week of July 26

[Piglet68]

October Mamas Roll Call :belly

momtol&a
Yoga mama
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...? or will it be Zappa! :)
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

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

Question of the Week: (I thought of a good one this time!)...do you notice a pattern to your baby's active/quiet times with respect to time of day?

With Emily, we began to notice that she was always active around 9:30 - 10 pm at night, but not until late in the mornings. Turns out she was like this after she was born: didn't go to sleep until around 11 pm, but rarely woke before 8:30.

Well, Sasha seems to be following the same pattern in the womb, and I'm really hoping this means he'll be like that when he's born :1praying:

Emily's baby schedule worked great for me (I'm so NOT a morning person), plus since Emily now goes to bed around 8 pm and gets up around 7:30, this would allow for enough overlap that I can work on bedtime separately, rather than trying to put them both down at once!

So....any of you notice regular active times? Those of you with previous children: did their movements in the womb predict their early sleep/wake patterns?

Discuss! :love

[Lucysmama]

QOTW:
My baby is up pretty much when I am. I rarely get woken up by kicks and such. So, I guess the baby sleeps from 1am to around 10am, with a nap in the afternoon when I sleep. Or at least he/she is very quiet when I nap. The most active period of the day seems to be from 10pm-1am. I finally sit down after getting dd to sleep, and the baby "checks in" with me by rolling/tumbling/kicking for a while. It's nice. :) Dd and dh are usually asleep, so it's just me and the belly hanging out.

I remember dd was ALWAYS up in the middle of the night in utero. She still has sleep issues and gets up in the middle of the night. In 30 months, she has slept thru the night maybe 6 or 7 times. :eyesroll She was very active in utero, and she is very active in life. She talks all night in her sleep, rolls and flops around, gets up to pee, etc. She is just not a good sleeper at all. So it really held true for us. :)

[momadance]

Hey my fellow big belly mama's!
QOTW: This little man is super active. He pretty much moves around whenever I'm not! Miles didn't move all that much. (boy has that changed ;) )

I've been feeling pressure super low! I think I may have overdone it on my mom's launchpod. It's a water trampoline with a slide. I turn into such a kid when I get around my family.

little vent: my dad died of alcoholism when I was 16 yo. MY mom left him when I was just a babe. I've noticed in the past couple years whenever I go home my stepdad and mom party WAYYYYYYYY too much. It's really not too cool, and gets super annoying, oh and they really think their cool lighting up ciggerettes. It makes me not want to hang out with them. :eyesroll

Why can't they just act like grownups? I still have little brothers they need to be focussing on/

[stanleymama]

Hey mamas!!! I am getting us ready for our trip up north. It will be soooo nice to get out of town.

QOTW: Its kind of hard to remember with the other 3. With this babe he wakes up a little in the morning, some in the afternoon, then evening he starts boogy-ing away till I lay down to go to bed. He must sleep when I do because I never feel him after I go to sleep and he is pretty quiet in the early morning. If I am really busy in a day, on my feet a lot, I don't feel much. I guess they all have been active in the evening. Aidan was the most active in utero and he still is my most active one.

[Lucysmama]

little vent: my dad died of alcoholism when I was 16 yo. MY mom left him when I was just a babe. I've noticed in the past couple years whenever I go home my stepdad and mom party WAYYYYYYYY too much. It's really not too cool, and gets super annoying, oh and they really think their cool lighting up ciggerettes. It makes me not want to hang out with them. :eyesroll

Why can't they just act like grownups? I still have little brothers they need to be focussing on/

Ummm....momadance, we have the same life! :LOL My dad died when I was 17, and my mom and her SO also party really hard. Smoking, drinking, etc around my little brothers (ages 13 and 17) and around my dd. :angry My stepdad will roll a joint and light it up in front of my dd. I don't care that he smokes pot, but come on! There's a time and a place for that, and it is NOT while my 2 year old is over. We don't hang out with them much anymore cause they just are not good influences on my dd.

So let's see....
-We both are due in October with second babies
-Both having homebirths
-Both have toddlers
-Both Phish fans
-Both have houses on the Great Lakes
-Both had breastfeeding probs the first time around
-And the aforementioned family similarities.
-Both young-ish mamas.
-Parents both split when we were young
-Lost our dads as teenagers

Weird. Wish you were closer, we have a lot in common, I'm sure we'd be great friends! :love

[gottaknit]

QOTW: I could set my watch by this baby! It wakes up at the same time every morning (about half-way through my breakfast), and stays active most of the morning. Then has a spurt of energy right after lunch and a nap until dinner. Within five minutes of starting dinner he's at it again, naps after dinner, and then at exactly 10:05 every night the kung-fu kicking starts. Sometimes he's so active at night it makes me laugh out loud and wakes DH up (my laughing, not the kicking!) :D

I find I'm feeling very attached to the little bugger already. Like it has a little personality in there and I can't wait to see if that's what it's really like in person. It gets really active when DH and I are having a one-on-one conversation, which makes me wonder if it recognizes our voices already. (It doesn't do this when I'm talking to coworkers or random people.)

[momadance]

Lucysmama :love :hug
You gave me goose bumpys!

and just to add to your list, my bros are 11 and 17
and I think both of our dh's are in school!

[Piglet68]

29 weeks!

gottaknit: you'll have to remember this and we'll see if it holds true after baby is born!

Hmmm, suddenly I can't think of anything to say.

Momadance, I love your sig!!

[Lucysmama]

Momadance, I love your sig!!


Me too! It makes me wanna belt out, "FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" (It's a from a Phish song.)

[Court]

This baby is pretty active at night, like most fetuses I guess. He also likes to kick the crap out of Logan while I'm cuddling w/ him trying to get him down for his nap. He seems to sleep all night while I sleep though, unless I just don't notice it. He's only woken me up once when he jabbed me really hard in a ticklish area. I was having a nightmare (leftover from childhood) that I was being attacked by some kind of tickle monster, so I woke up screaming and thrust myself on my belly to stop the attack. Then I realized what was really happening.

This baby seems not as crazy as Logan was in utero, which is good. Logan's patterns were the same though, and he had his days and nights mixed up for quite a while after he was born. The baby does this thing that Logan did too in utero - when I lay on my side to go to sleep, if it's a side not to his liking, he'll dance and dance- kicking the bed through me. So I have to change sides so he'll calm down.

[AnnR33]

Hey mamas! Hope you're all feeling well!
QOTW: This babe is consistent, that's for sure-around 7am, 5 or 6pm, 10pm-very active times-lost of kicking now and even some flip flops I think LOL My son can actually see he/she move now so he thinks that's very cool.

I'm sure you're tired of hearing it-BUT-this is IT! We move this week :) YIPPEE
We fly out Saturday so if you don't hear from me next week you'll know why...

Embarassing question-anyone have any "accidents" lately? :blush I swear I have no bladder control lately and I started laughing at a friend's house and thank goodness for the panty liner cuz I was like an excited puppy dribbling all the way to the bathroom :LOL
I really must do those Kegals!!!!
Ann

[flitters]

hi mamas!

i hope you all had wonderful weekends! most of you are already in your third trimester, but by the end of this week all of our october group (including us late monthers) will be too! yay!

good QOTW piglet! :)

i notice some patterns, but i think the sleep wake cycles are more related to what i'm doing than to the time of day and my schedule is pretty variable. the babe is almost always active an hour or so after i eat. i also usually have periods of activity in the evening when i settle down and also about half an hour after i work out. i do notice the baby moving around a lot during the night... sometimes it just invades my dreams and other times it gently wakes me. the baby is very squirmy still and has lots of room to move around. in fact, i think it just woke up again.

are most of you feeling kicks in the ribs yet? i'm not but i expect to in the next couple weeks. i'm very curious about that legendary sensation!

let's see...

my bladder control is still fine but i do squeeze extra tight (like a major kegel) if i'm going to sneeze or if i'm laughing really hard just to be sure i don't spring a leak (cause it feels like i might sometimes!). i'm pretty good about doing kegels, i did them before pregnancy too so it wasn't a big deal, but i've never particularly liked how they feel.

and thank you all who sent my dog deek such good wishes about his surgery. he's doing well but we are a bit worried as another small lumpy has developed in the last couple days near the incision... we're very hopeful it's just something to do with the surgery and not another tumor. that seems like it would have developed awfully quickly, especially considering they felt the original tumor was so well differentiated. next week he has his follow up and we'll know more then. we're kind of worried but trying not to get ahead of ourselves. deek certainly feels fine.

[ameliabedelia]

26 weeks,

QOTW: My experience is like momdance's. DD was really quiet in utero. She seemed to not move much at all. I was really worried about her and was always doing those kick counts. She seemed to only move a few times a day. And, as a newborn and baby she was very quiet as well. She was a pretty sleepy newborn, probably slept at least 20 hours a day.

This babe is totally different. She moves whenever I am not moving, evertime I sit down or lie down, she starts to move. She especially seems to move a lot after I eat, I guess the food just kicks her up. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to it, just that she moves when I am sitting down or quiet.

Ann, we are moving this week too! We leave on Sat. But, we are driving. I have have to drive 1000 miles myself, while DH drives the other car 1000 miles by himself. What a pain!

I also have super leakly bladder. NOOOOO bladder control whatsover, every time I cough or sneeze, out it goes It is soooo annoying. And, I don't wear pantyliners, because I hate wearing them, they just seem to be something you wear on your period and I am PREGNANT. So, instead I just change my underwear a lot! LOL

[momadance]

Lemme just say since we're on the topic MOVING SUCKS!!!!
Sorry to be negative, but that's how I'm feeling today. I don't think we'll ever get into the house :eyesroll

bladder control: I'm ok, except right after I pee, I seem to leak a little as soon as I stand up, pretty irritating.

flitters: no kicks in the ribs yet! THank goodness!

Piglet: thanks on the siggy! I labored with Miles to the cd which the track those lyrics come from, (and of course Miles Davis "someday my prince will come) it's so fitting! The rest of the words are

FREE
I'm floating in the blimp a lot
I feel the feeling I forgot
Swimming weightless in the womb
Bouncing gently round the room
In a minute I'll be free
And we'll be splashing in the sea

I feel no curiosity
I see the path ahead of me
In a minute I'll be free
And we'll be splashing in the sea
We hear a tiny cry
As the ship goes sliding by

Free!
Free!

Free!

I'm floating in the blimp a lot
I feel the feeling I forgot
I'm floating in the blimp a lot
I feel free!
Free!
Free!
Free!
Free!

[momadance]

I forgot to add, I have a appt. with my back up CNM tommorow and it's an appt. with my friend and her 3yo dd. It should be super cool!

[sunshinegal]

HMMM...QOTW- this little gal seems to have a set pattern, early in the morning say about 5 or 6 then again around 10 am then again at around 5-6 pm. She always seems to be dancing when I get to bed around 10. I guess we will have to wait and see if she keeps the pattern after she has made her grande entrance :)
I had a little "control" problem the other day. Something kick started my allergies and I was sneezing and sneezing (boy do these extra pounds make sneezing tough!) and low and behold got my undies wet!! Then as I was in the bathroom cleaning up, my ds walks in and says "Mommy, did you just wet your pants??!" Oops- gotta start doing those kegels.
Boy am I carrying low- real low, like she is sitting in my lap. And she is forever kicking down. And I am even starting to waddle more :( It's too early for me to waddle!!

Have a joyful week!!!

[Jillerina]

Today DH and I took DD to "Santa's Village" - I promise it sounds more corny than it is. We never refered to it by name and did not go visit Santa (who apparently resides there during the Summer months). We did have an awesome day. There was a petting zoo, water fun, huge slides and tones and tones of activites designed for young kids. We wore Clara out!

I was also worn out though and spent a lot of the time sitting in shady spots watching DH and Clara run around and have fun. We think that this is probably best right now anyway, as it is building a stronger attachment between the two of them. We are hoping that by the time baby comes Clara will be able to be as comfortable with him as she is with me - especially when it comes to comforting her and stuff.

Anyway, that was our day. As for the question of the week I can't say I've noticed too much of a pattern in this baby's movements. I find it moves whenever I lie down or when I have DD squished up to my belly while I'm cuddling her. There are also the periods of activity after I've eaten. Who knows if this makes up a pattern or not. I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst when it comes to this baby's temprement. Clara was NOT a sleeper and she spent a lot of time crying as a newborn so I guess I'm just preparing myself for that all over again!

Keep doing those kegels everyone - I sure need some encouragement myself!! Gotta get into the habit NOW!

[Lucysmama]

TOTAL RANT BELOW....

:crying My landlords are so freakin mean!!! Add us to the "moving while pregnant" list too. They come over and yell at us for random things ALL THE TIME. Like, they just knock on the door and chew us out cause our lawn is getting long. (They live behind us.)

A few months ago, they told us we had to take down our swing on our tree in the yard, cause it was "dangerous" to have a swing on a tree. So whatever, we did. THey said we could get a swingset. So dd's grandparents bought her an awesome wood swing set with a slide and such last week. She was so excited. She watched dh build it all day long. Then, right as he was lowering it all in the ground, they came over and yelled at us and told us we were not allowed to put it up. :angry They said it was "too big" and "would look bad" etc etc. (It takes up maybe 25% of our yard at most.) My poor lil dd is going to be heartbroken when she realizes she can't have this swing set after all. It hasn't hit her yet.

Then, dh asked them to please stop coming over, and to call if they had an issue. He said, "Katie is very pregnant and does not want to be constantly disturbed, getting woken up, having to answer the door all the time, etc.... could you please just call instead of coming over?" The landlady said in a snarky way, "NO! I will deal with problems how I see fit to deal with them. If I see a commotion or problem, I'm comin' right over!" :( We have no privacy.

So, we are moving. They constantly harrass us. I have NO IDEA why. We pay our rent on time, and we are very quiet, and we take care of the house. We are just a quiet little family. I hate to have to find a place (a rental) and move in the next 10 weeks, but I guess we have to. Wish me luck, I HATE house hunting and moving. :(

I am so stressed out, I am having tons of contractions. (I always do when I get overly upset.) I am sitting down with half a glass of wine and my feet up to try to stop them and chill out.

About the incontinence thing -- I have never had any at all. I guess I am lucky. Maybe it is cause I had a c/section? Do you c/section mamas get incontinent at all?

[3bees~1flower]

:twothumbs :bgbounce can i join ya'll in the third trimester!!! :D

i had a dr. appt today...it was ok...i was not impressed with my weight at all!! i worked so hard to walk everyday all month, but maybe 5 or 6 and still gained 9 lbs!! BUT, i need to keep in mind that i *do* retain a lot of fluid when pregnant and he did say that he could see the extra fluid in me. i just thought that walking would help the weight thing a little more. baby's HR was 150. i also went to a chiro today...have never been to one before. the area he woeked on doesn't feel a whole lot different than before, but he wants me to come back on Wed so i'm hoping that after that it start to feel better.

QOTW: this bean isn't as active as Noah (ds#3) was. and you know, i have never kept track enough to really notice a pattern in movement with any of my pregnancies, just the amount of activity in general.

i have never had bladder control issues when pregnant, but then maybe that's cuz i've never given birth vaginally...?? i don't know....sorry to those having to deal with it.

[mirthfulmum]

Well I got my paper done and turned in so I actually have one whole evening to just relax and recouperate before I have to start doing the reading for the next paper due in 2 weeks. Taking a condensed class is a lot of work. but it'll be worth it. In four more weeks I will have earned 6 more credits and be that much closer to finnishing this darned degree! Only 6 more credits to go!

Katie - That really, really sucks about your landlords. I had a really bad landlord once and I can totally relate. The best thing to do is just move and get away from them as soon as possible. If they can't treat your family with respect then they don't deserve to have you guys as their tennants. Although the timing for you guys couldn't be worse. Good luck house hunting!

QOTW: You know I haven't really noticed any real pattern to this baby's movements. To me it seems like he's always moving. I sit down at the computer and I get some small thumps. I lie down on the couch and he's doing gymnastics. I wake up at 4 am to pee and he's kicking me in the ribs. As far as I can tell Harrison sleeps in short bursts randomly throughout the day and if he ain't sleeping he's moving. I really hope this dosen't reflect how things go after he's born.

As for bladder control, since I started to do Kegels more regularly and it's ben helping. Haven't had any accidents in a while. And I think that women who've had C-sections aren't prone to the week perinium muscle problems. During vaginal delivery your perinium gets really stretched out and if the muscle dosen't regain it's former tone, well then you get a leaky bladder.

:carrot :banana :jumpers: :carrot :banana
Hooray to the moms reaching their third trimester. It won't be too long before we've all got our little ones in our arms!

[Court]

bladder control: I'm ok, except right after I pee, I seem to leak a little as soon as I stand up, pretty irritating.

That's exactly how it is w/ me too, so annoying.

Katie- So sorry you're having to deal w/ this right now. Are your landlords breaking your state laws by harassing you so much w/ out notice? Sounds like it. Most landlords are required to give 24 hrs. notice before coming over. Poor Lucy, I can't believe they would deny a child a swingset. I know Logan would be crushed if that happened to him. These people sound evil. I have contractions when I get stressed out too, so I know how you feel. Enjoy your wine, and try to relax. I really hope you guys find another place before the baby comes, so you can focus on your kids w/out being harassed day and night. No one should have to live like that. :hug

3boyz4us - I hear ya on the weight gain, I've been walking too (not as much as you probably) and yet it's still coming on fast. I seem to be gaining 9 lbs a month too. I wonder if I'm retaining fluid also. Well, that's what I'll tell myself :) Okay, gonna go for a walk now.

[True Blue]

Actually, the incontinence thing is a bit more of a problem following a vaginal birth, but as far as during pregnancy, unless you didn't strengthen up your muscles post-partum, it's about the same for everyone. I had the same problems last time as this time. It has a lot to do with the pressure of the baby sitting down there, stretching things out, etc. At any rate, if you are peeing as you get up from having just peed, then you haven't gotten it all out!! Last pregnancy, I actually peed once, wiped, leaned over to pull up my pants and peed all over the floor!!! :irked: When you go pee, and think you are done, make sure you lean ALL the way forward, and also to the sides, to make sure your bladder is completely empty. Sometimes the baby is blocking off part of your bladder, so if you don't move around a little, it doesn't all come out!!

As for weight gain...well I'm almost 27 weeks and I've gained 30lbs.... :innocent I'd REALLy like to stay under 40lbs gained but I'm not sure that's even realistic anymore!

QOTW: Baby is pretty active in the evenings around 9-10pm...but I haven't been timing it enough to notice much during the day.

Katie -- do you have any rental laws where you live? Or in your lease? My lease actually says my landlord must give 24 hours before stopping by. There could also be some local or state regulations in your area to protect you.

[momadance]

Has anyone else read memoirs of a geisha? I woke up sobbing, I dreamt I was the main character in the book... UHH I can't help feeling like I really want to give dh a big hug, but he's at work.

3boys4us, try not to stress on the poundage, I've been feeling pretty blimpy lately. I'm sure my appt. today will reveal some hideous amount of weight gain. At least your walking! I haven't done anything! And when I do try to walk I get braxtong hx. I just read another book called between mothers and son's. You should check it out.

Katie :hug I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. What a## holes. Get out! They don't deserve your money! Good luck! I know it sounds overwhelming, but everything will come thogether. Maybe it's for the best. They sound like the type who would walk in as your laboring and stay and complain while you deliver. You wouldn't want that! Hey, where'd you get that cute born at home dipe?! Reveal your sources! (and from now on, I'm not checking out any of your purchases, your going to have me broke)

MIrthful! You go! I can't imagine going to school right now, especially an accelerated course.

Truebluexf, thanks for the peepee tip.

we're going to have our babes so soon :love ... uh I'm crying again :eyesroll

I wish we could all meat somewhere and have a great elaborite feast in some morrocan resteraunt with big pillows to lounge on, and wonderful food, and maybe watch some belly dancers. We could give them a run for their money!

:grouphug

[ameliabedelia]

Katie, I am really sorry about your landlord. :Hugs I agree with everyone who said check your lease agreement. I remember almost all of ours said the landlord had to give notice before coming over. But I also agree you don't want them coming over when you are in labor, so maybe it is better if you move. Find a place where the landlord lives far away (or at least in a different neighborhood). Landlords can be such a pain. We got kicked out of our apartment when DD was 4 months old because the lady downstairs complained that we were walking too loudly across the flour!!!!! How crazy is that, it is dumbest thing to complain about.

Mirthfulmom, CONGRATS on your paper. That is awesome. It is such a nice feeling to get something DONE and be DONE with it.


I am really scared about weight gain this time too. I wasn't going to weight myself, but I jumped on the scale and peeked the other day. I have already gained almost 30 pounds, and I haven't even hit the 3rd Trimester Yet!!!! Aaaaargh!!!! With DD I gained 40 pounds, so I am hoping I don't gain any more than that this time. I keep telling myself I only have about 12 more weeks to go (if I deliver early again at 38 1/2 weeks), so with a pound a week gain that will put me just about right at 40 pounds. Of course it probably also wouldn't hurt if I laid off on the ice cream every night. LOL

[Lucysmama]

Thanks everyone, and I am sorry for venting so much!

We don't HAVE a lease. :( That is the hard part. And in Ohio, the laws just say the landlord has to give 24 hours notice before coming IN the house. They never try to do that, they just stand at the door and b!tch us out. So they are within their rights unfortunately. We should have had red flags pop up when we looked at the place 18 months ago and they said they have had a lot of "problem tenants." I think maybe THEY have the problem. (And the house next door rents from them, and they don't like our landlord either. BUT, the landlord let THEM have an above-ground pool and a trampoline. But we're not allowed a swingset for our toddler. :eyesroll) Dh and I are going house-looking later today.

Take care everyone. SOrry to take us so off-topic.

Oh, and about the weight....don't worry so much about it! Your body will gain what it needs. (Well, maybe with some extra "ice cream" lbs. ;) ) But you're growing a big, healthy baby! Maybe if it stresses anyone out, they can just stop weighing themselves? I am blissfully ingnorant! :D

[3bees~1flower]

Maybe if it stresses anyone out, they can just stop weighing themselves? I am blissfully ingnorant! :D

believe me, if could stop, i *would*.....i asked my dr about not weighing, but he said it can be an incicator of something going on...and with my history of pre-eclampsia, that is the main reason....i know there are other ways to incicate pre-e, but i guess i'm just not one to be argumentative....i guess i could just not look and ask him not to mention it unless there is a prob....:shrug i guess i'll just deal with it....

[bluehalo]

This baby is active on and off throughout the day, and almost always when I lay down with Ethan to cuddle him to sleep. I remember Ethan being active as soon as I tried to lay down too, but I don't remember his sleep habits as a newborn really.

I too am getting excited to meet this new little baby, and discover his personality, etc. etc. It's an entirely different sense of anticipation than I had while waiting for Ethan to be born. So interesting...

[Piglet68]

Katie, I'm so sorry to hear about your landlords...but you know, I really believe that things happen for a reason. Maybe it's "fate" or "God" (choose your fave, lol) or maybe it's an attitude that simply creates the conditions to come true. Anyways, in my life things always work out that way. I'm sure you will find a lovely place that will radiate peace, you will feel happy about the move, especially since you are planning a homebirth and do NOT need that sort of negative landlord energy around you!!

mirthfulmum: congrats on the paper!! I think it's fabulous that you are doing this course, what a great chance to get those credits out of the way. btw, what will your degree be in?

The peeing thing: while I'm sure vaginal birth can weaken those muscles, I have to agree with trueblue that it's also just a PG thing. I noticed when I was PG with my first (and now this one - and I had a c/s with DD) that if I sneeze or laugh sometimes I leak a little. I am wearing liners all the time now (amelia - you should try cloth! I got these awesome hemp fleece liners, LadyGlow Lite Pads from Hidden Pearl Creations, they are so comfy and I don't have that "period" feeling) so I have "backup"...

Ann, I'm not tired of hearing about your move! I'm excited for you. Seattle rocks! Plus all us "moving mamas" are going through the same thing, so it's nice to hear about it.

As for weight gain: I'm just over 29 weeks and have gained a total of 25 lbs now. Basically, it's been one pound a week for ages...I do eat alot of desert/chocolate bars...I'm sort of enjoying the honeymoon as I was never able to indulge my sweet tooth the way I have since I got PG with DD, then nursing her, and now this PG. Anyways, I do want to stress to y'all that are worrying about weight: I really believe that your body gains what it needs to. I was far more careful about what I ate, and I got exercise, with my first PG...and yet this one is following the exact same course of weight gain. I gained 35 with DD, and if I continue at 1 lb per week I'll be around that with this one, too.

Well, I think I posted on the last bit of last week's thread that the buyer we had for our property backed out. Now we are in major job-hunting mode for DH, as we no longer have a "cushion" of cash to ease the transition to back home. Please send us good job-vibes!!

Have a great day, everybody (momadance, the morroccan dinner sounds great!)

[AnnR33]

Lucysmama :hug It sounds like they need a life-whatever will they do without you to bug??!! LOL -but I guess it's better to do it before the babe comes rather than after. Good luck with searching!!

3boys4us-I gained 8lbs this months so know how you feel! I was doing so well up until this month then I feel like I ate constantly so I wasn't that surprised. I just have to eat better! We don't keep chips/cookies/etc around but I still eat lots of carbs with crackers/cheese, pasta and cereal so I'm sure that's it.

Mamadance-hang in there! I'm sure I'll be thinking the same think next week! We can move in on Tues but won't have the moving truck arrive until Thurs/Fri and my cheap DH says we can just sleep on the floor Tues/Wed night so we don't have to pay for a hotel-WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amelia-Good luck with your move this week too!! We'll have to give updates soon!

Went to the inlaws last night to drop off some xmas gifts so I don't have to mail them and she decided to give me mine too-but unwrapped so I got to see everything! I guess this really is a Christmas in July :) Oh well, the kids will still be surprised at xmas which is all that counts. And they got some fun stuff too.
Take care
Ann

[gottaknit]

Katie - if your landlords consider a swing set to be a "commotion", just wait til they hear you giving birth! :eek That's the last thing you need when you're in labor, some nosy neighbor knocking on the door telling you to stop moaning. I'd get outta there ASAP. Good luck!

Can someone post the link to the yahoo group? I missed that somehow and I'd like to post my pic and see everyone else's. Thanks! :)

[BlueMoonTime]

Good day ladies! :hola:
QOTW: With Andrew and this pg, they would stay up and boogie until about 11:00 p.m... and it's always about the time that I lay down that this one wants to bounce around! :coffee And then of course, she likes to get up once or twice a night- every time I need to make a bathroom run! LOL
As for bladder control, this bean is sitting alot lower than Andrew ever did... which makes everything that much more difficult! :crap
And don't they say that boys are supposed to be the ones that sit lower in your gut?? How strange...

In any case, have a great day. See you around :)

[ameliabedelia]

Maybe if it stresses anyone out, they can just stop weighing themselves? I am blissfully ingnorant!

Well when we move, we are getting rid of our scale and NOT replacing it. So, I can be blissfully ignorant. The only reason I stepped on it was that I sold some books on ebay and I needed to find out how much they weighted to esitimate shippng and so I weighed myself and than myself with the books (the scale wouldn't register just the books itself) It is too tempting to weight myself with a scale in the house. My current midwives do not require weights at each visit and I will find new midwives who don't either.

Piglet, I am planning on getting cloth for myself. DD uses cloth diapers, so I really want to use cloth myself. Plus, while I was packing up I noticed we don't have anymore pads or anything in the house anyway, so I will defintiely get cloth to use postpartum, and probably start with some liners now.

I am sorry you are going through so much trouble. HUGS. I can relate. Defintiely sending you some good job-finding/house-finding/moving vibes! My DH is jobless right now too. We are moving up to my parents house, because he is looking for a job in that region and will be closer for interviews and apartment hunting. So, we don't even know what state we will end up living in (my parents live in RI, and because of the teaching requirements for certification we are concentrating our efforts in NH and VT, but he doesn't have a job yet, and we don't know where we will end up, just that he has to have a teaching job by September or we don't know what we will do.

[Court]

Has anyone else read memoirs of a geisha? I woke up sobbing, I dreamt I was the main character in the book... UHH I can't help feeling like I really want to give dh a big hug, but he's at work.


I'm reading that right now! I'm only halfway through, but I'm loving it.

The restaurant idea sounds really nice too. Oh, and I'm so glad I'm not the only one who's gained 30 pounds so far, really. I'm trying not to stress about it anymore, and I'd love it if they wouldn't weigh me at my appointments. I really have to have my dessert everyday though, it's my reward for being pregnant w/ a toddler for another day. :)

I'll PM you w/ the link Nancy.

[True Blue]

See we can call get fat together. ;) The weight thing doesn't really stress me out, last time I gained 40lbs but by the time DS was a few months old I'd lost 50, and that was purely from breastfeeding....I actually ate junk food to make sure I took in enough calories, I was afraid I'd waste away (something I have NEVER had to worry about btw lol). I was just really hoping to gaint he same 40lbs, so I'd be thinner and a little less bloated looking by the end of my pregnancy. But hey I really can't control myself to stay away from sweets, salads just really don't call my name every day LOLOL.

[kraftykathy]

Could you send me the link as well?

Ugh, that landlord sounds awful. I would want to get away fast too. Who needs that kind of stress?

I gained 40 pounds with my first pregnancy and 35 with my second. I'm not keeping track this time because I find it too upsetting. I usually lose quite a bit of weight when nursing so I'm trying to remember that and not stress too much about weight gain. It's hard though, I know!

Kathy

[gottaknit]

I've gained exactly 30 pounds, too. The weight gain bothered me in the first trimester, but now that I actually look pregnant, I don't care. I don't look fat, I look pregnant. I'm focusing on the positive side: I'll be postpartum during baggy sweater season anyway. ;) It'll all be gone by next summer. :)

[3bees~1flower]

thanks for the encouragement on the wt thing....

man what a day...a friend of mine and her two boys went with me and my three boys to the city today...talk about chaos!! :eek i needed to get the supplies for a LTN RIbby Wrap for my mom b/c she is leaving on vacation tomorrow and said she'd work on one for me while they were driving. i'm so excited about it!! we ended up getting school supplies while we were at walmart too, so that was good. anyway, just mostly wanted to thanks you for wt gain encouragement...

Lucysmama....what a total bummer about the mean landlords...hope you fund something quick!

Piglet...will be thinking of you and dh as he job hunts.

gotta go for now!

[Lucysmama]

:banana I think we found a place already!!!! We found a house a mile or two away with 4 fenced-in partially wooded/partially veggie and flower garden acres, 4 bedrooms, wood-burning fireplace, a really nice landlord who is MOVING FAR AWAY and doesn't care if we change a thing, and the whole property backs up into the park and trails. It's $200 more than we pay now, but I think it is worth it.

Thanks for the well-wishes everyone! Hope this works out, we are both going to take the night to think it over, and let each other know tomorrow!!!!

Piglet- good luck to your dh with his job-hunt!!! Sorry your buyer backed out, what a bummer. Hope you find someone new soon!

[krnflwr]

Lucysmama, that sounds like a most divine house. If you guys don't take it, I might just move in. ;) I hope it all works out for you. God (Goddess, Thor, Bob, Whoever) never seems to close one door w/o opening another. I'm constantly amazed at how things that seem horrid and devestating turn out to be such blessings.
I seem to be this odd body type that doesn't really gain weight while preg, but can pack on the lbs while nursing. What's with that? My next appt is on Fri, and I'm curious how much weight I've gained so far. At my last appt, I was only +6 lbs alltogether, but I started rather on the heavy-side and lost a lot w/ morning sickness.
My belly seems so huge now, I can't believe it. At the store the other day, the store clerk was like 2 wks away from her due date, and we looked the same size. I think she was worried that she was too small, but I left there feeling enormous. I don't really mind, like someone else mentioned it's not like I feel fat, just really *really* pregnant. I just wonder how I will ever manage when I get even larger. I've even started to get stretch marks around my belly button, which hasn't ever happened before. Mine are all lower and on my hips.
Baby Cookie seems to love it when I take a bath, and she has a very active early morning routine. Aerobics and tae-bo, I believe. Some days I can manage to sleep through it, but mostly it is kind of fun to play along w/ her. If I tap on one side of my belly, she'll kick that side. Then I do the other side, and she'll follow suit. I don't remember Hannah ever being this responsive. It's nice to have a little quiet time to be alone w/ Baby Cookie, even if it means I'm missing out on much needed sleep.
Speaking of quiet, alone time...DH took Hannah to the park so I have some time to myself. Hoping to crank up the a/c and take a hot bath (is that horrible?:bag: ) all by myself. Hope everyone has a lovely evening!

[Jillerina]

Lucysmama thats sounds like an amazing home. I hope it works out for you too. Fate really does some wonderous things doesn't it.

Talking of weight gain and belly size, would anyone be brave enough to post a current photo of themselves on the Yahoogroup? I'm so curious to see our size range. I've totally slowed down my growth and am probably average size now for 30 weeks but I swear, I don't look much different than I looked 6 weeks ago! I have a belly shot we took 2 weeks ago that I'll add to the yahoo group to get the ball rolling. Don't be shy ladies - we are godesses remember!

[bluehalo]

Katie -- congrats on the quick house find ... hope it goes through smoothly for you!!

Re: weight gain ... I've only gained about 10 lbs so far, but I was probably 15-20 lbs over my ideal weight starting this pregnancy, so my doc isn't concerned. I'm measuring on track, and everything else seems fine. I feel like I look as pregnant as I am (does that make sense? *lol*). As soon as DH is back in town, I'm hoping to get him to take some belly shots, and I'll post them at the Yahoo Groups. I went through all our recent pictures trying to find one of myself and was so depressed to not find one! I'm always the one *taking* pictures! Maybe I'll go ahead and post an older one just for kicks.

[True Blue]

Just added my belly pic from last week. :)

And a pic of Mickade playing his new guitar!! His daddy has a few guitars, he plays a lot, and they are expensive. DH was getting sick of him dragging his $600 guitar around the house, so we found this at Toys R Us. It's awesome!! It's a real guitar, wooden neck and everything, with a built in amp. DS thinks he's super cool. :)

[momadance]

I'll post a belly pic! The one of me up there now is about 4-5 weeks old. SO me and my friend had our mw appt. together yesterday. It was so exciting to hear her little babe! She miscarried earlier in my preg. She had been due 2 weeks after me. Now she's do in Feb. I'm measuring 32. I keep measuring 3 ahead of schedule. I've gained 6lbs this time, and 8 last time! ;) Making a grand total of 30. I gained 45 with Smiley Boy. THis time around I look better though. :D (OF course I'm biased)

I'm sorta stressing :irked: befor we went to ontario, my mil stayed with us for a couple days to help with painting and stuff, then we went away for 1 week, bringing my 17 yo bro. home with us for a week, now mil's coming back to stay a couple days, while bro's here, and then my other mil wants to come the following weekend. NO WAY!!!!!! I'm so sick of the space invaders! I'm trying to stay positive, because everyone's just trying to help us get the house ready, but there's not much I can do, and I just want to devote ALL time and attention to Miles. Pretty soon our little unit's world is going to be rocked with a new babe. It's so bitter sweet. Anyone else going through this? I felt guilty getting pregnate early on, so we waited, and now Miles is 3, but I still have guilt issues.

On a sweet note, while putting MIles to sleep last night, he told me he had to hold his baby, and fell asleep holding my belly :love oh god I'm crying again...

oh and katie congrats on the house! The universe provides! :thumb

Piglet do you like those pads better then luna's? I have some glad rags (way overpriced) and a few wahm pads I like, but I plan on investing in some more someday. I used the keeper for a while :puke What a messy little device!

[momadance]

Courtney that pic of you and your belly is so enearing! All I can handle wearing now are skirts and light dresses too!

Truebleux I have that same shirt! I'm wearing it in one of my yahoo pics!

Jillerina your belly is so cute! It's like it's really out there!

You mama's look awesome! Very thin as well, like your bellys were just kinda attached. Nutty prof. style or something!

[True Blue]

momadance that's so funny!! :) I didn't even realize it since your pic is in b&w.

You know Katie, I'm actually a bit jealous of you now and your potential new house....

I know what you mean momadance about feeling guilty, sometimes I feel really guilty about the whole thing too. Especially since I am trying to get DS to stay in his own bed now. It had to happen eventually, but I know it's mainly happening bc the new baby is coming, you know? And man we are not getting much sleep, he wakes up a lot and wants to come over to my bed. Luckily, we are finally getting to the point where he can fall asleep without touching me, so I can even just talk to him a little bit....huge improvements!!

[Piglet68]

Oh Katie, I hope the house deal goes through. Sounds wonderful!!

Momadance, I love the Ladyglow pads. As liners, I like them better than the Lunapads b/c Lunapads have a waterproof barrier and it's more protection than I need. Sorry if this is TMI but...if I wear them every day my skin doesn't breathe well and....things don't smell so fresh... :blush BUT, I know the Lunapads lady (one of them) and they are currently working on a pattern for a "breathable" (ie. no waterproof layer) minipad. The Ladyglow lights are quite absorbant, since they are hemp, not too thick, and priced very reasonably! (I got a 6 pack for $22). Lunapads are alot more expensive, but they are very substantial, well-made, and would work great for menstrual use (I never got a chance to try them for that, lol). The organic cotton is really lovely, too. I think the Ladyglow lights I have would only work as a backup to a tampon/keeper or on very light flow days. But they are great for "pregnancy discharge" (what a lovely term! yuck).

I'd love to post a belly pic. I just realize we haven't taken any! We took lots with DD. I'll get DH to take one, and I'll post some photos from our recent trip to Peninsula (Lucymom Town, lol)...

The guilt thing: I don't feel guilty, but I am getting emotional about the short time we have left with just DD. I worry sometimes about how I'm going to meet her needs when I have a little baby around. I don't ever want her to feel she comes in second place, kwim? There's a great thread on the main I'm Pregnant board right now listing book recommendations for "soon to be siblings", so I'm going to get some from the library and start "prepping" Emily. She knows there's a baby in mama's tummy but she is clueless about what that is going to mean for her life. I'm really happy about the baby and think the timing was perfect for us, I'm just a bit nervous about the transition for DD, and how she will handle it.

Now I have my own long vent I need to get off my chest: maybe it's b/c Emily has been waking frequently these last few nights, but I have just suddenly become really negative about nursing. I can't stand it. It is uncomfortable, even painful a bit, and I feel like I just grit my teeth through it. She's sleeping through the night about 50% of the time, but it goes in spurts and right now we're in a "nightnursing" spurt. She wakes at night, stirs and roots for the breast. Sometimes I can get her back to sleep without it, but sometimes she just gets more and more agitated, starts crying and calling out for "milkies!" in this sad, desperate little voice. I so don't want to do it, but I feel like the worst mama in the world if I don't - I mean, denying a child the breast is just....it's like betraying a sacred trust, kwim? We've done some gentle nightweaning with success, but she just isn't ready for total withdrawal at night, while I'm wishing she was. And I feel like I've been such a wishy-washy bad parent b/c I keep saying "no, no milkies, milkies are sleeping" and then I give in b/c I can't stand her crying so desperately for it, it makes me feel like I'm just not being the kind of parent I want to be. Normally I try very hard to be consistent but with this issue...well, I've been just awful - no consistency at night (maybe b/c I'm half asleep)...my dear husband can see it but hasn't said anything, bless his heart. I think I'm being worse by randomly allowing it/not allowing it but my first instinct is always "oh noooooo, not again!!!". I love that nursing can help her calm down when she gets overemotional, and I love that it helps her feel better when she has a boo-boo, and I don't *really* mind nursing her to sleep (although lately even that is bothering me)....but these past few nights I swear I am thinking the "W word" alot more often than I ever thought I would. A part of me is envious of those of you with weaned ones....if I have to nurse two at night I think I'm gonna scream, although Emily IS making lots of progress towards consistently sleeping through the night. Then again, I am also quite sure that the main source of my discomfort/pain is that my breasts are totally empty and flaccid. No lovely pregnancy-bustline here! I'm hoping that when my milk comes in after the birth, that nursing Emily will be a joy again, and a pleasure rather than what seems like 2 minutes of torture.

Sigh. Thanks for listening, if you made it this far. I just really needed to get that off my chest (ha ha).

[gottaknit]

:hug Piglet that sounds really tough. I can't imagine what it must be like (since this is my first). I know that for myself, my body feels very "occupied" right now and I don't even let DH too close, if you know what I mean. It must be really difficult to have a little one who needs you after your breasts all the time. Sometimes it seems like being a mother will mean that my body is no longer my own, which is a hard concept to embrace...

I posted a picture from last week. My face is so red! :blush

Everyone looks so cute with their bellies. I had to show DH the pictures, too. He said, "You have online pregnant friends...?" :LOL Guess I forgot to mention the whole MDC thing to him. He didn't quite get it, but seemed glad that I have other pregnant women to chat with.

Had a midwife appointment yesterday. Only gained 2.5 pounds last month! Midwife was impressed that I got the weight gain under control, since the month before I was up 13 pounds. (To be honest, I have nothing "under control", I think it's totally random. I haven't changed anything.) How much are we "supposed" to gain in the last trimester? I think I remember reading one pound a week is average...?

Baby is head down now. I asked about the pelvic pain, and she said there's not much I can do but endure it and look at the bright side (the pelvis is getting larger to make room for the baby). She also said I'm "short-waisted" (ie long legs and stubby torso), so the ribcage pain will probably continue to increase as the baby runs out of room vertically. Ah the joys of pregnancy...

[krnflwr]

...but I have just suddenly become really negative about nursing. I can't stand it. It is uncomfortable, even painful a bit, and I feel like I just grit my teeth through it. She's sleeping through the night about 50% of the time, but it goes in spurts and right now we're in a "nightnursing" spurt. ...if I have to nurse two at night I think I'm gonna scream, although Emily IS making lots of progress towards consistently sleeping through the night.

Piglet, Your Emily and my Hannah are just two peas in a pod. It's scary, sometimes, reading your posts, how much alike our situations are. Hannah is doing this exact same thing right now, and I'm finding it irritating and painful to nurse (and then the guilt starts). Feels like someone ran a cheese grater over my nipples. :irked:
I've been getting some good support from my local LLL buddies, and reading Adventures in Tandem Nursing. Hilary Flowers spends a lot of time talking about nursing while preg., and the stories from the other moms in there really help keep me sane and focused on what's important. Lots of deep breathing, too. :eyesroll

[ameliabedelia]

Piglet, I can soooo relate on the nursing thing. Fortantely DD is completely nightweaned now, but during the day it is a whole other story. Every time I sit down, she wants to nurse, especially when I am at the computer. And, it is very irritating and painful as well. I can relate to the grit your teeth feeling.

[Piglet68]

28 weeks, 2 days (i made a mistake and thought I was 29 weeks)

Thanks, ladies. Amelia, I guess I have an advantage then, being at work during the day five days a week. But I have found it pretty easy to distract her when she requests nursing during the day (like on weekends). At night there's nothing to distract her with (like colouring, or having a sandwich, or some soy shake, etc...). :)

Well, after writing this rant, I realized I had to make a decision: either I was going to try to do something about it, or not. I decided not to. I'm happy with the gentle nightweaning we have been working on, and the progress we are making. I just simply cannot bear the distress levels that arise in DD when I just refuse or become wishy/washy like I have been recently. It's not fair to her at all. So I made a decision to stick with things, and keep nightnursing when the patting/cuddling doesn't work, and hopefully when my milk comes in after the birth, nursing will be pleasant again. I actually feel better already just having come to a decision, and while it took DD about half an hour to nurse to sleep tonight (usually it's pretty quick), it actually wasn't that bad. :)

krnflwr: I've been dying to read that book, but no libraries in Cleveland carry it. Since we're moving so soon, I'll wait till I get home. If the city library doesn't have it, I think my LLL does.

Sasha has been giving me amazing kicks today! I swear it feels as though he is trying to hatch!! And I think I felt a bottom poking out today! :love I have an OB appt tomorrow, so I'll ask him to see if he can tell which way baby is oriented.

[Lucysmama]

Piglet - I don't have any personal experience, but that sounds really tough. :hug I know I get touched-out from dd and we are not even nursing. I just feel so hot and pregnant and uncomfortable, I don't want anyone touching me. I can't imagine a toddler wanting to nurse all night. Kudos to you for sticking by your gentle weaning. I hope you start enjoying nursing more when your milk comes in!

My baby is so active too. But I have been noticing his/her kicks are turning into more like hard squirms now. Could it be they are running out of room already?!?!

Also, is anyone else hungry??? :LOL I mean like, ALWAYS hungry? I feel like I could always have a snack, if not a big meal! Maybe baby is getting ready for another growth spurt? I remember eating like a maniac during months 7 and 8 last time, and then slowing down at the end. Looks like I'll be doing that again....I have a snack before bed, and wake up famished. At least I haven't gotten to the point of actually having to ge up to eat during the night yet!

Letia - how ya doing, hon? You've been so quiet lately!

[momadance]

Hungry? yes! I'm eating a necterine as I type, and just finished off a banana :banana
Piglet, I'm glad you feel better. The moment of clarity after feeling so frazzled about something is bliss!
We found a time capsule behind some base boards in the house tonight. It was so cool! It made me think of the movie Amelie. Also on the inside door to our closet is a height chart for about 5 diff. kids, all the way up to the teenage years. I look forward to adding MIles to the list!

[gottaknit]

"Letia - how ya doing, hon? You've been so quiet lately!"

I think she's busy being a diaper hyena. :LOL

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?p=1817236#post1817236

[Lucysmama]

:rotflmao Letia! You lil' :hyena !!!!!!

[Court]

I love seeing the belly pics :love (and the other new ones). Mickade is so cute with his guitar. Thanks for the compliment, Momadance - I do love that skirt, I wish I had more, it's so cozy. I'd walk around in a big sheet if it was fashionable.

My little man child has gotten a cold or something, so he's had a fever on and off since yesterday, poor thing. He's such a trooper though. He's just content to lay in our one air-conditioned room and watch movies together. Although, he was up most of the night like a newborn, whenever his fever would come back. He knows I'm worried about him when I keep checking his forehead, and he says, "I'm alright mama, I'm just sick. I just need medicine. I have an owie in my throat."

I can't remember who brought it up, but I have also been having those feelings of guilt, or just a bittersweetness about adding a baby to the mix. I've been getting pretty weepy about it too.

I'm so glad you found a house Katie (if you decide to take it). Things have a way of working out.

And Piglet, I'm glad you're feeling better. I went through what you're feeling about wanting to wean a couple months ago. Nursing was driving me crazy, still does occasionally. But, I've been lucky cause Logan stopped nursing at night and most days it's very minimal. I'm actually starting to miss it. I asked him earlier when he was really upset if he wanted to nurse, and he very insistantly said, "no, mommy no!" like how could I have even suggested such a thing. I really think he's starting to wean, which does make me a little sad. I'm curious to see what happens when there's an abundant milk supply again, though. I think I'll get "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" just in case. :)

Oh, and I'm not really hungry all the time, but I want to eat all the time, does that count?

[ameliabedelia]

Hungry? yes! I'm eating a necterine as I type

I just read this and then got up to go eat a peach!! LOL.

Courtney, I am sorry your little guy is sick. I hope Logan feels better soon!

Piglet, Congrats on the decision. I know what you mean about just making a decision makes you feel better.

Momadance, that is cool on the time capsule. I wonder if our house has any cool stuff, I doubt it, it is only 5 years old. Oh well.

Gottaknit, I feel the same way about my body. Poor DH doesn't understand it when I am just like "please do not touch me"

[True Blue]

Good morning! I've been busy nesting this week. Why is it that when we are at a point in our lives that we should be taking it easy, we are suddenly overcome with the desire to clean out an entire closet?? Well I put the dipes through a wash, sorted out all the newborn clothes for all the neutral stuff (can you believe that after being stored for 2 years in rubbermaid bins, they still smell fresh of Dreft? Those things work!!), cleared out a drawer in my room for baby clothes, cleaned out the closet in the guest room, and started painting the changing table. Whew, I'm tired just reading that. Oh yeah I cleaned the carpets too. Am I going into labor tomorrow? LOL DS was so cute, he "helped" me put on the primer coat (our changing table was a hand me down when we had DS, and I decided to spruce it up this time and paint it to match my room). It's globbed in some areas, but in the end I think it's a nice memory, and really cute that big brother helped paint it for the new baby. :love

I remember all those feelings during nursing. I am so glad I was able to cut DS back early on when I was having spotting issues, and that he took care of the rest. I miss our morning nursing cuddles, but overall it's ok. He still likes to come cuddle. :) And I just know I'm not cut out for tandem, I think I would have gotten so irritated by it that I might not be able to give this one it's 2 years or so. If the experience is becoming negative for you, it just might be time to push a little harder to stop (while still being gentle, I mean). Do what you all feel is best for you!! :hug

So obviously I'm in planning mode. :D And I started thinking, what am I going to wear during labor? I'm birthing at home, and it will be DH, me, my sister, and possibly DS (but I think it will be too much for him). My mom has started hinting that she'd like to be there. I'm not sure how I feel about that (not because I have problems with my mom, but bc I have issues about being naked in front of the whole world LOL). I was looking through Ina May Gaskin's Guide to CHildbirth last night, and there is a woman in some type of wrap skirt having her baby....maybe that would be a good idea? I just don't have any desire to be naked walking around in front of my mom. I know, know she gave birth to me and all (actually she had a c-birth, so it would probably be cool for her to get to see a natural birth) but for some reason I feel weird about it. I guess we'll have to see. But I feel like if I could find the right clothing I might consider it, and I know it would mean a lot to her. Anyone have any ideas?

[krnflwr]

Yes, I'm always feeling hungry, but can't fit that much in at one time. So, I feel like I'm constantly grazing.
The name game has started in earnest around here. DH and I are at an impasse. :irked:
Opinions, anyone?? DH *really* likes one name, and I'm not so sure. I really like the other name, but DH isn't in love w/ it. And I worry about the name either being too "out there" or too trendy. Whattya think?
Arwen Grace or Morgan Grace
(we both like Grace, but not for a first name).
thanks, mamas!

[Lucysmama]

Karin - I LOVE Arwen Grace. I think it is so lovely!!!

Dh and I are having a really hard time with names, too. :irked: He keeps offering joke suggestions while shooting down all my real suggestions....like I will say, "How about Helena?" and he will say, "Ugh, NO WAY! But, how about Poppy Honey Moonshine Windsong? Whattya think?" It's getting REALLY annoying.

Amy - I am feeling really nest-y too. I have so many projects I want to do!!! I have to pour all that energy into packing now thoug.! And once we move, we will have only 5 or so weeks till the baby is due! :eek That freaks me out - when am I going to find time to do all these things I want to do for the baby?!

:hug to those having toddler nursing-issues. Sounds very very tough!

[krnflwr]

But, how about Poppy Honey Moonshine Windsong? Whattya think?"

:rolleyes :LOL
Sounds like the level of our discussions around here lately, too. Esp if you change "poppy" to "poopy". DD and DH both have a 2 yr-old sense of (potty) humor.
Thanks for the input. I like the name Arwen, in the abstract. I just can't imagine shouting down the street, "Arwen, time for dinner!". Guess I'm going to have to ponder this some more.

[Piglet68]

I kind of like Arwen, too. But then I also like Morgan. I don't think it's too trendy. It's a very strong name.

Well, I had a great night last night. When DD woke to nurse, instead of me moaning and groaning, I just rolled over and gave it to her immediately. She fell asleep very quickly. She woke once more than night, same thing. I was amazed at how NOT unpleasant it was. Something about a change in attitude, huh? She woke one more time in the early am, and fell fast asleep afterwards such that I got a really nice deep sleep in and woke feeling very refreshed! My battles with her nursing in the early am were resulting in me basically getting up with her to distract her from nursing. I've decided I'd rather "give in" and sleep more! lol....And I know that in a few days she'll go back to sleeping through the night (these things seem to be going in cycles as we progress through nightweaning) without nursing at all...each time she gets in that phase it lasts longer...I think I'll start keeping a nightnursing record just to boost myself up. So anyways, thanks for being my sounding board, mamas! :love

All you nesters: I'm so envious! How I would love to paint a changing table, wash my diapers, sort the newborn clothes, etc....it will just have to wait a few weeks more!

DH got a couple of phone calls from places he applied to...fingers crossed!!!!!

[mtnjenny]

Ooops, I got behind and now I'm playing catch-up! Sorry to not respond to everyone.

We're being secretive about name ideas, trying to avoid reactions from moms and sisters! Helena is one of our faves, though...

Speaking of nesting, I feel kinda like a crazy lady! I just go hang out in the baby's room and organize and touch the diapers (my slightly pathetic stash has become slightly less pathetic.) Is this normal?? :rolleyes Ha! It's such a cute little room, I love being in it...even though the baby won't even sleep there for who knows how long! We live in a log home, so three of the baby's walls are old log and chinking from the late 1800's. I look around and wonder if other babies have slept in there over the last century...Wish we could find a time capsule, how cool! All this kind of daydreaming is easy when I have no other kids and I'm on "teacher summer time." Hang in there all you with little ones, moves, jobs, etc. Just a few more weeks of bliss for me, and I'll be back in reality.

Wish I could contribute a photo, maybe I'd seem like less of a newcomer, but we're not digital yet. Would it be OK if I checked out the Yahoo group anyway? I don't know how to access it...I understand if it's not cool if I'm not posting on it.

Glad everyone's doing well! Went to childbirth class last night and one of the women (due early October) was in the hospital last weekend with early contractions (not B-H, but real contractions.) She was having them during class and it was scary! Take care of yourselves ladies!!

Has anyone read (Mis)conceptions by Naomi Wolf? It's a good one...a little harsh, but makes you think A LOT. I'm going to have dh read it this week.

[mirthfulmum]

Well it's been a pretty rough couple of days here. Alias is getting his second year molars so he hasn't been the easiest person to live with. He's so grumpy and tanturms at the drop of a hat. Hardly eats, all he wants to eat is cereal and noodles, and has been tossing and turning in bed for the past few nights. I will be so glad when it's all over.

I have totally been feeling the nesting urge too but with so much on my plate I'm frustrated that I don't have the time or energy to really do anything about it. I realy want to organize Alias' room and get it ready to be the play room for two kids. I ant to get our bedroom better organized too. It is such a mess and I hate the idea of having our new little baby have to sleep in such a disorganzed and cluttered space.

But soon my class will be over, Alias will start a new toddler program that is half days three times a week, and I'll have more time to get things ready.

Piglet - I'm working away at my BA in history. This degree started as a BA in English when I forst went to University in '93, I then decided that my sociology 101 prof was an absolute genius and switched my major to Sociology. I ended up dropping out and about four ears later decided to go back and finnish the darn degree. I loved my history classes so... Here I am only 6 credits away from graduating with a history degree. Don't ask me what the heck I'm going to do with the darned thing though :eyesroll. I figure with this little guy on the way I have just bought myself another couple of years before I have to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. :LOL

[Piglet68]

That's great, mirthfulmum! Good for you on deciding to finish it! And I hear you on the "what you want to be when you grow up". I now have a year to decide what step I want to take next...kind of nice to have the time to think, and also let Life dictate things a bit, too.

I forget to say to momadance, that I want to hear more about the time capsule!! How exciting!! Was it yours? What was in it?? Do tell!


mtnjenny: just PM Courtney&Logan and she will invite you to the group. DH downloaded the camera today so I PROMISE i'll be adding new pics very soon (including a belly shot).

Have to send out a big Thanks to mirthfulmum for helping me with one of the hassles of moving: she recommended her family doctor, and I just received word that she has accepted me as a patient! I have an appointment for when I get back home, and I'm just so happy to have that out of the way!

Had my OB appt. Pretty boring stuff (other than hearing baby's heartbeat, which I love). Everything looks good, had a bit higher weight gain this past month, but not sweating it - I feel great!

You know, the nice thing about being so hormonal is that when I'm happy, I'm really happy!! :D :D :D

[flitters]

hi mamas!

courtney, thank you so much for putting together the yahoo group! i LOVE the gallery! you all are look so wonderful and i just adore the pictures of the other family members! i'll upload some photos soon too... the only belly shots i have right now are me in a bikini and i don't know if i'm brave enough to share those yet! :)

lucysmama, i hope the house works out for you guys, it sounds wonderful!

piglet, i'm glad the change in attitude has really improved the night nursing for you and emily.

krnflwr and ameliabedelia, i hope the nursing gets easier for you too. sorry it's so uncomfortable. i can't imagine nursing right now. my nipples are so much happier when left alone.

gottaknit, sorry about the pelvic pain... the loosening of the pelvis has been kind of weird for me too. sometimes achey, but nothing bad really. unfortunately i slightly pulled my left groin while climbing last friday but i think it's getting better (although it hurt when i tried to pull my shoe off after yesterday's workout).

mtnjenny, i've always wanted to live in a log home! i did read misconceptions about a year ago. it was pretty harsh, but a worthwhile read (and i was much happier to have read it before actually being pregnant). another book i really liked was "having faith" - still critical in certain ways but a much warmer read.

mirthfulmom, sorry about the molars... they'll be in soon. and congratulations on getting so close to your degree!!! how exciting!

momadance, please share more about the time capsule!!! that's so neat!

hormones are interesting... i'm generally super-happy all the time. today though we had a little group meeting at work and my section of it didn't go great and it really got me down, way more than it should have. ah well, i'm feeling mostly better about it now. it helps that the baby is all active since lunch - that feels wonderful. my hunger is really sporadic, but i had a bananananana and a nectarine this morning too!

oh, gosh, and names... dh and i are having the hardest time with them!!! we're planning to see the baby first but we are even having a hard time coming up with a list of favorites, especially girl names. we got a big kick out of the name generator at http://www.behindthename.com/random.html with the categories on the right like witch, hillbilly and wrestler. try it - it's funny!

ok, i hope i didn't miss anyone. i should really get back to work. it's not been a very fruitful week at the office, which stresses me slightly but i know it will pass. having a baby on the way makes me feel the weight of responsibility more since i'll be the primary wage earner from now on and dh will be the primary care giver at home with the baby.

it's all ok though.

can you tell i'm procrastinating?

ok, i'm really getting back to work now.
this time for sure...

:grouphug

[momadance]

Nesting!? Totally, unfortunately, my "nesting" is un-assing this apt. and moving. I feel in the way! Everyone else is painting and MIL's putting up some super cool funky tropical wall-paper in my laundry room, while dh and bro. do crown and base mouldings in the house. (uh I had NO idea that was so costly) So miles and I chill, but what I'd really like to do is get settled. all in time! Found my first chest and dresser today at a antique shop. I've always had piles of clothes on utility shelves in the closet. Now I really feel grown up! :)


the time capsule: my bro found it while taking off the old base moulding. It's from the 60s. there was a pic of a goofy little girl, a receipt for the local newspaper, some sort of patch, a name plate, and I can't think of what else. The house was built in 56, and the little girl looks to be about 12 in the pic.

Flitters you must be one fit mama to still be able to climb! You need to change your user name to superwoman!

I love the name Arwen, I have a super cool, strong woman friend named Arwen.

My dh looked at my belly and told me it's not Gabriel in there! So Reed will either be the first name, or middle. Dh likes Reed Icculus, but say it fast and you'll see he's being a silly man. I like Reed Zappa. I actually wanted Zappa as a first name but Dh stepped in! I love Frank though, and he'd get such a kick out of it (wherever he sweet soul roams) I love Zappa Reed Diamond :love I still think our babe is Gabriel Reed Diamond. Is that super weird? to have typed out my last name?


just got up cause the oven beeped to let me know dinners ready BUTTTTTTTT I never put it in the oven :shy I'm really on top of things today!

peace out mama's!! :grouphug

[Yoga mama]

my baby is really active late morning--10ish or so, around dinner time and when i get into bed at night. He/she has been pretty regular with it's movements. I can even watch on my belly as a little leg (arm?) moves across! I love it.

No other babies to compare it to for me! ;)

[mirthfulmum]

Dh took Alias out for a hike today and they haven't gotten back yet. So I returned from class to an empty home and have chosen to spend my few moments of peace and tranquility with you all :love.

I forgot to put in my $0.02 on the name debate.

Karin - I really like the name Arwen. It has a lovely sound. But I do understand about the yelling the name out in public thing. I get looks from people all the time when I'm calling out to Alias. The weird and confused looks used to bother me but now I just ignore them. But I really don't think that would be a problem with the name Arwen.

momadance - Reed Icculus :LOL. I have to say the idea of naming your son Zappa made me smile. I'm not a huge Zappa fan but I went to a lot of his concerts as a child (my parents were real Zappa fans) so his music has always had sweet memories for me. I think that Zappa Reed is a really cool name, and it kind of goes with Miles in that both your boys would be named after great musicians. (That's what we're doing. Alias is named after Bob Dylan, Dylan played a man named Alias in the pretty bad 70's movie "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" and there's a pretty famous biography about Dylan entitiled "A Man Called Alias" and Harrison is for George Harrison, who is my favourite Beatle... but I digress). Perhaps your name conundrum won't be solved until you actually see your little guy. Who knows, he might just be a Zappa rather than a Gabriel after all.

[blessed2bamommie]

:LOL Busted! No shells tho....:( I'm thankful for that flam last week! This is crazy! I've been skimmin posts tho. :zzz I'm stalking right now. Not a very good stalker, :bag: I've fallen asleep several times and dh came to take the laptop off my lap so I wouldn't drop it! A workout will *make* you sleep at night! I'm tryin to hang for the cause. :nana:

[OakEmber]

Whew, I just finished catching up on all the posts I missed being gone for the week...my eyes are drooping so bear with me if I make any typos :LOL

First, smooth sailing vibes to all our movers this week and in those moving in weeks to come.

About the name, I do like Arwen but honestly I just can't picture Hannah and Arwen together (but of course that is something that'd sound right over time)....I can really picture Hannah and Morgan together, it just has a real nice flow to it. Good luck, maybe once you see her you'll just know...they are both nice names whatever you choose.

So just a quick update on our camping trip...it was so nice to just spend 5 days not having to look at a watch (though I did of course :LOL) or be anywhere or do anything. We did lots of swimming and Ember really had a blast...of course the first few days she was homesick and then today she didn't want to leave. She found a clam and really wanted to keep it...she named it Clammy and last night she came up from the water with the biggest tears I have ever seen from her and said " I just said goodbye to Clammy because we are leaving tomorrow and I won't be able to see him again"....wasn't I just willing to promise her anything from the pet store at that moment! Luckily, just taking a picture of her holding Clammy was enough to make her feel OK about it, and we also found Clammy's brother Clammer and so she doesn't feel so bad knowing that he's in the lake with his family....I will have to post the pic. It's nice to be home again, but we had escaped the heat the last few days and now it seems unbearable at the moment. We were too hot to unpack so that's what I have to look forward to for tomorrow.

Oh man, I haven't even gotten to QOTW! Well Oakley definately moves much more than Ember did...he seems to move first thing in the morning, a bit in the afternoon and again in the evening after dinner. Definately doesn't keep me up with movement at night or anything...I've never experienced that before! Ember was pretty sleepy as a newborn and would sleep 4 or 5 hour streches in the day and at night she'd go to sleep about 10, nurse at about 2, then 6 and sleep in until at least 9ish, I don't know if I could say that her movement in utero was connected (to tired to think of the word that really fits there, :LOL) but like I said she definately never kept me up at night in utero...knock on wood that since Oakley hasn't either it means something, hehe.

Now I gotta hit the sack, it'll feel so good to sleep in my own bed tonight and not worry about having to go pee if I need too...I limited fluids in the evening while camping because there was NO WAY I was trekking up to the outhouse in the middle of the night!

[blessed2bamommie]

score! got a fmbg! :D Noah's Ark :love with last weeks flam that brings me to 8. Back to the tp and ebay and I need some more WAHMs to stock! :yikes:

[Piglet68]

28 weeks, 4 days

Letia, you go girl!! :thumb

OakEmber: your trip sounds lovely, but that clam story...wow, you brought tears to my eyes!! how adorable!!

yoga mama: nice to see you here! I'll add you to the list (got an EDD for me?)

momadance: keep us posted on the name developments! :D

Feeling good today! My coworker and his wife had their baby on Wednesday. It was kind of scary as she had an ovarian tumour that had grown to 10 cm in diameter! She had a cesarean and they removed the tumour. Thankfully it was benign (just enjoying the lovely hormone cocktails of pregnancy) and apparently baby is nursing well. But I had to have my "I told you so" moment....he had been telling me that the docs were all saying baby was measuring HUGE (they are Japanese) and I kept telling him that these weight predictions are notoriously inaccurate. Sure enough, the baby was 6 lbs 12 oz. That wasn't the reason for the c-section of course (the tumour was causing her alot of pain - imagine squeezing a softball in there with your expanding uterus!), but still I had to roll my eyes at yet another "huge baby" prediction gone south. Anyways, they are in love and it made me so happy to feel newborn vibes. So many new babies around me, I swear I would be so jealous if I weren't getting ready to have my own!!

[OakEmber]

WTG Letia!

Wow Piglet, glad that everything is alright with your friend and her baby...she must be very happy to be done with being pregnant now!

Ember just boggled my mind...we were sitting at the table eating breakfast and I was reading the paper so I was only half listening to what she was saying :innocent but I hear something about being afraid of the pushing part, that she thought she was gonna die...so, huh...I ask "the pushing part scared you?" to get her to repeat herself, and so she talked about being afraid during the pushing part and how it wasn't fun for her in mommy's tummy (no wonder, I pushed for 4 hrs) but it totally surprised me that she said she thought she was going to die...I am reading Birth Without Violence (Frederick Leboyer) right now and it talks about that exactly being what the baby thinks is happening to it. This is not the first time she has talked about remembering being born...but she did say that she doens't want to watch the pushing part when Oakley is born, she wants to play with the toys and then come in afterward. This reminds me of another funny story I was gonna tell you guys, a little while back we were in the tub together and she started pushing down on my belly (kinda like she was giving my belly CPR) and saying "Come on Oakley, come out" and then would look between my legs to see if he was coming :LOL

[kraftykathy]

I think I forgot to answer the question of the week. This baby is very active every evening after supper! I get lots of good strong kicks for a couple of hours afterwards. I also get those nudges when baby doesn't like the position I'm sleeping in.

Generally I'm sleeping quite well but I do have to wake up a bit to turn over to the other side. Anyone else experiencing this? I told dh that I have to wake up to do it because it has to be done in stages. I call it the three point turn, lol!

That time capsule sounds so cool. I want to make one some day. Bet the kids would love that.

I LOVE both of the names, Arwen and Morgan! They are both beautiful. My best friends daughter is named Raewyn. I've always loved such fairy tale names like those.

I also love all the musician inspired names. Zappa Reed sounds great!

Awww poor Ember and her little friend Clammy! What a sweet story though. It's a good thing you got a picture to remember her little friend. She'll probably really enjoy that story when she gets older. I had to laugh at your planning your fluid intake at night to avoid trips to the out house, lol! We'll be camping at the end of August and I'll be doing exactly the same thing. I also hate getting up in the middle of the night when camping because I always end up almost stepping on wild life, hee-hee. Last year it was racoons, the year before it was a skunk.

Kathy

[mirthfulmum]

:!wback: Amie

WOW! You know I never really believed that people were capable of remembering their birth expereince. But reading about the things Ember has told you has really made me give it more thought.

[flitters]

just wanted to say how much i loved the story of ember and clammy (and clammer).

:D

[gottaknit]

That's really interesting about Ember remembering her birth. I was just thinking about it the other day. I was wondering if the birth is going to be scary for the baby, or if they "know" what is going on.... I mentioned it to DH and he looked at me like I have two heads. Which I guess technically speaking, right now I do. :LOL

[3bees~1flower]

Just wanted to post quick and say that of the two names, i like Morgan better....very pretty...we are using Grace for a middle name, too! :)

[Jillerina]

Thank you mamas for adding your belly shots to the Yahoo group. They have fed my curiosity plenty! I love seeing all the different shapes we take on during pregnancy, it really is such an individul thing.

Great to hear about your camping trip OakEmber. Ember sure is a special little girl, she knows so much already!

I never comment on names because I've changed my mind so many times about what I like. As a result I don't feel like I have any place giving my opinion to other people! Suffice to say I think both options are really pretty krnflwr.

Wannabe - I don't even know what these diapers are you are buying but they must be great so congrats on scoring!

My whine for the week is that Clara is trying to drop her afternoon nap (her only nap). It is making me CRAZY!!! She can't make it all day without a nap but I can't get her to fall asleep without screaming at reasonable time in the afternoon. The day before yesterday she went without a nap and passed out while eating at 6:30! DH doesn't get home until 7pm most nights so we really want to stick with her 8 or 9pm bedtime. AHHHHHH...who knows whats gonna happen - all I know is I want an afternoon nap so she should be taking one!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone. I'm so looking forward to having DH home. I need to sleep and relax my body... it is time to recharge this mama!

[Piglet68]

Jillerina, I was just coming here to post the same thing! For the last couple of weeks, Emily has been going to bed around 9 pm (usually it's around 7:30). At first I thought it was due to late naps, but even when she napped early it was happening. Well, today she just didn't nap at all, and she wasn't acting tired/crabby until around 6 pm. She fell asleep before 7 (oh joy!). DH decided he's not going to push for naps, and try hard to avoid any late afternoon naps...it sucks for him right now, as he gets no break. It's nice for me since I am over my evening duties early.

But needless to say I'm pretty bummed that this is happening right before baby comes! It would have been nice to have that time during the day (I'll be SAHM in four weeks!). My mum said I stopped napping pretty early, too. So I guess this is it!

[Lucysmama]

Bummer about the little ones giving up nappytime. I don't know WHAT I would do without naptime. It usually lasts from noon to 2:30pm, and we both sleep the whole time! My dd still has nightwaking issues, so I guess it is a trade off, but I look forward to naptime all morning!!! (Does that make me a bad mama??? I just wanna sleep soooo bad!)


Ok, I am getting REALLY freakin uncomfortable here. Am I the only one?!?!? Today was really hot and muggy and dd and I spent all day running around: to the mall, the playground, the drugstore, Grandma's house, the fabric store, my brother's baseball game, and then out to dinner with family. I must have overdone it, cause I am REALLY sore and achey and hot and pregnant and uncomfortable now!!! I'm feeling pretty :irked:. Baby is smushed against my navel in a very unpleasant way, too. GRRRRRRR. Is anyone else feeling the third trimester a lot now????

[mirthfulmum]

I hear you guys on the nap thing.

Alias has been really tough to get down for a nap for some time now. The only way I can get him down is to either walk him in the stroller or drive him in the car. And those are no garuntees. He has been skipping naps about 2 or 3 times a week for the past couple of months. The amazing (and frustrating) thing is that he falls asleep at the same time whether he naps or not. So I really miss it when he skips his nap.

I know this is vain but I found 2 new stretch marks yesterday. My old ones are on the side of my waist and really far below my belly button and they haven't really been darkening or looking any worse. I thought myself pretty lucky that they were hardly noticable. But now I have two new ones right above my belly button, and they're turning that lovely shade of purple. Oh well. Dh tells me to wear them as a badge of honor. I wish there were some other "badge" that could be given to us moms other than big purple slash marks on our bellies.

[Lucysmama]

Mirthfulmum - I found one on my side when I was taking a shower the other day. It's about halfway between my breast and navel, on the side. Just ONE so far, but I know there are more to follow. Mine are pink, though. Bright electric pink! :eek

[Jillerina]

Man, I had no idea they could quit napping so young. Lucysmama, I still look forward to the hope of a nap every day even though they come few and far between! You are not a bad momma for wanting to take a nap!!!!

Piglet, that is my feeling exactly. When we have these lovely little newborns who will be keeping us up during some strange hours I thought I could at least count on Clara taking a nap during the day!!

If I were willing and able to take Clara out for a walk every afternoon at just the right time I probably could get her to pass out for awhile but then I would be stuck out walking and not getting any rest for myself - kinda counterproductive. Mirthful, I can't imagine doing it and not having a guaranteed sleeping toddler at the end of the process, it would drive me batty.

No, you are not the only uncomfortable one Lucysmama. I feel your pain. Everyday that I overdo it (and it doesn't take much) I am a wreck all evening and through the next day. I don't remember pregnancy taking such a toll the first time round. Of course I was not pg and caring for a toddler and it was not Summertime so I guess I should not be surprised by the difference. Whatta buy at the fabric store by the way??

[Lucysmama]

. I don't remember pregnancy taking such a toll the first time round. Of course I was not pg and caring for a toddler and it was not Summertime so I guess I should not be surprised by the difference. Whatta buy at the fabric store by the way??

Yeah, I guess the fact that I went to like 7 places today while CARRYING a 35 lb toddler everywhere makes a pretty big difference! And, it is so freakin hot and humid. I ad dd in January. I was actually not working for the last 4 months of my pregnancy. Funny, I can't even remember what I did all day with nobody to take care of! I remember a haze of naps and matinee movies and meeting dh for lunch. Sounds nice!

We bought material to make wipes at the fabric store, BTW. Dd picked out the loudest prints in the store, but she had fun with it. We're gonna have some crazy wipes!!!! She proceeded to tell the fabric-cutting lady that we were "making wipes for the new baby's stink-butt." :eyesroll

[gottaknit]

I'm definitely feeling uncomfortable, too. Mostly it's my ribs. I feel like they're being pried apart! It feels like the baby is growing right up into my ribcage below my breasts. I have a really small torso (bra size 32) and I feel like I'm running out of room up there! Especially if I sit for more than 20 minutes at a time.

[krnflwr]

I'm just sitting here, nodding my head as I read the posts, on the verge of tears. Yes, yes, yes, I totally know what you are talking about! In terms of napping (I need one desperately, Hannah isn't so sure) and feeling very squished inside and feeling very little physical endurance anymore.
Sleep (or lack thereof) has always been an issue w/ Hannah. Or at least an issue w/ me. She doesn't need much, apparently, and it's hard to come by when it's there. At 32 months, she's *just* started sleeping through the night. To celebrate this achievement, she is now fighting me on naps on an almost daily basis, making me a very grumpy mama. And she's not going to bed any earlier. Just being irritated and whiney and clumsy for most of the evening, and super clingy. I've had to just scout out the house for any major hazards, and then go lay down myself each afternoon. I tell her that I'm having quiet time, and if she wants to play to go in the other room. If she wants to nurse and be quiet, she can stay in the bed w/ me. Some days this works, on others it is just a temper-tantrum nightmare.
Baby Cookie has been exploring the limits of my uterus lately, and stretching out both feet and hands at the same time. Yikes, at the same time I'm gasping for breath I feel the sensation of sharp, little fingers poking into my 'bagina (as Hannah calls it). I was so relieved when Baby Cookie turned transverse early this morning. Now I have two lumps on either side of my belly, one is a hard little head, the other a little bum. But I can breathe again...hooray!
We went to our county fair the other day, and walked around and saw the animals and rode a few kiddie rides, ate some fair junk food, etc..for like 3 hrs. I felt fine and we had a wonderful time. Hannah rode the ponies like 6 times! Anyway, by the time we got home, DH had to pry me out of the car, I could barely stand up straight. And walk? Forget it! I took a hot bath and climbed into bed. Took well into the next day to get back to "normal" (whatever that is). I feel like such an weakling lately. I've been trying to up my iron intake, thinking that might help somewhat. How do women w/ like 5 kids go plow the fields, milk the cows, churn the butter, chop the firewood, haul water, make meals, gestate, labor, birth and then keep going and do it again? Amazing!
Okay, I feel like I've been moaning and whining long enough. It's foggy and overcast here, but deliciously cool. I think we'll go for a walk while I still have my days' allotment of energy. Have a good weekend, Mamas!

[Piglet68]

Sorry to hear about your exhaustion, mamas. Sounds like y'all are overdoing it a bit. I try to keep my activities to a minimum, but I know that isn't always possible.

Well, today we did something we've never done before, we actively discouraged DD from sleeping, lol. She was down before 7 last night and didn't get up until almost 8 am. Heaven! She was wide awake today all through her usual naptime, but at around 4 pm she fell asleep in the car. Luckily we weren't far from home. Normally we would carry her in, put her to bed, and I'd nurse her back to sleep. Today we brought her in, sat her on the sofa, put on Dora the Explorer and fed her some Pringles, LOL. Good lord, what lows we have sunk to! But it worked. She stayed awake for bathtime, dinner, and finally went down just before 7 pm. I like early bedtimes!!

Lucysmama: do you have a serger? My mum has a sewing machine but not a serger. I need wipes, but it's a drag to pay for them when they are so easy to make. I'm just not sure how to finish the edges/seams so they don't fray...any tips?

And I hear you on the "what was I doing back then". I, too was finished with work for the last four months of my PG. I remember lots of MDC surfing, naps, short walks and trips to the grocery store...that's about it. What luxury!!

[Lucysmama]

Pig-
Nope, no serger. I am just folding the squares and making seams....like making a pillow, only no stuffing! It works just fine!

[mirthfulmum]

Ooooooooh, the luxury of early bedtimes!

Today Alias actually had a proper nap. We went over to friends' for breakfast and stuffed ourselves on yummy pancakes. Then we all went to the beach for a swim. Alias has such a great time playing with our friends' 8 month old son and splashing in the water that he just crashed around 2pm on the drive home. And the best part was that he slept for almost 2 hours! I love days like this. Tons of fun in the early day, a good solid nap (and some quiet time for mom and dad), and a peaceful family evening.

[momadance]

Piglet: for wipes have you thought about using baby wash rags? I got a TON at the thrift store for super cheap.

Lost half of the nasty thumb nail today! (length wise)

I'm feeling the 3rd trimester sometimes. Like today my friend had a birthday party for her 1 and 3 yo's and there were a TON of people there, and it made me want to scream! I did not have a good time, but then, it was for MIles to enjoy, not me. I know we touched on this but I am hungry 24/7. And with the constant work on the house, and taxing between house and apt. we've been eating like CRAP!~

TMI ahead!! It has been so hard to have a decent bm, and I usually go at least twice, usually 3 times a day. Now I'm lucky if once is in the cards. :shy It's all the crapy food. Like I just was eating some sunchips! Gosh there addicting. Anyone else freaking out about how close were getting? I haven't even had my 1st "offical" pre-natal with my LM!

Well I guess I should hit the hay, hope you mama's have nice nights!
:love

[OakEmber]

Aww, glad you guys enjoyed the Clammy story :hug

I am definately feeling third trimesterish...and having to unpack from camping hasn't been fun, I am not quite caught up on laundry yet. Gosh, I feel for you moving mommas...my complaints are nothing compared to what you are facing!

About the remembering birth thing...I never really thought it was possible either until Ember started talking about it on her own like she did...but I have always wondered if the way she hates getting shirts stuck on her head (she has ALWAYS freaked about that and still does) is related to being stuck in the birth canal, and now I think it is :exclaim

[3bees~1flower]

well, i hear ya'll on the third trimester thing....when i have been sitting for any length of time, when i get up,my hips feel like i have walked for miles and all i've been doing is sitting! which isn't fair, 'cuz i don't *need* my hips to change and loosen and spread and all that....kwim? LOL

Piglet....on the wipes thing...if your machine has as overedge stitch you could use that, it looks like a serged edge...or you could just zig-zag the edges...and if they do fray the will stop once they get to the seams.they shouldn't with an overedge stitch tho.

Momadance....on the BM issues...try eating a big bowl of rasin bran before bed...i do this about everynight and things *go* quite well in the mornings... :innocent ...also just try and eat a lot of whole grains throughout the day...i have a great muffin recipe (contains flax, oatmeal, ww flour, and i made it with some wheat bran the other day) that is loaded with fiber if you are interested...then you could just eat 2-3 of those a day along with the rasin bran at night. HTH!!

well, i'm beat...gotta go sleepy...even tho it won't be any fun...this carpal tunnel is beating me up at night...mostly my right arm...it will start to ache in the night and i can't lay it any way but it doesn't throb and go numb... :irked:

'Nite!!

[Lucysmama]

OMG, my dd took a FOUR HOUR nap today!!! :eek :bow I bow to the nap gods who allowed that one to happen! She went to bed with no problem at 10:00pm (her normal time is 9:30) and has been sleeping soundly since. Now, where am I going to have to pay for this down the road......? :LOL

[Piglet68]

Oh I paid all right.......!!

She woke up at 9 pm and would NOT go back to sleep. I finally had to go to bed myself, only to be interrupted by her crawling into bed asking for milkies. Me, thinking she was ready to go down, would comply, only to have her sit up 10 minutes later and go running out to DH. I think we must have nursed her 10 times...my breasts finally ached so much I said no more. I fell asleep and was vaguely aware of her and DH coming to bed (some time around midnight!!), and her snuggling up to me.

The only good part about that night of torture was that she DID actually fall asleep without nursing (at least, I'm pretty sure of that, lol)!

Oh, the sitting thing. When I get up after sitting for a long time, my crotch is killing me! I think Sasha's head is just so low down there, it puts too much pressure on it. And I'm so stiff...I walk like I've just run a marathon, lol.

[blessed2bamommie]

Its Sunday am and I'm at the computer! I figured I'd save it for the first of the week weekend talk; but, I guess folks are talking about what they've done. :shrug I went to my paternal family reunion yesterday on Smith Mtn in VA. My father has been dead for 15 years; and my they didn't care for my mother so she didn't feel obliged after my grandmother and my dad's twin sister died to bring us back up there; but, since they started biyearly reunions we go and we are able to see our big sister and at least one of our big brothers. (there's seven of us) Yesterday our youngest brother was there too. :D There's a Smith Mtn. Lake too; but, its thru the woods from my cousin's house. My Uncle Joe said it was polluted and my other cousin talked about bacteria counts and I thought well, it'd be best not to explore that. I forgot about bacteria. :yikes: I kept asking my Uncle Joe, who *totally* is a farmer and knows the lay of the land there where the springs were. If only I had a bathing suit with me....no free shows for Uncle Joe. :eyesroll: It was hot, *even* on the mountain. Mama was surprised when I told her when I got home. And my cousins house didn't have a/c. My bil was lookin at me and he saw I was starting to morph into an evil woman and he kept throwin water on me. :LOL I saw my nephew, whom I haven't seen since he was a little boy (family estrangement after daddy died over $$$---long story :eyesroll). I *didn't* cry! :LOL I saw my grandmothers first cousin. All of my aunts were going craaaaaaaaaazy that there's another Arrington (I guess dh was like hey!!!!), on the horizon. You wanna talk about some strong women? My familiy is a family of farmers. Now, my grandmother has died some time ago; but, and my Uncle is the storyteller. He sat at the head of the group telling stories. *He* could probably tell about Grandma Thailour workin the farm and having.....ohhhhhhhhh... 10 children, I think....mama always talks about the spokes on a wheel when she counts them.....:scratch Bil was trippin about if I had the baby, my cousin was a dr. :shake (He's a vet!) BUT! I knew that my aunts would have my back! Talk about a hb! Not *my* home;but.....needless to say...no exit until at least 37 weeks! :shake When I left...my cousin pointed my attention to a WILD TURKEY!!!! It was crossin the road! How neat! They don't need no stinkin gro. store for Thanksgivin! And there's a meat processing plant in town. If I had the room I woulda stopped at the creamery! Its another time and it didn't freak me out like in times past. I really appreciate all that stuff now. I guess since my interested in NP. I can't *wait* til I bring little Arrington (I'd have to bring smelling salts b/c they would just *flip*) , or Mikayla to the mountain. I don't think I'll wait for the family reunion b/c I'll be looking at a toddler like I was at my cousins child. :shake And I want pictures of everyone holding the baby. I have an old family. My aunts and uncles are in their 70s and today my daddys older sister is 80. (can you say May-December...that was mama and daddy...15 yrs) I just want to have those pictures. I thought about my Uncle Robert, who's kinda taken the patriarch role since the original patriarchs have been long gone, and I think he soooooo needs to write down these stories.....like he tells them. I'm so afraid they'll be lost. :crying Talk about adventure on the farm! He'll make you wet your pants! So...I ran past everybody to pee when I got there! :LOL Its just so amazing there....I just wish that Arrington wasn't synonymous with sweat! *No* a/c to be had yesterday! And that woulda been fine if there was a clean natural water source to dip in! We'll see what next time brings....they are wondering if I'll be pg again in 2yrs. :shrug I want this one to be 3 or close and weaned and out of dipes. So, I might still need to keep cool. Or, I'll be chasin after a 2yo. Let's hope not both! :shake

dh from his office...:eyesroll (with a porcelain seat) imed me and said IHOP? :bolt

gotta check for dipes first! :nono

:duh I meant to commiserate about the vagina blows! :yikes:


aaaaaaaaaaaaaand I told dh Friday I felt like I was 80 (as I pased by an old woman :bag: ) , the aches and all now....:shake

I feel a lower belly ache. Riding or after hour cycle challenge, so maybe I need to cut back to 45....

K, doing a little hunt for dipes. :run

[Piglet68]

Oh, forgot to say thanks for the tips on the wipes. I'm guessing Mum's machine has an "overedge" stitch (I know nothing about sewing but she got a new machine a while back). I did try the baby washcloths, momadance, used them for the first several months, but then I got my hands on some terry and sherpa, etc and I'm hooked. I want the good stuff! Lucysmama: don't you still have to stitch up the little bit left open after you've folded them inside out? That sounds like a lot of work! :D

Well, had a nice day at the pool with DD (except for all the mamas smoking in front of their babies, ugh!). I'm actually finding myself getting bored these days: guess it's as good a time as any for a new baby, lol. DD entertains herself well at home, I had all the housework done early on Saturday morning, and was actually BORED. Haven't felt that in a while. Went to the library and got a book, so now I have some reading. Can't wait to get back home to Vancouver where I have friends, family, and a few more choices in my activities! 'Course when Sasha arrives I doubt very much I'll feel boredom again for about another 2 years, lol.