Dec mamas role call!

[Alvenchrst]

I thought it was time, we are getting enough mamas now, which I am sooooo excited about by the way. :) Maybe we could make this one a sticky. I would love to hear everyone's due dates and a little about yourself so if I forget who one of you are in another post
(happens a lot with my pregnancy brain) I can find you. :)

I'm Ashley, SAHM to Jaden who is 18 mo. I'm due Dec 4th and am pregnant with both my SIL's (one is 2 months ahead of me and one 6 days) which is fun. I came late to AP with DS and am SO excited to do it from the very beginning this time and really look forward to breastfeeding again. My hubby is a youth pastor, which is such an amazing job that i get to be really involved in and he only works 1 mile away so we see him all the time which is really nice. The projects I am trying to finish before the baby is born is my scrapbooking and amking my own cloth diapers.

It's going to be a fun 9 (well 8 at this point) months!

[Satori]

I'm Satori, SMC already to an almost 5 year old and after the evening we had today I'm wondering why in the :censored I decided to have another one? :LOL I thought kids got easier as they got older? (minus the teen years!) Mine just seems to get more demanding. Maybe I'll get a break with this one!:) I can dream right? They dont get much higher need then dd was/is. Anyway I'm due Dec 13th and at this point have no clue about what I'm going to do about prenatal care and birth since I'm high risk (HELLP survivor) but I know what I'd like but doubt I'll get it.

[Spark]

:wave

Hi, All!

I'm Claire! Here are my stats!
Due: Beginning of Dec. (I like to stay non-commital with EDDs :LOL)
Other kids: Jude, 3 and Cicely, 1.
Partner: Yes, Jason. I like him and love him. :throb
Work: I work very part time as a College Instructor, only leaving home when my DH is home. I also own and operate Heart Felted (http://www.heartfelted.com)
Nursing: I nursed Jude while pregnant with Cicely and tandem nursed for about 9 months. Cicely at 1 is younger than Jude was when I got pregnant, so I plan to nurse her as long as she's willing... or until I have stronger needs than she does.
Hypno: I've done different forms of hypno during each of my labors. It works SO well IF you practice every single day.
Birth: Both Cicely and Jude were born at home. Same plans for Butter Bean.

[StarCat]

I'm Rebecca!

I am married to Jon and we have a beautiful little firecracker named Josie who was born last 4th of July. She's 9 months old today and # 2 is on the way in early December. I work full time as a labor and delivery nurse (which is 3-12 hr. shifts per week) For Josie's birth we had a midwife and freestanding birth center and used hypnosis. I had mixed results with it and I had to ultimatley be transferred to the hospital and ended up with an epidural and a vacuum birth....it was okay, though, it was needed and this time I know everything will go more smoothly since she "paved the way" :) I plan on the same midwives, the same birthcenter and the same hypno-doula.

My co-workers are VERY unsupportive of me having a midwife and birth center birth, but my friends and family are super supportive.

We pretty much use AP but I am no longer BF'ing dd (huge dissappointment....long story) we do co sleep and I always have her in the sling. :slinggirl

oh yeah...we are in the very beginning phases of building a house....should be finished, oh around the beginning of December!

[Geofizz]

I'm Wendy, due 12/3/05. I'm married to Phil and mom to Karen, who is 2 and a half. I just started in January as a professor of geophysics. I squeeze rocks for a living. DH is a mechanical engineer. It took him a while to find a job in the area. He's been working at his new position for a month now, and is seriously considering finding something else.

Karen was born at a hospital, but we're seriously considering having this one at home. I planted the seed of the idea in DHs brain a few months ago, and he seems mostly on board. We're going to meet the midwives next Tuesday to make see if there's a good fit.

Karen is still nursing. My left nipple so sore I'm seriously contemplating weaning. I'm sad about that because she seems to need it so much and I seem to be unable to fill that need any other way. This morning I tried to see if she would just use the right side, and she just couldn't do it.

[Viriditas]

Hi, I'm Amy.

I'm pregnant with my first, due December 5th. That makes me 5 weeks along today! :) I'm an American married to a Canadian living in Toronto. Dh and I had plans to move back to northern California in June, but this wonderful surprise has convinced us to stay in Toronto another year, where dh has a steady income. I'm not allowed to work here, so this should be a fun and relaxing pregnancy! I'm finishing my BA this week (if I can manage it!).

I've got all sorts of plans for the little one! I would really like to have an unassisted birth, and I plan to do my own prenatal care. If anything ususual or worrying comes up I will, of course, see a doctor. Dh seems to be tentatively on board, but I don't know how I will tell my mom (who is coming here and renting an apartment for the whole month around my due date!). I hope to be able to be a SAHM, or at least work from home. Dh and I plan to do EC, cosleep, and child-led wean.

I'm so excited about this new adventure life has thrown my way!

Amy

[juliasmum]

I'm Jen, SAHM to Julia who is almost 2 1/2. As far as due dates go, I'm just going to say that I'll have this baby sometime before Christmas. My official due date is probably around the 10th.

Before I was a SAHM I was a teacher. Right now I'm babysitting my nephew who is also two, so we have lots of fun during the day :)

I was lucky enough to discover AP before I had my daughter, but I've had sling envy for quite awhile now, so I'm sure there will be a new sling or two in the near future. We have all the cloth diapers we need (I let a friend borrow our newborn stuff, so hopefully it will come back in good condition!). I can't wait to have another little one around here!

[Minnow_]

Hi, I'm Heather. I'm married to Chris, and this will be our first child, though we have a cat, a tarantula, and a dog (haven't broken the news to them yet). We both work at a small college - he's a music prof, I'm a staff research analyst.

Not sure about where we'll have our baby, but it will probably be at a hospital birth center with a CNM or at an independent birth center that I've heard great things about.

[IncaMama]

Hi everybody! I'm Michele, my DH is David (high school sweetheart, been with him since I was 14 and he was 17). Our DS is Rowan, who just turned 2 on 3/24. My EDD is somewhere between 12/3 and 12/7 (my bday), but I was 9 days late with Rowan so who knows?? LOL

I am still nursing Rowan, he's quite the boob fan. I'll probably nurse him throughout the pregnancy and tandem nurse as well, but I'm pretty open to what he wants to do. If he wants to stop when my milk dries up, that's ok too. :)

We have two very annoying very yappy (but very loveable) dogs...a Yorkie, Napoleon and a Westie, Wellington.

we ALL co-sleep (the 3 humans in the bed, the two canines on the floor) in our lovely family bedroom. We haven't figured out what to do when the new little one arrives, we're considering getting ANOTHER King sized bed and pushing them together for one big huge bed. LOL we'll see.

Oh, I forgot to add some info about me as a *person*. LOL I'm a 5th year doctoral student in a program on human development and educational policy, working on my dissertation. I'm also teaching 1 undergraduate class. I'm not sure if I will in the Fall, probably not. We'll have to see what my sole provider DH thinks about that! HAHA!

[camprunner]

Hi everyone,
My name is Laura and DH is Kendall. We have a 2.5 year old dd named mary. We're both teachers and right now I'm participating in the MAD program which is sort of work at home but it is mostly for fun. We are planning a homebirth this time and I'm sooo excited!

[dziejen]

:wave I'm Jenn, mom to 2 girls who are 3.5 and 8.5 and right now I am close to 6 weeks pg. I am a SAHM and I had returned to school one class a semester to get my Nursing degree but after a summer class I am going to take a break. Heck, what's a few more years, right? I am also very active in LLL. My youngest dd is currently nursing so we may be tandem nursing or she may wean -- taking it day by day right now. This baby was the most wonderful surprise -- I guess it was something dh and I both unconsciously wanted so we are all thrilled. Right now I am checking out midwives and doulas in the area and am excited about hypnobirthing, slinging a newborn and maybe venturing into the area of cloth diapers! I am hoping this nausea is over soon but it just started the other day so I am not getting my hopes up too high! Glad to meet you all and Congratulations, Mamas!! :balloons

[selazenby]

Hi! I'm Erin, SAHM to Jake, 16 months and expecting of course in December. I'm married to a wonderful husband and father, Scotty, who makes my like easy (as much as he can) and happy almost every minute. Scotty is an Engineer and a General Contractor I teach Bradley classes one night a week in my home to a few couples and love it! I also sit on several nonprofit boards and help them with fundraising (my career in my past life). Jake was born at home (using the Bradley Method, of course) with two wonderful midwives, and my plan is to do the same with this baby. We live in Lakeland, Florida in a home built in 1921 which we renovated a couple years ago and are constantly tweaking (about to undertake an addition - yikes), and we're also renovating a second 20s home down the road from us. I'm a vegetarian married to world's biggest meat lover so that makes for interesting meals :) I'm very lucky to live in the same town with my mom, sister and brother and their families and Scotty's parents, three brothers and their families so I have a great support system!

Sorry for the sort of run on thought there - but that's me in a nutshell.

[oliversmum2000]

Hi!

I am due on december 1st but was 3 dyas early with ds 1 and ds2 so we will see, but my midwife is away from november 25th till december 2nd, so who knows i may be able to wait for her to get back!

i nursed ds 1 through my second pregnancy and tandem nursed till he was just over 3 then he weaned. ds 2 is still nursing though only 3 times a day but seems very attached to those times so he and i may be tandem feeding again.

oliver was born in hospital, oscar at home, i plan for dc 3 to be born at home too.

we are due to move in june or july (whenever it is built) to a house dh and i are both very excited about - so thats great.

i am going to go rest as amazingly both boys are sleeping and have been for an hour (ds 2 is sick he never normally naps) i bet as soon as i go read my book someone will wake up!!

[bellyb]

Hi, I'm Kyle,
Congratulations everyone!
I am due the first week of December. We have an almost 15month old who still nurses quit oftn which I hope does not change throughout this pregnancy. I am waiting for the discomfort that I felt with the first pregnancy, it was almost unbearable.
I work part time but I get to bring dd to work with me. My boss has a sitter for me, I usually work 9-12 m-f. I am a lucky lady b/c I do enjoy my job so this makes it very easy for all of us. I hope to continue what I am doing once #2 comes along but I suppose only time will tell.

Nice to meet you all!

[LoveMyLil'B]

Hi! I just found out yesterday that I'm due in Dec. We have a 1 year old son who I am nursing. I'm just going to take that one day at a time and see what happens. I am a teacher, so I have a few months left of pumping, although I'm not getting as much as I used to (it's been gradually going down, not because of the pregnancy) We've been slinging and partially co-sleeping since day 1 with ds, and plan to do the same with this one too.
We used a CNMW and did Bradley with ds, and had a great birth experience. We're hoping for an equally wonderful birth this time!

[MistyB]

I am Misty and am due late Nov/Early Dec.

I actively participate at another AP board but most of the ladies there have older kiddos. I wanted to come here to connect with other mamas who are due when I am. I have always loved Mothering.com but the vast number of posts always scared me away. I browse through certain forums once every month or so and search for special topics but the rest is just too much to keep up with.

I am currently living in Mid Michigan but we will be moving to to Southeastern MI this summer. That will make move number 12 for me since 2000. I was in the military and also have been back and forth with an international move to Europe.

I am a SAHM mom to a 3.5 year old son. I had a German midwife delivery planned but my membranes ruptured prematurely. He was a 32 week old preemie but I fought for and got a pretty non-interventional birth. It took us a few weeks to get nursing issues worked. We were fortunate that he pretty much took off from day 1 with no other issues.

We are planning a home birth for number 2 but trying to figure out the logistics of it all. We will be switching insurance late in the pregnancy and also moving 2 hours away from where we live now. Nothing like a bit of drama for us to endure! ; )

My husband is in the military and also works as a college professor but is soon going back to the real world. He wants to be able to commit to a stable life, something that the military would never allow us.

I love all things about health and healthy living. I spent 7 years in college studying community health, public health and maternal and child health.

We are veg, co-sleep...I think we are done with most of the rest. ; )

Looking forward to learning more about all of you!

Misty

[littleteapot]

After two +HPTs, one where the 'pregnant' line came up before the horizontal one... I think I'll delurk. ;)

I'm Babs, mother to a 19.5 month old who was a 2.5 year heartbreaking, depressing battle with infertility success... and this babe was a wonderful surprise. :) By LMP I'm 5.5 weeks, due mid to late December. I don't want a due date this time.
Had a home birth with transfer to birth center after 42 hours last time. I want an unassisted birth this time.

Really nice to have an expecting club that's not Ivillage this time!!! I'm surprised I didn't lose my eyes with how oft I rolled them...

[kofduke]

Hi all, I'm Kristin and I'm due December 4. I am mamam to Aaron, who is currently 26 months, and he's the sweetest, most charming little man you could ever hope to meet. :love. He weaned around 18 months, but still loves to sling, which is getting a bit uncomfortable. He also sleeps in his big-boy bed most of the time, but loves for mommy to lie down with him! I work f/t as a lawyer but I hate it, I applied to go back for counseling certification (have an MSW, but can't do exactly what I want to do with it!) and if I get in I think I will probably start in the fall anyway with 1 class (just try and frontload work) since I'd really like to be done in 2 years. I'm so looking forward to having a new sweet cuddly babe around here!

[hunnybumm]

Hi! I am Gena, married to my DH Chris. We have been married for almost 4 years. We have one DS Tristan who is 16 months and this will be our second. I am a SAHM and plan to stay that way. :) DH is military so we keep getting orders to countries we can't go to (long story).

I am still nursing DS and plan to nurse during my pregnancy. We co-sleep and still aren't really sure what we are going to do once the new baby gets here. We tried for 7 months before we got pregnant. We got pregnant just before DH left to go oversease for a few weeks. None of my friends, family or my DH know that I am pregnant. I am planning on telling DH when he gets home (end of April, early May) and then tell everyone else.

I am planning on a home birth because I just can't stand the thought of birthing in a hospital! My first labor and delivery were aweful, I just didn't realize how aweful until a good 10 months later when I realized that all the interventions made my labor harder and longer. I still have to convience DH that home birth is safe and not all that messy. ;)

EDD 12-12-05

[Schwambnicki]

Hi everyone!

I just found out Friday the 8th that my husband and I are expecting our first! We just got married Jan. 8, 05! I am excited to hear stories from all of you and help on some things! Take care to you all!

[1Plus2]

X

[Turtlemum]

Hello all!

I'm very nervous about posting this :innocent ...I'm not very web savy and reading some of the posts here I wasn't sure I understood all the short forms (ie. DS?). Hopefully I'll catch on quickly!
So, some words about me. My name is Kelli. My husband of 5 (almost 6 years) and I found out yesterday that we are expecting our first baby on (and around) December 17th. We found out pretty early as I'm about 4weeks and 3 days and definately don't feel different. My breasts hurt but thats about it.
What else? Josh is an elementary teacher and I just finished midwifery school. We're both very excited but still reeling a bit from the news!
Look forward to chatting with you all throughout our pregnancies!

Kelli :surprise: expecting little turtle in about eight months!

[Geofizz]

Congratulations Kelli!

For an explanation of the acronyms, see this thread (http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=2080).

[*Amy*]

I have been posting around, but thought I should give my formal introduction. I'm Amy (31) married to Jason (28 (I'm a cradle robber!)) and we're expecting baby #1 on November 24th! This is actually my second pregnancy; I had a blighted ovum at 11 weeks last August. I just had an ultrasound yesterday though, and this baby is doing great!

I'm just about to finish up two Master's degrees in May, and then I'll be taking some serious time off to be pregnant and be a mama. DH is in the military (yuck) but will be getting out in two years so that he can be less morally opposed to his occupation and boss!! We live in Ohio, but hope to get closer to home and family (either Texas or Oregon) in 2007.

I'm officially a November mama, but my best friend in real life, Littlemomma, is due 3 weeks after my little bean, so I decided to come over to the December thread with her.

I can't wait to share the coming months with y'all!

[Geofizz]

Hey Amy, did I ask you this already? Where in Ohio? I'm in Columbus.

[*Amy*]

Dayton, just down the road! We actually went to the Columbus zoo this past weekend. It's great - I recommend it if you haven't been yet! :thumb

[Geofizz]

Ahh, that's right, you did tell me. We've been to the zoo several times. DD loves it and begs to go daily!

[iris0110]

Hello all. I finally worked up the courage to post over here. I'm Shannon, I have been married to my dh for four years, and we have a rambunctious 3.5 yr old son Kearnan. We also have a daughter Arawyn who we lost to stillbirth Dec 2003. So this is my thrid pregnancy. I am a bit nervous, but I really want to enjoy this pregnancy. My goal is to have a healthy live baby this December. I am due on December 7, but anytime this baby is ready is just fine with me.

[DustysSweety03]

Hi my name is
Kami

I'm due with baby #2 on Dec 18th,05

I have 1 daughter whose 20months old

oh i live in California and i'm a SAHM

[marisa]

due with my third (unexpected!) baby 12-11 and planning on a UC! :)

[selazenby]

I'm Erin. Here's my info:

Married to wonderful Scotty since 12/21/01. He's an engineer and contractor - always has to be up to his elbows in a project!
Mommy to Jake Patrick born 11/24/03. Jake was born at home, and it was a WONDERFUL birth! He's still a pretty enthusiastic nurser at almost 17 months. He was colicky and still fits the "high need baby" profile - which is challenging and wonderful. He's a very very attached people person. He also happens to be absolutely brilliant and gorgeous :)
We live in Lakeland, FL in a 1920s home that we restored a few years ago. We (Scotty :)) are also working on another 1920s home we bought a few months ago down the street from us. I guess that's sort of our hobby. We love old houses, antiques, etc.
In my pre-SAHM life I was the Director of Advancement for a private high school, and I try to stay involved by serving on several non-profit boards to help them with fund raising - but with the introduction of baby #2 I might take a break from that for a while.

So that's me in a nutshell -

[selazenby]

ok - so i think i responded to this twice. it jumped to the top of the list and i got thrown off. (embarassed)
sorry!

[ljpmom]

Hello everyone I am Megan due with #2 on December 1st I believe! We live in IL, in a small town about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from Chicago. Dh is a Chiropractor and I am the office manager in our practice. I am working there part time now and staying home with our Ds who is 2 1/2 part time. We had ds at a freestanding birthing center in IA and had a wonderful experience. We are planning a homebirth with this one, but IL is not the best state to be in for a homebirth so providers are few and hard to find. Ds is still nursing a couple of times a day, and I am trying to get through the pain, but hopefully it will be gone soon.

Oh and Hello Misty nice to see you here!

Megan

Landon 10-23-02, and #2 due December 2005

[PatchPixie]

I am completely new to all of this & very excited!! Wayne & I are expecting our first in December :) Looking forward to getting to know all of you and sharing our stories.

[drnmd1216]

Hi all!! I am Melissa, married to Doug. We live in Western Massachusetts. We have two daughters, Kylie-20 months old, and Elise-9 months old. Both are cloth diapered. We are BEYOND thrilled to be expecting our third baby Dec. 1st (although we will have a scheduled section in November). Glad to meet you all!! :)

[mum2lillie]

Hi ladies. Wow this is so crazy to be doing this all over again since my twins just turned 1 a week ago. We were totally done having babies and awaiting the snip when low and behold the unthinkable happens!!! One night of passion and here we are. I am very, very early pregnant. Not entirely sure of a due date since I haven't even gotten my blood back from nursing the babes. From what I can tell, the baby would be due around December 28. Dh b-day is the 27th and that is our anniversary. I'm probably 12 days pregnant depending on ovulation and all that. I've gotten 3 very faint positives from early tests. I've always tested positive really early. With the twins it was day 9 past ovulation. This time, I "knew" really the next day and really, really "knew" last Wednesday. This little being is very strong and has let me sense it's presence in it's new home. At first, I was shocked and sad and all that stuff. Now I'm really happy and just thinking of the fun it will be when the children are older. You can see all of my babies info in my sig line. I am glad to see another twin mama on here...Hi 1plus2.

[GratefulMomto2]

Hi my name is Tamara, I am almost 36 and pregnant with our third blessing. I have a 3 year old and a 10 month old, both boys. I have no preference over girl or boy for my new little one. I am due Dec 7th but will deliver via c-section the last week of November. Both my boys were delivered by c-section after 40 hours of labor with the first and 13 hours with the second ending in an emergency c-section. Anyhow, that's about that. Congrats to everyone just finding out too!

[screamingyellow]

New here :) I am Lisa, a 25 y/o wife to Heath, and non circing, cloth diapering mommy to Alia Grace-11/30/98, Kristoffer Devan-9/17/01, Benjamen Connor-3/26/04 and new little bean due 12/4/05!

[DesireeH]

Hi everyone!

I am Desiree, due early December. I have a 2.5 year old ds named Jevin. We have major fertility issues here so I am hoping I get to stay! We are planning a homebirth this time around, I am so excited.

[hottmama]

Hi! I'm Mandy, I'll be 21 in a couple weeks, and my partner, Rob, is 25. We have been together for a year and a half and have been TTC for 2 months, and I just tested positive yesterday. I am due Dec. 28. I have a nursing 27 month old named Julian, who is very excited about having a new baby. I am planning to nurse through pregnancy and beyond. This baby is going to be born unassisted, woohoo! I'm hoping it'll be a girl but I'd be happy to have another gorgeous boy as well. Either way, it's gonna be a big baby as my partner and I were both 10 lb-ers. My son was only 8 lbs, 3oz. but he was born a few days early and his dad was only 7 lbs. at birth. I had a very pleasant pregnancy last time around and expect a repeat.

[girrllie]

Hi. I'm Elizabeth and pg with #2. I've been off and on these boards since pg with my first who is now 3.5. I'm 6 weeks tomorrow but have had 3 mc's in the past 2 years or so. So I'm really, really hoping this one holds. I had genetic testing done and had to increase my folic acid to 5mg. Progesterone is good, so I'm hopeful it will work out this time. I will be having a VBAC with this one.

[cvharris]

Hi!!!

I am excited to be posting here, since we're not telling anyone else yet! I'm just bursting to share the news.

I am Carolee, 29 years old, wife to my DH Chris and SAHM to DS Benjamin, who will be 2 in June. I am still nursing DS and I don't think he will be up to weaning anytime soon so it will be interesting to see if I can tandem nurse these babes! (BTW, my entire family hates the fact that I'm still nursing DS - so I have to put up with their crap constantly!)

Anyway, our EDD is December 23. I'm just dying to buy some newborn diapers!!!

[judybean]

Hi! Oh how I :love reading all the other stories that have come before mine!

I'm Judy, 25, married to Mike, 26. Dh dated in hs (sophomore year), broke up, but stayed friends until hooking back up three years after graduating (though remaining friends the entire time).

We have two daughters already, Madeline Marie and Katherine Clare, March babies born in '02 and 04' respectively.

This baby is definitely a blessing (i.e. certainly not planned, but will be welcomed with open arms!).. I just got a :+ on Saturday though I knew before that (super sensitive, swollen breasts, queasy stomach). I checked out a due date calculator on another site and the EDD is Dec. 20.

With both M and K's labors I was induced. They were both two weeks late and fluid supplies seemed to be running low. I'm determined the third time will be a charm for my body to go into labor on its own and to also have a drug-free labor. While I would love to have a homebirth, the legalities of midwifery in WY are vague at best. It's not illegal, yet not quite legal at the same time. I'm struggling right now with what doctor to go with. The doctor that delivered both M and K (oh, how I loved him! and his whole family!) moved last June. Pickings are slim where I live as well (there are two doctors in town, only one I would think of going to... or there's a doctor in a town 30 miles from here that seems nice as well).

Breastfeeding did not work with M and K. Much of it was due to lack of support and the fact that I had to return to work early. But, joy-of-all-joys I'm quitting this summer to be a SAHM! This was all planned before our little December surprise-to-be ... so it does make things a bit daunting, but I have faith it will all work out.

I can't wait to share experiences with all of you!

[SMR]

Hey everyone!!
I got my first ever :+ today!! YIPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!! It's super exciting!
I have a blood test today at 230, but no results til tomorrow. I took two poas tests though and both were BFP!! I think we're gonna tell our folks tonight!! I don't know that I can hold out.. I want to tell people NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
Part of me is still scared though, seeing as it's SOOO early! I mean, today is the day I'd normall start my period... so obviously not that far along just yet. I believe my due date is December 29!

[Viriditas]

SMR! I remember you from the one thread! Congratulations! We couldn't wait to tell everyone either.

Congratulations to the rest of you too! I'm really looking forward to spending the next 7 months hanging out with you all! :)

Amy

[spudisle]

Hello everyone,

I can't believe it, but the test is positive...we're having another baby! I think I'm still in shock... :happyt:

EDD is December 25th!

Yikes!

I'm Tamara, SAHM to two really energetic boys, married to my love for 5 yrs. Obviously this was not planned, but we are excited nonetheless!

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all, sharing in the journey.

Peace

[witchbaby]

*enters quietly*
shhh... i haven't told many people yet...
i'm lorrie, 25, married to andy, 25, mama to katie, 16 months, my little nursling. we weren't ttc but were awfully stupid about protection recently. i decided to take a test last night and :+ !!! oops! :blush if i'm right about when i ovulated, we're due december 25th (k's due date!!), but i'm just going with late december. :wink
i was just accepted to a's work health insurance but coverage doesn't start until may 1st, so i think they can dump me. i qualify for a state program but not medicaid. i'm hoping for a homebirth, but it's going to be a scramble for the money for a midwife. keep your fingers crossed everything works out!
surprised, but happy, to be in the group!

[wawoof]

Hi Everyone,

I'm Amara, mom to 2yo Ethan and 2 bouncy doggies. I'm nervous about posting because I had 3 miscarriages before this pregnancy, likely due to low progesterone caused by breastfeeding and stress. However, I'm more optimistic this time because a) I have less stress (PhD is done!), b) DS is weaned (very mixed feelings about this), and c) I'm on a progesterone supplement. I just got back my HCG doubling results and they look really good, so I'm doing my best to be hopeful. I'm excited to see that my buddies geofizz and spark are here, and I've met some of the rest of you on other board discussions - feels like a bunch of friends :)

I'm due the end of December, right after my first term as a psychology professor. I think the timing is pretty good, because our school's term ends in early December so I should be able to finish the first term even if the baby arrives early. We're moving during what will (hopefully) be my 2nd trimester, which should be ok energy-wise. I don't know what kind of birth we'll have yet - natural regardless of location. I need to start doing yoga again because I think that's what really made DS's birth go so smoothly - being used to breathing to relax when in serious discomfort!

I look forward to sharing our pregnancy and birth experiences :D

[Geofizz]

I just responded to you on another thread, but I'll add more here for you:

:sticky :sticky :sticky :sticky :sticky :sticky :sticky :sticky :sticky :sticky

Congrats on finishing your PhD. Are you defended and everything?? Ahem. That's Dr. Amara now!

Ohhh, I'm loving the AA club. Gotta send out another email about the zoo.

:bouncy You just made my day, Amara :bouncy

[wawoof]

Thanks so much, Wendy!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, I'm defended, all revisions done, have the official letter that I'm done. :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

It feels so wierd to finally be a Doctor (but good, obviously)!

Thanks for all the :sticky thoughts!

Can't wait to see you and Karen at the zoo in a few weeks!

[darkpear]

Hi!

Just found out yesterday I am pregnant (officially - though I'd suspected for a week or more). We started TTC when dd turned two, and, well, it didn't take a lot of trying :LOL EDD is 12/29.

My daughter was unplanned, so I am a bit more prepared for pregnancy this time around. Am also looking forward to going a more natural route, with either a homebirth or birth center birth - have just started looking into options. Had a good hospital birth last time round, but with rather more interventions than I'd have liked.

[HopefulHeart]

Hello Everyone!

I've been lurking more than posting, and figured I might as well join the group. :shy

As of today, I'm 6 weeks 4 days-I found out I was preggers when I was about 3 1/2 weeks or so on 10-11 dpo. :D I have my first o/b appt next week, and I've VERY nervous about it...unsure yet if she'll be doing an u/s. Have my fingers crossed that she will. I know I'll feel much better if I can just see a healthy baby with a h/b! :)

M/S hit me at about 5 1/2 weeks and is still here strong...not fun but I know it'll be worth it all.

Oh, and I'm a SAHW (although I make and sell some on ebay-if that's considered 'work' :LOL ). I'm a proud mama to 2 pups and 2 kitties (as you can see in my siggy). They're my 'kids' right now! :love

I'm looking forward to spending the rest of the pregnancy together with all of you...although I'll probably lurk more than anything. I hope everything goes well for all of you! :)

[JLav]

Hello! It's fun to meet everyone! I'm Jessica married to James, I'm a SAHM to my 18mo ds Sebastian and I'm expecting a new little addition mid-December. I had a miscarriage last December so I'm really praying this baby sticks. My cycles were still pretty irregular after the mc so I'm not positive on edd. I've had tons of pg symptoms...morning sickness, breast sensitivity etc so I feel like everything is okay. DH and I are in the process of buying a house and I'm looking forward to moving in and making my nest. I'm hoping for this baby to be born there.
I look forward to spending the next 9 months (well 8) with all you lovely ladies!
Jessica

[Sweetjane]

Hi!

I'm Jane, and have been reading here for a while, but decided I should introduce myself today. My EDD is December 22. We tested positive very early in the pregnancy (10 dpo), and so far everything seems to be going well. This will be our first!
Nice to meet you all!

[taradt]

Hi

i am Tara, this is my 4th pregnancy and i am hoping our second live child. i am a sahm to my daughter just turned 3 this month, i had severe pre eclampsia with her that i am hoping to avoid this time.
i am so scared to be here and admit that i really am pregnant (like as soon as i admit it something will go wrong), i recognize quite a few people and look forward to spending the next 9 months with you all.

tara

[iris0110]

Tara I am so happy to see you here. :love

[rapscallions]

Hey everyone! New and most shocked to be here. There's no real medical explanation for why I'm withchild. I guess that 12 day flu and 10pd weight loss in March really muddied my already muddy system. :scratch What a way to go to though. We've always joked we'd never KNOWINGLY step into parenting three, ha! How cosmic, how perfect. Now that I know to stop chugging coffee and dump the brewskis, all is well. I even have taken a vitamin or two, wow.
You gals may boot me after I have a quicky ultrasound, because truly I have no idea when I'm due (could be November, maybe January?) My very best estimate (using my highly scientific, ultra-secret method) is 12/25. Of course. Makes sense. An immaculate conception!
Should be fun sharing the insanity with all of you,

[kir]

I am also a December mom....we practicing FAM (to avoid pregnancy, but anyway.... :eyesroll... ) so I'm 99% sure I know when I conceived. I'm 7 weeks today, due December 17th.

I live in India and only recently moved here, so I'm already kind of freaked out about doing things in a way i feel comfortable with. I'm really glad to find this forum, and I hope to be able to get advice/insight from people who are a little more informed than me! For instance, tomorrow, I have an appointment with a new doc i just got and she's planning blood tests for TSH, STD's, a few other things....I think that's fine. But she's also planning an ultrasound scan to see that things are going along fine. Is that normal? How many ultrasounds do I REALLY need, given there's no reason to believe anything unwanted is going on? These are the kinds of questions i have....

Nice to meet everyone, and i look forward to chatting with you over the next few months!

K

[bizarrogirl]

Delurking ... I've been off and on MDC for a while; sometimes it's too big for me to deal with! But hopefully I can manage to keep up with one little old subforum?

I'm due in mid-December with our second; I'm somewhere around 7 weeks. I have a 23 month old nursing toddler right now who was messing with my cycles enough to make FAM difficult, and -- surprise! Right now, I have no nipple sensitivity, and I didn't the first time, so I'm hoping to just nurse through the pregnancy and tandem, although she may wean herself. Who knows? I'll be married to DH for 5 years this June.

I will be using a CNM and planning a homebirth.

[mariposita]

We just found out that we're pregnant too. EDD: December 25th. Looks like there are several of us out there with this due date!

My name's Andrea and DH is James. We have a adorable, caring, spirited 3yo named Carter. He's been a handful, that's why we waited to long to have a second. I think he's going to be such a great big brother!

We just moved to Missoula, MT less than a year ago, so are midwife shopping right now. I found a couple that I really like. DS was a waterbirth at a birth center near Portland, OR. It was a speedy labor (2.5 hours from being 2 cm to his birth). Hoping this one will go quickly too!

Last pregnancy was great, although I had my fair share of problems. I pulled my groin muscle and could hardly walk and my blood pressure was really high (just barely under the limit of where I'd have to go on hospital bed rest for over a month). I also had really bad morning sickness for the first trimester. I was in China during that time and couldn't keep any of this foreign food down (except cherry tomatoes!). I think that my pregnancy reflected the high needs personality of my DS while in the womb.

This time I have no morning sickness yet and am only tired. I have this strange feeling it's going to be a calm baby. We sure could use that this time!

Anyhow, I'm so excited and just wanted to say hello!

selazenby - we were married on the exact same day too! Winter Solstice 2001 around 6pm West Coast time.

[houchen2b]

Hi! I've been posting on the January 2006 board, but I have a feeling I will be having this one in Dec.

My name is Jennifer, and I have a daughter, Paige, that will be 5 in June. I have been with my boyfriend, Chad, since Feb. of last year. (Paige is from my 1st marriage.) Chad and I plan to get married soon. We were thinking about next summer, but now that we just found out I'm pregnant, we may be getting married this summer.

My daughter was born by emergency c-section, so more than likely I will be doing another one. My edd is 1-1-06, and having a New Years Baby would be so awsome, but I doubt that will happen, since doctors like to do planned c-sections 1-2 weeks before the due date. I'm going to request to at least wait until after Christmas if possible.

My sister is also having a baby, due November 20th. I live in Oklahoma, and the rest of our families live in Kansas, so I would really like to move back home.

I just wanted to pop in and say "hi." Not really sure which board I "belong to."

[Geofizz]

My edd is 1-1-06, and having a New Years Baby would be so awsome, but I doubt that will happen, since doctors like to do planned c-sections 1-2 weeks before the due date.
My SIL managed to talk her ob into scheduling her c/s for the day of her due date. She had two inductions at 41 weeks previously, so she pretty much told her ob there was no way she was going into labor before 40 weeks.

[houchen2b]

My first dr. appt. isn't until June 2nd, that seems so far away!! So I won't get to talk to her until then about it, but when I called and scheduled the appt. they asked if I had any complications with my 1st pregnancy, and I told them I had an emergency c-section. They asked why, and I told them fetal distress, and then she was 10 pounds 9 ounces, 21 1/4 inches long. (My doctor was guessing about 8 pounds.) So even if I had dialated to a 10 (I only got to a 5 after 48 hours) she wouldn't have even fit without breaking her collarbone (I'm a pretty small person).

The nurse on the phone asked how late I was, and when I told her a week, she was like, "wow." So, I'm suspecting, because of the size of my previous baby, they will take me in early. I would like a VBAC, but most places won't do those, and I don't want to go through what I did last time.

[kris10s]

I'm due at the end of December. A total surprise! My daughter turned 10 months old today, so I am mourning the loss of supply I am experiencing breastfeeding. I am in a different state than I was last time, so I need to find a midwife and all of that jazz.

Just getting adjusted to the idea of being a mom of two!

[kindacrunchy]

Hi! I'm Karen, mama to Aidan who is 2yo. We just found out Friday night with a home pregnancy test. According to our calculations, edd is Dec. 26th. I'm not excited yet. Still in shock. We weren't "trying" but we weren't preventing, either. I'm a little freaked out about it. Aidan is a nursing fiend right now, too. It's driving me CRAZY! No sore nipples, yet. I'm just tired and the thought of nursing when I'm huge and tandem nursing makes my hair stand on end. Not quite sure what I'll do about that. I'm not going to make it a huge issue but I think major limits are coming soon.
Just wanted to introduce myself.
Congrats to everyone!

[Geofizz]

Hey Karen! Welcome. My grandma lives in Temecula!

[Thursday Girl]

HI my name is Courtney, I am pregnant with # 2.

Due sometime way to close to Christmas. I am sort of hoping for this pregnancy to go a little over. The EDD's I have gotten (by using on-line calculator's are 12-22, 12-26, 12-26, 12-28. I also keep having dreams that i deliver DD in my "santa Dress and Hat" ( i will try and find a pic to show you ladies)

I really kind of want to have an unassisted birth but know that my mom and DH (Chris) would flip out. Chris agrees to the midwife and the birthing cneter but was a quick No for homebirth (even with the midwife). I'm thinking about just accidentally staying a little to long at home. :mischief

My DD's name is Jewely she is 2 years old and still nursing. Everyone I know is using this preg. as a way to tell me I need to quite nursing (except DH :love )

We are looking for a midwife, and actually have an appt. to interview one this Friday. Jewely was born with a midwife at the hospital. I was happy with the actual birth. ( No intervention, Jewely was given right to me, and I nursed imediatley) But I was unhappy with the aftercare/nurse's all baloney. No doubt Iwill tell you all about it.

'um what else? I am 23, I live IN tampa, I have brown hair, Blue eyes, and I like climbing mountains... :LOL

Courtney

[Thursday Girl]

so i had a dream last night and sat bolt upright in bed b/c it seemed that the dream was saying i was going to lose this baby. I was freaked out. I laid back down to think about it and came to the conclusion that it could have meant something else. (m I can't remember what the dream was though)

but then this morning I woke up and threw up for the first time this pregnancy. which was actually sort of reassuroing, as with jewely i was constantly sick. Then when i was leaving to take jewely to daycare and go to work an Ibis comes and lands in my street. It walked around for a little while and Jewely and I watched it. then it flew away.

The significance of this is that I think the Ibis might be my stork. when i was preg with Jewely an ibis came and landed in almost the same spot. I was much further along withjewely. But i think the bird came to let me know everything was ok.


fyi/sortoa OT when we got engaged there was a lot of birds on the beach and they payed a big role in the engagment ( the bird thing just happened it's not like my DH planned they would be there)

Courtney

[kindacrunchy]

i had a similar dream last night. i started my period in my dream. i haven't been feeling well these past few days but i feel ok today. it kind of freaks me out, but i'm trying not to let it. i'm trying to chalk it up as a dream and a good day.

[zipworth]

nak

hi everyone, i am Natalie, pregnant with my second bundle of joy. It took me 10 months of trying, before i got pregnant. I am nursing my son liam who turned 2 on wednesday. we are really excited about this one, and we don't care if it's a boy or a girl. I think we would like one more after this one. I will be 34 when #2 is born.

our due date is dec. 22, but since my ds was born 5 weeks early, I think i might have the baby in late november. ii work as an early childhood educator, which is very physically demanding to say the least. I loved being pregnant with Liam, but I suffered from a lot of back pain.

Liam's birth was supposed to be natural, but ended up being extemely medicated. I was not mentally prepared for the pain, and I had a very young and inexperienced nurse. When I was in transition, the nurse was acting surprised that I was contracing for so long and so frequently. I was 9.5 centimenters when I begged for an epidural, thinking it was going to get worse and worse. I thought I was only 5 centimeters dilated! After my epidural they discovered I was 9.5. Maybe knowing what I know now, I will be able to have a more natural delivery.

i am looking forward to getting to know all of you. Last time I was pregnant I lurked because I felt too shy :shy .

natalie

[beachcomber]

Hi everyone,

I'm Beachcomber, 34, and partnered with my SO, Relic. Heh. We're expecting our first child this December - the EDD is Dec 29. So, could be a New Year's Baby! We met our midwife last Friday and it was a great experience. We'll be doing the birth in a hospital because we live out in the country a bit too far from the nearest facility for my own comfort's sake.

It's really great to see so many December dates in here!

[Slightlycrunchymama]

Im here too :)
Im Aubin, SAHM to 2 kiddos and live in BC Canada.

[xmasbaby7]

I guess I need to formally introduce myself.

My name is Robin and I am expecting my first this December. (I had one m/s at 5 weeks in November.) I have been married a little over a year, and our timing feels really right. None of my closest friends have gotten pregnant yet, so this forum has helped me feel connected to some sort of community that I really need.

I am 32, and I have been one of those women who is just fascinated with natural birth since I was in college. I have been reading about natural birth for the last 5 years and I think I will be doing some activist work once I am a mommy.

We are REALLY excited for a home birth, but I know you can't plan everything. We love our midwife; she seems to me like a New England version of Ina Mae Gaskin.

One thing: there are all of these abbreviations everyone uses on these forums that I can't figure out for the life of me! DS, DH (Dad/husband or darling husband?) Is there a glossary somewhere?

Thanks for all of your supportive messages! So glad to be here!

[randallquiver]

I hope that I'm not too late to introduce myself, but I just found you all! I'm due the middle of Dec., but was almost two weeks late with my son who was born 12/03. So I just tell people that I'm going to have this one sometime in Dec. We are looking into homebirth with this one and if we don't go that route, we will stick with our previous midwives/birthcenter. Last time, we ended up being transfered to the hospital, but everything turned out okay, other than the disappointment of not being at the birth center. I love the idea of a water birth, don't do meds. in childbirth, don't do a lot of prenatal testing (unless required). We aren't finding out our baby's gender this time, and I am so excited! I can't wait to her my husband say, "It's a ....." We think that we are going to have a girl, but a boy could wear all the same clothes as our first son since they will have the same birthday month. So, we'll be excited either way. I'm having way more "morning" sickness this time, and becoming rounder earlier, but of course I don't look preg. just heavy.

We use cloth diapers. My son is almost weaned. This morning, he didn't even want to nurse :( I think it's the whole milk changing taste thing. We use ring slings and are trying out a mei tai. We love natural foods; the closer to how God created it the better! We don't so other AP things, like child training techniques, but we are very different than most of our "mainstream" friends. I hope that this gives a good idea about us. Oh, we live in Maryland, near Baltimore. I'm so glad to join you all!

[atozmama]

I thought I would finally do a formal introduction.

i am Kelly, mommy to Aric (7 on 7/23) Zoe (4) and Ella (2 on 6/29) and wife to Richard-course all of that is in my signature!

Aric has been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Delay, an Autistic Spectrum disorder. He has some features of autism (loves to twirl andything long and skinny-spoons, pencils, cable ties and on) but not all. He is just finishing 1st grade in our local school districts CIP (communication interaction program) and has had a great year.

Zoe is a very spirited child! She loves to move and bounce. She loves doing school work and has learned an unbelievable amount (espically after a big brother who is behind in some things) on her own. She is extreamly shy though and does not function well in groups.

Ella is all toddler into everything! I just love watching her unique personality come out. I love the way she'll look at me and say something I can't quite catch all of while holdeing her finger up, with the most serious look on her face.

We also have two angels. Talia was micarried at 12 weeks because of Turners Syndrome. Zachariah was born to soon at 21 weeks. Bother of these were inbetween Aric and Zoe.

Our newest babe is expected sometime around DEc 17. I am currently seeing a great family dr who can deliver the baby in a hospital 30 min away from our home. Thing is Zoe and Ella came quickly (3.5 and 2.5 hrs). I DON"T want to have the baby in the car. DH won't pay out of pocket for a midwife. I find myself again contemplating a UC delivery if all is going well at the end of the pregnancy. DH can take 2-3 hours, or more, to get home from work. I have some time to figure this all out. Aric was induced and it was horrible. Zoe and Ella were born in a hospital w/o any meds and few interventions (EFM and a hep lock was all) and NO chanting to 10!

Richard works nights delivering gas and other petroleum products. We grew into AP with Aric. We co-sleep, BF (Ella and Zoe are still nursing), cloth diaper, don't vaccinate. I am active with LLL and enjoy computers, reading, sewing and my family. Last summer we moved the Twin City area of Minnesota from Sanfransico Bay Area of California.

This is way longer than I anticipated. Sorry!

[iris0110]

Welcome Kelly :wave I was very interested reading your introduction, as we have quite a bit in common. My ds is about to be four (8-4) and has been diagnosed with PDD NOS. He has some of the "quirks" and is also behind in speech, but I love watching the great strides he is making.

We lost our second child Arawyn December 2003. She was stillborn at 22 weeks. I am hoping to rewrite my past traumatic birth experiences this time around. I have been seriously considering UC as I just don't want to deal with hospital policy again, and frankly I have always been uncomfortable in the hospital.

I look forward to getting to know you.

[atozmama]

Thanks for the welcome Shannon. My niece is named Shannon and I live on Shannon Pkwy! Aric too has had some quirks with speech, he was delayed and tends to talk in phrases he picks up from all over. Though it is harder to tell these now.

I am sorry to hear about Arawyn. :hug I worked very hard to get the birth I want with Zoe. I had a dr who I could talk to openly and we talked lots about what happened, and what I wanted to happen for Zoe's birth. Even though the dr was one of a managed labor ideal, I was able to have the birth I wanted with him, because of our mutual respect for each other. The hospital's policy of not separating mother and baby (all inital exams are routinely done in the LDR and at my request in my arms) and my quick labor was a help. Even the dr was suprised at how closely he was able to follow my birth plan.

There are so many options for mothers, I hope you can find what works for you and your newest babe. I hope things so far are going ok and approaching the 22 week mark this time won't be to hard.

[amis2girls]

I'm here, too. :) Would like to hop in on this board. Managed to have both daughters drugfree in the hospital and would be thrilled to do the same again. This baby is an absolute surprise. lol

[Turtlemum]

Its been a while since I checked this thread...welcome to all new members! :w

[Taedareth]

Hmm, I thought maybe I'd posted here as soon as we found out in mid-April, but I guess not!

DH and I are very excited about our first baby. We have been wanting a child for over a year now but since my recovery from being on Depo Provera took a full year, it's been a long and sad wait for us. But thank God! We're so happy the wait is over. :LOL I'm 25, my husband is 28, and I recently quit my job so I can spend my pregnancy at home, sleeping as much as I need to and focusing on being a healthy pregnant woman.

We are planning a midwife-attended waterbirth at home. We are NOT getting any ultrasounds. If it's a boy we're leaving him intact. I haven't done all the research on vaccinations yet but I at least know that our babies won't be getting any in the first year, maybe two. We plan to cosleep, sling-carry, and extended breastfeed. And did I mention that Dr. Sears is my hero! ;) DH and I are both very on board with attachment parenting.

We are the first in our extended family to do all these things. Some of our relatives are supportive of our parenting style but most people in our social circle think we're insane (or they think we'll come around to "normal" parenting after our outlandish ideas don't work.) Anyone else battling the tide of "popular parenting opinion"? The thing I don't get is why you would throw out your back by carrying your baby in a heavy baby-bucket when you could cuddle them in a nice lightweight sling? :scratch

[XM]

Hi mamas! We've got a little suprise on the way as well! My due date is 12/30, but I am always late (10d &14d, respectively) so we'll probably meet this baby next year. However, I thought I'd join this group anyway, as I see a lot of familiar faces from the Loss board :hug

I'm feeling pretty good right now. Ezra self-weaned a few weeks ago, which is great because nursing was becoming really unpleasant for me. The nausea is getting better, and my energy is just starting to return (so I'll need to find a new excuse for not doing any dishes). Plus, with Ezra's birth behind us, I feel more free to enjoy this pregnancy.

This is my third pregnancy. My first baby was Xiola Rose, we lost her as I was pushing. We were in the hospital, birthing without drugs, and she was born at 41w4d. My second baby is Ezra Xain, who just turned two. We had him at home with a wonderful midwife, after 10h of labor and 23 minutes of pushing... at 42w to the day! He was born in the caul and is such a wonderful little person (not that I'm biased or anything).

I had my 1st MW appointment yesterday, it went pretty well. She lives on a farm, and Ezra got his first pony ride! But, I am really starting to lean towards an unassisted birth... I'm going to keep seeing my MW for the support (hey, someone other then Mike needs to nag me to eat more!) but I am feeling free to, um, not call her in time if that is what feels right at the birth.

Hotmamacita here on MDC is one of my best friends IRL and we have invited her to be at the birth. She is a future midwife and a beautiful soul and I would love to have her there with me to share the joy. Plus, she is certified in neonatal recusitation, for those of you who might worry. So I guess it would be unassisted by a midwife, but not unaccompanied as I would have my partner and my dear friend with me.

Congratulations to all of you! And extra love to all my fellow PAL mamas :hug

[Spookygirl]

Hi, I am Beckie, totally in love with my SO, Dean, and mommy to Michael, who will be 14 in two weeks and Danielle, who is almost 3, and #3, who is due right around December, 3rd. I just weaned Danielle a month ago or so, because the pain was getting soo bad, I couldn't handle it any more. I swear, I am 16 weeks pg, and I still want to shower with a bra on the pain is so intense!

I am a breastfeeding, co-sleeping, sling wearing mama. I am a hospital birther, and have a great Dr who I really like. So far I have not been lucky enough to actually go into labor on my own, but this time I am sticking it out, as long as I can. No more inductions for me!

I guess that's about it..

[Thursday Girl]

hi beckie welcome to dec. I went to your site, it's nice. (tequila is a fav of mine too) well I don't have to much to say rigth now.

Courtney