week of October 18....who's birthday is *this* week?

[blessed2bamommie]

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
*Willow born Oct 15, 12:06 am, 5lbs 13oz and 22"
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

Noticed thread wasn't posted and Pig *surely* deserves to be off the job, so its up to us girls! Maybe I'm the first one up...I don't remember the last time on the old thread. So, hopefully noone is posting while I'm typing!

Well, this weekend....uhhhhhhhhhhhh...I can't remember it! :LOL :idea I had my Pastor and his wife over briefly Friday. According to my chart, it was my edd and I turned off the phone. :eyesroll Saturday got my hair braided aaaaaaaaaaaaaaall the way up! Its really up there! But, at least I won't have to worry about it gettin wet and goin back to the mothaland! :hide My mw came over and then we ran errands. Sunday I was off of church; but, visited a local one nearby and then went to visit mama for a bit since we were in her city and then ran more errrands! I got *two* banners--its a boy and its a girl and two bows! :LOL I'll ask my doula since the cigars can't be returned to pick up the appropriate chocolate cigars before folks come over. Are we so cheesy! :glad I'm glad that dh wants to give out cigars. It makes me think of daddy who in the 70's, of course, gave out real ones. :love I've been thinking of him a lot. I miss him *so* much!
I just got back from about less than half of cycling class. :eyesroll I had a *horrible* bump on waaaaaaaaaaaaaay :shake high on my inner thigh which made cycling bad last week and I blew it off. I had soooooooo many ctx during class! Wonder if that would be a method labor induction! :bigeyes I'm tired and I'd like to get a nap before I do laundry and *prayerfully* clean this afternoon. I *so* need to finish my birth music! I would :love a massage before the babies born; but, I don't see a.....mil is calling as I type....LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!! She dropped by to bring a blanket she had made Thursday and she saw a white lady (my neighbor :eyesroll), and asked if she was coming to my apt, thinking it was my mw and she had walked in on labor...what luck! :eyesroll :eyesroll She wants to know when I'm in labor; but, she lives close and I could see her now disrespecting our wishes and coming over. :splat Dh says she can know; but, she can also know no coming over. She says she's gonna be in her car in the parking lot. :eyesroll I thought she was joking; but, she's serious the more she talks about it. :eyesroll Anyway....I digress....

So what do yall wanna talk about? Yall want to revamp yall predictions? I'm thinking Wednesday or by the end of the week. Oh, btw, my mw said that the baby is low, so h/s is making h/h way to the door. Wednesday......WEDNESDAY!!! I better get cracking! I need a nap! Allright well...Have a blessed week and maybe we have some blessed births! :grouphug

I *better* not see another thread when I post. :nono

[mirthfulmum]

:hugs I just finnished reading the last posts from last weeks thread and wanted to send all you disappointed, uncomfortable and "why am I still preganant!" ladies lots of hugs and support :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug
You won't be pregnant forever!!!!! Although I can totally empathize that everyday you wake up pregnant feels like a week has been added to your pregnancy term.

:grouphug

:dust Here's hoping that this week will see the most babies born yet!
:storkgirl :storkboy :storkgirl :storkboy :storkgirl :storkboy :storkgirl :storkboy :storkgirl :storkboy :storkgirl :storkboy

[Soogie]

Warning! One grumpy mama getting ready to post...Last night had to be the worst nights sleep I've ever had that didn't involve a waking child. I just could not sleep. I was up 3-4x's an hour and was having horribly vivid dreams...like the graphic one of me being eaten by a shark. :confused: Then there was the one where I was branding my kids on the forehead with O's. I have no clue what that was all about. It was rather disturbing.

And I can't possibly be anymore physically tired. This weekend we decided to drive 4 hours up to Houston for the Renaissance Festival. The kids had a blast but I'm paying for that adventure. All that walking and my crotch is killing me. Had tons of BH's and a few cervical jabbing/lower back ctx's which I suppose is a good thing, but on top of all that walking I was/am whipped. And the ride home was rough on my legs...turned my poor feet into sausages. They are better today but now my fingers are swollen. I even had to take my ring off this morning. I'm trying to drink a lot more water today to balance things out but of course that results in excessive pee'ing and just the motion of getting on and off the toilet is excruciating with my tender nether regions.

Ok, I think that is enough of a rant for this morning. I'm going to try and convince my kids to lay in bed with me and read some books.

[gottaknit]

Thanks for starting the thread, Letia! :) I couldn't handle the pressure again this week. ;) I don't think I got everyone updated last week on the rollcall, so you might want to check it over.... :innocent

Ahhh, MILs... Mine called yesterday. She's 3000 miles away and a real sweetheart, but still a MIL... Her friend at work was expecting a grandchild this month, too, EDD a week after me. Well, she got her grandchild last Thursday. :eyesroll And MIL made the point of telling me, "And she had a midwife, too!" So I guess I can't use that as an excuse for not being in labor yet...? :confused: Since we're on a level playing field or something? :eyesroll Whatever. Anyway, she is impatient as all get-out and wants a grandbaby by this weekend. No pressure.

Amie - I was going to post the same question about the watery discharge. I noticed it last night, and was wondering if I've sprung a leak... If it is the water breaking, I should call the midwife right away and let her know... Last night I decided to wait it out and if I woke up in a puddle or with more leaking I'd call, but it never increased. And this morning I had some pink-tinged mucus, so maybe my plug is just really watery...?

Good Lord, I can't believe how complicated these "labor signs" are! :LOL It's like trying to read tea leaves! Maybe we all need to chill and just ignore the "signs" until we're sure it's time to push! :LOL

Well, I feel a little weird because I'm not as anxious as everyone else to get labor started. Maybe because I'm not working anymore and am getting some time to myself for once. Maybe because I still feel like I have a big To-Do list hanging over me. (Random things that can in reality wait until later.) Hopefully it's not some psychological hang-up about being scared of birth or something.... I don't feel scared... :blah

[blessed2bamommie]

Seems to me according to my memory....which ain't very reliable that all the births are updated! LMK yall if there's one that was missed.

btw, Nancy, I'm not so anxious either. The changing table that I thought was backordered so long that it wouldn't make it before the baby was born *finally* arrived and dh just put it together and as I was up with reflux Sunday am, he turned over and I was putting my dipes, wipes and toiletries on the table around 5. :LOL I need to do more cleaning and a couple dipes I ordered last week came in. I have a several more on the way....I've got more laundry to do and I must must *must* do my birth cd. I have to cook and freeze some meals and wouldn't it be great if I *actually* got everything done and got a day for me and a massage!!!!!

Well, gotta check on washing instructions for this dipe. I'm gonna do laundry in a little bit and still haven't gotten that nap! :nana:

eta: the labor signs...:nod I am seeing more mucus...is it the plug? is it parts of the plug? :confused Ctx...is this it? But after cycling they stopped so I guess the baby was just like *what* are you doin! :LOL

[gottaknit]

Letia - How many dipes are you up to these days? You must be the Queen of CDing! :thumb :D

BTW, need to update Melly. That's who I forgot. :duh Preggo-braino...

[blessed2bamommie]

Done! Got Meli updated! She gave birth on my edd! I don't always check the forum, so I was wondering where her dh posted. :confused

Girl! I've been shopping b/c I didn't have enough! I got another shipment that shipped/shipping today and I think....I'm on another machine which doesn't have my docs now...that order put me to 30...so I really don't have a huge stash or anything. I've just been shopping like crazy to get some and I was trying not to wash everyday!

Well...I guess I'll get up since I checked my email and toss in these new dipes so they can be ready.

:wave

[bluehalo]

Just popping in to let you all know that sweet Noah Daniel was born this morning at 4:31 am via cesearean after 26 long hours of labor. He is 8 lbs, 11 oz, and already nursing like a champ. I'm exhausted, but totally blissed out. More details when my eyes can stay open!

[AnnR33]

Hello everyone-nothing new here either... :rolleyes Been having more BH and some of them are lower now and crampy but only about 3 of this type a day. But at least I know things are still gearing up-just hoping it gears up faster rather than slower.
I 'think' everything is ready...got all the dipes and baby clothes washed and organized-kind of. We still need a dresser for this baby so all the clothes are in little stackable bins right now. Got the birth bag ready and the diaper bag stocked for the future. Car seat is installed and the house is fairly clean-though with 2 kids that changes in minutes!

So now I spend my time checking to see who's in labor here and pacing :LOL

And yes, another bad night for me too-up to pee 4 times in 2.5 hrs and wide awake from 3am-4am until DH came down and told me he was cold so come back to bed-how sweet-ha!

Be back to check in later!
Ann

[AnnR33]

Oh Congratulations Christine -we cross posted! Welcome Noah :balloons
Sounds like you had a rough time but I'm so glad all are well. Get some rest!!
Blessings to you and your family,
Ann

[sqoya]

Kind of quiet - is it just because of the time zone or are there more babies on the way??? Oooohhh, how exciting!

Hey, has anyone stopped gaining weight? I gained a lb/wk throughout my pg, but stopped gaining 2 weeks ago. mw isn't concerned, so I'm not either, but is that usual? Just curious. I'm eating well, but I'm not ravenous.

I'm not too anxious about labor starting either. One more week with my dh, just relaxing with this beautiful Fall weather, lazily getting random things finished here, doesn't seem so bad. I know as soon as the baby is here things will really pick up. Don't think it's a fear of labor or anything like that. It definitely helps that I don't have any back pains or difficulty sleeping. I feel really, really good, almost as though I'm not pregnant - it's sort of unsettling. It's as though I'm completely used to lugging around an extra 35 lbs., I don't even notice it anymore! Yikes!

[sqoya]

x-posted, too!

Congratulations Christine!!! How wonderful you're holding Noah in your arms!!! What a beautiful name! Take it easy!

:balloons :birthday: :balloons

[stanleymama]

Wannabe..thanks for starting this weeks thread. So good to hear from you :D

Bluhalo...congrats on your little boy. WELCOME LITTLE NOAH!!!
:carrot :banana :balloons :birthday: :banana :carrot

So yesterday after 7 hours of contractions and thinking this is it, it all stopped. Admittedly I was pretty bummed especially since yesterday was dh's birthday and I really wanted to have this little one on or near his birthday. Today I am sore and crampy, who knows what could happen. But thankfully I am not feeling to anxious about it. I know its going to happen soon and I just need to rest. MIL is AWESOME!!!! She has been doing so much for me... I am so thankful.

Well I just wanted to say hi. Off to hibernate for awhile :)

[gottaknit]

Congratulations Christine and Welcome to Noah Daniel!
:jumpers: :balloons :jumpers:

Hope you are recovering well and getting some much deserved rest! :) Can't wait to see some pics of the new arrival!

[True Blue]

Congrats bluehalo and welcome Noah!!!

[kraftykathy]

congratulations christine!!!!!!!!!! welcome noah!!!!!!!!!

hope your recovery is quick and easy. so nice to hear that you are so happily holding your sweet new babe!


oh! thank you all for the sweet words about my birth story! it's been amazing going through all of this with the october mamas here! i'm hanging out here now just waiting to see who is next. i am also hoping that lot's more babies will be born this week! i can't wait to read each new birth story!

soogie, the ren faire sounds cool though i can imagine how exhausting that would be for you! hopefully all that walking helped bring you a little closer to the big day!

we are doing well here. willow is such a content baby. and i have to say that i am sleeping better now with baby here than i was those last few weeks of pregnancy. she was comfortable with nursing while laying in bed right from day 1 which makes night time nursing so nice.

yesterday my 7 year old son was holding willow and i saw him touch his own eyelid, then he would touch willow's. then he would touch his own cheek, then he would touch hers. when i asked him why he was doing that he said he was making sure he wasn't hurting willow. if the touch didn't hurt him then he would know that it wouldn't hurt her. so cute! both the kids are so great with her. i just love watching them hold her and kiss her. it such a neat experience. maybe it will be something that will help them when they become parents someday. it's awesome to think that i have 2 daughters that are separated in age by 10 years! when willow is 10, josi will be 20! sniff, sniff! i'm so hormonal and sentimental right now, i know, but it's such a gorgeous experience too! i love this time of raw emotion that follows the birth of a new child. like someone else here said, if only it could be bottled :love :love :love :love :love :love :love

good sweet labour vibes to all who need them :dust

kathy

[Court]

Congratulations Christine! and WELCOME Noah!
:birthday: I've been thinking about you guys!

Mandi- I've read numerous times that at the very end it's normal to stop gaining or even loose a pound a two. Usually it means you're very close. ;) I'm glad you're feeling normal and used to being pregnant. I have moments like that, where I'm like, "hey, I feel fine..." but they only last about 5 minutes. :)

So, I managed to cook and freeze a couple meals, and I also bought a frozen lasagne. It's weird cooking meals and not eating them right away. I had some painful contractions last night, coupled with stabbing cervical pain. Trying to be patient. Ooh, here's a cntrx now, I always get a bunch when I spend time at this board.

Thanks Letia for starting the thread! You always sound sooo busy, makes me tired.

[ameliabedelia]

Congragulations Christine!!!!! Welcome to the world Noah. :balloons :birthday: :champagne

Court, I have been making and freezing meals too. I don't have "a lot", but enought for a week or so of dinners.

[AnnR33]

Just a friendly reminder for those in the gift swap to be sure to get names/addresses of your swappee so you're all set when the time comes to mail your goodies :)

Since things are/will be picking up with the mamas it may be harder to get in touch for this info later...wonder why? ;)

Happy laboring/babymooning to all! :dust :baby
Ann

[Jillerina]

Welcome baby Noah and quick recovery wishes to you Christine! Enjoy your little one.

[3bees~1flower]

Congratualtions. bluehalo!! welcome baby Noah!!! you *know* i love that name...my current baby is a Noah..he was 2 in June!!

saw my dr today and all is well...i'll see again on Thurs. for all my pro-op stuff and then Friday at 8:00 CDT (:LOL) i'll be having my baby :banana

And, to those who STOPPED gaining weight....you can just keep that info to yourself....;) i have still been gaining a 1-2 a WEEK....but it's mostly water, so that's not so bad, i guess.

so this is how my week goes till Friday:

Mon was a dr appt.
Tues a freind and her two boys are coming to visit in the afternoon and then my sister and her dh are coming over in the evning to help dh move furniture.
Wed my sister is going with me to the city to have the boys' school pictures taken...(i do them at sears, way cheaper than getting the school's pictures.)
Thurs i have to go back to the dr to get blood work done and he has to do my history and physical for surgery....in the evening we will deliver the boys to my sister's where they will stay overnight and then dh and i will go out for supper. and while i am at the dr in the morning a carpet guy will be coming out to our house to lay carpet in the boys' room.
FRIDAY is BABY DAY!!

Speedy labor thoughts to you all!! :dust

Carrie

[Lucysmama]

Welcome Noah! Congratulations, Christine! :balloons :baby :balloons Rest up and enjoy your newborn!

I wondered why nobody was posting on the thread....duh, it's Monday and there's a new one! :duh

Not much to report here. Musta been something in the air, I got no sleep last night, either. I just tossed and turned and peed a zillion times. Weird dreams about feeding lizards hard-boiled eggs, whatever that means. Had some contractions, but nothing noteworthy....I have another prenatal in a couple days (at 41 weeks, 2 days) and I am going to ask my mw to strip my membranes if nothing has happened by then.

Much love to all you mamas out there in preggo land, and those in blissed-out baby world. :love

[momadance]

I'm so happy I asked her to check me!!! Although baby is post. He's LOA and way down low!!!!

Oh happy day!

[blessed2bamommie]

:clap my babe is low too :)..I kinda figured and she confirmed. I declined an internal.

Glad to hear yall are well, meli.

I'm hungry. *sigh* I need to work on my birth music....and double check my phone list....tomorrow I'll have to tackle the cleaning, laundry was overwhelming enough. :eyesroll

[True Blue]

So would I be a mad Mothering mama if I decide to have my mw sweep my membranes or something tomorrow??? I'll be 39 weeks. I didn't do anything interventionist with DS, got checked for the first time at just about 40 weeks and he was born 3 days later. I'm really just getting a little nervous about this baby's size...if mw still thinks the baby was 8lbs 2 weeks ago, that means it's more like 9lbs now....and growing...and while yes I know my body can birth a baby I grow it just makes me nervous to think about delivering close to a 10lb baby. Am I nuts? Would it be wrong of me to try to speed things up at this point?

[mirthfulmum]

:clap :jumpers: :balloons :birthday: Noah :balloons :jumpers: :clap

Congratulations Christine!!!!!

Sounds like labour and delivery was a lot of work but I'm thrilled that you have a sweet healthy little boy to reward all your hard work.

[AnnR33]

Amy-I'm sure your midwife can tell you more than me but if she thinks it's fine then do what you feel is best for you! I know what you mean about birthing a big baby-that's one of my fears too. I'm expecting about a 9lber and that makes me a little nervous! I mean I try NOT to think of just how these babies come out and when they are 9lbs-yikes!

Yeah, keep your weight loss to yourself ;) I gained 5 lbs in 1 week! :eek I know I ate more junkfood than noraml-we made Halloween cookies, etc but OMG-I didn't expect that! My m/w just laughed and said it was no big deal. To her maybe-I can't even get the clothes out of the dryer lately! LOL

Take care all
Ann

[bluehalo]

Just popping in to share a quick picture...

http://www.motherspirit.net/htdocs/dcforum/User_files/4174517645ee1782.jpg

Birthing vibes to all the mamas needing them! Hope to catch up soon...

[OakEmber]

Congratulations Christine and family!! :) Welcome Noah :balloons

Awww Amy :hugs...I personally don't really put too much faith into the weight guestimate thing, even by a skilled midwife...our body has ways of tricking even the best of them. A friend of mine, not to scare you, delievered a 10lb 7oz boy that blew everyone away since they totally expected that he'd be average. So, I really wouldn't do it for the reason of being afraid of having a big baby, besides you can deliver a big baby!!! But, I also don't really think that stripping the membranes is so bad...it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't so I don't think it will do anything if it is not time...that's just my personal humble opinion and I am sure that others might disagree. It is something I'd personally do but not until 41 weeks...HTH.

Wow Carrie, that's some week you have planned! Ohh you must be so excited knowing you are so close :love

Court- WTG getting some meals made :thumb I was gonna, I swear, LOL...but with Dh being home still he can do the cooking. We did buy some frozen stuff too at least, but I just am too lazy at this point to make anything from scratch. Sounds like things are getting very productive on your end (:LOL, almost erased that because of how it sounds, then I thought, nah, it's about right, hehe)

Kathy- That is so absolutely sweet your son doing that :love You guys sound wonderfully, blissfully happy right now...it's so touching :)

I'll touch on Letia's QOTW- My fall back prediction was always the 20th (Wed.) but I hoped it would be sooner than that so of course now I am hoping that Wed., if not sooner of course :LOL It was also the day Ember predicted so that would be neat (she just pointed to it on the calendar). We were talking about animals before and whether they sense things and I swear my dog has been staring at me all day like he expects something to fall out of me at any moment,:LOL. Also, since I had been thinking all along that Oakley would be early and he's pretty much not I am now wondering how much he will weight...I am now thinking over 8lbs (Ember was 7/11)...I'm thinking 8/2-8/4ish and since I know the sex it's the part I am looking forward to finding out :thumb

[Momma2LiamandTara]

:) :thumb :love :D :heartbeat :jumpers: :balloons :birthday: :carrot :banana

Welcome to the world Noah! You're a handsome one! Congrats Christine!!

[Momma2LiamandTara]

Has anyone had any sciatica pain?I called my doc today becuase i'm having a bad pain behind my right knee. They had me come in for a u/s to rule out a blood clot. Well they found one but determined it wouldn't be causing my pain. It feels like a pulled muscle but it's not getting any better. It's been painful since sunday morning. I can barely stand on my leg. It's okay if i;m moving but if I'm standing still it hurts really bad. I have to sometimes stand like a flamingo when I'm doing soemthing where I have to stand still. This really sucks!!! Too bad you can't have Ibuprfen while pregnant that would take this pain right away!! Tylenol doesn't do squat!

Well I'm going back to lay down! Congrats to all the ones who just had their babies and happy birthing/laor vibes to all who need them.

Carrie :irked:

[Ekatherina]

Gongratulations, Kristine!!!!!!!!!!!!! :carrot :carrot :carrot :violin...Picture of Noah is adorable!!!! hope you recover quickly...
Momma2Liam, sorry about the pain you are feeling...:hug I PMed you since I had sciatica my myself hope the information would help...about kozy yes shipping prices are huge..:( but i'll try to get sewing machine...and maybe find similar pattern because i really liked the kozy-style..
Mandi, u can talk to me about not-gaining weight...;) I haven;t gained almost anything in past two months....:dropjaw...but well im not eating very well...my mw didn't seem concerned but dh is going crazy and tries to feed me on every occasion possible...
everyone who is thinking about diapers, I was to diapering forum and it helped a lot but still have tons of questions...i bought my diapers: they look like one circle diapers when you open it....so it is in two layers but only sewed at the ends and not attached longitudinally....do i make any sense?? so when i dry them they open and become like chewing gum....!!!! should I sew them on the sides that are not sewed??? or just iron them after drying??? (i don;t have an iron :innocent) ....any suggestions???
3boyz4us, How nice that u know when ur baby will be born...:) i'm so excited for you...:hug
Kathy, I alsways read ur posts like some kind of fairy tale...imagine farm...three lovely children....chicken...ahhhhhhhhh and back to looking around me and hating this big big cold city im living in.....:crying

[gottaknit]

Meli - I just read Willow's birthstory. You did so awesome!! :thumb I am so impressed. Your hospital and the staff there sound great. Can I ask what your chant (om mani padre hum) means? Take your time processing the ceasarian birth; I imagine it must be a bit of a shock. :hug

[ameliabedelia]

Carrie, that is so exciting about Friday!! I wish I knew my babies birth date!! You have such a fun week planned!! I am trying to keep busy with fun things, to make the time pass!

Amy, I don't think there is anything wrong with having the midwife sweeping your membranes, but I also dont' think you should put much stock in her guesstimate of the baby's weight. I would just use Mickade's birthweight and the birthweight's of your mom's and mil's babies as better estimate. I think it tends to be genetic. So, if Mickade, your mom's and your mil's babies all fell into a certain weight range, you baby probably will be in that range as well.

Christine, your pictures are great! I can't believe you are home from the hospital already after a c-section. WOW, I am sooo impressed!

momadance, that is great news about your baby being so low and your cervix being in such good shape!!


I will try to touch on the QOTW as well. I am going to say Oct. 20th, just because that is my MIL's birthday and it would be "just my luck" that my baby would share a birthday with my MIL. :eyesroll However, there are lots of other family birthdays it could be on, DH's aunts (twins) birthday is the 19th, his sister's birthday and my mom's birthday is the 24th and DH's brother died on the 25th (MIL does NOT want the baby born on that day, but DH doesn't care). I have a friend whose birthday is the 28th, my sister's birthday is Nov. 2nd and another friend whose birthday is Nov. 9th. So, I know lots of people who are campaigning for me to have the baby on their birthday. :LOL

I am not really having any prelabor signs, so I don't know. But, then I never really had prelabor signs with dd, other than a little bloody show,...I don't think I am that sensitive to those thing. I still think I will go early. DD was 10 days early and all my mom's, grandmother's and MIL's babies were early, so I would really being bucking the family, genetic trend if I go late. I am not worried about giving birth to a big baby. DD was 6'12" and all my mom's babies were in the 6-7 pound range, and I think MIL's were as well. I don't think we have the big baby genetics in us.

[bluehalo]

Christine, your pictures are great! I can't believe you are home from the hospital already after a c-section. WOW, I am sooo impressed!.

oh honey, i'm definately not home yet ... sorry if i was misleading...

[Lucysmama]

41 weeks :irked:

Momadance - YAY that your cervis is doing so well! I bet you'll have a pretty quick and easy birth, being that it is so favorable and you are overdue already. :)

Amy - I'd just see what your midwife says about stripping your membranes. I personally am going to have it done in a few days at a little over 41 weeks, but I think there is a big difference between doing it a week before your EDD and doing it a week or so after. It's obvious that YOUR body is ready, but maybe your baby's isn't. Don't fear a too-big baby!!! Your body will grow the perfect size baby for you! (Hee hee, I am having to tell MYSELF that too, so I definitely understand the sentiment!)

Christine, Noah looks so beautiful and perfect! How are YOU feeling?

QOTW: I don't have a back-up prediction. I totally thought I'd have the baby by now, so all bets are off. :D I do think I will have it in the next week, but that's not exactly rocket science since that'll put me at 42 weeks.

[OakEmber]

Christine- I am so impressed, you are able to post from your hospital?!! Sending you quick recovery vibes. I hope that you are feeling OK not just physically too :hug. Oh Noah is SUCH a darling...he looks so peaceful! Hope that Ethan is doing well at home and adjusting to being a big brother.

Momadance- I forgot to comment about your cervix (LOL)...that is so awesome! Can't wait to hear how it goes for you :thumb

Carrie- What a bummer having extra discomforts to deal with :irked: I hope that it all goes away soon!

[JenDoula]

Hello ladies! I don't post here much, but my EDD is tomorrow, and I'm still pregnant too :) I need to come here for some respite, since the other message boards I visit are filled with people either getting induced or sectioned, and I can't take it anymore, LOL. I think I've read maybe 2-3 October birth stories on there that weren't induced, and there's at least 50 that have given birth over there. Sad, and scary.

Expecting to go up to another week, since Adam was born at 41 weeks. Have a doc appt tomorrow, then will call to update the midwife. Everything's ready for the homebirth and the baby, and my cloth dipes finally shipped today! They're supposed to come next Monday, I wonder which will come first: baby or dipes? LOL. Anyone placing bets? :)

[BeansMomma]

Just a quick note to congratulate our newest arrivals and wishing speedy recoveries to moms.

So, I have a question... does the baby *have* to drop in advance of birth for first time moms? I keep reading that most babies drop about 2 weeks before birth for first time moms, but I don't think my baby has dropped at all - and due date is Wednesday this week. :scratch

Not to sound too disappointed, though; I feel I have so much to do before she arrives. Today was my final final day working, so no more excuses. I'm selling my condo (a rental property) and I'm supposed to close next week. I can see it now - going into labor at the start of signing those reams of contracts, ha ha.

[gottaknit]

Hi JenDoula! I happened to surf over yesterday to the October due date club site I used to frequent before discovering MDC... arrrrgghh. I haven't read anything there in months, and I'm so glad I found MDC. It gave me high blood pressure just reading a few of the birth announcements.

One very funny post I saw regarding "Where is your baby sleeping?" said that her DH is "really into co-sleeping", so they "let the baby sleep in our room in his carseat. Unless he won't stop crying, then we put him in his swing." :laugh: :tsk :hammer Poor baby...

Hope everyone is doing well. Should we have a contest to guess who will birth last this month (or next)? Or is that just too cruel? :wink I have a feeling I'm going to go waaay overdue. And have the biggest baby, too. :eyesroll


Susan - I don't think there are any hard and fast rules about labor and delivery. :) I'm sure there are plenty of babies that don't drop before labor. I couldn't tell the baby had "dropped" until the midwife confirmed it, so maybe she has and you just can't tell. Hang in there! :thumb
BTW, what are "Orange rolls"? Those are some strange cravings you're having! :LOL

[flitters]

hi mamas!

:balloons congratulations bluehalo and noah!!! :balloons
he is a super cutie! wishing you a speedy recovery!

just checking in - i seem to lack posting energy lately but i love reading how everyone is doing!

things here are good. had a great midwife appointment today. just normal checkup stuff, everything looks great.

baby is very low now. i have loads of contractions. cervix felt pretty squishy and short and maybe a small finger tip or so dialated last time i checked a few days ago. tonight a big rain storm is supposed to roll in - the first of the season. the barometric pressure hasn't really dropped yet, but maybe it'll trigger something. i'm guessing i'll go this week but we'll see!

hugs to all!
:grouphug

[mandalamama]

checking in to read and catch up, and i'm so excited about all the moms in/nearing labor and all the births! :D :love

i could post this to Breastfeeding but i figure some of y'all are up late ;) my milk just came in and i'm already engorged as hell, very painful and i can even feel hard, hot milk ducts that hurt. i'm following all the written advice i can find but nothing's helping, i mean it says to soften with a warm compress and have the baby nurse which i did, but that breast is actually *more* engorged after the feeding. confusing! same with expressing, they both engorge more. also, Willow "unlatches" halfway in the middle of a feeding but for some reason i can't feel it, so my left nipple is in a lot of pain and has a small blood blister type thingy on it. the last 2 feedings she'll latch on and then back off, too much milk flow is intimidating maybe? but expressing just makes more. yikes! i'm sure i'll get the hang of it but i'm worried i'll wake up even more engorged *eek*

[ameliabedelia]

Well, I am pretty sure my water broke early this morning. I woke up at 2:45 AM to feel something trickling down my legs. Tried to go back to sleep, but didn't really sleep and then an hour later felt it again. I just got up at about 4:15 AM to pack my hospital bag and felt more trickle, so no gush, just a trickle which comes and goes. Having a few contractions, still spaced pretty far apart and not that intense....but things should pick up soon. So, I think we may be having a birthday this week, hopefully today. :love

Melly, maybe try calling LLL in your area. They would have better ideas. You might want to make sure Willow's latch is ok, and she is really draining the breast. Also, they say you can try cabbage leaves. I think you just place cabbage leaves under your bra and that is supposed to help.

Bluehalo, I can't believe you can post from the hopsital... I want a hospital with internet access. I am already wondering how I will survive without MDC for the 2 days I am in the hospital (assuming they won't let me leave early).

[BeansMomma]

OK Ladies - looks like I answered my own question. My water just broke (does it ever stop leaking?) - conveniently on the toilet during a mid-night peeing session. WOW - here we go. I'll check back in in a couple of days after she's born (not sure what online access we'll have at the hospital). Happy birthing to all you others that are close!!!!

:bgbounce

[sqoya]

You go Susan and Amelia!!! :thumb It's so exciting to wake up and hear such great news!!!

[True Blue]

Thanks for the tips everyone, I KNOW I should wait there is just part of me that is getting nervous. :innocent I don't think I can go by our parents' kids' birthweights, or even the weights of my half-siblings' kids, bc Mickade broke the mold so to speak. My sis and I were 6 pounders, he was over 8 and 2 inches longer. Even DH's siblings' kids were smaller than he was. The latest cousin was about half a pound less but over 2inches shorter (mom had GD though). So I just don't know. We'll see how I feel this afternoon I guess (and Katie if I were you I'd be doing everything at this point LOL).

Meli -- Some engorgement is pretty common this early on. I don't have too much new advice in that department, except to say that in another day or so your milk supply will catch up (or down LOL) with Willow's intake. Cold cabbage leaves in your bra on your nipples will be soothing to pain you have. And do you have Lansinoh? That always helped me a lot the first week or two. You are going to have to pay very close attention to how Willow is nursing so you can see when her latch is wrong. Whenever she latches on wrong, as annoying as it is, you have pop her off immediately and make her re-latch so she learns to do it properly every time, otherwise you will be one very sore mama. I second calling LLL or a lactation consultant in your area. :hug It will all be ok very soon!!

Ok I must have missed a page when reading because I just scrolled down and saw all kinds of water breaking messages LOL. Hooray Amelia and Susan!!! :thumb I'll try to hide my intense jealousy when we hear all about your births! :raz

[Momma2LiamandTara]

Wow! What amazing news to wake up too! Good Luck Susan and Amelia!!! :love :thumb :D

Well my leg still hurts. I think it's just a nasty muscle pull. It doesn't seem like sciatica. Now my groin is hurting a lot now. I'm just hoping to have this baby soon. The big due date is Sunday so we shall what happens. DH predicts the 20th and a girl. I predict the 31st and a boy. Well i'm just not a happy camper becuase I hurt so much :irked: and it hurts even more to go talk a bath becuase I strain my legs so much getting out. Oh well it will all be over soon. :)

So who is having their baby next????

Happy birthing Susan and Amelia!! :dust :dust :dust :dust :dust

[momadance]

The days keep cruising by. I'm always so surprised to wake up in the am! Had a nice night last night. Had an old friend over for dinner, some real good contractions, that hugged all the way around and were good and painful... Then, I wake up this am :eyesroll

Tonight the couple who are coming down for the birth are coming to stay the night. Our friend Mikes (from Col.)in town till wed. so we'll have a good group over tonight. All the key players will be around, and there's always so much love and good energy when where all together, and with the addition of my sis being around, I really hope things get going.. Although I'll have to make sure nobody starts to have "too much fun" There outa towners with a favorite microbrew that comes out of atl... I can just see me going into labor after everyones gone through a case :eyesroll

Oh, is anyone else having men who aren't dp's around for the birth? Everyone thinks its so wild that Josh'll be here, and maybe Mike... It's not like they have to have a front in center spot, or even watch the graphic portions, but everyone acts like I'm a nut...It's good prep. for them when their dp's (my lovely best women friends) go through it, don't ya think!?

Contemplating the LLL meeting and gymnastics today... "Your still preg?" do I really wanna go through it? I just don't know....

Trueblue.. I would personally hold off on the stripping.(till post due) Do you know if your GBS positive or not? I can't remember if you did the test or not.

Katie~ I'd totally do the stripping at your point! I will next Monday if I'm still preggers!

Thanks for the compliments on my cervix. Never thought I'd type a sentence like that :)

Have we done weight predictions? that may be fun.

My guess for Reed is 10 even. :D

[blessed2bamommie]

:yikes: what's with all this water breakin and *how* can you tell if you're peein! I sometime pee for 5 minutes in the middle of the night and wonder if its pee or amnio. :scratch Seeing inconsistent amounts of mucus wonderin if its the plug or not;but, my MW says you'll know. Wonder if its comin out gradually...

Had a lot of ctx in kickboxing today. :LOL My instructor tells me to do whatever I want! And only once did he say push and he looks over at me and waves his finger. I want to mess with him so bad as we're doing squats and tell him come here I need him to catch the baby! :LOL He's a trip. I go on Tuesdays. I'm thinking this will be my last class (kickboxing unless I do have the baby and don't make it out the rest of the week) preggo.

Dh is working from home today waiting on maintenance. Do you *know* how thrilled I am that the water is BROWN having a wb! :splat He *betta* come today. At least the pool is inflated leaning against the wall and he can see it up.

Well, I'm gon check my email and relax a bit since dh will be home the day. I was gonna do some cleaning since he was here course, his help was questionable. :eyesroll I think I'm gon call the other nfs and ask about a cleaning person. I haven't had very good success with the three calls I've made.

:wave

[Soogie]

Yay! Happy Birthing to Susan and Amelia! I can't wait to hear about your new babies. And I can say that I'm a wee bit jealous of all this water breaking/birthing going on. My water doesn't break until I'm pushing, at least it didn't with my 2 previous pg's, this one might be different, but highly unlikely. And for those of you predicting who willl be last...raising my hand up high for this one...ME! I'm not due until next Wednesday and both my other babes went 1 week over, so that would put me around Nov 4/5. But I'm counting on the full moon next Wed as both my babes were born under a full moon. So many variables, so many guesses, and only this wee one in utero knows its birthday.

I'm trying so hard to enjoy these last few days/weeks of this pg, as it may be my last. But I'm getting anxious to meet this babe, anxious to be able to sleep comfortably again. It doesn't help that I have 2 overly excited toddlers, getting very antsy waiting for their new baby bro/sis. And of course the deluge of phone calls have started...ugh.

Off to my mw appt...

[gottaknit]

Oh My Oh My Oh MY!!! So much good news today! :D

Susan, looks like you'll hit your due date exactly or even a day early! So much for the baby needing to "drop" two weeks beforehand, huh? ;) And Amelia you're early! You lucky ladies. :) This is so exciting... Can't wait to hear the stories!

I woke up thinking maybe my water had broke, too, but then realized I was just sweating a lot. :eyesroll

Letia, I cannot believe you are still doing kickboxing! That must be quite a sight! What kind of reaction do you get from the others in the class? I bet they're nervous, imaging themselves on the nighly news. "Kickboxing classmates assist in gym delivery!" :LOL

Meli, good luck with the breastfeeding. I'm sorry I don't have any advice since I haven't BTDT yet. But from what I was told at LLL, expressing can help (they recommended doing it by hand in the shower when you're warmed up), but if you express too much your breast just make more and it doesn't help the situation. I've heard the cabbage leaf thing a lot, too, at LLL and other sources. It cracks me up everytime. Just the visual of a bunch of cabbage leaves stuffed in my bra.... :LOL But hey, whatever works! Hope things ease up soon. :Hug

Amy, I'm in the minority here, but I'd hold off on the membrane stripping. My only concern is that I've read that sometimes during the procedure the bag of waters is accidently broken.... and then if you and baby aren't ready to go yet... well, it wouldn't be pleasant. Might lead to more interventions (pitocin, etc) to get things going. KWIM? And there's also the GBS issue, but I can't remember if you're +, -, or not-tested. Hang in there! :thumb This baby might just seem bigger because women "show" more with second babies...? Is that a possibility?

OK I'm off to get to work on my never-ending to-do list. I'm driving DH cuh-razy with all my organizing and cleaning. It makes no sense to him, and he's a tidy kind of guy. I finished all the laundry and started to feel twitchy because there was nothing left to wash. I asked him if he wanted to take off his pants so I could wash them. :bouncy Guess that is a bit excessive, huh? What's weird is that there are things that do need to be cleaned that I have no interest in - like the floors and the shower! Instead I'm wasting lots of time organizing the little "junk drawer" in the kitchen and alphabetizing files, etc... :nut

I'll check back later to hear more good news!

[Lucysmama]

WOO HOO! :banana Go Amelia and Susan! Can't wait to get some updates from you and/or hear about your lovely births!

I'm with Amy - pretty jealous of all you going-into-labor mamas! I feel I've been teetering on the brink for WEEKS! Augh! Dh says I should, "Walk till I drop." and if that doesn't work, he wants me to go to an accupuncturist. Isn't it funny how much people change from pregnancy to pregnancy? I was induced with Cervadil and Pitocin with dd and didn't bat an eye, and now I am thinking membrane stripping and accupuncture is too much intervention! :D I told him if by Friday or so I am still pregnant, I will consider the acupuncture.

Have a good day, mamas! I will be popping in a lot, I am sure....I get so excited when we have mamas in labor!

[Lucysmama]

Nancy, we x-posted! I wanted to add, I went into a fit of nesting the other day, and I scrubbed the bathroom floor on my hands and knees, and then decided to do the tub. Well, I just couldn't get a good angle from outside to tub, so I actually took off my clothes and climbed in the tub and scrubbed it naked. The scrubbing gave me so many contractions, I wanted to take a nice warm bath, and I was really glad I had just washed the tub. :LOL I sat there contracting in my spotless tub in my spotless bathroom and all felt right with the world. :D

[mirthfulmum]

:banana :carrot Woohoo! More babies comming. Even though I don't post much I check into the boards everyday just keeping baby watch. It is so exciting to see if anyone's babe has been born yet. Good Birthing Amelia and Susan! Can't wait to hear more news!

Amy - re. the membrane sweep, I'd hold off a couple more weeks until you're overdue. Like Nancy said, there are some risks involved that could lead you down the path of medical intervention in your birth. My suggestion is to ask your midwife to do a stretch and sweep of your cervix. It does help get things moving but without the risk of membrane rupture. I had my midwives do a stretch and sweep to me at 39 weeks and then again the day before Harrison was born. It's not the most comfortable thing to have done to your cervix but that's the whole point. Hopefully you won't be waiting much longer.

Meli - I too was so painfully engorged when my milk came in with Alias (fortunately this time around it dosen't seem to have been as much of a problem). Here's what worked for me: hand express a little bit after Willow's done nursing. I found that it helped take the edge off. Put cold compresses on your breasts to help reduce some swelling. Try not wearing a bra. It's pretty messy and you'll soak your shirt several times over but I found that when I was so totally engorged that having the restriction of my bra seemed to only make matter worse. And finally call your local LLL. Even if they can't give you any better suggestions thye can at least give you some support.

All is well here and we are starting to find our new groove. We've had 2 bad nights but last night went so smoothly that I don't think they are the norm. Parenting 2 is a challenge but so far it has gone so much better than I had imagined. I had heard so many horror stories from well meaning people that I was totally freaked out that I was not going to be able to parent the way I wanted to with 2 children. I am so happy that my worries turned out to be baseless. As I figured out, I have 2 babes and 2 arms and plenty of room for both on my lap and yes, there is more than enough love to go around. Hard to imagine a few weeks ago but I am as in love with Harrison as I am with Alias. Amazing how the love just grows and multiplies :love!

[gottaknit]

OK I need to post one :OT rant.

I am so tired of people constantly coming to the door and calling wanting to know if I've voted yet, if I can donate money (seems a bit late for that), who I voted for, if I need to talk about the issues some more....!!! I'm getting like 6 phone calls and 2 or 3 people at the door per day! I'm pregnant - leave me alone!!! :rant:

The funny thing is that my neighborhood is very, um, well let's just say that there are lawn signs in front of every house, and they are all for the same candidate. Including our house. And people come to the door, from this same political party, to educate me!?!? If they want to help, why don't they go to a neighborhood/town that isn't so pro-nameless-candidate?! What a freakin waste of time. :shake (Get in your car and drive to Gresham and chat them up!)

It's not like I'm apolitical or something. I'm very passionate about politics. But if I'm taking a nap and some idiot comes to the door and makes my dogs bark their heads off.... grrrr

Should I hang up a lawn sign that says, "ALREADY VOTED!" ? Is Oregon even considered a swing state?

[AnnR33]

Meli-first off congrats to you again! I'm so happy for you mamas holding their babies already! The nursing blister is a sign she's not quite latched right somewhere-make sure her top and bottom lips are both flanged out all the way around-there are some good pics on the LLL website I think. And be sure that she's not sucking like a "whistle" just around the nipple if that makes sense-she has to have her mouth wide open and lots of boob in there! LOL The cabbage leaves really did work for me-don't know why but I didn't question the relief! Hope things improve for you-the first few weeks are the hardest but I swear it does get easier and it is so worth it! :)

Happy laboring vibes to Amelia and Beansmomma! :dust

All these late babies this month-very interesting I think...what ARE they waiting for :scratch

Ann

[Court]

Oh man, Nancy I hear ya on the political phone calls and visits. We've probably had 5 total visits to our door (and a couple I didn't answer cause I was trying to get Logan down for his nap). It's not enough that I'm voting their party, I'm supposed to donate money and volunteer. Um, do I look like I can volunteer anywhere? I'm 10 months pregnant with a toddler and a husband who's not home till 7 some nights. You should put a sign on your door that says "mommy and baby sleeping." I guess that wouldn't prevent your dogs from barking though. I don't think Oregon is considered a swing state anymore...it's definitely not a "battleground" state.

I'm so jealous of all you water-breakin mamas. Good luck!

I'm not even to my due date yet and I'm so grumpy and frustrated. My annoying mother keeps calling and screaming (she's one of these types who thinks they need to scream if they're using a cell phone) "Did you have the baby?" "Tell him to hurry up!" I guess she really thinks we would have the baby and not call her. I'm not answering the phone anymore.

Meli- I hope you get things figured out - engorgement sucks. Be sure and crumple the cabage leaves a bit before putting them in your bra. That releases whatever chemical it is that helps. If you have a strong let down that sprays everywhere, and causes Willow to sputter and unlatch...just spray into a towel or something and then when it's stopped, latch her back on. Just my .02 cents. p.s. I loved your birthstory and pictures. Willow is beautiful. You sound like such a strong, centered mama.

[blessed2bamommie]

Nancy: :laugh: Everybody in kickboxing seems to be ok, cept the instructor. He avoids using the word push. :shake The cycle class....after I told them that I had my mws numbers in the front of my wallet they calmed down. :LOL

giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirl I turned the phone off on my edd Friday. Yesterday too, and today and got my nap on. There's no soliciting, course, that doesn't deter some..at my complex, so I get no political visitors. But, yeah, the neighborhood signs should be obvious. :eyesroll

[True Blue]

Luckily no soliciting here, which is nuts since Florida IS an important state LOL. But I guess only if we can get our vote tallies straight this year. :rolleyes They started early voting with machines and there have already been problems...I really hope I don't have to be embarrassed to be from this state again!!

Well I didn't go for any stretching or sweeping or anything today, didn't even have the midwife check me. This week she said she didn't think the baby was big ( :confused: ) since I'm still measuring small...so who knows?? Plus I was feeling guilty, I didn't do anything like that with DS and just couldn't do it now either. And yeah I thought about the accidental water breaking thing too, I thought of that later this morning (I left the house before a couple of you mentioned this). So anyway all is well and here I am with my basketball belly!! And DH is leaving me for a couple days, luckily the ship will be within a very short range so if anything starts he can be home within an hour or so. Maybe that's just what I need to get things going!

[Lucysmama]

We're getting sick of all the politikin', too. I live in Ohio, which is considered one of THE battleground states, and lemme tell you - people are getting UGLY! Though I have to say, I know dozens of registered voters, and only one is voting for Bush, and that makes me very very happy. :D

I don't answer the phone, either. When the cell rings, I hand it straight to dh. He screens for me, and always tells people I am either napping or in the shower. I don't feel like chatting. Except to you guys. :grouphug

[kraftykathy]

woo-hoo!!! more babies are on the way!!! i can't wait to hear from amelia and susan!!!!


tomorrow willow will be one week old. midwife is coming out to visit. looking forward to seeing how much she weighs.

i used lanisoh too and it really helped for nipple soreness, as well as making sure the baby's mouth is nice and wide when taking in the nipple. all of my kids wanted to pull their lower lips in too tight when learning to nurse. owie!

i'll be peeking in later to see if there is any news!

kathy

[Court]

Katie- I almost always think of you when they talk about Ohio on the news as a battleground state...since you're the only person I "know" in Ohio. BTW - I had a dream last night that you had your baby, I think, it's kinda fuzzy now. I dreamed about babies all last night...and ofcourse my baby turned into a kitten. :eyesroll

[gottaknit]

:LOL What is with these kitten-babies? I keep dreaming about kittens, too.

Speaking of Ohio... DH went to grad school in Ohio and just loves that state. Whenever someone mentions Ohio, he gets this far-away dreamy look on his face. And then he usually says, "You know what you don't have out here? Thunderstorms. I mean real thunderstorms. I miss thunderstorms." It's gotten to the point that as soon as I hear, "You know what..." I cut in and say, "Yeah yeah yeah we don't have thunderstorms. Got it." :LOL He always looks surprised that I know what he's going to say. :eyesroll Men are so goofy.

OK I am such a dork. I just now realized we have two Willows! I just looked at Meli's pics and thought, "Wow Willow doesn't look nine pounds...?" :innocent But it's Kathy's Willow that is nine pounds. :duh Meli, your little Willow is so precious! You all look so happy. :D

Piglet, I forgot to comment on your family picture. Emily looks like quite the little personality. She actually looks a lot like me when I was that age. (Cute, if I do say so myself! ;) )

[OakEmber]

Yay! It was soo exciting seeing two that two of us are in the process of having thier babies right now!!

This is about my third time lurking today, I just haven't gotten a chance to reply yet.

Argh...I don't envy you guys down there with all the people coming to your houses and phoning right now, it's bad enough putting up with that from family but to have that happening in regards to politics in this condition :irked: I totally think you should do as mentioned and put a sign up saying "new mom resting" or something along those lines!

Meli- Willow is sooo beautiful and looks sooo sweet all snuggled up in the sling. Oh I can't wait to use mine too! And you are looking great too! :love Sounds like there was already lots of good suggestions for you about the engorgement...I just wanted to say that it (should be) over with soon, I remember it only lasting for about 4 days to a weekish, which I know sounds like a long time to you right, everything is always better in hindsight. All I really did is have hot showers and hand express a little to take the edge off.

So I have an appt. tomorrow morning and I am thinking that I might request a sweeping of the membranes :hide: or maybe just a strech and sweep, I will be 40 weeks the next day and according to my u/s (early one mind you which is supposed to be more accurate) I have already passed that mark. My reasoning is that since we are already down in Kelowna I might as well see if we can't get things started :innocent I know, I know...the convinience factor cop-out...but it will be about a 4 or 5 hour round trip and I'd hate to get home and have to turn around and drive back (it's about 1 and 15 mins each way, then the appt., lunch, Costco...). It's something that I just feel isn't invasive enough to start labour unless it's time anyway, so I figure I will have my appt., have my cervix stimulated a little, grab a bite to eat, then walk around for a few hours and if nothing is happening head home. Or not, we'll see how I feel in the morning about it. Just wanted to throw that out there and see what kinda reaction I get, I do value your opinions (probably a bit too much according to my Dh :eyesroll )

[Court]

Amie- I'm gonna go ahead and let the midwife stimulate my cervix tomorrow too...a little stretch and sweep. I see it the same as you - it wont cause labor if we're not ready...and my mw said the same. I don't think it's quite as risky as stripping (at this point in our pregnancy). So, you wont hear me trying to dissuade you ;)

The laborade tastes really good by the way. :)

[gottaknit]

OK the suspense is killing me..... I can't wait to hear news from Susan and Amelia! (Where's the "chewing finger nails" smilie when you need one!)

BTW, I had my first, "Did you have the baby yet?" call today. As in, the first time someone actually used that phrase. And it was my mom. She lives about five minutes away and we talk every day. I asked her if she really thought I'd have the baby, her first grandchild, and forget to call her. :eyesroll

[Piglet68]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I've been lurking alot. I'm on here whenever I'm up at night feeding Sasha, I just don't like typing one-handed, lol...I'm so excited for amelia and susan - can't wait to read more birth stories! I so don't blame those of you who are sick of being pregnant. I'm so glad I'm not. It's only been 11 days since the birth, but it all seems miles behind me now. It's true, I do sleep much better now, even with four in our bed!

We had a doc appt today and Sasha is doing brilliantly. He's 7 lb 11 oz now. Birth weight was 7 lb 8 oz. He's gained 11 oz since our appt last week. Jaundice is almost gone, doc says he looks fantastic. Good ol' mama's milk! He's been nursing alot the last couple of days. He's a real boob man! :love

Went for another walk today, this time took both kids. For all my wonderful intentions, I'm wondering how long I can manage one in a stroller and one in a sling, especially if I'm grocery shopping etc. I just LOATHE double strollers, but I see one in my future. :-( If I'm out with just Sasha, the sling is great. But it's not easy when I'm pushing a stroller too. I'm hoping I'm just out of shape and it will improve with time (and recovery) but I'm feeling depressed b/c I just really, really wanted to avoid a stroller for Sasha. Emily didn't have one until she was almost 8 months old and it was no problem. But then I didn't live within walking distance of everything, either.

Like mirthfulmum said, I'm finding having 2 is not the horror show everyone said it would be. I plan ahead and so far manage to make it out the door on time for things, though I start well in advance, lol. I always have the diaper bag packed: I restock it whenever we get home. I think that helps alot. Still, I'm amazed at how much crap I have to lug around with me, lol. Anyways, I've had a couple of moments where I cried a little bit. Probably hormones. Feeling guilty when DD needed me and I couldn't be there. But those times have been pretty few and far between. I also feel guilty that Sasha spends alot more time out-of-arms than Emily ever did. He's in his bassinet alot, though I try to hold him as much as possible and DH holds him for me, too. Thank goodness for cosleeping, too. I love snuggling with him at night!! But you know, I think it's hard to get away from mommy guilt under any circumstances. I'm doing the best I can, and I guess I just have to be happy with that.

Okay, good labour vibes to our leaking mamas, and swift labours to the rest of you in waiting. Katie, I'd be going insane by now were I you: we all thought you'd be one of the first! Hang in there, mama...you know it will all be worth it! :love :hug :baby

[OakEmber]

Piglet- I am worried about Oakley spending more times out of arms too...but then again I am glad to hear that both you and Kazia are finding the things that you were so worried about with having two just aren't. And I do believe, like you said, as Mommies we have to find something to worry about! WTG (grow) Sasha :love Sounds like he is doing awesome!

Court- Oh good, safety in numbers, LOL! Wouldn't it just be so cool though if we actually ended up with our due date buddies being birthday buddies?? Glad to know we are on the same wavelength ;) I've been having so many contractions that I wonder if anything is gonna spark tonight and I won't even have to worry about doing that tomorrow, but then again, as you know it's nothing new :LOL Actually though, they are picking up in intensity so that's a good sign. If my cervix was a washcloth (LOL) it feels as though someone is trying to ring the water out of it (I bet that's the first time anyones heard that analogy :LOL).

[mtnjenny]

Hi ladies! The excitement is too much! Still checking in regularly, just not always typing. Congrats to new mamas, labor vibes to those who have started, and patience to those who haven't yet!

Not a whole lot going on for me, just three days away from EDD. But, today my OB said, "Don't get discouraged! You could go to bed tonight and wake up two hours later in full-on labor with no warning whatsoever." Made me feel better. (That's the way it went for mom and sis.)

Still working...People in see me in the hallway and just shake their heads at me. It's funny. I just can't sit at home right now...The other day a little first grader wanted my attention, so he stood there and gently tapped my belly with his pencil until I looked at him. Gotta love it.

No political people stopping by our house way out here in the sticks, thank goodness! The last thing I'd want to deal with - sorry some of you have to. :irked:

Gotta go lay down for a bit. To use mellybean's perfect term, the baby is "corkscrewing" around down there...yowza that feels funny!

Oooh, gotta share one little proud moment for me...told mom and dad not to jump in the car immediately when we call (to drive from WI to CO,) that dh and I want just a few days to be home alone and bond as a family. They were totally cool about it! Why do I worry so?

This got a little too long. It's funny, I feel like since I don't post regularly, I should keep it short...I dunno, weird cyberspace etiquette or something...

PS Thanks for the wipes advice, I needed it!

[bluehalo]

Amelia and Susan ... thinking of you guys!! Good luck :) :)

Meli ... I'm sorry about the engorgement ... I was fortunate never to have too much problem w/ that w/ Ethan ... it sounds *so* uncomfortable :(

Mirthful, so glad to hear that things are smoothing out for you ... this is our first night home, and bedtime went pretty well, except that right when I was dozing off Noah started squeaking and rooting around again (this child wants to nurse *constantly*! It's amazing!) and he wasn't happy w/ the side lying position ... so here I am in front of the computer with him finally sacked out on the Boppy after another long nursing session.

Well, we actually *are* home today ... I was thrilled that my doc let me come home so early ... but, I passed all the "tests" (passing gas, peeing w/o the catheter, etc.), and she has a 5 yo Dd, so she appreciates that it will be much easier for me to chill and take it easy at home than to be seperated from DS and be stuck in the hospital just waiting 'till I can make it home. I did have to swear up and down that I'll take it easy, and I truly intend to! We were able to post from the hospital w/ dial up (DH brought the laptop, whan can you expect, he's a computer geek ;) )

I'm going to go try to post at least a quickie version of the birth story before attempting to transition Noah back to the bedroom...

[AnnR33]

Welcome Home Christine-glad you're home safe and sound! And yes-take it easy-no housework or anything for you mama!

Ann

[Lucysmama]

I am having good, strong, painful contractions. :banana Don't know whether to call my MW or not, though....I have had so much pre-labor crap. These feel different. They hurt! But they are still 7 minutes apart.....definitely ouchy, though. I have to concentrate to get through them, especially at the peak.

I'm tired but I am afraid to go to sleep - that always makes them stop!

I suppose if it is REAL labor, they won't stop and I won't be able to sleep? Does that sound right?

:nut <-----This is me.

[AnnR33]

Katie-you better have called your m/w already! I'm sure we'll be hearing baby news from you soon! Happy labor vibes! :dust

Ann

[Court]

Katie, I hope you called your mw too! Keep us updated. I really hope this is it for you.

I can't stop checking this board tonight, I want updates! I'm so impatient.
Nursing ds earlier tonight started some nice frequent contractions, and they're still going. I also went for a really nice walk earlier. I'm sure it'll be like every other night, I'll fall asleep and wake up still pregnant. Oh well.

Welcome home Christine! I just read your birthstory...so sweet about looking over your 3 boys. I'm gonna have 3 "boys" too. I can't wait. I'm glad you came away from the experience with such a positive outlook, even though it wasn't exactly as you'd planned. How great that you got to come home so early!

Good to hear from you Jenny! :wave

And Go Red Sox! Dh is a Boston native, so we were on pins and needles tonight watching the game. Actually took my mind off of having the baby for a couple hours. Keepin my fingers crossed for them in game 7 tomorrow.

[Piglet68]

katie!!!!!! i hope this is it for you!!!! :thumb

yes, go sox!!! we lived inn boston for abouy a year - dd was born there. can't wait to see the game tomorrow!

[bluehalo]

Katie ... thinking of you!! I'd at least try to get some rest if I were you ... if it starts to have a serious impact on your labor pattern, you can always get up again, if that feels right to you ... but I think it's worth a try...

I'm *lol* at this baseball talk ... my DH is from Houston, and Houston is in the other half of the playoffs (I'm so out of the sports loop, I don't know off the top of my head which set of teams is from the National League and which is from the American... duh!) ... anyway ... he was so tickled to be at the hospital last night and watch baseball. We don't have TV, so it was a real treat for him. Althought the Houston game was pretty boring. He enjoyed the drama of the Sox/Yankee game though!

and OT, but OMG, sorry for all the typos in my birth story ;) Must be hormones, but I'm too lazy to edit :LOL

[sqoya]

The most amazing day of my life! Jillian was born last night at 7:30 and guess how large she is – 9 lbs 14oz!!! Everyone kept wondering where I hid her! I’ll post a birthing story in a few days, but in short, I woke up at 9:00AM with contrax (I actually woke up earlier, posted here, then went back to sleep) I thought were just braxton hicks, but were slightly painful. At 10 I started timing, and they were 10 min apart. My dh and I walked around the neighborhood, did some things around the house to keep my mind off them until they were 5 minutes apart. Then I got in the bathtub at home and LOVED how relaxed I became! Arrived at birth center at 4:30, now 3 min apart. I was 5 cm! By 7 PM I was 10cm and started pushing. And a half hour later, our beautiful daughter was born!!! I gave birth in their birthing tub – it was so much easier to relax in there. I did tear and had some stitches (Jillian came out with one hand on her cheek). The frozen pads soaked in witch hazel are wonderful! Thanks for the idea! We went home around 1AM and had a tiresome but relaxing night. She's sleeping in her Dad's arms right now. :love

Much love to all you Mamas! I can’t tell everyone how much it means to me to have you all. I’ll post more later. Right now I’m in new Mommy heaven! :love :love :love The wait, discomforts, and anticipation is nothing compared to looking into our sweet daughter's eyes!

[gottaknit]

:jumpers: :balloons :jumpers: Congratulations Mandi!!! :jumpers: :balloons :jumpers:

How exciting! It's great that you were able to come home so quickly afterwards. Hope you're getting lots of rest and enjoying time with your new family. :love

I've been awake all night. I cannot sleep. I finally got up at 4:30 am and guess what - lost the whole plug! It really was gross-looking, I must say. :innocent

Anyway, I wanted to get online to check to see who's had babies, and my internet connection was down for an hour and a half! What a bummer! So I played solitaire instead.

I think today may be the day. Just a feeling... ;) Having lots of contractions and feeling especially crampy.

I'm trying to decide if I should make myself get some rest, just in case (might stop things though), or get to work finishing up last minute projects... hmm... First maybe I'll get some breakfast.

Oh, BTW Mandi, I read through your post about "Should the inlaws stay with us?".... and I think you made the right decision. :thumb Is the plan still to wait a week or so before having them over?

Those of you who've been through this before.... when is a good time to allow guests. I'm afraid my siblings, BIL, friends and neighbors will want to crowd over and see the baby ASAP. What are some good guidelines? I'm most worried about:
1. Establishing breastfeeding. And I don't feel comfortable being topless in front of anyone but DH (or midwives, etc.), and
2. Cold and flu season is starting. I don't want a bunch of people touching my baby and giving us a cold before his/her immunity is built up a bit. Is that paranoid?

[Jillerina]

Wonderful news Mandi - you certainly do sound like you are in new mama heaven! Congrats on your sweet baby girl.

I'm also checking in regularly even though I'm not getting a chance to post much. I'm eagerly wating to hear from Beansmama and now Lucysmama too! Anyone else?? Can't wait :)

[Ekatherina]

Mandi Mandi!!!!!!!!!! :carrot :carrot :carrot :jumpers: :jumpers:
I can't believe it!!! you didn't seem like going into labor at all...:) im so so happy for you....can't wait to see pictures of your wonderful daughter...:)
Nancy, congratulations for losing your mucus plug...:thumb...im thinking about breastfeeding issues too...especially here in Japan noone seems to breast feed in public....
birth vibes to everyone in labor...:dust...and katie and nancy i hope this is the day for you...
here still all the same...have been reading all the posts but was in such a bad mood to post myself...:( dh said i remind him of barber shop...because i sit and wait wait wait... :eyesroll
things seem a little bit more intense now...but no contractions just intense cramps...what is this two-weeks pre-labor??? :bang...can it be for so long???

[Momma2LiamandTara]

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

Welcome to the world Jillian!! Congratulations Mandi!

[True Blue]

Congrats Mandi!!!!!!

Nancy, now you are going to leave me behind and have that baby aren't you??? :nono LOL j/k I'd take it easy if you are tired; if not, go ahead and do some last minute stuff and keep yourself busy. Just be sure to lie down for a nap in a few hours if nothing has started up. As far as visitors go, gosh I let everyone come over when DS was born. But then again I lived in CA and everyone was on the East coast....but for a month straight I had overnight guests and overall I loved it bc they were so helpful!! I never had to sit around topless to nurse or anything, I just lifted my top and hooked him on. But everyone has their own comfort levels...but as a breastfeeding advocate I usually push everyone to nurse in public as much as possible! :2bfbaby: :jumpers: As for germs...just make sure everyone washes their hands well before they hold your baby, and if anyone appears to be coming down with something, feel free to ask them to come back later or keep them away from your baby. I really think most people will understand.

Go Katie Go!!! :clap

[gottaknit]

Wow Amy, your friends and family must be much more helpful than mine. I think most people I know will offer to "help" by holding the baby so I don't have to. (If I didn't want to hold my baby, I wouldn't have gotten pregnant!)

I'm thinking of making a Post-Partum Plan listing some ground rules that I'll leave it to DH to enforce. As in, no visits more than 15-20 minutes. Anyone staying longer than 20 minutes better 1)bring a meal, or 2)start cleaning, or 3) take the dogs for a walk. Is this rude?

The breastfeeding issue is more to do with the learning curve. Once we figure things out I am more than willing to breastfeed anywhere, anytime. I look forward to stirring up trouble in public. ;) (Although it seems unlikely it will cause much fuss here in Portland.)

But while I'm still learning, I just don't want to have to "make nice" and visit. I also don't want anyone staring at me while I fumble to get it right. And I especially don't want any unsolicited advice about bottles and formula and pacifiers... or breastfeeding, for that matter. ;) Wow, I sound really defensive, don't I? :LOL

[Momma2LiamandTara]

Nancy- Congrats on loosing the rest of your plug. If you go before me i'll be jealous. ;) (just teasing)

For those who are worried about nursing in public. It took me a few months to feel comfortable then once I got to that level I just nursed Liam anytime anywhere. Slings help a lot too.

Oh not to sound like an advertisement but if anyone want a maya wrap style sling my doula makes them really inexpensive and donates all the money to charity that helps young moms and kids. I can't really afford to buy a maya since I just bought a hotslings pouch so I'm getting her to make me one. If anyone is interested just let me know and i'll pass along her info. I hope I don't offend anyone by posting that info. I just wanted to share it because I know some of us are slings addicts and can't afford the cost of them. Like me! :D

Well 4 days and counting til the big EDD! Not much going on as far as contractions. I have to remeber to keep tkaing my EPO it really seemed to help get some contractions going.

Piglet- What are you doing to treat Sasha's jaundice. Liam had it when he was born and they had him on a phottherapy blanket at home for a good month. It took awhile for hsi jaundice to go away. Just wondering if #2 might have it if I want to go that route again. It was such a pain becuase I couldn't wake him up to nurse!

Cloth diapering question for the new mommas or all of you who have done it since birth w/ your lil ones. I like the prefold and cover option. Can you for newborns/infant size still fold the prefolds lengthwise in thirds and just palce it in the cover or are the poopy blowouts too much and you need to wrap the diaper around them more?

WEll I have to go. Happy laboring to all!

[Piglet68]

nak...

jaundice: didn't have to do anything except nurse regularly. breastmilk is best treatment. and expose baby to some daylight through window or out for walks. its very normal and my ped wasn't concerned since he was nursing so well...she said she'd have waited at least a week before interventions were discussed. i'd stand your ground and make them hold off a bit, give your milk a chance to do its thing.

cloth: i cannot get over how much pee comes ouy of such a tiny babe. my prefolds are next to useless. thank goodness for my fitteds! but as for the poops, not explosive yet (just very frequent) so a tri-folded prefold in a wrap would work fine for that.

mandi: congrats on your big, beautiful girl!!

katie: you are in my thoughts so much!! :hug :hug

[mirthfulmum]

:heartbeat :carrot :balloons :birthday: Jillian :balloons :banana :heartbeat

Congratulations Mandi!!! Sounds like you had an amazing birth. I can't wait to read more.

:dust Go Katie! :dust Go Nancy! :fingersx: Hope this is it for you two!

Oooh I am just on pins and needles here... it looks like we finally got a baby rush on! I hope all is going well for Amelia and Susan and they are snuggling their little babes right now.

Good for you for getting home so fast Christine. Great picture of Noah, he looks gorgeous!

[mirthfulmum]

I forgot I wanted to respond to Nancy's visitors question...

YOU are the mom and YOU decide what you are comfortable with. It is not unreasonable to not want to be learning to nurse while having an audience stare and possibly critique your methods. I was pretty uncomfortable nursing Alias at first. It took about 6 weeks before I really felt like the 2 of us knew what we were doing and I could nurse in public without feeling compelled to cover up.
And I am a firm believer in the policy that baby visitors in the first week or so should bring food or a willingness to help with a house hold chore. Bringing a new baby into your home is a wonderous, magical and yes, stressful event. You are not being rude by asking your friends and family to give a little helping hand as your new family discovers each other and bonds.

[bluehalo]

Congratulations Mandi!!! It sounds like your birth was so peaceful and smooth, how wonderful! Can't wait to see pictures of your new sweet one :)

[momadance]

Yippee on the babes! Beautiful birth stories!

Katie I hope we haven't heard from you because you are birthing :thumb

Nancy~ I loved when I passed my plug. It was the grossest thing, but so cool! I know it's exciting!

Heading to the chiro today. My arm and hands are bugging me. I'll have him do some trigger points. Maybe he know's some tricks of the trade to get me going...His massuse know's some feet rubbing tricks I may get her to show my sis.
I was so excited to know that I was dialated to 3, but now I'm on pins and needles waiting for the day Reed chooses to join us. DTD hasn't helped much, haven't had a chance to in 2 days because of company. Maybe on dh's lunch break....

Befor I hit the chiro I think we'll go out for some spicey thai food, at this point I'm into all the wives tales :eyesroll

Miles was born on his 9th day over due...

:grouphug :dust

[Lucysmama]

Didn't have the baby yet, still contracting.... Dh stayed up with me a lot of the night and helped me thru the hardest contractions, which did require heavy concentrated breathing. I fell asleep around 5am but was woken up with contx all morning. I just got up now (11:30) and while things are slower than they were when I went to bed, I am pretty sure they will increase again with some activity. Off to the pool.

Just wanted to keep you posted! CONGRATS, MANDI and welcome, baby Jillian!

[AnnR33]

Congratulations Mandi-so happy for you :love Welcome Jillian :balloons

You go Katie-it'll be soon-I'm just sure of it!!!!

Mamadance-:hug You deserve a medal mama! But the result will be so worth the wait! ;)

Nancy-I set up rules myself-visitors allowed between noon and 5pm but they had to call first. Parents came right away but everyone else waited for about 3 days. And I told everyone they had to wash hands first which was no problem but other moms I know said they put signs on their door saying this up front which is a good idea too.
This time it will be easy to enforce since we don't know anyone here LOL
BUt you are the mom so you can make any rule you want and if anyone gets snitty about it-too bad!

Actually had a decent night's sleep for once-maybe that's a sign-ha-ya right.

Good luck everyone
Ann

[blessed2bamommie]

These are some really fast, nice births for the most part. I mean it seems like a cinch! God isn't a respecter of persons, so I get encouraged that mine will go just as swiftly.

Katie....wow....seems like your baby is on h/h way.....

:bigeyes Nancy the whole plug! What did it look like! :LOL I understand about the whole visitor thing....:nod MIL keeps saying I need to clean up b/c I'm going to have visitors. Finally I told her I'm not havin a whole bunch of folks over here worryin me. :eyesroll

Checkin the thread! :bolt

[kraftykathy]

Congratulations Mandi!!!! Welcome Jillian !!!!!!!!!!

Wow we really are on a roll now, YAY!!! So many babies on their way! I'm checking in several times a day, it's just so exciting.

I'm wondering, when all of the October mamas have had their babies, does anyone want to continue a Life with babe October 2004 mama club? Maybe towards the middle or end of November? I've bonded with you all, lol!

[True Blue]

Nancy -- just wanted to add that when you have visitors and need to nurse and don't feel comfy with it completely yet, it would not be rude to just go in another room alone to do it. ;) Oh our overnight visitors were my sisters, parents, and in-laws....they were all pretty good about cleaning, cooking, etc for me so I could rest (I also got mastitis really bad when DS was a week old, and was bedridden for a few days bc of that too).

Momma2Liam -- we had all prefolds with DS as a newborn. We thought they were too big for a newborn (even an 8lber, 21 inch one) so we used sposies for about 2 weeks then prefolds. Instead of just thirds, I would fan out the back to provide more poop coverage...basically the newspaper fold but I didn't use pins or snappis or anything, just a prorap or nikky cover to hold it all in place.

[Court]

Congratulations Mandi! and Happy Birthday Jillian! That's one of my favorite girl names! Sounds like your labor and birth couldn't have gone any more smoothly! I'm so happy for you!

Katie- still thinking about you and sending you ((((labor vibes)))! Hope this is it!

So, my mw was just here and she checked me. I was at a 3 or a little over and very stretchy. She did a gentle stretch and sweep (at my request) and now I'm at 4 cm. She said the baby had moved lower and the bag of water was bulging, so yay. It could be anytime now. I've been having pretty regular BH since last night, some painful, some not.

Kathy- we've talked about continuing the group before, so I definitely think we're planning on having it over in Life w/ a Babe. I can't imagine not having you gals to chat with.

Nancy- I'm kinda paranoid w/ cold and flu season approaching as well. I bought some of that Purell hand sanitizer to keep out and make people use. Everyone gave you really good advice about visitors, etc. Congrats on loosing your mucous plug, sounds disgusting :D but cool. P.S. I was the same way about learning to bf - I didn't want an audience. A good way to get people to leave your house is to say "I'm tired" and head to your bedroom and take the baby with you. That usually clears a room.

Ooh, just had a nice contraction!

Can't wait to hear from Susan and Amelia!

[Lucysmama]

:wave Still chugging along at 8 minutes apart, but painful. I guess I could be here for a while. I am so glad I am homebirthing - if I was in the hospital, I'd have been on Pit hours ago, you know? Baby is kicking and squirming up a storm, and feels pretty low. I am so ready to meet him/her! :love I would gladly do this for a week if it means I get to see my babe!

I am not in any hurry now, cause I just talked to my mw and she has another mom who is in active labor. Hope she delivers before I need my MW!

Youch!!!

[gottaknit]

A good way to get people to leave your house is to say "I'm tired" and head to your bedroom and take the baby with you. That usually clears a room.

:LOL You're all right. It really is that simple. I don't know why I'm suddenly worrying about it. The only person who doesn't take a hint is my BIL, who also happens to be one of those chronic sinus-infection types who's always snorting and coughing up phlegm... eeewwww. He's in grad school and lives in student housing and is basically a big walking incubator of infectious disease. :eyesroll I could see him hanging around for hours wanting to hold the baby and wrestle with the dogs and eat all our food. Anyway, DH knows we can't stand each other, so maybe he'll intervene on my behalf. Please.... :1praying:

I'm so excited to hear the news from Amelia and Susan. Good birthing vibes to you, Katie! This is your day! I can feel it! :thumb

I'm off to enjoy my last Alone Day. I'm going to go for a nice long walk. Visit my neighborhood coffee shop, the library, the craft store.... It's a very pretty, sunny, crisp, fall day here. :love

[mirthfulmum]

Oh Katie I am soooooo excited for you! Wishing you a happy and healthy home water birth. You go momma :thumb!

[True Blue]

Court -- yay on your dilation and bulging bag!!! Hopefully we'll be reading your story very soon. :)

Well I think I got my last baby stuff done. Last night I made 48 wipes and about 6 more pads for myself (just 2 layers of hemp french terry serged together, that I can fold). And I trimmed the bumper to fit the cosleeper. So that should be it. Hear that baby??? We're READY!!!!

Though of course DH left this evening. They're supposed to be staying nearby but yikes! It's ok, he said he should be able to be home in about an hour if anything starts up. That should be fine, right???? Don't know what I'm worrying about though, this baby has obviously gotten very comfy and over his/her urgent desire to be born!! :rolleyes

[blessed2bamommie]

:yikes Katie!!!! I'm sooooooooo excited for you! :bouncy

Courtney! :yikes:

Baby, I did nothing today.....besides work out and go to the store...can I get the laundry done tomorrow. :yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

eta: of *course* we need an Oct thread in life w/a babe! :nod

[momadance]

:shy :eyesroll I don't know why I typed 9 days overdue earlier today...I'm not maybe 7.

Have an awesome alone day nancy.
Amy, hope the babe get's the memo that your ready now ;)

Had a ton of awesome sushi :bag: and seaweed salad for lunch today...

[mtnjenny]

FYI, Posted pics on the Yahoo site - better late than never?

I copied Christine's idea and took a belly shot of myself 'cause I kept forgetting to have dh do it. Don't claim to look as good as she does though!! :)

The other one is a photo of me after my "virtual shower" where my Minneapolis gals all sent me gifts, and called me on a conference call while I opened them...sweet, huh?

Those are the only pictures I have of me pregnant! Anyhoo...really just practicing for posting the photos of the most important gift on the way...

[mirthfulmum]

It sure has been quiet today. We've got a few missing mommas. Ooooh I hope it's because we're having more babies join us.

[Lucysmama]

Still here!!! Still pregnant! Still contracting....

I was starting to really freak out, but my mw calmed me down. :) I kept thinking that there was something I should be DOING, or that my mind was somehow holding me up, or that I was doing something wrong. Cause I am going on 24 hours of contractions in this pattern...7 mins apart, painful but tolerable. She totally reassured me that she sees this labor pattern all the time, especially in VBACing mamas. They tend to labor a bit, stop for a while, then labor again later....building up to active labor very slowly over the course of a day or 2. In fact, the birth she is at right now is going the same way, and the mama was freaking out just like me. Guess it's a night for putzy labors. I am going to try to sleep again, and fully expect to do this again tomorrow - but I feel ok about that now. Maybe this is just normal for my body. Frustrating, but ok.

[mandalamama]

:jumpers congrats Mandi and welcome Jillian!! :jumpers

Pan cracked up at the cabbage leaf suggestions. i'd heard it for years so i wasn't surprised, but couldn't explain to him what exactly the leaves do. he said "do you want coleslaw with that?" *lol* today was a great day, Willow is nursing a lot more and we get a good latch by the third try :love i slept a bit last night, hoping for a couple of hours sometime tonight.

i can nurse at the keyboard but i can't type one-handed! too long a fast two-handed typist i guess. Pan has been wearing Willow a lot while i recover, she loves his deep voice. today i was stressing and i realized i should chant "om mani padme hum" because it soothes me, i was walking with Willow and i chanted it sing-song like we do at the temple, and she snapped her eyes open and reached up to touch my mouth! i kept chanting sing-songy and she just quietly gazed at me and kept patting my lips. she remembers hearing it for all those hours of labor! :love

go Red Sox!! and i'm a Cubs fan *grin* Pan is from Boston and he swears Willow is a lucky charm! but like a true Red Sox fan, Pan was still doubtful when the Sox had 6 runs. ;) we'll be holding her up in front of the - has to be winning! - Red Sox score and taking her picture. *bounce bounce*

lotsa good labor vibes to all the moms-in-waiting!! i am so excited for you guys! labor was so beautiful and wonderful and primal and powerful ... and i will just goosh all day about it if you let me *lol* i posted about my birth at my old due-date-club, i was a bit more descriptive because so few there have gone through natural labors ... one woman said, ""That is the most beautiful birth story I have read yet! I even forwarded part of your story to my doula! You have made me EXCITED to give birth and do it naturally!" *dances* i told her, i know you can do it! :D

peace,
meli

[Ekatherina]

Good morning everyone...!!!! :sunshine
Katie, can't wait to hear ur news again...hope it won't be long for you now...will keep you in my thoughts...
Thia, Susan and Emily!! I hope you are holding ur sweet babies now....:love...missed hearing from you...
Momma2Liam, I will PM you about the sling.....although dh insists we should search for something here first (on the internet) but all the pages are in Japanese...:eek...I might ask a freind of mine to translate for me today...
Meli, i'm so happy things are better for you now...:hug
Here all the same all the same...contractions no contractions, except that I woke up with terrible back pain...and till now it is getting worse and worse...dh said: "what did you expect you have to suffer to give birth?!?!" :eyesroll
he will take me for a long walk now (by force) because i was hibernating for this whole week (waiting for this baby to come out) he said "that's it!!! today you are going to do something in your life!!!" :irked: But I don't want to come out of my warm beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!!!!!!

[Court]

Ugh, I'm in 7-8 minute purgatory too. Same as you Katie, painful but tolerable. It's been like this all day. Sometimes they get down to 4-5 minutes, but then back up again. I know you've been having it longer than me, so I shouldn't complain. Just trying to stay calm.

Amie- are you out there lurking? Maybe you had your baby today? Can't wait to find out....

Glad to hear nursing is going so well, Meli, and that you're inspiring other mamas to birth naturally!

[Lucysmama]

WOO HOO! My water just broke and I lost my plug at the same time. I was lying in bed and felt something inside of me, so I sat up and GUSH! down my legs. My mw is still with her other mama so she is sending her backup over. Dh is setting up the tub! We're having a baby.... :love will update when I can!

Court- :hug Hope it picks up soon for you!

[bluehalo]

oh yay katie!! thinking of you!!

court, hope things move along for you too :)

Yay! More babies!! :) :love

Meli, so glad nursing is working out for you guys. My milk did come in today, and I'm surprised to say that Noah hasn't really slown down at all! He nurses constantly! And poops pretty constantly too (go figure, huh? :LOL ) Sometimes his latch is less than perfect and he hates being unlatched to get it corrected ... and I almost always have to pull his bottom lip out more (it looks like he sucked his bottom lip *a lot* in utero) ... but no real problems, thank goodness...

[Piglet68]

go katie!!! :banana

you, too court!!

hope to see some baby stories soon!

[Ekatherina]

Katie and Court!!!! birth vibes birth vibes :dust....can't wait for ur news....
went for a long walk... :eyesroll called my most wonderful mw in the whole world because tomorrow is my due date and i thought she might want to come and check....but she said don't worry, walk a lot and call me when contractions begin to be 5 min apart!!!! i love my mw...:love

[True Blue]

Happy birthing Court & Katie!!

Dying to hear from Amelia and Beansmomma!!!!

[Court]

bah, no birthing here yet.

[Lucysmama]

None here either! :) My mw's backup came over around 3am last night and my water DID break, and found me to be only 1cm and 90% effaced. She said I was so stretchy and soft she could probably stretch me to a 3, but I decided it was better to try and sleep before they did anything like that. Sleep! Yeah, right! :eyesroll With contractions like these 5 mins apart, I just laid there and moaned all morning. Please send me labor-pick-up-vibes! I am getting soooo exhausted already and active labor isn't even in full swing yet. This is what they mean by the long haul......

Meanwhile, I keep updating you guys (it's good distraction!) and I'm not even gonna have a birth story to write, cause you guys will have read it all already! :LOL

[Ekatherina]

Katie...:hug....hold on it will progress soon im sure....!!! so exciting that you are so close....think of me cramps for two weeks and noooooooo progress...:bang....much much much labor vibes to you!!!!! and to Court also....

[Soogie]

Oh how exciting Katie!!! There's no turning back now! I know the frustration of a long early labor. I had 89 hours of prodromal labor before "active" labor began with ds #1, but my contractions during that time were consisitently 5-6 minutes apart, lasting a minute and a half, and I couldn't walk or talk through them. The intensity didn't increase when I was in active labor (except for transition -owie!) but the frequency of my contractions went to 2 minutes apart. It was very frustrating and I felt like my body was failing me. Which the negative thinking probably added hours to my labor.

I'll be thinking happy birthing thoughts for you and that your vbac is a success. Can't wait to hear the news!

As for me, I am a walking zombie. I just can not sleep lately. Last night I was awake until sometime after 1:30am and fell asleep on the couch. And I was up for the day at 5:00am. Anybody know something, preferrably herbal, that would be good for sleep??? I'm so desperate for sleep that the bottle of wine in my kitchen is looking really appetizing.

[mandalamama]

woohoo to you mamas getting closer and closer!! my long pre-labor was driving me nuts, i finally *knew* it was real labor when i had to run to the bathroom between each contraction and my body was cleaning itself out. otherwise the surges kept fooling me!

Willow has a mild upper respiratory infection :( she got sick in the middle of the night, it happened so fast! went to the ped and we're watching her symptoms. poor kid didn't sleep since 2am to just 15 minutes ago! i'm going to be trying to sleep now, still haven't slept more than 1.5 hours per day since birth :( the good news is, she's gained all of her weight back, up to 5lbs 13oz today ... 4 oz. weight gain in 2 days! i'm so happy BFing is going well :D

peace,
meli

[blessed2bamommie]

Get some rest Katie...good I *did* have to send the package priority since the packing tape is in the dungeon lost somewhere. :eyesroll and they couldn't just tape it they said I had to buy tape of send it priority with their special priority tape. :eyesroll :eyesroll :eyesroll

My prediction on yesterday was wrong,which was good since I got no laundry done today. I shouldn't put it off and go ahead and do it today, get a nap and get back to my cleaning projects that I had abandoned. My flushable liners made it and my last shipment of dipes yesterday! :D

[gottaknit]

Hi Everyone! Sounds like there's some excitement brewing this morning.... :thumb

Hang in there Courtney and Katie! Your babies are just around the corner!

I was so sure last night would be the night. :eyesroll Ha. Nothing. I did get sick though, and spent most of the night tossing and turning and having nightmares. Now I am sooo exhausted. I think I'll back to bed for a nap soon.

My mom and MIL and SIL are driving me crazy. I know they're just excited, but stop calling me already! I unplugged the phone yesterday AM and then sent them all an email telling them I had unplugged it so no use trying to call (reason being all the pollsters calling me ;) ), and then when I checked the voicemail in the evening, they had each called twice anyway! And my mom called my cell phone, too, which is supposed to be for emergencies (as in calling DH to tell him my water broke). I really should have been smart and lied about my due date. Next time I'll know better. ;)

What's funny is I don't even give them any updates like I mention here (losing the plug, having contractions, etc.), so it's not like I'm encouraging them! I usually just say, "I'm fine. Still pregnant."

DH and I had a rip-roaring screaming fight last night. I was a total nut. I had torn apart the spare room closet and was trying to organize it. There was so much junk in there I could barely find the vaccuum when I needed it. I told him to get all his weird crap out of the house and put it in the basement and garage where it belongs. He didn't appreciate me rearranging his stuff and calling it "weird crap".

But for the love of God, why does he need to keep his collection of antique axes in the guestroom closet?!?! How creepy can you get?! They belonged to his great-grandfather, but still, they are AXES. How's that for bad feng shui in a bedroom? :eyesroll Anyway, we're all fine now and we've appologized. But I think he'll be really really happy when this baby is born and I stop acting like a psycho cleaning lady. (I'm sure there'll be a whole new element of crazy to my personality then....) I think he expected I would spend this few weeks off work sitting quietly and knitting tiny booties and hats. :LOL

Well, I'm thinking of you all today! Can't wait to hear some news from Susan and Amelia. Good luck to you Katie and Courtney! You are sooo close! :D

[blessed2bamommie]

Nancy :laugh:

Mil is driving me crazy. She called Monday and then yesterday wanting to know if I was in labor b/c I was "supposed to be in laobr today." :eyesroll I saw the number and she talked to the voice mail. She's tryin to catch me in labor so she can be here. She dropped by last week to bring a blanket she had made and she saw a white lady (my neighbor :eyesroll) and asked if she was going to my apt. :shake Now she wants a labor call or if she calls can someone tell her I'm in labor. So she can come over uninvited or cause some drama while I'm in labor and throw a tantrum about not being invited to the birth!?!

:splat

on that note I *just* came out of the bathroom! I've gotta pee again!

[AnnR33]

Go Katie, Go Katie! :hug :banana Thinking of you and sending you lots of speedy labor vibes-hang in there mama!!

Sending you the same Court!! :) Hope things pick up for you too. Here's some labor dust :dust

Nothing to report here-of course,I still have a week till my official due date. DH is going on his biz trip today and won't be back until late Fri night-I'm mad at him. I told him it's "unlikely" this babe will come but you never know and if he's gone when this babe is born I'll never forgive him! He thinks since this is the 3rd one it's just no big deal! :scratch :( AARRGG! My m/w kind of rolled her eyes with a concerned look when I told her but she said I'll "probably" be fine-famous last words. She said soak in a warm bath and have some wine if things do start and that should slow them down-ha-not for 20 hrs though!
OK, done venting. ;)

Take care all. Can't wait for more announcements!
Ann

[mirthfulmum]

Every time I log on I get all tingly with anticipation. All this talk of labour but no baby announcements yet! But I'm pretty sure today will bring us some lovely baby news!

Meli - Happy to hear about Willow's turn around re. nursing but sorry about her mild upper respiratory infection. Now that she's back to nursing like a champ, give her planty of breast milk. Breast milk is the best