It's August!

[Piglet68]

October Mamas Roll Call :belly

momtol&a
Yoga mama
snugglebutter 10/01
mirthfulmum 10/03 BOY! Harrison Eliot Smith
*prediction: last week of Sept, 8 hrs labour*
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 *prediction: girl, Oct 8, 16 hrs labour*
bendmom 10/12
momadance 10/13 BOY! Gabriel Reed...? or will it be Zappa? :)
*prediction: Oct 23rd*
Mandi 10/14
rhemp 10/14
wannabmommie 10/15
MTBto5 10/15
krnflwr 10/16 GIRL! *prediction: Oct 16th, 10 hours labour*
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
*prediction: Oct 18 or 28*
OakEmber 10/21 BOY! Oakley Kai
*prediction: Oct 6 - 10, 6 hours labour*
mtnjenny 10/22
Stanleymama 10/23 BOY! *prediction: Oct 18, short easy labour*
gottaknit 10/24 *prediction: Oct 31 - Nov 4, > 9 lbs*
3boyz4us 10/24
Ctmom70 10/24 BOY! Alex Richard
Kim22 10/24 BOY!
aspiring mama 10/25
sunshinegal 10/25 Fiona
truebluexf 10/27
Soogie 10/27 *prediction: Oct 27 or 28*
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, everyone!

Hope y'all had a great weekend, and are starting your week refreshed. I'm beginning week 29 (only TEN weeks until baby arrives!! wow!), and I think most of us should be in our third trimester's now.

Question of the Week: kind of a silly/fun question this time but...what's going on with your breasts these days? :D

I am definitely not making any milk, my supply disappeared weeks ago. No sign of colostrum yet, either. And I'm not sure if this is because I was nursing during PG, but I never got the lovely bustline I did with my first pregnancy. My breasts are still rather droopy. However, I have noticed over the last few days that they seem to be getting fuller. And I've had much increased nipple pain when DD is nursing (thank goodness she seems to be cutting down again). So maybe there is something going on there. My nips are so tired from DD that I can't even bring myself to try to express something, but I'm wondering if things are "getting into gear" for baby. I'm actually excited at the thought of having breasts full of milk again (prob'ly since nursing on an empty breast is no fun!) and also of feeling letdown again. But then I remember all the pads and towels and leaks...lol...aw heck, it's all good!!

So, are you happy with your newfound cleavage? Are you finding yourself falling over on your face b/c what was already well-endowed is now monstrous? Or are you, like me, wondering where the lovely rounded boobs of pregnancy are hiding? :D

[sqoya]

Wow - I missed all of last week! We have been so busy! I love reading all the posts, there is so much going on with everyone! I'm so glad I found this forum!

QOTW: Alright, I think I'm REALLY in the minority with this one - I've been leaking since week 16! Can you believe it!? Every morning I wake up with 2 big wet spots on my t-shirt and one time I leaked through at work (bought some pads after that incident)! Every now and then there are darker yellow spots - colostrum, I guess. My dh and I joke that by the time this baby is born, trying to feed the baby will be like using a fire hose!!! :) I am usually so small, that I absolutely LOVE my pregnancy cleavage!!!

So, we were supposed to have some drywall work done this weekend, and were stood up (again). :angry We just have our kitchen ceiling and 2 bedroom walls, so and we keep getting dumped for larger jobs. But that means there are still tarps everywhere (so drywall dust won't get everywhere), and we can't install kitchen cabinets (need a ceiling first)! A day that I can find clean clothes and the phone when it rings is a good day!!! It's so stressful, but I'm trying to not get too worked up over it. I can't wait to wash my kissaluvs!!!

Can't wait to hear how you are all doing!

[stanleymama]

Had a great time last week up at my sil's in northern minnesota. Very relaxing and refreshing. Downside was it was pretty chilly so only one day of boating and tubing. Dh took Collin out on the tube with him and he LOVED IT!!! He kept putting his hand in the water and saying to daddy--"Look at the fishies." Aidan went as well and enjoyed it but not as much as Collin.

28w and 2 days here. I am ready for my clothes to start fitting. I know many of you here are loving being pg, but for me I am ready to be done. But it seems like I have been pg for forever since this is #4 in 4years. I love feeling my little guy move, but I love it soooo much more when they are in my arms.

QOTW: Well my boobs were pretty droopy at the start of pg since Sammy had just weaned, but now they are filling out again and I love it!!! I too have always been small so I defintely enjoy actually getting the chance to have breasts-LOL!!! And I LOVE nursing and can hardly wait to start up again. I imagine though that when I am done having my own children there won't be anything to speak of.

[True Blue]

My breasts are nice and voluptuous again, thank you very much. :) They had fizzled back down to a droopy, floppy, B but now I'm up a chest size and into C's. Can't wait for the milk and my D's to come back!!! :) It's fun being chesty for a while!!! I have colostrum, Ds isn't nursing but um DH confirmed that there is something in there :LOL. That being said, we finally got to have sex for the first time in almost 7 weeks, so that was fun!!!

Mandi, my SIL is a super milk producer too...she could express milk really early on. One time, after her DD came, she sat on the toilet and leaned over and started spraying milk everywhere...she got two bottles and filled them both up, without even touching her breasts!!!!

I too am getting a bit antsy for this pg to be over. This has been a really long one for me, between not feeling well in the beginning and the bedrest and everything...I feel like I've been pg forever.

[mirthfulmum]

8 more weeks to go! :bigeyes Holy smokes, I didn't realize that until I just wrote it down right now!

I am with you mommas who are done being pregnant. I was telling my husband last night that I have been feeling real selfish lately and that I just want to have my body back. I want to sleep comfrotably, be able to breath without feeling like I have a weight on my chest, be able to run around and wrestle with Alias, have a beer, not constantly be assessing how close the bathrooms are whenever we go out to the park, not break out into an overheated sweaty mess every time the temp. gets over 20 degress (I think that's 75 farenhieght), oh yeah, and have a sex life again! I love feeling my babe growing stronger and healthier everyday. I love that we are having another little guy joining our famliy. I just wish it were October already! Okay whine fest over.

Had a wonderful and then stressful day yesterday. The first part of the day was fantastic. We all went down to watch the Gay Pride Parade, Alias had a blast! He loved all the dancing and music and costumes. And boy he made out like a bandit. The people walking with the floats were giving him all sorts of stickers, tatoos, balloons, whistles, pride beads (like Mardi Gras beads) and, of course, candy :eyesroll. He had such a great time the only problem was when the parade was over. He just burst into tears and cried "More parade! Where music? Where dancing?" It was so sad. Fortunately he bounces back pretty quick when he rediscovered all his goodies in the backpack. When I got home I had to rush off to my granfather, who is im very poor health, as he had an attack and was so weak he couldn't get out of bed. After I made him a cup pf tea, spent time with him and then made him a light meal he was better but he is in bad shape. He's 92, has lived a long life and accomplished so much... it's still so hard to see the robust, strong, determined man that I grew up with become the frail sick man he is now. He told me last night that he is finished with this world and just wants to be free. But his heart just keeps pumping and he keeps waking up every morning. It's hard.

Well I've spent so long on the above that I've run out of time to answer the QOTW. ALias has found me out and has turned off the monitor stateing "No 'puter mommy". So I guess I'll just have to get to the QOTW later.

[Lucysmama]

30 weeks!

I can't believe it is August!!! :eek Just think, in another 7 or 8 weeks, we will probably have a baby or two here! That kinda wigs me out a little bit.

We gave our landlord 30 days notice (YAY!) and he said, "Well, I figured you'd be going." Uhhhhh, yeah, that's what happens when you harrass your tenants. We get the impression around town that nobody stays in his two rental houses for very long. But we're moving! And we are so happy to be going. Now comes the hard part.....we are moving Sept. 1st, so I will have just under 6 weeks to get the new house inpacked and ready. Add to that the fact we are having a homebirth, and it makes me a little anxious. At least those nesting hormones should help me bust my butt and get the unpacking done!

QOTW: I have really big breasts to start with. I was a 36 DD prepregnancy, and actually - though my cups are really full, I am still the same size. My breasts look a little rounder, and the areola and nipples are darker, but other than that - they are the same old breasts.

I've been leaking colostrum since week 20 or so, I think..? And all it takes it a little squeeze and many drops come out. I have never actually breastfed, but when I pumped for dd, I was always a productive pumper. It took me about 15 minutes to get a bottle's worth from each breast. I am sooooo excited to actually breastfeed the new baby, though I definitely have some fear about it too.

And I am with Amy. This pregnancy has felt really long. And I feel physically like I should be just a few weeks from delivering, not 10. I just feel big and the baby feels big and I feel like I could have him/her in another 4 weeks. But please baby, stay inside for at least another 8!

[bluehalo]

and I'm in this weird in-between place ... partially getting anxious to meet this baby and be done being pregnant (and I'm really looking forward to my VBAC, crazy as that might sound ... I'm excited about having another chance to birth :) ) .... but on the other hand, I want time to slow down so I can cherish these last few weeks with Ethan as on only child ... I still have so much stuff to do (still don't have sleeping arrangments figured out, ack!). So, I have a feeling like these next 10 weeks will go by more quickly than I might want. Which is so funny compared to my pregnancy w/ E., where although I knew that the longer he "cooked" the better for him, I was just dying to meet him.

QOTW: breasts ... hrm, mine seem to be pretty consistent w/ pre-preg. size ... but I've been having some minor leakage for quite a while now, and like Amy mentioned, DH has noticed too ;) Somewhere a few months ago the breast tenderness dissappeared, thank goodness. I don't remember that from my first pregnancy, and it caught me off guard.

I'm really excited about getting to nurse a tiny baby again ... I have such fond, rose colored memories of nursing Ethan ... there's just nothing like staring into each others eyes through a nursing session, or that milk-drunk, blissed out look those little babes get after drinking their fill of magic-mama-milk. *sigh*. Of course, this time around it will probably be completely different ... instead of being in our own little word, staring into each other's eyes, I'll be trying to keep baby latched on while running after Ethan who'll likely be chasing the dog with scissors trying to "give him a haircut". *lol*. I can fantasize though, right? *lol*

Happy Monday everyone :)

[Soogie]

I'm back after a 2 week long vacation. Now I need a vacation from my vacation! It was hectic and crazy but lots of fun.

QOTW: Well, I am one of the unfortunate ones whose breasts do not change size during pregnancy, much to my DH's dismay. lol! My body just fails me in that department. I had severe supply problems with ds #1, leading to me having to supplement him at 6 months due to him losing weight and becoming dehydrated and lethargic. Things were better with dd#2, but I had to take domperidone to keep my supply going the entire time she nursed, 16 months. Each time I tried to wean myself off the meds, my supply would plummet. I'm not sure what this next experience will be like...I'm shooting for the old adage "Third times a charm!" I can only hope that just once, I can bf without having to use meds to stimulate production. I envy all of you super lactators!! I am leaking colustrum and have been since about 16 weeks.

I'm getting really excited about next week. I called and scheduled an appt to have a 4D ultrasound done. Has anybody else had one done with this pg or in the past??? My only concern is that we don't really want to know the sex and 2 of my friends that have had it done said it was impossible NOT to know...everything was extrememly visible. Even though I would like to keep it a surprise, it sure would make it easier to go through baby clothes...between 2 kids, I have 8 20gallon rubbermaid containers with clothes. The nesting instinct needs to kick in so I can at least sort them. ugh.

Susan

[Lucysmama]

Mirthfulmum - We X-posted. :hug So sorry to hear about your Grandpa. It's so hard to watch someone you love be ready to go....and keep going on. My dad was the same way. It was devestating for me when he actually died, but in a way, I was happy for him because his pain was gone, and he went peacefully in his sleep like he had always wanted to.

Wishing you and your grandpa love and peace. :hug

[mtnjenny]

They're definitely bigger, and dh is lovin' it. I, on the other hand, am not so sure...I liked them before! Isn't that terrible? But, as I always say, I'm new at all this. So most likely, when they start doing they're job, it'll be so exciting and amazing, and I'll be all proud of them as I should be.

Woke up this morning with dh, dog, and cat all in bed sleeping with us! That never happens! What's going on?! Talk about nesting - guess we're all feelin' the love. :love

Gearing up for the start of a new school year in a few short weeks. So fun to think about working with my dear students (my 1st and 2nd graders from last year will now be my 2nd and 3rd graders, with a new crew of sweet 1st graders) for just 8ish weeks, and then taking time off to be with a new bundle of joy.

So here's my gripe right now, read it if you like, skip it if you don't like: We've been bombarded with visitors this summer, which has been stressful. My brother and his wife are coming on Wednesday for a few days (which I can't wait for b/c they've never been to our little house in the mountains.) The in-laws are coming in the middle of August, and then they're coming back again with SIL's family which includes twin 1 1/2 year-old boys (and she's pregnant again, due on Thanksgiving.) I'm nervous about this visit because they're all staying at our little house, I'll be back at work, and I'll be 6 weeks from my due date. Oh - and as my MIL let me know, the boys will be terrified of the dog. :irked: So we'll both be at work all day, I'll come home needing a nap (which I refuse to deny myself esp. if boys are crying at night?) they will have been here with our crazy 2-yr old pup, and wondering what we're going to do for dinner? DH is wonderfully helpful with cleaning and cooking all the time, but he's made it clear to his family he can't be taking days off because he's saving up time to spend with baby (he leaves at 10 am doesn't get home 'till about 8 pm.) I guess the hardest part of all of this is that dh and I are gearing up for the fact that SIL and her family live in the same town as in-laws, they see each other every single day, they are so in love with the twins, and with her new pregnancy, and are SO proud that she is able to stay home. So we're trying to be prepared for our own baby's pending arrival to be not the center of attention during that visit. :crying I try so hard not to be so "poor me," but I'm anxious about this visit even though it seems far away right now. I guess, as I keep telling dh, I thought people were supposed to be extra considerate with someone who is pregnant and close to her due date, and not just assume that we're going to be all laid-back and accomodating as we usually are. I know, maybe I should call them up and let them know that a bear tried to get into my neighbor's house last week, and one got into another neighbor's car the week before that - then maybe they'll stay in a hotel! :LOL No, it's hard because we love them so much, they are dear people, and we truly are psyched that SIL is coming to our house.

Well ladies, thanks for listening. With everything else with this pregnancy going so beautifully, I need to concentrate on that and enjoy this visit. At least I know that dh is with me no matter what, and we can lay in bed and giggle under the covers when everyone goes to bed. :throb

[OakEmber]

QOTW-Well, there is nothing interesting happening here in the breast dept! I am one of those small breasted mommas and I don't really have any changes to note, they are heavier and I guess a slight bit bigger but not as big as they were last time as I am not really filling out my maternity bras from before (and they are only a C, LOL)....I do remember them getting bigger postpartum, but as soon as my milk regulated itself they were about a C. I don't really care though, I am actually one who would feel uncomfortalbe with the new found cleaveage I think.

Mirthfulmum sorry about your Grandpa...when I saw my Great Grandma for the last time (she was also in her 90's) she was saying the same things, it feels a little weird, you don't really know how to respond to that do you. And I just knew it was the last time I was going to see her, she was telling me with her eyes. It always amazes me though, the pattern of life and death...here you are carrying a boy and your Grandpa is close to leaving. (hope that is not offensive to anyone, I actually find it comforting in a way)

Lucysmama- WTG, it must feel liberating to have finally told your landlords that you are moving! Best of luck with the move and transition, I am sure it will be fine! Just remember, your baby doesn't really care what the state of the house is when it's born...and I am sure you will put the nesting urges into good use!

I am sorta with Bluehalo, I can't wait and am excited but at the same time I am in no big rush :LOL Funny, my cousin was over yesterday with her 2 month old baby girl and I was holding her and I actually had the cliche though "oh yeah, I will be doing this soon!" ;) I really feel that Oakley will be born towards the first half or middle of Oct, not the last two weeks (don't ask why :scratch) so I am thinking that he'll be here in around 10 weeks which seems crazy when you flip it around and think how fast the first 10 weeks of pregnancy went! That would actually be a fun thing to do, if someone (Piglet) wanted to organize and keep track of our guestimates of when we think that we'll have our babies, don't ya think?

Amy :LOL I feel like I ought to congratulate you :thumb And speaking of which, Ina May Gaskin says something in her book (Guide to Childbirth) about never seeing any woman who is sexually active during her pregnancy going over...makes me wonder. I have definately been having more sex this time than last time and informed Dh last night that I want it frequently from now to the end (poor guy hey ;) ) so we shall see if it holds true.

Hey, looks like we got some new icons! This one is for Mandi :rocks

[momadance]

Mirthful :hug Your grandads awesome attitude brought tears to my eyes! I know it's hard, but it's beautiful at the same time.

my boobys are pretty much the same 'ole boobies. Maybe a little bigger, and my nipples are mamouth and dark. A friend of mine who is a LLL leader told me she recently watched a film promoting the philosophy that the linea negra and darkening of the nipples is to help the new babe find it's yum yums. She said in the film a just birthed baby was laid on mums tum and wiggled it's way up her dark linea to her nipples and started nursing! Just beautiful.

I am NOT ready for this pregnancy to be over. It's gone way too fast, and way too much is going on. I've had a super stressful weekend, alot of crap going down I don't even want to get into. (Step MIL issues) What a nightmare! If she implies one more time that my hubby is an idiot infront of my ds, or uses one more racist coment (never has infront of ds, or she'd be out the door) I'm going to tell her off (again), and I really don't need the confrontation. How can someone be so ignorant? uh.. I don't even want to get into it...

I'm lighting candles tonight for blessings, judging by the previos posts I'll light one for Mirthful, and mtnjen, and myself and lucysmama for our house drama, but anyone else in need of some good vibe's lemme know! I know I need the tranquility and peace the light of a candle brings me, and I need also to share that!

[Piglet68]

Argh! I'm so ticked off....just found out my GD test was "borderline" so now I have to do the 3 hour test. Yuck. What a royal waste of time. I know I don't have GD...Seems I've failed all my tests this PG, only to have them all turn out okay in the end. Makes me even more convinced that this is my last, lol!

mirthfulmum: sorry to hear about your Gpa. Mine passed away a couple of years ago and was the same as yours - he was 94 and told me many times he was tired and wanted to "go". like oakember said: what on earth do you say in response to that? anyways, his passing was quick and peaceful.

mtnjenny: I don't envy you the visitors. what is it with people who just don't "get" this special time? try to remember to put yourself first...this is a unique time in your life and you don't want to be stressed out!

lucysmama: I'm surprised you even gave them the courtesy of 30 days' notice, but then suppose your new place won't be ready until then anyways. I share your pain. I've begun apartment hunting in earnest but it's not easy when you are 3000 miles away. There is one area of town where we could rent "sight unseen" b/c they are basically all new condos and all the same (Yaletown for those familiar). But where we really want to live (West End) there is more variation and I'd want to see the place first. But I won't be in town until at least the 24th, leaving it very short time to find a place. We're thinking maybe doing a short term (one month) rental and looking for a longer term rental for Oct 1. But that means moving twice AND so close to my due date! Ugh, I'll feel alot better when this is settled!

[AnnR33]

AAARRRRGGG I hate my Dh's laptop-this is my 5th try to get this done and it keeps deleting
We are finally in Washington!!! YIPPEE :banana :)
Better hit send before I'm swearing in front of the kids
Ann

[True Blue]

LOL Amie...DH was quite excited let me tell you!! :LOL He probably received high 5's at work this morning....And in reference to Ina May, we were active esp towards the end (bc I did NOT want to be late) and I went into labor on my due date with DS born the next morning. ;)

I think it would be fun to make our birth predictions and see what is right!! (We could guess when and gender and how long labor will be.....)

[gottaknit]

Hi everyone. QOTW: I'm glad you brought this up! I've been wondering if I'm some kind of freak. ;) I'm in the same boat as Mandi. Big and leaky. The other day I was blowing my nose and something squirted out of my nipple onto my arm! (I was getting ready to get in the shower - I don't just walk around topless! :LOL )

I'm a 32C prepregnancy, and have long outgrown the 34D bras I bought around 13 weeks. I'm now wearing stretchy sports bras exclusively. I had no idea how much bigger I'm going to get so I didn't buy any new bras after outgrowing the last ones.

When do we buy nursing bras? How do you know what size to get?

Since someone brought up sex, I'll comment on that, too. :wink I have not been in the mood since early in the first trimester. Poor DH. But the last two nights I've been having some pretty wild dreams, so maybe we should give it another try. I'm a little anxious about the whole post-partum recovery time. I'm guessing after the baby I won't be in the mood for a long time, being tired, etc. So we'd better get it on now while we still can! :LOL

[3bees~1flower]

hello! i'm late posting today, so i'm not going to try and respoond to everyone for fear of forgetting anyone... :innocent

QOTW: my boobs never really change all that much...i was nursing when i got pg so i'm sure that has something to do with it. my nipples/areola are really dark and my nipples are super sensitive still, but for some strange reason, they are still an important of certain imtimate times... :innocent even tho they are so sensitive...:shrug go figure. also, i have *never* been able to express colostrum with any of my pregnancies, but always have plenty of milk for baby.

gonna go for now...hope you all feeling well. :love

[True Blue]

Just woke up from a nap and had a totally weird dream and in it I gave birth to a baby girl. I've been thinking this is a boy but the past day or so I started thinking maybe not. ANyway, I had and we had her laying on some piece of furniture when I was like, oh what did we have? So I pick her up and look straight at her crotch and go "it's a girl!" and DH was like, "wow oh yeah". LOL. Then I called my mom and no one else. Then I went out for a walk with DS and left the baby who knows where? A couple hours later I was like, oh shoot I should call my dad too. During that time my mom had already taken the baby out somewhere (and she hadn't called dad yet either). It was very bizarre. Oh and my dog was Benji, like from the movies LOL. THought I'd add that DH started calling the baby some crazy name like Shahanaeela, and I was like no we were going to name her Lillian, remember? :LOL

[Piglet68]

I'd be happy to keep track of predictions if anybody wants to share!

Ann: glad you made it to WA okay. welcome to the PNW! (i'll be joining you shortly, lol)

gottaknit: a good bra consultant should be able to fit you now. I went to the Motherwear Store and was measured by a woman there who calculated what my bust size would be after PG. I think I was about 7 months PG at the time. She predicted a 36DD. For someone who had never been more than modest B her whole life...that was pretty amazing! Anyways, I bought a couple of Bravado nursing bras and they worked just fine.

[flitters]

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well! Our weekend was really nice. I overdid it at bit on Saturday so make a point of resting a lot Sunday.

Today's highlight has been consuming an entire burrito over the course of the last 5 hours. That may not sound like much, but the burrito was so big I could barely lift the thing. Seriously, it was probably enough to feed at least 4 people... it must have weighed about 5 pounds.

Also, a couple nights ago I dreamt about our October mamas group! Pretty ridiculous, I dreamt we were all pregnant as we are, and we all meeting up for a ski trip. Everyone was on skis except for me who was the only one who not skiing due to pregnancy. Bizarre. It was really nice to meet everyone in (dreamy) person though!

QOTW: my boobs have grown from an A cup to a full B cup. Yep, I'm enormous. :p I like how they look and it's fun to actually have cleavage for a change, but they aren't as fun as they used to be. I really don't like having the nipples touched and I used to enjoy boob play much more. Then again, my sex drive is still way below normal, so it wouldn't be a stretch to say I used to enjoy all aspects of sex more. As for the functionality of my breasts, around week 18 I started being able to express some clear, tear drop type liquid from my nipples. It is a bit more plentiful now, and maybe slightly less clear, but certainly not thick or yellow as I understand colostrum to be. I haven't leaked anything either, not even during sex... it only comes out if I hand squeeze it, and amusingly only if I'm not cold. My chest is also very vascular. I'm quite pale and now you can see a web of blue veins beneath my skin across my breasts.

[mirthfulmum]

Alias is watching the Wiggles so I have a few minutes.

I am sooo pooped. I just spent 45 fruitless minutes walking Alias in the stroller to get him to nap but he spent the entire time chatting to himself and introducing himself to an imaginary person who seemed to be living in the stroller's canopy. It would've been very cute had I not been so hot and sweaty and thirsty and just plain desperate for him to nap. So I'm back home, with a tired but awake 2 year old. And to keep myslef from really loosing it I put on a Wiggles DVD that we rented and have come to get a little alone time on the computer.

Thnks everyone for your warm wishes and thoughts. It is hard to watch someone nearing the end of their life. But, as Amie pointed out, it is comforting to have some sort of circle being created in that grandpa is nearing the ned of his life and my new son will be begining his soon.

Ann - Hooray you made it! Welcome to the PNW!

Piglet - Sorry to hear about your stupid GD test. It's sounds so frustrating having to take these tests knowing full well what the outcome will be.

QOTW: Well I'm normally on the small size, 34B. And when Alias was born I blossomed up to a 36C. It was really nice to have somewhat of a voluptuous figure for a while. I haven't reached my buxom 36C size yet but I think that after Harrison is born and my milk comes in I'll have those nice large firms breasts again. I have noticed that my breasts have firmed up once again and have more shape to them than they did a few months ago. My nipples, like last time, are huge and dark. And like flitters, I too have the web pattern of blue veins acorss my chest. Just part of the fun of being super pale I guess. As for cholostrum... I haven't leaked any but I can express a drop or two. It was the same way when pregnant with Alias, I never leaked cholostrum. But soon after he was born I had plenty of milk, I guess you could say I'm one of those super producers, so I'm not worried about my milk supply for Harrison. I don't think the amount of leaking you expereince pre-pregnancy is an accurate indicator of your milk production.

Birth Prediction: Okay I'll go first with my predictions (gosh I really hope I'm not jinxing myself). I think that Harrison is going to be born the last week of September. And that it'll be a very short labour, around 8 hours.

[Court]

Hey everybody, happy August!

Welcome to the PNW Ann! :wave

QOTW: Once the milk dried up they were small again for a while, but now seem to be getting a bit fuller. I seem to have colostrum now, kinda clear w/ a tinge of yellow. With my first I was leaking colostrum all the time, now not at all, cause I still have a little nurser.

For some reason I'm feeling really good lately, and I'll probably jinx it by saying so. The temp is back down in the 70's (F) again so that probably has a lot to do w/ it. I've been taking pretty easy since Logan was sick last week. Maybe taking care of him, distracted me from thinking about me. Also, I stopped gorging myself w/ food, and I feel so much healthier and less bloated, imagine that. I find myself thinking, "Yeah, I can go a couple more months, there's still some room left." I'm really enjoying sleeping 9 hours at night though, and I guess I'm not in a rush to be on a newborn schedule again. It's really difficult for me to adjust to new sleeping patterns.

Speaking of sex (probably TMI), but my it's been nice around here. Maybe that's why I'm in a good mood. It's only once a week, but I must say I still love it.

true- I have strange dreams like that all the time. And I'm always leaving the baby somewhere and forgetting where.

mirthfulmum- I agree that your g.pa's attitude is so beautiful and probably comforting for your family. I know it must be a very difficult time for you though. :hug

Oh yeah, and was it you Momadance who mentioned "Memoirs of Geisha"? I just finished it yesterday and was sobbing. I was weepy all day. What a great book, it's still lingering in my thoughts. I totally get what you were saying now.

I just checked out Ina May's guide... and so far I'm loving it. I'm so excited about birthing at home.

My prediction for this baby's b.day involves an 8. like, either Oct 18 or the 28th.

[Lucysmama]

Sex??? I hardly remember what that was like. We have done it ONE TIME during this pregnancy. We wanted to avoid it in the first trimester cause of my prior losses, and then I felt like it one time in the 5th or so month.

Now, we just have no place to do it. Dd is in our bed, and I cannot face the idea of doing it on the floor. I am too big and uncomfortable. Our couch is not good for lovedancin', either. What do you bedsharing preggo mamas do??? Dh used to be fine with having sex quietly in the same room as dd, but not anymore, he says she's "too old."

I really wanna start having sex again, both for fun, and for getting things ready! When I was pregnant with dd, we were doing it 3x a week in the last month to help get things ripened. (Though I have to admit, in weeks 39-41, it wasn't all that enjoyable. I felt like I was "Taking one for the team." :LOL) Plus, it would be nice to reconnect with dh in that way before the intimacy of birth.

So, where do you bedsharers have sex???

[Piglet68]

Lucysmama: we wait until DD gets up in the morning to watch cartoons, then we sneak in a quicky, lol. We have also done it on the sofa after she's gone to bed.

Mirthfulmum: I can so relate to the not napping when you need them to thing!

The dreams: yeah, I sometime have the same dream - that the baby was born and I forgot and left it somewhere. It's really horrible!!

Okay, time for bed. Spending too much time gabbing with my mamas!! :love

[True Blue]

Maybe we're bad, but we always just did it in bed with DS there. As long as he was staying asleep of course!!! There have been plenty of times we were unable to finish due to our restless sleeper! It got a little easier once we started putting him down on his toddler bed (sidecarred to our bed, so an extension of the bed) since it gave more "barrier" space. :)

Oh and on the dream thing...one time I dreamed I had a baby girl and I didn't see her for a few hours (I guess I forgot I'd just given birth to her?) and DH came back with her, about 3 hours old, and had gotten her ears pierced! I was furious!!

[Lucysmama]

Amy, don't feel bad! I am fine with having sex in our bed (we have a queen and twin pushed together) as long as dd is waaay over on the other side. Dh thinks it is weird now, and is afraid she would wake up and watch us or something.... I keep telling him that cave men didn't go into a seperate cave from their kids after they fell asleep, but he still won't do it.

I have been having weird dreams, too. I dreamt I had a girl, and then promptly dressed her all in blue and told everyone it was a boy. I also have dreams about losing the baby somewhere. I think it's to prepare you for motherhood, that dream. Like, to let you experience the hell of losing your kid somewhere in your dreams so you know to pay attention in life and never let that happen.

Piglet - put my guess down for a girl, born on October 8th, after 16 hours of labor. That's just what popped into my mind. :D

[stanleymama]

Great idea on predicting the arrival of our babies. I have a feeling about the Oct. 18nth and am hoping for a short easy labor :thumb With Collin I prayed that I would have him a week early and I did--right to the day. Aidan was a scheduled c-sec so I didn't have any feeling with him. With Sammy I had a feeling about April 4th, and sure enough that is his birthday. Anyways I have been pretty accurate but I am not putting my hopes into any day. I don't want to jinx myself as well--just want to leave it all in God's hands.

[Court]

Well, we rent a little 3 bedroom house, and all 3 rooms have a bed of some sort. Usually, it's the queen bed in the "guest room" for us. Logan goes back and forth between sleeping with us and sleeping in his bed. Right now he's back with us, because that's where the air conditioner is. I don't think I could enjoy myself with Logan in the same room. I'd be panicking that he would wake up. It was different when he was a little baby.

[Piglet68]

29 weeks, 1 day

Can I just say my crotch is KILLING me! Every time I get up from sitting for a while, my crotch really hurts. I know Sasha is really low, and I'm guessing there's some blood buildup or something. Anyways, I'm tired of walking around like I just had a 4 day honeymoon, if you get my drift, lol. Is the old tale that boys carry low? Well, this guy is definitely LOW. Last night I was feeling kicks (well, from his hands) practically at my pubic bone. I can't believe how low down he is! I don't recall DD being that way until the very end when her head began to engage (and then it was more like having a basketball between my legs).

So there's my complaint for the day. :)

I added the predictions, and will do so for anyone else who cares to hazard a guess. I have no such intuition. If baby doesn't come early (and I hope he doesn't!), he will be born on his scheduled date, which I'm guessing will be around the 11th or 12th depending on the OB's schedule, since they usually do it at week 39.

[stanleymama]

Oh Piglet I KNOW exactly the pain you are feeling. This little guy is really low as well. I feel hiccups in my vagina all the time and the other day if felt like his head was close to engaging--kinda scared me. Thankfully its not all the time though or my mood for sex would be out the window :D and I don't want that to happen! :D :thumb

[gottaknit]

Piglet, I sympathize with the sore crotch. I feel like I went on a 60 mile bike ride without my padded shorts! Ouch.

DH and I have been playing the prediction game, too. He predicts the baby will be born around Oct 10, and weigh in the six pound range. I predict Oct 31 - Nov 4 and over nine pounds. (Guess which one of us is the optimist!) No predictions on gender.

As for dreams, I have this recurring nightmare that I'm hiking with friends in the woods, and we come to a cave/tunnel. As we're walking through the tunnel gets smaller and smaller. First I'm stooping, then crawling, and finally shimmy-ing along on my belly. All my friends make it out the other side and keep going up the trail, but I get stuck and can't move forward or back! My arms are pinned to my sides and I suddenly panic, realizing I'm trapped underground and everyone has left me behind. The more I struggle, the more stuck I get...... Doesn't take a PhD to figure that one out, huh? :LOL Good thing we're starting our Birthing From Within classes next week!

[mirthfulmum]

Dh would never have sex with Alias in the room. Dh had real issues when I was pregnant with him about having sex so there was no way he was going to get over his inhibitions with the little guy in our bed. Our sex life is better this pregnancy but we still haven't had sex in almost 2 months, mostly because I am just not interested. But when we do/did we either would move Alias (still asleep) out of the bed and on to the couch in the living room and push the coffee table with a bunch of pillows up next to him or we would leave him in bed and get creative with our living room furniture :wink.

I've been thinking lately that I should probably try to psyche myself up for sex as the due date is getting close and it would be nice not to go 2 weeks past my due date again. And I'm pretty sure that if we don't have sex between now and the birth then we ain't gettin' any until at least January! It's just hard to get in the mood when I feel the farthest thing from sexy.

:thumb to you mommas who are still able to enjoy a sex life.

[mirthfulmum]

Oh, forgot to comment on the dreams.

I feel like the odd gal out here as I have not been having baby dreams at all. I had a few very vivid and intense ones when I was pregnant but didn't know it yet (one of the clues that sent me to the drug store to buy a test). But since then nothing. I've had some really weird and vivid dreams while pregnant but no baby dreams... I wonder if that means anything.

[sunshinegal]

Hello all! Sounds like lots of drama going on everywhere- maybe it's these crazy summer days- I have been dying with all the humidity we are getting. I just sit and the sweat starts pouring down never mind how hard it is to breathe!
This weekend I had the worst constipation ever!! I know this may be TMI but I couldn't even sit down my bum was hurting so bad. I ended up taking some castor oil-- yuk!! and prune juice. It eventually all came out in the end but it was 2 days of pure torture. I have had slight constipation before, but NEVER anything like this. Must be all that ice cream I've been having ;) LOL
QOTW- i am usually a pretty tiny floppy A but have moved up to a B which for me seems like a whole other world- I absolutely love them. I wasn't able to nurse my ds due to some complications so I am very very very excited to be able to nurse this time. My breasts were firm the first half of this pg but seemed to have softened a bit lately. I could squeeze out a drop or two of liquid and look forward to those initial toe curling suckles.
We have decided on a name- Fiona and NO we are not naming her after the princess in the movie Shrek!! :rolleyes It was a name that floated around in my head since we saw the movie The Secret of Roan Inish- ( I think I spelled that right) a few years back. My DH has some irish roots so we thought it would sound great.
My DS is so very excited and can't wait to be a big brother. He has been reading like crazy so that he is ready when Fiona comes to read her stories. He loves acting like a warrior and a ninja and he wanted to know if she will like those things when she's born. I just tell him- "Honey, she does tons of kung fu in my belly all day long. I'm sure she'll like to do martial arts with you." That makes him pretty happy.
:thumb

[OakEmber]

About this discussion going on....Nancy, just to let you know since you were talking about postpartum sex, we didn't for 8 weeks and then not again for 5 weeks after that! I do know some people who have done it much earlier but for one thing I bled up until that point and therefore wasn't interested and I had a episiotomy so even after 8 weeks it was really uncomfortable, still was after 13 weeks and much longer really. Just thought I'd let you know that so if it takes you that long to get back into it you won't worry that you are abnormal or something.

As for where we do it...although Ember is in our bed still we do have a twin in her room that my parents gave us so that's where we go. We have also done the early morning cartoon thing like Piglet. I have never felt comfortalbe with doing it in the bed while Ember is sleeping, probably because she is always cuddled up to me when I am there so before we had the other bed it was the floor or couch for us.

Like I said we are having it much more frequently than last time...it's because for once in my life I can actually get off everytime :LOL TMI

[Lucysmama]

:LOL We had sex just two weeks after I had my dd. I remember clearly cause it was Valentine's Day and my mom watched Lucy for an hour while we had a romantic dinner at home, and then had sex. I had a c/section, so I didn't have any vaginal pain at all, and I only bled for about 10 days total, and it was very light.

I saw my midwife 2 weeks later for my checkup, and she said, "Well, you can go ahead and have sex now." I laughed, and I guess my face gave me away, cause she was pissed that we had done it so early. :eyesroll

[Jillerina]

I'm with you on this one Piglet, I walk like I've had too much sex but the reality is maybe a handful of times over the last 3 months! Before that, even less as I took forever to recover from my appendectomy this winter! The pains in my groin get really intesnse as the days wears on. By the evening I'm hobbling around. I'm learning hot to deal with it better (ie. taking it easy whenever I can) but it is really difficult when you walk EVERYWHERE!

About BDing, we don't have to have sex with DD in the room as she starts off the night in her own bed in her room. She usualy comes to our bed anywhere from midnight to 4 am so if we play our cards right we get plenty of alone time in the sack (too bad we don't make use of it!). When she was little we always did the deed with her in the room or in the bed (wonder what she'll think of that when she's older??) but I do remember feeling a bit inhibited in the volume department so I'm happy with this arrangement!

Regarding the QOTW my boobs are generally small, a B if I'm lucky. I loved my nursing boobs during the first months I think I went to a full C cup for awhile :) For the few months of this pregnancy I went down to smaller and floppier than ever before but now the girls are perking up again - I'm happy so is DH! I haven't expressed any colostrum but I often find white stuff stuck to my nips which I assume is some form of colostrum leaking just the tiniest bit. I had LOTS of milk for DD so I don't have any concerns about it this time round either.

A little update on my non-napping toddler.... it is becoming painfully clear that this kid still NEEDS the extra sleep. She is out of control these days and I know it is from plain old over tiredness. The last 3 times she's fallen asleep it has come after screaming and thrashing and fighting. I HATE it. I don't feel like an AP mommy at all when my toddler essentially needs to act like a wild animal for 10 -45 minutes before she'll let go and give in to sleep. We've tried everything. DH and I focused on this all weekend and still come up empty. She is hovever sleeping now but I can't go into how awful it was for about 15 minutes before she accepted my help and rubbed her back until she passed out :(. This is her first daytime nap in 5 days I think.

OK, no more complaints for now. I'll think about what my birthdate prediction is and share when I've come up with something.

[Soogie]

My birth prediction would be either Oct. 27th or 28th...that is when the moon will be full. Both of my other babes were born under a full moon. But they were each a week late and my edd is the 27th. So either my babes just need to cook a little longer or it's the full moon that draws them out. It will be interesting to see what holds true for this one.

As for sex during this pg, I can not get enough!!! I am wearing my poor DH out. lol! We resumed "relations" after ds #1 was born at 2 1/2 weeks and just one week after dd#2 was born. With my second, I literally only bled for 5 days. Thanks to the gallons of red raspberry leaf tea! There wasn't much in the way of high frequency after childbirth, but at least my DH didn't have to wait too long. A friend of mine gave birth 8 months ago to her first child and she still hasn't resumed sex with her DH. My DH would explode! LOL!

[Piglet68]

sunshinegal: it's great to see you around! I love the name Fiona...I will add it to the list!

You post-partum sex mamas...wow. While I also had a c/s, so everything was fine down there, it was just NOT PLEASANT. The hormones just dried everything up and it felt like sandpaper (even with my dear friend KY, lol). I swear it was over 6 months before I really started to enjoy sex again. So we're trying to enjoy it now b/c I know it will be a long time before he gets any again, lol. We're also one of those couples who did it with DD there asleep on the bed, but only up until about a year old.

Okay, you guys, I just have to share this with you: There's a FOOT in my belly button and it's driving me NUTS!!!...It's really quite cute, but it is the strangest sensation. For two days now Sasha has had a foot (knee? heel?) right behind my belly button and it's making me feel almost queasy when he pokes at it. I keep rubbing it and poking it to make him move it, but apparently he's quite happy with where it is, lol.

Oh, and great news!! I think we found an apartment! Talk about Fate providing: I called a property management company/realtor about an ad that turned out to be not what we were looking for, but when I told him what we needed...he'd JUST received a new listing. The new owners of the condo picked up their keys that morning and instructed him to rent the place out for Sept 1. The ad isn't even up yet! So he faxed me an application and I'm going to FedEx it to him tomorrow. It's exactly where I wanted to be (mirthful: it's at Haro and Cardero), it has insuite laundry and dishwasher, the owners are renovating so it will be all lovely...and it's on the 7th floor. I'm so excited I could jump for joy - getting this set up now would be SUCH a huge load off my mind! Fingers crossed that the application process goes smoothly!! :banana

[mirthfulmum]

Oh my gosh Piglet! We'd be neighbours! I'm at Pendrell and Cardero.
Kepping my fingers crossed for you.

[sunshinegal]

piglet- so very happy for you- even so close to another mdc mama!!
as far as the sex thing- I just can't manuver myself to get into the right position!! KWIM? I stick pillows under my back or up by my head- it really looks rather comical so much so my husband will look at me and we both just start laughing :LOL We have only tried it a few times this pg because I'm just not in the mood- way too much on my mind and too much in the way. We co sleep as well but my dd is way too easily woken up for us to even try. We did do it when she was younger-
Just like Jillerina said- wonder what she will think of that when she is older ;)
Funny little story- my friend's dd who is 12 loves animals and wants to be a vet when she grows up. She said to her mom "Mom, isn't it strange that humans are the only mammals that don't have to mate to have children?" My friend did not realize how naive her daughter was and told her the plan hard truth that infact humans do mate just like all the other mammals and went through all the basic details. She even mentioned that humans like it so much, that sometimes they do it just for the enjoyment. Her dd said "Yuck- I am never going to do that!". If only I felt that way when I was her age :innocent

[Lucysmama]

:banana YAAAAAY Piglet! Good luck on the condo! I am so jealous that you an Mirthfulmum would be neighbors....how cool is that???

[Ctmom70]

28 wks 2 days

Happy August Everyone!!

WOW, 12 weeks for me! I'm so excited!

QOTW: I too noticed that I do not have those nice full size breasts this time around. I don't even think they have grown much...lol I noticed little leaks after a shower but no big deal it stops pretty fast. I'm looking forward to nursing Alex (I wasn't successful with my dd) I really have a good feeling about it. I know this is my last baby so I really want to give it my all and make that baby time last as long as possible.

Oh and SEX..what is that? LOL I feel so uncomfortable...poor dh. I really try to give it an effort but it just isn't there for me. Any tips?

[OakEmber]

I thought I better get back on here with my prediction :LOL You guys are gutsy predicting right down to the day, I was gonna say more like between the 6th and the 16th...but since you all are narrowing it down more I will venture the 6-10th...and for my labour prediction I'll say 6hrs.

Piglet great news on the apt! I am so jealous of you being near Mirthfulmum!

Ann, I meant to congratulate on arriving in your new state!

Gotta run again.

[mtnjenny]

12 weeks seems so far away, yet right around the corner!

Oh, you guys and your little ones and their naps and sleeping with you and trying to have sex...Oh my! Things to look forward to, huh?

No predictions from me - I don't have strong feelings any way, and I'm afraid of jinxing something. I guess I'm little superstitious that way.

sunshine gal, hope this story doesn't upset you, it's pretty funny I think...I suggested the name Fiona to dh and he just couldn't get past remembering his bartending days and this young, pretty Scottish woman named Fiona who'd belly up to the bar every night ALONE and get wasted after work! As the night progressed, no one could understand anything she was saying with her thick accent, thick with whiskey. Hee hee...I still love the name SO much. I'd still name a little girl that, despite the visual. Besides, I met her several times and she was sweet - just liked the whiskey a little too much... :LOL

[stanleymama]

Piglet congrats on the condo :thumb Hope all works out smoothly for you :) And Ann hope you are getting all nice and settled in your new home.

Today I bought couple of maternity tees off of old navy. I am in dire need of clothing right now. I try to wear my regular clothes for as long as possible, but my belly is at the point where it pops out at the bottom of my t-shirt. I was never this far along in summertime with my past pg's so I am limited on what I have for maternity. Plus I hate spending too much money when you only wear them for such a short period of time. Oh well--I am excited to have added to my wardrobe. Give me a bit more variety.

[Lucysmama]

Ok, I am going to do something I swore I would not do! I need name input, guys. :) We have our boy name pretty much decided, but need girl help.

Dd is Lucy Elizabeth. The Elizabeth is after Dh's (living) grandmother, who is Dorothy Elizabeth. If this baby is a girl, she will have MY (living) grandmother's middle name, which is Violet. Our last name is Beck.

So, our two girl name choices are Annabelle and Clementine. (Please don't say anything too negative about either!) We like Annabelle Violet a lot, but we are concerned that it sounds a little frilly and WASP-y, and that Annabelle is getting more popular.

Clementine is definitely off the beaten path, but dh thinks it may be a little TOO quirky and off the path. Plus, Clementine Violet is quite a big name for such a little baby! And, no easy nicknames like Annabelle. But I really like how unusual it is, and dd loves it, too.

So....input? Nothing slamming the names, though! That is why we are not sharing our names IRL, we don't want people to be mean. (We were going to name dd Sage, but everyone was so rude about it we went back to the drawing board and came up with Lucy, which we love now.)

[momadance]

Courtney I'm glad you liked the book! Our book club met MOnday and everyone loved it!

Lucysmama. I :love Annabelle Violet! It has such a lovely sound. I think Clementine's adorable as well, and if I remember correctly, Lucy really liked that name at the begining of your preg. Our name dilemma is growing. Jason really loves Reed Icculus (which I totally thought was a joke) He think's it's Zappa esk in ideaology (moonunit, dweezle, and diva) so in his mind, I could give up the name Zappa Reed. I also really like Rene' Reed, but it's ultra feminin.

Had an awesome dream about jamming with Phish last night. I have so many dreams about those guys, and in them, I'm always playing along with them. I remember a vivid one a while back, I was playing in between Jerry Garcia, and Trey at a huge festival. It was awesome.

Watched one of my mw's videos last night. I really like her bedside manner. She's not overly "sweet" and she seems like she's good about telling a pushy MIL or mom of mama to chill out. She seems to be hip to the Spritual Midwifery idea, and if anyone seems like there stressing the birthing mama's gotta go. She's real assertive., and laid back. I'm super glad she's got a whole lot of births she attends on tape.

SLowly starting to move.
Sex? hahahah It's been since the 1st trimester! I just cant get lubed up, and the thought of using KY makes me cry. I don't want to depend on something like that to make love.
dh's prediction Oct. 15th
Mw prediction Oct. 15-18
Mine Oct. 23rd.
I'm due the 13th.

Oh, I felt the baby's head yesterday! It's like a little softball, and just about to head into the pelvis! It was so nice, listning to his heart beat on the fetascope made me cry yesterday!

Congrats Piglet!

[krnflwr]

Oh and SEX..what is that? LOL I feel so uncomfortable...poor dh. I really try to give it an effort but it just isn't there for me. Any tips?

I'm with you on this one, I can't remember the last time that sex sounded like a good idea! I'm so jealous of all you mamas who are gettin' some. :thumb I'm just so exhausted by the end of the day, it's all I can do to make it from the tub to the bed. After Hannah was born, it was almost 10 months before we resumed "relations". I think DH was wondering if he'd ever get lucky again! I'm hoping it won't take so long after this birth, but I seem to just be wired that way. :irked:

My birth prediction? Hmmm...well the mw and ob keep moving my due date around, but I've always really liked the sound of the 16th, so I'm sticking with that. Hannah's birth was only 8 hrs., but I was on pitocin. I think I'll say 10 hrs this time, and hope I'm guessing wrong on the long-side.

[Jillerina]

Lucysmama, I really like both names and I'm not gonna be any help in your decision making. I don't think Clemantine Violet is too big of a name and I don't think Annabelle Violet is too frilly! Personally I love the name Annabelle, it is always on my name list but Clara and Annabelle are two cargo cars I think in Thomas the Tank Engine. For some reason I just can't put the two together in real life as a result!

Good luck in the decision process!

[krnflwr]

So, our two girl name choices are Annabelle and Clementine.

I really like them both, and don't think Annabelle is trendy or wasp-y, personally. Clementine is super adorable and gets my vote, if you are keeping track. ;)

Piglet, congrats on finding such a great place so fast! Hope it works out.

[bluehalo]

I like both of the names, but you're right about Annabelle becoming uber trendy ... so for that reason alone I'd probably lean towards Clementine. They're both sweet names :)

[Piglet68]

Thanks for the congrats, ladies! I'm FedEx-ing the application to the property manager today with the deposit...in a few days we'll know if we're approved. I'm a bit nervous, but this all came together so perfectly it's hard not to believe the place is meant for us. And I am very excited about being so close to Mirthfulmum - it's just a great neighbourhood all around. Steps to a huge park, steps to the beach, walk to the grocery store...yay! Oh, and mirthful - it's Haro and Nicola, I was off by one block, lol. Actually, DH made a crack that I'm "stalking" you...I'm birthing in the same hospital, going to your family physician, and now moving in right near you...I promise you, I'm not psycho! :nut

Lucysmama: I know what you mean about the names. I feel self-concious telling people we're naming our son "Sasha". I get the feeling most people don't like it, but DH and I really love it and that's all that matters!! Anyways, I love the name Annabelle. I didn't know it was becoming trendy. I think Annabelle Violet sounds lovely, and compliments your DD's name, too. I think Lucy and Annabelle sound very pretty together!

Well, I found out this 3 hour GD test gets worse. I'm in medicalized-pregnancy hell right now, and SOOOOOO envious of you midwife mamas!! I have to eat high carbs for three days (I figure a pint of Ben and Jerry's each night should kill off a few servings, lol)...okay that part isn't hard. But then I have to fast after midnight, show up at the blood lab at 7:30 am (UGH) and every hour they will draw blood, for three hours, and I CAN'T EAT ANYTHING. I am SO hungry in the mornings, and I'm going to end up really nauseous and probably faint, since I'm very prone to fainting when I'm not eating. It's going to be three hours of hell. The day will probably be a write-off and for what? Because their stupid one hour test sucks!!!!!! :irked:

Now, speaking of hunger, I'm off for my morning muffin and decaf tea! :D

[OakEmber]

Katie, thanks for sharing with us :love Of course none of us would make comments like you got IRL last time (and BTW I love the name Sage :irked: ). But you do have a tough one here, they both sound good with Lucy and Violet and they definately are different personality wise. I'd probably pick Clementine but either way she'll have a very nice name...if she's a she.

I don't really have any sex advise, I think it's just hormones so I can't really offer much...like I said I was were most of you were last time, no interest. I have seen KY mentioned a few times though and just thought I'd say that I prefer Astroglide MUCH more, definately a necessity when using condoms (which is pretty much what we'll be using postpartum, blech).

So I am off to see my midwife today...can't believe that there are only a few visits left after today, like 2-3 depending. Wow.

Oh and Piglet when you add my prediction you can also put that Dh predicts 7lbs 10oz.

[mirthfulmum]

Katie - I :love the name Clementine. It is so sweet and goes very well with Violet. And I don't think that Annabelle sounds too "frilly". I think it's a very pretty name, I just like Clementine better.

Piglet - I guess it's a good thing I've met you IRL. The again, I've never had a stalker before... could be fun :LOL.

Amie - Have a great midwife appointment!

Well, inspired by you lusty moms out there, I made an attempt to seduce my husband yesterday (although it was a very half hearted attempt). I just could not get into it. How do you maintian your focus on sex when you've got a baby doing sumersaults and boxing maneuvers while you're trying to snuggle up and get the mood going? I just don't think it's going to happen for us until Harrison is born. After Alias we didn't have sex until about 8 or 9 weeks after he was born. And then it took several months for us to find our groove again. I suspect it'll be the same way again :eyesroll.

[Lucysmama]

Thanks for all the name input! I had real anxiet about telling you all, isn't that funny? Dh and I swore we wouldn't tell anyone this time around cause everyone was so mean when we were naming Lucy. But, I knew you guys wouldn't be like that. :) I was just phobic about it.

We're leaning towards Annabelle right now, because of the whole nickname thing. We both have some Annies in the family history, so we'd probably call her that sometimes. I like Lucy and Annie, it sounds cute together IMO. :) WHo knows? We could end up with neither name! Oh, and yes - Momadance - dd loved Clementine. She was actually the one who mentioned it, but we have no clue where she heard it. (Now she wants to name the baby Penny, though.)

Piglet- for what it's worth, I love the name Sasha. I even suggested it dh, who shot it down cause it was the name of the guy I dated right before dh. :eyesroll Men!

[Court]

I second the recommendation for Astroglide! KY is too gloppy and dries up too fast. Mirthful - sorry the seduction didn't work out. I know how you feel though, I'm usually not "into it" until like halfway through, but by the end I'm really glad I went through with it. That probably didn't sound right. Usually the baby is pretty mellow during those times, but when he does move around - well I've learned to ignore it I guess. That gets way more difficult towards the end of pregnancy as I recall.

Kinda late in the name discussion but I love Annabelle Violet, and Clementine for that matter. They totally go with Lucy, too. And I also love the name Sasha too, if I hadn't mentioned it before. Speaking of Piglet - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get the condo! That's so exciting. I wanna move now.

I just found out that the local mom's group that I joined a month ago is planning a meal delivery service for me and the one other preggo mom in the group, after we have our babies. I'm so touched by this. That's the one main thing I've been concerned with about having a newborn - is having food to eat. I mean, I'll probaby make 2-3 things to freeze, but that's it. So, yay I love these women!

[Piglet68]

CourtneyandLogan: that is so sweet! Lucky you!

Lucysmama: thanks for saying that about Sasha's name. I cracked up when you said it was an ex-boyfriend's name. Funny how all the ex's names suddenly go on the veto list (for both me and DH). I have to admit I just love the name "Annie", so that doubles my vote for Annabelle. :love

Mirthful: had to lol at your seduction story. it's so true...hard when you have a toddler around!

We almost always have sex in the mornings b/c I've usually had some ridiculously slutty dream, and well you know how men are when they wake up <giggle!>, and DD is often out watching cartoons (the one really good use for TV, lol). We did do it once after DD went to bed, out on the sofa, but...oh this is so pathetic and embarassing but you all might get a laugh out of it...there was a documentary on TV about prostitutes, and they were filming them "taking care of business" in their clients' cars. Now you couldn't really see anything, but the sounds were all there and...well, it sort of set the mood. See, I am not usually like this!! I feel like a GUY!! Who gets turned on by stuff like that?! Lordy, what are those hormones doing to me! :blush

Anyways, usually we are both so exhausted in the evenings that the "spirit is willing but the flesh is too tired!". I realize reading my posts it sounds like we're having lots of sex, we actually aren't having that much (just more than usual I guess)...I'm just so randy all the time, dream about it, etc...but opportunities are not as easy to come by. If we *could* we'd be doing it every day...does that count? :LOL

Now, about meals after baby is born: my mother is giving us a crock pot. Anybody use one? Got any good recipe links/books?

[gottaknit]

Ok I'm going to be difficult and vote for Violet for the first name. :innocent But I love Annabelle and Clementine, too. And Sasha!

I think our baby will end up being nameless for a few days until we get to know it. We haven't found very many names we agree on, and they're all over the place "personality" wise.

Our girl names are Ruth (after DH's grandma) and Maria. DH also really likes Adah (pronounced like Ada), but it happens to be my sister's stinky cat's name, too! So forget that one! :LOL

Our boy names are Henry and Rowan. I like Henry Rowan together. I think Rowan may be a little too yuppie for a first name. Also, I've heard of two people naming their girls Rowan (on MDC, not IRL), and I'm wondering if it's moving into gender-neutral territory or being taken over by girls entirely... I still remember there were some boys I went to school with named Hilary and Kelly, which were originally boys names, but well, were definitely girls names by the 80's! Life was not easy for them...

[flitters]

hi mamas!

piglet, so much good luck with the application! it sounds really promising!

lucysmama, i really like both names, slightly leaning towards clementine... do you guys think you'll pick one out in advance or will you wait until you see your baby? (well, obviously to some extent you'll wait to see if it's a girl or boy... :LOL) last night we actually found a girl's name that we like quite a bit... definitely on the short list but we still have a lot of thinking to do.

mirthful, sorry you couldn't get into your seduction efforts. as for our sex life, i'm a bit envious of those who have the horny preggo hormones. i certainly don't. (TMI starts here...) i'm not uncomfortable and positioning isn't really an issue, but it just doesn't feel as good... kind of like things are too full so i can't really let go and relax like before. even my orgasms aren't as good. i used to want it a lot but now we do it about once a week and that feels like plenty. my lube situation is normal for me (adequate but not super wet)... several years ago when i briefly went on the birth control pill it dried me up and we tried out lots of different kinds... our favorite by far (way better than ky or even astroglide) is called slippery stuff. it doesn't get sticky or feel weird but it's also not available in your average pharmacy.

momadance, that's so cool that your midwife has videos with her in them! ours loans out videos but i don't think she is actually in any of them. and have a good appointment oakember!

oh, and soogie, i don't have any previous babes to base this on, but i also think my babe will probably show up around the late october full moon. perhaps even on the eclipse!

[ameliabedelia]

27 weeks 4 days

We just got to my parent's house, after driving for 3 days straight. DH has a few job interviews up North over the next few days and hopefully he will find something and we can look for places and all that. Moving is not fun, and we have to do it again in just 2-3 weeks! Aaargh!

I just skimmed over the posts, and won't be able to reply to everything. But, Lucysmama, I vote for Violet for a first name, I LOVE that name. However, I also think Annabelle is a beautiful name. I have never heard anyone named Annabelle, so I don't think it is that trendy, although I do know lots of people with kids named Anna or Belle or Bella, so the nicknames would be trendy. I love the nickname Annie, I had a really good friend in college named Annie, so that name has very positive connotations for me.

Piglet, congrats on the apt. I hope we are able to find a good one as quickly!

We still have sex with dd in the bed asleep. Only at nightime, when the room is completely dark and we turn the ac on and do it under the covers. We have a king and she is one the far side of the bed. There is lots of room, and as long as it is dark and we can have covers over us, we are totally comfortable with it. We won't do it in the same room as her if she is asleep and it is light outside, or too hot for blankets or something like that. It is nice to be able to tell you all that. Lots of people think it extremely weird to have sex in the same room (much less the same bed) as a sleeping child over the age of 1. :rocks We still do it every 1-2 weeks. Less lately that normal since things have been so crazy with moving and all.

Birth Prediction:Oct. 17th and 10 hours of labor. (DD was 10 days early and 22 hours of labor, so I am hoping for an improvement with 12 days early and only 10 hours of labor LOL)

QOTW: Everything in front just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It seems as my belly grows, my breasts do too. LOL My nursing bras from DD are already too tight, so I shudder to think what size I will need after Greta is born.

[krnflwr]

Piglet,
ask your doc if you can take the one hr glucose test again, and see what results you get. Esp if your 1st time was just borderline high. The 3 hr totally sucks (I had to do it 3x last pregnancy :irked: ), I'd def discuss w/ your doc any alternatives.

[True Blue]

Just have a sec, but, Piglet, also do you think you could just monitor blood sugar at home for a few days instead? I mean what would the doc think about it. It means more finger pricks but it also means not starving yourself! I can't imagine waiting that many hours to eat in the morning when I'm not pregnant, let alone now!!! :hug

Katie -- Loving Annabelle and Violet...I like Clementine but feel as you do about the nickname thing....I like names you can shorten if you want to....

[3bees~1flower]

i got behind today on reading posts....

Lucysmom...i vote for Annabelle Violet...i also like Violet for a first name.

i've been struck with pregnant brain, i can't remember what else i was gonna say... :irked:

have a good night, mamas!!


:love

[MTBto5]

I dried up and weaned my 2 yr old in the begining of this pregnancy. I just started to get my colostrum in last week! I love nursing but hate all the leaking everywhere, especially sleeping in a wet bed ;)

[mirthfulmum]

ugh! I'm remembering the constant leaking when first nursing. What a mess I was! I was always having to change my shirt because I would leak right thru the breast pads. Fortunately I was warned about the leaking in bed before Alias was born so I was given the tip to sleep on a layer of incontinence pads covered by towels. It saved me from having to wash the bedding every day.

[Lucysmama]

Thanks again everyone for their input. Violet is not a contender for a first name, sadly. I like it but dh does not. So it has been pushed to "middle-name-only" status.

[OakEmber]

So my appt was good today...I'm only 172 (:LOL that must be an oximoron right?!) good news because that means I only put on 3lbs in the last 5 weeks. Judging by how Oakley feels now I think most of that went to him! I go see her again in 3 weeks, can't believe I am at that point now. Ember is climbing all over me and is now singing in my ear so I guess that's all I am gonna be able to say tonight. ;)

[Court]

Okay I was bored and checking the yahoo group for like the millionth time to see if there were any new pics - and BeansMama your photo is beautiful! I was so excited to see a new picture. I posted one we took tonight of Logan kissing my belly, it was just too cute to keep to myself.

[True Blue]

Good morning everyone, hope you are all having a nice morning. DS has decided to start getting up at 6:30 for some reason so mine is just so-so LOL. That and I think I broke my toe last night! I got up in the middle of the night to pee (of course) and whacked my toes in the doorway...it throbbed fora while when I got back in bed but I was too tired to do anything. It's so sore today. :(

Even worse than the milk leaking in the beginning for me were teh night sweats...I would SOAK the bed, change my clothes, then do it all over again....it was awful. We changed the seets everyday for a good week. Wonder what I can do for that???

[3bees~1flower]

Amy! sorry 'bout the toe...OUCH!! about the sweats...that is just another your body gets rid of all the extra fluid accumulated during pregnancy...lovely, huh!! i'd rather pee every half hr than sweat!!

hope your toe feels better.

:love

[OakEmber]

Amy- Sorry to hear about your toe...and about Mickade waking you up so early!

I borrowed a really nice kids book yesterday from the midwife that you guys would all love, it's called Hello Baby, by Jenni Overend...try to find it if you can, especially those of you who plan on siblings attending. It's about a homebirth and the pictures are lovely, and my favorite part is that after the baby is born the whole family spends the night camped out in the living room infront of the fireplace. :love

So one other thing I wanted to bring up from my appt. yesterday is the midwife mentioned that the Vit.K in Canada has no preservitives. We had already decided prior that we didn't want the injection, it was either oral or none at all and I am not sure how I feel about it being the same thing that they would give either way (not sure if I am explaining that well...basically she showed us the vile and said that they use this for both, just given by injection or orally). Next appt. is when we will discuss it with her more, she gave us a sheet about all the newborn procedures that we are to read and then discuss next time (which is quite funny really, a two page little printout that covers all the newborn tests and procedures compared to all that I've read about it already here and other places :LOL, then again it's more than I recieved from my Dr.). Anyway, I would like to find more information pertaining to the Vit. K in Canada because everything I have come across is American and it seems that they are different. And I guess I will have to sign a waiver to avoid the eye drops, maybe it will be the same to avoid the Vit. K, at least it is the midwifes policy to delay the eye drops to promote bonding.

Nancy- I love the name Rowan but it does seem to be used on a lot of girls around here now....I do think it was harder on boys to have names that were taken over by girls in the 80's but nowadays gender neutral names are sooo common I don't think there is the same stigma. Henry Rowan does sound really good together. Ruth and Maria are both cute and maybe you will need to see her to decide on that one. I don't know, I am one of those who just "knows" when I have found the right name, it just feels right and I can't move past it.

Ugh, I am so not looking forward to the night leaking again. I don't seem to remember the sweats, maybe I lucked out.

Amelia- sending lots of job and house finding vibes your way!

[stanleymama]

Yesterday was a rough one for me. Something that I ate the day before that upset my tummy horribly. I was up all through the night with a bad belly ache and then ended up on the :inthet (sorry if tmi). I called the er and they said no eating, and plenty of fluids. Thankfully it didn't start any contractions and today I am feeling a bit better, just tired. Oh I hate it when you get sick during pg and their is pretty much nothing you can do but suffer.

So Letia must still be stalking for diapers--check in soon and give us an update:)

[Piglet68]

Stanleymama, I'm glad you are okay! I can't imagine dealing with the misery of stomach upset (a nice term for what basically amounts to puking and diarrhea, huh?) while pregnant.

Amelia, forgot to say congrats on making it through the first phase of your moving experience. I can totally relate to the "limbo" feeling. I had to fill out another form for our apartment application, and will fax it off later. I sure hope we find out by Friday, but maybe not until next week. WHAT a relief it will be to have an address to go to! Here's sending good house-hunting and job-hunting vibes your way! (oh, yeah, DH has a phone interview this evening!).

Oh, the leaky boobs. Yes, I well recall sleeping on bath towels at night, and how messy it all was. My goodness, the things we look forward to. Nursing DD has been easy for so long, I forget sometimes that it wasn't so easy at first (in terms of neatness and efficiency that is). Geez, I even remember DD would nurse for 40 minutes...not the 3 minute "milkies shots" that a toddler does, lol.

OakEmber: sounds like your midwife is on the ball. hey, where in BC are you? I want to say Courtney...wherever it is, sounds like you've found a good midwife.

[krnflwr]

Speaking of cool kids' books, I was poking around on amazon (looking for "big sister" books for Hannah) and ran across this one. Looks like a beautiful homebirth book:

Welcome With Love
by Jenni Overend, Julie Vivas

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0916291960/qid=1091733865/br=1-15/ref=br_lf_b_15//002-9228381-4379222?v=glance&s=books&n=3057

Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Jack and his family welcome a baby boy in this tranquil description of a seamless home birth, from an Australian team. "Mum's got pains in her tummy and that means her baby is ready to be born," announces the boy narrator. Overend makes the baby's arrival a family affair and carefully describes the events from a child's perspective. When Mum takes a walk outdoors alone in the whistling wind to "help the baby along," for instance, Jack thinks, "If I was a baby listening to that wind, I'd want to stay inside Mum, floating in the warm water." The woman's walk and subsequent indoor pacing works, however, and she finally gives birth in a standing position, fully undressed, supported by her husband as her children and sister look on, and a midwife guides the infant out. In a placid concluding tableau, the older siblings curl up in sleeping bags before the fire, alongside their parents and the newborn. Vivas's (Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge) softly focused pencil illustrations capture the serenity of the delivery, as well as Jack's aweAand slight apprehensionAat the arrival of his new brother. Though the natural childbirth scenario may not be typical of most youngsters' experience, those awaiting the birth of a new sibling may well take comfort in the book's smooth introduction of the stages leading up to labor as well as its soothing tone and images. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 6-A refreshing book that dares to show and tell it like it is. "Mum's got pains in her tummy and that means her baby is ready to be born." So Jack, his two older sisters, Dad, Anna the midwife, and Mum's sister get ready. The baby's clothes are laid out, the "special microphone" and an oxygen tank are unpacked, and a giant bed is set up by the fire. Readers are then presented with the routines and realities of a home birth. This book is bold and sensitive, tasteful and sweet....

[gottaknit]

Oh, that does sound like a good book! How sweet. I don't have any other kids to read it to, but I might get it anyway just for DH to read. :LOL

Is anyone else just a bundle of anxiety lately? Maybe it's a first-time-mom thing, but I'm suddenly feeling the pressure lately that we're "not ready for the baby".

We still haven't figured out what our sleeping arrangement will be. We want to do some sort of cosleeping, but we're both nervous about having a newborn in the bed with us. I've read so many "rules" about cosleeping - not using down comforters, etc. Our house is old and a bit chilly in winter and we luuuuv our down comforter. I can't imagine sleeping w/out covers and wearing a ton of clothes! I always sleep naked.

But I'm afraid if I invest in some sort of Arm's Reach co-sleeper thing it will be money wasted when we don't use it or don't like it or it doesn't match up height-wise with our bed.... We currently have a bed but are considering just a mattress on the floor (DH's preference). What about those Moses baskets? Are they a total waste of money?

There are so many options I don't know what to do. What do you with kids do for cosleeping? Someone just tell me what to do and that'll be it. ;)

What about carseats? Someone tell me what to buy. I'm totally lost. Do people buy these as shower gifts or are they too expensive? My mom's friend is throwing me a shower and I'm just hoping I get some useful stuff and not a lot of plastic toys and diaper genies.... (I sound like such an ingrate.)

[OakEmber]

Welcome With Love
by Jenni Overend, Julie Vivas


OK :LOL, I was reading the discription and was thinking...hey, that's the same book! Then I clicked on your link and it is the same cover and everything, only a different title, strange!

Argh! Please tell me I am not the only one who will start a chore and then feel a total energy drain! I washed the floor and then promptly needed a nap. It means that a good deal of projects go unfinished :irked: And now I don't want to lift a finger for the rest of the day.

Kimberly- sorry to hear that you weren't feeling well...glad that it was short lived.

Piglet- nope not Courtney, I'm in the Okanagan and my midwife is in Kelowna but I travel a bit over an hour to see her...I am in a small town of like 2000 so that's why I don't use it's name except in PM, I'd be pretty easy to find ;)

[Piglet68]

I understand, OakEmber...you don't have to say. Okanagon is close enough, lol.

gottaknit: allow me to tell you what to do! :D JUST bring baby to bed with you! Honestly, all those cosleeping rules are just to cover your butts. Even a two day old baby will squirm and fuss when a blanket gets on their face, and trust me you will be very aware all the time of where baby is and where the blankets are. I would probably ditch the down comforter for a little while, and use something heavier like wool blankets. But there is no need to lose the covers. Just put baby on TOP of your covers, dress baby in warm PJ's (but not too warm, you'll be amazed how much heat you and DH give off), and give baby a little warm blankie of his/her own. Chances are in those early days baby will be permanently lodged in the crook of your arm, or sleeping on your chest. I urge you to trust in your mama instincts: you have to experience it to believe it, but you really do "know" what baby is up to and wake instantly if you need to. If you aren't sure about your DH (my DH is a very aware sleeper so I wasn't worried about him), then be between him and baby. Otherwise put baby between you so you don't have to worry about the edge of the bed. We did put our mattress on the floor eventually (at first DD didn't move in her sleep so i wasn't worried about her rolling off). I wouldn't waste money on the cosleeper or crib until you are sure you will need it, and most people find they don't unless they have a very small bed.

Carseats: well i was just chatting with mum today and she is getting quite excited about spending lots of time with Emily and mentioned she should get a car seat for her own car. I'm tempted to give her our crappy Cosco Alpha Omega (straps are ALWAYS twisting and it drives me nuts) and get her to buy us a Britax!! I've lusted after them for so long....

[OakEmber]

Nancy- about the co-sleeping, my advise would be to wait and see, you can always buy something after the baby comes. I always tell my friends that it is impossilbe to make up your mind about co-sleeping before hand because some people can't sleep without there baby with them and some can't get any sleep with there baby right there! You never know what kind of physical reaction your body will produce I guess...it has been almost 4 years and I still can't get a good nights sleep without Ember beside me, I guess I am a big sap..if she is not with me I stay up wondering if she is lonely, cold, scared(or worse, what if there is a fire, or an intruder) and I don't get a sound sleep because I want to hear her if she wakes up! So in our case I am really happy that we never wasted money on a crib. And I might be in the minority but we did sleep with pillows and blankets, I always had my arm above her head with her kinda snuggled into my armpit for protection....Ember has always kicked off the covers and I feel that having my body next to her keeps her warm. I have friends (who aren't AP mind you) that swear to me that they can't sleep with the baby because they freak out at every little noise the baby makes and get over paranoid about whether or not they are breathing...I liked being able to just place my hand on thier chest and know they are.

[gottaknit]

Thanks Piglet and OakEmber! :love This is exactly what I needed to hear. That's what I really want to do. It just seems so much easier and natural. I'm not worried about DH smooshing the baby. He's already been confined to one small corner anyway. :LOL I've become a serious bed-hog since getting pregnant.

[mirthfulmum]

Nancy - ITA with Piglet and OakEmber. I too was very paranoid about the whole co-sleeping thing before Alias was born. I read every article and book I could find and they all had these extensive DO NOT DO lists. I even read quite a few that advised against having the baby on pillow-top mattress (and guess what kind of expensive mattress we have). I spent the first few days of Alias' life very worried about our sleeping arangements. I fussed about the pillows and covers and I was almost convinced that we needed to get a co-sleeper. And then after about a week, I realized that my mommy instincts were going full force when I was asleep. I knew exactly where he was in the bed and I knew when he was warm and comfy and when he wasn't. And when Alias was hungry or fussy I just rolled over and gave him the breast, or rubbed his back, or tucked him under my arm, or whatever he needed. Once we got into the swing of things I had other mommas asking me what my secret was since I looked so well rested, being a mom to a newborn and all. I told them that co-sleeping was one of the best things I'd ever done as a new parent. It takes a few days to relax and enjoy it, but once you, Dh and the baby find your comfort zone in the big family bed, all three of you will have much easier and sleep-filled nights.

As for car seats, I didn't buy the infant bucket seat for Alias, instead we just bought the car seat that goes from infancy to toddlerhood. I regretted it. And wished that I had bought a bucket for Alias as they looked more comfortable and if he fell asleep in the car then I wouldn't have had to pull him out of his car seat (which always woke him up). So for Harrison we bought a bucket car seat. We bought the EvenFlo PortAbout. I did a bit of research and we choose that one. My recommendation is to check out E-pinions.com (http://www.epinions.com/) and do a search for carseats. The site is great, gives tons of info, and compares lots of brands. Even tells you who is selling it for the lowest price.

Kimberly - I hate being sick when pregnant, esp. with a stomach bug. Yuck. Feel better soon.

Amy - Oww! Hope your toe's not busted. Sounds like it really hurts!

I too am really feeling the exhaustion from just being pregnant. I find that I'll wake up feeling pretty good. Get everyone fed and dressed and be ready to start our day when I'm hit with just complete and total exhaustion. By about 10am I am pooped and ready to go back to bed. I haven't given our home a good cleaning for weeks, and boy does it show :eyesroll.

[True Blue]

Nancy-- We just put Mickade in the bed. I had a bassinet too, but that mostly wound up getting used for naps and such, so he could be nearby (we had a two story townhouse at the time). I was worried too, so I started using just one pillow, and wouldn't pull the down comforter up past my waist or so. That way, only sheet and light blanket could be on baby. I was totally paranoid about keeping the pillow away from him, so his head was more lined up with my chest. I heard and felt everything he did, and I could lay on my side in one position all night (i guess pregnancy prepares you for that, LOL!! But it's much less uncomfortable when there is no longer a person inside you ;) ). I didn't let DS sleep in the middle of us bc DH is a very heavy sleeper and one night I saw him almost roll over on DS, so that was the end of that til DS was bigger. As for carseats, I would get an infant one (the Graco Snugride is always highly rated safety-wise) and honestly spend the money on a Britax Roundabout or Marathon. There is a great forum on Parentslplace.com about carseats, with lots of certified carseat techs who frequent the board and give excellent advice. If you go with the marathon, it's great bc it goes to like 65 lbs, so it will definitely last til you need a booster and your child is mature enough to use a seatbelt; however, if you have a small car it could be hard to fit in rear-facing. Go check out the board, you'll learn a lot and get lots of professional help! :)

I am tired all the time. I think that's all I need say for that discussion!!!

Thanks for the toe sympathy. :) It's a bit purple now, but the pain isn't too bad as long no one touches it LOL. Like when DS stepped on it earlier, ouch!! I don't think there's anything that can really be done for it so I just have to wait for it to heal up.

[bluehalo]

Another pro-co-sleeping mama here ... it just worked perfectly for us. I know there are some mamas and some babies who really just need their own space ... but I still don't sleep well w/o my boy snug and warm next to me. We'll be sidecar-ing a crib for this new baby, just to make sure we have enough room, but I anticipate it being a big snuggle fest for the most part. I say to at least give it a try and see if it works for you. Be prepared for other people to freak out about it though... my MIL would call me to tell me about her having horrible nightmares about me smothering Ethan, or him falling out of bed and falling down the stairs, etc. etc. Whatevah! :LOL

About car-seats ... I'm really out of the loop re: infant bucket seats. E's been in a Britax of one sort or another since around 5 months when we moved him from his bucket to a (rearfacing, of course) Roundabout. He's currently in the Marathon. We really have had *fantastic* experiences and I highly recommend them. I know some people think they're just for car seat snobs (whatever that means, *lol*) ... but we tried it based on research and lots of positive experiences of friends, and I truly love both of the Britax's that E. has been in. We're planning on doing the same thing this time around (starting off w/ the bucket ... it's a Graco something or the other, I don't even remember... and then switching to the Roundabout at around 5- months.).

[bluehalo]

and add me to the exhausted list ... I feel like I did during the early part of this pregnancy ... I would go to sleep w/ E., and wake up with E, getting at 9-10 hours of sleep, and still be totally drained. Some tasks tire me out just *thinking* about them! I've been meaning to clean and reorganize our sewing and playroom, and I just look at the chaos that they're in, and have *no* motivation. I've been sitting on my butt a lot, getting a lot of crocheting done, but that's about it. Ah well, I have 3 new soakers for this baby to show for it at least ;) Add to that the fact that it's been raining here every day for what feels like weeks on end ... I can barely gear myself up to walk the dog and run necessary errands. *sigh* Waiting for the burst of energy everyone keeps promising me is around the corner...

[flitters]

hi mamas!

we'll be a cosleeping family too. we got a moses basket to put the baby in on the bed if dh is worried initially, but mostly i think that will get used for naps. we have 2 dogs so we want to be able to define some baby spaces as well.

gosh, the car seat thing was a real pain for us. went to this great store with good selection and it turns out my car (2001 subaru) is just really, really hard to fit. we tried so many seats and they all fit like crap - really wobbly and loose. we went home and dh made some adjustments and we were able to get a really good fit with one seat. it's an infant seat from pegpegpego (whatever that brand is). i think with dh's car adjustments we'll be able to get a good fit with a convertible seat once the baby outgrows the bucket.

tomorrow i'm heading away for a week for a business trip to a conference. amusingly, my mom is coming (we're also going to stop and see some tourist sites on the way). i'm really going to miss dh and the dogs while i'm gone but i know the week will be good and pass quickly. hopefully it will be good to spend time with my mom... generally we get along easily, but like most parents, she's quirky and we don't always see eye to eye. we're very close though so i suspect it will be a nice trip. i'm still pretty comfortable and my bladder is holding up pretty well so i think the car drive shouldn't be too bad. it's about 4 hours for tomorrow, 4 the next day and then maybe we'll do the whole return trip in one go of about 7 hours next week.

also wanted to say how much i love the october mamas gallery! maybe i can upload something before i go.

:grouphug

[mirthfulmum]

Just wanted to say that my darling husband just made me the yummiest snack! It was a peanut and raspbery jam snadwich with Lay's potato chips inside the sandwich. Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones but the man is a culinary genius! :yum

[Jillerina]

Culinary genius you say? My Dad introduced all us kids to peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches...now there is brilliance. Try it, you'll love it!

I can commiserate with every one of you tired, unmotivated mamas. I'm also dragging these days.

Re cosleeping, we loved cosleeping with newborn Clara right from the get go. What made us confident was that all three of us had our own set of blankets. Clara slept in the middle of the King sized bed swaddled up in some baby blanket and then DH and I slept on either side with single bedsheets. This worked great in the Summer but unfortunatly we don't have two extra single duvets so we won't be doing the same thing this time around. Although, I'm not nearly as concerned about any of those "rules" this time around anyway!

[Lucysmama]

Just wanted to say I will not be around much for a while - dd and I moved out today. (See my post in Parents as Partners if you wanna know background.)

Love to all you mamas and I will post when I can. :grouphug I don't know how often I will get online.

[stanleymama]

Thanks everyone for the warm thoughts--I am doing better today, just feel a bit drained. I feel nervous to eat anything though--I don't want it to get flared back up.

Anyways--gottaknit-my dh callls me the "pillow-master" when pg because I take up most of the bed with all of my pillows tucked in the right places to keep me comfy. This time I have been using a body pillow, which has worked wonders, so he does have a bit more room. Its nice though he works nights so then I get the WHOLE bed to myself :D

OakEmber--I have a couple friends who live in Kelowna. I have never been there, but I here it is BEAUTIFUL--I am so jealous!!!

I hear everyone on being tired as well. I am able to get my stuff done around the house, but that is about it. My mil is with us for the summer and sometimes she will really piss me off with comments like " so when are going to bake cookies--we all want a treat." :angry She can be wonderful, but when I am tired don't nag me. Sometimes she just doesn't get that I am TIRED and that dinner is a HUGE accomplishment. Ok there is my little vent.

Mamas--hope you all have a nice restful sleep tonight :)

[stanleymama]

Lucysmama--I just went and read your post. I am so sorry that you are going through something like this right now. :hug :hug :hug I will keep you and Lucy in my prayers tonight :)

[Jillerina]

Oh Katie - I wish I were there to hug you in person tonight. I'm so incredibly sorry this is happening to you. I skimmed the thread over at Parents as Partners and all I can say is take all the time and space you need to make your next decision. If there is anything you need us October Mamas will be right here for you. I'll be thinking positive thoughts for you and Lucy until we hear from you again.

[bluehalo]

(((katie))) sending you much love and peace ... hoping you find the clarity you need in such a tough time. ((((humongo preggo belly hugs to you!))))

[gottaknit]

Katie, I hope you're doing alright. This is one of those times you wish you could just wake up and find out if was all a bad dream... :hug

Thanks to all for responding to the co-sleeping/carseat questions. I'm going to have DH read your advice/opinions and see if he'd be comfortable with it.

I wonder how common cosleeping in a family bed is. I'm thinking maybe more people are doing this than will admit to it, even non-crunchy non-AP types. (The only "out" co-sleepers I know IRL are decidedly non-crunchy. They use sposies, eat tons of junk food and watch TV 6 hours a day. They co-sleep because their DD is adopted and had serious attachment issues when they first got her. It was her choice, not theirs, but now they love it!)
What with all the bad press about SIDS and paranoid peds, I can see why people would keep it a secret...

[flitters]

oh katie, such big hugs to you and lucy and your babe on the way. i'm sure you will find strength within you and i hope it brings you peace.

[blessed2bamommie]

I got tired and started skimming and saw Katies post. I'm speechless. But, I know there is power in the name of Jesus and I just called upon His name for you. :hug


:nod yeah I been shoppin; but, I don't even feel like postin the link. I think I'll go to bed....once I do one last check...:hide:

[3bees~1flower]

Katie....i don't have anything to add to the great advice you have already been given in the PAP thread...just wanted to give a :hug and say that i'm thinking of you and that i'm so sorry you have to go thru this...

~Carrie

[OakEmber]

Awww Katie :grouphug you are in our thoughts, and Lucy and baby too of course.

About the co-sleeping, I have been in a different place...being worried about how we will all fit in our queen sized bed and now I see a light! Ember slept at the foot of our bed last night...out of her own doing and actually stayed there for the night! It was cute, she asked me to hold her foot until she fell asleep and then at about 4 am I heard this little "Mommy, can you hold my foot". I have been trying to rack my brain throughout this pregnancy because we just don't have room for much of a sidecar arrangement, but I was surprised at how much room her being at the bottom opened up! I am sure that she isn't ready to transition to her room yet, she is scared to sleep there...plus like I have said, I still enjoy her in our bed and look forward to being a true family bed. Bluehalo- I feel akin to you because we both have our preschoolers with us :hug

And remember how I said hadn't ever been kept awake by movement at night? It's true that kids like to make liars out of there mothers :LOL I didn't get much sleep last night Oakley was very active for about 2 hrs, I finally got up and had a bowl of cereal at 5 am and now not even a full 3 hrs later I am starving!!

About the carseat question, I do agree that it is handy to have the infant seat...if you buy one now and get a convertalbe in a few months then you will probably be set when the next one comes around and will possibly only need to buy a booster later. Ember is still in her Safe Embrace by Fisher Price, which they don't produce anymore unfortunately b/c I love it and have no complaints whatsoever and now Oakley will be in the infant seat until he gets too big for it at which time, Ember will probably be 40 lbs and be too big for hers....OK, no one asked for all this extra info, :LOL...I do recommend a Britax seat as well, when I bought the FP it was b/c the Britax wasn't available here in Canada (well there was one store in Toronto that I found it for $300 plus shipping and taxes :yikes) but the FP had the same reputation for non-twisting straps which is IMO so important after having dealt with my sisters carseats! So especially being on your first child...spend the money on a seat you won't regret! And I am jealous of the Pegperego seat owner!! They didn't even make them until months after Ember was born but boy do I drool over them and basically all there things :LOL

Kimberly- Yes, I am pretty partial to the area that I live in, it is very beautiful. :love

[mirthfulmum]

Katie - I am speachless. I can only imagine how devastating this is for you and your little girl. :hug Know that we at the October group are here for you.

[sqoya]

Glad I'm not the only one here with leaking problems! When I told my midwife I started leaking at 16 weeks, she was definitely surprised. Not exactly a comforting feeling when your 60 year old midwife gives you a look like "Haven't heard that one before!" :) (Really, she's great.)

Lucysmama - Not much help here. I think Annabelle Violet sounds absolutely beautiful. And then you can shorten it, if you want, or if she wants! Clementine is great, too, and the one Clementine I met was really nice and compasssionate and had an independent personality - she knew what she wanted in life and was very happy!

Piglet - congrats on the condo!!! I am completely envious of you moving to Vancouver - I'm from Seattle and would love to be back in that part of the country again!

We're not telling anyone our name picks either. I just don't want anyone to give me bad vibes! But, I'll probably share them will all of you...

Sex isn't so bad here. The only problem is that it takes me about 2 days to recover - I'm so tired all the time, that afterwards, I feel like I've been beat up! But then, a few days later, it's all I want again! :shy

CourtneyandLogan - my church offered the same service, and I feel a little silly taking them up on it, but I guess I really should!

Stanleymama - I had some sort of food poisoning, too, a couple weeks ago. It was horrible and there's nothing I could do. Just feel miserable. Ugh.

I have to stop letting so many days go by without checking what everyone's been up to!!! I'm a complete slacker!

[True Blue]

Katie -- :hug is about all I can offer...

I am in so much physical discomfort today!! Made a chiro appt for this afternoon when DH gets home. I usually have a problem with my left leg/hip even when I am not pg, but now something is getting pinched over my right leg, in the back, top of my butt. It's killing me, every step makes me feel like I'm gonna fall over! I hope the chiro does the trick or I won't make it 12 more weeks LOL. Anyone else starting to get these lovely aches, shooting pains, etc yet???

[Lucysmama]

Thanks mamas.....we are staying at my MI's house till I figure things out. MIL wants to pay for us to see "the best counselor she can find." Even if it is just so we can have an amicable divorce. In the meantime, she wants to take care of Lu and I both monetarily and in a mothering way. I have to stay with her at least for a while. I can't even think straight when I am around dh, let alone have a calm conversation. I am just sputtering and stammering. She is leaving to go to Turkey on the 20th, and will be gone till the week before the baby is due, so I can stay at her house. I can have the baby there if I need to, she is supportive of homebirth and AP in general.

Dd is over playing and visiting him right now. When I got there to drop her off, he said, "Ummm...when are we gonna talk about all this?" and I said, "You don't think you did anything wrong, so how can we talk about this?" He has to realize what he did was wrong before we can make steps to try to fix anything.

Just updating you all, and thanks for the warmth. I don't get to go online at my MIL's much, but I'll be around. :grouphug

Oh, and Piglet - I would love to get together with you and Emily, but we are actually staying pretty far away right now, in Hiram. Thanks for the PM and warm thoughts. :hug

[gottaknit]

My biggest pain right now is my mid-upper back (just below the shoulder blades) and my ribcage at the same place in the front (just below my breasts). It feels like an incredible amount of pressure inside expanding my rib cage against its will! (Which I guess it is.) Oddly, my lower back is fine. This is where I always assumed pregnant women get aches. Pubic bone still sore off and on. I feel like an 80 year old woman some days...

I'm having lunch with my mom and her friend today to discuss what I want the baby shower to be like, what gifts I want, etc. Uh, I dunno. I'm not really a shower kind of girl. I'd be happy if everyone just channeled all that energy into CASH for me and DH instead. :LOL Unfortunately, sentiments like that aren't very socially acceptable. So, bring on the tiny onsies and baby rattles I guess! ;)

Hope everyone's doing well and enjoys the weekend! It's raining here and I'm SOOO HAPPY about it! :D Such a relief!

[gottaknit]

Katie - we cross posted. Sounds like you're handling the situation