Week of October 11th - Rise and Shine Ladies!

[gottaknit]

October Mamas Roll Call

momtol&a
Yoga mama
snugglebutter 10/01
mirthfulmum 10/03 BOY! Harrison
*prediction: last week of Sept, 8 hrs labour*
*Born 10/6, 12:30 pm, 7lbs 11ozs* Congratulations! :)
TracyK 10/04
mhurst 10/04
kraftykathy 10/04 *prediction: Oct 4, short labour, girl*
*A girl! Willow Cerridwen born Oct 13, 12:27 pm, 9lbs, 22 in*
Congratulations! :)
Jillerina 10/04 *prediction: Oct 6, 6 hrs labour*
*A boy! Leo born 10/09, 9lbs 9oz* Congratulations! :)
water 10/06
KateMary 10/06 *Ruby Ava born 09/25*
Proudly AP 10/08
MamaEmerald 10/08
nikwik 10/8 GIRL!
mayasmama 10/08 GIRL!
FutureMama 10/09 BOY! Miles Rocket
*Miles Rocket born Oct 12, 1:46 pm, 6 lbs 10 oz* Congratulations! :)
bluehalo 10/10 BOY! Noah Daniel
mellybean 10/10 GIRL! Willow
jamaicanmom 10/10
allformyboys 10/11
Lucysmama 10/12 *prediction: girl, Oct 8, 16 hrs labour*
bendmom 10/12
ashleepurdie 10/12 *prediction: boy, 12 hours easy labour*
*Ella Lucille born 10/6, 10:22 pm, 7.5 lbs, 21.25"* Congratulations! :)
momadance 10/13 BOY! Reed Jezmund
*prediction: Oct 23rd*
Mandi 10/14
rhemp 10/14
wannabmommie 10/15
MTBto5 10/15
krnflwr 10/16 GIRL! Emma Grace *prediction: Oct 16th, 10 hours labour*
gmvh 10/16 *Twins! Owen and Gwynnen born 9/25*
Piglet68 10/18 BOY! Sasha Adam scheduled cesarian October 8
*Sasha Adam, Oct 8, 21.5 in, ? lbs* Congratulations! :)
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
Ekatherina 10/22
Momma2Liam 10/24 *prediction: boy, 10/31, 9 hrs and 45 min labour*
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
AngelBee 10/25 BOY! Angelo Richard
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, I can't be the only one awake so far! ;)
My first time starting the thread.... So what am I supposed to say.... I've got stagefright all of a sudden. :shy

Carrie suggested "What have you been craving?" as QOTW... I've been craving MEAT the whole pregnancy. I've even given in and eaten McDonald's Big 'n' Tasty's on several occasions. (Which, IMHO, is a really suggestive name for a hamburger. ;) ) And of course, there's always ICECREAM. It is my policy to give in to all cravings. Which is probably why I've gained 50 pounds.... :LOL

Well, this is my first day in my new job as SAHM. Guess I'll go out for coffee and then get a manicure.... then meet my sister for lunch and stroll around the yuppie shopping district... Isn't that what you SAHMs do all day? Heh heh Just kidding! :laugh:

[mirthfulmum]

Good Morning Nancy!

I forgot to let you all know of a name change. I remembered that I hadn't update everyone when I looked over our weekly roll call.

We decided to give Harrison no middle name, just Harrison. After much debating and going back and forth we decided to follow Dh's father's family tradition of no middle name. As Dh is telling everyone, we gave Harrison his dad's middle name.

Boy this nusing at the keyboard takes a bit of skill and practice!

ETA: Oh and Amie had asked about Harrison's birth weight... he was 7lbs 11ozs.

[AnnR33]

QOTW-just junk! :blush I ate a whole bag of candy corn in only about 5 days-so sad. This is why we don't keep chips/cookies in the house normally but lately I've been shopping hungry and that's very bad! Also been eating Trader Joe's ginger animal crackers like they were going out of style.
Gotta gt a grip or I'll gain 5 lbs this week!

Can't wait to see who's next!!

Ann

[Lucysmama]

QOTW: What have I been craving? Donuts. :nono This local orchard sells apple cider donuts, made with their homemade cider and they are sooooooooo good. Donuts are my biggest no-no food, and here I am, gobbling them up. I must have had a dozen last week. :blush

Not much to report. Had contractions all day, evening, and night. Still having them, but they are light and irregular. Sigh. I'm gonna be pregnant forever.....

[momadance]

QOTW- nothing in paticular... I went through an avacado phase earlier in the preg.

Just got back from the mw. I'm measuring 43, and baby's hb is 133. Same old same old, although I've finally come to the realization that this babe's probably going to be close to 10lbs! Miles was 9.7.

[MamaEmerald]

40w 3d

hey mamas! boy am I getting ready to pop. my belly has been contracting so much, but every time I think something's gonna happen........ nope. But my contractions are still getting a lot heavier. I've been rubbing my nipples and going on walks and doing whatever I can! I suppose I shouldn't rush the little guy, but I'm ready to get this show on the road!

I should calm down. I guess part of this scares me a little, because my mother was induced at 42 and a half weeks after showing NO signs of labor, and I just don't want to face that decision. The "how long is too long" thing just doesn't sound fun. I know that most "over due" babies show no signs of genuine post maturity, but it is a little bit scary anyway. But my mom's situation was an exception, and I need to not forget that.

as for the QOTW, the only think that I've really been craving much throughout this pregnancy is chocolate. Otherwise, I get a dull urge to eat some highly processed crap here or there, but I'm not sure that I consider it really a "craving." But now I'm gonna go eat some cookies.

[stanleymama]

So the nesting urge has kicked in full swing this morning. I've dusted, vaccuumed the whole house-upstairs and down, swept--to get ready to mop, organized our bedroom, washed windows and got the boys lunch. Baby can come anytime :thumb

QOTW: I have craved seafood off and on with this little one. My "sinful" addiction has been in just the last week when someone gave us a HUGE bag of tootsie rolls. I told dh to hide them this morning. That is about it. I will get hungry for something, but I try not to give into all of my cravings.

[sunshinegal]

I am in the same boat with you Gottaknit as far as giving in to your cravings! For most of the pregnancy I was craving raviolies and then it went to cheeseburgers- those real big ones!! and now it's just about any kind of meat. Oh- and I shouldn't forget the chocolate ;) There are 2 bags of candy in my freezer at the moment. These Halloween candy sales make it so easy. I have gained about 40 pounds so far. It all keeps me happy :D

I have been having 1 real strong full contraction per day for the last couple of days. There is also the mini contractions, the BH, the back ache, the cramping. It also takes me a while to make it out of the chair or the car. I have to hold onto the top of the car and pull myself out! Oh and I am definitely in with those of you with the night sweats. I wake up totally drenched and by the morning my short hair is stuck up in a mohawk and I am definitely ripe :blush

I have been so very emotional that all I can say is my dh is a saint. We had this discussion last week about frosting for my ds birthday cake. I was supposed to take care of the frosting (new recipe) and he would take care of the cake. The cake was baked and cooled and I asked him to take care of the frosting because I had just gotten up from a nap and didn't think that I was in the right frame of mind to be trying a new recipe. That is when he noticed that it would take about 2 hrs to make the frosting and we had 45 minutes until the birthday party started :crap so I start off on a rampage that it's all his fault because he should have baked the cake earlier and what does he expect from me, it's not like I would have actually read the directions before hand or anything!!! :eyesroll Then I picked up a tupperware container, threw it at his feet, yelled some profanities and stomped up to my bedroom, slammed the door shut and proceeded to cry. My poor dh. We ended up making up later, where I apologized profusely. :eyesroll
I am officially done with work this Thursday and I cannot wait!! I get to be SAHM for at least the next 12 months. Things have been pretty slow so I am able to try and stay up to date on the things going on in this thread.
I am still waiting to see what my DH decides to do for work. He is interested in getting into legal work, but has to finish his degree first. He also has been working on and off for about 15 years at a local bakery and we have always toyed with the idea of buying it. He sat down with the owner this weekend and had a long talk. I'm going to cross my fingers and have faith in the powers that be that all will work out right. It usually does.
You are all amazing women and it strengthens me know that you are all out there! :love :heartbeat :heartbeat My friends at work ask me if the Doc said that the baby is coming early. I said," How would the doc know? She's not the baby." Most of the women here don't have any children and are so amazed that I actually WANT to go through labor. Thank goodness for you all!! :bow :bow :bow
Thanks meli for posting those links for the mandalas. I printed a whole bunch down this weekend and have really gotten into coloring. My ds and dd love the animal ones.

Sending out good labor vibes to all you mamas that need it!!!

[3bees~1flower]

hello! i haven't too many overwhelming cravings except early on all i wanted was fruit. i will still go for a lot of fruit if we are eating somewhere other than home and it is offered, but haven't been buying like i did.

had a checkup today. all is well. baby's heart rate was 148. i have measured 39 the last three times (actually today was 39.5) he said the head is pretty far down. my bp was an all time low of 106/68!! with my history of PE that is awesome!

:hug to all you mamas contracting all the time with no results...it'll come ;)

so i see my dr. next mon then again on thurs to do all my pre-op stuff then meet our baby on FRIDAY (the 22nd)! only 11 more days!

carrie

[krnflwr]

QOTW: meat, meat and more meat. I can't seem to get enough protein...meat, cheese, nuts, beans. With Hannah, all I craved was sweets but this time I'm all about steak and sushi and bean burritos. As I sit here eating my mom's apple pie....hee hee hee. :D
Oops, just realized what time it is. I need to head out to my OB/mw appt. Talk to all you mamas later.

[mandalamama]

40wks 1day :)

my tests were all normal today, no pre-e stuff and we have no idea why it keeps coming and going. my BP today was 116/60. the dr. didn't even hint induction to me, i think she's learning. it was a madhouse in L&D, birthing mamas stuck in the tiny triage rooms, i am SO glad i'm not in labor right now!! everybdy must have been trying to keep warm last January ;)

qotw: Taco Bell! specifically 2 soft tacos with sour cream and no lettuce. i've craved that the whole pregnancy. making tacos at home doesn't satisfy the craving, i have to make a run for the border :D

peace,
meli

[flitters]

hahhaha, i love reading about all the cravings!

i unfortunately have nothing interesting to add. i now find red meat tolerable (normally i can't stand it) which is good cause my third tri bloodwork showed minor anemia. dh is very enthusiastic about my eating beef - i think he misses it normally since he doesn't usually cook what i don't eat.

oh, in very early pregnancy i craved boston market chicken. i ate there every day for a week and loved it. then suddenly, it became my strongest and only lasting food aversion. one day i'll go back there. maybe.

glad to hear all the good news about low blood pressure and no pre-e. things here are good too. no major news. continued BH contractions, cramping enough to wake me up last night, lots of pelvic pressure... things feel like they are progressing, i just hope they don't progress too fast. i think i'm going to go a bit early but i'd like to be pregnant at least another week. seems reasonable. :p

oh, and i LOVE the pictures and birthstories!!!

:grouphug

[Court]

QOTW: Um I've craved pretty much everything. Definitely meat and protein stuff. I went through an Indian food obsession as well. Now it's hard to keep me away from cookies. By the way, all you ladies craving meat, that usually means BOY. ;)

Nancy- that pic of your dh is hillarious, I should get one of those for mine. :)

Mirthful- I love reading your updates and I'm so glad Alias is adjusting well. Oh how I look forward to those explosive poops. Thanks for the EPO tip, I'm buying some today. That's one thing I've been worried about is the hormonal post partum crap. My midwife said she's gathering together some herbal stuff for me too. And thanks for the Piglet update, glad to hear all is well.

Sunshinegal- All the stuff you said about being emotional and taking it out on dh- I'm right there with ya. I've had to explain to dh- just ignore me and don't take it personally. I seemed to have lost that filter in my brain that keeps me from saying the bitchiest most unreasonable things. Dh was cleaning the toilet the other day w/ a paper towel - and I HAD to tell him that he was doing it wrong -holding the towel wrong or something. I've lost my mind. I really feel like I'm looking for an excuse to get into a fight w/ him- like I must need to vent or something.

:hug Lucysmama-we can be pregant forever together.

Glad the tests were normal Meli!

[flitters]

ummmm, small update. maybe i am having cravings, just nothing consistent. i just ate the most delicious, most satisfying, most delectable bag of cheesey poofs ever. well, technically they weren't the poofs. they were the cheese crunchies. bright orange. at least they were from trader joes so the ingredients weren't bad. did i mention how cheesey they were? mmmmmm... :yum

[True Blue]

Can I come whine again???? Where is my baby? I swear the baby is so low, all I have to do is dilate and the thing will just pop right out. I never felt DS this low. I remember in labor it hurting to relax all the muscles in pelvic floor to pee, and I guess it was him moving down. Well I feel that already. Like when I poop I wonder if I'm going to see a head :LOL. Katie, I was worried about going longer than we all thought too, but I honestly believed there was no way the baby would even make it to 37 weeks the way I had been having contractions and the baby was moving down. Now I hardly have contractions. It makes no sense!!!! MW was kind enough to share a story of another mw who had such bad preterm labor, she was on brethine and doing yoga poses to keep baby in...she went to 42 weeks :rolleyes. I just tried going for a walk but it started to rain on me. Maybe if I just start doing jumping jacks?

On a nice note my mom bought me a cleaning service, and my house is getting cleaned tomorrow, I am SOOOO excited for that!

MW appt in the morning, I really didn't think I'd have to go see her again. Grrrr.

Bought more EPO. Inserting pills inside you is definitely a new and interesting experience.

Cravings: I really want chocolate. Maybe I'll make some cookies tonight.

[kraftykathy]

Me too. I'm going to be pregnant forever too. :crying

I never thought I'd be pregnant past last week end, never mind this one. I know I still have plenty of time, but I am so ready to see this baby.

I have a midwife appointment tomorrow too and like trueblue, I never thought I would make it to this one. Baby's head has been engaged for weeks and my bladder is an almost zero capacity. Oh and I am getting that feeling like the head should be popping out everytime I go to the bathroom!

Wow, a few weeks back I never would have guessed that I could sound so whiny.

I'm just feeling a little down today. I'm with all of you on the mood swing thing. I've cried several times today. Tomorrow will probably be better. I find that I'm alternating optimistic days and pessimistic days right now. Let's hope tomorrow brings change!

QOTW - Nothing specific. Sweets mostly. I'm snacking quite a bit right now. At the festival we were at this weekend they had these wonderful old fashioned apple fritters fried in this gigantic iron cauldron. They were just super tasty and completly unhealthy!!!! I'm also enjoying cafe mochas too. But what I really want is a giant fish bowl sized glass of wine. Someday!


Kathy

[BeansMomma]

38 Weeks; 6 days

Happy Monday, all!

QOTW: My cravings have been rooted in comfort food from my childhood. Of course, that means all sorts of healthy food like mac 'n cheese, grilled cheese, potato chips, PBJ, chicken fried steak, potatoes and corn (did I mention I was raised in Kansas?!?) And, of course, cheeseburgers. I haven't had red meat in something like 2 years and this pregnancy brought it all back for me. Mind you, I don't really want steak as much as good ol' cheeseburgers! Luckily, there's a good deal of organic meat here in Portland. During my 1st and 2nd trimesters, I had a lot of food aversions - I couldn't stand fish or garlic. Mind you - it was so bad I couldn't even think of them without wanting to hurl. So glad that's passed because I love garlic and fish too.

Looking forward to more baby stories! Congrats on all you mommas who have birthed so far!

[True Blue]

Hey we haven't heard from Ekatherina in hours....think she had her baby???

[ameliabedelia]

I have been craving things like chocolate, ice cream (our store had a special on Friendly's ice cream and their Forbidden Chocolate Explosion flavor is so, so, so, so good!! ). I stocked up on it, since normally it is expensive, but so yuuuumy!! I have also had meat cravings, things like hot dogs, lunchean meats (which I heat up to steaming), hamburgers, steak. Really weird, since normally I hate hot dogs. I ate more this pregnancy than I have eaten in the last 10 years. LOL

I am also looking foreword to hearing some more birth stories. I hate to think that we will ALL go late. Come on' ladies, get birthing!! I am getting nervous that so many people are going later, makes me think I will be late after all. I really want an Oct. baby, NOT a Nov. baby. LOL

[OakEmber]

Mirthfulmum- I really enjoyed reading your post partum update. That's cute your Dh telling people that Harrison has his grandpa's mn :LOL He weighted the same as Ember did :thumb

QOTW- I haven't really had any specific cravings...and I haven't really had much food desire at all. At times though I was wanting dessert everynight, and calorie dense stuff like cheesecake at one point, and of course now pumpkin pie. Some days for lunch that's what I've felt like. Maybe because I am not interested in snacking between meals like usual I am making up for the lost calories by indulging in dessert. Only problem is now Ember wants dessert everynight after dinner too :LOL

It was kinda nice yesterday having everyone ooohh and aaahh over my belly. We had a really great dinner and I ate as much as I do normally on such an occasion and paid for it later with indigestion...not the smartest thing to do :eyesroll

Sunshinegal and others feeling the same way...here are some :hugs This last strech is by far the hardest I think emotionally...luckily it sounds like your Dh's are pretty understanding (or at least tolerant, hehe). My Dh is trying to quit smoking right now...which of course I really want him to do and all, but I could throttle him for chosing NOW to do it :angry

At least misery loves company and we are all feeling whiny about still being pregnant :LOL Amy, same think happened to my friend who just had her baby in Sept. she went right to and a day or so over her DD, not that you want to hear that!

[Lucysmama]

I got 3 "Where is the baby???" calls today. :irked: And nobody even knows my EDD! My brother was like, "No, but SERIOUSLY, Katie, when is the baby coming?" I think he thought I was being coy when I said I had no idea. I explained how normal pregnancy lasts 38-42 weeks, blah blah. And he was like, "Well, I just have a lot of stuff to do in the next couple of weeks and I am curious as to when the baby is going to be born!" I was like, "Ummm, if it was up to me, I'd have a 2 week old, ok?" :rolleyes

He also told me that my GRANDPARENTS, who are in their 70s, are all kinds of wigged out about how the baby is not going to fit down MY birth canal. Apparently, my family finds it completely appropriate to talk about the size of my vagina to one another. I was like, "Do they know something that I don't about my yoni???" And my brother said, "Well, you know.....they think Lucy couldn't fit, so this baby won't either, and you're having this homebirth..." They think I am being a real moron even attempting a VBAC, let alone at home. :( Ugh! I just want to lock myself in a closet alone and come out when I have had my baby.

To top it all off, I have to go to yet another prenatal tomorrow and talk about how nothing has changed, how many BHs I am still having, blah blah. It's a depressing thought.

[mtnjenny]

Hearing all of your cravings makes me feel SO much better...I've been feeling so guilty about overindulging. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm so envious of you ladies who can keep up here! I'm still checking in, and loving every minute of it when I get the chance to pop in. Still teaching...I think I'm crazy, but it's really going quite well. I swear part of my motivation to be there is to be surrounded by our incredible staff, a bunch of awesome women who couldn't BE more supportive and excited about this baby on the way - especially after our past troubles. Although, some of the parents at school are rude in the things they say. How dare I interrupt their child's school year by having a baby? How selfish! (Not said in so many words, but definitely insinuated...)

Soooo...I've got a whole lot of NOTHIN' going on labor-wise...although I could probably convince myself that I'm feeling things I'm really not.

Love reading the stories, welcome babies, hang in there everyone!

[mandalamama]

speaking of cheesy poofs, that's funny, i've been craving Andy Capp Cheddar Fries like crazy for the last two weeks! my husband has been to every store we can think of trying to find them, all they have is Hot Fries. but i need that cheesy flavor! :D

{{{hugs}}} to all the moody mamas out there!

Lucysmama, and anyone else who has people interested in their yonis ... you could start VNN, the Vagina News Network, to keep your family informed ;) my in-laws haven't mentioned my nether regions per se but they seem quite freaked out that i'm past my EDD.

converse of food cravings ... what have your food aversions been? the aversions started early and have stayed with me. i used to love root beer, then the wintergreen part made me really sick. i haven't been able to eat any processed low-carb foods without getting horrible tummy cramps, i think it's the sugar substitutes. most of my aversions have been smell-based ... i can't handle "stinky cheese" i.e. anything with more odor than cheddar, even asiago and Swiss which used to be my favorites. i refuse to eat cantaloupe because it "smells like feet" which drives Pan nuts because he wants to know what i think feet smell like *lol*

peace,
meli

[Lucysmama]

Maybe if I just start doing jumping jacks?


This cracked me up, because when I was overdue with Lucy, I would MARCH around the house every night. Knees up really high, march, march, march. Up the steps, march march march. Back down again, march, march, march. Every so often I would stop to squat. Not sure exactly what I thought marching would do....it didn't do anything. :LOL

[sqoya]

Lucysmama, and anyone else who has people interested in their yonis ... you could start VNN, the Vagina News Network, to keep your family informed
:rotflmao :rotflmao :rotflmao

I've been completely emotional, too. Although it's been much better this week. Usually I'll start yelling at my dh, and he'll just take it, and at some point, he'll say something nice and sweet that makes me realize how rotten I am, and then I'll sit there simultaneously with tears streaming down my face and laughing. Pretty much just laughing at how amazingly trivial the things are that I get mad at him for!!!

QOTW: No specific cravings here. Love, love, love chocolate in small doses and itty bitty root beer floats (small scoop of ice cream, 1/3 can root beer) and ummm.... protein, too. mmmmmmmm....

Seems like Ekatherina had her baby??? Haven't heard from in so long!!! Hope she's doing well!

[Court]

I just bought some Evening Primrose Oil tonight as well as some Bach's rescue remedy. I've scoured the last thread to find where you guys were talking about dosage- and I can't for the life of me find it. Sorry to be a pain, but if someone could remind me. The bottle says 1000 mg a day, but I think someone mentioned to take more - or was that just when you insert it?

Katie- sorry your family is being so annoying about your due date. I would have been livid if I knew people were discussing my ability to birth my child. You need to be hearing supportive things right now, not doubts and worries. People (like my mom) keep asking what my EDD is, like it means something- so I just say, "well I'll be 40 weeks on the 21st, but the baby could come anytime..." They act as if I have 2 heads when I say that, it's like no one believes me.

Hmm, maybe we haven't heard from Ekatherina because of the time difference (her being in Japan and all). But, I have a feeling that she may indeed have her baby....she was having lots of cramps....

[Ekatherina]

No no everyone, I'm still pregnant...:crying....Court is right time difference is the reason why i don;t write while you do...between you and JApan where i live...i was so happy in the morning because i was having some strong contractions all night and woke up with this cramping and backache..lost some part of my mucus plug also..but my mw called she said she wants to come and check on me (i actuallly felt disappointed because i planned to go for shopping and walking to speed things up) and now she came and checked me (only externally) and said that the baby won't come out before a week or so...!!! but how can she know?? i mean i still have cramps and stuff and I AM GOING for a long walk but can she be wrong??? please tell me she can be wrong because im feeling sooooooooo down, since i was expecting that something will happen between today or tomorrow...could she tell that because my BP was 90/60?? (same throughout pg).....i mean is there some way to tell that the baby isn;t coming...i do feel him low and his head really low...and do feel pain like he is going down....ok ill stop nagging sorry but big big :grouphug for all of us who is waiting waiting waiting ....hold on!!! akh reading mirthfulmom post brought my mood up...after all its all worth it to hold ur baby...just a little waiting..no?.:angry...
cravings... :eyesroll since my dh is feeding me ONLY healthy food all my pg i can say i craved everything unhealthy...:) i did buy yesterday chocolate but can't eat it as much as i can (dh is watching me all the time :angry)...but well at least i know i have chocolate near me...:love...
Lucysmama :hug....don;t care about what they say...you will show them all you can do it...noone knows ur body better than you.....
much much borth vibes to everyone....:dust :dust :dust

[Lucysmama]

Ekatherina - I don't THINK there is anyway to tell when a woman will deliver, even if you exam her internally, but especially if you only examine her externally!

I wouldn't give up any hope, but I would plan to be pregnant for at least another week since you are still awhile from your due date, and it is your first baby. Statistically, you are likely to go to or a little beyond that. Probably not what you want to hear, huh? :) But keep going for walks, maybe have some sex if you feel like it, and some orgasms, and that'll help the baby along!!!

:hug to all of us still pregnant! We sure are taking this baby-cooking seriously, aren't we?!?!

ETA: :banana Happy Due Date to me!

[Piglet68]

in love....

Hello everyone! I will post a proper birth story asap, just wanted to pop in and say hello. came home today, a bit overwhelming at moments (DD wants only me now) but overall i'm very happy!

can i just say it's so nice to not be pregnant anymore? :LOL don't worry ladies, you will all be here soon! of course, i'm in recovery from surgery, so no more active than i was a couple days ago, but at least my clothes fit a bit better.

oh yeah, anyone want to explain to me how I gave birth to a 7 lb 8 oz boy, but have only lost FIVE pounds? :D

emily did SUPER while i was in hospital. in fact, she and DH are in bed asleep. he put her down. with me here. and she didn't ask for me or milkies. omg....this is huge to me. sasha and i will be joining them in bed shortly.

i'll try to write more soon. just wanted to say hello. felt all the love from you ladies, missed you all tons. :grouphug

i love having a teeny tiny newborn again!! :love :baby :love

[AnnR33]

Welcome Home Piglet! So glad to hear from you. Glad things are going well and hope your recovery is quick. Can't wait to hear more.
Blessings and much rest :)
Ann

[AnnR33]

OMG! You all have to go to the main Mothering page (click at top left) and scroll down to the bottom where it says "Home Birth video" on the right. Click on it and be amazed at how cool this is! I want a video/picture diary like this!
It's awesome!
Ann

[Ekatherina]

:carrot :carrot :carrot....eeeeeeeeeey congratulations Piglet....!!! so so nice to hear from you again..i dreamt about u yesteday...well only know u from the picture..:shy but i can't remember what were u doing in the dream...can't wait to heat ur full birth story....
thanx a lot Lucysmama, well i know because its my first pg it might go beyond DD...but...u know...:innocent...
my dh doesn't want to walk with me and doesn't want to have sex because he says he want FULL-TERM baby...:angry...yeah of course...i tell him it's not you who is pg after all!!!
did I tell you he was feeling that "he was having contractions last night!!" :laugh:

[Wabi Sabi]

Congratulations, Piglet!

It is 2:30 and I can't sleep. My midwife came this evening for an appointment and did an internal exam while she was here. I was about 1.5 cm and 60-70% effaced, baby at 0 station although in a kinda funky position. Shortly after she left I started to get all crampy feeling. I tried to sleep but that didn't last all that long.

I don't know what I'm feeling- are these contractions or am I just REALLY constipated? Up until now, I've never even had so much as a Braxton-Hicks, so I don't have anything to compare this to.

My stomach also hurts. I had a kinda light dinner, so I'm not sure if I'm just hungry and should go grab a bowl of cereal or if I'm about to puke...

How the hell can my husband sleep so soundly right now???

I'm off to try a shower...

[ameliabedelia]

Welcome Home, Piglet and Baby Sasha. :jumpers:

Happy due date, Katie! Sorry your family is being such a pain. You would think people would have more common sense. How in the world do they think the human race survived if all woman weren't equipped to give birth normally.

Futuremama, sending some birthing vibes your way!!

[True Blue]

Congrats Piglet!! I've been thinking about you! I'm so happy to hear things are going so well. :)

Katie, I'm :LOL sitting here picturing you marching around the house....that's something I can see myself doing!! :LOL

Ekatherina -- tell your DH you ARE full-term, heck I'm full term and I'm due 5 days after you are!! Get him in bed! ;) Oh no I don't think she can tell much of anything from an external exam, things can change so fast.

So ew I don't know if I can do this whole inserting EPO every night. It's kind of gross later on!!! My panties full of oil in the morning. Blech. Court, I think someone mentioned 2000mg by mouth and 3000mg internally per day. I've only been inserting 2000mg bc I can't imagine the mess it would be with 6 pills instead of 4.

[mandalamama]

:jumpers: yayyy Piglet and Sasha! :jumpers:

Ekatherina i'm totally confused also, you're not alone! it's so hard being a "first timer" and not knowing exactly what's up. i try to trust my instincts but then my body does something strange and i freak out. the nice strong surges i'd been having stopped totally, a few yesterday morning then poof! gone. :( i keep waiting for pink discharge or a mucous plug, nothing, i feel like i'm corked as tight as a wine bottle! i just keep reminding myself "my body and the baby knows what to do, trust trust trust."

i'm so jealous when i read about a midwife coming to someone's home for exams! if i ever do this again i definitely want to do a homebirth :D

peace,
meli

[3bees~1flower]

oh yeah, anyone want to explain to me how I gave birth to a 7 lb 8 oz boy, but have only lost FIVE pounds? :D


First CONGRATULATIONS!! :jumpers: can't wait to hear your story and see pictures...

as far as the weight loss thing....you may have gotten pitocin after the birth to help your uterus clamp down and that can cause water retention, so i bet you just haven't gotten rid of much extra water yet. HTH!!

Jillerinia....loved your pictures! aren't big babies fun? :D

[momadance]

Piglet, when I had Miles, the day after giving birth I weighed MORE then when I went in to have him :eyesroll

Man, I'm so sorry to all you mama's who are so anxious to have your baby's! :Hug A baby is full term on the baby's terms! Why does everyone keep saying full term is 38 weeks? because that's when the lungs are done cooking? or cause that's when it's ok to have a section? I don't get it? I asked my mw, and she said full term is 40...
:scratch


Off to story time and gymnastics!

[Ekatherina]

Futuremama, :hug sorry u can't sleep...most awful feeling to me...and u know what is the worst thing with this cramps..when i normally had cramps (my periods) i would lie on my belly and they will go...but i can't do that now...:crying...
Meli, that was excatly what i said to my mw today, when she wanted to examine me internally...(i hate that) ...i said i trust my body and my baby...:) we don't need to be checked...she was very nice and didn't argue...hold on! i can feel we are so close now....:1praying:
i went for a very very very long walk...my feet hurt...but im happy i did this cause now cramps got stronger...:thumb...i bought some herbs for the herbal bath...i keep thinking about Ashlee and her herbal bath with her cute baby...under the candle light...it just seems so perfect...so i got some herbs but couldn't find all of them...will go for herbal hunting again tomorrow... :run

[momadance]

Oh, I forgot to add something, We concieved Reed the 1st night of dh's granny's funeral. Yesterday we heard his grandad passed away due to a massive heart attache, and the 1st day of his funeral is tom. my official "due date".. I just think it's wild how the universe works. We lost granny, and life was created inside, and we lost grandad, and now life's about to begin out here with us..... The universe is so poetic

[Momma2LiamandTara]

Ann-

Thanks for posting about that homebirth video. Oh man I wish I could have a video like that of our upcoming birth. That was amazing! It had me bawling!

Sorry to hear all you mommas wanting to go but your babies aren't wanting to. I understand that! :Hug I'm feeling that way too! I'm almost at 39 weeks and am thinking about starting some stuff to get labor going. I don't know about the EPO. Just a bit too icky for me. Then again I drank castor oil last time to get things going. :D

As far as cravings go it's been tons of pasta throught the pregnancy. Any kind of meat grossed me out for awhile now I'm enjoying it again but not craving it. Tomatoes would give me terrible heartburn until just recently. Of course chocolate and ice cream have been yummy all the time. I've really been on this M&M kick espically the peanut and almond kind. :thumb Oh and lots of chocolate milk!! It's been totally different cravings this time around.

Welcome home Piglet. Glad to hear everyone is home and happy!

Not much going on here for contractions. A little bit of BH's here and there but that has been it! I have to remember to ask my OB how long they will let me go over before we tlak induction!

Maybe we will have some more babies soon.

Carrie

[OakEmber]

Momadance- I am sorry to hear about your Dh's grandpa...but yes I agree it is wild the way the universe works like that!

I don't know why we drive ourselves crazy the way we are :LOL I know from what I've read that you are likely to go around the same time as you did before (assuming it is the same father) but yet I hope to defy the stats! My fall back prediction date was Oct.20 so I guess I should quit trying to analyze every little thing! Ember came right around her EDD. And in the grand sheme of things we will be holding our little ones soon enough...

EPO recap...I was told take 2000mg orally and 3000mg vag. I've kinda slacked off though, still taking the oral but I only did about a week of vag. Just too tired by the end of the day to even bother. Oh and just thought of one more thing...when you take it you are supposed to take it with a fat (so even if you wash it down with milk that's fine).

Piglet! Yay, you're back! Congratulations!! Can't wait to see a pic of Sasha!! :love

If anyone is looking for pics of Leo they are on the birth announcement thread...I went to the yahoo site and was like :scratch But I did see Nancy's pic of her DH there with the p'udder.....:rotflmao He's pretty cute Nancy ;)

Oh and Katie...argh, sorry to hear about the comments! Don't let them get to you...so frustrating :eyesroll

I don't think we've heard from Bluehalo in quite some time??

[sunshinegal]

momadance- I know exactly what you mean! For my 1st pg with my dd, my memere (grandmother) on my dad's side had just passed away and then with my 2nd pg with ds, my husbands grandmother passed away. Talk about the cycle of life!

lucysmama- Happy DD! I know you must be so frustrated! From all your pre labor it sounded as if you would be one of the first ones to deliver. And to think that your family is discussing the size of your vagina just totally cracks me up :LOL What a crazy topic of discussion. Let me say that with all of the jumping, walking and squatting you are doing, you are going to be in great shape once this baby decides to come. ;)

Piglet- Congratulations and hello Sasha :banana :banana

I went in for my 3rd u/s yesterday. I mostly did it for my doc because she wanted to check the size of the baby. From what I have read it is usually inaccurate but after my last pg I had some reconstructive surgery to my perineum/ rectum and they were suggesting I go with a c-section as to avoid any possible tearing. But, that wasn't something I was up to considering I've already had 2 vaginal deliveries. So with me willing to risk it, she thought it would be best to see what the baby's size may be and how big her head was ( My ds was 9lb 4 oz). The technician said that I am on track for a 7lb 2 oz baby. I said WHAT!! Have you seen the size of my belly!! This makes me think that I am probably going to go past my edd. Which I have done with both of my other pg. I have actually gotten into the habit of responding to questions about the due date by saying "She should be here by Thanksgiving :) ". They usually leave me alone after that ;)

[stanleymama]

OakEmber...thanks for the reminder to take epo with fat.. I have just been taking it with water..time to switch it up.

Piglet...CONGRATS and WELCOME HOME!!!! Can hardly wait to see pics of your little guy.

[mirthfulmum]

Congratulations Piglet and Sasha! Sounds like your family is adjusting beautifully.

Happy Due Date Katie. So you've officially held up your end of the bargin, you've housed the little one for 40 weeks, now it's time for him/her to hold up their end and move on out.

Jillerina - Leo is so very cute. And the pictures of your family are wonderful. You all look so happy.

Amie - Thanks for the EPO with fat tip. I was never told that.

[ameliabedelia]

Why does everyone keep saying full term is 38 weeks? because that's when the lungs are done cooking? or cause that's when it's ok to have a section? I don't get it? I asked my mw, and she said full term is 40...

Actually full term is 37 weeks. That just means that the lungs are mature enough. 40 weeks is really just the avg. gestational length. If you were to plot a graph of say 500 woman and at what gestational point they gave birth (assuming they went into labor naturally), most of the dots would be clustered around 40 weeks with the majority in between 39 and 41 weeks. There would be fewer dots, but still a lot around 38 and 42 weeks and even less around 37 or 43 weeks. And, a few outlying ones of those who went gave birth prematurely (before 37 weeks). So, 40 weeks isn't really any magical number, it just means that *most* women give birth *around* 40 weeks, but anywhere from 37-43 (although most doctors now say 42 or less :eyesroll, but my mom was telling me that before they had inductions some people would go to 43 weeks and have perfectly fine, normal babies). is considered normal.

[Lucysmama]

YAY Piglet!!!! Welcome, Sasha! :banana :balloons :baby :banana :balloons :baby I look forward to hearing your birth story. What a relief that Emily did so well! How does she like Sasha? How was your hospital stay? How's your incision/pain level? Hope you are on your way to a speedy recovery! :love

Momadance - I can't speak for others, but for me (and maybe Amy) we had so much PTL and contractions we didn't think we would make it this far. So it is a bit crazy-making. Especially when you take it easy for weeks, hoping to get to 38 weeks, when the baby is mature, and then nothing happens. And having such strong contractions - ones that are starting to hurt - every night is tiring and takes a lot out of me physically and emotionally. I know babies will be born when they are ready, which is why I'm not pulling out the breastpump or taking enemas and castor oil. I just vent here to you guys instead. :D

Yeah, where IS bluehalo? We haven't heard from her in a while. And Letia, please come back and hang out, we miss you!

[flitters]

hi mamas!

welcome home piglet and sasha!!!

what wonderful pictures of jillerina, leo and family!

sorry these last days have become so uncomfortable and emotional for many of you. imagine how all the sweeter it will be when the babe finally does arrive!

things here are good. i feel a bit of progress daily, or at least it seems that way. last night i was woken up by pretty strong menstrual-like cramps. they didn't seem coordinated with any contractions or anything and they went away finally when i got up and walked around a bit, peed and had some water. then i went back to sleep.

oh, in other news, i found i have developed some stretchmarks in the last couple days. they are down low, under my tummy. they are also pale pink and thin - more weblike than tiger stripey. i have some old ones from puberty that are barely visible, these look like they will turn out the same eventually. no big deal. i'll try to put up a more recent picture on our yahoo group later today, but i think they are too faint to show up on the camera unless it's a super-close-up.

i've also been sewing like mad. i finished the curtains then i made a dozen cloth mama pads that should be great for postpartum (i'm really happy with how they came out) and 2 cloth pantiliners with my extra fabric. i also made 10 or 12 cloth wipes so far before i ran out of flannel so i'll probably be making a trip to the fabric store today.

:grouphug

[MamaEmerald]

I met with my midwife yesterday and she told me about how they decide whether to recommend induction or not. She signed me up for an appointment on thursday to get my fluid levels checked and everything. She was gonna make it friday, but then said, "oh, let's do it for thursday so that if we need to induce it'll be one of us" (my midwives share call on the weekend with another group of midwives). It made me feel ill.

She didn't sound "induction happy" per se, but I was shocked that she even mentioned it. I guess they have to though--she does work in a hospital setting. But she also said she thinks everything will be fine and that I may even have my baby before that appointment. Not that she's positive or anything, but she seemed to think it was coming sooner rather than later.

sick of waiting! blah~

[True Blue]

Yeah Katie -- PTL and stuff really makes the whole dragged out. I was 1cm, 50% effaced and at 0 station at 21 weeks!!! So the idea that I will be 38 weeks tomorrow is insane. Not to mention how much this pregnancy really dragged on. It went so slow. Though finally the past week and a half I have been able to enjoy being pregnant a little bit again, since I can be ME -- I go for walks, play with Mickade, move furniture...whatever I want finally!!! I check myself and I guess I am now about 1-2cm, not sure about effacement but at least 50%, and I bet station-wise I'm at like -2, the baby just keeps dropping down. So I feel so ready!! And I think having a homebirth in some ways makes you more anxious, in that I HAD to have everything ready before 37 weeks so things would be in place if I went into labor then, whereas for a hospital birth you can discreetly pack a bag. I have a box of birth supplies, a bassinet full of other birthing stuff, a big pool blown up in my closet, etc.

Kristin -- if you're not comfortable with it, maybe you can get her to reschedule for Monday? That would give you a lot of extra time for things to happen on their own. :hug

[AnnR33]

Flitters-running out of flannel?-wish you lived by me-I have yards of it!! I went a little nuts when it was on sale for .99 at 6am the day after Thanksgiving last year-crazy I know! I just finished about a doz wipes myself on the serger for some swaps and now should be able to do some for myself. I really wanted to do some hemp jersey buntings/kimonos but I've never sewn clothes before so a little intimidated by the prospect.

Trying to get things done around here! Making a to-do list for the in-laws ;) might as well keep them busy. And trying to raise some paypal for a KKAFP-my last carrier wanted for my "collection" so I'm listing things on the TP. Feels good to clean but I'll crash soon I'm sure and get a little more done tomorrow.

WHO'S NEXT?????????

Take care
Ann

[Lucysmama]

Kristin - At least make them tell you what your Bishop's score is before you will consent to an induction. If you get a less-than-favorable number (which I believe is less than a 5) DO NOT let them induce you! It could really set you up for a cesarean. This is why I had mine - my dd was not engaged, my cervix was not favorable, and I was induced, which led to a cascade of interventions that led to a surgical delivery. Not fun. I know you are impatient, but it is definitely worth waiting until you and your baby's bodies are ready rather than face the prospect of a potential failed induction. Also, I had an ultrasound to check fluid levels, which was the reason they gave me for the induction - the levels were "a little low." I know now how inaccurate this asessment via ultrasound can be. It is also effected by maternal hydration, so DRINK DRINK DRINK before you go in!

[bluehalo]

I'm here, I'm here ... sorry to get everyone excited. Just feeling cranky and quiet. 3 days past my due date, and while yes I'm excited to meet this new baby, I'm not as anxious as everyone else is (friends, family, seemingly everyone and anyone!) ... I just feel like hibernating until the baby comes. I swear I get at least 6 calls daily, and heaven forbid we're not home, my cell and DH's cell start ringing off the hook ... "Are you at the hospital???" Geesh.

Sorry for the rant. It's just freaking crazy-making. I'm glad to have concerned and loving friends and family, but darn, I'm only 3 days "overdue" ... give me a break!!

I'm loving reading about the new babies :) Sorry to everyone else who is antsy and anxious. The only thing that's making me hope things happen sooner than later is the whole induction-happy trend (esp. hoping for a VBAC here), and I know the later I go, the bigger struggle I'll have keeping everything low key, etc. Otherwise, I'm enjoying these last few days being a family of three :) :love

[kraftykathy]

bluehalo, that's exactly what's driving me crazy! It's the comments!
I wouldn't be so concerned with being less then a week overdue, but everyone else around you goes crazy it seems. Also, like Katie, I find the fact that people are talking about my private parts really annoying!

I didn't go for the stretch and sweep after all. I woke up to good strong contractions this morning and bloody show. I cancelled my mw appointment and I even kept the kids home from school today, but now I'm only having random weak contractions. Somehow I'm not too worried though. I think I might be waiting for tonight, once the kids are in bed and if nothing happens then, I'll send them to school tomorrow. I think maybe I need complete privacy to get this thing happening! I'm sure I'm just on an intermission right now. Maybe this really will be the night!

LOL, finally made a signature. I couldn't resist!

[mirthfulmum]

Good luck Kathy! That's exactly what happened to me. It seemed that having to be mommy caused my labour to stall out... but once Alias was out of the house and in good hands my labour kicked into high gear. Sending you positive birth vibes your way :dust.

[ameliabedelia]

Good luck Kathy!! Happy Birthing!!

I will have to keep that not being mommy idea for when it is my turn. :) Maybe I will end up going to the hospital earlier than I thought.

[stanleymama]

Sending you labor dust Kathy.... :dust :dust :dust

[3bees~1flower]

Good luck, Kathy!!

I posted some pictures of the boys and a (bad) belly picture :innocent ...just keep in mind that the majority of my weight gain is water, so my face looks bad...dh took that one and a smiling one and the smiling one made my face look even worse...so that's why i put the non-smiling picture on. but yes, i am thrilled to be pregnant even though it may not look like it in the picture...:LOL

[OakEmber]

Momadance- My reason is completely different than everyone elses (and probably quite silly). I just felt from the beginning that this baby would be a little early, like during the first half of Oct. Then when I had an u/s in the first trimester for dating it said Oct.15 (only we decided with the midwife not to change the date to avoid the whole induction issue)....so to me it kinda confirmed what I had already been feeling. And though I consider myself to be a very intuitive person...for some reason when it comes to being pregnant I have no intuition as to what I am carrying (which IMO is not fair :LOL) and since I was right in predicting when Ember would come I really would be disappointed if I am wrong. I know, I know :rolleyes SO on top of that, my body has been playing along and giving me all these little feelings I never had before going into labour with Ember and so it's not that I really care if he is early...I was just expecting him to be so ;) And now Dh has a work trip that he is supposed to go on Oct.25 :duh

Bluehalo- I'm sorry for doing the same as your friends and family IRL :shy I was just hopeful for ya!

Hmm...interesting. I was planning on having Ember attend the birth but she doesn't want to...maybe that's a good thing.

Kathy, I hope this is your turn and that everything goes smoothly :thumb

MamaEmerald- Hope you can do what Katie suggested :thumb

I keep editing to add things that I forget, I am sure I am still missing something. I'm glad I could be of help with the EPO :thumb Man, something is wrong with me tonight...I am sooo ornary right now and I feel like I need to escape even though the noises Dh and Ember are making are pleasant ones...time to have a long, relaxing bath by candlelight I think :innocent

[True Blue]

Piglet! You're birth story is wonderful!!! You got a noodle boy like I did with Mickade. :)

[Court]

Great pics, 3boyz! You look great! You sound like me about the swollen face stuff- I totally understand not wanting to smile for pictures. I have a big Irish head and now it's extra swollen- I don't even recognize myself in the mirror. :LOL And your kids are gorgeous, ofcourse.

Thanks for posting your birthstory Piglet, and congratulations! I'm so happy to hear all went well with Emily and that you got a nice break in the hospital. Have a nice walk tomorrow! I can't wait to see a picture of Sasha!
I'm a little envious of all you mamas who have your babes.

You know I didn't want to get myself into thinking this baby would come early this time, cause that's what I did with Logan - with help from my OB. I feel like I was set up for induction. My OB was always saying things like, "you know, once you hit 36 wks, we wont stop labor, etc." And she kept harping that I was term at 37-38 weeks or whatever. We ended up inducing at 39 wks :duh for no good reason. Luckily I was 3 cm already and there were no probs. This time I keep telling myself that I'll go to 41 weeks and anything before that will seem early. That's what I keep telling myself.

Good luck to you Kathy! I hope it's soon!

Now I'm worried that I'll never go into labor with all this talk about having kids around making labor stall. Great, I didn't even think of that. I don't have ANY family nearby to take Logan. Just dh. My family isn't coming into town until early November.

Thanks for the EPO reminders and tips! Don't think I'll be inserting them (or that many)- they're too darn expensive. Hey, have we heard from Thia lately? Hmmm...

Letia, you better post soon, or we're gonna start thinkin you don't like us anymore. ;)

Have a nice bath Amie!

[momadance]

Oakember~I'm an ornery beast today as well!

I was due Jan.6th, and was born Feb 8th :jaw My poor mom huh? I came out with LOOOOOOOONG hair and fingernails, and a super shrinky placenta. I was induced after 9 days with Miles... I feel real guilty for having been "impatient" with him, like I picked out his b-day, so i'm feeling like I have to be extra patient and hands off this time around. I have such a tendancy to over analize and feel guilt :eyesroll I have been making sure I have LOTS of plans for the up-coming days so as NOT to get impatient. I do understand it's tuff though. It's harder (for me) second time around. Due to the crampiness, bh's, runs and so on that can get you psyched out. I never experienced ANYTHING in my 1st preg.


someone posted this in the homebirth forum about kids books. It's a printable coloring book for expecting siblings. Dh and I went through and photoshopped the text to personalize it for Miles, it's super cute.
www.nchomebirth.com click on resources.

kathy sounds like your next~ blessings mama!

[stanleymama]

3boyz..loved the pics. Your boys are adorable!! And you look like a beautiful pg mama to me :D

Nancy...got a huge kick out of the p'udder. I think your dh was a sport to pose.

Momadance...I like your suggestion of keeping yourself busy to help time pass. I have been thinking the same thing because I know that I could drive myself crazy with the constant wondering. I have checked out some books at the library and that I noticed as helped me to relax and just enjoy.

Hugs to you all...won't be long now!

[mandalamama]

i now have TWO doulas! :love my doula had asked if i minded meeting another potential doula, who also needs one more birth before certification. she's a Druid, which is really fascinating. we all really clicked and my husband adores her! i'm so happy to have the help, but also to be able to help them. they're both so supportive and very mellow.

i had hours of surges again today, they got to about 4 minutes apart this evening before they stopped. even though each round of surges is feeling more painful, i curled up with my art supplies and painted through them, which felt really good. *shrug* i guess my body is keen on practice runs!

Piglet, great birth story! it sounds like things are going really well :)

peace,
meli

[Lucysmama]

I had a really uneventful due date. Just hung out, went to a meeting about acupuncture and chiro care in pregnancy (too late! But interesting to learn about anyway.) and got to meet my midwife's back up mw. She is having some health issues, so she probably won't be at my birth, but there is a chance and I am glad that I got a chance to meet her. She was really sweet. There were some MDC mamas there, too.....

Did I mention that they are going to do a "feed the new parents" thing after I have the baby? I just have to give them the word, and they are going to bring us meals for a while. :love I love MDC mamas! Here in Cleveland, there are TONS, and we get together pretty regularly. It's nice to have a group where slinging and co-sleeping is the norm, and everyone walks around with a toddler on their boob!

[OakEmber]

Oh Katie, I am so jealous of you!! It must be nice to have other likeminded mothers nearby. That is so nice that they are willing to do the "feed the new parents" thing for you. One of my friends told me today that she'd like to come clean my house while I am in labour cuz she knows that I have everything that I need for the baby :love

Meli- That's totally cool that you get 2 doulas!!

Momadance- :yikes....and I can see why you are determined not to rush things this time...you have a really good plan keeping busy like that....I on the other hand am driving my DH crazy for not even shopping ahead of time for meals, incase we aren't home ;) (so hey, I do have plans for tomorrow afternoon, gotta go to the grocery store :thumb ) Funny how even second time moms can find things to say "why didn't they tell me it would be like this" about :LOL Thanks for the awesome link :thumb

Now I am off to check out the new pics of 3boyz!

[Ekatherina]

I just thought i do like bluehalo and hibernate until this baby is born...:zzz....nothing new here same crampy all day, woke up from two really strong contractions at night....and then nothing...:angry...
oakember, you are right (i guess it was you who said that) that we shouldn't speed the things up...today i decided to change the attitude and pretend i still have one month to go or even more...that was hard to do escpecially with all those cramps and brought nothing but more depression... :O
Lucysmama, yes it can't be better to have poeple who think like you near you escpecially now...we can't even tell to our parents that we are planning home birth and when we mention homebirth with mw to our freinds here they all have the same reply: "but why?? is it cheaper??" or worse "you shouldn't do this it is so dangerous!!" :shake....no chance of some understanding around here...
birth vibes to all....:dust...kathy especially to you now!!!

[Thia]

Still here, still prego. Didn't get to the board yesterday, I was so busy. So, Oct 8 was edd 1 and obviously it has come and gone. Monday, I gave myself a talking to and reminded myself that it is possible that a more accurate edd would be the 15th (my cycle was 40 days not 28). SO, that said, I gave myself a chill pill. I have been a lot less stressed out since. Monday night I had two good hours of contrax and cramps. Last night, I slept very well, even less pee trips, no cramps or anything. Oh well.
I am still working, Friday will be my last day though. I can't believe it though, just a few minutes ago a co worker on another floor called me to ask if I was still here. I can't believe I am getting these calls from people working in the same building! Thankfully, I can laugh instead of freak out.
Had to take two hours yesterday for the drs. I went for a nst. The baby had been awake all night Monday night, so s/he was catching up on his/her rest. For 45 min. the nurse and I tried everything to get the kid moving. The baby's heart rate was responding, just not the rest of the body, lol. Finally, after 45 min, we got some movement. Managed to get 20 minutes, then baby went back to sleep. But it was enough that they were satisfied. They scheduled me for another nst Monday and induction Thursday the 21st. I am really hoping to not go through that!!!!
I did not know that the epo should be taken with fats, thanks to whoever mentioned that. I haven't attempted a vaginal insert...I am just too tired to deal with it. I have more to say, but this is getting pretty long, so I'll save it for later.

Hugs to everyone and lots and lots of labor dust.

[Soogie]

Exactly 4 years ago, as I type this, my sweet sweet baby boy entered this world and forever changed my life. My baby is 4 today and mommy is having a hard time. Last night as I was putting him to bed, I could barely sing his bedtime songs between the sobs. 4 years ago I could cradle him in one arm. This morning he stood beside me, now two thirds my height, spelling words and "reading" the back of the newspaper. For all you first time mama's...time goes entirely too fast...savor every moment, The veteran mama's here know exactly what I'm feeling, how hard the pull of time tugs against your heart. You blink, and all of a sudden, your baby is 4.

I had a mw appt yesterday and I told Beth how weepy and emotional I've been this past week (enough to drive DH batty!) and she was very pleased to hear of my uneven emotional state. Hormones are kickin in. Pretty uneventful appt, though I did gain 5 lbs in 2 weeks! I think it's the late night pb&j sandwiches that are doing me in, But I've been so hungry lately. My mw put in her official baby weight prediction and puts this babe at 8 lbs 4 oz at delivery. Which is reasonalbe since Aidan was 8 lbs...maybe this one's another boy???

Labor vibes to all you mama's that are ready...

Piglet and Kazia - love your birthstories

Jillerina - Leo is a cutie. Congrats to you!

I'm off to look at the pics on the yahoo site. I'm dying to see the p'udder!

[sunshinegal]

meli- lucky you with 2 Doulas! and I love that you call them surges. It is such a great description.

Lucysmama- isn't wonderful to have support like that? I never had any support with my other 2 births, me and my dh did everything on our own which is so very tough. But this time, we have some great friends who are helping out. They are going to be giving us food and said anything we need anytime of the day. It is so nice to have support.

This isn't a birth story but it is such a freaky thing that I just have to share! Yesterday my dd was vaccuuming, (her house chore) our study. We have an upright vaccuum and she was using the hose attachment to get under a bookcase. Well, she sucked something up that made wierd noise so she decided to get down on all fours to see if there was anything else under the bookcase. In doing so she knocked over the vaccuum itself. She didn't realize that her waist long hair was spread out on the floor as she looked under the bookcase and ........the vaccuum ended up sucking up a huge lock of her hair!!!! :yikes: :exclaim :exclaim Well she screamed and cried and my dh was home and ran to comfort her. Luckily, it didn't pull off any skin so there wasn't any blood, but she has a good 1'' x 3'' bald patch right next to the part line at the top of her head :( It's very tender and there is a small bruise. I just feel so bad and helpless. I haven't seen her scalp since she was just a little babe! I can't imagine how long it is going to take for it to grow back. She was in better spirits when I got home from work last night. She says she wants to take a sledge hammer to the vaccuum! I told her we have to get a new one first :) .

Other than that, last night was really nice. We are part of a homeschool group and we rotate dinner on Tuesday nights. So I didn't have to cook or do clean up and I got to eat some yummy chinese food.

The baby is getting lower and was really uncomfortable last night. She kept squirming around in there and sticking her hands and feet in all my organs and down into my cervix. It felt so weird!

Sending out lots of labor vibes :dust :dust

[blessed2bamommie]

:bag: I've been lurking and replied to the birth story thread. I've been in diapering, tp diapers and shopping trying to make sure I have enough dipes. :yikes: I washed my last custom order that was delayed and came in the end of last week, a FLAM I scored one of these weeks, my car insert and more clothes I was given. I feel like I'm so far behind all yall. :( I sooooooooooo need to do more cleaning. (and washing) I feel soooooooooo bad about those beads. I *did* get my gift for the swap yesterday and I need to stick in a card and pack it up and ship it. Today is such a wet rainy day, I'm not sure about going out. I've got a awful bump waaaaaaaaay too close for comfort....imagining a baby's head hitting it on the way out...:bawl and so cycling has been off this week. Dh took the am off and put the crib together in the midst of a messy bedroom. :eyesroll It took the entire morning and he didn't do anything else I wanted him to do. My apt is so messy we are soooo not ready for this baby and I looked in the dungeon where dh work and where we have a second set of bedroom furniture which is *supposed* to be where guests sleep and although he has made a lot of progress from *not* being able to walk in there, its *still* not ready for anyone to go in there and sleep. :eyesroll We are soooooo not ready for this baby to come. :eyesroll Its pretty pathetic how *not* together we are. At least I don't have to lead worship this week,so I'm home tonight and tomorrow and I lined someone up for Sunday. Baby! your parents haven't got their acts together! Please hold on! :eyesroll

I'm gonna get up and see what I can eat...I imagine I'm probably throwing ketones *again* :eyesroll. And call my mama's best friend. *wave*

[bluehalo]

OMGoodness Sunshinegal, I'm so glad your DD is ok! That must have been so scary :(

Oh, I've been meaning to ask ... has anyone noticed carpal tunnel flare ups during their pregnancy? I've been having the hardest time w/ my hands, and my doc mentioned that it's common to have symptoms during pregnancy even if you've never had problems before. Let me tell ya, it sucks! I don't know if it's knitting & crocheting, or what, but holy cow my hands are giving me a hard time. I could barely chop the veggies for our dinner last night. Totally freaked me out.

Amie, no reason to apologize ... for some reason when it's soming from other mamas in the same boat, it doesn't bug me :LOL ... how's that for hypocritical?

Soogie, Happy Birthday to your DS. I so hear what you're saying. I'm really enjoying this 4th year with my DS. It's also such an interesting perspective, being pregnant again now ... it's like having a 4 year old *and* being pregnant gives each experience new meaning. I've seen E. grow from a tiny newborn to this wonderful, autonomous individual ... and I feel like I'll appreciate this baby's babyhood more ... as well as appreciating Ethan's "4-ness" more by having this reminder that not so very long ago he was tiny enough to fit inside of me! Ah, hormonal babbling ... sorry ;)

Katie, how cool that you have your own little tribe :) I do have a small group of caring friends, but we're more across the spectrum, IYKWIM, although we're all very respectful and supportive of each other. I'm *very* grateful for their presence in my life :love

Initially I thought I would want to stay busy over these last few weeks, but now I'm glad my calender is mostly clear. I feel like I have plenty to do around the house, and it really is nice to have some low-stree, agenda-free time with DS.

I need to go check out the birthstory thread and look at the pictures at the yahoo group. All those newborn pictures might make some kind of hormones kick in, right? ;)

I do see my doc today, so I'm curious (but not optimistic) to see if I've made any progress from last week. I think she also wants to do a NST. We shall see...

Happy Wednesday everyone!

[Ekatherina]

oooooooooh sunshinegal, so sorry about ur dd's accident...it must have been awful...:( i hope she is better now...
Thia, same here contractions come and go ..i thought i'll stop taking warm baths (tub) in the evenings...can it be that they are slowing the things down???
Letia, welcome back...:) didn't hear from you so long....hope ur baby will not come before u put everything together...i was also cycling till now, but i stopped because i thought i should walk instead....to get this baby out...

[stanleymama]

Letia..girl its so good to finally here from you!!!

Katie...so cool you have a wonderful suport group to bring you meals. Our church does this for two weeks/4days in each week. It is such a tremendous blessing.

Well i am off to get ready to meet up with a friend for lunch. This will be our last lunch together ( we do this monthly) till awhile after the babe arrives.

Have a great day everyone!!!

[Thia]

Sunshinegal: that sounds really scary, glad it ended okay.

As for the warm baths stopping labor, I have always heard that, especially if labor isn't really going...like before 4 or 5 cm. But yesterday the nurse said they could help. I think her point had more to do with relaxing. Our bodies, when we are tense, just aren't going to bring these babies forth. So, if we relax (baths, glass of wine, meditation, even sex (stress relief on top of hormones) etc), then our bodies are much more willing to labor. So, unless you think you really are experienceing the real deal, I'd keep going with your baths as long as they are relaxing you. Now, if you spend your bath thinking about the baby, worried about labor, thinking of bills and cleaning the house etc...I'd probably find something a little more distracting to unwind.

Ug....we can't be prego forever can we?????

[3bees~1flower]

Oh, I've been meaning to ask ... has anyone noticed carpal tunnel flare ups during their pregnancy? I've been having the hardest time w/ my hands, and my doc mentioned that it's common to have symptoms during pregnancy even if you've never had problems before. Let me tell ya, it sucks! I don't know if it's knitting & crocheting, or what, but holy cow my hands are giving me a hard time. I could barely chop the veggies for our dinner last night. Totally freaked me out.


:wave ME, ME, ME!!!! i am *sooooooooooo* sick of my hands being numb and achy....i have had it since early summer and it's getting worse all the time....for this reason alone i'm ready to have this baby, just so i can do stuff with my hands without them going numb and achy...i had to stop sewing my baby dipes b/c i couldn't stand it. and don't *EVEN* get me started on nighttime :irked: ....that's when it *really* flares up! but, it's nice to know i'm not the only one suffering from it....:hug...i definitely know how you feel!!

[gottaknit]

Soogie - Your post made me cry! :crying I saw some obnoxious highschoolers (hey you! pull those pants up and get a belt already!) walking down our street yesterday and said to DH, "I can't believe our little baby is going to grow up someday! And dress goofy!" :eyesroll Oh well guess I'll deal with it as it comes...

Letia - Nice to hear from you again! :) I knew you were probably busy building that diaper stash. I know how you feel about not being ready. :hug We're "ready" (all a baby really needs are loving parents and a warm place to sleep ;) ), but sooo not ready, too. This house is a mess!

I can't believe how much "baby stuff" we have. Where do I put it all!? And it just keeps flooding in. For example, at last count this baby has ten rubber duckies!! :dropjaw Looks like we may be making a donation to the women and children's shelter soon.... (people keep giving me packages of heavily scented sposies, even though they know I plan to CD. :eyesroll )

OK there was a lot more I was gonna comment on, but I've gotta run. Max the mini schnauzer has a beauty treatment today. ;) Poor little guy.

[OakEmber]

Sunshinegal- OMG that sounds terrible! So sorry to hear about that....it sounds like Athena is a real trooper though :hug

Soogie-:hug I so hear you!! Ember will be 4 in just a few short weeks (Nov.6). I keep thinking about her being in Kindergarten next year :crying

Bluehalo- glad it didn't bother you...it does seem different knowing we are all in the same boat.

Ekatherina- actually it was more Momadance, I was just responding to her and agreeing with what she said.

Thia- OMG Woman, I can't believe that you are still working ;) I am doing my last Mother Goose class today, which is hardly considered work since it is only an hour but even that is hard to get motivated for at this point and today is definately my last one for awhile!!!

Well I better get dressed I have exactly one hour until I start my class, good thing it is only 5 mins away :LOL

[AnnR33]

Hang in there Letia-somehow it always works out-and hey-the baby doesn't care if the place is picked up-he/she just cares that you're picking THEM up :)

So what is an "NST" that people keep talking about? Something to do with ultrasound? Why are these needed at this late stage? Is it a risk issue of some type? Just curious since there are so many "tests" that drs order these days that I worry about the over-interventions.

So anybody talking to the baby more these days? I got to take another long bath the other night and the baby was all over the place-talk about something out of the Alien movie! LOL Anyway, we had a nice long "chat" ;) Seems like that's been happening more lately with more distinct movement. It's hard to believe that I'm going to be holding this babe in just a few more weeks.

I got a lovely baby afgan in bright colors from an aunt yesterday. It's so soft and cuddly, just beautiful. Since this is #3 we're not getting alot of gifts which is fine but these few handmade things are so special.

Off to tame the wild things...why do they always fight when you're in the middle of something!
Ann

[Wabi Sabi]

Miles Rocket was born gently underwater at home yesterday at 1:46 pm after a fairly quick and easy labor. He weighs 6 lbs. 10 oz. and is utterly perfect. I feel great with surprisingly little soreness or discomfort despite one small tear. He's a very sleepy baby and I haven't been able to get him to latch on just yet, but we're working on it.

I'll post a picture on the yahoo group. Give me a few days to get a birth story written.

His daddy and I are just totally in love with him... :hearts

[Piglet68]

Hello everyone!

Last night we were up alot. Sasha would nurse, fall asleep, then just as we lay down in bed he'd want more. He snores like you wouldn't believe and makes all these snuffling sounds when he's rooting. DH was laughing at us. I wasn't too happy the fourth time I had to get right back out of bed. I could have used a few more hours sleep this morning, but it's an incredibly gorgeous day here today and I'm itching to get outside. I'm also still obviouly high on motherhood as I'm very happy right now, even though I'm more sleep deprived than I was a couple weeks ago, lol.

I love having a newborn. He's so tiny and so precious. What's really strange is having my DD come and nurse after I've been nursing him: her head looks positively gargantuan! I can't get over how huge she seems compared to him. I'm so loving his little outfits, and OMG do I ever love his diapers. They all fit wonderfully, and I get a big smile every time I change him. THAT is what cute newborn fitteds are all about, lol. Plus I've had no leaks yet, whereas with sposies we had lots of blowouts. I think I mentioned I had no trouble with meconium - washed right out.

You guys were talking about support: it's so amazing to have it! Mum has been by every day to help out, and it's just been great. I can't wait to fully heal up, but it's nice to have so many people around to help.

Well, that's the update for now. I have been reading your posts eagerly awaiting who will be next. Wishing you all great birthing vibes!!!

Oh, speaking of which...I was feeling a bit self-concious about my birth story. It sure isn't as exciting as the labour ones. No surprises, no details of contractions, pushing, etc. It all was so sterile...but then that was the birth I had! The most important part, the emotions, are hard to capture in writing anyways. Happy, Happy, Happy....that about describes it!! :love

So, looking forward to healing up and getting back into LIFE. :)

[Lucysmama]

Happy due date, Momadance! :banana

And I hope this doesn't embarass her, but I wanna give a little shout out to Ann, who wanted to help us out in some way, and sent the baby some much-needed wipes. :love Thanks so much Ann! We love them and we really appreciate it!

Ummmm, did anyone else not send out their swap package yet? I haven't forgotten about you, Mirthfulmum! I just uh...haven't gotten around to going to the PO yet. :innocent

I have to tell you guys something....last night, dh's very elderly grandmother called. She's 88, I think. She is the matriarch of the family, but people don't tell her upsetting things anymore because they don't want to worry her. So nobody had told her I was having a homebirth. But when she called and asked sweetly and innocently, "Where are you going to have the baby?" I just couldn't lie to her. So I said cautiously, "Um...at home. My care provider comes to me." Her voice lit up over the phone - "OH! That's WONDERFUL! How nice of them! In my day, we had to go to the hospital, and that was no fun. We were just having a baby! It's so nice you get to stay home." :love Sometimes you find support in unexpected places.

[AnnR33]

Yippee! Congratulations Futuremama :balloons Now you have to change your user name :) Welcome to the world Miles! So happy to hear all went well!
Take care! Blessings :dust
Ann

[Lucysmama]

FutureMama!!!! :banana :balloons :banana :balloons Congratulations! Welcome, baby Miles! Can't wait to hear the birth story!

[Momma2LiamandTara]

Welcome to the world Miles!! :love Congratulations Futuremama on such a great birth. Rest up and enjoy your lil dumplin'.

:D :thumb :clap :twothumbs :wave :w :jumpers: :hearts :balloons :birthday: :) :D

[Thia]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILES!!!!!!!!!!!

FutureMamma: How nice that your grandmother was supportive. Birthing babies at home just makes sense. I was thinking the other night "good gosh, what am I doing? I'm going to haul my distracted laboring self with my bag of goodies to this strange place, do the hardest work of my life there, be treated like an invalid for a few days then pack it all up to come home" :nut :duh :scratch :confused: :huh :shrug :shake

I am sooooooo tired right now, I could pass out at my desk. I slept pretty well last night as far as I can tell, so I wouldn't think I'd be like this. 2.5 more hours...

[mirthfulmum]

:jumpers: :carrot :banana :balloons :banana :carrot :jumpers: Hooray!!!! Congratulations FutureMama!!!!! Welcome to the world Miles Rocket!!!

Thrilled to read the birth went well. Can't wait to read more.

[sunshinegal]

CONGRATULATIONS FUTUREMAMA!!! :bgbounce :bgbounce WELCOME MILES!!!

[blessed2bamommie]

ohhhhhhhhhhh :love :hug mamas for the support in this mess! I'm feeling good and don't feel the need for a nap and am folding diapers off the line and then knock knock! my organic crib fitted sheets from Ecobaby! They were clearing out bedding! I was thinking about washing it and then wondering about the fit and then saw the directions about trying on stuff before you wash and I went back to the bedroom and tried on the sheets. :love I had a *huge* ctx when I was putting on the sheet! :love I just stood there and looked. I'm gonna have a baby. One that I will be able to see sleeping that crib. OK, I need to shut up before I start crying. The sheets were today's highlight. I'm trying to soften up my line dried dipes and then pick up my basket that I just tripped over and dumped. :eyesroll I was thinking about taking out the wool and washing the new stuff anyway, even though my friend said I could only wash the used. :shrug

Katie, I have your stuff in baby central (my living room) on the coffee table. I will have to find something to put it in and tuck in a card and probably will ship it off tomorrow. I think that I'll stay around here today and get some cleaning done. :bag:

Feeling better now! :wave

eta: NC homebirth is a site that one of my mw's clients maintains. :D Its a good site! I used it when I was researching hb and to print off stuff to my spiritual father (my Pastor who sees me as a daughter and had a *fit* about my plans), and my neighbor, who when I told him was like "for real?" :LOL

[ameliabedelia]

:love :jumpers: :birthday:

Congrats FutureMama!!!! Happy Birthday Miles!!!!!!!
Can't wait to read the story.


I was feeling really crampy this morning, like labor was coming soon! But, now it went away, still going to be awhile yet!

Thia, you need to get some rest!! Rest up for labor and delivery.

Katie, glad your grandmother was so supportive. That was wonderful.

[Jillerina]

Welcome, welcome welcome Miles Rocket! Congrats Futuremama and "Futurepapa".

Piglet, I hear you on the lack od sleep. Leo and I have been playing musical beds the last two nights. He just doesn't sleep well unless there is something to suck on (me) or he's lying on my chest. So far the living room couch seems to be the most comfortable place for us both so we've spent many hours propped up with pillows. I'm always amazed that I'm still functioning in the morning after being awake for what feels like "all night"! Ahh well, I knew all those pregnant pee breaks in the middle of the night were training me for something!

I just want to send out my encouragment to all you October mamas. I'm reading the thread just not getting around to posting. Oh and no, I have not sent out my swap gift yet (Soogie) just waiting to think of the perfect thing or to find out if the babe is a boy or a girl!

[Momma2LiamandTara]

So glad we have more babies! I'm in a tired orny mood today too! It's a defiently I don't want to be a mommy type day for me. I am trying to be nice and loving but everything is just irking me!! Well I finally got around to post some pics of my family but I have to get some preggy shots of me. I just realized I don't have any w/ this pregnancy. :eyesroll

I'll have to get DH to take some. Love all the pics everyone! It's fun to see everyone's belly's. We should post some of the the flabby afterbirth tummy shots. ;)

My doula is coming over today to do my bellycast. I'm looking forward to that. I bought some EPO at the store the other day. I had no idea what brand to get since there were at least 5 so i just picked one and have only been starting to tkae them internally. I hope that and some of DH's sperm will help get things going. I have having all this anxitey at night about going into labor and worrying will it be as nice this time.
Darn hormones have me freaking out. Thinking i;m going to have a horrid labor. I just keep thinking everything will be fine this will happen the way they are supposed to but darnit it I'm still have the anxiety.

Oh well It will all be over soon. Hopefully by the end of the month.

Lots of :hug :grouphug and labor vibes to all!!! :dust :dust :dust

Oh Liam loves the little smiles we can put in the messages. He is always coming over and looking at them and asking me to put them on the computer! It gives me a chuckle.

Take Care all!
Carrie

[krnflwr]

Welcome Miles! Looking forward to hearing about your birth, FutureMama.

And, Piglet, I must confess that I have been a total slacker w/ my secret santa gifty. I even had Sasha's birthdate written on my calender as my deadline to ship it out. I promise I'll get w/ it pronto! Sorry to be such a procrastinator.

I saw Gretchen and the twins at our LLL meeting today and got to hold Gwynnyn for a while. Oh my gosh, the tiny little newborn smell and cooing noises were enough to start my labor right there! They are doing very well, by the way, and Gretchen looks fabulous. The twins are nursing well and Gretchen seems to be getting the hang of mothering two at the same time w/ much grace.
I, on the other hand, feel like a large lumbering hippo today. Not one of my better 'glowing earth mother' preggo moments. Hope you are all feeling good and holding the impatience at bay.

[Soogie]

Welcome Miles Rocket!!!! I can't wait to read your birthstory. You sure are a cutie!

And Jillerina...no rush on the gift swap. Enjoy your time babymooning!

We had a lull in birthin' babies...but here they come! I keep checking in to see whose next. So exciting.

[3bees~1flower]

CONGRATULATIoNS, FutureMama!! :jumpers: how exciting!! can't wait to read your story!

thanks for all the kind comments about my boys.... :innocent

Carrie

[gottaknit]

Congratulations Futuremama!! Welcome Miles Rocket!! :jumpers: :birthday: :jumpers: Can't wait to read your birth story!

Piglet - Sasha's birthstory is great. :thumb Every birth is exciting, even if it is without the element of surprise, it is still a miracle, and a surprise! (Like Christmas morning x1000. :D ) I'm so impressed that you're up and about so soon, and using a sling! Hope you're getting lots of rest, too. :)

I just went out for a little "window shopping" while Max was at the groomers, and ended up buying a lamp for the "nursery", a babybook/journal, and Halloween costumes for the dogs :nono :hide: :duh DH is going to die. What is it about pregnancy that makes me want to spend money?! Here I am quitting my job and I'm running up a Visa bill.... :eyesroll Someone please tell me I'm not the only one acting like an idiot!

BTW, I got all choked up at the baby store reading through the baby scrapbooks. What a dork. The saleswoman was trying to pretend she didn't notice. :LOL

So on the way home on the bus, I reached up to grab a map, and a lady in the back of the bus yells out, "Don't reach up!! Don't reach up!!!" and then proceeds to tell me that my baby will have the "bellybutton rope" wrapped around it's neck and will die now because I raised my arms above my head. :eyesroll She had eight babies and this happened to one because she was doing too much hanging of laundry on a clothes line.... Uh huh....o-kaaaay.... Thanks for the advice.

Hope everyone's doing well! :D

[Court]

Congratulations Futuremama! :love and Welcome Miles Rocket (I love that name :) ) Sounds like you had a wonderful birth! He's beautiful, I love the hat. :D

nancy- I'm wanting to spend money all the time lately too- it's the nesting thing I think. I have to restrain myself. That is the oldest wivestale in the book - the whole reaching up thing. That's so funny. What do your arms have to do with what goes on in your uterus? And "bellybutton rope"? :LOL That's so cute about your dogs. I haven't even gotten Logan a costume yet.

MW was just here and I'm 2cm, 70 % effaced. She offered to stimulate my cervix if I wanted, but I said we could wait till next Wednesday. I wouldn't mind another week of rest. So everything looks good w/ me and the babe.

Anyone know a good website for affordable toddler costumes? Logan really wants to be a pumpkin- but they only make those for babies. At Target his only choices are cartoon characters pretty much.

[stanleymama]

Congrats and WELCOME baby MILES!!! :bgbounce :jumpers: :balloons :birthday:

He is adorable!!! Glad to hear all went well!

[flitters]

congratulations futuremama!!! happy birthday miles rocket!!! :balloons


things here are good. gonna go do some sewing.


court - quick pumpkin costume suggestion. get a big orange t-shirt (like too big for logan). draw a jack o lantern face on the front w/ permanent marker.

if you sew you can make the sleeves fit a bit better and put an elastic band around the bottom so it hugs his waist or under his hips or wherever. if you don't sew you can use string threaded through little holes cut into the bottom hem of the shirt or through safety pins to cinch the waist closed. then you can use foam or tissue or a couple pillows even inside the shirt that will be held in place with the waistband. did that make any sense?
black pants and a green stem hat... logan could be quite a pumpkin if you can't find what you're looking for otherwise!

ok, i'm off to make more wipes.

:love

[Court]

Thanks flitters! :thumb That's awesome, we'll do that! That'll be a fun project to keep me busy, too!

[mandalamama]

ummm i have no idea really but this might be it for me. we went to Wal-Mart and i got some baby yarn, had a compulsion to start crocheting a baby blanket (or a potholder depending on how my hands hold out!) and i started having the same surges i've been having, that was 2 hours ago and they're getting a lot stronger and 4 min. apart. i have to keep running to the bathroom and poop between surges, i feel like a poop machine! *lol* i called my doula, she's coming over to keep me company. i hope these don't stop, they feel great! Willow is wiggling a lot between surges, she feels like she's corkscrewing downwards which has me giggling :love

[Momma2LiamandTara]

WOO HOO Melli! This could be it! :thumb :love

Let us know if you have the baby!

Carrie

[kraftykathy]

It's a girl!!!!!

Willow Cerridwen was born October 13th at 12:27pm at home after a long prelabour and a wham bam thank you ma'am finale! ( 4 cm to birth in about a half hour!) Whew, talk about intense, but wonderful!

She weighs 9 pounds even and is 22 inches long. I've never had such a big chunky baby! I'll post more details later! So glad that I don't have to spend another night in labour!!!!

I am sooooo happy!!!!

[mtnjenny]

Way to go Piglet and Futuremama! :thumb
Go Mellybean! "Corkscrewing" is definitely a feeling I can relate to! That's the perfect word for it.

So much going on, so exciting.

Gottaknit, I love your bus story, and I love that you bought the dogs Halloween costumes :LOL

Baby has definitely dropped. That dang knee that's been poking out for months, above my bellybutton, is now next to and below my bellybutton. How cool! Everyone at work has noticed the difference, and they're telling me I'm waddling - I don't know how I feel about that... :eyesroll

Went to see my OB yesterday, and all looks good. He was reassuring when I told him I was just feeling period-like crampiness - he said anything I feel is good, means that cervix is getting ready (which I had been doubting!) Still no internal, just wanna leave stuff alone.

I'm not doing anything to "get things going" like EPO, or RRL, or whatever else is out there...just leavin' it up to the body and the universe. We'll see!

Got five inches of snow last night and today is a beautiful Colorado wintery-fall day - blue skies and dripping snow, with that low autumn light. Love it.

[Lucysmama]

WOO HOO! Welcome, baby Willow! Great job, Kathy - that must have been intense. Can't wait to hear the story! :banana :balloons Enjoy your babymoon, mama!

Good luck, Meli! Keep us posted!

WOW, babies every day! :love

[mtnjenny]

Oh man things happen so quickly!! We X-posted, Kathy!

Welcome Willow! :wave

[AnnR33]

Congratulations Kathy :balloons! Welcome to the world Willow. So glad things went fast but well for you!!

Hang in there Meli-sounds like this is it! :thumb Sending you lots of positive labor vibes!

Both of you take good care and many blessings :dust
Ann

[Court]

Congratulations Kathy! And Happy Birthday Willow!
:carrot :banana :carrot :banana :carrot
That does sound intense - I'm so glad you don't have to wait anymore! Give her kisses from all of us!

Good luck Meli! I hope it's your turn!

[True Blue]

Congrats Futuremama and Kathy!!!!! How exciting, two babies today!!! :love adn :hug to Willow and Miles, welcome to the world!

And good luck mellibean!!

Finally been having lots of BH again since last night....keeping my fingers crossed they progress!!!! Wouldn't it be great if we stayed on a roll? I guess it's the middle of the month....statistically speaking shouldn't most of the babies be born around the middle? Ok not really but let's just pretend. ;)

[ameliabedelia]

Congrats Kathy!! And, welcome to the outside world Willow!!! :love :jumpers: :birthday: :balloons :champagne

Meli, Happy Birthing!!! I hope this is IT for you!!!

Well, I went to the Dr. today and I asked him to check me. I know, it doesn't mean anything, but it is good for my morale! LOL. I am 1-2 cm dilated, my cervix is "nice and soft" and the babies head is way down low!!!! That made me very happy, that things are getting moving!! So, I am *hoping* that I won't be there for my appt. next week. If this babe is born at around the same gestational time as dd was (38 1/2 weeks), next week could be IT! Of course, I don't want to get my hopes up too much and be disappointed, but still it good to know things are "moving along"

[blessed2bamommie]

:yikes: KATHY!!!! :balloons :storkgirl:

So....lots of bh huh, Amy....:scratch I've been havin that too....NO! not yet! I got more cleaning to do! Dh *needs* to decide about this digital cam, we've got to set up a pool and I've got more washing and some cooking to do! :eek

And my birth cd! :bolt

[Thia]

CONGRATS AND WELCOME WILLOW!!!!!!!!!
:banana

I had some cramping this afternoon, came home, took a 20min nap, and when I woke, they were gone. :eyesroll Sigh.
I am sooooooooooo tempted to say the heck with work tomorrow, but I know that a night's sleep will make the difference. I hope....Just two more days, I can do it. Right? Right.
Sending labor dust to those who want it tonight.

[True Blue]

Ok wow...just looked at the picture of Miles....OMG...I want my baby NOW!!!

[mirthfulmum]

Welcome Willow!!!
:bgbounce :sunshine :balloons :birthday: :balloons :sunshine :bgbounce
Congratulations Kathy. I just knew your little one was going to make an appearance today. Looking forward to reading your birth story.

And :fingersx: mellybean. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts this evening. Sending you healthy and positive birthing vibes :dust.

Futuremama - you're boy is gorgeous!

[3bees~1flower]

How awesome Kathy! :twothumbs
:w Baby Willow :balloons :birthday:

[stanleymama]

Congrats Kathy and WELCOME LITTLE WILLOW :D

:jumpers: :birthday: :balloons :carrot :banana

To Meli and Trueblue...I hope this is it for you as well!!! :thumb

[bluehalo]

FutureMama – congratulations : ) Welcome to the world little Miles! He is just perfect! :love

Oh Piglet, Sasha sounds just adorable! :throb You’re giving me a serious case of baby lust!! Please don’t feel badly about your birth story … your DS’s entrance to the world was just as blessed as the most picture perfect homebirth. :hug

Katie – how cool about your DH’s grandma being so supportive : )

Letia, it’s so good to hear from you again … I’ve missed your posts :bouncy

Jillerina – hope you and little Leo find your groove / magic formula for sleep so you both manage to get some decent rest. When Ethan was a babe I remember him spending *many* nights on my chest … it’s so snuggly, but hard to sleep, and I used to often wake up w/ an aching back…

Kathy – Congratulations, and welcome little Willow!! :hearts

I’m loving reading about all these babies!!

Meli, keep us posted, thinking of you!!

[momadance]

Babies babies babies!!!!!!!!! I love it~ Keep 'em coming mama's! :love :thumb


Miles just had the most intense melt down I have ever seen :eyesroll Luckily I was in such awe I could keep my own emotions in check. It was crazy. slamming doors, screaming, slapping, hitting, flying objects.... Finally I looked at him and asked if he'd like to hug. He started sobbing and said "yes, cuz I love you" Poor little guy had lost it, and couldn't figure out how to regain himself... The plight of a 3yo... A passionate one at that :eyesroll How I love my little monkey man :love

Oh, it stemmed from me asking him to help me put away his trucks :eyesroll Apparently, he likes them out 24/7, and I get to make all the rules, I guess that does get old :eyesroll

I can't help but wonder how I'm going to put both my little men down for the night. I sleep Miles to sleep, I guess Reed will come along for the ride? We'll see... The dynamics of 2 children will be tricky to figure out when Dh is at school for the night....

[bluehalo]

I can't help but wonder how I'm going to put both my little men down for the night. I sleep Miles to sleep, I guess Reed will come along for the ride? We'll see... The dynamics of 2 children will be tricky to figure out when Dh is at school for the night....

I'm in the same boat. I try not to worry about it b/c I know there's just no way to anticipate what will be going on around bedtime anyway. Part of me really hopes that I can nurse the baby down first (or he'll be awake and DH can hang w/ him) so I can devote myself to Ethan one on one for bedtime. Although I know it may be total chaos and I may be stuck trying to make one very small and one not so small boy happy at the same trying time of the evening.

Hopefully things will fall into place for both of us, when the time comes! :)

[Ekatherina]

so much happened while i was sleeping here!!! i hate it that there is so much time difference between me and you, ladies...will try to catch up...
Congratulations Futuremama and Kathy...!!! :carrot :carrot :carrot :guitar...can't wait to hear ur birthstories...GOod luck Melli!!!!! Birth vibes :dust...
Ann, about talking to the baby these days i was telling dh just yesterday that maybe because we are thinking this baby will come out any moment now we stopped talking to him and dh doesn't come to play with him anymore..:( i told him it felt wrong...we shouldn't ignore him and wait for him only outside...
Lucysmama, funny story about ur grandmother (or was she ur dh's grandmother :shy) it sounded funny to me because i think it should be just the opposite no? that in the old days mws were always coming to the house and not poeple going to the hospital...but well i think those days were even older than ur grandma....:)
Thia, I don't know what you need to hear right now more..."quit this job now and rest at home, be with ur baby" or "u can do it, it's only two days till friday!! u did it for nine months!!" please choose the one that suits ur mood better now...:) but anyway i send you much much birth vibes so that u just "have to quit the job now..:)"
Piglet, ur birthstory is beautiful...frankly going through a c/s (which major operation) to me and be able to take care of ur baby after that (even sling wow!!) takes more courage than home birth with mw....i think i would faint only at the thought of OR..but well that's me... :bolt
i wanted to update u ladies with my news but now my dh is coming and i don't have much time to...ill jump in later to do so...but just wanted to say...had 4 good contractions at night, two bowel movements, have very hard time to urinate (head is so low i guess), had very bad nausea at night too, and still having cramps, strong ones... :eyesroll ...its so shiny here...!!!! i want my baby to be born today...:1praying:....will be back soon...:run....

[Lucysmama]

Ekatherina - I am having a really hard time urinating, too. Maybe it IS the baby's head? It's like I can't get the flow started. (Sorry if TMI, guys!) I really have to concentrate to go.

I made dh take dd out of the house today. It was rainy and cold, and I felt really bad ordering them out, but I needed some time alone to do some deep relaxing. (They went to the Children's Museum.) I kind of felt like if they left, I could get some "work" done. I feel I am too distracted and stressed and maybe that's why I haven't gone into labor? Is that nuts? I did have a lot of contractions while I was alone, but they petered off eventually - once I started watching the Presidential Debates, I wasn't all relaxed and serene anymore. :rolleyes

My mw gave me this CD of guided imagery to do. I thought it might be really silly, but I kind of enjoy it. It's positive birth affirmations, deep breathing, and visualizing the birth, set to soothing music. I think I may do it in labor if I am really wigging out, cause it relaxes me. Anyone else done anything similar?

[bayviewbill33]

:) :love :D :thumb :heartbeat :wave :w :jumpers: :hearts :balloons :birthday: :carrot :banana

Welcome to the world Willow!! Happy Birthday!!! Congrats to you Kathy!! HOORAY!!!

Looking forward to hearing some birth stories!!!

Okay bad pregnancy brain. Hubby was logged in as himself and I didn't relaize it and posted w/ his id! :LOL :nut :duh

Carrie aka Momma2Liam

[Ekatherina]

ah just remembered...Letia, could it be true i dont know...:shrug...my mom kept on telling me whole pg "don't hang loundry!!! don't put ur hands up!!!....she said she had me with cord over my neck because she had her hands up many times especially during the contractions to make them easier...:scratch...does anyone knows if this is just another rumor??? hope its not true cause i have been hanging loundry my whole pg...:eek...
:hide: or was it Nancy talking about the bus story???

[OakEmber]

YAY!! More babies! Congrats to Kathy and Futuremama and families!!! :w Miles and Willow:exclaim Miles is such a sweetie :love

Supposed to have been a solar eclipse tonight...very cool time for our other Willow to make her entrance...sounds very promising, it doesn't look like Meli has been back since she told us she thought she was in labour....sending lots of labour vibes to Meli!!

Piglet- I am glad that you are able to share your feelings with us...Sasha's birth story is just as important as anyone elses!

Sorry there is more to respond to I know but my attention span has wandered.....

Carri