's going to be a tough one!! We have had our A/C on for the last two nights as it's been quite warm here at night. We barely use it since we're just not used to A/C (and I get cold easily), but in Cleveland it is a "necessity"!

mtnjenny: so sweet to hear how hard you worked to get to this PG. While I am so very very thankful for each pregnancy, DH and I have not had any troubles conceiving. My heart goes out to those who do, and how very extra-special it must be! :hug

Hmmm, DD has been up late the last few nights and I was this close to saying to myself "That's IT, I'm weaning!". I'm not enjoying nursing lately. I used to like nursing her to sleep but lately we're going back and forth to bed and it's NOT comfortable! I can't wait to have milk in my breasts again: it feels so good to nurse when you are full, but my empty breasts are NOT having fun! Thank goodness she is mostly sleeping through the night without nursing these days.

Is anybody here having a hospital birth with a toddler at home who has never been away from you overnight? I'm starting to get really anxious about this. I had a good idea last night - when we get to Vancouver, I'm going to have DH start "attending" bath time, first as a spectator, then slowly having him participate with the hopes that he can take over. I have been bathing DD for the last year or so, and she won't let DH do it (I think mostly b/c he doesn't know the "routine"). I'm having a lot of faith that this will work. She doesn't mind him coming to visit us during bath time, so hopefully after a few weeks of this he can take over. I think with me being at home and with the baby, and him out working, it would be better if he could take over that duty.

I'm also really worried about nighttime. DD will not often be comforted back to sleep by Daddy, and if she does want milkies, she gets more and more distraught if she can't find them (she sort of half wakes and searches for the breast, muttering "milkies"...then if she can't find them, she wakes up more and more and gets more distressed). I don't know what we can do to prepare for this, and yet I don't want to just do it "cold turkey". Bad enough that she'll wake up without me there for the first time in her whole life, but then we won't be together much during the day since I'll be in hospital!! I'm just really starting to worry...this is going to be such a shock for her, and hard on both of us.

I just hope if I recover as fast as I did last time...I can probably check out the morning of day 3, so I only have to spend two nights in hospital...

Thanks for letting me vent my worries...for some reason this has just really been on my mind: I'm feeling horribly guilty for what I'm going to "do" to Emily by leaving all of a sudden. :crying

...there's those hormones again...(courtney your swimming story made me get weepy, too!!)

[Piglet68]

Okay, as if I haven't posted enough, Letia's diaper talk got me excited and I wanted to share my stash with y'all...

This is what I have:

newborn:

8 Loveybums sherpa fitteds
6 Nanipoos sherpa fitteds
2 Sugar Plum Baby hemp fitteds
4 Kind Hearted Women hemp fitteds
4 Bitty Buns cotton fleece fitteds
2 Baby Soft Wraps AIO
1 Hidden Pearl WIO (+3 shrpa/hmp skrs)
1 Snapdragons sherpa fitted
1 El Bee Baby xsmall hemp fitted (not here yet)
12 preemie CPFs (not here yet)

4 Loveybums PUL
4 Very Baby PUL
2 Snapdragons PUL
1 Hidden Pearl NZ wool soaker

Smalls:

3 Bottombumpers hemp fitteds
2 Sugar Plum Baby hemp fitteds
2 Baby Soft Wraps AIO (PUL + hemp)
6 Snapdragons hemp fitteds
expecting to get 12 El Bees in half small/half medium
12 infant prefolds (not here yet)

4 Loveybums PUL
1 Loveybums wool
2 Very Baby PUL
1 Bitty Buns night fleece
1 Bitty Buns day fleece
1 Hidden Pearl NZ wool soaker (pull-on)


I probably need more small dipes, but will likely make it up with some ME Sandy's. And I have about 2 dozen ME One-Size that may do the trick as well.

[blessed2bamommie]

Girl! I *know*! :yikes: I was just buying here and there and then I was almost in my third trimester!!! :bigeyes I can't believe it myself! :shake I've been buying maternity clothes on ebay and that soaker from the tp, layin low and then I am 3 mos from being due! :eek I got the FLAM off the tp yesterday and I feel better. Mil told me to buy $60 worth too and I have money from my birthday, so I can do $90 on her. I did a IDDSO on the tp today and I've been stalking it and ebay. And wanting someone who's group I'm in to stock. :( Berry Patch will stock only 7 smalls tomorrow; but, I need to get some nb first! I reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally don't want to use prefolds...but I guess I will before I use a sposie. :shrug And, like Katie, I wish that Candi would stock before baby is born. *sigh* But, yeah, I *think* I have....


4 sbps
1 mama made fairy
1 FF that Joaida send me last week for my birthday, er...for the baby
1 stacinator compliments of Joaida
the nb felted soaker from the tp
blue skies fuz easy
flam off tp on the way

smalls
fuz melon
fuz strawberry with seeds

I'm trying not to stress out b/c I'm such a planner. Wow! did my time run out!

This headache...I hate them. I don't get em.

Heartburn anyone? I've take waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more tums than I've *ever* wanted to. There's gotta be a better solution. :eyesroll: There's mineral oil and *talc* in them and I got the undyed!

[True Blue]

Oooh oooh my turn! Since I can't buy anymore I'll share!! :innocent

24 Kissaluvs 0's
1 Snapdragon
2 FLAM's
2 Nanipoos
1 FCB
2 Cuddlebuns newborn
3 Fuzzibunz xs
3 random from a consignment store

4-5 proraps newborn
4 fleece Stacinators
1 premie Bumpy
2 NB Bumpy's

As far as smalls go....kind of a mish-mosh of stuff left over from DS (it used to be lots of kissaluvs but when he outgrew them, I sold them unfortunately)...
2 Kissaluvs
9 one-sizes I made
1 CB
1 Muttaqins
1 FCB Nightlight

Lots of covers..
4 Featherlites
2 ME Airflows
1 Sugarpeas small
2 Bumpys
1 fleece Stacinator
1 wool Stacinator
There are more, I can't remember LOL...I HATE running out of covers and they always disappear on me!!

What I'd really like are some RB wool and/or fleece when we know the gender. :)

Maybe I WILL start washing soon...especially if it can keep me rom wanting to buy more, which I don't need to do!!! Must wait til I can buy fabrics and sew!!!

Piglet -- honestly, I had to nightwean DS well before I got pg, I just couldn't take it anymore...I kind of used a modified Dr Gordon method. It was rough for a few nights with some tears and such, but in the end it was better for us all. And I knew he was ok bc he was crying in my arms, etc and not alone.

[blessed2bamommie]

what a stash,Amy! I of course will be buying...maybe everybody's done and more for me! :D

I would like a RB wool shell too....:nod

[mirthfulmum]

Hey, all you mamas talking about feet in the ribs and bums in the gut...how do you tell??? I was this way with Emily too - I just cannot picture what is what. I get some kicks up high, some in the middle, some low - I don't know what is hands or face. Last time I had to ask my OB at my checkups to tell me where she was, etc...I feel so lame compared to you guys!!

Well I know that Harrison is head down because the midwife could feel his head just above my pubic bone at my last appointment a week or so ago. And when Harrison does his pushing thing I can feel a small point of pressure on my pubic bone, much to small for a head, and I feel a lot of pressure focused under one of my ribs. Since I know he's head down I'm pretty sure they're his feet (plus I felt the exact same thing with Alias and a late u/s confirmed that they were his feet). That combined with this small bum shaped bump that protrudes from the left/upper side makes me pretty sure of his positioning.

And yeah I'm nervous about leaving Alias when we go to the hospital. It'll be very hard but we are leaving him with friends so we know that he will be well cared for. Plus Alias is weaned so I fortunately don't have to worry about the nursing element.

[Lucysmama]

THANK YOU Nancy, for posting that link about PSD! Unfortunately, it describes to a T what I have been going thru lately. :( I've gotta get my butt back to the chiropractor! Hopefully I can do something about it!

Piglet -- my MW showed me which position the baby was in just a week ago, and how to feel for what. She showed me what the butt feels like, and what the head feels like, etc. And as fas as knowing which side the baby is laying on, try this: lay back on your back in bed. Push down firmly on both sides of your belly from your ribs down to your pelvis. One side should feel "fuller" than the other, which is the mass of the baby's torso. The other side will feel less full, and maybe a bit lumpy, because that is where the limbs are. You also will feel more kicks on the less full side cause the feet are over there. Sometimes I feel kicks/punches right in the middle of my right side, and I don't really know if those are from the baby's arms or legs, but mainly I feel stuff either very high (feet) or low by my pelvis (hands). Hope that helps a little!

Oooh, I can't wait to share my stash! I am still in the process of putting pics of it onto a website, and I will post the link.

Letia- I don't think Candy will stock BBH again while we are still pregnant. She took a bunch of customs a few months ago, and she is running REALLY behind. I am one of the last people on the custom list, and she just emailed me to tell me it would be several months before my order is completed. So, I changed the newborn AIOs I ordered to smalls. So keep your eyes peeled on the TP for some! I was lucky enough to score a few and they are great. I loved them for dd, too. BBH rocks!

[flitters]

hi! happy friday!

first off, thanks to all those who sent my dog deek their good wishes. we got the pathology results yesterday and are so relieved. the mast cell tumor was low grade, stage 1 and the surgeon got it out with very clean, wide margins so it's about 90% chance it will never come back. deek is doing great and hardly seems to notice the 4" incision and 11 big pink stitches on his side. i get all mushy thinking about how relieved we are.

:hug to all those who are feeling uncomfortable. i really don't have any complaints right now, except for an inflamed taste bud which has nothing to do with pregnancy. well, maybe i was extra hungry and eating furiously so i bit my tongue. :p

had a great 26 week appointment with our midwife today. everything looks wonderful, right on track. baby was kind of sitting in my left uterus today. it moves around so much still. just last night it was so far to the right my belly got all uneven and i think i felt its butt sticking out of my side. i haven't felt the big stretches yet but i suspect they'll come along with the too full feelings and kicks in the ribs once i'm a bit further along.

the belly panel thing bugs me too. my main pants are a pair of jeans that just have a thick elastic waist. they are so comfy and i love them. i also inherited a couple pairs of full panel pants / shorts and i gave up on trying to cover the panel with my shirts. the funny thing is that i don't like how the panel feels on my skin so i also fold it down under my tummy which looks extra ridiculous.

although my pants situation is less than optimal, i LOVE :love reading about everyone's diapers! we are going to start out with a service so we don't have too much yet. the plan is to try stuff to figure out what we like and then probably start washing ourselves. now we just have maybe 8 covers, 2 dipes and 1 AIO. of course, i bought 3 covers in the wrong size (i got small litewraps instead of newborn and they are big) so i need to at least get those in the proper size.

gosh, i want to reply to everyone individually but i really need to get back to work and finish reading these last 20 pages.

also, sorry for not having joined the yahoo group yet. i'm a bit slow with some things. i feel very close with you guys anyway.

:grouphug

[AnnR33]

Flitters-so glad to hear your good news-after all-pets are part of our families too! :hug

Diapers...don't get me started...I have 3 lg rubbermaid totes full and just got a few more in a swap today-I seriously have to weed things out. I'm covered on all sizes but for newborn I have:
20 Kissaluvs 0
1 doz premie UBCPF
4 Liz's Cloth size 1-these may be big until 12 lbs
about 10 various wahm AIOs
about 6 various newborn fitteds
6 NB proraps
2 NB Biobottoms wool covers
2 NB cotton Nikky covers
2 NB wahm covers
lots of fleecetopped doublers
I don't even think I'll use this stash for long since this babe will probably be close to 9lbs-I have a full small stash though so no worries-mostly AIOs (Baby Softwraps, BBH, Bumkins)since I'm lazy.

I carried the first 2 transverse (sideways) until 36-38 wks so no surprise at my appt this week that the dr said this baby is transverse now. Not worried though-I got the other 2 to turn down so knock on wood...

Have a great weekend everyone!
Ann

[stanleymama]

Well this is my last night of my second trimester and I couldn't be happier :) I am ready for my third to start tomorrow. Yesterday I had a prenatal check. Every time my np would find him to check the heartbeat, he would move just as she put it on my tummy. Then when she finally found him he kicked it--it was pretty funny. She and I both started laughing. He is getting more and more active, especially since I posted my concern of his lack of movement a couple weeks ago. Well it is a whole new deal now and I love it!!

We are leaving Monday to go up to dh's sisters in northern Minnesota. He has the week off so we are going to crash and relax with the inlaws. They own a cozy home on a beautiful lake. Will be a fun week of boating and tubing--I am really looking forward to getting away. I may still be able to check in with you all. SIL has a computer so I will try to hop on and say hi to everyone.

CourtneyandLogan--you just keep on eating those coco puffs--you look really good. I have no idea what your midwife was seeing.

Ok--I am off to bed. Hoping to get a good nights' sleep tonight :fingersx:

[bluehalo]

29 weeks (as of Saturday) ...

about having a hospital birth and a toddler at home ... well, I guess Ethan isn't quite a toddler anymore, but I'm still a bit worried about the transition for him. We've talked about what will happen, and he's expressed some frustration that he won't be able to be with DH and I the entire time we're in the hospital. I explained that sometimes it takes a baby quite a long time to be born, and depending on what time of day it is, he may or may not be able to be there for the actual birth. We talked about how it's a lot of hard work for me, and that Daddy will need to be able to focus on helping me, etc. etc. He'll be staying w/ my mom and dad, which he usually loves and jumps any any opportunity ... but I'm guessing it's anxiety about the whole new-baby-thing, plus excitement to miss anything adding up to him being not too thrilled with the idea of being away from me.

I have my dipes packed up in rubbermaid for the moment (I had them all spread out across the guest bed so I could admire them periodically, and go fondle them when I was getting the urge to buy something new :LOL ... but I've since packed them up until we bring up the dresser/changing table from the basement). So, I don't know exact numbers, but I'll try to give a general idea of my stash ...

aprox. 18 newborn/xsmall fuzzibuns w/ hemp inserts
2 dozen preemie prefolds, hand dyed by me :)
snappis
a handful of NB wool wraps, misc. PUL wraps/covers, and the sweetest little wool soaker and pair of longies you've ever seen.
aprox. 12 various fitted NB diapers

~18 various fitted small diapers
~6 various wraps (both wool and PUL) and covers
~2 dozen infant prefolds (still need to dye these, it's *so* fun!)
~18 small FuzziBunz w/ hemp inserts

Hoping to knit up a few small soakers before baby comes. I'm 1/2 way through my first soaker, and I think it will be at least wearable, if not a work of art :)

[gottaknit]

OK, brace yourselves. There is a serious :rant: coming on. Feel free to skip this if you don't want to hear a grumpy, hot, pregnant lady rant. ;)

I just got off the phone with my sister, who is six years older than me. We've always been pretty close, but this pregnancy is driving a wedge between us and it makes me a little sad. She is unmarried, but has been living with the same guy who makes her miserable for almost 10 years now. Early on in their relationship she got pregnant and had an abortion. She's been waiting ever since for him to make a commitment, but well, it'll never happen. Pretty classic story. Her "window of opportunity" to have children is basically closed / quickly closing. It's made her very bitter and it's very frustrating for the entire family (dump him already!)

So she just read some article in some stupid women's magazine (Fitness or Glamour or whatever) that was very pro-elective C-section. The reasoning behind this was because the author's first delivery had been a classic hospital horror story: epidural and hours of labor flat on her back, followed by episiotomy, forceps, vaccuum suction, and finally c-section. The poor woman had all sorts of complications that eventually led to reconstructive surgery on her colon (?!?!), and she and her DH couldn't have sex for a year, blah blah blah. So this woman decides with baby number two that childbirth is barbaric and that everyone should just have a C-section without even attempting a vaginal birth. That was the take-home-message of the story. Don't even try.

My sister said she never knew that having a baby was so horrible and told me I shouldn't even attempt it and should just schedule a C-sec now. :splat (I'm planning a homebirth with a midwife.) Oh yeah, and if I attempt to endure this barbarism at home, I'm going to die.

As an aside, I want to mention that I think C-sec can be a wonderful life-saving medical procedure, and I know some of you are planning to have one for medical reasons. I am really not trying to be offensive or denigrate your decision. It's the idea that women shouldn't even try to give birth vaginally that offends me about this article.

Anyway, my sister went on to ask if we plan to co-sleep, because guess what, the baby will die of SIDS if we do. And she thinks having a baby would be horrible for the husband because he gets ignored for months and I'm going to be so tired afterwards and breastfeeding will "ruin my breasts".... And on and on and on....

Sometimes I can't believe we even came from the same family. :tsk

[Lucysmama]

Nancy, what a bummer! I am so sorry you had to deal with that! Your sister obviously doesn't have the facts on her side and is talking from a place of ignorance on the subjects. I know family fights can be SO stressful. :hug to you.


I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's diaper stash lists! I finally put (most) of mine in the album, and here it is:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=4485945&uid=2262189&members=1

If you click on a pic, it will show you a larger version! I am still waiting on a few things, and I am looking to get about 10 more fitteds in small and newborn sizes. :)

[gottaknit]

Katie, your diapers are the cutest!!! And so is your daughter!

I took pictures of my dipes tonight and plan to put together a little show-and-tell, too. There aren't very many, though. Only 9. (My mom is getting us diaper service for the first few months.) But get this, I counted tonight and I have 45 wipes from about 10 different WAHMs!! Is that excessive? This will be one very clean, if naked, baby. :LOL

I just talked to DH and vented about my sister. I feel better now. I shouldn't have ranted so much. :innocent Mostly it just makes me sad. DH pointed out that my being married and pregnant is probably really hard on her, and maybe these birth horror stories make her feel better about missing out on it.

Glad to hear everyone else is nesting, too. I've had all sorts of weird urges lately. I wake up in the middle of the night in a semi-panic that we don't have anything yet (except 45 wipes! :laugh: ) Can we make that next week's QOTW? "What have you done to prepare for the baby so far?"

[Lucysmama]

Nancy -

I don't think 45 wipes is excessive at all!!! Cause really, you will use them for SO much, so often. At least we did. When the baby spits up all over you, when the baby drools on your clean dress, when you have to sneeze and it's the only thing you can reach quickly...we used ours constantly! I think we had 35 or so when we started which was OK, but the dryer ate half of them! :LOL We are down to around 20 and I definitely don't think that is enough!

:hug Glad you feel abit better! Feel free to vent away, that's what we are here for.

:irked: <--This is me. I have UTI symptoms again, so I am using a shot glass to do shots of unsweetened cranberry juice with Uva Ursi. (an herb for urinary health) It's the only way I can get it down! Hopefully I can get on top of this one quickly!

Ok, time for me to go to bed! It's 1:30 am here. :eyesroll

[Court]

Sorry you're getting those UTI symptoms again Katie, I hope it resolves quickly, that sucks.

Um, we just bought a window unit A/C from Sears tonight since it was 103 today, and after we spent 2 hours trying to install it in the window, we find out it's busted inside. I've been sobbing for like 30 minutes now, cause everything is closed. Apparently Wal-marts aren't 24 hrs here in Portland. I'm gonna kill someone at Sears. I feel like I'm suffocating. I barely slept at all last night because of the heat.

For the record (re: my rant about weight gain), I don't care what I look like, even my midwife said I looked fine, it's just that I've gained 20 pounds in 9 weeks, instead of say 10. And I'm currently eating Cocoa Crispies, instead of puffs. :) Anyways, I'd just like to slow it down to 1 pound a week, that's all, otherwise I'll be a whale by the end of this.

I'm a bit envious of everyone's stashes. I don't have any extra money lately to buy diapers. I'm not even sure if we're gonna buy newborn ones, since my babies tend to get to 20 lbs in like a couple weeks. There's a store in town that sells Kissaluvs, so I think I'll probably get some from there in a month or two. I must admit I love disposibles. :hide: Though I did use prefolds and covers w/ Logan for the few months before he potty trained.

Piglet-I've had a lot of the same worries and concerns as you about my little nursling. I also can't wait to have my milk back. Logan has been pretty understanding though, all in all. Once my milk vanished, he stopped night nursing. He's actually content to cuddle instead, which blew my mind at first. It was rough for a while, but I just had to tell him it hurt me and offer him a substitute. Even if it didn't really hurt, it just made me want to jump out of my skin. I keep plenty of water by the bed, cause most times he's just thirsty. I always give him water or juice before every nursing session, which helps tremendously, cause he's not so ravenous. I'm just rambling incoherently though. I have a feeling Emily will come through all of this just fine.

I'm off to throw bricks at Sears. ;)

[ameliabedelia]

26 weeks 1 day (STILL not in the third trimester)

Well, I haven't been keeping up much. We have been sooo busy and stressed here. We are having a huge moving sale this weekend, (yesterday and today), and basically selling all our stuff. So, far we have done pretty well, and I am fairly pleased about the money we have made and things we have sold. But, it is a pain. Then we are moving on the 30th and driving 20 hours to my parents house where we will stay for about 2 weeks until DH gets a job (he is a teacher, so he should find something by the middle of Aug) and then find a new place to stay and move again! Aaargh!

I am jealous of you all with your newborn dipe stashes. I haven't bought anything for this babe. Mostly because we can't afford it. All the newborn or small diapers I have were given to me. I have tons of prefolds, more than enought of those and about 18 covers/AIOs. I am going to wait and see what else people give us before we buy anything, so I won't be buying diapers for quite some time! But, I am pretty proud of myself for resisting the temptation to buy! We are really trying to save our money and be very frugal, so I am not making any purchases and really bargain hunting and shopping. The only thing I am torn about is I want a new wraparound carrier. I know someone else said that they are harder to learn, but I love they way they look, and I love my Kozy (which is kinda similiar so much). I know I can learn it easily enough. It is the only thing I feel really secure with a baby in. I know a good carrier is worth it's weight in gold, and I want something I can nurse easily in, and be totally and competely hands-free. I have an OTSBH, but I could never wear it while doing anything besides shopping or just walking around. It wasn't hands-free, I always felt I needed one hand on the baby, but the wraparounds look sooo secure, and I know I will be wearing this babe a lot more than DD, since I will also have a 2 1/2 old to chase around. I am torn between the Moby and http://www.mamakangaroo.com/poswrap.htm. The Moby seems to be cheaper, but I am not sure because the MamaKangaroo site is Canadian and the prices are Canadian dollars. I know that an item will be more Canadian dollars than American dollars. How does it work when you buy something from Canada?

[Jillerina]

Oh Courtney - I feel your pain. I hope you made it through the night with a little bit of rest at least. I hope youve already been to Sears and exchanged your AC unit by now and are languishing in the cool air.

Flitters, great news on your dog!

Gottaknit, it really is amazing who we share genetic material with isn't it? My sisters and I are pretty much on the same page when it comes to most things but I've heard many stories similar to yours in other families.

Wowza diapers ladies!!! We are going to cloth diaper this babe only when s/he fits into the "one sized" fitteds we have. Probably won't take more than a few weeks and the truth is I love the convenince of disposables. DD is in them now since she has grown out of the ones we have and I'm not really feeling energetic enough to do extra laundry these days anyways. I felt really guilty at first but now I'm ok with it. We did CD exclusively for a year and will probably do it for longer with this one (I didn't start with DD until she was 7 months).

I am also suffering from extreme pelvic pain. It has been gettting worse and worse over the last week but the last few days have been ridiculous. Getting up and taking my first few steps is excrusiating, I waddle like I'm 42 weeks pregnant and it just plain hurts. I find first thing in the morning is best and then by about 11am I am hurting so much I have to lay low for the rest of the day. We're supossed to be going to the zoo on Monday and I'm really not sure if I'll be able to walk for the whole day... I want a stroller for ME!

I never answered the QOTW this week...my dream birth is pretty generic in terms of natural childbirth. My biggest dream/hope is that I make it to the birthing centre in time! My last labour was 4 hours long from beginning to end (it was an induction however) and I know my mother had VERY fast labours. I just want to be comfortably installed in the house with a midwife in attendance while I go through transition. I want lots of support and guidance and everything else that comes with it!

OK, computer time is up.

Enjoy your weekend ladies.

[mirthfulmum]

flitters - Happy to hear your dog's going to be okay.

Courtney - Ugh! How frustrating! I hate it when stuff like that happens. I hope you've gotten your replacment air conditioner by now and are reasonably cool.

ameliabedelia - For the Can/US exchange rate check out this link (http://www.xe.com/ucc/). But double check that they do in fact ship to the states. There are different laws in regard to child product safety in each country making most baby items illeagal to ship across the boarder.

Nancy - Don't worry about your wipe collection. I don't think you could ever have enough wipes. You will be shocked by what a huge mess someone so little can create. And I totally agree with your Dh. It sounds like your sister is just trying to make herself feel better for not having the husband and baby that you do. By thinking that having a baby is a total nighmare she gets to feel better about missing her chance to have one.

Katie - Oh no! Not another one! You take good care of yourself and I'll be sending healthy vibes your way. :hug

Jillerina - I'm so sorry you're having so much pain. It sounds terrible. Is this something that you have to just ride out or is there a chance a chiroprator or massage could help? :hug

Well it's another sweltering day here and I'm going to be trapped inside working on a paper all day. I'm going to try to be good but I have a feeling that I'll be spending a good chunk of time lurking on the board today.

[gottaknit]

Wow Amelia, that sling is something! The how-to at the beginning is a little intimidating, but once it's on it looks so secure and comfortable. It covers so much skin you almost wouldn't even need to wear a shirt! :LOL

Courtney, doesn't this weather just bite? I spent over an hour last night wandering around our tiny neighborhood Trader Joe's just because it was air-conditioned. They kept asking me if I was finding everything OK. :LOL Today I plan to hit the movie theater. I'll watch anything at this point just to keep cool! Is Maria Full of Grace out yet? Anyone seen it?

BTW, where in Portland can you buy cloth diapers? Just what I need, another dangerous temptation! ;)

I forgot to answer the QOTW, too. My dream birth will hopefully come true. It sounds pretty similar to a lot of others. At home, only my midwife, doula, and DH present (the dogs are being sent to a friend's house while I'm in labor!). No yelling to push, no panic, no episiotomy (please, God). Laboring and birthing however feels most comfortable and productive. (I'm considering getting a kiddie pool.) After the baby is born just relaxing a bit with DH and the little one, and eating a big yummy meal! :) Hopefully no visitors for a day or two....

[stanleymama]

:carrot :banana :carrot :banana I'm doing the 3rd trim. dance-care to join?

[Lucysmama]

:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

[stanleymama]

HEEELLLLOOOOO 3rd trimester!!!!

Gottaknit--sorry about your sis. I am sure she is just struggling with feelings of envy and jealousy and it is coming out this way.

So last night I didn't get my good night of sleep. After going to bed at midnight I woke up at 2:30am. with a HORRIBLE tummy ache which then ended with me running to the bathroom twice to :Puke I still feel a bit blah today and tired. So I am hoping my oldest two will nap so that I can nap too.

Later:)

[stanleymama]

Oh and OakEmber your package is in the mail and on its way. I forgot to include wash instructions so if you have a question just pm me. Have a great time on your camping trip:)

[krnflwr]

27w4d
Is anybody here having a hospital birth with a toddler at home who has never been away from you overnight? I'm starting to get really anxious about this.
I'm also really worried about nighttime. DD will not often be comforted back to sleep by Daddy, and if she does want milkies, she gets more and more distraught if she can't find them (she sort of half wakes and searches for the breast, muttering "milkies"...then if she can't find them, she wakes up more and more and gets more distressed). I don't know what we can do to prepare for this, and yet I don't want to just do it "cold turkey". Bad enough that she'll wake up without me there for the first time in her whole life, but then we won't be together much during the day since I'll be in hospital!! I'm just really starting to worry...this is going to be such a shock for her, and hard on both of us.

Piglet, this is our story to a "t". Hannah has only once in her entire life fallen asleep w/o me right next to her, and almost never w/o nursing. I don't know how to begin to intergrate DH into our bedtime routine, as he is missing the crucial boob factor. And both DD and DH get frustrated so easily and give up or start wailing, which is why I've been doing bathtime and bedtime routine solo for the past 32 months. I'm so worried about what is going to happen w/ me in the hospital.
Any tips, suggestions, advice would be most appreciated!

[Court]

My dh ended up opening up that broken AC and rigging it to work for a little bit, after much pleading from me. It looked like it had been chopped in half (including the fan). Someone must have dropped it along the way. Anyways, he got all his tools out, plus some extra metal and screws (and duct tape ofcourse) and rigged that piece of junk to actually work. So, we all huddled in the bedroom and cooled off. Though in the middle of the night, it woke me up making strange loud sounds, so we turned it off and went back to fans. What sucks, is dh had to work today (they made it madatory), so we haven't been able to exchange it yet (cause I sure as hell can't haul that thing around). But I did manage to get some sleep. Getting comfortable seems more a problem to me now. I wish they made beds w/ big belly holes in 'em so I could sleep on my stomach.

Nancy- yes this weather bites, but today is the last day of the record heat, thankfully. I spent 3 hours at the mall yesterday trying to cool off. I was also thinking about movies too, I've never heard of the one you mentioned. If I go, I'm pretty much limited to Shrek 2, due to the company I keep. :) The store I mentioned is over on 21st and Clinton in that little shopping area. I *think* it's called Organic Baby, if not then something really similar. They have tons of different cloth diapers and covers and slings, etc. It's all normal price, so no deals to be had. But still, I was drooling. Those kissaluvs are sooo soft. They also have fuzzibunz I believe.

I'm so sorry to those of you w/ pelvic pain, that sounds so awful. I know I have tailbone and hip pain, but I don't think it's the same.

Gonna go make sure the *little A/C that could* hasn't exploded. (I turned it on again :) )

[krnflwr]

Heartburn anyone? I've take waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more tums than I've *ever* wanted to. There's gotta be a better solution. :eyesroll: There's mineral oil and *talc* in them and I got the undyed!

Yup, I have like constant heartburn, esp starting right around 4 pm. Milk products help somewhat. Water and crackers just make it worse, oddly enough. I eat Tums like they are candy. I mean, like 10 a day. I definitely am getting enough calcium. Haven't found anything else that helps like the tums do.
Old wives' tale says that if you have heartburn, the baby will have lots of hair. Very true for me, preg w/ Hannah. She had (and still has) a full head of thick, thick hair. Wannabe, maybe your baby won't be a cue ball baldy, then.
;)

[Jillerina]

I'm waiting for the heartburn to kick in! I had it really bad with my last pregnancy I'm just assuming I'll have it again but so far so good! I don't remember when it started last time but I certainly feel like it had already started by 29 weeks (where I am now).

By the way Clara did NOT have piles of hair as birth, very little in fact so the old wives tale didn't work in our case!

[sqoya]

Any other first-time Mamas thinking this may also be their last? My DH and I always wanted to have one baby, adopt one baby. I've waited so long to get pregnant, and it seems to be going by so fast! It makes me sad to think this may be my only pregnancy!

I thought I was the only one excited about diapers!!! So far we have 36 kissaluvs, and plan on using prefolds after that with Prowraps, Bumpy Wool Covers, and Aristrocrats for night-time use.

Gottaknit, I'm so sorry about your sister. I can't believe she would be so inconsiderate! My in-laws are really uncomfortable with the birth center, co-sleeping, even cloth dipes (they won't even buy them for us). Last night I was crying about the lack of support I'm getting, and my DH really helped me through it. I'm beginning to realize that I shouldn't feel the need to justify our decisions. WE need to be happy with our decisions, since WE'RE living with the consequences. No matter how I rationalize it though, I still feel very sad about not having supportive family. Baahhhh!

Mtnjenny - I hadn't thought about freezing soups. I'll try that! We love this brown rice waffle recipe, and it freezes really well, you can just toast them (like Eggos, I guess)! Healthy, quick breakfast or snack.

I'm at work this weekend since my DH is still painting