The Babies Are Coming! The Babies Are Coming! Chat Thread 8/21 - 8/27

[JenInMpls]

OK, women, I've started a new thread, that last one was just getting REALLY long and with BABIES ARRIVING, the threads are going to get even busier.

:champagne congrats to Shannon on her new :storkgirl baby girl born Friday, 8/20 at 2:45 AM!!! :jumpers:

Short recap of last page: HeatherB is feeling prepared and excited, and Caroline is ridiculously tired and ready for her baby to be born! Plantmommy was up at 4 AM with contractions but like everyone (except for Shannon), they petered out. So did the few that HeatherJ had as well. HeatherJ is excited because her mommy group held a shower for her and she received Happy Heinys and dinners to freeze.

Sheryl is looking forward to her BlessingWay and feels like she and dh made headway on names; Danielle is having AROM induction next Tuesday if she makes it that far... she's 4 cm dilated and 60% effaced; Anna concludes she needs internet at home; Chrissy is worried about having PUPPS and going crazy with the itch, and Lynsey concurs (Stacy says: get Sarna lotion!); Savannah is trying to resurrect some used AIOs she was given, HeatherB received a small box of formula and isn't quite sure where it came from; Jen is waffling about having her hair cut off, and Boobykinmama Heather is cooking up a storm and getting ready to rest.

September is only 10 days away!

:D

[Kabes]

WOW! you've really outdone yourself this time Jen!!!

Congrats Shannon!!

Leaving tomorrow for Va.!!! Good-bye NJ.

[Caroline248]

And I already posted on the other thread...of well, it waws mostly whiny anyway!!



Congrats Shannon!!!! I can't wait to read your birth story, and find out the name of the new little one!

:storkgirl :girlpin :dust :carrot :banana :drum: :champagne :balloons

[JenInMpls]

Caroline you can keep whining on this thread until you've got it all out of your system! None of us will mind!!!

I'm supposed to be getting off of my butt and going to a local establishment to meet other MDC mamas from around town, but I'm such a big chicken that I haven't moved and instead sit here petting Sydney...

j

[4under6]

Way to go Shannon!
Congrats on your precious little girl!
Can't wait to see her.

:jumpers: :jumpers: :jumpers: :jumpers:

Jen-
Love the recaps!

As you can probably tell by my postings, I am in a much better mood. I think I'm relieved that we have made a decision, and that I have progressed quite a bit already.
I really do pray to go into labor, slowly, before Tuesday so as to avoid the AROM, but we'll see what happens.
We are going to hang low this weekend.

Ladies with petering out contractions: I feel your pain!

[plantmommy]

I wish everyone who feels like whining, would do so as much as they want! It's a change of pace to hear someone else (besides me!) at it! :D

[hjohnson]

My turn to whine! My ankles have looked like cantelopes all week! Also this past Tuesday I went to visit the doc. This doc claimed that my cervix was long and closed after the other doc said I was 1 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced a week before. I am definitely using midwives next time.

[fourlittlebirds]

Gee, all this going on, my life seems downright boring by comparison! Hm, well, today we are putting in our kitchen linoleum... See? This is why I never post here. :innocent

Shannon, congratulations!!! :D

[Caroline248]

Unfortunatly, whining here is not getting it out of my system...

Today is the second day my kids have been cooped in the house, and I can't stop yelling at them. Everything they do irritates the heck out of me...even normal kid things. For the first time, I really wish someone would come and take them away for a little while. It is weird, becasue I just want to be with my husband, alone. I am trying to be patient, but I am in the "children should be NOT seen and NOT heard" mode...I guess from lack of sleep and tired of being pregnant...who knows?? But usually my DH would be the first one pissing me off, and the kids get much more leeway...

Well, it is thunder storming and the pressure in the air is so high, I heard that that can cause some womans water to break...we shall see.


Heather, that is weird! How can you go backwards?? Probably the secind dr was not feeling high enough...

Linda, YAY for new linoleum..we have to finish a bathroom today!

Jen, go make some new friends!! Especially MDC friends...I am jealous!


Oh, next Monday, August 30th is the full moon. Think we'll get a couple of babies then???

Caroline

[JenInMpls]

Standing out on the balcony of my friend's (swank, shishi ridiculously fabulous new) apartment last night, I saw the quarter man-in-the-moon moon and thought "aw jeez, I have to wait until after the moon is full for this kid to be full term?!!!"

Caroline, I'm sorry about the cooped-up feeling.

I of course did not manage to get out and meet people, I took an extra long shower though. Jo is off with a friend painting at someone's house and earning some decent money for it, which is nice, I guess, although it means I have to spend the whole weekend by myself.

Can I get some opinions on perineal massage? The clinic I go to is all about it and according to them I should have started a month ago. Frankly I can't get my thumbs down there anymore!, and Jo is not that psyched to help me out, although she will if I remember to ask her about it before 11 at night. Does it really make a huge difference in the elasticity and not tearing?

Linda, I think new linoleum is pretty exciting! Hope it looks great when it's done!

[MeganW]

I'm totally freaking out. Our house is torn apart as we had some remodeling done and now DP can't seem to find the time to put it back together and on top of that the baby has dropped and I can no longer bend over to pick up anything so my contribution to keeping house has gone out the window in the last week. We also somehow managed to gain a 4th dog and this morning I packed an overnight bag and emptied my checking account and left. I'm now sitting at my office trying to decide where I'm going. Home is not one of my options I can't stand it there anymore it disgusts me and I've even secretly been hoping the house wuold just dissapear.
And what about all the people that are constantly asking what you need but when you call for help NO ONE has time. I need someone to move furniture and clean my kitchen and help me sort and put stuff in the attic so we have ROOM for a baby, I definately don't need another onsie or recieving blanket. Can you tell I'm frustrated?

Oh yeah my original due date was sep 20 but now we're going more with probably within the next two weeks the baby dropped 2 weeks ago and whoever mentioned the air pressure causing water to break I totally think that's going on in our area. My poor midwife has had 5 Births this week and there have been two babies born on my street this week and I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm not far behind as I'm leaking something new.

[plantmommy]

Oh, gosh, poor Megan! It's too horrible to have to deal with all of that right now.

Jen, I think perineal support during crowning or even more importantly, self-directed pushing have a lot more to do with not tearing than perineal massage. I've read both that it's beneficial and that it doesn't make any difference. Personally, if anything is gonna be happening down there it ought to be something much more fun!

[greenbeing]

Congratulations Shannon! Welcome baby girl! :love

[JenInMpls]

Megan! Ack! I'm so sorry! I wish I could help you somehow but I'm half a country away... I agree, it is obnoxious when people offer to help but then when the job is less than glamorous, they are mysteriously absent. I guess you find out who your true friends are in situations like this.

And I can see how the addition of another dog could send you around the bend, it happened to a colleague of mine last year, her husband brought home a second Weimaraner without asking.

Had a watermelon binge this afternoon... oof! But it was SO good.

Whine: ohhh! my pubic bone!!

[Kabes]

Megan, Me too! I'm trying to move to Va. I had tons of offers to watch the girls, help pack or make food. No one ended up doing anything. Since dh got bronchitis and was sick all week nothing got done. I'm taking the girls and leaving tomorrow. I hope I remember all the baby stuff I may want/need. Dh will have to pack during the week he's off btwn. jobs - scary!

Whine -whine- whine - I feel like all I do is whine. And sleep.

[hjohnson]

I had a neat day yesterday! My mommies group threw a baby shower for me. They presented me with 5 dinners to be frozen, another 2 dinners promised, and 6 Happy Heinys!!!!!!!! I am looking forward to not having to cook once David shows up.

[HeatherB]

Hi ladies! I think I did WAY too much yesterday. :( It was the first time in a long time I'd gotten to go out and do shopping, so DS and I hit the mall, BRU, and then had dinner with DH before all going to Wal-Mart. Well, we accomplished a lot, but I was in agony half the night. :( It's not too weird for me to have severe leg pain after that much walking, but it's still miserable. I kept thinking of it as good prep for labor - but at least in labor pain comes and goes!! I'm still kinda sore and such, but at least sleeping helped! (What little I got :LOL) Okay, enough whining - for now! :LOL

I got up on not enough sleep today to go to a baby shower for friends who just adopted their first baby. Of all the things to do on no sleep, this was probably the most worthwhile! It was so neat to be there and celebrate with them, as they've struggled with being told they couldn't have children, deciding they didn't want any, trying again, etc., for several years. Now they've been blessed with a beautiful, sweet little girl whom they witnessed be born! I got to hold her for quite a while, which was pretty awesome, especially considering that she's now, at 3.5wks old, about as big as my baby is! (6.5lbs-ish) Oh, and the food at this brunch was absolutely fabulous and I will forever regret not eating more!! :LOL

Okay, so when's the next full moon after August 30th? Nevermind, I just downloaded a moon phase calendar for iCal - gotta love a Mac. :love So, ya think a new moon would do it? That comes up on Sept 14. :LOL I'm thinking August 30th is too early for me, too, but I'm guessing we'll have several births around then! Yippee!! :D

Heather(J), how cool! I'm so glad you got such a neat shower. I don't know that anyone in our moms group would even know to get us cloth - sounds like you've got a great group of ladies! Not cooking will be SO nice, too. Our church always has meals arranged for families with new babies and it is such a relief not to have to worry about it!

Megan, I hope you get everything worked out and back to "normal" soon! Praying for peace amidst the storms.

Have a great evening, mamas!

[mum2tori]

Woohoo! Congratulations Shannon!! :baby :birthday: :baby

Oh the last couple of days are a blur. :( Two nights ago I went to bed early (about 9:30-10pm) and Jack slept until 7:00ish, Tori slept until almost 8:30am (she went to sleep late). You'd think that would have been a great night's sleeep... nope! I woke up twice with "reflux". Ugh nothing worse than being sound asleep, hiccuping and having acid burn the back of your nose. :gross Guess I have to sleep propped up a bit more. :( Luckily it didn't give me heartburn but it still was very annoying. I was still soo tired. Jack was so sweet and just wanted to snuggle on the couch until Tori got up. So we sat on the couch with Sesame Street on and I semi-veg dozed. :W Later, Tori went down for an almost 3 hour nap :eek and Jack slept for 2 hours... I slept for almost 2 hours also. :carrot Still felt tired. :shake :shake

Then last night... tried going to sleep several times but it just didn't want to take. Apparently Radish had a case of the twitchy leg. :rolleyes He moved on leg back and forth across the top of my belly all night!! Got up a couple of times and then went back to bed again. Finally got to sleep about 2am... then a horrendous thunder storm hit about 5am. Tori woke up screaming about a minute before it started (I swear she's pyschic about them and absolutely HATES them too). It was like someone had a strobe light out in the front yard when I went to go ged her. By the time we got back to my room and climbed in to bed, it was storming really bad. Tori never went back to sleep. She was calm and WIDE AWAKE. Luckily Jack slept through the whole thing. Sometimes the boy sleeps like a rock. :thumb He slept until a little after 7. My plans for a "family nap" were foiled by Jack. Tori will usually nap about 3pm, lately Jack hasn't wanted to take a morning nap for the past week, so I didn't try to push for it. Big mistake. :bang :bang The boy passed out just after 12pm and slept until almost 2:30pm (through ANOTHER horrendous thunderstorm). Tori fell asleep about 3:30 and Jack wasn't having another nap. PERIOD. :irked:

:bawl :bawl I just wanted to take a nap. I need to go wake Tori up soon or she isn't going to want to go to sleep tonight. And I want to go to bed early. I'm not functioning at top speed on only 3 hours of sleep. Luckily I haven't wanted to smother Tori today. :LOL She's been surprisingly good for being tired too. Usually she's a nightmare when she wakes up early like that. I see a round of warm showers in our future, hopefully the next thunderston due around bedtime doesn't happen. :rolleyes Now if I can just think of something quick for dinner. :LOL We had my old standby pancakes for breakfast this morning. Maybe we'll have Quesadillas, those are quick and no brainers. :)

And it feels like I've been kicked by a horse on my pubic bone!!!!

[MamaAcorn]

I can so relate to the house being torn apart since we just finished up a move, and it's not fun! We technically moved two weeks ago today, and I still have a few lingering boxes to unpack. Not to mention a ton of stuff piled up everywhere waiting to be assigned a place to go. I wonder if things will be put together before the baby decides to come. I hope so, but I doubt it. DH hasn't been much help around the house lately with the unpacking and such.

I'm on the verge of a break down with all the work I've been trying to do, working 8-10 hours typing reports on the computer while taking care of ds, unpacking, laundry, prep work for my Bradley class, etc. The list just never ends! Luckily, I haven't been scheduled to work at my PT job for a month or so.

I've hit the uncomfortable part of pregnancy and can't find a single piece of furniture, including our bed, that is comfortable. The floor is my best bet, and it's covered with dog hair since it's been more than a few days since I've vacuumed. Sigh!

So that's my whining session for now. I'm sure that it will be continued later on in the week.

Pam

[fourlittlebirds]

Megan, I can relate to the house stuff. There are certain things I can't do, and I've been waiting it seems like forever for my husband to do them and he just doesn't have the same sense of urgency about it that I do!

Jen, I have a poor opinion of perineal manipulation in general. Elasticity has to do with diet, hydration, genetics, age, and hormones. Stretching the skin manually (perineal massage) will eventually stretch the skin (break it down) but stretched-out skin is not equivalent to elastic skin. And to have someone touch the perineum during labor is for most women uncomfortable and inhibiting, and this interferes with hormone production, which is crucial for the passage of the baby without vaginal and perineal trauma. It's like the difference between how your body reacts when getting a gynecological exam and when making love.

[JenInMpls]

See, I *knew* that Linda would have a good, educated answer!!

TMI: all it felt like to me afterwards was like "ick, this feels like when I used to have sex with boys and didn't enjoy it."

Thanks

off to eat dinner

jen

[fourlittlebirds]

Also, re: avoiding tearing, plantmommy is right that the most important things during labor (besides avoiding that which is uncomfortable and unhibiting, like I mentioned above) are position (vertical better than horizontal) and spontaneous, physiological pushing (as opposed to guided and willed pushing.)

[Brisen]

Link (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=185028)

[plantmommy]

Jen!!! :LOL :rotflmao

Brisen, thanks for sharing your beautiful story!

Please all, send me NOT LABOR vibes! I've been having what feels mostly like BH cntrx. about every ten minutes for hours and hours, through shower and nap and they are lasting about a minute. But tomorrow is Isabelle's 4th bday, with party, etc. and how wrong would it be if that had to be cancelled?

I'm now having a glass of wine in another attempt to calm down the uterus. I've talked to le bebe and he doesn't seem to be listening! NOT YET! Just one more day, please.

[Mom2baldie]

Congratulations Shannon! :love

[fourlittlebirds]

Shannon, just goes to show that dilation doesn't mean diddley! 5 cm. to complete in half an hour! Woo! :D

That's so awesome that your midwife was able to attend you at home despite being so early. Congratulations again! :love

[HeatherB]

Shannon, what a great birth story! I'm so glad it all worked out so well for you and your family! It sounds like such an ideal birth. :)

Many congrats!

[msrog]

:balloons :balloons CONGRATULATIONS, Shannon!!!! :balloons :balloons

And :birthday: Baby Brisen!! What a super duper, wonderful birth story. It's so perfect, and how special is that that your dh got the weekend off and can enjoy his little family without interruption.

It really is hard to believe all the births are starting already! Yet another twin mom reported in yesterday on my twin board, she had hers Aug. 3 at 35 1/2 weeks. And now you gals are starting! The dominoes are beginning to fall!!! Wow, does it ever feel close now... Still praying I can make it to 40 weeks. (Which is so cool that 40 weeks would be Sept. 14, the new moon! I wonder if that stuff really makes a difference or not??)

I finally got a birth ball. It's a loaner from the mom who gave me the AIOs. I've been bouncing and rocking/rolling on it all day; I love it! It's a bit deflated; do any of you know how to get to the inflating hole?? It's a blue "FlexaBall", and all dh and I can see is a flat, hard, white circle (covering a hole??), but no hole. All I see on an internet search is that you inflate it to 65 cm circumference (who in the heck has a tape measure in cms??? grrr) either with a bike pump or take it to a gas station. But where do you stick the pump nozzle?????

[HeatherB]

I finally got a birth ball. It's a loaner from the mom who gave me the AIOs. I've been bouncing and rocking/rolling on it all day; I love it! It's a bit deflated; do any of you know how to get to the inflating hole?? It's a blue "FlexaBall", and all dh and I can see is a flat, hard, white circle (covering a hole??), but no hole. All I see on an internet search is that you inflate it to 65 cm circumference (who in the heck has a tape measure in cms??? grrr) either with a bike pump or take it to a gas station. But where do you stick the pump nozzle?????

Hi, Savannah! The white disc is probably the end of the plug for the ball. The two I've had both came with a 1-1.5" long, narrow, white plastic plug that fits into the hole. It ends up sitting quite flat on the ball so you don't really notice it when you're using it. Does that sound like the same thing? You'll just kind of pry it up (having some good strong fingernails helps!), and then you'll have a narrow funnel that extends into the ball.

You definitely need a high pressure pump to inflate it fully. We used an airbed pump for most of it, but it couldn't force enough air in when it started getting full. Ours came with a small hand pump, similar to a bicycle pump, which we used to finish it off. I hadn't thought about a gas station, but surely that would work, too! As for how big to make it - 65cm is about 25.5 inches. You can figure it out roughly just by holding a tape measure next to the ball. Basically, if it gives very much when you sit on it, it's too small. It should really support you well.

HTH! I :love my ball! In fact, I need to be sitting on it some more. Even my 2yo reminded me of that the other day. :LOL

[MamaAcorn]

Shannon, what a beautiful birth story! Good thing your hubby found a replacement for scout camp! I hope my birth goes as well as yours did. Enjoy your little newborn!

Pam

[4under6]

Well, I was up all night last night with two puking kids, so I haven't slept.....and guess what?
I think my water broke about 1/2 hour ago!
Babysitters just got here, so we're off.

.

[plantmommy]

Whoa! Well, I hope you get a nap in before labor gets started. How exciting!!!

[msrog]

:guitar ... another one bites the dust .... :snap

Yee haw, Danielle's turn!!! Wow. How nice that she gets to escape the end of the pukey kids stage, heh heh heh. I sure hope her labor goes quickly so she can get some rest!

P.S. Danielle, that bracelet is SO COOL! I guess it's good that you finished it yesterday, eh?? Looks like you won't get to wear it as long as you had hoped...

Heather, thanks so much for the ball info!! I suspected that white disc came out, but was afraid to try too hard, in case the whole darn thing deflated.

Hey, are any of you up to doing one last gift exchange? I was thinking about a last-minute/babies shower, like the earlier swap, where we each make a list (or link to our online registry) of needs $20 or less that still haven't been met, and someone coordinates matching the giver with the recipient. (Not me, someone better at it, with a later due date! haha). The idea came when I 1) haven't gotten anything I had listed on my online registry (diapers, "My Mommy's Milk" bottles, etc.) and don't think others really did, either, and 2) wanted to buy something for you ladies that you had on your lists, but know I can't afford to buy for everyone...

If you are game, I'll start a new thread about it. But we'd have to get going, I guess!

[interbang]

Hello there.

My EDD is 9/20 for our first baby, but I think this kid is coming at least a few days later than that...

I also suffer from the Exploding House. It's driving me nuts, but I keep telling myself things will only get worse when the kid arrives.

I finally told my mother she isn't invited to the birth yesterday. Big drama, lots of screaming. I loved the part where she told me I would "regret this for the rest of my life."

Actually, I tried to involve her from the first trimester onward in the planning of my home birth, and she always had one of two reactions - silly criticisms or severe disinterest. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back was when DH and I made a birth bundle of items to help me during labor. Things that reminded me of my family's love and support. I had a necklace in there that my mother gave me for my 14th birthday, and when I showed her the bundle (about 4 months ago) and explained how the necklace was a symbol of her love and support, she dismissed the whole thing as more of my "hippy bullshit."

Sigh.

I guess for her it's an embarssment issue. She's already told all her friends about the home birth, and how she'll be there, even though I never, ever invited her. As much as I love her, she's never been the "unconditional support" type, and while DH also likes her, he doesn't want her around for the birth, since we would like a quiet, supportive, positive environment.

We've invited a married couple we've known for years to our home birth, because we know that even though they aren't as "hippy" as us, they support and love us and will help us with the birth tub, remembering to eat and drink, giving DH some short breaks, etc..

Also, add the mw and her assistant, and that's me giving birth with 5 people around. That's enough, if you ask me.

Anyway, my mother calmed down eventually. It helped that I told her she would have a big chunk of time with the kid before my mil...

Thanks for the space to vent.. good luck to everyone.

--Heather

[JenInMpls]

Hooray Shannon and Baby B!

Plantmommy, I will send you your not-labor vibes, but is there any possible way Isabella might find the birth of her sibling the ultimate present? Maybe not. I don't know. Just a thought. :)

Heather (#4! We sure have a lot of Heathers!): sorry about your mom's reaction, that's disappointing...

Savannah - my ball has a flat disc like that too, you have to pry it out, as suggested, strong fingernails do help and we have a little foot pump that came with our ball. And I'd be up for the gift exchange, sure (I say that now! Who knows, gifts might go out in October ;) )

GO DANIELLE AND FINN!!!!!

Later :D

jen

[plantmommy]

Welcome Heather!

Isabelle is rarin' to open prezzies, so I only have a minute, but her brother has decided to wait, luckily!

[fourlittlebirds]

Wow, Heather, what a thing to have to deal with at 36 weeks pregnant! People can be so self-centered! :(

[Mom2baldie]

Welcome Heather! :D

Chrissy, When you get a chance, please let me know how the dandelion root is working for you? I only started taking it on Friday for my itchy bumps and so far I cant tell a difference at all. I also upped my daily amount of flaxseed oil because I read about it on gentlebirth also... Hoping something works because I am losing sleep!

[4under6]

Well, we're home.
They think I had a high leak in my bag that sealed over. No contractions. So just as well.
I'm tired.
I'll keep you posted.

Congrats, Shannon!
:balloons :balloons :balloons :balloons :carrot :carrot :banana

[HeatherB]

Danielle, I hope you get lots of rest! I'm sorry this wasn't "it" but hopefully it will be very soon! :)

plantmommy, glad to hear the little one has held off for his sister's birthday! How did the party go?

Heather, welcome to the group from one of the other (many) Heathers!

Hey, are any of you up to doing one last gift exchange?

I wasn't around for the last one, but it sounds like a neat idea. Any more details on how it works? I guess I'll check to see if there's another thread already. :)

[4under6]

I napped for about an hour and a half.
I passed another huge nasty chunk of mucous plug and some bloody show.

I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up to Monday morning!

My mom went on a weekend trip, but she'll be back tonight, so that will be nice again.

Kids are better; they slept a lot today and just had a small meal.

Lucy hasn't been sick yet, so I'm praying she slides past this one!

Sorry this has all been me me me me me today!

I hope everyone is doing well this weekend!

[plantmommy]

Glad you got a nap in, and that the kids are well/better.

Isabelle had a blast, and now there's a mess of presents to clean up. I think I'll ignore it until tomorrow.

[chrissy]

Hi mamas!

We're back from our trip and I am even all caught up on all the posts.

I am so excited that we have had our first "September" baby born!! Congratulations Brisen!! I hope you'll share a picture soon. :love

And Danielle, you sound like you are about to have that baby at any second. I still bet you won't make it until Tuesday morning!

Savannah, I'd be up for another swap.

Lynsey, I'm not sure if I've actually got PUPPS or if my belly is so itchy because it's stretching even more. In any case I've been taking 3 Dandelion Root capsules after each meal since Friday and I do feel less itchy. My main itchiness is on my belly, well my whole torso and up through my breasts too really, so I'm not sure if it's PUPPS or not. I sure hope your itching stops (or at least lessens) soon because it is enough to drive a person crazy, isn't it????

Oh, also about oils, I've been taking Fish Oil and Evening Primrose Oil for the past several months.

Okay, dinner calls.
Love to you all,

[hjohnson]

Chrissy what's your BP been like. I know that I had terrible itching with my first pregnancy and it turned out to be a sign of my liver swelling up. Not to scare you. My doc thought I had PUPPS too.

[chrissy]

It's always been normal. I'll check it tomorrow at the grocery to be sure though!
Thanks for the heads up.
:)

[msrog]

Welcome, new Heather!!! Your birth plans sound wonderful. And I'm sorry your mom wigged out on you. Sounds like she is wacked for thinking she could be there in the first place... like you'd really want someone there thinking and saying things about your weird "hippy" choices! =O)

Crissy, you handled the matching up of people on the second trimester swap, right? (And did a darn good job of it, I might add!) I noticed your due date is the latest, too, so it would be REALLY AWESOME if you would like to do the match-making on this one...??? If not, we'll see who else might want to do that part. I'll go ahead and start a new thread. Fun! (I noticed reading over that old second tri shower/swap thread that you had mentioned having gifts for mom the first time, then another swap for baby stuff, so this works out great all around!) And we have so many new moms on board that didn't participate in the others...

[HeatherB]

3under3, glad to hear you got some rest at least and I hope those little ones stay well! It sounds like you're so close now!

Last night my family came over with gifts for the new baby. It was so much fun! Quite a few outfits, sleepers, dresses (we're thinking girl - hope we're right!), etc. It's so much fun looking at little bitty clothes and realizing they'll be filled soon! Now I just need to wash everything. I think that's going to be on my to-do list tomorrow. My midwife's "Preparing for Birth" sheet recommends washing everything at 37 weeks - well, we're there and past!

I was driving home this evening and started having some mild cramping and backache. Nothing consistant or much, but what a welcome feeling! To know something's going on and that in not-too-long it'll be the baby on its way! I know the last time I did a self-check I was definitely starting to dilate, which I didn't really do with DS until labor had begun. I'm actually hoping more for extended early labor than to do it all in one shot - make the end easier! :D

Anyhow, thinking of all those with labor symptoms! What an exciting time! :bgbounce

[Lazuli]

Congratulations on your little girl, Brisen! *tosses around confetti*

My husband is in Detroit all this week, eep! A friend will be here this afternoon to stay the week with me, just in case. We had our last childbirth class yesterday (nothing like waiting til the last minute, huh?) Now I just need to finish gathering up all the birth supplies and put them together in one place. My husband and I both think Vaysh is going to be early, we'll see.

I have a picture of my belly! It's not a very good picture, I was really really tired when my husband took it.

Laz's Belly (http://www.tangled-threads.net/images/belly.jpg)

I also have a picture of the finished 'monster' quilt. :)

The front of the quilt (http://www.tangled-threads.net/images/monsterf.jpg)
Back of the quilt (http://www.tangled-threads.net/images/monsterb.jpg)

We made a belly cast yesterday, that was an interesting experience. I still need to go clean the plaster off the bathroom sink. *sigh* And the bathtub is so icky now, but I honestly don't think I can get down and scrub the tub. We got our new mattress for the new bed, it's going to take some getting used to, but out bedroom looks so nice! The changing table has been put together and all the baby stuff is put away. I still can't get my head around the fact that we're going to be parents soon. Eek!

Hope everyone has a great day!

[chrissy]

Lazuli, I think that is a great belly picture!! You're beautiful! And the quilt is wonderful too. I LOVE the bright colors. I hope the week without your husband goes by quickly.

Danielle, how are you doing today????

How's everybody else? Who's going after Danielle- Caroline?

[plantmommy]

Dunno who's after Danielle... Yeah, I do believe it's Caroline, but now that Isabelle's had her birthday and my midwife is back in the country and school starts for my oldest 2 in 8 days, I want it to be me!!!

[adventuregirl]

Congratulations Shannon! Yippee!!! Welcome to the world little baby girl!

Danielle, sending you labor vibes, I hope it is happening for you right now!

This is great, we got a call yesterday that a woman from our birth class was in labor too, lots of excitement!

Sending Plantmommy and Caroline labor vibes too, hope you two are next!

I had a good weekend, so tiring though! The wedding was so much fun, but I hardly slept that night. We camped, which was nice so I could lay down whenever, but sleep came in very small doses, even despite the air mattress and all of my pillows I brought. It was super comfy, but I just didn't sleep, wah! But I did get in a 2 hour nap when we got home yesterday and a good full night's sleep last night, so I'm pretty much recovered. I get crampy contrax every time I lie down or roll over now, warming up....

Feeling more and more ready, birth supplies are about 90% assembled and I have a wide open week in which to really tackle my "To Do's". I see my mw tomorrow, haven't had any internal exams yet, so maybe then? Not sure, but I'm not in a rush....yet....

I'm in for another exchange, I'll go look for the thread. Of course at this point, we'll all have to leave it open time-wise, just in case...

Hope everyone hasw a wonderful week of preparing and even welcoming babies!

[JenInMpls]

Lazuli hooray for your stretch marks! Nice to see someone else has them :D

I have a new photo but I posted it on the yahoo page.

Well, yesterday, in an attempt to fix the light in the ceiling fan, the entire ceiling fan in the den died, so today we'll go on Jo's lunch hour to look at ceiling fans. Then, to add insult to injury, our window AC started making its strange sounds like piece of breaking plastic in the middle of the night, only this time we didn't hear it right away and turn off the AC, and I woke up to it making incredibly fatigued low-pitched rhythmic humming/whumping sounds, like it was just going to cough and die any second. The sad part is that it's really the best AC that we have (out of 3 window AC units) and definitely the quietest. So... after Jo commented offhandly about how pleased she was about the amount of money in our checking acct yesterday, it's about to get sliced. And Sears doesn't even carry the AC anymore that Consumer Reports ranked as a best buy. :irked: Maybe we will just move the kitchen AC up into the bedroom and hope that we don't have the traditional string of 90 degree days in Sept that we always seem to have, and worry about getting a new AC next year.

So I'm listening to sappy George Michael songs and bemoaning our bad luck.

...guilty feet have got no rhythm...

j

[plantmommy]

...I'm never gonna dance again
the way I danced with you-oo-oo!

:LOL
I'm too grumpy for posting, I'll just leave it with George Michael.

[wardermom]

Didn't have a very good night last night. Lots of back pain-ligaments? Some contractions.
I feel sick this morning. I don't know if it's nerves or what.
Last Thursday, I saw a homeopath about my anxiety symptoms. She's suppose to get back to me soon about a possible remedy. Hopefully soon, hopefully the right remedy.

[plantmommy]

Melanie! Feeling sick can be a good sign of pending labor!

How are you counting days? I'd say I'm 38 weeks 3 days, too, but am due on the 3rd.

My home visit is scheduled for thursday am, but hopefully I'll have to call the mw over before then. I do feel as if he's dropped, although I still have heartburn. My pelvis aches pretty much all the way around (butt, hips, front).

[wardermom]

I suppose then I'd be 38 weeks 2 days.

Well, my last baby was born at this point (12 days early). My 4th was born at 38 weeks.
I'm kind of hoping it's before Friday, because the midwife I'm not as crazy about comes back from holidays then.
I hate feeling so yucky.

[MeganW]

Thanks for all the ladies that sent warm thoughts my way over the weekend.
Congratulations on the new babies.
I finally ended up going with my grandparents for dinner and then going to the slots and then spent all day sunday buying things to organize the house and got some new curtains and this morning if DP doesn't screw it up, my grandmother has sent the people that clean for her to move furniture and clean my house so I'm hoping to go home to a CLEAN organized house tonight. As far as dog #4 goes He's got to go and I don't know how to get rid of him. Really #3 and #4 need to go but unless I send DP packing that prob wont work.
On top of all of this I had WUL or BH or something regularly yesterday from about 3:30pm till I went to bed and woke up this morning to less intense more sporadic episodes so I'm not sure what that means since this is my first baby but I'm ready to take my six weeks of leave from work and spend it with my little one.

Megan

[banana girl]

Hey everybody!

Just checking in and saying hello to all! It's very exciting to hear that "the babies are coming" but also kinda scary! I am shocked to realize that my time is just around the corner. Feeling pretty prepared and confident but it's still scary.

I am so very grateful for the good rest and good health I am enjoying. I hope you all start sleeping well and deeply. I share my happy sleepy pixie dust with you all.

Too busy today to chit chat, the temp who is repalcing me is here today and I've been very busy training her in.

Gotta motor
P.S. Shannon I am so happy for you, I hope you are feeling more prepared than you were last week. I am looking forward to reading your birth story. Congratulations.. kiss that little wee one for us!

[JenInMpls]

Hoping that some of the absences of certain people here are good indicators... Danielle? Caroline? *fingers crossed*

Well, we ordered a new ceiling fan. The outlay was painful but luckily we're in an ok financial spot right now and it shouldn't hurt us too much in the long run.

Plantmommy, thanks for singing along ;)

Oddly enough, our AC seems to be ok this morning after its rest. Let's hope.

Melanie, good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon and that the remedy the homeopath picks works in a jiffy.

xo, j.

[wardermom]

Thanks Jen. I'm glad you got your new ceiling fan ordered and that your AC is sounding better.
The last couple of days it's been cooler here. Thank goodness. I was really wishing we had an AC for most of the summer. Heat really is a factor in setting off my anxiety attacks.


Guess what!!! The homeopath just called. My remedy is ready. I have to go pick it up. I'm supposed to take one envelope tonight and another when I get up in the morning. I'm surprised that that's it. I expected more. Well, anyway, I hope it works. I want to feel better before labour is upon me. I want to feel excited about it, not dread it like I've been doing.

[indiana ima]

i am TIRED of this. i want to have this baby already. most of me hurts, i am tired, i'm getting insomnia most nights (there's a great combo!), my heartburn is nearly constant, people are surprised to see me every time i manage to get out of the house, most of my maternity clothes are too small, and my children are BORED.

oh! and my daughter just got orange juice all over her clothes and the couch!

[hjohnson]

I am so uncomfortable right now! David won't leave my cervix alone. I sit down and I feel pressure against my cervix as well. It is not a pleasant feeling. DS didn't nap long today either. As soon as I lay down to take a nap he is crying and awake from his earlier than he should be <sigh> I am so glad DH let me sleep in yesterday.

[JenInMpls]

Well, Melanie, if it's the right remedy, those few doses should do it! Particularly if it's coming from a homeopath, she may have used some really high doses that will pack a punch for a while. It blew my mind that homeopathic remedies can keep working for so long after you take them; I counteracted my 'rhoid remedy by using peppermint toothpaste a couple days after I stopped taking it! Right now I'm trying to be good and not have coffee, in case that remedy is still working in me... grr. I'm curious what's in your remedy, if you find out and are willing to share...

To all the tired mamas, :( I'm sorry you're so tired, I'd send you some of my sleep if I could. Maybe if you combined Anna's and mine...

Eddie is my constant companion today. I :love my cats!

j

ps: crampy, backachy contractions today! Whee!

[4under6]

Still here!
This baby feels so low today!

Anyway, we have to be at the hospital at 6am, and I am hoping to have a baby by 8 am! Pray that Pitocin will not be needed.

I am so excited, and nervous...nervous about the pain, mostly.
Contrary to what people say, I DO remember what the labor feels like. But my SIL who is my doula will be there, and this is her third time helping us birth, so I think she knows my M.O. by now!
I want a fast birth, but not so fast that I'm out of control like a wild animal, you know?
Anyways, I plan on being home Wednesday evening, unless I decided to stay until Thursday....and the only reason I would stay is to maybe get a better establishment/comfort level with breastfeeding.

So......with that.......I will post as soon as I can and give you all of Finn's stats!

Blessings to all,

Danielle

P.S.- I saw Behind The Music with George Michael last night, so I've been singing his songs all day!

[chrissy]

Well add me to the ranks of the cranky, tired and HUGE! And I'm not even 35 weeks yet (will be tomorrow). Wah, wah, wah!!! :( Please, please, please let this just be a yucky day and not the beginning of an era that will last until baby is born.

Melanie, Here's hoping the homeopathic remedy works for you-and quickly! Anxiety is such a horrible, life-controlling thing. :hug

Plantmommy, Oh that's right, you ARE next in line! Can't wait to hear your great news. :)

Megan, Hooray for a clean and organized house!!

Jen, Keep cool over there lady!

Sheryl, Hooray for a wide open week with nothing to do but prepare. You sure deserve it after working so hard all summer.

Indiana Ima, Soon, soon, soon!!!! :hug

Off to whine and grump around my house,

[chrissy]

Danielle, we must've posted at the same time. I'll be sending lots of NO PITOCIN vibes your way. Can't wait to read all about sweet Finn! :hug

[Robertsgirl]

Add me to the I just want to sleep list please! I got very annoyed at church yesterday because three Moms came up and were asking me how I was....since they have very young babies, I made the mistake of assuming they really wanted to know anyway....I told them I just wanted to be able to lay down and sleep and not be in pain. They all busted out laughing and said I wouldn't sleep ever again and I should enjoy it now. :irked: HELLO! I wasn't saying I thought my sleep was going to be more after the baby is here, but I won't be in pain when I do get a chance to sleep. And I assume that Robert can actually take care of the baby at least one time a week so I can get a nap of some kind in!!! I was quite annoyed. I didn't feel like socializing in the first place and would have been quite happy not to talk to anyone anyway.......ok rant over.

For those of you wanting to go sooner, I'll try and send any maybe vibes I might be having your way. We are just not ready yet, I need at least another week to get baby and birth stuff ready and this hosue even close to anything that could be called a sanitary birth place!

[JenInMpls]

P.S.- I saw Behind The Music with George Michael last night, so I've been singing his songs all day!

Waah waah waah, this is why we need cable so I can watch Behind the Music!!!!!

Next time it's on, can someone tape it for me?!! I have been a GM fan since I was in 4th grade!!! Holy crap, that's over 20 years. When did I get so old?

Good luck tomorrow, Danielle.

[msrog]

What an exciting day of posts! Lots of you getting good early labor signs, and could go soon!!! Danielle even has a time, woo hoo!

Got to see the MW today. Babies are very low, both head down, and she was very pleased with our chances of being able to actually go by my birth plan. Still no PreE signs. My feet and ankles keep swelling up HUGE, but then I just put myself to bed and a couple of hours later they are better. So I guess I've put myself on partial bedrest... =O) (Does that mean hubby will scrub my kitchen/dining floors now? hee hee) Everyone at the OB practice is more supportive of my birth plan than I expected! And apparently I'm one of the rare patients that even submit a plan. Good grief. The MW even offered to have the docs sign off on the plan and she would give it to the hospital in advance so that they don't try to force me into an operating room (twin standard procedure) when I arrive in labor. That was a nice thing to do!!

I have to go update my registry so I can post it to the last swap thread. First I must deflate my giant ankles...

Yay to you gals who are finally nearly through with work! And yay to feeling prepared, having a clean house and the to-dos under control!

And I loooooove George Michael. Reminds me of the year I got to spend in Hawaii with my sister back in '88... aaaaahhh

[plantmommy]

Savannah, congrats on 37 weeks!!!

[wardermom]

Jen, it's pulsatilla. From my reading, I'm not sure it's right, but her information must be a lot more comprehensive than mine. Hopefully it's right. I really want to feel better. What do you brush your teeth with when you're using a remedy? The homeopath didn't mention the toothpaste.

Danielle, I remember what the pain is like too. I think that's why I'm such a basketcase. I just need it to be over, but I'm so afraid to go through it. I'm glad Finn will be born tomorrow. Hope all goes well!

Chrissy, you're right. Anxiety has controlled my life for about a month now, it's been so constant. I need to be rid of it.

Savannah, wow, 37 weeks with twins. It sounds like everything is going great!

[JenInMpls]

Savannah hooray for 37 weeks! I can't imagine how you are feeling, I feel so ungainly and achy with just one baby!! I told Jo that they want to put you in an OR to have a baby as standard procedure and she was floored! She says to tell you that she's sorry that you have to live with that!

Melanie I use Weleda calendula toothpaste when I'm using a remedy, or otherwise Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil toothpaste - fennel flavored. Peppermint is one of those strong flavors that can counteract a remedy, along with menthol and coffee. I just don't like the calendula toothpaste that much - my teeth just don't feel clean, because I'm used to my peppermint tea tree oil toothpaste with baking soda in it. Your homeopath may have prescribed pulsatilla since it not only is good for nerves, it's also good for stimulating birth!

That's all for now - I have to call my sister quickly, before she goes to bed.

jen

[JenInMpls]

Jo went downstairs and brought herself up a HUGE BOWL OF ICE CREAM and didn't bring me any!

:irked:

of all the nerve!

harumph!

j

[plantmommy]

Oh, that is wrong!!!

Bad, Jo!

[msrog]

Looks like the babies don't want to wait three more weeks!

My water broke just after 3 a.m. today. The contraction (or perfectly placed baby appendage) was sharp enough to walk me right out of a nice, deep sleep. Then the warm trickle began... I managed to rush to the bathroom (not before knocking over the hamper on the way) and not make much of a mess, woo hoo!! I sat there on the pot for awhile, then waddled back to the bedroom holding a folded towel between my legs so that I could open my new package of pads and get some dry underwear. Then, already, back to the pot to "clear out" my gut :shy I tried to lie back in bed (with towels under me bum), but in the 7 minutes I was in bed trying to rest, I had 3 contractions... It's now 3:45, and though I just now got my watch on, it seems the contractions have been closer together than 5 minutes right from the start! And intense already... I was hoping to lie back down and sleep awhile, but that's not working. :)

I was also hoping I just had a little tear in the membranes like Danielle's and it would repair so I could go another three weeks! Don't think that's gonna happen either...

So I had to come in here and post, since I know as soon as I wake dh and tell him this stuff, he'd freak out if I took time to come on here now and type!! I had wanted to labor quietly alone for awhile, maybe while everyone was at work... Now I have to have that guilty feeling of making my birth team wake up early and all, because I'm sure doc will want me to come on in with the strong contractions so close together!! (They
are still coming regularly and fast while I'm sitting here.)

Hmmm, I wonder which baby's water broke? Yesterday at my 37 week appt, both were head down and very low (baby A still presenting). The MW was going to check me, since I mentioned BH contrax were pushing more on my cervix lately, but I politely declined the internal. (What difference will it make to know? says I. When it's time, it'll just be time...) I found out yesterday at the appt that the favored doc is on call on Tuesdays, so I'm happy today is Tuesday! Guess the MW will need to speed up her promise to forward my birth plan to the L/D nurses prior to my coming in, so I can get that non-OR room without argumentation...

Oh, my bathrooms are still dirty. My kitchen and dining floors are too. The living room never got dusted, and darn it if the furniture in the bedroom still isn't where I wanted it. I asked dh to do that over the weekend, waaaaah... I also wanted him to put the junk in the hallway into the basement or attic. It's still in the hallway. Let's see, my hospital bag is partially packed, but Nicolas' bag isn't packed at all. Guess I'll try to do some of that, but with these fast contractions, I'm not fretting it. I hope to have a short stay anyway. The hot tub bath is out with broken waters. Poo.

Oh, did I mention I have an overnight guest tonight? Friend from Florida who stopped in on a drive through from S. Carolina. We of course joked about her being here for labor and having to watch Nicolas (I was just kidding, God! :) ). She's never been married, never been around babies. Hee hee. She may delay her trip home just for the fun and excitement of it all! Hey, maybe she'll clean my house, hee hee...

OK, this is crazy. I really must go wake up hubby and pack my son's bag. Call the doc, "reserve" my L/D room, call the sister, friend, etc.... YIKES! Clean off the deflated birthing ball (and hope dh can get it inflated some)...

I love my bracelet, ladies, and show it off often and get to tell people about you. DH will have the laptop at the hospital, so it probably won't be long afterward that I can post the news!

Praying for a nice, natural, intervention-free, vaginal birth of both babies...

[HeatherB]

Oh, Savannah!! How exciting!! I'm up here in the middle of the night so perhaps I'm the first to see your post. YAAAYY!! Go and labor in peace and let us know how it all turns out! Woohoo!! :balloons:

[plantmommy]

Yay! Thanks for posting! Here's hoping for the births to be everything you want it to be!

I saw the new post at that hour, and thought for sure someone had gone into labor.

[chrissy]

Oh Savannah!!! Yay!!! I can't wait to hear the wonderful news.

[MamaAcorn]

Oh how exciting Savannah! I hope you have an easy birth. Can't wait to hear the news of your little ones!

Pam

[Lazuli]

Oh, lots of good birthing vibes to Savannah and Danielle! How exciting! :)

[JenInMpls]

Holy cow, 3 babies in one day!!!!! (or more? Caroline? Plantmommy? Anyone?) I wonder who came first?

:bgbounce :bgbounce

[3boobykins]

Yay for Savannah and Danielle! And congratulations, Brisen, and welcome sweet baby girl. And happy, healthy labor vibes to everyone else who is close, and hang-in-there vibes to everyone who doesn't want it to happen quite yet.

Our midwives are coming for our home visit today--dh and I stayed up late cleaning, and then stayed up even later to watch 2 episodes of Sex and the City on DVD. We don't have cable, so we've been watching all 6 seasons on dvd over the past months--love it! Any other fans? Now we're waiting for the last 8 episodes to be released at our video store--haven't seen the final episode yet, btw, so don't anyone give anything away. ;)

I'll be 36 weeks on Friday, which means we're legally cleared then for homebirth. We plan to have all birth supplies purchased by then, and ready to go. Next Monday a bunch of my wonderful mama friends are having a birth blessing gathering for me and two other friends--we're all due within a couple weeks of each other. I'm so looking forward to it--my friends had one for me before I had dd, and it was such a beautiful gathering.

I'd better go wash the kitchen floor--midwives will be here in less than two hours. I'm having my GBS culture done today, hoping it's negative but planning to use alternative methods to treat it it's positive. Thanks to everyone who posted about non-antiobiotic ways to treat GBS. With dd she arrived before my lab results did.

Can't wait to hear those birth stories!

Oh, and welcome new Heather, from one of the 4 (?) Heathers here!

[plantmommy]

Well, I was up from 5-9 and then took a nap.

Trying to stay rested for when it is my turn to go!

[wardermom]

Go Savannah, go!!! How wonderful that the twins will be here today!!!

I had a really good, restful sleep. I needed it. I've taken both doses of my homeopathic remedy. I feel good.

[chrissy]

Melanie, I am SO glad to hear that!!

[wardermom]

Thanks Chrissy!

[banana girl]

I'm sitting here at work with tears in my eyes... I'm so excited and happy for all you mamas! Savannah I will be praying for you today. I don't usually pray, not in the usual sense, but in my own way..... all my love to the mamas getting to meet their babies today.

Have to walk away from this computer before i start blubbering!

[JenInMpls]

hooray, Melanie, I hope the Pulsatilla does the trick!

Yahoo for naps, plantmommy!

oh, apropos plants... I came downstairs to find that my DARLING Sydney had disattached a baby spider plant (you know, one of the off-shoots) from the big plant and was busy eating it. What is with her?! I bust her once a week eating leaves or grass off the floor, or attacking one of my plants! I need to get her a container of wheat grass. She's driving me nuts and this morning I wasn't so sympathetic because she had been destructive! Luckily Jo carried her away and fed her catnip.

Sprout is sinking lower... and lower... I guess one of the disadvantages of carrying high is that when the baby sinks, your lower belly has not been used to being stretched, because dang, does my belly hurt. Last night I even contemplated whether I was getting a bladder infection, because it stung so much when I peed (sorry if TMI), but I figured that my bladder really isn't up by my belly button, and when I got up in the middle of the night, it didn't sting anymore, I think because the kid had shifted while i was asleep.

At times I still cannot believe i am having a baby...!

j

[MamaAcorn]

Today is a good day! DH has the week off before starting school on Monday, and despite ds not wanting to sleep last night (resulting in DH and I each getting only 4 hours of sleep each), we were both up around 8 a.m. ready to get stuff done! Dh started a big pot of chicken stock this morning to use in some freezer meals for after the birth. He made lasagna yesterday. Now he's hanging shelves and curtain rods and all sorts of household odds and ends, including an attic trip! Yay! I'm so excited to see him nesting in his own way!

I'm still chuggin away with work. I'm feeling more ready for this baby to come since shopping over the weekend. I picked up a trash can to use as a diaper pail and two new nursing bras and received my order of nursing pads on Saturday!

Well, I'm off to start another load of laundry, make some banana bread, and get back to work.

Pam

[adventuregirl]

Go Savannah! Go Danielle! Happy, healthy, perfect labor and birth vibes to both of you! Yaaaaayyyyy!!!!!

This is SO exciting!

So I told you all that I had a massage last week, well yesterday I ran into my massage therapist and she said that while she was working on me, she was getting all sorts of boy images, blues, and just masculine vibes, she also said she thinks I'm going to go a little early. That was so cool to hear. I do have a feeling about the 28th, its a family birthday and the 29th is the full moon.....????

Are you all starting to get the phone calls? The "are you still pregnant?" "how are you doing?" "I was just thinking about you" calls? We are for sure, everyone is checking up on me. Last night we heard from a friend we haven't seen in months, it was weird. But its really cool too, so sweet and nice. I can see though if I were to be really late, the phone call screening and answering machine message "YES, I am still pregnant, we'll let you know!". Hahaha....

I had a laugh out loud moment this morning that I want to share with you all. I was skimming the book The Thinking Woman's Guide To A Better Birth reading the induction section (no, not for me, dh and I got into a conversation about it last night regarding a friend so it was fresh in my mind) anyway, it is listing cervical ripening procedures and how to do them, one says Sexual Intercourse, and for the how to: "If you didn't know how to do this, you wouldn't be reading this book". I was rolling!

Jen, funny that you are busy with air conditioners and fans, I actually am having a fire right now, got really chilly last night.

Happy days to everyone, welcome babies! Can't wait to hear more news!

[JenInMpls]

Jen, funny that you are busy with air conditioners and fans, I actually am having a fire right now, got really chilly last night.

OH man. Do you want to change weather patterns? We're supposed to have hot and sticky with chances of thunderstorms for the next 4 days. As Snoopy would say, BLEAH.

[JenInMpls]

small news gleaned off of the Twin Cities mamas board: Unfortunately Danielle's daughter Lucy did not manage to slide by the barfy bug that her other two kids had, so in addition to being induced at 6 this morning, she was up all night taking care of a sick kid.

I hope she gets to sleep a little after Finn's arrival!!

[adventuregirl]

OH man. Do you want to change weather patterns? We're supposed to have hot and sticky with chances of thunderstorms for the next 4 days. As Snoopy would say, BLEAH.

Yeah, I'm gonna have to pass on that offer. But hey, its only a 12 hour drive, wanna come over? Hahahahaha.....

[banana girl]

Anybody else here a ridiculously horny, hugely pregnant sex fiend?? This is getting down right silly!!!

Only a few more days at work... my mom comes on the 31st and I'm still feeling really good.

Jerome did the cutest dang thing the other day. We had been doing some nesting stuff. Cleaning and getting out birth supplies.. you know and we were resting in the livingroom. Well the baby was kicking me really hard, big crazy movements like an alien under my skin. You know, one of those... "Oh my god! there's a BABY right there!" moments.

Well, he gets all quiet all the sudden, puts his head in my lap and starts crying.... We just sat there in silence with him crying and finally he says " I just can't wait to meet our baby!" "I've been waiting so long, you've been holding the baby for 8 months, I want to hold it!" big sniffle.... "I need to blow my nose."

It was so sweet and funny and ridiculous! Aren't I supposed to be the one crying about it being time for the baby to be born??? Here I am all calm and relaxed... he's crying and needing reassurance!

Life sure is funny.

[wardermom]

Oh, poor Danielle. How awful. It's bad enough being up tending to a sick child, but then to have to have a baby after that...Wow.

[wardermom]

What a neat husband you have there Anna.

[plantmommy]

Anna, you just got ME bawling! god, that is so sweet.

[fourlittlebirds]

I have a feeling that from here on out we should be getting babies every couple of days... :) I'm still about a month away, so hard to believe, because I feel huge and the baby feels like a baby and I feel so ready. I'm also starting to pass into another phase of pregnancy -- hips hurt intensely at night if I don't position my body right or I'm in the same position for too long, I'm getting tired again, having imsomnia again (this time in the middle of the night,) having to get up to pee at least three times a night, feel like my lungs are compressed (can't lie on my back,) and am just generally very irritable and easily affected by the energy around me. It sounds worse than it is, I think... in general I feel healthy and like everything is going as it should. :)

Well, I made a diaper cover last night... really turned out nice, unfortunately even though I made it bigger than any that we have, it still is a little too small for my daughter (she's still in diapers at night) so Im going to make another today. I am really thrilled at the water-proof qualities of the polar fleece! I have some PULs as well and they really don't even come close. Plus the fit with the fleece is much snugger so it makes it easier to use prefolds. I am worried about the water-proofness washing out, so I'm going to try NikWax. Has anybody used that? I wonder, too, if lanolin would work?

[wardermom]

I wonder how Danielle and Savannah are doing...

[badomama]

Hi all and congratulations to Savannah and Danielle! I can't wait to hear the stories. I'm checking in more often now to see when and how everyone goes. This is very exciting.

Anna, I'm right there with you on being huge and horny. Dh is totally uninterested (I've gained over a third of my original body weight and now have the nickname "Jaba") but was amenable to being talked into "charity" sex last weekend. Dh is also Very ready to meet his baby. He says he is jealous that I get to "hold" it all the time and he would take the pregnancy for a day if he could. I'd probably let him too because ice baths are just not that fun. I've been taking them nightly due to being hot and bloated and doing a yoga tape to try to get back some circulation in my middle fingers. They've been totally numb for a week! lol.

Whose next ladies?

Happy final pregnancy days to you all,

Steph

[plantmommy]

I took the kids for a good hour long walk. I thought well, it can't hurt! Uh, yeah, it can. My poor aching back and ribs and and and!

I'M SO SICK OF BEING PREGNANT!

That will be all. Move along, folks.

(snicker)

I'm so pathetic.

[JenInMpls]

Hooray for patheticness!

I have short hair again. And I smell like Aveda. Yum. Having your hair cut by a student is way more affordable but holy cow did it take a LONG time. My appt was at 12. I showed up at 10 to 12 and waited in line for 10-15 minutes to check in. Then I waited NEARLY 45 MINUTES until I was called. So - 12:50 I was in and two hours later (no kidding!) I was done.

Needless to say I was starving by the time I got home because I expected to be out of there by the time I actually was called up for my appointment.

And Sprout spent most of the haircut kicking me!! What gives!? Wanted me to eat, I think.

Anna - I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again, but you have the sweetest husband!!

Time for a power nap, I think.

:zzz jen

[chumani]

38w 4d

Hello Ladies!!

Congratulations Shannon!! What a wonderful birth with perfect timing so dh can be home for a few days!!

Danielle and Savannah- can't wait to hear about the babies coming today!!

Anna- your dh is so sweet!

Sounds like the late pregnancy aches and pains are really setting in!! It is getting closer!!
I can't believe I have made it this far! Who would have thought that after all the pre-term labor etc, etc, etc that it would all stop and I would still be pg this far along!!
This little babe is still frank breech! It is making for a much more comfortable pg this time though! My sciatic nerves haven't twinged a bit! With my last pg I went to physical therapy 3x a week from 30-41 weeks just so I could walk. I only sleep with one pillow under my head, usually by this time I need 3-4 around me. Dh says that I don't even walk like a pregnant lady. I am very sore for another reason though. This last weekend we took the kids camping and Sat morning I did an ever so graceful roly poly from our travel trailer front steps. I ended up about 12 feet away from the trailer almost under our van. I have some fabulous bruises on my knees, left arm, left hip and lower left quadrant of my uterus. I still am so surprised it didn't bring on labor. It was pretty scary for the kids. I could hear ds Noah yelling "The baby" several times as I was rolling along. He was really upset and had to be reassured that the baby was fine.
I had an appt with our backup ob this morning, the non-stress test came out fine but my uterus hasn't grown in 6 weeks, I am measuring 34-35 weeks. My midwife has been getting the same measurements as well. U/S shows that the placenta is functioning adequate to maintan babe but not providing optimal growth. The ob is great though. He is happy to wait for dh and I to make a decision and has instructed all of his staff to leave us alone about it. I am so frustrated right now as dh and I felt very peaceful just a week ago that homebirth was the best for this baby. Now I am so confused. I am going to have some time this evening to just "be" in the room prepared as my birth space. I really need to tune in to my body and baby.

I can't wait to hear more birth stories!! Have a wonderful day ladies!
Sarahb

[Brisen]

I'm glad to see things are moving along for you ladies! Thanks for all the congrats. Baby girl is doing well, nursing all the time and having lots of wet and dirty diapers. Dh's sister asked if she could come down for a day to see the baby, and ended up bringing dh's mom too. She's staying until the end of the week. They have been a tremendous help! I've been spending my time sitting with the baby, napping, playing cards with the boys. They've been getting outside with MIL. And SIL was helping with the renovations this morning, screwing down subfloor! They've been such a help. And when dh's dad comes to pick up his mom, he'll likely bring dh's brother and bil to help with the renovations too. It's been so wonderful how everyone is helping us. I've had meals dropped off by a friend, another friend took Darwin overnight, and I've had other babysitting/housecleaning offers.

Gotta go!

[banana girl]

Well Shannon! I finally got around to reading your birth story. Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm so excited and scared and excited and scared and excited and... well you get the picture. This is becoming so real with you guys leading the way!
I think perhaps the scariest part of this for me, is the lack of control. I don't get to plan this, organize when and where and stuff.... it could happen at any time. I don't feel like it is time yet, but..... it could be! and since I've never done this before, I don't really know how it will feel, how i will react, how.....
but fear is far from the most powerful feeling right now. I am excited, energized and in agreat state of anticipation. i dream of giving birth, of touching my child's face, of seeing the look in Jerome's eyes when he holds his child for the first time.... i am eager and confident... but nervous as well.

i can't wait to hear from Danielle and Savannah.... where's Caroline..... However i have the day off tommorrow, which i desperately need, work has been INSANE! But, i will be thinking of all of you and sending all the love and prayers I can your way.

P.S. DSL will be set up at my house the next Friday (the 3rd) so hopefully I won't miss too much!!!!

[interbang]

Hello there

It is so wonderful to hear how everyone is doing. I know I arrived in this group kind of late, but I am going through many of the same things - lots of house reorganizing, weird errands, dealing with my family, etc..

I woke up with the pg aches, and boy was I grumpy! DH did the dishes, and funny how that perked me right up...

I'm starting to get a few rib kicks, which is surprising as the kid is riding medium to low (but not dropped), and I have the World's Longest Torso. Really. I'm 5'10", but all the height is in my torso more than my legs, so the kid's never been able to get his/her feet very high. Everyone says we'll have a tall baby (DH is 6'4"), but I think it'll be a big baby. My mw says I should be getting a sense of the baby's birth weight. I vote 8 pounds and something.. maybe even 9 pounds.. just feels right.

My mom is currently switched gears about the lack of invitation to my homebirth. Now she wants to learn all about homebirth, and keeps telling me that if homebirth had been available to her in 1971, she would have gone for it. Hrm. I'm enjoying her interest (today she even complimented me on finding such a great midwife), but there's really nothing she could say or do to get herself invited. Like I said, it's really about me and DH. My friends are most likely there to do mundane tasks (never my mom's thing), and mostly just give me support, which, well, isn't exactly my mom's thing either. She's one of those "side of the mouth" people, who will say something like, "you're doing great," but then out the side of her mouth will say "considering how long it's taking you to dialate."

Also, she's never wanted to talk about her labor (I'm her only kid) until today. She told me she was in hard labor for about 24 hours, same with my grandmother (who also only had one kid). Um, does that mean I'll have 24 hours of hard labor? Sigh.

Sorry I've rambled on so much. I look forward to reading this thread, hearing how everyone is doing. Good luck to the new mamas...

[mum2tori]

WOW look what a day or so makes!!!

Can't wait to hear from Danielle and Savannah!!! The Babies are DEFINITELY coming!! :LOL

Wow, Savannah and I have the "same" due date, not that I really thought we would go at the sametime but :yikes: :yikes: it really puts it into perspective!

Let's see if I can remember all the things I want to reply to. :LOL

Okay yesterday all day I had George Michael songs going through my head. I saw the BTM the night before. :LOL Flash back to High School. :LOL :LOL

HeatherJ- congrats on the nice shower from you mommy group. Got to love when you get things that YOU actually want and need. :)

MeaganW- Welcome and :duh to your SP for stressing you out right now. Hope you find puppy #4 a new home quickly. I think I'd kill my DH if he did that to me. And just love those friends that are willing to help... except when you actually need it. :(

Pam- :hug :hug And yeah for DH having the week off and his nesting kicking in. :D :D Hope you get lots done.

Heather#4 (:LOL) Welcome. And sorry to hear about your mom not being supportive and then expecting to BE there for the birth. :shake :shake

Plantmommy- glad that you were able to have Isabelle's part without any problems. I worried about that when I was pregnant with Jack. Tori's birthday was 2.28 and Jack's EDD was 3.05. I wasn't totally worried because it was her 2nd birhtday but still... it was that catch-22 did I want to be HUGELY pregnant or have a newborn and do a 2 year old birthday. :LOL Glad she enjoyed her birthday!

HeatherB- sounds like you overdid a little the other night. ;) I know its easy to do, especially when you are getting so much accomplished. :D

Lazuli- that is a GORGEOUS quilt. Have you ever thought of selling them?? Great belly pic!

Jen- feeling light without all that hair? :D and Bad Jo! Bad Jo! to fix a bowl of ice cream and NOT offer the pregnant woman any. :tsk :tsk David KNOWS that's an act of war. :LOL Sorry to hear your fan bit the dust, and hope the AC lasts a little longer. :) My alpha male cat Bot-bot likes to eat my plants when he's annoyed with me. :irked:

Melanie- sounds like things are starting to gear up a little bit. Glad to hear that the remedy seems to be helping. Sorry to hear you are feeling yucky.

Anna- GET INTERNET AT HOME!!! ;) netzero is suppose to be pretty cheap. You have to deal with popups I think. It's like $10 a month or $15 for a quicker connection. There are some cheap plans out there and check to see if the college will split part of it since Jerome would be using it for work too. And that is so sweet what Jerome said. Woohoo! just read that you are getting DSL! I know what you mean by the "out of control" feeling. That's the hardest part... that uncertainty. :) It's kind of like, right now it's great I know exactly where Radish is and he's safe... but I want to hold him too :love but he's safe and happy right where he is... :LOL

Sheryl- yeah for free time to get things done. I laughed when I read that line in the Thinking Woman's too. :D

Vicki- :hug I know what you mean about tired but then can't sleep at night. Soon it will be over. :)

Brisen- does the sweet little one have a name yet? :) Glad to hear you are getting help

Linda- I woudln't use lanolin on fleece, I think it would leave it greasy feeling since it won't absorb into the fiber. I've never had to use NikWax but I've hear others use it will good results. Don't forget you can also wash a fleece cover with regular clothes and use fabric softener on it. That can help to make it a little more waterproof too. :D

Sarahb- hope you get some time to get focued on what you want to do. :hug

Steph- :LOL about the "charity" sex.

Finally got the bassinet put back together. Found MY stapler... inside the entertainment center on a top shelf... :tsk :tsk I remembered that David was working on installing the lights on top about...2 months ago and thought he might have used it then. Yep. Oh and the lights still don't work yet. :shake :shake I'll take some pictures of it tonight.

I've made lots of headway on getting the house kind of organized. It's amazing how little mess there is to clean up with David isn't here. :bigeyes :W :bigeyes But I can't bend over worth a flip anymore. I feel like I'll tip over too far. :LOL :LOL And there is this HUGE thing in front of me. :bigeyes Most of my shirts are getting too small too. :irked:

David has at least 5 more days before he's home! So Radish STAY PUT!! :LOL Hope the full moon doesn't effect us. Doubt it since I haven't been having an B-H in a long time. Had another appointment. Everything's just going along. No changes. BP good, weight fine(another 2 pounds for a grand total of... 198 pounds! Total weight gain... 58 pounds :dropjaw), no droppage (he's still nice and high!) and no dilation. And a neg on the GBS. Yeah!

I was able to get some of my belly pictures uploaded into a gallery. I have a couple of the pictures from Jack in there too for comparison. :LOL Some of my belly pics (http://www.noale.net/sam/gallery/view_album.php?page=1)

Well my mom just got here, need to chat with her a bit. I'll be back tonight I'm sure. :D

[sistermama]

Hi Mamas, I can't believe babies are here/coming! Doesn't it seem like we just started chatting?

Still have a tree on my house, tree removal is a little hard to come by around here right now. I went to a bead store tonight and made my bracelet, and I love how it came out! I'll post pics of it at work tomorrow.

My shower was last Sunday, and it was so great because it included a surprise mother blessing for me. It was the first time in a week that I was able to relax and I felt really pampered. Plus I got to eat and eat and eat!

I spent most of the afternoon cleaning, trying to fool my body into thinking it was nesting and that labor MUST be imminent. I made my list of what still needed to be done last night and I feel better about being ready. There really isn't that much on there.

Jen - can't wait to see your hair! Mine is totally grown out right now and I can't decide what to do with it.

Sarah - sending decision vibes your way. I know you'll choose what's best!

HeatherH - isn't is so weird to think that someday we'll be someone's crazy mom?

Shannon - I'm glad you're getting lots of help

Anna - Yay for your DSL! You bring so much cheer. :)

[sistermama]

Let me know if anyone needs to return baby stuff to Target that they don't have gift receipts for. I received some things that I don't really need, and I've figured out a really tricky way to get Target to take them as returns. I hate their new return policy, I mean it is obvious that certain items (like Little Tykes) could only have come from their store.

[msrog]

Some of this is a repeat from this a.m., but I have a baby on my boob and am typing with one hand. I posted this tonight to my twin site...

I'm in the hospital now, and dh finally went back home and brought me the laptop (I was going crazy!)... but it's dial-up here, and excruciatingly slow. So I will post details after we get home (we're leaving tomorrow early). But here are a few pictures, and the nitty gritty:

Woke up at 3:15 a.m. with a sharp contraction that popped my water and made me run to the bathroom. Mild contractions came very regularly; tried to do some things and let dh rest, but mostly just labored on the toilet. Suddenly, after an hour (thinking I'm in early labor, same feeling as with Nicolas), I'm on the toilet and GRUNTING! For the newbies, this means I've just gone right through transition without knowing it and am fully dilated. PANIC. I rush to wake up dh and we scurry around making calls, gathering what we can... When I suggest the ambulance since I'm getting pushing urges, he freaks out and puts it into high gear. Made the 40 minute trip in 20 minutes. He drops me off and I waddle into the hospital with my friend, who amazingly beat us there. I'm wearing a shirt, soaked pad and undies, have a towel stuffed between my legs, with Matt's robe over it all. No need for pants!!

Triage nurse is pretty lacksadaisical when I tell her I'm ready to push (I'm really not making any noise, and still smiling, etc.); until she checks me... Then she presses the panic call button and barks some orders and people come flying! It was great... Doc hadn't even left yet, because he didn't realize I was at 10 when we called from our house! We get set up in the L/D room I had requested (across the hall from the OR), then wait for doc. I'm sitting, so pushing urge was gone. Doc gets there, I request the squatting bar, I get up off my tush and here come the grunts! Somehow an hour went past before I really got into a real pushing groove... (Doc even decided to check me because I was so calm and wasn't grunting, he doubted the nurse's previous check. But, yep, ready to go!) My doc was the coolest, and was very supportive of my wish to squat to deliver.

I had arrived at the hospital at 5:15 a.m. today, and Baby A was born at 6:33!! McKenna Rose, 18 inches and 5 pounds 12 ounces. Perfect 9/9 Apgars and very pink and cute. Then I squatted to push out Baby B, who (IMO because I remained upright and didn't lie back for the u/s!) had settled perfectly down into the birth canal. !!! William Douglas !!!! =O) was born at 7:04 a.m.; 18 inches and 6 pounds 3 ounces. Apgars 8/9; had some minor breathing concerns and Daddy accompanied him to the NICU for two noninvasive procedures that took ... 10 minutes. I feel so blessed. Then he got to go to the regular nursery for his bath, etc.

Meanwhile, I nursed McKenna while delivering the GIGANTIC mass of placentas. Both babies amazed me at their breastfeeding prowess. We all arrived together in the recovery room at about 9 a.m., and everyone's doing great. Oh, I tore a little, but couldn't feel it. I cannot believe how painless this labor was, and how easily they came out without any misshapen heads or bruising. It's more than I even dreamed to pray for! And yes, I'm OK with not having identical girls. =O) I had been getting a boy/girl feeling for the past couple of weeks... Nicolas came about 11 a.m. and was thrilled.

OK, this was more than the nitty gritty, LOL. Oh, the nurses and docs kept saying they never get to see natural births, especially twins, go this well. All day hospital personnel were coming up to us calling me Super Mom and Hero Mom; its been hilarious. Yay, God!

These babies are just so perfect and beautiful and darn cute. What a fun ride!!! I can't wait to read and post more once I get back home! Happy, painless, safe labor vibes and prayers for fat healthy babies to all of you still waiting!

http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAM2TRszcsWzCWA

[HeatherB]

:balloons: :balloons: :birthday: :balloons: :balloons:

Oh, Savannah! That sounds so perfect!! And they are just gorgeous!! Wow!! I'm so glad you got the wonderful birth we were praying for! I can't believe you've already gotten to write the birth story, too. Whew! What a joy to read and see those two adorable faces!

What kind of dipe is McKenna wearing in the last pic? It looks like it fits her so well! I can't believe all these babies are being born and I'm still deciding what dipes to order! :LOL

Many, many congrats! Enjoy your babymoon!

[HeatherB]

Wow, this has been a good day! (Of course, it'd be better if I'd finished cleaning my house already - before midnight :LOL - but hey, it's still good!)

I am so jazzed that we've got several (3?) new babies today. Wow! It makes it all seem so much more real!

Last night I tried to order a wetbag from Happy Tushies when she opened for customs - but we ran into a server glitch that we never could get around. So, I was seriously bummed last night! I emailed Kathleen at Happy Tushies, though, and today she said she'd take my order via email! WOOHOO!! :D So that was the start of a good day! I was talking to my sister later, who had offered to help out with baby stuff, including CDs if we wanted. I told her she'd just have to decide what she wanted to do, how much, etc. She asked how much total we thought it'd be, and when I told her, she said, "Well, I can cover half of that at least." :dropjaw I couldn't believe it! So she came over tonight and we looked over a bunch of CDing stuff (and she agreed that she'd think it was tough to make decisions, too! and I didn't show her all that much! :LOL), and she gave me a check for $200!! I can't believe it! So tomorrow I'm ordering a bunch of AIOs from FlutterbyBaby (20% off tomorrow - woohoo!). Sunshine there has been SO great about helping me out with getting things in time for the baby. I am *SO* excited!! :D

I also washed a bunch of the GN baby clothes last night and got them folded and ready today. It looks like I've got plenty of things! I've got a good stash of both girl and boy stuff, too, to get washed and readied after baby's here. I used to say the baby would be done when it looked like the clothes fit - and now if I hold an outfit up to my belly, it's just the right size! :LOL C'mon, baby! :D

Speaking of which, saw my MW today and had a good appt. I see her next week and probably not too many times after that! The baby's measuring right on (had been measuring large for a while), and was in a good position when she palpated - though I know it moves back and forth quite a bit! She said the ctx I'm feeling are a great thing and that we're clearly moving forward here. My BP is slightly elevated, which she said we've been expecting. It's not bad now, but she told me of a tincture to get that is supposed to help. My swelling is good, she's excited 'cause I've finally gained 1lb from my starting weight (with her - which was down quite a bit from earlier when I'd seen a different MW!). She's eager for this birth and excited to be a part of it, where we'll finally get the birth we hoped for with Gabriel.

We also finally got a refresher birthing class scheduled - we'll do it on Friday and then Monday here at home. Talk about last minute! I think we'll be much more ready when that's over and we've had a chance to work together on different coping mechanisms and such. I know we could get by without it, but I think DH and I will both be more relaxed knowing we're on the same page. The second class is on Monday - the 30th - full moon! I'm hoping, but not expecting anything to happen THAT early. Oh, well! Bet it'll bring some more babies one way or another. :)

Okay, I need to go clean my house 'cause I'm having a bunch of people over for a Stampin' Up! party tomorrow. It should be tons of fun, but not if my house is still a wreck! I have the feeling DH and DS are now asleep on the couch because the house is SO quiet - so it may be just me for the rest of the evening. :)

Hope everyone has a restful, relaxing, refreshing sleep! And perhaps we'll have more babies tomorrow...? :)

[JenInMpls]

Quoting K-J on the Twin Cities thread:

Finn is here. 10:59 a.m. 6 pounds 10 oz and 19 inches long.

Danielle's exact words, "He is perfect, beautiful, lovely and healthy." She sounded so happy. Her labor went really well once it got cranking. She feels good but tired with only an hour of sleep. She just had a nap.

(Sorry I didn't think to look at that thread sooner)

yahoo! congrats Danielle and welcome Finn!!! :jumpers:

jen

[HeatherB]

Finn is here. 10:59 a.m. 6 pounds 10 oz and 19 inches long.


YAAAYY!! Thanks for posting the news, Jen!

:balloons: :birthday: Finn! Congrats, Danielle!! :balloons:

Hope you're all doing fabulously well and getting lots of rest! Can't wait to hear the whole story. :)

[JenInMpls]

Savannah your babies are SO SWEET! Congratulations on your new additions and your successful labor! I'm glad you got to have these just babies as you wanted!!

:bgbounce

jen

ps: can you all send vibes to Sprout to GO TO SLEEP FINALLY!? The dancing is not stopping and we have a MW appt early tomorrow... *yawn*

[sistermama]

Oh Savannah, how absolutely perfect!!! I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face. What a wonderful and brave mama you are to insist on the type of birth you want for your babies and then to get it!!! I'm so happy for you. Shutterfly is down right now, but I can't wait to see the pics.

[chrissy]

:) :love :crying

Oh my gosh what wonderful news to read first thing in the morning!!

Savannah, you did GREAT!!! I'm so bummed that I can't see the pictures right now but I'll keep checking until Shutterfly is back up.

And Jen, I'm so glad you were able to find (and report) the news of Finn's birth too!

Oh my, the babies really ARE coming!!!

[Lazuli]

I'm so glad everything went so well for you Savannah! And the babies ae so cute! :)

I saw the doctor yesterday. They poked my finger and tested my iron and it came up 9.6. :( If I can't get it up to 10 or higher by my next appointment on Tuesday no homebirth for me. :( So they gave me new iron to take three times a day and another vitamin as well and told me to stop taking my prenatals. I guess this means I also need to make myself eat meat. *shudders* But given that I REALLY don't want to go to the hospital, I think I can manage the meat. My right hip is really bothering me, and rolling over in bed and going from lying on the bed to sitting hurts so much I want to cry. Oh well, not much longer, right? More sleep would be great, I seem to be sleeping in several hour chunks at a time. Part of it might be because my husband is away, the other part is I'm getting used to a new firm mattress.

Hope everyone has a great day!

[JenInMpls]

Lazuli - if you can stomach it, molasses - esp blackstrap - is very, very high in iron. Several spoonfuls a day couldn't hurt! Also, the Wise Woman Herbal says that both red raspberry leaf and nettle leaf are high in absorbable iron - make a tea by pouring about 1 liter of boiling water over a handful of both herbs (you can make them together), COVERING IT (that's important for chlorophyll retention) and letting it steep for a minimum of 4 hours. Drink 1-2 glasses per day of this. I've been drinking it since over a year before I conceived - it's very pleasant.

There's always Floradix, too. But you're right, eating meat would certainly crank up your iron levels... good luck! :hug

Will write more later, we have to leave for mw appt in 3 mins and jo just got out of the shower.

xo, j

[plantmommy]

Lazuli, blackstrap molasses has a lot of iron, too. As do beans. So, you can make baked beans with the molasses, or drizzle it over an iron fortified cereal, like grits. It's also better absorbed when taken with vitamin C, so have dark leafy greens with lemon juice drizzled on top, or have a glass of OJ with your iron rich foods, but not the OJ with the calcium, since I believe, iirc, calcium inhibits C iron absorbtion.

Savannah, you are amazing!!! I'm so thrilled that you got your vaginal twin birth!!!

Can't wait to read Danielle's story.

[plantmommy]

Finally got in to shutterfly. What gorgeous, perfect little babies!!!

[greenbeing]

Savannah, I'm so happy for you! :love Your babies are beautiful!
Congratulations!!! Welcome McKenna and William!

Yay, Danielle! Welcome little Finn!

[chrissy]

Oh!!! They are beautiful. William looks like he is smiling in the shot of the two of them together. They are just gorgeous!!

[sistermama]

I say you look gorgeous Savannah! You sure don't look like you just birthed two babies!

[mum2tori]

YEAH!!! I finally can post. Last night my connection was absolutely horrible. I got to read Savannah's post but couldn't get my connection to let me reply without timing out first. :irked: :irked:

:balloons :balloons :balloons :balloons The twins are here!! Yeah, I finally got to see the pictures too. Soo sweet!! One of each. :love :love Savannah your birth story is wonderful.

And yeah Finn is here too. Can't wait to hear his birthstory Danielle!!

HeatherB- that's awesome that your sister is being so supportive with CDing. Woohoo enjoy ordering! :) I checked the BRU near my OB on the northside and they didn't have any Gerber DSQ prefolds. You might check Target (I think the one right there had some) or even Walmart has been carrying them sometimes. I think I have dozen regular UBCPFs that haven't even been washed around here somewhere. I got them to dye last year and just never got into using prefolds.

Lazuli- definitely take some blackstrap molasses. Gingerbread cookies would be tasty too. ;) And the red raspberry leaf is good to be taking to help tone your uterus too.

Okay it's offical... I can't eat salads anymore. The celery, cucumbers and green peppers gave me horrible heartburn last night. :hopmad :hopmad No more celery and peanut butter snacks either. :bawl

[JenInMpls]

Dang plantmommy did we cross-post? Great minds with the molasses!!! ;) You are recalling correctly too about the calcium inhibiting iron absorption, one of my co-workers found out just last year that all the molasses milk she drank as a kid for iron did her little good and she was furious!! And I totally forgot that most of the hot cereals are iron-enriched, especially cream of wheat and malt-o-meal (and malt-o-meal is made in Northfield, MN to boot! Can't beat that in my book!).

Time to work on serious baby spinning. Sprout is posterior, that little snark! Personally I think s/he just did a flip-flop to be cantankerous for the midwife, but still, here I am with a posterior baby at a -2 or -3 station! My cervix is getting very soft and has opened to a fingertip in width but is still very long.

yawn,

j

[plantmommy]

DOH! We must have, Jen.

Did you notice though, that the instant hot cereals are fortified more than the slow cooking kind? What is up with that?

go fill the tub and prop your arms up, laying on your tummy as much as you can.

[JenInMpls]

Did you notice though, that the instant hot cereals are fortified more than the slow cooking kind? What is up with that?


You want my biased, uneducated opinion? It's the same reason why so many vaccines are recommended for itty bitty babies - get them while they're young. A government subsidy perhaps? I would guess that most people with young children are more likely to buy instant cereals to prepare for their kids than the kind that you have to soak overnight and then cook for 15 minutes in the morning (like my darn whole-grain oats).

:scratch it sounds kind of conspiracy theory, but I wouldn't be surprised.

jen the suspicious

[adventuregirl]

Congratulations Savannah and Danielle! Welcome to the world McKenna, William and Finn!!!

Savannah, thanks for sharing your story and pics so quickly, how incredible! The pics brought tears to my eyes, your family all looks so happy and what gorgeous little babies!

Jen, thanks so much for passing on Danielle's info!

Lazuli, I would be freaking out and completely ready to eat meat too, great suggestions here, you can do it, you are close, just do what you gotta. Healthy homebirth and high iron level vibes to you!

Samantha, yay on finding your stapler (I can't help but hear the guy in Office Space mumbling about his stapler). Glad you are getting things done, I know it feels good.

Anna, Yahoooo for DSL!!!! And I must also chime in that Jerome is such a sweetie, you are a lucky woman!

Sarahb, best wishes on your decision, I can understand how tough that must be, but you will make the best choice for your family. Your roll scared me too! I'm glad you're OK!

So two of the women from my birth class had their babies over the weekend, so very exciting!

Saw my mw yesterday, met the back-up mw who is awesome. They painted my belly which was so cool, dh helped out too, I have pics and will get them on Yahoo sometime. Doing a belly cast with my good friend tonight, then having some ladies over for a Blessing Way, very excited, will get pics of that as well.

Happy Hump Day to y'all!

[wardermom]

Wow Savannah! You and your babies are amazing. I'm so glad to hear that everything went so incredibly well!!!
McKenna and William are beautiful!!!

Congratulations Danielle! It's great to hear that Finn is here too. Can't wait to hear the details.

[MamaAcorn]

I was so excited to read your birth story this morning Savannah. Your birth sounds like it went perfectly! And those sweet little babies are adorable, though I'm a sucker for the big brother shot. You look absolutely amazing for having just given birth. Congratulations!

And welcome to Finn! Congrats Danielle! Can't wait to see pictures of sweet Finn.

I'm getting so excited after eharing about three babies in one day. Getting anxious for my turn, and I'm only at 36 weeks.

Pam

[sistermama]

Savannah - just showed your pics to my friend and she thinks the babies look a lot like Nicolas!

[interbang]

Savannah - your new babies are amazing! I was doing a little dance in front of my computer when I saw them. Congratulations!

Today MIL and I are going out to lunch, then I think I'm taking MIL for her first pedicure. MIL has given us two gifts, both of which we're taking back.. hopefully this won't come up in conversation...

It's so great to hear about all the Blessing Way ceremonies. I'm sending you all beautiful positive energy!

As a pagan, I really wanted one, but my mom didn't want to throw it, and my best girlfriend is too busy with her baby. Anyway, I found a great ritual the expectant parents can do that has the same philosophy/intent, so it all worked out.

[fourlittlebirds]

Savannah, what a great story! Sounds like it was a lot of fun with all of the scurrying around and the reactions of the hospital personnel. :LOL And I have to agree, you do look great, and oh so content! What a great way to start out. :D

Plantmommy, I've always thought that the instant cereals were fortified because the refining process takes out nutrients?

[plantmommy]

Heather, do tell! I'm also one who would love a blessingway but have no one to give it.

[Caroline248]

Sorry I haven't been around....I was busy having a baby!!

Jackson Henry arrived on Monday, August 23rd at 9:46 am. He weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces, and was 21 inches long. Labor was a nightmare, I will write it all up later....

We just got home today because Jackson is a bit jaundiced and with what we had with Bridget, they made us stay an extra day...

I will post more later, baby crying (what a WONDERFUL sound)...

Caroline

[MamaAcorn]

Oh another baby! Congratulations Caroline! I'm sorry that the birth was a nightmare, but it sounds like Jackson is doing well with that crying! Looking forward to seeing pictures!

Pam

[wardermom]

Congratulations Caroline! It's great to hear that Jackson is here!!! :balloons
Not so nice to hear that labour was a nightmare, and that Jackson is jaundiced.I'm glad you're home now. Time to relax!

[sistermama]

Yay Caroline and Jackson!!!! Can't wait to hear more...

[plantmommy]

Wowza! another baby! Congrats Caroline, and welcome Jackson!

[chrissy]

Oh hurray for Caroline and Jackson!!! I can't believe it's not even September yet and we've already got 4 (is that right?!) babies!! Looking forward to your birth story and pictures.
:)

[mum2tori]

Woohoo another baby!! I was wondering where Caroline had been... :)

Welcome Jackson! :balloons :balloons



Sheryl--

"Excuse me, I believe you have my stapler...my stapler... my stapler. Excuse me, Excuse me. (Basement door shuts) Ok, that's the last straw."

:rotflmao :rotflmao I love that movie, there are so many great lines in that movie. :LOL

Bob: Well, it looks like you've been missing quite a bit of work lately.
Peter: Well, I wouldn't say I've been *missing* it, Bob!


Lumbergh: Ahhhh, we have sort of a problem here...Mmmkay?

There was a woman across the hall in David's office (she was the HR person), he use to hear this wave file on her computer all the time.

JoAnna: I HATE THIS JOB! I HATE THIS GODDAMN JOB AND I DON'T NEED IT!

:LOL :LOL

[Brisen]

Congrats Caroline, Savannah, and Danielle! How exciting. Savannah, it's great to hear that things went so well with the twins, it's great that so many med people could see it going so smoothly.

We were talking about the newborn screen earlier (I think it was here, anyway). The baby had hers done today. The mw was talking about it and apparently in Canada (or maybe Ontario) they only screen for PKU and thyroid problems, so it's 4 circles that they do. She said in the US they screen for more things and it's 9 or so circles. She said the extra stuff they screen is for things they already test (or offer to test) on the mom -- she mentioned HIV and hepatitis -- so they don't bother testing the baby. So if anyone is not wanting to have so much blood drawn, you can find out what you can be tested for and perhaps just test for PKU and thyroid.

[mum2tori]

I think they only test for a few things here in Texas. I remember it only having 5 maybe 6 circles. You'd think I'd remember which they test for but I don'