Week of August 16th

[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 *prediction: Oct 4, short labour, girl*
Jillerina 10/04 *prediction: Oct 6, 6 hrs labour*
water 10/06
KateMary 10/06 GIRL!
Proudly AP 10/08
MamaEmerald 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 *expected Oct 22*
Ctmom70 10/24 BOY! Alex Richard
*prediction: Oct 14, 5 hrs labour*
Kim22 10/24 BOY!
aspiring mama 10/25
sunshinegal 10/25 Fiona
truebluexf 10/27 *prediction: Oct 11, 8 hrs labour, boy*
Soogie 10/27 *prediction: Oct 27 or 28*
ameliabedelia 10/29 GIRL! Greta Marie
*prediction: Oct 17, 10 hrs labour*
flitters 10/30
BeauGeek 10/30
AnnR33 10/31
guinnessinu 10/31 TWINS! BOY! and BOY!
BlueMoonTime 10/31 GIRL! Alexis

Hi everybody! Sorry this is a bit late getting started today. DD woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 4:30 am, lol. I stayed up with her until 7 am when DH woke up, then I went back to bed!

Today I am 31 weeks. AND...it's my last week at work!! :banana I'm getting really excited about being a SAHM again. DD is just getting to be so much fun to hang out with - she's so talkative and adorable. :love

Question of the Week: okay people, you're going to have to help me out here. I can't think of a thing. First person to post a question gets to set the QOTW! :D

[3bees~1flower]

Mornin'! :D

Piglet....yeah on the homestretch of working!!

i looked at all you guys' pictures last night...how much fun was that! :) it's so cool to put faces to everyones name! i will try and get a picture up sometime. i'm grungin' it today while doing laundry from camping, so proly won't take any pictures today...:LOL maybe i'll get some up of the boys. oh, and i *won't* being doing a nakey belly shot...TOOOOOOO many stretch marks!! :gross (thank you, 10 lb 7oz ds#2...;) )

k, Piglet, how's this question.....What is your favorite and most annoying type of baby movement?

for me, i love the rolling movements and the definite kicks....most annoying are hiccups and whatever those spastic things they do in there.

[stanleymama]

Yeah Piglet!!!! I remember counting down when I was working. I could hardly wait to be a sahm!!! And I still love it!

QOTW: The most annoying movement that I feel right now is the foot in the ribs. Hiccups don't bother me and the little movements here and there are fun and a thankful reminder that he is doing ok in there. But the foot up in the ribs....makes me want him out! I think that I am just ready to feel "normal" again..KWIM?

[OakEmber]

Great question 3boyz4us! I am one of those clueless ones though when it comes to movements, I don't think I feel rolls and I can't seem to tell when Oakley changes position, if he does. So my favorite movement is just kicks and bumping, especailly when you get a big wallop that surprises you. The most annoying is lately I have been getting some painful pokes just in this one spot at the top of my uterus. You know what's weird, I don't seem to carry under my ribs but over, I have never gotten kicked in the ribs like some of you have described...am I the only one?

Piglet...that's so exciting, both the move being so close and work being finished for you!

So Dh decide to decline that job...the pay wasn't good and there were just many things that didn't seem to sit right with him (one of them being that they have a punch clock and Dh would only be the second employee, it's a husband and wife running the company with one person working for them at present, does that seem weird to you guys too? I mean there is nothing wrong with a punch clock to keep track of employees but for 2?? and they use some seriously bad chemicals which didn't sit well with me, don't need him getting cancer from his job, not to mention bringing bad stuff home on him...I won't even get new carpets with a baby on the way or in the house b/c I don't like the idea of the offgases, it that's even what it's called) He's had a job from hell experience once before and this one gave him the same feeling so I really wanted him to just trust his intuition. Even my own feelings were mixed about it, I mean you'd think we'd have been excited about him starting a new job this week but instead we were both dreading it. He has another 16 weeks or so of EI so we aren't to worried at this point. It feels good to get this off my chest though.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

[3bees~1flower]

OakEmber....no you are not the only one that doesn't feel the rib thing....i have never experienced that i guess...even with my 10+ lb babies...they must sit in front of them or something...:shrug guess it's something to be thankful for from what i've heard....i have never experienced any real uncomfortableness as far as baby movement goes...although, yesterday afternoon, he must have been clear up in my diaphragm, 'cuz i couldn't stand to bend over and felt like i had to belch all the time and had heartburn....it's way better today...must have moved into a different postion over night.

do you know what i mean by spastic movements? that's the best way i know to describe them....also, some of the movement just feels like it would if you had intestinal cramps...i know it's baby, but that is just what it feels like to me...that is kind of annoying to me...

[bluehalo]

QOTW:

Hrm ... I guess it depends if I'm trying to sleep or not *lol*. Most of the time I enjoy all of the movements, esp. when DH or DS and I sit there w/ my shirt up watching my belly's gyrations. DH gets so excited, although he's said that he'd be totally freaked out having uncontrollable, spastic movements in his tummy for months on end. I definately don't like the cervix jabs ... and every once in a while he kicks so hard that it literally takes my breath away.

DH had a productive day yesterday ... he put together the dresser/changing table and the crib. I was so tickled to take all my NB and small dipes out of rubbermaid containers and caress them and fold them and put them into the drawers. I may have to take them back out later today to take pictures of. I'm such a dork *lol* I washed and lanolized all of my wool yesterday. *sigh* Simple pleasures *lol*.

[3bees~1flower]

bluehalo...i meant to say before when i mentioned about looking at everyones pitures...i *love* your hair...it looks very thick...and i spose that's natural curl? :rolleyes ;) very pretty!!

[guinnessinu]

29 weeks

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I was gone for so long but I was put on bedrest for preterm labour :( a few weeks ago. Seems I was dialated 1 cm an 50% effaced, having contractions every 2-3 minutes. Of course I had no clue( I don't feel early labour, actually I don't really feel much until transition hits). Thank goodness it was picked up by my practitioner and hospitalized until they were able to stop it. So far so good and just hanging in there. I hope that these little ones are able to stay put until I'm at least 34-35 weeks along.

Went in for a check up on thurs. and measured at 36 weeks :huh . I feel huge and wonder just how big I'm going to get!

QOTW: Two are very different than one. Liam is definetly the active one and likes to cause pain(ribs). Actually he tends to keep a foot or something up in my ribs and its been very painful on that side for weeks. Mason seems much more laid back and I mostly feel rolling and shifting movements from him. This pregnancy I've been getting body parts sticking out of my stomach and moving across. Very cool to watch.

I hope everyone is well and that all babies are staying put! I'm going to try to catch up but my time in an upwards position is unfortunately very limited!

[True Blue]

Lindsey!! I'm so sorry! :hug I know how you feel, though luckily I am not on total bedrest. But have heart, I've been 1cm and 50% effaced since 21 weeks!!! Started having preterm labor again but so far no more dilating, thank goodness. Hang in there. Hey, I just tought myself to knit this weekend using the internet...maybe you should try it? You could have a whole wardrobe for the little boys by the time they get here LOL. :love

Well, as I mentioned in pity party, my uti test Friday came back negative, meaning one of two things: either I never had a uti at all or the cranactin I took all week had killed it by then. I don't know though. I had contractions again the night before the test, enough to bring me to the mw...if the uti was totally gone only 12 hours later, don't you think it couldn't be the cause of the contractions? Plus, I had more contractions last night. So I'm a little worried now. The worst part is, if I have the baby early, I get the doc on call...I have no OB here in town as a backup, and quite frankly I am unimpressed with them all. Gosh, I wonder if I should make a birth plan up just in case???? I don't want drugs or scissors coming near me!!! At any rate, I'm on modified rest again until I near 36-37 weeks. Ugh.

QOTW: My favorites are the ones where I feel limbs kind of rolling across my belly. :love I hate the cervical jabs. I do know what you were talking about above with those strange spastic movements, I wish I had some idea what exactly they were! And I also have never felt feet in the ribs, my babies' feet have always been down more in belly; DS's stuck out my side and this one's are in front (on top of it all, this babe is comfy sitting posterior :rolleyes).

[Lucysmama]

Lindsey - :hug So sorry your are on bedrest! What a bummer! How is Kieran handling it?

QOTW: I love it when the baby rubs its foot along my belly. If I put my hand there, I can actually feel the little foot go across my hand. :) So sweet!

But I hate it when I really have to pee, and the baby punches my down low in my pelvis! Ouch! I don't ever leak or anything, but it is SO uncomfortable and hurts.

[blessed2bamommie]

Just peekin in...

QOTW: Vagina blows definately. OUCH! :yikes:

Well, waiting for some replies in FYT and a *useful* reply in HB....we're considering a doula grad who needs to attend births, as suggested by a girl in LLL. Apparently, my fitness instructor, who delivered in July took the tip and she was pleased. The perinatal coordinator....as the latest in the wb saga ended up being no bringing in a tub b/c of concern about the weight of the water. :shrug and the practice docs sayin that would be pushing the envelope too much in already hostile territory of L&D for me to stay in the tub for delivery. The PC mentioned a doula to keep me home as long as possible....I'm thinking...dry off, get in the car, drive 30 min or more in rush hour and reward UNC for a birth that I had to settle for....:scratch Dh said no. Then he started figuring how to set up the tub and then he said can I be comfortable with a MW, since the MWs we've met here so far have stunk and could we find a HBMW and could I get comfortable in ......9 wks. :yikes: Sooooooooooooo...oh I got a new message and I forgot I should send an email for a provider list for a hb site for our state. So, I dunno....have a hosp birth and have to get out of the tub. :irked: Have a hb and not be quite that comfortable about not being at a hospital for a safety net.


OK, checking inbox and checking hb site. :wave

[stanleymama]

OakEmber..so nice you don't get the foot in the ribs. I get both the foot across the ribs (like you described) and the sometimes a foot in the rib.

Bluehalo..I am getting ready to get baby's stuff together. Yet i feel that it is too early, yet I want to get it done. AHH the conflict within:) I think that I am starting to get more of the nesting urges. I want to clean out closets, get rid or pack away stuff that we no longer wear or use, etc.

Anybody feel their taste in clothing change lately? I just feel like when I have this baby I want to go on a big shopping spree and get some new clothes. So many that I have I have had for what seems like forever. Maybe it is having such a slim selection of what I can presently wear. Or maybe I just need a "pick-me-up."

[Court]

Hello ladies!

QOTW: I love the foot traveling across the belly too! The cervix punches are probably the worst - luckily I haven't had too many. Oh, and I know exactly what yall mean about spastic movements. It feels like a cat attacking a little bug in there.

So, I just passed my kidney stone about an hour ago, and I'm so excited! (I had mentioned it in the pity party thread). It did feel a bit like labor (worse than labor) when it was moving out of my kidney last Thursday night, I was actually doing labor breathing. But then it settled in my bladder and irritated the hell out of me for a couple days. Finally I felt a pop and it came out painlessly while peeing today. :banana And yes I always do everything right, drink tons of water, etc - they just run in my family. I get them during pregancy I guess cause everything slows down a bit. Okay and I ate too much ice cream. That'll teach me. No it wont. :)

Stanleymama- Oh man I have totally been thinking about shopping lately. I think it's probably the slim selection that makes ya want to shop. I'm even excited about wearing my "bigger" postpartum clothes that I bought last time. Anything but a big tent shirt.

So Letia, you're considering a homebirth? That's so exciting. From everything I've read from you, it sounds like it would be a great experience for you. You could have control over your entire birth and be in the water as long as you want. If you get a licensed midwife you know, they have everything there for emergencies like oxygen, anti-hemmoraging meds, suturing stuff, etc. And if you have an emergency, you could always just transfer. I'm biased though :) I hope you figure everything out to your liking.

Congrats on your last week of work Piglet! What a relief that must be.

OakEmber - Sounds like your husband made the right decision. I'm a strong believer in intuition too. I don't think any job is worth possible getting cancer, yikes. That's good that he's got plenty of time to find another one.

[flitters]

hi mamas!

gosh, i don't know where to start this week. last week i was on a business trip and didn't have easy web access so i couldn't post so i have way more catching up to do than i possibly can...

let's see... i wanted to send my best to lucysmama and lucy, i hope things really do get better with the therapy. also hoping those who are feeling crappy are able to get comfortable here and there before the babies come (hopefully not too soon!)

i love the picture gallery! whoever asked about the first picture of me climbing, i am definitely *not* pregnant in that shot! hahahhah! i put up a belly pic and a recent but blurry climbing pic for comparison.

so to chime in on last weeks discussion about discharge, in my dh's words, i'm much more shmutzy than when not pregnant. i just change my panties once during the day and it's ok, but what really gets me is the night time oozing. sheets need to be changed more frequently!!! i may have a minor yeast infection but if so it's very, very mild and washing is treatment enough. i don't have normal symptoms, but my discharge is definitely weirder than usual so...

qotw: my favorite baby movements are when a big baby part brushes across my whole tummy. i'm not sure if it's feet or arms or what, but i like it! i don't have annoying baby movements yet... though i'm pretty sure my baby hasn't settled head down yet so i get kind of concerned sometimes when there is a baseball like head poking me in the side that it won't go vertex (even though it's early).

i missed you all last week! i'm SOOOOO happy to be home with dh again and it's nice to be back online too!

also, i have a question: most likely TMI so stop here if you don't want to hear details about my and dh's intimate life. so... saturday dh and i were in bed. he was lying on his back, propped up a bit with pillows and i was lying face down. errrr, face down low... with my head in his lap i suppose... bobbing up and down. ok, i suspect you get the picture. i was really very well supported with pillows on all sides so there wasn't pressure on my tummy. so after a couple minutes of this all of a sudden, i am stuck. i stop and pull my head up, dh looks confused, and i'm still stuck. i can't move my body. my head and arms were fine and my legs from the knees down were also ok, but i couldn't roll or get up or anything. any attempt to move was excruciatingly painful on both sides of my waist. it was like they had completely seized and any movement felt like it would rip me. i waited a bit and it still didn't go away so i had dh help lift me up since i figured if i turned over maybe it would ease. so he helped me move which hurt badly but i think was good in the long run and then i just lay there. it was kind of funny so we were laughing a bit too which really hurt. after a couple minutes it eventually loosened up so i could move again.

so what was that?????? i read someone else's post that her contractions made her feel stuck. does that sound like a contraction? i've had some which are not at all painful but make my uterus ball up hard and it didn't feel at all like that. it was just tight on either side and kind of felt like my ligaments had seized... can they do that? has anyone experienced this? it was REALLY weird and REALLY painful (tolerable certainly, but it hurt a lot) and i was REALLY stuck. anyone have any idea?

thanks!

ok, i need to get back to work.

:grouphug

[gottaknit]

Ok, Flitters, I'll give it a shot. It sounds like what happens to my calves when I suddenly stretch out my legs or have been exercising too much. They seize up (charliehorse) and it's excruciating to move until it gradually goes away. So maybe this is what happened to your round ligaments with all that, um, bobbing? :LOL

Maybe you just need a little extra calcium? I find if I drink one extra glass of milk a day I don't get muscle cramps...

BTW, maybe you two should try that particular activity in a different position next time. Like, you stay still (and comfortable) and he does the moving, kwim? ;)

[flitters]

hahhaha, thanks gottaknit!

when activities resumed (much later) i took a comfy seat and made him stand. :p no more bobbing for me during pregnancy! :innocent

i wonder if it was a muscle cramp. now that you mention it, i forgot that i simulaneously had a foot cramp (since my sides hurt so much i forgot about that)... maybe i was a bit low on some sort of electrolytes. i wonder if that is anything like a real contraction... i kind of doubt it and sort of hope not too - i really hope to be able to move during labor, even if it hurts more!

[Piglet68]

OMG, flitters I'm so sorry, but I"m going to have to wait to answer your question until I'm done rotflmao...

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I'm saying this with all the love and sympathy I can, it's just the way you described what you were doing....it was so funny...i'm sorry...I just can't help giggling at your term "bobbing"....

:laugh:

[momto l&a]

Approx. 32 weeks here.

I am so proud of myself :) For the past 7 years I have had the contract for fixing the school bus windows. I kept wondering how I was going to do them this summer. Well no problems :thumb I climb up on each bus did the break and climbed back down. I think the poor guy who manages the buses wondered how I was going to do them (he said he had a step ladder should I need it). Not that I am at all big, I hide prgancies well. What makes me even happier is I started at 6 am and was done by 10:30, with an hour break. Usually it takes me a few days to do all buses and rigs for this district. We are waiting for one bus to get back from some warrenty work to see if it need and windshield attention, other than that I am done! :thumb

Flitters, I got stuck on the floor once with my legs up on the bed ( I was trying to help the blood go somewhere else but my legs) took me over 30 minutes to get moved and standing (the whole process was very painful). Dh was at work and there was nothing my girls could do to help me. For me its just my hips and lower back are really loosing up for birth and everything goes out of place very easily.

I dont really know which movement is my favorite I think all movement is fun except for the one where it feels like it coming through cervix :irked: That really is a painful move.

Dh is on vacation for the next 10 days so we are painting our room and cleaning the carpets after that, so our room will be the first done :thumb Then we are hoping to go on a camping trip. We have a 24 foot camp trailer and the place we chose to go is really bad road (Magruder Corridor) so we will be tent camping with me at 32 weeks :LOL But the girls are really looking forward to going and the cheese factory at the end, Darby Montana. Hopefully theres still a cheese factory there :scratch

[blessed2bamommie]

Well....:LOL

It wasn't me but dh.....a few years ago he was on top and he got a cramp in the back of his thigh. :laugh: It really destroyed the mood b/c I tend to bust out laughin if u bump into something or trip, much less a cramp during sex! :rotflmao

Nancy? was that u? I got this tip from I'm :belly

flex your feet when you stretch! I haven't gotten a charley horse since June! :thumb


Just did a custom order at Baby Bloomrs and she has free shipping for MDC mamas with the code of exactly that in all caps.

http://www.babybloomrs.com/fpdb/images/fab3.jpg (also got a blanket to match)

http://www.babybloomrs.com/Store/results2.asp?curpage=2# (mil asked if I found one...and since she's buyin...)


:D That makes....a dozen...:yikes:

I'm working on some others.....tho. :thumb

Got a custom from Seventh Heaven babies....its another Noah's Ark. I couldn't pass up. She emailed me the fabric swatches a friend of hers had the material, so I can't show u til I get.

Gotta plan what I'm gonna do next....I've got a lot of prints now...maybe I'll concentrate on some more handdyed....:nana

[mirthfulmum]

I can not believe that it is the middle of August already! September is just a couple of weeks away... and then before we know it our Oct. babes will be here!

It has been a chaotic couple of weeks here with school, and a sick grandpa, and parenting a toddler, and being 8 months pregnant. But I'm just finnishing up my last week of class and then I'll be all done (insert pregnant lady happy dance smilie here). I'll only have 2 more classes to go 'till I get my degree and I can do both of them by correspondence. Can't wait for my university days to be behind me.

QOTW: I love the rolls and the big arms and leg movements when my whole stomach moves. It makes me so happy to think of my little guy getting biger and stronger and staying healthy. I could really do without the rib kicks, cervix jabs and bladder pummerlings though.

Oh, Alias just woke up from his nap so that's my cue to get off the computer.

[MamaEmerald]

*Newbie here* (posted an intro ealier)
32 and a half weeks

I definately agree that the jabs to the cervix have been the biggest bummers. Every once an awhile I'll get a sharp little poke in the side that ranges from shocking to a little painful. And the big rolls just crack me up. I can't even figure out what he's doing in there!

This week has been a bummer for me because I caught a cold from a co-worker. So every day I've been getting bloody noses because these poor, fragile membranes and all this extra blood just don't work well with constant nose-blowing. I'm so ready to be well again! Sick and pregnant is so lousy!

[Lucysmama]

Welcome, Kristin!!! We are a little nutty, but we're a fun group. Glad you joined us! :)

How are you guys doing? I shopped with my dd for a few hours today for a new bra (38 DD, WOWZA!), new shoes for Lucy, etc....I am so pooped now! Plus, my dd was SOOOO whiney and annoying at the mall. She refused to walk, so I had to push the stroller, but she kept standing up in the stroller, and almost fell several times. GRRRRRR.

I think I need to be on a deserted island. Everyone is annoying the crap out of me.

:irked: My mom is driving me so nuts again. She wants to take my dd to the beach tomorrow to a family party. Ok, I say, 2:00pm. Fine, she says.

So, she just called and said, "Um, I need to pick up Lucy at 11:45am instead." Uhh, no. That's when Lucy naps and she knows it. I tell her as much, and she starts giving me all kinds of crap about it...."just let her go without a nap", "she'll be fine" "I HAVE raised kids before." etc etc. So not only does she want my toddler to spend the entire day without a nap, on the beach, going at noon, in the full-sun, totally crabby and with people she barely knows, now she gives me all kinds of guilt trip-crap about me saying no. She thinks I am playing games with her or something...I swear, the woman does not GET the whole "put your kids first" thing. :eyesroll I offered Lucy at 1:00pm, trying to compromise, and she said she'll "think about it and get back to me." Whatever. The woman drives me so nuts.

[Court]

Why would your mom want a toddler who hasn't napped? Is she a masochist? This isn't even an "AP" issue, it's just common sense. If my mom said, "I have raised kids before.." to me, I'd say, "Exactly, and now it's my turn." :eyesroll

Flitters - I get stuck in certain positions too. With me, it's my sciatic nerve causing it. But I could see how it would be ligaments and stuff. We've got that relaxin hormone being released now so everything gets real loose, and joints can kinda get out of place. Thanks for the laugh by the way :D

Welcome MamaEmerald! I've got a cold now too, and it's awful. Like we don't have enough to deal with just being pregnant.

p.s. - I put in a request to change my username to something shorter cause it was bugging me. So, I'll be just "Court" from now on.

[3bees~1flower]

Welcome, MamaEmerald! so what is your edd? do you know what you are having a boy or the reference to "him" just generic? sorry about the cold.

Hey, Court!! :) i want to change my user name at somepoint too, but can't decide on what to use.

Katie...bummer about your mom...i too don't know why she would want to take an "unnapped" toddler either. hope you can come to a compromise.

i have to see the chiro again...haven't seen him since last Tuesday. it seems to be working...how long does this go on when you see a chiro? i have been going for about three weeks now.

Tonight we are having the family b-day party for ds#3...his b-day was Fri while we were camping. i'm going simple and just making homemade pizzas and then cake and ice cream.

well, need to get in the shower...talk to ya'll later.

[Lucysmama]

Why would your mom want a toddler who hasn't napped? Is she a masochist? This isn't even an "AP" issue, it's just common sense. If my mom said, "I have raised kids before.." to me, I'd say, "Exactly, and now it's my turn." :eyesroll


Court-

:LOL I'll have to remember that one! Hee hee. My mom isn't a masochist - she's just one of those rare human beings who truly believe the world revolves around them. She thinks everyone should accomodate her, including her 2 year old granddaughter! :eyesroll Anyway, she's not taking her. Dd NEEDS her nap, she still sleeps 2-3 hours/day. I'm proud I put my foot down, it's hard to do to my mom, she is so controlling.

:hug Sorry about your cold!!!

Anyone else having a problem with anemia at all??? What are you doing to bring your iron up?

[stanleymama]

Lucysmama...good for you for standing up to your mom. My mom is also controlling and thinks the world revolves around her. I have to put my foot down with her on occasion, but thankfully we don't see much of her. Which is kinda sad, but then when I think of all the crap we deal with because of her, it becomes a blessing.

Flitters.. I too had quite the laugh. A couple weeks ago dh and I were having a bit o'fun and I got a HORRIBLE leg cramp. I wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time.

[Wabi Sabi]

Argh! I just had a post that had taken me the past 30 mintues to write dissapear just as I was about to hit send!

Anyhow, Flitters, I can't comment on getting "stuck" in certain positions since I've never experienced anything quite like that, but I did want to thank you for making me laugh this morning! :thumb

I also had to laugh at your husband's description of your discharge as "shmutzy." My husband has also commented on the difference in my discharge lately, but couldn't think of a good word to describe it. Shmutzy is way better than anything we could come up with! The other day he said, "Um, well...its really thick and sticky, kinda like the paste kids use in kindergarten." Maybe this is TMI, but after sex he commented that his penis was coated in something similar to "the sugary, sticky coating on a Krispy Creme donut." :blush I'll certainly never think of donuts the same way again...LOL.

QOTW: I love feeling all of the BIG movements, the ones that make my entire stomach roll and contort. As for the annoying movements, there is one spot that is really tender when he hits/kicks/punches it. The spot is really low and slightly left of center. I've wondered if maybe that is my cervix, but thought that my cervix would be more low and center, not off to the side...?

Bluehalo, I love your photo. The reason I haven't posted one yet is because the only pregnancy pics I have so far are ALL nudes, and DH and I haven't gotten around to taking more yet. Unlike yours, my breasts are not covered in any of the photos. I'm not a particuarly modest person, but didn't want to make other folks uncomfortable by posting them...

OKay mamas, I could also use your input when it comes to naming this kid. We've settled on Miles for a first name, but still aren't sure about a middle name. The main contenders so far:

Miles Henry (no particular reason, I've just always liked the name Henry)

Miles Devlin (my maiden name, but my name was changed to that when my mother got remarried when I was a kid, and never had a very good relationship with him, therefore slightly unsure about using his name, but the rest of the Devlin family are wonderful...)

Miles Rocket (because in a way DH and I like names that are a bit more unusual, but thought maybe we'd reserve a more "out-there" name for a middle rather than a first name...)

[mirthfulmum]

Anyone else having a problem with anemia at all??? What are you doing to bring your iron up?
I have been so run down lately. I thought it was due to stress and my intermittent insomnia but I looked under my bottom eye lids 2 days ago and they were bright red. (I read in a book that to check for possible anemia you look under your bottom eye lids and see what colour they are. If it's red than you're low on iron. If it's pinkish than you're fine.) So I've added some Floradix to my daily vitamin routine. Alias needs to take it everyday as he is naturally mildly anemic and we are vegetarians and getting iron through your food is tough (especially when your toddler is a pretty picky eater) so we always have some in the house. I haven't noticed a huge difference yet but I did get a full nights sleep last night so perhaps today will be an easier day.

Katie - Once again I think our moms must've been seperated at birth. I've had very sismilar conversations with my mom when she's here visiting. She thinks that when she comes to visit that Alias' routine should just be thrown out the window... because his "Ama" is only visiting for a few days :eyesroll. She's always winding him up before bed time so that he'll stay up later. Or trying to get him to conform to her schedual. And complaining that I'm too rigid when I step in. And she loves to talk about how she can't wait to take Alias to this remote middle-of-nowhere-Alaska cabin that her friend owns all by herself for a long weekend, and when will I let her do that, soon right? Yeah right! I told her we'll discuss it when he's like 8 or 9 and she gets all pouty and says that I'm too over protective and don't I trust her? Frankly no. I was raised by this woman. I know what she's like. I just keep telling her over and over when ever she brings up what she allowed me to do when I was his age (or a bit older) that it's different. "Different how?" "This time I'm the mommy." It usually shuts her up for a bit.

Flitters - :rotflmao Your post totally cracked me up. I've never had that particular problem but I think that Court is probably right about the relaxin a causing your joints to get all out of place. I'm pleased to read though that the two of you found a solution to your little problem.

:thumb to you randy gals! I really really really miss my sex drive (even if they seem to be providing your more comical moments). Oh well.

FutureMama - I hate it when I loose posts. I try desperatly to recreate them but always fail miserably and then usually just end up logging off in frustration. Miles is such a great name, wonerful choice. I like Devlin the best for middle names, but it does seem a little funny to give him a name from a family it dosen't sound you have real strong connections to. So my vote goes with Rocket for the middle name. I think that it sounds really cool.

[gottaknit]

Katie - I do all my cooking on a cast iron skillet. You might try that. The iron leaches into the food. Of course, all of the MEAT I've been eating might have something to do with why my iron levels are so good. I've never been much of a meat-eater, but lately when we go out I always order steak. Yum. :) I have no idea why.

I was thinking of benefits to being pregnant in summer and this is what I came up with:

1. Constant supply of fresh fruit and veggies. I eat sooo much better in the summer than the winter. And this is when the baby is developing taste buds, so hopefully will develop a preference for fruits and veggies!

2. Flip-flops mean no shoe-tying, which is pretty much undoable these days.

3. We get to deal with the post-partum flabbiness during the winter, when we're covered up anyway. Can you imagine having a baby in June and then trying to get into your prebaby shorts, tanks, and swimsuit? Depressing! We get to continue wearing our maternity pants and no one will be the wiser. ;)

See, the hot weather isn't so bad after all.... :)

[blessed2bamommie]

:LOL

uhhhhhhhhhhhh what's going on with me today....

OH! :idea I got an appointment to see my photographer and planned a (clothed :LOL) photo shoot!

[gottaknit]

Does anyone know if Raspberry Leaf tea has soporific effects? I just had my first cup and now I'm sooo sleepy. :zzz Maybe I'll only drink it in the evening from now on.

[flitters]

hi mamas!

so happy that my story made you laugh! it made me laugh too, which in turn made things more painful, but it was really quite ridiculous and too hard not to laugh. i think it probably was some sort of muscle cramp.

futuremama, the donut comment cracked me up. i will *always* think of that now when i see a krispy kreme glazed!

gottaknit, i also love the fruits and veggies of summer. we go to the farmers market on weekends and our garden is also starting to provide. i definitely feel better with all the produce and i bet our babies do too.

anyway, i'm sorry to lucysmama and mirthfulmom and all those dealing with pushy overbearing mothers of their own. normally i have a great relationship with my mom - we're very close. however, i've begun to have some problems with how critical she can be of certain things or people. we just spent the week together on a trip (i was attending a big convention for work and she came and saw the exhibits and stuff) which was mostly wonderful.

however, when we got home two nights before she was heading back to her house (about a 2 hour plane flight away), she made a few comments that really crossed a line with me. this is becoming more frequent as on her last visit (in february) she also said something wildly inappropriate. i don't ever yell but i was clearly angered and this time she really thought i was going to kick her out of our house (not the case). she knew i was angry (but that really isn't an accurate description of how i felt, i still can't put a finger on it) and after the incident i basically let it go and was nice as usual for the duration of her visit, although i suspect she knew i was still feeling very cool towards her.

i'm really not sure how this will play out... if a boyfriend had said something like that i would dump him on the spot, but i absolutely will not dump my mom. either she'll stop making comments that are truly wrong (both incorrect and inappropriate) or she's going to put a real dent in our friendship. i love her completely, but this certainly makes being around her much less pleasant.

do your mom's still call you baby names like "little one" or "tootsie" or anything? it doesn't bother me, but i think it is a reflection of how she fails to fully appreciate that i really am a very competent adult.

ah well, i do love her very much. it's just hard to be around her sometimes and it doesn't have to be like that, she just makes it that way.

thanks for letting me vent too. i feel almost silly complaining, my relationship with my mother is really wonderful and i'm very thankful for it.

:grouphug

[Piglet68]

Okay, I've finally finished the paper I was working on, so now I can answer the QOTW.

gottaknit: great points about being PG in summer. I know I'm glad that I can cover up the post-partum weight in winter, and should be good by spring if I follow the same course as before. I was packing up some of my pre-pregnancy clothes the other day and longing to be that small again, lol.

QOTW: I like the movements that make my belly wriggle like a bowl of jello. or that make one side poke straight up. I don't have any feet in my ribs, but there are some limbs/knees right above my belly button that feel strange. He also seems to spend some time transverse, and I often get a foot poking me in my side...like really far to my side. And then I believe he has some hands or something down by my cervix. As someone else said, it's not in the center, it's off to the side, but very low down, by the hip joint. There isn't much room to move there, and so that sort of poking is uncomfortable. (great question, btw!)

Speaking of sex drives. Mine isn't all that fun anymore. With all the swelling, discomfort, and general "schmutzy-ness" down there, I'm too self-concious to engage in any "fun". I'm also tired all the time, and stiff and sore. Probably if we started anything I'd end up all seized up like flitters! :D Poor DH, I think it's a safe bet that he ain't getting much before baby comes, and we KNOW he ain't getting any afterwards, lol.

Futuremama: I think Rocket is kinda cool! I have to admit, I do like the name Henry, too. It sounds good with Miles.

MamaEmerald: glad to see you jumping into the conversation. hope your cold goes away! I've been having some post-nasal drip at night - something must be pollenating out there...it's not fun! I've been snoring so bad that DH has been sleeping on the couch (which is actually okay by me b/c he snores bad and my insomnia doesn't deal with that very well!).

Katie: glad you stood up to your mom. the last thing you need to deal with right now is a toddler whose nap cycle is thrown out of whack! I think it's so funny that you are seeing the same counsellor that me and DH saw. She was a bit odd, but she did help us get off to a really good start, so I hope she gets in sync with you two.

[Lucysmama]

Piglet- I told Lanex, our therapist, today about knowing you. She thought it was so funny! She asked how you are...She said it "made sense" that you and your dh were into AP too, and was happy to hear about Emily and Sasha. :)

Therapy is ROUGH, man! Today was really difficult and uncomfortable. We're doing a lot of work about our childhoods, and I had a very rough one, so it is very hard for me to discuss. We did this exercise where I talked to dh as if he was my mother, and "confronted her" about her abusive ways. (The idea is that dh and I are repeating patterns from our childhoods with each other, so we are trying to work thru childhood trauma and issues first.) Yikes!!! Very hard for me. But I'm glad we are doing it. It's really hard being pregnant and so emotional, though. I cry at the drop of a hat - I'm not usually like this, it's just hormones. Our therapist must think I'm a real basket case! :nut

Letia- How's the birthing plan going? Still unsure about what to do? Follow your heart, and don't do anything that will make you uncomfortable - it could have a huge impact on your labor and birth. How does your dh feel, is he still very nervous about hb? If YOU want to have a hb, I have heard that interviewing midwives can do wonders for getting reluctant DHs on board. He can ask a lot of questions, relay any fears, and see that the midwife is (usually) a very intelligent and competant care provider.

[mtnjenny]

QOTW: So far, none of the baby's movements have been painful for me (knock on wood.) I love all the movements I feel! It's just so crazy to me. I'm constantly trying to figure out what's what, and I'm totally clueless. How can I tell what's a head, or a bum? What's a foot, or an elbow? A knee or a shoulder? So mysterious...

Welcome Kristin, I'm relatively new here, too. I soooo wish I could have been here from the start!

Futuremama, I vote for Rocket!

I had a prenatal app't today with my doctor and it was so reassuring. For having a hospital birth (with a male doctor! Shocking, I know - it's a long story, and he's so great,) we're so lucky to live in such a crazy liberal place with a state-of-the art hospital. Our discussion today was about pain management and the doctor was so supportive of our desires for natural, gentle childbirth. He strongly encourages the use of the jacuzzi, birth ball, anything we want (jacuzzis in each room.) The doc said that in the last 85 deliveries, he's only performed 3 episotomies - yes!! This was the conversation I was dreading, and it was great. What a relief. Dh was so relieved, too, but as usual, he wasn't as worried as I was! Oh yeah, he was also so reassuring about us getting to the hospital at the right time, not too late and not too early (we live 40 min. from town.) Let's just hope there's not a snowstorm - ya never know at 8500 feet in October. Anyhoo, I'm just all giddy from that, thanks for "listening!"

Gottaknit and flitters, I'm with ya on the fruits and veggies. In fact, the doctor today gave me a very gentle reminder about taking it easy on the sugar (I've gained 30 lbs...anyone else wanna share? To make me feel OK?) so I went and stocked up on all sorts of healthy yummies...

Spent the day in my classroom, unpacking, organizing, and planning. I'm actually glad school is starting next week - I've been spending far too much time playing with diapers, and baby clothes, and diapers, and baby gear, and diapers... :eyesroll

[BeansMomma]

31 Weeks!!!

Hello, ladies. Well, you all have me chuckling this afternoon; between visuals of bobbing and doughnuts I think this has to be one of the funniest reading sessions I've had!

QOTW: Similar to many of you - I hate the rib thing. Luckily, it doesn't happen all that often. Little Bean seems to move around quite a bit and I really enjoy the more gentle rolls and thumps.

Anemia: Me too - I was primarily vegetarian prior to this birth and about a month ago I started really craving hamburgers. My test came back anemic so I've started listening to my cravings (sticking to organic, hormone free beef, of course). I've also occasionally added Ferrous Sulfate to my vitamin regimen per Dr. advice (but I think I read you can't take it with Calcium since they nullify one another).

So we've had a huge family in town for a week now and they all leave on Saturday. While it will be sad to see them go, it will be great to get the house back and start really preparing for the baby.

OK - anyone else having anxiety dreams? Last night was the worst... Summary: I dreamt that I had a c-section done to me w/o me knowing; w/o permission and no one else was around. I guess I am so freaked out over having to have a c-section that I'm feeling very unempowered. Hopefully this will change when I put together a birth plan - anyone have any good templates?

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

[OakEmber]

Ack! I just lost my post too! Well I had responded to some of you but now I don't have time to do anything but give you my update as DH is already waiting for me to finish up.

Had my u/s today to confirm what we already know happens in 90 someodd % of cases, my placenta is completely out of the way. I am glad to have that peace of mind though. Oakley is estimated to weight 4lbs 11oz!! Of course I know that is a major guestimate and could be off by a lb. But it is cool because I have been telling my family that I am sure he must be 4lbs already judging by how much of a growth spurt it felt like he had. And just to be sure, we double checked...he's still a he!

My family is already out the door so I gotta run, I will have to try to get on again later to finish what I had already said. :eyesroll

[ameliabedelia]

29 weeks


I am so excited. DH got a job AND we found an super nice apartment yesterday. It is the area which we REALLY wanted to live in and the job was the one that he liked the best (of all the interviews he has been on). It is also the job with the best prospects for permancy and stability, so we hopefully won't be moving around any more. :banana :carrot We will be living only 2 1/2 hours away from my family, which will be great compared to the 18-20 hours away we have lived for the past 4 years. Our apartment is really nice, we will be living in a small New England town, the town walking/bike path goes right through the complex, there are like 3 playgrounds super close by and the complex also has an indoor heated pool, and outdoor pool and an outdoor kiddie pool we can use. DD will LOVE it, it will be so nice to be able to just take her swimming and to the playground really easily. She loves that stuff. Oh, and we were able to get a unit with a washer and dryer right in the unit. That was the most important thing to me. I will probably have 2 kids in diapers since dd still shows no inclination to potty train and will all this moving and stuff, we haven't done much with it. I am NOT going back to sposies, nor will I do laundry with a co-op machine in the basement. The only problem is DH starts on the 25th of Aug, and we won't be able to move in until Sept 5th, so he will have to stay in one of those extended stay hotels up there for 1 1/2 weeks, and then the weekend we are supposed to move in, we are also supposed to attend a wedding 400 miles away. So, that will be hectic, I don't know how that will work.

QOTW: I love all baby movements. I really have no clue where they are. I tend to feel lots of movement off to the side when I lie down on my left side. I like baby is transverse or maybe breech. I feel most movements down low or very far off to the side. I think she flips around a lot. I never really have any painful movements, I am just so thankful to feel all of them.

Flitters, I had to giggle at your story too, although it probably wasn't fun for you, sounds painful.

OakEmber, I am glad everything is ok with the plancenta, that is great.

[True Blue]

Jenny -- I've gained 33 lbs now, and I'm 30 weeks today. Feel better? ;)

Amelia -- I bet your baby is head down...I feel most movements at belly button or lower, since the legs kind of curl around in the fetal position...so knees and feet are low, as are the hands down by the face. Is this what you feel?

[kraftykathy]

Hey Mama's,

33 weeks!

My tooth is much better. I didn't need the antibiotics afterall. The echinacea kicked in and cleared the infection. My dentist wants to try to wait (unless I'm in a lot of pain of course) until after the baby is born to work on the tooth since we are getting so close now.

Most of the baby movements are fun, but occasionally those rib kicks and pokes under the belly button get a little ouchie. I'm like BeansMomma and have that short torso thing. The poor baby must be so squished!

Well, we're off to go camping. Talk to you next week!

Kathy

[OakEmber]

Hope you have fun camping Kathy!

Amelia Super Congrats! :banana Your new home sounds just awesome and congrats on yoru DH's job too! It sounds like you guys will really be happy there and it's nice that you are close(r) to your family!

I forgot to mention in my post...Oakley is definately transverse and now that I know where he is I am sure that he has been in this position for awhile. His head is on my left and the bum on the right with his feet hanging down at my cervix (time to start telling him to move I guess :LOL). So it's actually his arms that I feel the most movement from then.

BeansMomma-anxiety dreams are the worst aren't they?! It must be more of a first time mom thing as I haven't had any this time. Don't worry, once I had a dream that I couldn't BF and in the dream I was totally indifferent to it, I was like Oh, well I tried at least, no big deal...well in reality I extended BF so my dream really had no bearing on how I felt about BF IRL.

About the summer pregnancy...just one more thing to add...since summer is the time of year that seems to fly by the quickest it is especially nice to watch your third trimester fly by with it. Where I live esp. the winter drags on so I am glad that during that season I will be all cozy inside snuggling with my babies. :thumb

Court...I like the name change, much easier! Thanks for the feedback earlier re: Dh declining the job. Last night he told me of the dreams that he had had over the few days, both about being physically harmed (and he doesn't ever have dreams like that, or really believe in the power of dreams really, so it surprised me).

Welcome MamaEmerald! :wave

Oh and Flitters, you should be awarded wife of the year for even going there in this condition! :LOL

[OakEmber]

Wanted to respond to a couple more that I misssed.

Guinessinu- Sorry to hear that you've been put on bedrest! Hoping that your little boys stay put for another 5 or 6 weeks! Good to hear from you again!

MomtoL&A- that's great that you were still able to do your contract...that must have been quite a site :LOL Hope that you enjoy your camping trip!

[Piglet68]

OakEmber, I too think you and DH made the right decision!

Katie: oh yes, those parts of the session were hard. but you know, it so helped to see each other as vulnerable and hurting inside..it's hard to be mean and defensive in that case! I cried in a couple of our sessions and I wasn't pregnant, so I'm sure she is used to seeing that!

Amelia, I am SOOOO excited for you!! Geez, are we living parallel lives right now or WHAT? Your new place sounds fabulous. I *so* know what you mean about wanting to just settle down and be permanent. I am so craving that. DH still doesn't have a job, and until then I'm not going to feel "permanent". Congratulations on getting it all worked out!!

Not much to report today. Hope everybody is doing well!

[ameliabedelia]

Amelia -- I bet your baby is head down...I feel most movements at belly button or lower, since the legs kind of curl around in the fetal position...so knees and feet are low, as are the hands down by the face. Is this what you feel?

Yep, that is exactly what I feel. Most of the movements are right at the level of my belly button or just slightly lower or higher. I was really suprised at my last midwife appt when she showed me how high my uterus was, since I never felt movement that high. I really hope baby is head down. I know there is lots of room to move yet, but I just want her used to the head down position and to stay in that!

Thanks Pig and OakEmber. Piglet, I am sure your dh will get a job soon. My dh is a teacher so her HAD to get a job around now, school starts really soon! The schools are all in a crunch to hire their teachers now.

I hope all you camping mamas had/have fun. Camping sound so ambitious now, I don't know how you handle it.

[momadance]

Hello mama's and welcome to the newbies!

I've missed you all soooooooo much! What a hectic time! We got back from a wild wedding week in NY, and are nicely settled in the new house :love Looking forward to hopping in the jacuzzi after tucking little Miles in. He was the ring bearer in the wedding, and today he started gymnastics, where I sit on the side lines. He's like a little man! So bitter sweet to see them grow up!

QOTW: I DO NOT like the rolling around. He's been head down for a couple weeks (i can feel his head) I'm also not too crazy about the pushing on my pelvic floor, I feel like he's going to fall out!

Has anyone ordered their birth kits yet? or gotten their pools? I'm feeling like I need to get on the ball. I unpacked all the newborn clothes and dipes today! :love

Anyone reading any preg. books? my nose is in imaculate deception 2. Just finished up spiritual midwifery. Met a mom yesterday who used my CPM, but couldn't do a hb. Pre-eclampsia set in at 34 wks. Yikes, makes me feel like a jerk for every moaning about feeling sluggish.

Lucysmama: I have noticed myself feeling a litte anemic. I invest in lean roast beef from the deli, and grab a slice when I need a pick me up or snack.
Flitters :thumb you go! I'm still sex free from the 1st tri! :shy


Well,hopefully I'll be up and running on the web from home next time I post! Broadcasting live from the library now. Just not the same!

Much love mama's!!!! :love ;) :group hug

[mirthfulmum]

Amelia - Your new home sounds wonderful! And congratulations to your Dh on the new job! It must be such a relief to have everything fall into place so soon before the baby.

I just don't seem to be able to find the time/energy to read and post much lately. But I am still loving checking in with you all at least once a day to see how everyone's doing, even if I'm not as chatty as usual.

As for the positives of summer pregnancy... well I am glad that some of you have managed to find your silver lining. I am so hot and uncomfortable, not to mention crabby, that it's been getting hard for me to keep a positive attitude. By mid-afternoon I am so done with the heat and summer that I don't care if I never see another juicy plum or sweet nectarine again. I just want summer to be over! Is it horribly obvious that I am super hormonal :eyesroll?

I've got to get our apartment cleaned up. My in-laws are landing in a few hours. Then we are off to my Dh's cousin's wedding on Friday. The wedding's in Washington state, a place called Mazama, it's in the mountains. I've never heard of it but the pictures I've seen are beautiful! I am so looking forward to getting out of the city and having break.

[stanleymama]

Mirthfulmom..have a wonderful time at the wedding. Sounds like it is at a beautiful location.

Last night dh and I went out with some friends for dinner and a movie. Their dr. and his wife came along and they were so cool. The dr.s' wife uses cloth diapers and wants to get togethr sometime to talk about our stashes. I was so impressed. They were so cool and down to earth.

This weekend we are heading to Milwaukee for Irish Fest. I can hardly wait to hear some good Irish music. A friend of ours is doing a show with her daughter. She is a folk musician and her daughter does Irish dancing. Should be a good time.

I had my dr. appt today and baby is doing well. I am getting more sore though in my pelvic area and vagina, which dr. says is because I am carrying this one low. I asked him then does that mean he will just slip right out. He laughed and said, possibly. My appts. are now moved to two weeks apart. Its getting close mamas!!!

[mirthfulmum]

Finally got around to putting up a couple of pictures on the Yahoo group. No belly shot yet though. Maybe we'll get some good pictures over the weekend.

[AnnR33]

YES, I have survived the move and am still sane :D I'm at the library now since we still don't have internet so haven't had time to catch up on everyone but hope everyone is well and no preterm labor or anything for anyone!!
I LOVE Washington! The weather is great, the farmer's markets are plentiful and the beaches are so fun and close by. I just love seeing the mountains and ocean each day!
I found my midwife-the orginal one I wanted Cascade Midwifery and Birth Center and I'm so pleased. She's great and has a student that is nice too. Love the rooms with the giant tubs!!
Will catch up more later!
Take care
Ann

[blessed2bamommie]

Ok! Checkin in! *why* am I sitting here with a full bladder when it burned the last time I went! :hammer:

Can't remember last thing I said...called a hb mw she was nice....she suggested I call a CPM who acutally lives in my county. A girl I know was looking into a hosp wb and I want to know her findings too.....

I may call the CPM to check her availability.

dh actually knows the dh who was one of her clients--his coworker.

he even talked to a dh who's dw was delivered by a mw. he was gonna follow up and see where they took place.


:love :love :love


meeting with a doula Sunday. She's in training and needs to attend births and she attended the birth of my fitness instructor and she was pleased. Which btw, is a tip a girl from LLL gave me--contact DONA and there are doulas who need to attend births for experience and they don't charge! :thumb

She seems nice....

ugh! its so late! I need to got to bed! I get to sleep in until 8 at least since bodyflex (strength training) is at 9! Tomorrow ends my workout week. I'm only doing 2 cycle classses, skipped kickbox and doing this bodyflex this week. I think it would be prudent after the two day bedrest deal. :p

Got a ped tomorrow! She was booked last weekend and this but had availability tomorrow afternoon! I've *so* over my birthday ped!

I'm kinda up! Saw the *cutest hat!
http://www.naturekins.com/woolstrawhat.jpg

I've checked the tp and the diapering board and ebay can wait til tomorrow I guess I better get off the baby high and go to bed....guess I'll dream about that hat...I've been dreaming about dipes and strollers on Saturday night when we were looking Saturday pm. :p

K, I need to get up in the am...Nite! :zzz

[True Blue]

You know what I just realized? Babies in this group are closer than we even think!! Some of us will be 37 weeks -- full term -- in just 3 weeks!!! That means we can start seeing babies in 3 weeks!!! :eek

Let's see...so much is going on with everyone!! Congrats on moves, new jobs, great places to live....I am so glad I am not dealing with such major transition right now, we could not do it. I'm trying to lay low to keep baby IN for 7 more weeks. But I'm not good at sitting around doing nothing right now!!!! I taught myself to knit this weekend (did I mention that yet? I don't remember) and made DS a hat. :) Now I'm working on a newborn soaker, it's so fun!!! And, it will save me tons of money if I can make lots of homemade wool!! :thumb Granted, I have covers galore for a newborn leftover from DS, but no wool. I'll have to post it when I finish.

There are no positives to a summer in pregnancy in Florida. Period. ;)

I'm not really reading any baby books at the moment, just keep flipping through Ina May's book and Birthing from Within again. I need to practice some of the techniques in there though. I ordered Hypnobabies the other day though so that should be here soon. I'm kinda excited about that one!

Oh and I thought of another movement I don't like. Do you ever feel like the baby is scraping its finger nails across your uterus? I know that's not what's happening but it's the best way to describe it.....

[OakEmber]

Mirthfulmum! So cool to finally see a picture of you and Alias...I can't believe how far off I was (even Alias surprised me, for some reason I was thinking dark hair on both of you)! What a nice picture of you guys, you're both cuties! Sorry you have been feeling the way you are, hopefully getting away will help alot...maybe it will be cooler in the mountains. It will be nice for you to have a break after your busy summer.

Amy- I know it's crazy, if I am right with my prediction there are only 7 weeks left! Makes me feel like I have nothing done! Time to start washing clothes and diapers soon I guess! That's awesome that you taught yourself to knit! And I agree with the scraping across the uterus feeling, ouch!

Letia- sounds like you are making lots of progress, I am glad the midwife was nice. Keep us posted!

Ann- Yeah! I am glad that you are enjoying your new home in Washington! Sounds like you have found a great place to give birth too!

Stanleyma- have a great weekend, the festival sounds like lots of fun.

Momadance- glad that you are settling in nicely too, funny to see two of our moms checking in from a library (my RLF just wouldn't understand the need to do that, hehe). I am so jealous that you have a jacuzzi to jump into! I have been reading some pregnancy books throughout, the latest being Birth Without Violence but I am not currently reading any. I enjoyed Ina May's Guide the most and started Spiritual Midwifery but had to return it to the library before I had time to finish it.

[gottaknit]

Hi Everyone! Hope all is well. Congratulations on all the successful moves, job searches, etc. :)

Amy - You just scared me to death with that "we could be seeing babies in 3 weeks" business! It's too soon!! Does anyone else occilate between "I am so ready to be done being pregnant" and "Oh my God I'm running out of time and still have so much to do!"?

Letia - I can't believe how much you work out! I must be the laziest pregnant woman out there. I used to bike commute 12 miles every day, but as soon as I outgrew my bike shorts (first trimester!) that was it. I get out of breath just trying to buckle my sandals now. :LOL

We met our new nameless midwife ;) and her apprentice last night. They are so nice! :D DH and I are both excited about the switch. This is a much better fit. Now I just have to let her know we've decided and then fire the old midwife. Eek. I hate doing stuff like this! Send me strength! I'll probably end up apologizing up and down like I always do... :eyesroll

Have a good day everyone!

[Lucysmama]

Nancy - You shouldn't feel bad about firing your mw!!! It sounds like she just was not there for you guys, and is in way over her head. Maybe if she hears she could lose clients over this, she will change her ways a bit. You're probably not the first one to leave her over this! Sending you lots of strength. :hug

Speaking of exercise, is anyone actually "working out" besides Letia??? I just can't do it. When I even walk a lot, I get a lot of very uncomfortable BHs contractions. When I do ANYTHING strenuous, I get them. I'm not too worried, but it is very uncomfortable to take walks while contracting so often. I have to take breaks from packing boxes because even that is making me contract...all the squatting, bending over, etc. Is this normal, do you think?

[gottaknit]

Katie - I'm having the same issue with contractions. Bending over and squatting are definite triggers for me. As is lifting anything heavy. I wonder if I'd worked out more through the pregnancy, that this might not be an issue? I cannot imagine lasting through a kickboxing class at this point! :LOL

[Piglet68]

Letia, allow me to pay homage to you :bow :bow :bow. I can't believe you are still exercising - way to go, mama!! I just walked to the cafeteria and back and that was enough for me! Sasha doesn't seem to like it when I walk too fast (which is still very slow compared to normal), and starts wriggling and pushing me uncomfortably. So I have to walk super slow and I feel so lazy and disabled or something. The hospital patients pushing their IV's are passing me! oh...and i hope it goes well with the mw/hb issue. great that your DH is coming on board!

amelia: your post got me thinking, I feel almost all the movements around my belly button, and I too was surprised when the doc took my fundal measurement and the tape measure was way up high! So I guess he must be head-down now, too. I still feel things on my extreme sides though - maybe he's stretching! :)

momadance: glad the wedding went well, envying your jacuzzi right now!!!! that must feel so good for all those stiff, sore ligaments, etc.

stanleymama: I've been so sore in my crotch, too...it feels all swollen, and I'm sure it's b/c I'm carrying low. i don't recall feeling this way with DD until the very end.

Ann: it makes me so happy hearing about WA...in less than a week, I'll be in Vancouver, enjoying the same mountains and ocean views! :love

gottaknit: i'm so happy you hit it off with the nameless midwife! :) And I can totally relate to your fear of "firing" the other one. I'm liable to apologize, too. Or worse, be tempted to just lie 'yeah, we're moving to alaska tomorrow" and then hope I don't run into her at the local coop, LOL.

Okay, so my little bit of happy news: DD has slept through the night twice in a row. She HAS been waking/stirring at night, but has gone right back to sleep. AND....this is the second morning in a row that we haven't nursed before she gets up. Distracting her has worked so well, and today she didn't even ask!!. I feel kind of bad being happy that she's weaning so well but...man my breasts just hurt SO much, and the nursing aversion thing I have heard about seems to have shown up...it makes my skin crawl when she nurses, I can't explain it any other way. I'm sure she won't be fully weaned before Sasha arrives, or if she does, she may start up again when she sees him getting it all...but for now, the less the better!!

Hope everybody is doing well, and hanging in there. I can't believe we'll soon be seeing birth announcements!!!! :love

[Soogie]

Quickie post from me...but since the qotw had to deal with fetal movement, I figured I'd post while I had a free moment. Baby gave us a huge scare Tuesday and yesterday. I didn't feel much movement on Tuesday, but I was really busy and just attributed it to not paying attention. At bedtime, when the babe's most active uterine acrobatics begin, there was only slight movement. little nudges. Then yesterday, again, all day...no movement. Finally, at 4 pm, i called my mw all panicky. She told me to drink a large glass of orange juice and go lie down and to call her back in an hour and let her know if the baby had moved or not. So I did, and nothing. I was poking and prodding, hoping to jostle the bean, but I wasn't getting any response. So she had me come to her house to listen to heartones. I get there, and as soon as she puts the doppler on me...swish, swish, swish...baby sounded fine. He/She had decided to take a very looong nap and scare the bejeezus out of mommy in the process! She listened for about 5 minutes just to be sure, and then finally babe gave Beth, my mw, a hard thump on her hand. phew. Beth said she had her worried, because on Tuesday she had another client experience fetal demise at 26 weeks.

So, for the qotw, I like ALL and ANY movement this baby makes, even the ones that jab my ribs, take my breath away, give me stabbing pains in my vagina, and make my bladder want to release on impact! Babe is back to it's active self....and mommy is much happier!

[stanleymama]

Soogie..glad your little one is ok. That would have given me a scare as well. When I haven't felt my little one for awhile I will wake him up by poking and prodding.

Piglet...swelling is exactly what I feel, so I bet you are carrying lowas well. Sometimes its not so bad, but then I have days where I feel like I need to sit down or this baby will just come right out.

I just got done putting away the baby's clothes---ooohhh I can hardly wait. I too jump back and forth between "i can't wait for this to be over, and ahh I am running out of time." Putting the clothes away makes me feel like I am getting something done. I am going to get all my diapers together next and get those organised around Sammy's dipes. I am really getting ready for my baby. I can hardly wait to get to hold and nurse this little one. I :love nursing!

Anyways, we head out tomorrow so i will chat with you all again on Monday. Hope you all have a great weekend!

[Court]

Soogie - I'm so glad everything turned out okay, my heart was skipping just reading that. I would be freaking out. I agree, all movement is great! Everytime I feel this little one move I always think, "good he's okay."

Ann- I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were settling in. I'm so glad things are going well and you like Washington. I felt the same way about Oregon when we moved here.

I was pretty surprised to when I saw that Letia's still working out so much. I'll pay homage to you as well! :bow I'm lucky if I take 1 walk a week. I always feel better after I walk though, I really need to do it more often.

Congrats on Emily doing a little weaning Piglet! Logan has cut out morning nursings too, and I'm also wondering how he'll react to the baby nursing. I wonder if he'll shun me completely or want to start nursing a lot more. I really would like it if he weaned completely. This is bad, but I'm kinda worried about certain family members who'll be visiting who don't know that he still nurses some. What if he asks in front of them cause he sees the baby latched on? I know they would think we were crazy, and I don't think I have the energy to defend myself and "educate" other people. And I want Logan to be able to nurse occasionally if he still needs it. Okay I went off on a tangent. I worry too much.

Nancy - I'm so glad you like the new midwife! I hope the firing goes well, just get it over w/ quick so you don't have to think about it. :) Oh and I keep forgetting to say that I share your love of flip-flops, that's literally all I wear. And I agree about with all your points on being pregnant during the summer. I think the summers here are a lot more forgiving then elsewhere though.

Oh - Mirthfulmum- you guys are adorable! I was thinking you guys would have dark hair too, but I don't know why.

Gotta go find something for us to do today, but I don't want to move.

[krnflwr]

Speaking of exercise... I just can't do it. When I even walk a lot, I get a lot of very uncomfortable BHs contractions. When I do ANYTHING strenuous, I get them. I have to take breaks from packing boxes because even that is making me contract...all the squatting, bending over, etc.

Me, too! I've been kinda worried about this, as it is happening more and more frequently lately...and I am definitely NOT ready for this baby to arrive yet. I need more time, as uncomfortable as I may be at times, I'm not ready for "baby day" yet. Eeek!
I'm only to week 2 of my Hypnobabies course, and although I'm loving it, I'm worried that I'm running out of time. It's supposed to be like a 12 wk course, and I (we) don't have 12 weeks left. Yikes!

Letitia, don't go spending money on that super cute little strawberry hat!! My mom is in a knitting frenzy and has been making those strawberry (and blueberry and blackberry, etc..) hats like crazy. Not out of wool, mind you, but cute and soft cotton. PM me if you are interested in one, I'll send one your way. Goes for anyone else, as well, who would like a cute baby hat. LMK.

[momadance]

HEY MAMAS!

Soogie, sorry about the scare! I went through that with Miles at around 38 weeks. Not fun!

Letia holy smokes!

Lucysmama, while packing, moving and unpacking, and any time I go for a walk, I get contractions and major round ligament pain. I think it's normal, but definately take things slow.

Mirthful, I pictured you dark with curly hair! Weird huh?

Nancy, I just fired my CNM (she was my backup) I just don't want to deal with seeing 2 mw's. It went easy, but I think my situation is different in that she can't attend me if I'm a homebirther (legal issues)

Piglet :thumb glad your nights are getting more restful!

My dh freaked me out today. We were talking about pain releiving and relaxation techniques to use at birth time and he says "won't you be given something for the pain?" and panicked! UHHHHHH HELLO! I really am talking to a brick wall sometimes. Poor guy, he's got lots of birth videos to watch with me now! :eyesroll he totally is out of the loop! I guess juggling a full time job, full time school, buying and moving into a house and traveling, have kept him in lalalala land.


anyone formerly gbs and not taking the test? I was, Miles was sepsis, but this time I'm not testing. I was totally mishandled. Even though I was gbs positive, the ob I had ruptured my membranes 1 week prior to his due date (he didn't come till 9 days post due date) without my permision, and broke my water in early labor. She may has well written out an invitation to the bacteria to infect my son. I'm just uping my vitamin C, and will probably eat lots of pro biotic foods closer to due date.

I've also started alphalpha tea, and extra vit K, we're not doing the shot at birth. Anyone else?

later mamas ;)

[flitters]

hi mamas!

gosh soogie, that was a scary read. i'm really glad to hear everything is ok and your babe was just catching up on some rest.

it's really neat hearing that things are really coming together for all the moving mamas in our group too.

momadance, we won't be doing the vitamin k shot, but are considering oral vitk. i'm not sure yet... i may just try to eat loads of those green things that are loaded with it - or perhaps juice them since i could probably get more that way.

i'm also unsure of the group b strep test. i once tested positive for it (about 2 years ago) but that was under really unusual circumstances. dh and i both got strep throat (and ass too, an unfortunately common side effect which is REALLY unpleasant). anyway, i also got a vaginal infection at the same time which our inept exdoctor felt was probably bv (but i really think was related to strep since it felt just the same as my throat, just in a worse spot) and gave me some antibiotic cream stuff. well, we recovered from the strep throat (and ass) on our own and the cream seemed to do the trick with my nether regions. so about a week or so later i go for a pap and some cultures and it comes back saying i have group b strep colonization. apparently the antibiotic cream kills ALL the bacteria, good and bad, EXCEPT gbs. go figure. so it kind of makes sense that i was gbs positive at that point... anyway, i'm not sure what i'm doing with regard to the test this time... i think i'll take it but if i'm gbs+ i'm not going to skip the homebirth and go to the hospital for and antibiotic IV if everything is fine otherwise, so i'm not sure what to do.

as for exercise, way to go wannabmommie! my energy level is good and i've not been having any bothersome contractions at all really (at this point i think my ridiculous getting stuck episode was from muscles other than my uterus). so i've been able to continue exercising... i ride the elliptical trainer a few times a week, walk a lot, and climb once a week (there is a pretty bad picture of me climbing at 29 weeks on the yahoo group). basically i'm just listening to my body... i stopped doing yoga cause it actually started to feel like i was more likely to pull something in my pelvis than to benefit from the stretching, even when taking it easy. now i just stretch gently on my own. and definitely no kickboxing for me! :D

[Proudly AP]

hi, all,
i am jumping in. i haven't read all of the posts, yet. what a great idea to do a weekly update (your idea, piglet68?)

i am thrilled to be expecting our second child. dd will be 32 months old when baby arrives.

we are planning a home birth and have a fabulous midwife and doula!

i am still working full time, till the end of september. i am due around october 8th.

i had to tell my mother tonight that i do not want her at the birth (she wasn't at the first one, either) and she was so upset and feeling sorry for herself. problem is that i KNOW that if she were around i would be stressed out, anxious and defensive. sigh. i guess i need to just move on. i've done the hard part of telling her, and given her emotional issues, i know that i cannot expect her to understand, to respect my choice, or to understand that this is about *me* having a healthy natural delivery and not about *her*. she told me i was selfish, and that her friends had all been there when their dd's gave birth. 'yes, mom, well, their relationships were different than ours'

okay, sorry for the rant and pity party.

it is really good to be here at mdc! :D

[bluehalo]

Welcome Proudly AP :)

I too also recently talked to my parents about their presence (or lack of) at the birth. They both get so anxious about my well being (probably based on Ethan's traumatic birth as well as a myriad of serious health issues I've had since) I know I would pick up on their anxiety if everything didn't look picture perfect ... and I just don't want that in my birth environment, you know? So ... I put them in charge of pampering Ethan during the labor phase ... and if I'm not actually birthing in the middle of the night (when Ethan would be asleep), I would love for the three of them (Ethan and each of my parents) to be there for the birth itself. I just don't want the stresses of having them around during labor. They took it pretty well, I think b/c I stressed the importance of how much of a help it would be to me to know that Ethan was being made feeling really special, etc. etc.

Shoot, had more to say, wanted to reply to other posts, but have to run...

[blessed2bamommie]

K, Just peekin in! :LOL Yall are crazy! Yall haven't seen me! I'm don't look like Christine! I wanna look like her so I gotta work out..

I *ain't* no skinny white girl to say the least! :shake

Don't be impressed! The instructor *saw* on my face I didn't want to be there today! :LOL They stood up to do raises and I said do I have to? :LOL Today was my last day of the week since I'm easin back into my routine. I put my tail on that bike on Monday! :yikes: I don't see how Mary rode a donkey at full term. :shake


I stayed home this pm instead of leading my worship team meeting. The person who does my pedis was booked this weekend so she had a slot this afternoon. Wow, my toes look better! :D I was beat when I got home and then cancelled my meeting. I didnt get any rest until later tonight. I realized I needed to call the CPM about her availability and then her apprentice, who also is working on her CPM called me the night before. I talked to both of them and liked them. The hb CNM called the CPM and told her looks like there's *still* no wb at UNC! :shake The CNM is an hour away from me and trained with the CPM to give birth, so I think the CPM might be better b/c she's closer in for prenatals. Course, at errrrrrrrrr, 32 weeks, at home visit is on the horizion. Guess I should really clean up the joint for real! I have a birth doula visiting this weekend, so I need to really work it tomorrow!

I have a prenatal on Saturday with the hb practice....:yikes:

I'm up...mama called to check on me...she forgot she actually talked to me this weekend. :shake I wanted to say I'M HAVIN A HOMEBIRTH! :nana She's had a heart attack. No sense in givin her one. :shake *Noone* IRL knows...Mils reaction will be rich. Its amazing how she *clearly* doesn't agree with things and lets it be known. I guess if she disagrees enough you'll change your mind? :eyesroll Mama might exclaim and say she was only kidding when she offered her swimming pool for my wb. :LOL My Pastor's wife wanted to be at the birth....I guess I need to tell her that its a little closer....:LOL If she had a fit about me not having a u/s....:shake I'm such a rebel. I think I will be the first person folks know.....since my grandma Thailour! :LOL Not sure if Nanny had any of hers at home.


Well, that's the latest! Karin!!!!! WHAT! I haven't checked all my email! I ordered the hat! :bawl *but* I could suuuuuuuuuure use some hats for the baby. I ordered 3-6 b/c my fuzbomb is a small. Not even necessarily fruit! She knitting non fruity ones? Got some pics? :D

Well, I think I've got an adrenaline rush about the hb thing and I might stay up a little while longer....uh about 15 minutes. :LOL

:wave

[Lucysmama]

Letia -
Good gracious woman!!! I still applaud you for working out, that is awesome! You are gonna be one fit mama for labor and birth. And YAY!!!! for all your recent birthing plans. I hope this hb practice is a good fit for you and Jason. :)

Karin -
How lucky you are that your mom knits! I was just checking out some fruit hats at a local boutique...they are so cute! I would love one, and I would be happy to paypal for one! :)

ProudlyAP-
We have a lot in common. I am due 3 days behind you, and I also have a daughter who will be 32 months at the birth, and we are having a homebirth, too! I also had to tell my mom she isn't coming to the birth. There's NO WAY she's coming in the door. She was at my hospital birth, which ended in a cesarean, and I think her presence had a lot to do with it. She was very unsupportive, and later (after the birth) told me, "Well, I never thought you could have a vaginal birth anyway!" :angry Anyway, she was VERY snarky when I told her that not only is she not coming to the birth, but that I don't want any visitors for at least 24 hours after the birth. She thinks I'm being "selfish", too. :eyesroll: I definitely feel your pain...it can be so stressful to tell your mom stuff like that!

[OakEmber]

OMG Soogie, that was quite a scare that you had...glad all is well :hug

:w Proudly AP Don't know how you working mommas get through the day without a nap! Take heart in knowing you aren't the only one here that has had to have that conversation with your mom...although I am one of the ones who you guys probably think am crazy because my mom will be there this time, my MIL was last time.

Momadance- we aren't giving the Vit K injection either...it's what we will actually be discussing at the next appt with my midwife. I'd feel comfortable skipping the oral as well but if it makes things easier then we will probably administer it (at least the first dose and then I might not *remember* to give the follow ups). No eye ointment either. Or vaxes but I don't have to worry about that at birth here.

Letia- don't make excuses for yourself, still exercising at this point whether or not you want to be there is still a major feat IMO! I am with the school of ladies that can hardly make it round the block without BH and severe pelvic pressure. And that's great that you are meeting the HB midwife soon, I am jealous of all you HB momma's...if it weren't for my location I'd be doing that too!

It's funny how many of us thought of you as dark haired Mirthfulmum....are you sure your not pulling our legs, maybe that's a friend of yours...just kidding of course ;)

Oh and Piglet...yeah to Emily :) It's nice that you are getting more sleep and that she isn't having a problem with dropping some nursing sessions!

[krnflwr]

Karin -
How lucky you are that your mom knits! I was just checking out some fruit hats at a local boutique...they are so cute! I would love one, and I would be happy to paypal for one! :)

Not even necessarily fruit! She knitting non fruity ones? Got some pics? (from Letitia)

I don't have any pics of the current hats she's been knitting, at this time, but here's a link to the ones she made last winter. It will give you an idea of the type of thing she was doing. The ones in these pics were for toddlers, not newborns, and were winter weight. I'll try to get some pics of the current hats this weekend, okay? Thanks. (if you can't get in to view them, let me know. I can post them to our OctMamas group).
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/karinlivin/album?.dir=/1149&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

[ameliabedelia]

Soogie, I am so glad everything is ok. I had one of those scares with DD, and it is scary when you can't feel them move.

Letia, that is great you are doing so much exercise. I still walk for 1 hour/day several days a week, but I can't imagine doing work-out machines (although I couldn't imagine doing it non-pregnant either LOL).

I am pretty sure we aren't giving Vit K either. My midwife where we used to live, said that newborns are born with enought Vit K and her theory is that the extra Vit K actually can cause jaundice.

krnflwr: those hats are adorable. I LOVE the strawberry one. How much is your mom selling them for? We are going to need lots more winter clothes than we had, DD was born in KY and we lived in TN last year and now we are moving up North, where it is much colder. Poor DH, who is from TN will have a lot of adjusting to do, he has never lived in a northern climate. LOL

Piglet, yay for Emily! That is great she is weaning. Maybe I should have Emily call my Heidi up and give her some weaning tips LOL. I wish she would wean my nipples are so sore and I have nursing aversion so bad, but she is still attached as ever to nursing. She doesn't nurse at night anymore and she falls asleep at night without nursing, but during the day it is every time I sit down, especially at the computer. Somehow, mommy at the computer = nurse in her eyes. So, I am really hoping this aversion and soreness goes away when Greta is born.

I am sorry for those of you having mom problems. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about either my parents or the in-laws showing up during labor. My mom will drive up and stay with us a week after Greta is born, and that will be great. She is a great helper, and will clean our house, cook, do laundry all those things for us and leave us to bond with the baby. I doubt my MIL has any plans to visit any time soon. She is really far away and doesn't have much money to afford to fly.

[momadance]

Flitters! Your post have been cracking me up! Strep Ass :thumb That's so funny! My mw suggested something called hibicleanse. It's a vaginal wash you can do at the start of labor that is AS effective as anti-biotics have "proven" :eyesroll themselves to be. Might be something you want to look into!


Oakember: no vax here either! :thumb Miles has never been sick even (aside from and ear infection or fever) HMMMMMM could there be a connection with sickness and vax/well baby check ups :duh

The 2 newest born boys in my circle have beautiful little uncut penisis! It's so great to be meeting folks who aren't into genital mutilation! :love

Told my MIL last night about our plans to hb. She was super supportive! She was just like "lemme know my role and i'll be glad to do all I can" :love Wow much nicer then my mama telling me how "stupid" it is. Oh well, she's not invited until little bubas out of the womb! I thought MIL might flip, she's a former OB nurse, and caught a few in her day, she apparently is hip to what's best for a laboring mom, I mistook her for having a Dr. is god attitude. Pleasant surprise.

I think Eccard Drugs has the blow up kiddy fish pools on sale now for us H2o Hb's! MIght want to rush out and invest!

[OakEmber]

Momadance- Tell me about it! I had reoccuring ear infections as a child and tubes in my ears 3 times...putting Ember at a high risk for them, right?...yet at nearly 4 years and vax free she's never had an ear infection, HMMM :scratch That's awesome that your MIL is supportive of your HB! I feel like I am a broken record telling you guys over and over how jealous I am!

Anyone have any exciting plans for the weekend? We are going to a wedding tomorrow, a friend who was one of our best friends years ago that we barely see anymore...it's a little weird b/c we've only met his fiance once, we will be giving them cash b/c we have never even seen their house and have no idea what their taste is (and they don't have a registry). Should be fun!

[Jillerina]

Akkk, I've totally let this week get away from me. I think I've just caught up on all the new posts (and threads). In an effort to save time - yours and mine I won't respond to all the individual posts. I'll just say Hugs to you ALL for everything your dealing with.

This week has been uncomfortable to say the least, pretty much feeling like most have already described. I just got out of the bath with DD which was a great idea, my groin muscles feel much better after a soak and she had fun too.

I'm getting concerned about a few things now as we get closer to baby day. First, I'm hoping and praying that baby has turned and I won't have to deal with breach presentation during the last few weeks (I've already researched things to try to get baby to turn). I'm also up in the air about what to do regarding the GBS test. I never was tested with DD (I don't know why but my OB never even mentioned the posibility) and I REALLY want to avoid an IV during labor. My midwife is leaving the decision about being tested up to me but I can tell she leans towards testing as does my DH apparently.

There is also all the physical stuff to be done... deal with baby clothes (I don't even know what I have, I was given a big garbage bag full of stuff at the beginning of the preg and haven't touched it yet), move furniture around in DD's room to accomodate a few baby things, pick up all the things we'll be borrowing from friends, etc.

And finally there is the name issue. The issue is that we don't really have any that we are happy with! DH is not into the baby naming thing but he is quick to veto suggestions I make. I know I have 7 weeks to sort this all out but it seems like it is all coming too fast!!!

OK, enough complaining... we're off to visit my sis and BIL in Ottawa this weekend, should be a fun time. Have a wonderful and hopfully restful weekend everyone!

[Lucysmama]

Laurel -

I could cry when I think of everything I still need to do. And, my house is a dirty mess of boxes and crap everywhere, and I just wanna nest and make everything nice! I am like you, I have a billion things to do in the next seven weeks.

Ok, I have a couple of questions:

-Is your baby hiccuping ALL THE TIME??? My baby gets them 3-4 day, at least! I don't remember that with dd.

-For those of you who are co-sleeping, what are you going to do with all the baby's stuff? DO you have a room just for the baby's clothes and toys, and if you have older toddlers, what do you do with their stuff? We're moving next week, and it seems kinda screwy to have a room just for the kids' stuff, but I don't know what else to do with it! Maybe a playroom/stuff room? I don't know.

-When is the best time to get fitted for a nursing bra? Should I go to Motherhood, or a department store? Those are pretty much my options.

[Jillerina]

Yes, nursing bras - that is something else on my to do list! New undies too now that I've stretched the hell out of my old ones!

I don't know when to get fitted for a nursing bra. I know what size/model worked well for me last time so I might just pick up a couple more like that and hope that things are the same time around.

We have a "bedroom" for Clara where she starts the night asleep in her own bed and it is where her clothes and diapers reside. I'm getting a bigger dresser from my Dad in a few weeks that I think will hold all of Clara's clothes as well as the baby's stuff. So, yeah I consider that room a stuff room as much as a bedroom. Especially considering she is not spending more than a couple of hours there asleep per night these days oh yes, and the occasional nap!

If you've got the space, I think a kids room is a great thing.

[krnflwr]

Just got back from my 32 wk appt...
:jumpers:
My 3 hr glucose test was a-ok...no gest diabetes. Yippee!!
:carrot :carrot :carrot
And we had a big discussion about my birth plan, and she (doc) agreed to all of it. Water birth, no IV, no electronic monitors, etc.. I'm thrilled. She trained at the Farm w/ Ina Mae, and worked as a mw for years before she became an OB, so I wasn't expecting much of a fight, but it was so nice that we are in complete agreement, and so is the hospital. I feel so relieved and thrilled, excited about having the birth I really want. :thumb
Hopefully everything actually goes according to the master plan.
Now to convince Baby Cookie to turn head down, as she seems to really like laying transverse.
Just wanted to share my news w/ you all!

[blessed2bamommie]

Congrats Karin! I'm assuming this is a hosp or bc birth?

Well, if I want *my* birth I'm headed home! :eyesroll The this technology driven area can't figure out birth without their toys. The residents can't use a fetoscope!!!!

[krnflwr]

Letitia, I'm going to a hospital.

I talked to my mom about the hats, and she says she'll start knitting this weekend. If anyone has any particular colors or requests, please let me know. I'll post pics of what she has made once they are done.

[bluehalo]

About baby's stuff: The crib is side car-ed to our bed, and we have an extra chest of drawers in our bedroom that will act as diaper storage and changing table. We're getting another chest of drawers from my parents that will hold most of the baby's clothes ... right now everything that I have out is hung in the guest room closet. The chest of drawers for his clothes will probably go in the guest room, since there's just no where else to put it. If it would fit, I'd put it in "DS's room" (it's nothing but storage, he doesn't really play and certainly doesn't sleep there) ... but there's no room :(

I'm scheduled to do the GBS test at my next appointment (the week after next) ... both my doc and DH think it's a wise idea, and I'm on the fence ... so we'll just keep our fingers crossed that it turns out fine and I don't need to be hooked up to the good ole IV pole. We will do the eye drops (delayed, a few hours after birth probably) ... but as of now, I'm thinking no Vit. K. Aside from the PKU (which apparently they freak out about here if you try to delay), the baby will get no other pokes.

Stuff I have left to do ... oh gosh, I don't even want to think about it. There are a few more things I still need to buy or make for the baby ... more things that I *want* (not necessarily *need*) to make for the baby and DS. I need nursing bras and nursing pads. Need to get DS's Halloween costume figured out so I don't have to worry about that post partum. (He wants to be a police man, shouldn't be too complicated...) Need to make sure I can fit the car seat into the car w/ E's car seat *lol*. I'm 33 week tomorrow, and the weeks really seem to be *flying*. It's scary to me. DS was a week late, and so I'm not thinking I'll go into labor at least until 40 weeks ... but for some reason the full moon at the end of September seems calling to me ... but I'm talking to myself as if there's no way I'll go 'till 40 weeks ... don't want to get *too* antsy waiting, yk? These babies will be here before we know it!!

[bluehalo]

Karin, I'd love a pumpkin hat for the new baby :) Let me know how I can reimburse you/your mom (paypal, send a MO, whatevah...)

[Piglet68]

31 weeks, 4 days

I had my very first surprise party today: they really got me. Our new secretary asked for help with the fax machine - didn't know we had one in the student lounge, lol...we don't! I walk in and there is everybody in our group with a cake, balloons, and lots of food. Of course, I'd just stuffed myself silly on a muffin and chocolate croissant! I was so touched, I almost had tears! They even gave me a lovely gift: a large frame with room for a photo and a little thing to do an impression of baby's foot.

We're also having a party this evening at my boss's house.

My mother flies in tonight. I'm so excited to see her! Emily is expecting her and I'm just so excited that they'll be reunited. Emily is talking so much lately, I can't wait to see them interact!

Soogie: I'm so glad to hear baby is okay. I have had that panic on a few occasions and jostled and poked poor Sasha until he responds. With my first PG, one of my group lost her baby the day before her due date: just stopped moving. It was absolutely devastating to all of us (hope that doesn't freak anybody out; it just still gives me the sobs thinking about it).

Kids stuff: with DD we have always had her stuff in our room, but with two kids I insisted on getting a 2 bedroom apartment. They'll both sleep with us, but the changing table and diaper stuff will be in there, as well as both their clothes and stuff.

Letia, you crack me up! The fact that you "ain't no skinny white girl" is exactly the point. You beat the pants off all of us in terms of stamina and fitness, which is alot more to brag about than body size, kwim? And I totally cracked up when you said you didn't know how Mary rode a donkey full term. :laugh: I never thought of that, but I'll tell my mother, she'll crack up too (she's a very devout Catholic).

flitters: you are too funny! Strep Ass?? Is that the clinical term? :rotflmao

krnflwr: congrats on passing the GD test. I passed mine, too! :D

amelia: well, all I can say is we are two fab mothers :hug I mean, with nursing aversion hitting full swing and very sore nipples, we still can't quite turn down our babies. I'm sure many people would think us crazy! DD slept through the night last night, but did ask for milkies before she got up. I let her nurse just for a minute and she was fine with that. I just can't turn her down sometimes. I, too, am counting on the nipple pain etc resolving itself when baby is born and the milk comes in.

Can't remember who brought up wondering what the visitors will think when older child asks to nurse with the baby. I have to say, while my family knows Emily still nurses, your post sort of made me panic a bit. After all, right now I tell DD that "milkies are for bedtime" if she asks to nurse in public (which is rare for her to even ask). I'm afraid I'm not comfortable doing that (partly b/c she messes around with my shirt etc so it's not subtle!). I am so afraid of sending her the wrong message, that nursing a toddler is somethign to be ashamed of, or wrong. Yet how am I going to explain when I nurse Sasha in public? Anybody have any ideas? I'm sort of ashamed of myself for being too chicken to nurse her in public anymore, and I don't want to pass that foolishness on to my DD. :(

[True Blue]

Flitters, can your midwife give you the IV at home? I know mine said she could (if I chose to have the antibiotics.

Karin, congrats on the no GD!! :) Piglet have you heard anything yet?

DS has his own room that he naps in but not sleeping at night yet. I hope to get him in there before the baby comes since he is a light sleeper, and likely to be up whenever the baby is. (I'm also hoping we can get him sleeping through the night, or at least most of it and getting himself back to sleep, very soon. I just can't imagine getting up with both kids, I'll never ever get any sleep!!) Not making a room for the baby since we will be moving from here before the baby is a year old. Just gonna leave the guest room as-is. :) I have the changing table in our room, where I'll keep dipes and some clothes, and cleared out a drawer in my dresser for the rest of the clothes. I think that will take care of the baby's needs. :)

[Court]

Piglet - that was me who brought up the older child wanting to nurse w/ baby thing. Sorry if I made you panic. At least all your family still knows. I have no idea who knows or doesn't know, cause my dh surely doesn't mention it to anyone. My dad and stepmom know and are fully supportive and proud of me, but they're not the ones I'm worried about. I feel like you, I don't want to send a message that it's shameful, but I don't want people glaring at me like I'm doing something icky, cause that'll make me feel icky. My dilemma is do I tell these people before hand, like a warning, so it wont be a surprise? But then I feel like that validates that it's "unusual" by warning people ahead of time. I think what I'll do is just invoke the spirit of some of these outspoken mamas here, like "Sustainer" and have a f-u attitude (in my head) and just keep doing as we always do.
BTW- that's so great that they gave you a party, you're so lucky!

Nothing much else to say, except I scored a beautiful bassinet at a resale shop for 35 bucks. I just wanted to have somewhere to lay the sleeping babe during the day while he's tiny. Now I'm searching for a good deal on a rocker-recliner (the last thing I need). I really want a brand new Lazy Boy but I don't know if I want to pay full price or not.

I think it's a great idea to have a kids room to keep toys and clothes, even if they sleep in your room. Logan's got his own room (that was apparently in Hurricane Charley's path) w/ all his stuff and we bought a new dresser for our room for all the baby clothes. When the boys are older they'll probably share a room.

The strep-ass description cracked me up too! Keep 'em comin flitters!

krnflwr- yay for you for no GD and having such a great doc! i just read Ina May's book, that's so cool that she trained with her.

[OakEmber]

Christine- it sounds like your E. and my E. could be twins sometimes...b/g twins that is ;) Ember also has her own room that is never used...she'll only play in it when she has a friend over or I'm in it- basically it's a big walk-in toy box that she goes into to drag something out into the living room. Seriously she spends less than an hour in it in the course of a week! But to answer Katie...yes we have a room for kids toys/ clothes that will someday be occupied, I think in our case not until Oakley is old enough to share a bed with Ember! If anything it deflects comments from other people, since there is a bed in there they assume she uses it...not that it should matter to me but hey, I kinda like the fact that I can chose who to tell about our lifestyle and leave others out of it.

About the toddler nursing thing...I can't say I have experienced exactly what you guys will be facing (them seeing the baby nursing and then wanting it) but I have felt your feelings (and the guilt about having those feelings). I was comfortable nursing pretty much anywhere up until about 2 and then from 2-3 I worried about it more but honestly my worries never really came to....I could always tell before hand when she seemed like she wanted to and I'd either scoop her up and pace with her on my hip or something to distract her, or depending on the situation excuse myself and find somewhere private to nurse. I think your toddlers might want to nurse the first couple times they see the baby but the baby will be doing it so much that a day or two at home and I think the novelty of the idea will wear off (not the novelty of nursing but just having to because the baby is...KWIM, they already have criteria of when and why they need milkies). Anyway, I am rambling and not even sure if I am being helpful.

Anyone else's brain turn off from time to time lately? We've been using our cast iron frying pan and twice now I have done dumb things regarding it...I've always heard to put them in the warm oven after you wash them so they don't rust so the other night I washed the dishes (for which I was proud b/c I was tired and just wanted to leave them for the morning) got the kitchen all cleaned and then vegged out on the couch, completely forgetting that I had the pan in the oven on low (it was DH that found it right before bed...5 hrs later). Then again today, I was so tired...I turned the oven on low, came back figured it'd been about 10 mins, long enough...proud of myself for remembering this time...then about 20 mins later I am in the kitchen and there is the frying pan, sitting on the counter...never even made it into the oven :irked:

But I have the night off, we took Ember's cousin Sam with us shopping today and when we went to drop her off Ember wanted to have a sleep over...I've told you of this before, it's the only place she sleeps over and it's always her idea, it's really nice that she has a place that she feels comfortalbe enough to do that (though mommy misses her). So me and Dh went out for dinner and are now gonna watch a movie that we can't see when she's home (The Butterfly Affect, cuz it just came out on the dish)...and we have our own bed tonight ;)

[OakEmber]

Woah, just finished watching The Butterfly Effect...that's a pretty f'd up movie? Has anyone else seen it?

I forgot to mention early in my novel of a post that when we were at the restaurant an older lady who had seen me come in walked but my table when she was leaving and was all smiles and said "I love your tummy". It was too cute, never had that happen before. :love

[ameliabedelia]

Regarding NIP, my dd is 2 1/2 and she still asks to NIP a lot if we are someplace that involves sitting down. So, I still nurse her a lot in resteraunts, church, that type of thing, places where it is easier to nurse her than distract her and do something else. I don't really like doing it, but honestly I have NEVER had anyone give me a funny look, or say anything nasty or anything like that. Most people seem to not really notice or care. Just to clarify, my dd is very big for her age (she wears size 4T clothes and those just fit, aren't big or anything), but she still looks "babyish" Her hair is still pretty short, defintiely too short to put in pigtails or anything like that (it has never been cut), and her face is babyish looking. So, that may have something to do with it. Other, older kids (like 3 and 4) call her a baby and at the park, if she is playing on something lots of time other parents will tell their kids things like "watch out for that baby" so she still looks like a baby to others.

But, you read a lot on MDC about people getting nasty looks or comments for NIP, but I have NEVER had that happen to me. And, I have lived in KY and TN (just now living up north), where breastfeeding is less common and I have still never had anyone say anything negative or seem to notice or care.

Anyway, I was tandem nursed along with my older brother and my mom said that she used to nurse both of us at the same time. I don't know if she did it in public or not. But, it will all work out.

[krnflwr]

So many things to say, so little time.

Hannah has her own room, but she doesn't sleep there. We are going to get another dresser for Baby Cookie's stuff, and try to figure out how to fit it all in there. It is sort of a guest room and extra storage room, and the place old toys go to retire.

I tend to try to distract Hannah when she gets the nursing urge when we are in public. It hasn't happened much lately, but unless we are at a friend's house or LLL function, I tend to feel uncomfortable nursing her. I hate that I feel this way, I'd like to set a good example, instead of hiding in the nursing closet. But lately nursing has been so painful and irritating that I'm very relieved that she seems to be moving ahead w/ weaning. We still nurse to sleep and when we wake up, but not too much otherwise. I'm not sure how I'll handle things when the baby arrives. I plan to let Hannah nurse if she wants, but I hadn't thought about the reactions from family or friends yet. We'll probably be holed up in the house for the first few weeks anyway. I'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it, I guess.

I'm really torn over the Vit K injection issue. Feeling like I'd like to pass on it, along w/ most all the other test, shots and bs they push on you in the hosp, but not sure how strong I'll be to argue w/ the nurses, the docs and my mom. Guess I should be doing some research now, get my arguements all lined up.

Baby Cookie seems to