Week of August 23rd

[Piglet68]

October Mamas Roll Call :belly

momtol&a
Yoga mama
snugglebutter 10/01
mirthfulmum 10/03 BOY! Harrison Eliot Smith
*prediction: last week of Sept, 8 hrs labour*
TracyK 10/04
mhurst 10/04
kraftykathy 10/04 *prediction: Oct 4, short labour, girl*
Jillerina 10/04 *prediction: Oct 6, 6 hrs labour*
water 10/06
KateMary 10/06 GIRL!
Proudly AP 10/08
MamaEmerald 10/08
mayasmama 10/08 GIRL!
FutureMama 10/09 BOY!
bluehalo 10/10 BOY! Noah Daniel
allformyboys 10/11
Lucysmama 10/12 *prediction: girl, Oct 8, 16 hrs labour*
bendmom 10/12
momadance 10/13 BOY! Gabriel Reed...? or will it be Zappa? :)
*prediction: Oct 23rd*
Mandi 10/14
rhemp 10/14
wannabmommie 10/15
MTBto5 10/15
krnflwr 10/16 GIRL! *prediction: Oct 16th, 10 hours labour*
gmvh 10/16 TWINS! BOY! and GIRL!
Piglet68 10/18 BOY! Sasha Adam
MommyMuse 10/19
JenDoula 10/19
BeansMomma 10/20 GIRL!
Mom2Lily 10/20
CourtneyandLogan 10/21 BOY! Zander Julian
*prediction: Oct 18 or 28*
OakEmber 10/21 BOY! Oakley Kai
*prediction: Oct 6 - 10, 6 hours labour*
mtnjenny 10/22
Stanleymama 10/23 BOY! *prediction: Oct 18, short easy labour*
gottaknit 10/24 *prediction: Oct 31 - Nov 4, > 9 lbs*
3boyz4us 10/24 *expected Oct 22*
Ctmom70 10/24 BOY! Alex Richard
*prediction: Oct 14, 5 hrs labour*
Kim22 10/24 BOY!
aspiring mama 10/25
sunshinegal 10/25 Fiona
truebluexf 10/27 *prediction: Oct 11, 8 hrs labour, boy*
Soogie 10/27 *prediction: Oct 27 or 28*
ameliabedelia 10/29 GIRL! Greta Marie
*prediction: Oct 17, 10 hrs labour*
flitters 10/30
BeauGeek 10/30
AnnR33 10/31
guinnessinu 10/31 TWINS! BOY! and BOY!
BlueMoonTime 10/31 GIRL! Alexis

Hey there, ladies! Sorry this is so late starting....today is my last full day at work and of course there is lots to do. Thing very busy 'round here as we prepare to move!

Question of the Week: do you have all your baby items yet?

I've got my diaper stash complete now, though I'm going to whip up a few home-made wipes soon (I love the terry ones, and sherpa too), and all the equipment I need from my previous baby (slings, carseat, etc). But I think I'm still going to need some clothes - I'll be sorting through my baby clothes when I get to Vancouver. I have some cute outfits, but I'm thinking more like everyday stuff. I have lots of onesies, but they are very light (DD was a summer baby) and I'm thinking I'm going to need to stock up on some long-sleeve T-shirts and such. Between explosive poops and spitups, etc I changed DD several times a day in those early days!

I'm looking forward to washing everythign and laying it out so I can assess what is still missing!

[True Blue]

Just have a minute bc I need a nap but wanted to tell you

THAT I FOUND A WAY TO GET YOUR DH TO DO ANYTHING FOR YOU!!!!! :thumb

DH was cleaning out my car yesterday (which was a pigsty from a 2 y/o in the backseat with toys and food) and he was a little ticked (it's a new car) and I tried to explain how hard it was to get down and dig under the seats and such being pregnant. SO I got out his bowling ball, and we put it in a backpack. He wore the backpack backwards, and I adjusted it so the ball was low enough and fastened the waist strap nice and tight so he'd have the lower back pressure. He was baffled at how I could eat so far from the table, do things at the counter, pick up Mickade. He was such a good sport, he wore it for like 2 hours, and after that, he was like, I'll do anything you want. That sucked. When DS needed something, he was like, "don't worry I'll get it for you!!" LOL :love He did say I should keep that bag around though bc he is likely to forget this in a week or so. :LOL

So.....GO TRY IT!!! IT ROCKS!!!!

[gottaknit]

"THAT I FOUND A WAY TO GET YOUR DH TO DO ANYTHING FOR YOU!!!!!"

Somehow I didn't think this scheme was going to involve a bowling ball... :laugh:

QOTW: I don't have much of anything. About 10 onesies and a few other random baby clothing items I bought at a resale shop, a dresser, about 15 fitted diapers (mom is getting us diaper service for 3 months).... that's it. Oh yeah, and 48 cloth wipes! :innocent

Baby shower planned for Oct 2nd, so that should fill in some gaps. :)

Also, the inlaws are visiting in Sept, and bringing hand-me-downs. But since we don't know the sex of the baby, we might not get much from them until after the birth. After we know the gender though, there will be TONS of cute clothes from my SIL. Her kids always look perfect.

I can't believe there could be a baby here in as soon as six weeks!! It's going so fast!

[True Blue]

LOL Nancy!!!!

QOTW: I have just about everything. Have plenty of diapers, covers, etc though I'd like to knit some more soakers (did I mention I finished a soaker??? I'm so excited!!!). There are a few things I'd like that I hope to get at my shower (like the Sit n Stand stroller, new bouncy seat, and a boppy cover) but overall we are pretty set. Unless of course it's a girl in which case I have open license to do lots of shopping after baby comes!!! ;) Piglet, I had fun going through the baby stuff recently. I took out all the neutral stuff, so I still have some boy things in the bin but I'll just get those out after if necessary. I love love the little baby gowns best for newborns, so took all of those out, so I have some boy ones if it's a boy...and recently I was at TJ Maxx, and found two girl ones for only $2 apiece (!) so I snatched them up to have on hand right away just in case. :)

Saw midwife again today...and I have leukocytes AGAIN. :rolleyes Pee is on its way to the lab. What is wrong with me this pregnancy?????

Oh and I'm off to spinningbabies.com....baby is still posterior, and since it is engaged already, I really need to get on getting it to turn ASAP. Fingers crossed!!!

[stanleymama]

Truebluefx...can't say I was thinking a bowling ball either :D

QOTW: I have pretty much everything. I do need to get some new socks and some l/s onesies for the baby. Need to finish getting the diapers together. I was going to use Kissaluvs and Fuzzi Bunz. Now I am just thinking of sticking with the Fuzzi Bunz. I do also have a few nb fitteds that I was going to use other than the kissaluvs, maybe I will just ditch those and stick with the Kissaluvs and FB. Ahhh the decisions :eyesroll

I have been having horrible acid reflux lately. The acid settles at the top of my belly so its like I have a chronic stomach ache--UGH!!!! A friend is bringing me some Maalox tablets today to see if they will help. I am such a procrastinator. I hate to take anything while pg, but I need some relief. I can't even sleep.

We had an AWESOME time at Irish Fest!!! Great music, great fun. The boys had a blast. It was huge too!! So much to see and do. Definitely going to become a stanley family tradition. Little dude stayed in the perfect position, no discomfort so I was able to walk the whole weekend and feel good. A friend of dh came up from Chicago and spent Saturday with us.

Anyone getting food aversions again? I think I may have asked this before but don't remember the response. Most food is turning me off lately. I was so hungry two weeks ago for fresh veggies and now the look and thought of them make me want to :Puke Yet I get so hungry, it's torture :irked:

Dh and I have decided that this is going to be the last for awhile. Maybe the last period. Our oldest will turn 4 a couple months after the little guy gets here and we feel that its time to slow down and just focus on the 4. I am really looking forward to the break as well. Now I just need to start learning that whole nfp thing :)

Oh, btw I am interested in the hats. Whose mom is knitting them again..sorry brain lapse. I would be interested in a blueberry or pumkin hat for the baby. How much are they? Pm me please.

Chat more later... I think I am going to go and take a nap :thumb

[Piglet68]

32 weeks

Just wanted to let y'all know that I might not be posting as much over the next few days. I don't seem to get any computer time at home with Mum there, DD around, and all the packing, etc going on. We fly out on Wednesday morning, so that is a write off. Mum has a computer so hopefully I'll get some surfing time when DD goes to bed at night. Can't wait to get settled into the new place!!

[krnflwr]

I am interested in the hats. Whose mom is knitting them again..sorry brain lapse. I would be interested in a blueberry or pumkin hat for the baby. How much are they? Pm me please.

It's my mama who is the knitting maven...I'm PM-ing you now.

I have been having horrible acid reflux lately. The acid settles at the top of my belly so its like I have a chronic stomach ache--UGH!!!! A friend is bringing me some Maalox tablets today to see if they will help. I am such a procrastinator. I hate to take anything while pg, but I need some relief. I can't even sleep.

I hear you on this one! :irked: Mine got so bad that nothing OTC (tums, maalox, etc) was working, and I was miserable all the time. MW said that I was taking way too many tums, and prescribed me an acid reducer...which she said was safer than eating a jillion tums a day. I feel soooo much better now. If you want more info on what she prescribed me, let me know. I can go look it up.

More later...tired, cranky toddler just climbed into my lap.

[OakEmber]

About the acid reflux/heartburn...my Dad's remedy and it worked for me, baking soda. He said a teaspoon in glass of water, I just put some in the bottom of a cup and put just enough water to swallow and it really worked...it is a little hard to get it down but worth it if it works, right?

QOTW- HAHA! Do all have all my baby items yet? That would have to be two lists the needs and the wants, and I want way more than I need! I am still looking to add about 1/2 dozen or so NB diapers, I think I have enough once we hit about the 10lb range but it's a little slim until that point, although I do now have about 3 NB covers, and 2 small SWW that will hopefully fit before too long. Since I am new to this and haven't decide which style I prefer I will buy more later when I determine what I like using best. Stanleymama-just to let you know that the CPF I bought from you are now all washed up the way you recommended and they are so soft, I am just loving them! They feel so much better than any of the fitteds I have at this point and I am thinking that I might just prefer that route!

As for clothes, I have recently started getting the bug to by more, don't have a whole lot yet I know from experience that it is easy to go from not alot to too much so I won't get too carried away.

So for the most part I have enough for when the baby arrives and I am waiting to see what happens like with the sleeping arrangement until after...Ember is in the middle again and says that she is going to sleep at the end when Oakley comes but we'll see. I don't see there being room for the 4 of us without some kinda sidecar but I don't want to spend the money on it if it's not necessary. So I am sure that we can make do for a few days if we need to, even if it means me and Oakley in the single bed in the kids room and Dh and Ember in ours.

So to sum it up, I think we have all we need if Oakley were to show up tomorrow but there is still plenty of time for me to think I need to get things :LOL

Piglet- You must be so excited! Best of luck with everything and we'll be thinking of you!

And Amy- that was too funny about the bowling ball. Unfortunatley it's not so easy as going to get one from out of my closet :LOL

[momadance]

Hey Mama's!
Well, I got an awful haircut today :eyesroll I definatley don't look like the 25 yr old I am with this big ole preggy body and conservative soccer mom hair do :irked: It's really upsetting. It's cool if I funk it up with bobby pins and the like but ala natural, I'm somewhere between the afore mentioned mom and a 12 yr old boy. I definately didn't need this blow to the ego. Good thing I'm into headbands and headscarves/dorags!

QOTW: we'll see! I could use some socks, but that's about it.

Piglet: that's great! It'll feel so nice for you to be back to your homeland! I'm real happy for you!

Dh is getting excited about doing this belly cast! When should we do it?

Got a new washer and fridge today :love stoves coming tomorow! New appliences rule!

Anyone else an eating machine? In an hour I ate 1/2 a grilled burger, yogurt raisens, peanuts, 2 choc. covered grahms, hummus and pita. This was after a lunch of 2 organic beef dogs, and some organic rasberries. I'm already thinking of my next snack attack. It's going to have to involve some veggies :shy

[stanleymama]

Krnflwr...yes tell me more about what you mw prescribed for you. I may try the baking soda to that OakEmber mentioned.

OakEmber...glad you like the prefolds. I love them myself! I am clearing them out so let me know if want more. I am deciding to slowly close-up shop since I will be so busy with the new babe and doing some pre-k stuff with Collin.

Piglet...wishing you a safe move!!!!

trueblue...sorry to hear about the leukocytes (sp?) We are almost done.

[3bees~1flower]

:wave hi, mamas!

had a good weekend...i went to an overnight women's convention called "Women of Faith" with our church fri-sat...it was so good to just get away with other women, ya know?

had a dr appt this am...it went well. i gained 4 lbs in 2 weeks....:eek ....but i *know* most of that is water...i feel like a giant water balloon...my legs show it, too! my BP was ok, had ketones in my urine, so i got the need to drink more lecture, which i knew...it's just hard to get enough fluid in by 10 am after not drinking all night, ya know...? but then the regular coffee i drink in the am can't help either... :hide: still on every 2 week visits, but may go to weekly after next time.

soory to those with acid issues...i have mild heartburn when i first start eating, but then it goes away.

Piglet...i am so confused....sorry for this incredibly stupid question, but i can't figure out if you're moving to canada or washington...is your mom from canada? are you orriginally from canada? you keep mentioning moving closer to home in Vancouver and being closer to Ann....is this washington, cuz i know that's where Ann is? again sorry for this stupid question... :innocent

Stanleymom...i guess i have some food issues...i eat cuz i'm hungry, but nothing looks good...i'm not close to throwing up or anyhting, just nothing looks good....sounds like you had fun at the Irish Fest....i was wondering if you had ever been to (or heard of) a "women of faith" conference....if not, they are awesome!!

truebluexf....bummer about the leukocytes...if the culture comes back negative, i was wondering if your midwife has checked for yeast? i had leukocytes 2 weeks ago and a yeast infection and he said that yeast will cause there to be some leukocytes in your urine...after treating the yeast, there were no leukocytes this time. and it is possible to have yeast without symptoms....i did...i finally started to develope symptoms cause it went on so long and even then i never had the severe itching, just mass quantities of discharge and irritation right before i treated it, but up until then basically no symptoms, i thought the discharge was just from pregnancy, but it was very yellow and sticky....something to think about anyway...hope you can get it figured out.

QOTW: i will only need baby things if this a girl. i don't get anything out till it gets closer...just don't have room for it to all be laying around. i still need to keep working on my baby diaper stash, tho...it's just hard with this stupid carpal tunnel...my hands are constantly numb when i try to sew. i would also like to make a fleece sling sometime.

[stanleymama]

3booyz4us....I have heard of Women of Faith. I would like to go some year, but I don't know of anyone else who goes. Sounds like an awesome time. Glad that you were blessed to be there. Did a big group go from your church?

[3bees~1flower]

3booyz4us....I have heard of Women of Faith. I would like to go some year, but I don't know of anyone else who goes. Sounds like an awesome time. Glad that you were blessed to be there. Did a big group go from your church?
yeah...19 went from church...would your church ever go as a group? Kathy Trocoli, Nicole Nordeman, and Sandy Patti were the special guests. then the regular speakers. If you ever get a chance to hear Patsy Clairmont or Luci Swindoll you will have an awesome time, they are both hilarious!!

[blessed2bamommie]

:wave I spied with my little eye some October mamas in diapering and the tp with me. :LOL

Got my first childbirth class tonight! :yikes: I know....so late....it was all I could find and a couple was on vacation, :eyesroll: so the class had to start so late....

its called Informed Birth. She's a former Bradley instructor and she's independent now, supplementing Sears material.

I gotta figure out what pillows I'm gon bring!

Do I have all my baby items! NO! :LOL I have a shower the 12, 18, and the 25 and I wanna say yes!

Pig! Have a safe trip!!!!! :wave

eta: Hey Katie, how about some pants from the Turkish women?

:bolt
OK, well dh is gettin food since I won't have time to cook..I guess I should get dressed and find some pillows that I wanna put on a floor.

[OakEmber]

Letia- hehe, I don't know if you saw me or someone else but I am guilty as charged. I got 3 covers coming, 2 NB prowraps and a xs very baby. I find it confusing though sometimes, being new to this all and don't know if I am really getting a good deal or not (especially b/c of the exchange rate I face, for instance my 3 wraps were $17 which means I paid about $26...still way less than buying them new I suppose):scratch

3boyz4us- I'm not sure if Piglet will be around so I will answer for her (Piglet, hope you don't mind me answering your question) she is moving to Vancouver, Canada (that's right there is a Vancouver WA too, isn't there, I can see how that could be confusing). Sounds like you had a great time at your retreat, how nice! And you aren't the only one guilty of the morning cup of Joe ;) My midwife appt. are always in the AM right after I have finished my coffee and I always wonder the affect on my BP...but so far it's been fine.

My food issues these days, like the entire pregnancy I guess, is just having to make it...I'd eat it if it were prepared for me (note to self, don't get pregnant again unless we can afford hired help :LOL). It just takes too much effort! Tonight though we are set, we made some fresh tomato sauce with completely organic tomatoes from our garden (actually everything used in it, parsley, basil, onions, garlic, etc. are organic too)! MMM can't wait, smells good already! Throwing in homemade meatballs too!

Stanleymama- If you do try let me know if it works for you...hope you find something to make you feel better soon!

Amy- Sorry to hear about the luekocytes again! :irked:

Momadance- Oh no! I've BTDT already this pregnancy too and now I swear that I am not touching my hair until it's shoulder length...makes me look younger too, I was informed after the fact! Like I need to look any younger, I am lucky to pass for 20 sometimes as it is!

[sqoya]

I am so happy! We FINALLY have our drywall work done, all new baseboards, about 1 day left of painting, all the tarps off... I saw my bed for the first time in months (been sleeping in the basement) and, I have a computer!?! So, I posted an old picture of us. I was getting really stressed thinking about a new baby surrounded by tarps!

momadance - I got a horrible haircut when I was about 4 months. I used to have nice long hair. I literally cried over the haircut, so I can completely sympathize! Not my image of pregnancy, so I tried to remind myself, "we just want a healthy baby... who cares about the haircut?" Didn't work very well, I kept thinking, "what sort of healthy baby wants a Mom with this dorky haircut". :LOL

Bowling ball?!?! That's a great idea! :rotflmao

QOTW: I went absolutely crazy when I was about 2 months pregnant (car seat, stroller, etc.) I've been slowly buying thrift store items and some garage sale deals. Right now I'm mostly set except for diaper covers and prefolds (using kissaluvs in the beginning). Only problem is everything's in the basement somewhere - I need to sort everything out now that our house is getting back to normal!!! Yay!

[mirthfulmum]

6 WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!

We're back from the wedding and we had a great time! It was so nice to see that side of the family again, we haven't seen them since Dh and I got married and that was 9 years ago! We all swore that we wouldn't let 9 years go by again before we got together and there were already discussions about having a family reunion in Mexico in 2 years. Wouldn't say no to that.

So we're home, a bit road weary and partied out but that's to be expected. Although I had to write my final for my history class today, it took about 3 hours. I just hope that my essay makes some sort of sense. With preggo brain and general travel tiredness I kept blanking out and forgetting what I was writting about. Oh well. What's done is done and the best part is that the summer craziness is over! My in-laws leave in two days to go back to Alaska and then we all move into get-ready-for-baby-mode. No more visitors or commitments. I have been looking forward to this for 3 months now, phew didn't know if I'd make it.

That's so funny that so many of you envisioned me with dark hair. I wonder why?

You can add me to the bad pregnancy haircut club. 4 months ago I had hair that was a little past my shoulders. I went to get a bit trimmed off and have it styled, you know just a little pick me up, well it was the worst haircut I've ever got. I came home and Dh tells me "oh it's nice, you look like a pregnant mom". Definatly not the look I was going for. So a week later (although not 'till after I had my drivers liscence photo done so now I have to look at that horrible haircut for the next 4 years every time I pull out my liscence) I went and just had it all cut off. And now I have the short little 'do you all see in the picture I put up. And I'm very happy with it. It takes all of 2 minutes to style in the morning and Dh hasn't told me that I look like someone's mom.

QOTW: Let's see... we've bought a moses bed, bucket car seat and a Sit 'N Stand stroller. I have quite a few new born outfits from the first go around and have bulked up my collection of 3 to 6 month clothes with quite a few generous hand-me-downs (Alias only fit the new born to 3 months clothes for the first 6 weeks). We've already got a sling, swing and playmat. I think the only things that I need to get are some warm onsies for undershirts and diaper covers. I didn't keep any of that stuff from Alias because I kinda feel that each child should enjoy getting there own new underthings poop stained. Oh and socks, don't ask me where Alias' newborn socks went.

Amy - Sorry to hear about the pee trouble again. Thank goodness it's almost over. And your bowling ball idea is hilarious. I wish I had bowling ball around here to try that little experiment. Maybe I'll find something else that'd make a good substitute.

Stanleymama - I know exactly what you mean. I'll be thinking about a meal all day. And when I finally make it or buy it I am so disgusted after a bite or two I usually end up giving to Dh to finnish. Right now, most food just repels me. I mostly just eat small meals (mostly cereal, friut and yogurt) throughout the day and it seems to help.

krnflwr - Your mom is so talented! I'd love to get one for the new baby and one for Alias. I'll PM you when I decide which ones I want.

[Lucysmama]

33 weeks

Hey mamas!!! Another week closer to babies! I bet there will be a few here in 4 or 5 weeks. Ack! Does that freak anyone else out?!!?

QOTW: No, we don't have everything we need. We have NO small diapers or covers (well, I just won one off ebay.) only newborns. I think we are good on newborn diapers, (need more covers, though!) but I fear this baby will be big and I will have nothing for it to grow into. We wanted to do wool for the new baby, but I am having trouble finding some in our price range.

In addition to nb covers and small everything, I also need a new sling, some mama pads for postpartum, some breastpads, a nursing bra or 2, and boy clothes if we have a boy. I'm actually kinda wigging out about everything we still need.

Letia - yes, I am asking the Turkish women to knit for me when my MIL goes back next week. But they are having issues knitting them thick enough, and they aren't very effective because of that.

Piglet- I was going to ask you if you are going the the diaper/WAHM party tomorrow, but I guess that's a no! Have a safe trip, and good luck in Vancouver!

Momadance - I got a terrible haircut when I was 8 months pregnant with dd. :( It was awful. It brought my mood down for weeks! Hope you can fix it/get used to it!

I am also having an issue with being SO hungry but nothing looks good. It sucks, man! I could eat the house, but it's such an *unappetizing* house! :LOL I've been doing take-out too much, which is getting pretty $$.

Amy - sorry about the leukocytes! What a bummer! Hope they can figure it out soon. How long has your baby been engaged? I suspect my baby also engaged in the last day or two. I feel so much pelvic pressure and I am really uncomfortable standing and walking for a long period of time. Lucy did not drop - ever - so I have nothing to compare this with. (She was malpresented and couldn't really engage. The poor baby was born with a huge lump on the side of her head from being wedged in a bad position for so long.)

[blessed2bamommie]

Yeeeeeeeeeeees...Amie, I busted you...aaaaaaaaaaaand someone who was :crying today over a Cushie Tushie pumpkin set. Well, I guess I'll do my nightly diapering checks.


Class was good! :thumb I really like it. :D

[Lucysmama]

Letia - You wouldn't believe the pout I had on all day cause dh told me NO on that Cushie Tushie pumpkin set. I wanted it so bad. I've been talking about getting a fall-themed CT set since I was maybe 3 months pregnant! :( But it IS $85. Finally, dh said, "Fine, go ahead and get it if you want." But he made it clear it was NOT ok with him to spend the $$, so I let it go. Almost. ;)

[blessed2bamommie]

:LOL I believe it b/c I can pout with the best of them! You go! :D

[ameliabedelia]

30 weeks, 3 days

Ok, it is 2:44 in the morning, and I can't sleep :eyesroll I have had major insomnia lately. I have no problem falling alseep at oh, 8:00 PM. but then I wake up at 1-2 AM and can't fall back to sleep. It sucks. Especially because DH is a total night owl, and when I wake up at 1-2 AM he is still up, so then I am up waiting for him to go to bed. Grrrr.

DH leaved tomorrow to starts work early Wed AM. We can't move into our apartment until Sept 5th, so he is going up there and staying in an extended stay hotel for 1 1/2 weeks (well coming home on the weekend), and then we move in on labor day.

I have been so hungry lately thought, and it is freaking me out. I have gained way tooo much weight. I have never weighed this much before. I just want this baby to be born, so I can stop gaining and hopefully lose some of it. It is very depressing...Lately, I have been really missing my skinny, college, pre-kids, pre-marriage body. I know it is all for a good cause and all, but WHY do we have to gain weight to have a baby? Why can't be just have the baby without the weight gain?? Of course, it totally doesn't help that I am at my parents house now and surrounded by junk food. My mom is always hosting parties or celebrations for church or her other organizations and then she brings the left-over donuts and cookies and muffins and chips home. So, I have been eating way more of that crap than I should.

QOTW: No, I do not have everything. No where near it. I don't even have a midwife anymore. I have just started looking, but haven't picked a final one yet. I have enough newborn clothes, however I need heavier, winter things. Heidi was born in Feb in KY, so by the time she 2 months old, it was really warm. Greta will be born in Oct in NH, so it is only going to get colder.

I also need more diapers, don't have all those yet. I am trying to wait until I am closer to giving birth before buying anything, but I do need to start looking for bargains. I need a double stoller, but probably won't get that until the spring, since I figure I can wear Greta all winter long, will keep her warm outside and hopefully she won't be too big to comfortably sling and power-walk before summer (although DD was 20 pounds by 6 months, so we will see). I need to get cloth to make my wrap-sling. I also need a high-chair (but won't need that for seveal months yet, so I am not worried about that), playpen -or bouncy chair, something to put Greta in for short periods of time - I used to just lay Heidi on a blanket on the floor when she was small to do quick things like make lunch and stuff, but with a 2-year old around, I dont' want to do that. I also need more nursing bras, breast pads and cloth pads for me. Eeeek.. I have a lot to do!

[blessed2bamommie]

:wave (minus the smile) reflux.....:eyesroll

[True Blue]

Thanks for the thoughts on my pee problems. :love We did discuss yeast, but decided it probably wasn't the cause. We'll see what this culture says and go from there I guess. I'm upping the Cranactin again in the meantime. At least this time I haven't gone into PTL again!!! It's a little scary, I didn't realize how easy it could be for my baby to come if I do. I've been doing all this research on bedrest and PTL and how nothing they have really helps much, namely bedrest...but then I learned that bc of how far advanced the baby is in there, I really am at risk and the precautions could help. So I'm trying to take it easy but I hate it!! :irked:

Katie, the baby has actually been at 0 station since 21 weeks, and now this it is head down (and has been for 2-4 weeks now) it is officially engaged. EXTREMELY early, especially for a second baby (usually only first borns engage pre-birthing time). I mean, when this kid hiccups, I feel my outer labia shake, and some of the movements (hands?) are literally right at my pubic bone. This is kid is in position and labor should go fairly quickly (I just have to get the baby to spin!!!).

Sorry about the bad haircuts, that really sucks. I learned from my mother (who got an AWFUL haircut while pregnant with my sister, I mean awful, I mean boy short...on top of her 50lb weight gain and small stature....she cried and cried) so my rule is NO drastic hair changes while pregnant. It will grow back though so don't worry!! :hug

That pumpkin set is very cute!!! Hey now that I'm knitting I bet I could make one like that!!! Gotta order some orange wool yarn!!!

[momadance]

ameliabedelai: :hugs on the weight/eating at moms issue. I totally feel the same way, all my time spent in mich./canada this summer I was around the same junk :eyesroll I'm feeling the gain, but the numbers on the scale haven't been too terrible.

truebluexf: You are such a trooper! Your attitude sounds so positive everytime you post! I've been sending you good spinning vibes! Good luck :thumb With your talking about knitting, I just realised it might be pretty easy to crochet a soaker. Could you tell me the dimensions and how to treat the wool :shy ?

I hope I can turn the air on today! It's still pretty steamy down here. A possum was living in our crawl space and chewed a bunch of holes in our ac insulation. It gets colder down there than in the house :lol

[True Blue]

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/mothershelpinghands/crochetedsoaker.html
http://webhome.idirect.com/~born2luv/pattern.html

I found these two patterns for crocheting a soaker, I thought that might be helpful. :) The dimensions on the pattern I have for a newborn soaker are: waist:17" Rise:12.5" Thigh: up to 9" Good luck!!!

So I ordered this yarn for a fall saoker...what do you think? http://fabriconnection.com/fpdb/images/customyarn_208.jpg

[Soogie]

I'm still lol at truebluexf! At least you gained more sympathy from your DH.

Piglet: good luck with the move

Mandi: Glad to hear the home improvements are coming along. I'm right there with you with a wrecked house due to remodeling. Last night DH and I were putting up crown moulding in our upstairs bath. What a feat that was, with my big ole preggo body, trying to balance myself on a ladder. My belly was in the way and it was so hard to get close enough to the wall! It was a pretty comedic sight. But alas, it's almost over for us too and then I can get some normalcy back, just in time for the new babe!

Man, I read all the posts and then I get baby brain drain and I can't remember who else has what going on.

QOTW: With 2 kids already, one of each sex, I pretty much have everything I need. I went through 8 20gallon rubbermaid containers full of clothes a few weeks back and seperated the clothes by gender, and took out all the newborn stuff that was gender neutral. I basically threw away most of the onesies, so I'll need to pick up a few new ones. Fiona was the champion spitter upper and ruined a lot of clothes. When I was in NY for vacation in July, my sis and I went to the Carter's outlet and I bought about 12 coverall/footie thingies. I wanted this babe to have a few new things to call its own. I still need some newbie socks. And I need to still sort through my diaper stash. I have about 2 dozen Motherease one size, a few Sandy's, some happy heinies, but I really want to get my hand on some fuzzibunz. I need to watch the TP for some. Oh, and on my wish list is a new Kangaroo Korner Fleece Sling. I have a maya wrap, but a friend of mine as the KK and it is so soft.

[krnflwr]

Krnflwr...yes tell me more about what you mw prescribed for you.

It's called Protonix, 20 mg, once a day. She said it was the safest of all the acid-reducers during preg (and nursing) and had the least side-effects (of which I've had none, btw). It made a huge difference in how I was feeling. My acid reflux was getting progressively more and more intense, and I was desperate for anything to relieve my all-day/all-night indigestion. Hopefully the baking soda or mylanta will do the trick for you, but if not, you might ask your MW about this drug.
Hope you feel better soon! You, too, Letitia.

Good luck, Pig, with your move. Waiting to hear from you when you settle in.

Hannah has some sort of stomach bug, she's been vomiting all morning. It's just so sad and pitiful to witness, and I feel so helpless. She can't even keep down sips of water. I finally let her nurse for just a few minutes, and she fell asleep. I suppose I should use this time to get a few things done, and start all the stinky laundry. Hope everyone is feeling vibrant and healthy today!!

[stanleymama]

Krnflwr...thanks for letting me know. I will ask my dr. about it. I snacked on maalox tablets yesterday, hardly did a thing for me. I finally was able to fall asleep though before dh went to work, so he watched the boys for me. Today I feel a bit better, my back is super achy though. You know that achy body feeling you get when you have the flu, that is what it is like.

Mil gets back tonight. She has been up visiting her daughter in minn. I wish she would stay away a bit longer. She is not always helpful or understanding when it comes to pg discomfort. And she expects that I make dinner every night, the boys eat certain foods, etc. It gets so annoying. SHe isn't horrible, just very self-focused. Ok, I am done ranting now.

Oh and krnflwr I am trying to decide between a multi-color or a fruit. Will let you know soon.

[gottaknit]

Add me to the bad haircut list. Last time I went in for a trim, my stylist said the length I usually get isn't "quite right" for the shape of my face just now.... I think this was supposed to be a nice way of saying my face is fat and my usual bob accentuates my double chin. :angry So I ended up with more "layers", ie a mullet/bi-level disaster. Just in time for all the inlaws coming out in two weeks for a big family wedding. I'll be huge, double-chinned, and mulletted. :eyesroll

On the Good News front, my new midwife doesn't subscribe to the "weigh-in" philosophy at prenatal appointments. She says it doesn't really matter what I weigh as long as blood work and blood pressure look good and baby is growing. :love :thumb

[MTBto5]

Jusr found out this morning I am baing induced on September 21st, 4 weeks from today!!!! Better get my butt in order! I have my diaper stash ready and dressing table set up and that is it!! I do believe I have everything I need, just needs to be put together, put up, or washed ;)

[Court]

Hey everybody!
First off I'd like to say, I WISH I had a food aversion, I need one right about now. :) I love eating. I'm feeling very heavy. I'm really looking forward to loosing the weight.

QOTW - I think I've got most of the essestials that I'll need in the beginning. There's some things I need to get when the baby is a few months old, but I'll cross that bridge when we get there. I also have a little online wish list going at Motherwear.com that I'm going to purchase in a couple weeks. I'm so excited about getting new nursing bras for some reason.

I've got drastically shorter hair right now too. It just works better with my ever swelling face. With both pregnancies I've felt like shaving my head for some reason, I just hate hair right now. So, it's pretty short with a ton of layers. I kind of like it though. I was growing out my natural color, and after my last cut, it's finally all grown out, yay. Plus, I know from 4-6 months post-partum my hair will be falling out. Better to keep it short for that, ugh.

Not much else to say except:

Piglet- have a safe trip!
and
krnflwr - I hope Hannah is feeling better soon, that bug sounds awful. I keep hearing of that going around (even though I'm in a different part of the country).

[flitters]

hi mamas!

gosh, i'm getting a late start this week and there are already so many replies!

trueblue, sorry about the return of the leukocytes. and i love your bowling ball story!

best travel wishes to piglet!

wannabmommie, glad you like your birth class! we don't start ours for another 2 weeks.

who was it that mentioned the semi-symptomless yeast infection? i might have one but it's not causing me any problems... i'm eating extra yogurt and making sure to wash thoroughly and change my underwear.

as for food, i'm in a pleasant state where i don't have any real aversions or cravings and i'm not constantly hungry either. just comfortable although i certainly eat more than when i'm not pregnant!

sorry to all those with bad haircuts! i'm not at all adventurous with my hair (it's massively crazy so there's not much i can do if i want it to be manageable).

oh, and i'm happy my silly experiences (getting stuck and strep ass problems) bring a laugh! :D the body can be a great source of entertainment on so many levels! :D

QOTW: baby stuff... well, this is our first, so we didn't start out with anything really... but i also don't think a baby needs that much.

we've got a starters supply of diaper covers and a couple fitteds but we're using a service at the beginning then we'll see what works for us before we buy more. i had a preggo brain moment and bought 3 covers in the wrong size so i need a couple more if i don't want to be doing laundry twice a day. and i need to go to the crafts store to get fabric for wipes... or maybe we'll just get a zillion baby washcloths.

we have a little clothes but will need more for sure. we have one pouch sling. MIL is sending two big boxes of stuff which probably includes a LOT of baby blankets and hats.

we have a moses basket where the baby will take naps and possibly sleep on our bed in the basket too. i suspect it will just sleep on one of us instead, but we'll see. no crib, i doubt we'll find the need for one and if we do we can get it then.

we've got car seats.

we need some standard baby stuff like a snot sucker and thermometer and care items like that and i also need to get my birthing supplies together still. i also need to get a breast pump and bottles as i will be returning to work when the baby is a few months old and i will be pumping so dh can feed it EBM (he'll be SAHD).

other stuff like a stroller or bouncy seat or stuff like that can wait until the baby is here... that way we won't end up with stuff we don't really need or that the baby doesn't like.

that turned into quite a long answer for the QOTW! :D

[mirthfulmum]

Karin - Sorry to hear about little Hannah. Stomach bugs are so hard on the little ones. Hope she gets better soon.

MTBto5 - Holly cow! I can't believe we'll be having a baby join our group so soon!

I really have to go into storage this weekend and get Alias' old baby stuff out. I've been putting it off and putting it off. But looking at the calendar I have 4 more weeks to get everything set before the baby reaches full term! Can you believe it? I am totally floored that there is a chance that in four weeks I could be snuggled up with my Alias under one arm and my little baby Harrison under the other. Oh, I'm getting all misty just thinking about it.

This morning Alias woke up, rolled over and asked me "When Harrison comming out mommy's tummy to play with Alias?" It was so sweet. And all day he kept telling me what toys he was going to share now that he's the big brother. It really makes me feel like we made the right choice to have another baby when I hear the excitment in his voice at the idea of having a little brother. I can't wait to see the 2 of them together. :love

[AnnR33]

Duh, no wonder no one was posting...it was a new week!

Amelia, right there with you about insomnia! It's 2am and I'm wide awake after being asleep for 3 hrs. Thought I was actually ganna get a full night's sleep too :(

Hang in there for those with bad haircuts-at least your hair is growing faster now right? I've been putting mine off for the same fear but it's the longest I'v ehad it in years so I really need to get it trimmed at least. After I had DS #1 I went from shoulder length to super short thinking it would be so fast and easy-yikes-not only did it make me look so much fatter but I had to get it trimmed every 4 wks to maintain the look so it didn't look shaggy-what a pain. Went back to boring old bob that I can pull back anytime.

QOTW: Since this is #3 I'm pretty much set-even have more than I'll ever need I think in the diaper area and slings...but I really need to go thru clothes one of these days. I know I have enough but since #1 I have moved to more all cotton breathable clothing so I know I have a bunch of things that I can purge that are worn or out or just can't be that comfy for a babe-ya know? I would love a nice selection of organic cotton layette stuff but I don't think finances are going to allow that with the move. But I do need to check the HUGE selection of children's consignment stores in this area-oh darn.
Anyone having tons of Braxton Hix lately? I seem to have a few a day lately and they aren't bad-just the tightness. A little depressing that I have 9 more weeks to go!
Take care
Ann

[krnflwr]

Good Morning Mamas,
I hear you on the insomnia. I'm so tired by evening that I can barely stand up or keep my eyes open...but right around 4 am I am wide awake. Today was especially bad, but I suppose it is because I got bad news last night (my g-pa died) and my mind is running a mile a minute...making lists, planning our trip, worrying about things, being sad, etc. We are leaving today for Kansas, to stay w/ my G-ma and do funeral stuff. So I will be MIA for a while. Everyone take care and keep those babies cooking safely while I'm away, okay?
Hannah seems to be better, she ate like a horse last night and kept it all down. Which is especially good since I can't imagine trying to travel with a vomiting toddler...ugh!
QOTW: we have tons of stuff from when Hannah was born that we never used and have packed away. I really need to start going through it all and do some inventory. I would really like a double stroller (sit-n-stand someone mentioned) but we use the one we have now so infrequently, I just can't justify the expense. I figure I'll be slinging Baby Cookie most all the time, hopefully Hannah will be contented to be the big sister and walk by herself. Can 1 woman carry both a newborn and a toddler and survive?!?
Okay, I'm off to start packing and all that fun stuff. I'll contact all the hat ladies when I return, okay? Take care everyone... :love

[mirthfulmum]

:hug Karin. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather. I'll be thinking of you and your family.

Insomina... I can not seem to sleep through the night anymore, no matter how exhausted I am. I have found that as long as I don't go to bed before 10pm I am able to sleep peacefully until 4am (fall asleep before that and I'm up around 1am). But like clock work my eyes just seem to pop open shortly after 4 in the morning and I can't get back to sleep until usually around 6am. And since Alias wakes up around 7:30 that dosen't leave me much catch up time. So like many of you, I have given up, gotten out of bed and just come online hoping that reading and posting will help me sleep. How is it we can be so bone tired yet not be able to sleep?

So as I was lying in bed, hoping to fall back asleep, it occured to me that I have pretty much all me baby stuff done, just a few odds and ends left, but I haven't done myself! I need new nursing bras, post-pardum pants, and new breat pads. I got so wrapped up in what we need for Harrison and Alias that I completely forgot about myself :eyesroll.

[mirthfulmum]

I think that there might be something wrong with my computer. Some of the smilies have stopped moving.

[stanleymama]

Karin...sorry to hear about your g-pa!! Praying you have a safe trip.

[OakEmber]

:hug Karin, sorry to hear about your Grandpa...and with Hannah being sick too you've really had a rough couple of days!

Add me to the insomnia list too, although I haven't been quite so bad as having to get up, at least so far...I am just having the waking 4-5 times a night which makes it feel as though you haven't slept at all inbetween, which can't be very restful.

To add to QOTW- my friend just gave me a huge garbage bag full of baby clothes so I definately will not be needing to buy anymore clothes now! I've even started washing them so now it's just time to make room to store them. And my mom and dad are going to buy me some Hempers to try out so there's a few more diapers for me.

[3bees~1flower]

Flitters...that was me who talked about symptomless yeasties...i had virtually no (and now normal pregnancy) discharge after using a 7 day treatment, so that tells me that i *did* in fact have one even tho my symptoms were not classic at all. i say if you think you have one get it taken care of soon...it really was no fun even tho i didn't have many/no symptoms.

:hug Karin....sorry to hear about your g-pa.

sorry to those who can't sleep...i wouldn't say i have insomnia, i'm just awake a lot during the night to either turn over (that's a major task!) or to go to the bathroom...i can *usually* fall back asleep as long as dh is being quiet...if not then i just go right out to th couch so i don't lay there awake too long.

MTBto5....wow! you must be excited!! do you mind if i ask why you are being induced? (just the OB nurse in me i guess... :innocent )

i have major laundry issues that need attention, so that is what i'm doing all day...but it's a rainy day, so a good one to stay inside.

i finally went and picked out some carpet for our basement and man did i get a steal! they have a huge pile of this awesome sage green carpet that is technically *used* (it was in a lady's house for 20 days when she decided she didn't like it) so if the measurements of the carpet will fit in our room it's ours and here's the kicker....it's $33/yd carpet that we can buy for $6/yd!! :eek.... i said i'll take it!!!

well, need to make lunch...talk to you all soon!

:love


oh....am i the only one who's feet look like massive water balloons??? they are ssssoooo puffy! :(

[True Blue]

Karin, sorry about your grandpa. :hug

Does anyone mind if I ask what exactly the symptoms of a yeast infection might be? I don't have itchiness or anything, but I have what at least seems to be normal discharge for pregnancy...but who knows? I'd really love to solve the leukocyte issue if it doesn't happen to be another UTI.

[True Blue]

Well, no need for the above info LOL. Heard from the midwife, it's not exactly a UTI, but it almost is. Apparently it came back as "Less than 20,000 organisms" which is an amount you do not normally treat, so she said I really really really need to stay on top of the Cranactin. Isn't this just freaking insane????? To have never ever had a UTI before, and to have a constant one now that I'm pregnant???? She said I just might have to go on some super strong antibiotic after this kid gets here. I'm hoping it will all resolve itself with cranactin eventually, but MAN. I mean, I know I have had it down to zero a couple times. My urethra must be like wide open and my bladder must just be totally pinches off by this baby making it the best breeding ground in the world!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!?!?!

[3bees~1flower]

Amy....i know it's frustrating, but some women are just really vulnerable to UTIs during pregnancy....how the baby lays can affect how adequately you can empty your baldder completely each time and this leads to a build up of bacteria. i would think it'd resolve after delivery when you will be more likely to fully empty your baldder consistently...kwim? :hug hope it doesn't get any worse for you.

[OakEmber]

MTBto5- Wow! So early! You must be excited. I'm curious as to why too, it's not just you the OB nurse in you 3boyz4us! ;)

Mandi and Soogie...I meant to comment on your reno's...sounds like things are coming along, I can't imagine how frustrating the waiting would be right now though! I am sure that it will all be worth it when everything is looking beautiful!

So at my appt. yesterday the midwife had troubles again finding the heartbeat with the fetalscope...Oakley is just not a cooperative kid it seems, :LOL...last appt. was the same, it's just do to positioning. This week it seems that he is oblique, still heads up so now I am trying to focus on him being head down...she gave me some homepathy to try, pusilla or something, can't remember. I guess it's getting near time to check out Spinning babies and get serious...not that I am too worried about it yet.

[Soogie]

Yikes! Just this past week or so, I've been feeling really big. As in, full of baby, b-i-g. Well, I had my mw appt this morning and not only did I gain 6 1/2 lbs in 2 weeks (I didn't eat that much bday cake! lol) but I'm now measuring 4 weeks ahead. I've been measuring a week or 2 behind up until now and it seems that babe has gone through a large growth spurt. The bean is already heads down and engaged in my pelvis, which would explain the stabbing cervical jabs I've been getting, the non exisitent bladder capacity, and the not-so-cute waddle. And my mw is pretty certain babe is posterior, so she wants me increasing pelvic rocking to try and turn the critter. Aidan started out posterior during labor and the back pain was horrendous...I'll do anything to not have a repeat of that! Oh and a cool thing is, the local paper wants to do an article on Beth, my mw, and homebirths and she asked me if I would be the client she showcased. I'll get to meet the reporter at my next appt. So there will be 2 other spectators at my homebirth, the reporter and photographer. I usually labor nekkie so boy are they in for an eyeful! LOL!

Karin, sorry to hear about your grandpa...safe travels.

[Court]

Hey everyone, I'm bored. Logan is sleeping, I'm still in my p.j.'s. They're the only thing that's comfortable. I checked my cervix yesterday out of curiosity and it's more than a fingerwidth, whatever that means, and kinda soft. Just so everyone knows :D

I think I'm gonna get some Monistat or something too, all this talk about yeast infections is making me think I may have a mild one. Symptoms sort of come and go, but it's really annoying.

Man, trueblue, that sucks about the UTI crap. It's almost over, it's almost over....

I feel really guilty for not going out as much w/ Logan anymore. We play indoors a lot though. It's been rainy and I just feel blah. The only places I can think to go involve shopping of some kind. And as soon as I get in the car I feel like I have to pee and then finding a bathroom and dragging Logan with me, bargaining with him. It's so much easier to stay home.

Logan is sleeping back in his own room again. We had to put the queen bed in there instead of the twin we bought him. Apparently he was so used to being in a big bed with all the room to turn sideways, etc, that the twin was a no go. So he loves having his "own" bed and sleeps in there till sometime in the morning when he sneaks in with me and crashes again. Oh he's awake
talk to you guys later...

[True Blue]

Court, I hear you on going out!!! Though I guess the main reason I don't go out too much is bc I'm not supposed to LOL but when I do, dragging around a 2 year old sometimes just doesn't make it worth it!! We buy lots of candy....Oh!!! A fingerswidth is about 1cm. :) That's where I've been for 10 weeks now, so I'm very familiar with it! :D

Oakember! Do you remember which homepathy it was? I forgot there was one out there that is good for moving posterior babies....I'm also thinking about getting some of that moxibustion stuff...I really don't want a posterior birth and since this baby is sooo engaged, it might be tough to get it to move! So I'm gonna try it all!

Soogie, cool about the newspaper and WOW about the growth!!

3boyz...thanks. I know it should all go away, I just feel like this pregnancy has been so much drama compared to last time!! I'm sick of trying to remember to take Cranactin (I'm lucky I take my vitamins LOL) 4 times per day. And I can't wait to be able to go out and do whatever I want. Once I'm like 36.5 weeks, I'm outta here!!!! :D I'll be shopping, going for walks, swimming...the works. If I can still manage to move that is LOL. My joints have loosened a lot and I walked to the end of the street with DS yesterday, and wow it was a lot of work, with the head inbetween my legs and everything popping. :lol

[Soogie]

The herb oakember is talking about is Pulsatilla. I knew it was great for labor, but I had no idea that it is also useful in turning posterior babies. Here is a link to other suggestions for turning posterior babes.

http://www.motherspirit.net/articles/pregnancy/preventpost.htm

[gottaknit]

So does checking your cervix hurt? I mean, is it really sensitive? And how the heck can you reach that far around your belly? :scratch Sorry if these are really stupid questions! :innocent

[Court]

It doesn't hurt me, but I don't like to mess with it too long. The only way I can reach it is on the toilet. I don't really have to reach around my belly that way, I guess my arm is to the side of my belly(?) I got really obsessed w/ checking it at the end of my last pregnancy. Hopefully I can restrain myself this time. All it does is get my hopes up if it's dialated.

Thanks for the info trueblue, I know I have it in a book somewhere, but I'm just too lazy to look. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who's not thrilled going on outings with a toddler right now.

And Soogie- that's so neat about being the showcase client for the article. :thumb You have more guts than I for letting spectators in on your birth. Do you mind if I ask what newspaper? I'm from Austin, TX, well, Dallas originally.

[blessed2bamommie]

I'm thinkin...front to back is challenging...:shake :LOL

[Soogie]

Courtney - If this were my first birth, there is no way I'd allow anyone else there. But with each birth, I seem to get less and less inhibited. lol! And it will be in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. My DH thinks it's weird to be the family for the article, but I think it's neat.

[True Blue]

Thanks for the link Soogie...but the comment about them being less likely to turn once engaged is very discouraging. :( Kind of scary actually!!!!

[momadance]

Karin, sorry about your gpa.

Truebluexf thanks for the links, now I just need some motivation.

I've been feeling "under the weather" today and yesterday. I have some kind of sinus job going on. Not fun! I've been drinking lots of catnip tea, it helps for like an hour, and taking hepar sulph. Doesnt seem to be the right "fit" though. Hopefully I'll wake in the morning feeling super! I keep waking up on my back, and my shoulders hurt from sleeping on my side.

I thnk I may check my cervix tonight! Nothings been up there since about 12 weeks into the pregnancy! Hope I don't go into labor! :)

Outings in general are bugging the crap out of me too. Ds is 3 and has to be more then me! And he has soooooo much energy! All boy, I feel so lame lately. Like I'm no fun for him.

Anyone else in a no help/family near by situation? I'm used to it, and it really doesn't bother me, but I'm wondering how common it is?

Hopefully we'll do the belly cast this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it!

[Lucysmama]

Hey mamas! How are you all? I am having one of those cranky, hot, irritable days where it seems like everyone but me is living on Idiot Island. You know?

Court- oh, I wish I could check my cervix. I can't reach. Neither can dh. In fact, it is hard for docs/MWs to even reach if I am in stirrups. I guess I have a very high cervix. It's normal to stay about a finger tip width after you have one baby, I think.

Amy - You should try the following if you wanna clear up a UTI that won't go away- a daily dose of Bee Propolis, uva ursi, and marshmallow. And LOTS of water. You can get the Traditional Medicinal tea that has the uva ursi and marsh. in it - I think it is called Urinary Health or CranAid or something like that. It worked for me...I had the same thing, I kept testing + for leukocytes and nitrates, but after doing that, it went away for good. Bee Propolis is just a probiotic you can get at the health food store.

Karin - I am so sorry about your grandpa. :(

Susan - That is so cool about the article! If it goes online, you will have to post the link!!!

I don't know if this has been mentioned this before, but I went to Target today and they had GlamourMom nursing camisole knock-offs. I picked one up, and I think I really like it! AND - it was only around $16. And speaking of knock-offs at Target, I also picked up the most adorable Ugg boots knock-offs for Lucy. OMG, they look so cute on her! And they were really cheap too. She says they are "so snuggly warm." :)

Ok, have a good night mamas.....

[Lucysmama]

Also, for those with Posterior/breech babies, I really wouldn't worry too much at this point in your pregnancy. Still a lot of time to turn, including during labor. I have heard nothing but awesome things about chiropractic adjustments for malpositioned babies, so if you are really concerned, I would look into that! I am going to go a few more times even though my baby is left anterior and head-down, just to make sure my pelvis is aligned properly.

[True Blue]

As far as the cervix goes -- it's normal to be a slit that is close to a fingertip after having one baby, but if it is soft and more open and rounded, that is dilation.

The main reason I am so concerned about the baby being posterior is because my baby is already engaged, at 0 station...totally NOT normal for someone at 31 weeks (and the baby has been at that station since 21 weeks, and head down and engaged for a few weeks) and it could really be difficult to get this baby to turn. I wasn't concerned until my midwife said I should really try to get things going. I already planned on going to the chiro this week. :)

Thanks for the UTI info Katie. :) I've actually made it go away with the Cranactin several times, I just need to stay consistent with it to keep it bay!!

[mirthfulmum]

Anyone else in a no help/family near by situation? I'm used to it, and it really doesn't bother me, but I'm wondering how common it is?

We don't have family near by either (exept for a 91 year old GP and an uncle and aunt who we see about 3 times a year so they're not much help). The next closest relative is a 3 hour plane ride away. Most of the time I'm glad that I don't have to deal with my family on a daily/weekly basis, but now that I am so big, awkward and tired I do wish I had someone around who could just take Alias for a few hours at a moments notice.

Well I gave into my mother's whinning and moaning and she wil be here for the birth (most likely). She will be arriving Sept. 25th and leaving Oct. 9th. Dh and I just figured that'd be easier just to give in. Otherwise we'd be paying for her hurt feelings that she couldn't "help" during the birth for the next 20 years :eyesroll. The price was just too high. So she'll be staying in our small two room condo for 2 weeks, and did I mention that she refuses to sleep in our other room because she feels crowded by Alias' toys so she always takes the air matress out into the living room (like that's not inconvienent having someone treat the only family area as her own personal space). I've told her that when the baby comes we'd like at least 5 days of quiet family time, she's welcome to come and spend the day with us but we'd like our home empty of visitors after 6pm. She's not happy about that but said that she'd stay with my grandpa (her dad has a 2 bedroom apartment) for a few days, we'll see how this actually works out in practice.

Susan - That is so cool about the aritcle. What a great souvenir for the new little baby. Not even born and already getting his/her 15 minutes of fame.

All this yeast infection talk has got me wondering if all is as it should be. I do have a lot of discharge, and it has a yellow tinge to it, but other than that I have no other symptoms. Maybe I should talk to my midwife next week.

[flitters]

hi mamas!

mirthful, i sure hope your mom's visit is easy. i managed to delay my mom's visit for a week or so and i'm really hoping that the baby come before she does... she's scheduled to arrive on my due date for just over a week. my mom's family has a history of slightly early babies (not preterm, just not 40 weeks) and with the full moon at the end of october i'm hoping to have at least a couple days just us and the babe before she arrives (on the 30th).

as for yeast, my discharge is slightly yellow too... but i also find a white dot in it now and then which makes me think i may have some extra yeast. it's so mild though and i'm really sensitive to treatments so i think i'll skip the monistat stuff and stick with eating extra yogurt unless i develop any other symptoms.

i check my cervix too when i'm in the shower. mine is fairly low and still closed. actually, the first symptom i had that i was pregnant was that my cervix felt different right after ovulation - really tightly puckered. it's not so tight anymore, but it certainly isn't open at all, but this is my first baby. i did find a tiny bump on it though, i suspect it's a tiny polyp or something like that... i'll have it looked at after i give birth. i'm not worried about it really, and neither is our midwife, things like this are apparently quite normal and overwhelmingly harmless.

and krnflwr, i'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa. i hope you and your family find some peace through this.

:grouphug

[True Blue]

Found something really cool I wanted to share -- I read in article at gentlebirth.org that posterior babies can be a big cause of UTI's, since their brow presses against the bladder....could explain my recent constant problem!!

[momadance]

Checked my cervix last night. It's super low, and to the back. I mean, it's LOWWWWWWW like almost hanging out! It's very firm and not dialated at all! It's closed up more then pre TTC!

I really think this babes coming late though! I predict more around the 23rd. I don't know why. My instincts have been way off though, so who knows ;)

I second the trip to the chiro!

[Jillerina]

This pregnant woman is feeling every extra pound these days! I saw my midwife again today (she's just great!!) and I'm measuring at 35weeks, only one week ahead which is just perfect. I only gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks so that is pretty good too.

Baby is squirming around like crazy and was head down when the midwife checked but we think it still has lots of room for moving around so we're gonna keep an eye on it's position as we get closer to 40 weeks. It is against the law for the birthing centre to attempt to deliver a breech baby so if I want to labor and birth there I've got to make sure this baby knows which way is down!

Clara came to this appointment with me and she was so cute. She played with the fetoscope after the mw used it on me and tried to listen to her belly (she says she has a baby too) and she played with an extra measuring tape for the second half of the appointment measuring both herself and me all over!

I got my records from my OB finally and apparently according to them I hemorraged immediatly after Clara's delivery and was given syntocin in the IV along with massage to stop it. Marc and I were not aware of this AT ALL. I'm not sure how to take the information. Did it really happen?? Were we so enthralled with our baby that we didn't notice??? Seems odd to me. So, based on this info the mw wants to be prepared and would like to have syntocin ready and available at the birth in case it is necessary. Anyone have any comments on this? I guess I'm just going to keep drinking my RRL tea and hope that there is no need to use the injection.

Otherwise all systems are go, and I am pretty much ready to have a baby! OK, except all the laundry, furniture moving, and other cleaning that needs to be done.

Oh yes, and DH and I had a few good baby name conversations this weekend. We may have a girl name and we're still happy with the boy name we discussed a few weeks ago! I'm feeling much better now:)

krnflwr - I'm so sorry to hear the news of your gpa. I hope your trip to be with family is as stress free as possible.

Soogie - that is so cool. I agree, the article will be such a cool memento for the the new baby.

Mirthful - hopefully your Mom's trip will go better than expected. Does she get along well with Alias when she sees him?

For those of you not taking your toddlers out as much as usual I am with you. Every outing we do takes every ounce of energy out of me. I can't bear taking her grocery shopping again... the last two outings have been disasters. She is well rested and fed but still has breakdowns for no apparent reason either on the walk home from the store or in the store itself. I can't tell you how many times I've had to stuff her into the stroller screaming and flailing around because I can't control her on the sidwalk. I feel like such a mean fat Mom but I really do try everything else first. DH says she is testing me (always asking for lollipops and junk while this is all happening) and that I am right in standing my ground and following through on my threats of the stroller. Who knows what the "right" thing to do is.

[Wabi Sabi]

As usual, I'm finally getting around to posting pretty late in the week! I can't even attempt to individually reply to everyone's posts...

Karin, I am very sorry to hear about your grandfather.

QOTW: I'm not completely ready, but getting close. I've been buying baby clothes all summer at garage sales. I have about 3 dozen newborn/small sized fitted diapers, but would like to pick up some prefolds, a couple of covers and maybe try a Wonderoo. I also had a small baby shower a couple of weeks ago. My grandma bought me a carseat, MIL bought a co-sleeper. Ordered my birth kit and a fishy pool earlier this week. Found a couple pairs of nursing PJs at a resale shop alon with a Boppy pillow (I don't normally wear pajamas ;) , but thought that maybe I ought to pick up one or two pairs since we'll undoubtedly have a fair number of visitors the first week or so).

At this point, I really just have a list of odds and ends to still get: some nursing pads, a new bra or two, BIG sanitary pads for post-partum and some other random things on the supply list that my midwife gave me last week.

Like many of you, I think I also have a mild yeast infection. I've been just the slightest bit, ahem, itchy for the past few days. Before I break down and buy the Monistat, I'm going to try to treat it with taking some big doses of Acidopholis and Nettles. I'll give that a few days before breaking out the stronger stuff...

I've also tried to check my cervix several times with no luck! I just can't find it! I can reach without too much difficulty if I squat down when I'm in the shower, but everything inside is SO different than it normally is! All I can feel is lots of soft, squishy tissue and absolutely nothing that seems like it could be my cervix. I am quite familiar with how my cervix normally feels/where it is located, so I'm really puzzled...this isn't something to be concerned about, is it? I forgot to mention it to my midwife at my last appointment...

[OakEmber]

Amy- Yep, Soogie was right it was Pulsatilla. I found this link when I was searching for info on it...haven't really checked it out yet just gave it a glance but it might intrest you...http://www.mother-care.ca/breech.htm I just feel so bad for you with everything that you've been up against so far! Hope you can get that baby to turn!

I don't know for sure but it is feeling possible that Oakley has turned, the movement I am feeling near my ribs is different so I am thinking it *could* be feet. I am not too worried about it yet, I agree with you Katie that there is still ample time, just that I'd rather try non-invasive tech. now such as the homeopathy and visualization and hopefully avoid lying upsidedown later :LOL And apperently you can't deliver a breech baby vaginally in BC anywhere :irked: well except I guess at home by yourself.

Hmm, Jillerina that is strange...but I do know how they like to just do things without your knowledge or consent so that part doesn't surprise me...I guess it is best for your midwife to have the drug with her, I am sure she wouldn't use it on you if it weren't necessary.

Susan- that's cool about the article! With my first I ended up having oddles of onlookers (my Dr. nurses, med students, an OB/GYN too) really didn't bother me...I guess I have a really tough shell. Same with all the talk about visitors afterwards...we had my MIL for the first week, then my SIL's and neice and newphew and one BIL came for the weekend, taking MIL home and then my mom and brother came for the next week! I actually liked having people around...this time we live in the same town as all our family so I am sure we'll get plenty of company, and no I won't feel bad about asking them to load/unload the dishwasher and throw in a load of laundry...OK, that went slightly OT.

[gottaknit]

Ordered our kiddie pool yesterday! :D :D :D

http://www.qualityinflatables.com/56493.html

We're getting so close!

[Wabi Sabi]

Ordered our kiddie pool yesterday! :D :D :D

http://www.qualityinflatables.com/56493.html

We're getting so close!

That's the same pool that I ordered yesterday and even from the same website!

I had trouble ordering online so I had to place my order with them over the phone. The lady said it was one of their best selling pools. I wonder what percentage of them are being ordered for homebirths, LOL...?

[blessed2bamommie]

I called the mw *finally* this am and told her we'd like her to deliver our baby. I reserved her Aquadoula and she's gonna buy the liners b/c she gets a discount and in bulk and I'll buy one from her. Allright girls! Have you gotten your birth kits and supplies yet? I have to order mine and start working on the supply list.

Yeeeeeeeeeeees....:yikes: (get more dipes, finish the registries, finish cleaning, get supplies ready....) we are so close....

[Soogie]

I have a question for those of you that are using an inflatable pool for your homebirth...where do you plan to set it up???I'm reluctant to get one because I just don't know where we'd put it, besides right in the middle of the living room. And I think Damian would get a bit anal about a pool filled with water being on our newly laid bamboo floors. He said we would put down tarps, but I know him, and it would be bothering him. I wish we were still in our old house that had a gorgeous master bath with a 2 person jacuzzi. It would have been perfect. I know how much just being in the shower helped me, that being submersed in a pool would be heavenly.

I've yet to order my birth kit. I just need to have it by my 36th week appt. And I still need to gather all of the other must haves for the birth. I've got plenty of time, right?!?

[True Blue]

I plan on putting mine in our bedroom. But I guess it depends on the time I go into labor and where DS is sleeping at that point...I guess if he's in our room still we can just move him to his room, I'm going to need the shower in there anyway. The house is all carpeted, so we'll just put tarps under and around it. What if you put down some sheets and then tarps and then sheets again? That way there is something to prevent scratching and to absorb water?

Hey Soogie I just noticed we have the same due date. :) I just got the info to order my birth kit, I'll probably order it soon just to be safe!

[Lucysmama]

Letia!!!!! Congrats on the home waterbirth!!!!! :banana You must be so excited!

Piglet- how did your trip go? Hope Emily is having an easy time with the transition!


I think we are putting my tub in the living room. In our new house (that we are moving into in FOUR DAYS! Ack, I need to be packing!) the living room has a wood-burning stone fireplace which I hope to use while in labor. I plan to just put tarps down and then towels. We are doing the AquaDoula, and a friend of mine is loaning me a floor jack to put down in the basement, under the tub, to support it. It goes from floor to ceiling in the basement, kinda bracing where the tub is, just in case.

Our new house will also have a big room upstairs that is just for Lucy - a playroom, I guess - so she can retreat there away from the birthing if she needs to, and this way I'll be far away from our bedroom in case she is asleep. (We are still co-sleeping with her, so she is in our bed.)

Well, I better get packing. This place is a WRECK!

[Wabi Sabi]

We're planning on putting ours smack dab in the middle of our playroom. The playroom is actually meant to be the master bedroom, but since I have the daycare at home it has been sacrificied as my work space. Anyhow, it has an attatched bathroom, so the easy access to water/toilet etc. is what made us decide to use this room. Plus, the laundry room is just one room over, so we'll also have fairly easy access to that as another water source to fill up the pool.

Soogie, my husband is a bit nervous about the floors too since they are a fancy (and expensive!) wood product.

For those of you planning on using an inflatable pool, what other supplies do you need other than the pool itself? My midwife gave me a list of birthing supplies that I'll need as well as an order form for the birth kit, but it didn't include any mention of water birth/labor related things. I ordered the pool along with an airpump. We have a big camping tarp to put underneath it and we also already have a hose that attatches to our sink that we use to water our houseplants. Can I just use this hose or do I *really* need to have a different one? What about other things? A thermometer to read the temp of the water? A fish net for poop? Anything...?

(I'd just call my midwife and ask her, but she's on vacation and I'm feeling the urge to get all of this stuff taken care of NOW! There is a back-up midwife I could call, but this hardly constitutes an emergency... ;) )

[gottaknit]

I have a question for those of you that are using an inflatable pool for your homebirth...where do you plan to set it up???I'm reluctant to get one because I just don't know where we'd put it, besides right in the middle of the living room. And I think Damian would get a bit anal about a pool filled with water being on our newly laid bamboo floors. He said we would put down tarps, but I know him, and it would be bothering him. I wish we were still in our old house that had a gorgeous master bath with a 2 person jacuzzi. It would have been perfect. I know how much just being in the shower helped me, that being submersed in a pool would be heavenly.

I've yet to order my birth kit. I just need to have it by my 36th week appt. And I still need to gather all of the other must haves for the birth. I've got plenty of time, right?!?

Bamboo floors are perfect for this purpose! Much better than carpet or soft wood floors (which is what we have - old growth douglas fir). Bamboo is incredibly water/warp resistant and harder than hardwood!

We're setting ours up in the living/dining room area. We live in a little bungalow and this is the only room big enough (and there isn't much in the way of furniture in there). Our front door opens up directly into this room, so I guess we won't be answering the door that day! :LOL I kinda have this feeling that the birth will take place on Halloween and kids will keep coming to the door for candy.... They're in for a surprise if they peek in our windows!

Here's a website about waterbirth if any of you haven't seen it.

http://www.midwifemama.com/waterbirth_hints.html

Also, in the Homebirth forum there are many threads about all the specifics of home waterbirth.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=144204

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=177738

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=171696

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=175550

[blessed2bamommie]

Thanks Katie! I am.....I'm a bit subdued. I was excited before...I'm just in prep mode, I guess...and really focused.


The largest open space we have is the living room. We'd move the coffee table maybe and the loveseat back for a clear path to the bathroom around the corner. I have a sliding glass door in the living room with vertical blinds...I usually turn them to have privacy and beam the light on the ceiling when its warm. I face the parking lot. :eyesroll I liked to see before but sometimes I wonder...

I'm concerned about being on the second floor.....the last thing I need to do is go crashing down...:yikes: Made me think even more when you mention the floor jack, Katie.

uhhhhhhhhhhhh...lets see...*grabbing info*

garden hose...a new clean one...seems like I saw/read something about hoses...like the regular ones are toxic..like u shouldn't drink out of...granted you aren't..but ur baby will come out in the water...:scratch I gotta see what I can find unless yall have lesser preggo brain than me and have a clue what I'm talkin bout!
sink to faucet adapter...

specifically in my info for the aqua doula she says white marine hose...

My mw has birth kits should be ordered by 34th week...she says that she has an extra one onhand for :belly brain tho! :LOL

I'm 33...so I guess I better....:bolt

[bluehalo]

I'm so excited (and envious ;) ) of all of your lovely home/water birth plans. I really do feel like I'm making the best choice with what I have to work with, but I can't help but feeling the occasional twinge of regret that circumstances aren't different. Anyway, at least I get to live vicariously through you guys. I can't wait to hear *all* of our birth stories :)

I can't believe I haven't posted yet this week!

As far as having everything ready for baby ... I think I actually might. I don't have *tons* of clothes, but definately enough. Diapers we're pretty set with. I found my boppy and bought a new cover, bought nursing pads, the crib is put together (minus one side *lol*, but that's intentional ;) ) but not attached to our bed yet. Umm, I guess I should dig the carseat out of the basement and air out/wash the cover. I feel like I'm forgetting something majorly important, but I think it's just the difference between first and 2nd babies, where you feel like you have to do *so* much the first time around. The second time, you probably have everything you truly *need* (not necessarily *want* though *lol*) ... and know how much nonsense you truly don't need. Oh, speaking of needs vs. wants, I'm still wanting my KKAFP ... but I do have several other slings and carriers to use in the meantime, so it really is just a *want* *lol*

DS bouncing off the walls needing some attention, so my time is up ...

[momadance]

I ordered my kit today! Had them throw some extra cold peri pads in! I love those baby's!

Being that the weather can be unpredictable down here in Oct. we're going to buy the inflatable kiddie pool, just in case the 10 feet from our sunroom door to our 4 person jacuzzi is out of the question. Although it is in a gazebo with electric hookups. (space heater) We'll be setting up a pallet for the birthing stool and our kiddie pool if needed in our sun/play room. It's got wonderful big windows and french doors looking out into our backyard. No curtains, but our back is landscaped for privacy, you can't see any of the neighbors yards!


Letia I'm so happy for you! I've been secretly sending you homebirth vibes from the start! YOu have sounded like that's the way you'd be most at peace all along :thumb
The hole 2 hose deal is so you can siphon (sp?) water out as the temp. changes.

So no one else is doing a cast huh? Come on! Smebody join me and we can share our photos via yahoo!

[blessed2bamommie]

Thanks! :D The mw and I were really talking the same language. I just wanted the hospital "safety net," since we had such a hard year last year. I'm not really concerned about that even now, its just my ability to handle the pain. :eek

Naaaaaaaah...no belly cast for me. I wouldn't feel comfortable displaying it. We're meeting with the photographer Sunday pm to plan a (clothed :LOL) photo shoot!

Gotta call mamas best friend and tell her I called the MW today....:shake

[mirthfulmum]

Wow, all your water/home births sound so wonderful. I too have a twinge of regret choosing a hospital birth over a home birth but I know that I'll be most comfortable and less inhibited at the hospital with Dh and my midwife.

I am feeling like the wort mommy today. I am so tired and worn out. Like many of you, I can't seem to get enough energy going to do much of anything with Alias. He keeps asking me to go to the park today but I really really don't want to. It's so hard to lift him and push him and carry him around the playground equipment. Last time I took him to the park my back ached so bad I was barely mobil for the rest of the day. Hopefully I can keep him occupied enough to convince him to wait for daddy to come home to take him to the park.

[Lucysmama]

Letia-

We are getting a drinkable hose for our birth for filling the tub. The chemicals they treat regular garden hoses with are pretty nasty, and I don't want them to be in the water my baby is born into! Also, you may need an adapter to hook it up to your sink.

FutureMama- Your midwife probably has a poop-scooping net, and a thermometer for the water, I am guessing. Mine does, as well as a nifty waterproof doppler.

Speaking of doppler, for those of you who refused it thru pregnancy (including me) are you going to allow it during labor? I am leaning towards yes, because my MW told me that it is very difficult to use a fetoscope during some stages of labor, and it is impossible to use one if the mama is in water. I am not keen on the idea of being in a laboring groove, and having to stop, and get out of the water so my MW can check the heartbeat. SOunds like a huge PITA, and I want my labor to really flow, and not have to get in, get out, stop what relaxation I am doing, etc. So I think I will allow doppler usage during labor.

I haven't ordered my birth kit yet, but I really need to get on that.

So, have I mentioned to you mamas that we HAVE NO WHERE TO LIVE?!?!?! We are supposed to be moving into our new house this weekend, and our new landlord called us up and said her divorce that was supposed to be final got continued, and she cannot rent to us until it goes thru for legal reasons. SO - she has no clue whether that will be next week or next month. In any case, almost our whole freaking house is packed up, and we have to be out of our rental on Tuesday, and now we have no idea what to do. We are f*cked, pretty much. Plus, I think I will have the baby at the end of September-ish, maybe early October, so that puts me at about 4 weeks till the baby comes. Maybe 5 or 6. :eek Dh and I are wigging out.....have to be out in 4 days, and now with no place to go and a baby coming SOON!

[mirthfulmum]

Oh my gosh Katie!!!! :hug :dropjaw :yikes: :hug

If it's not one thing it's another! You've had such a rough month or so. :hug

[blessed2bamommie]

:Thanks: Katie, I couldn't remember but I thought I didn't want a garden hose for *some* reason. :LOL :duh


Weeeeeeeell....I've used the doppler a couple times b/c the residents have *no* clue how to use one or one of the couples in my centering group is so loud and obnoxious :eyersroll the MW couldn't hear. I think I'll allow the doppler too for labor since I'll be in the water.


Katie! :yikes: I'm praying that God will work things out for you....I'm so sorry. But, you *won't* be on the street! Even if its at MILs....I know that might be incovenient with your house in boxes....but at least you know you can go there...

[True Blue]

katie!!! :hug I hope you find a solution to your housing problem soon!!!

[OakEmber]

Oh Katie, what a predicament! I hope that things get straightened out soon! :hug

Mirthfulmum :hug I too feel like major guilty about the lack of energy, not feeling like doing anything. Why is it that my DH can sit around and watch TV without an ounce of guilt but I feel like I have to be doing things??

Well sitting in front of the computer is not helping my headache and is giving me a backache to boot so I guess that's about all I have to add tonight.

[Lucysmama]

Thanks for the hugs. I am so wigging out you guys. I am moving in four days and I have no place to go.

Letia, good point about my MIL's house. Except that she just went back to Turkey (where she works half years) and rented her house to two boarders. Maybe we can stay in the spare bedroom there, but that is awfully crowded and I can't homebirth with these strange people there!!!! Aaaghhhh!

Amie - I got the shoes, thanks! Dd won't take them off for anything! :love

[mirthfulmum]

Katie - I'd be wigging too.
I just can't believe on top of all the other family crap you've had to deal with that now you have to find a solution to your housing crisis.
Is there any way your new landlord could let you stay as "guests" and just pay her under the table? It just seems so insane that she could just call you up four days before moving day and tell you that you have no home to move to. Is there a tenants advocacy group on your area? They might have some good suggestions for a temporary fix. I really really hope things work out for you.

I have just finnished one of the worst afternoons of mommyhood. First Alias refused to eat the lunch I had cooked for him, even though it was exactly what he'd asked for, so lunch took almost an hour and a half of bargaining and pleading to get him to eat two baby carrots and a third of a hard boiled egg. And then he skipped his nap. So I put on a movie on the bedroom VCR and layed down in bed hoping that he'd just quietly lay there while I napped. Of course that didn't work out and he spent the next three hours before Dh came home jumping on me, hitting me, bitting me and yelling at me. He really needed someone to rough house and run around with today and I just couldn't give it to him. When Dh got home and I told him about our afternoon he asked "well why didn't you just take him to the park? That would've run him down." I of course responded by bursting into tears.

[stanleymama]

Katie...sorry to hear about your housing situation. I will be praying that all works out soon.

Mirthfulmom...don't feel bad. I have had little energy these days too and I have 3 boys who I feel I neglect. Admittedly, I am letting them watch more movies than what I would like, but I just haven't felt good. Just know that all of this is temporary, your son won't remember, and soon we will be holding our little ones and feeling normal again :)

[momadance]

Oh katie! I'm so sorry! That sucks! Mirthful might be on to something with the allowing you to stay as "guests" until the divorce is final... I sure do hope so!

Mirthful :hug I totally understand the day you had today ;) In some sick way it helps to know I'm not the only mama in the "help free" situation!

We used the doppler about 3 times, I really have no problem using it in labor.

[Lucysmama]

No, we can't stay as guests, we tried that already....her soon-to-be-ec is a real SOB from what I gather and has a restraining order on the house, prohibiting any renters or from her selling it until the divorce is final. So we can't even move in, cause he has a "say" legally till this is final. GRRRRRRRRRR! As usual, the more stressed I am, the more I contract, so I told dh I'm not packing any more today. I am sitting down with a glass of wine and a glass of water and trying to chill a bit. My mom, in a rare supportive move, picked my dd up and took her to dinner at her house, and brought dh and I back some dinner: BBQ chicken, zucchini, green beans, and red potatoes. Yum. My mom never does stuff like this, I was really happy and surprised! She said to bring her over as much as we want this weekend while we pack and get things figured out.

Mirthfulmum - :hug I am so sorry you had a crummy terrible Mommy day. I have had a few of those in the last couple of weeks, including one where I yelled at my dd. :guilty I know what you mean about Alias just needing someone to run with, and not having a release, and hitting and acting out. Lucy has done that too recently. And it makes me feel like the crappiest mama ever. So sorry you went thru that today! :hug Next time, your dh should keep that kind of comment to himself, I think, too!

[Jillerina]

OMG Katie - this is just what you guys DON'T need! I'm so sorry your going through all this extra crap while trying to get ready for your new baby. My fingers are crossed that this will all work itself out before you need to get out of your current home.

Mirthful, Clara is also acting out more and more now and I'm sure it is a direct result of our less than active days right now. I also feel so guilty letting her watch cartoons but I often don't have enough energy to take her to the park like I used to. BTW, If my DH said that I'd hit the roof... and then cry!

Last night DH and I went to our second of three prenatal classes. This one was about pain and it was FANTASTIC! The midwife who lead us was so down to earth and made some wonderful points about the value of pain etc. DH said that it was a pivotal point for him and he is now actually looking forward to the birth. I can't tell you how happy this has made me. The course really opened up a dialogue for us, we ended up staying up until 1am talking about labor and our memories of Clara's birth. He was always willing to stand by me in my choice to have a natural childbirth but now he UNDERSTANDS why it is so important to me and I think this will make him an even better support person.

OK, gotta go and use some of the morning energy I have...

[OakEmber]

Katie- I am sending you tons of finding new home vibes today...I don't know what else to say. Thank goodness your mom has stepped up and is being helpful, can you stay with her if you need too? And I am glad that here that Lucy loves the Robeez, I was hoping that you'd be happy with them, thanks for letting me know.

Mirthfulmum- Sorry about your afternoon yesterday, I hope that today is much better :hug

Jillerina- That's so awesome that your Dh is on board now with your birthplans! I'm sure that he is gonna be great as your support person!

[mirthfulmum]

Oops double post :innocent. Just move on down to the post below.

[mirthfulmum]

Yeah, I love Dh very much but sometimes he can be a real bone head :eyesroll. He felt really bad about his comment though and tried to make up for it the rest of the evening by making dinner and taking Alias to the back yard to play. It was so nice to get some time to myself.

Someone asked earlier re. my mom's stay if her and Alias got along. Oh they get along great, the problem is that she tends to keep him going at this manic energy level (my mom is highly excitable and gets these manic energy bursts when she's visiting us because she's so excited to be here) and Alias tends to just crash after she leaves and is a real (oh I hate to say it but) monster for a couple of days after she leaves. He's just so tired and over stimulated and totally out of his routine that he gets really demanding and whinny. But this visit is for about twice as long as usual and I don't think mom'll be able to keep up the crazy pace the entire visit so hopefully Alias won't have his post-grandma melt down.

Well we're off to Costco today to pick up some bulk frozen food for post-baby. They have pretty tasty veggie-lasagna and very tasty spinach pies. Gotta stock up my freezer. I didn't have anything prepared last time and Dh and I pretty much just lived off of delivery for the first 6 weeks or so. It was way too expensive and we really don't have that kind of money. This time we will be better prepared :fingersx:.

Jillerina - That is so great that you and your Dh are on the same page now. It sounds like you are going to have a wonderful birth. Congratulations!

[Piglet68]

Hey everybody. I only have a second b/c Emily is tearing apart Mum's study as I type this. The flight home was great and Emily was a total angel. She sang songs, commented on the airplanes, and spent hours with the wooden puzzles and sticker book we got her for the trip. The sucky part was when we arrived in Van and there were a bunch of cruise ship flights coming in: I've never seen Customs so packed in my life. We waited about 45 minutes with little progress in our line, then an airport dude pulled us out b/c I was preggers and with a small child, and we got a booth all to ourselves, lol. Even so, with luggage etc we didn't get home until 4 hours after our plane landed!

We're still adjusting to the time zones. Went to bed at 7 pm and up at 6 am. But I'm feeling more human now.

Probably won't get online much in the next week. Actually, could someone start the weekly thread for me this Monday? Thanks!

Hugs to all my preggo mamas!! Mirthful, I'll give you a PM when we are settled into our new apartment (some time next week I hope!).

[mirthfulmum]

Your flight home sounds exhausting (! hate it when i get caught in the cruise ship traffic at the airport). :!wback: to Vancouver Piglet!

[AnnR33]

Katie- :hug I'm thinking of you! All these good vibes gotta help somehow!

Mirthful-good idea about Costco-that veg lasagna sounds good to me!

Piglet-glad the planetrip went well-we really aren't so far away are we-a few hrs (we're in Everett)? Maybe we should try for a weekend trip up next spring for all the area mamas?

Jillerina-that's so great about your class and DH-now if I can just get my Dh to go for a doula....

My MIL/FIL will be here for 3 wks after the babe is born (I'm chanting good thoughts to get thru it) and she's a great cook so I know we'll be well fed for awhile. Since we moved and they always take vacation in the fall they just kind of assumed they'd come-I don't mind that much really-we get along well and it will be a big help with the older 2 kids getting them off to school etc.....but 3 wks is sooooo long. I know I'll be doing some hiding out in the bedrm. The only thing she does that annoys me is when she says things like "I had 4 boys and my mom never staid with me to help" or something about not having help and surviving just fine. Yeah, well good for her. Luckily I've made enough counter comments about more support means happier babes/families and less stress to affect BFing, etc that I think she gets the hint and will be better this time around.
She also thinks the co-sleeping with our kids is not so great but the funny thing is that whenever the grandkids sleep over she always has them sleep on a mattress by her bed :) I guess we rubbed off a little.
Last thing-I got the MOST COMFY pr of maternity jeans at a garage sale for .50! I usually never wear jeans since they always seem to constrain in the wrong spots and cotton knit is just more comfy but the lady said she lived in them and the panel hit at just the right places so they weren't tight. I thought I'd try them for .50 and they are the best. I can't believe jeans can fit so nice actually make me look slim-in the butt that is. Even though they are worn and faded-these things are going to be lived in!
Take care everyone-have a nice weekend!
Ann

[blessed2bamommie]

:wave Pig!!!!!

I can start the thread...(if I remember...) I go to cycling around 9 am EST, I don't always get on the computer...tho...I've been getting up at 6 am tho so its always a possiblity. Sunday is busy; but, I might be on that pm....

What about the QOTW? Can we brainstorm? All of our brains together might equal a non preggo brain! :LOL


Yall remind me I can...maybe Sunday PM after I get home...

[OakEmber]

Piglet- Good to be home, eh? (seriously, I don't know anyone that goes around saying that, but couldn't resist hehe ) :!wback:

Aw Mirth, I didn't really think of your Dh as a bonehead...just a typical man trying to be helpful ;)

I'd really like to get some meals for postpartum too...problem is I am struggling with nightly dinners as it is (thank goodness DH isn't working right now, :LOL) so cooking meals inadvance is not gonna happen! I think I will take your advise and try the Veggie Lasagne, Mirthfulmum...if I get to Costco sometime between now and then. And I will probably rely on frozen pizza too for a couple meals. I am lucky to have my parents just a block away and they don't mind feeding us :thumb

Is it just me or are we all having trouble collecting our thoughts these days...must be a sign of being in our final stage of pregnancy, you are supposed to turn inward, right? I used to write long elaborate posts and now all I can focus on is a little here and there. I don't even have the attention span to lurk around at the other boards like I used too.

[mirthfulmum]

:carrot :carrot :carrot :carrot :carrot
Yay MDC is back up and running! But where is everyone?

[blessed2bamommie]

layin here on the couch having just left diapering. :p

[Lucysmama]

On rest. :(

I went into pre-term labor last night....contrax were 5-7 minutes apart for a few hours, and starting to get very uncomfortable. I finally called my midwife after maybe 3 hours of this. She was a little irked I didn't call her sooner, but she didn't panic or anything. She gave me a list of herbs to take, many of which I had, and told me NO MORE PACKING, NO MORE MOVING, NO MORE CHASING/PLAYING WITH LUCY. Basically, the most I can do as per her recommendation is to sit on the couch and maybe fold clothes. :irked: Uhhhhh, we have to be outta here in like 2 days! Not to mention we still have to find a place to live!!!!

She thinks that the PTL was probably caused by four things: the huge change in weather (we went from around 65-70 degrees to in the 90s with total humidity), the full moon, my stress level, and my over-exertion. Since I can't do much about the first 3 things, she wants me to just Stop. Doing. Everything. I am going to go in this week so she can check my urine and cervix. Basically, I have to keep the baby in for 3 more weeks, and then the baby will be full-term and mature, and we can have our homebirth.

I can't take much more stress, mamas. I am SO about to lose it. My marriage, our housing issue, this PTL....I feel so bad for whining to you guys yet again, but Oy! This is soooooo hard. I was just telling dh the other day that I cannot take another big stressor in my life. Well, I guess I can, but please God, no more!!!! :nut

[OakEmber]

OMG Katie! Well I am glad at least to hear that baby is still in you, but what a whirlwind of a time you are having! I wish I had words of wisdom for you but I can only offer :hugs and :sticky baby vibes!

[Court]

Hey, just checkin in. I felt lost when Mothering was down, it interrupted my routine. I'm thinking about you Katie and sending good vibes! I want so much to hear good news from you, I think you've been tested enough. :)

Amie-what was it you said about being scatter brained or something? I think I have that. I'm really forgetfull all of the sudden and I have no energy. I do still skim through the other boards, but they don't excite me like they used to. I guess I'm just really bored too.

As far as a potential QOTW goes...my idea would be something along the lines of...How are you planning to avoid PPD? Or are you worried about it at all? Kinda serious, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and what my game plan will be.

Another thing I was thinking, if we run out of preggo related questions, maybe we could start asking silly, getting to know you questions, like "What was the first concert you went to?" or "What's your absolute favorite meal?"

ooh this baby is stretching his feet out, such a nice feeling :love

[OakEmber]

I was lost today too! And now that Ember is finally asleep I have so much to say! Totally contradicting what I said yesterday, I seem to have lots of thoughts tonight, :LOL! But I am glad that you are there with me Courtney!

So lets start with....Can you believe that last night, at 32 weeks I FINALLY had my first dream about a baby! I was holding Oakley on my lap, I'd say he was about 4 months and a lot chubbier than I'd expect my baby to be (based on Ember) and had green eyes, but not green blue like Ember's more hazel green like his dad. Of course now I am curious to see if he looks anything like that, but will have to wait a few months I guess :LOL And the other thing that happened in my dream is I harvested my garden....HMMM, harvesting and babies, must be some symbolism happening there? Anyone a dream expert?

Ok, so then. I went to the fabric store today and bought some terry and flannel to make wipes (not as nice of quality as I'd truly like but hey). Borrowed MIL's serger and should now have a ton of wipes soon, actually MIL bought the material too which was a sweet bonus. But I wanted to get some fleece too to make liners but I didn't really go in knowing enough about what I wanted, I was just looking for Malden Mills fleece but they don't sell it....anyway long story short, they basically had NEVER heard of fleece for diapers and thought I was crazy! So since getting home I went on the diapering board and found out that for what I want micro-fleece is the best, good thing I didn't buy anything today because I was looking at their heaviest fleece, which as I am learning is best for covers, etc. but not at all for my purpose. OK, so at least I am learning! Now's a good time to ask you all if you even think fleece liners are worth it, :LOL...I like the idea of keeping the bum dry for when I need extra time and also for keeping diaper stains at bay, at least in theory.

One last thing...whew, I tell ya, if this disappears on me I will freak, gotta get this out tonight because tomorrow I might be all scatterbrained again:LOL So back when we were doing our predictions my backup date in my head incase I am wrong is the 20th (the 6th and the 20th happen to line up with my moon cycles for LMP and conception). Dh says it's no fair to have a backup date :LOL So anyway, tonight I put the calendar infront of Ember so she could pick the day she thought Oakley would come (because she was talking about him coming in a few more weeks), and she picked the 20th. So we'll see, I don't want to change my prediction but just for the record maybe you guys will remember this if I'm wrong, :LOL.

I bet if I reread this in the morning it will seem really scatterbrained, but right now it feels like more clarity than I have had in a long time :LOL Off to bed now!

[sunshinegal]

Okay-have been super busy and just trying to keep up. Have been so tired and not enough good sleep to get rested to keep going. Yuk!
I have finally decided to have a vaginal birth.
:thumb
It was a tough decision I had to make since my last birth (a successful homebirth) I had some issues. The hardest issue was, I had some reconstructive surgery on my perineum (did I spell that right??) and my rectum (oh joy!!) and the doc that did the surgery said that tearing again is really high but then again she has never had a patient go through with a vaginal birth after this sort of reconstructive surgery. The midwives at my ob's office have been extremely supportive of a vaginal birth which is great and my doc said that it is all up to me which is also great.
I finally am happy to be pregnant. I have spent much of this pregancy researching c/s and worrying myself out of my mind :confused: that it has been hard digging down deep and listening to what I really wanted. I just couldn't go through a c/s after 2 vaginal deliveries just because someone said that I might tear and might have fecal incontinence-- although I have been doing a lot of my own research on the subject and there is no conclusive evidence of this.
I am not trying to offend anyone that is having a c/s. There are definite situations where they are absolutely necessary!! And I may end up having one depending on how the delivery actually goes. There is always that chance and I have prepared for it. But since this was up to me and something I needed to