What things do you want to have/do in our DDC? [Archive]

paisley

11-06-2005, 10:29 PM

As I cruise the other DDCs I always see so many cool things they are doing. Stuff like belly pics, birth bead swaps, etc. I thought it might be fun to make a list that we can refer back to as needed. So what sorts of things do you want to see here? :)

Red Sonja

11-06-2005, 10:31 PM

I think a birth bead swap would be really neat!

1stTimeMummytoLore

11-06-2005, 10:56 PM

absolutly the birth bead swap!

also with my DD i was in an MDC DDC and once we all mostly entered the thrid trimester, we signed up for and got due date buddies. this was one or two other moms due close together who would PM each other to check up on each other and offer support a little more intimately and when one of us had our baby, we could send a quick PM or email to our buddy and they would take care of posting to the entire DDC list.

just another idea.

1stTimeMummytoLore

11-06-2005, 11:08 PM

i just thought of something else! what if we did some Birth Art from Birthing From Within? we could each do a Birth Art project that week and then take a picture of it and share it with each other. i love doing birth art, it's fun and theraputic!

just another thought

paisley

11-06-2005, 11:39 PM

Oooh, Kate! Those are both such wonderful ideas! :love

The mention of Birthing From Within made me think of belly casting. Maybe we could organize a small co-op for belly cast making supplies too.

fenwickmama

11-07-2005, 07:44 AM

i like the bead swap for sure!

Maxine45

11-07-2005, 07:51 AM

Can someone briefly explain what birthing beads are for?

lotus.blossom

11-07-2005, 08:14 AM

Yeah, birthing beads?

I love the belly pic idea. I haven't taken my first one yet, still waiting to buy a new camera. But I love to watch the progress!

1stTimeMummytoLore

11-07-2005, 11:18 AM

birth beads-

this is something that is often done at blessingways. a woman collects beads with well wishes for a good birth from special friends and creates a labor necklace. she can then wear this necklace during labor and be encircled by love, positive energy and wishes as she labors, connecting her to other mothers who have or will walk with her done the same path she is now on. it's really an amazingly powerful ritual to include in your birth experience.

HaveWool~Will Felt

11-07-2005, 03:37 PM

i think a virtual blessingway...aka bead swap is a MUST...
Maybe even a RAK....Random Act of Kindness.

I am willing to head up one of them....LMK!!!

paisley

11-07-2005, 04:25 PM

Thanks Jackie! :love Along the lines of RAK, maybe we could do secret buddy trimester swaps too?

I had a whole list of ideas the other day and now I can't remember any of them. Must be pregnancy brain already! :lol

Oh wait, remembered one. Have you ever seen those "Meet so-and-so" threads in TAO? Every now and then I see one. Basically, one person starts it about another person and it is all about getting to know the person named in the thread title. You get to ask questions, serious or silly, etc. I thought that might be a great way for us to find out more about each other. :)

~pi

11-07-2005, 05:16 PM

I love all the ideas, especially the bead swap and the meet so-and-so. Thanks for starting this thread, Jen!

paisley

11-07-2005, 05:54 PM

OMG, you guys - I just had the best idea! A maternity panty swap!! :rotflmao I don't know why it cracks me up so much but it does. :D

I'm going to go start a thread for sign-ups to do a meet and greet thread. Come on over if you'd like to host one! :)

HaveWool~Will Felt

11-07-2005, 06:15 PM

. Have you ever seen those "Meet so-and-so" threads in TAO? Every now and then I see one. Basically, one person starts it about another person and it is all about getting to know the person named in the thread title. You get to ask questions, serious or silly, etc. :)

On another board I participate on...we call it GTKY Spotlight....(get to know you)....same thing....everyone gets to answer their own set of questions, etc...and the topic person answers them.

Great fun...and a great way to get to know others... :love

Mama2ABCD

11-07-2005, 07:27 PM

OMG, you guys - I just had the best idea! A maternity panty swap!! I don't know why it cracks me up so much but it does. :spitdrink

how bout a nutrional thread with tidbits passed on to others. when i had an ob (first 2 preg) i learned nothing about nutrition. i new the basics, but it was through my midwife (3rd preg) that i learned the major role of nutrition in pregnancy. maybe info about herbal remedies and such....

paisley

11-07-2005, 07:34 PM

That's a great idea kirstie! I vaguely remember from my first pregnancy that you're not supposed to eat certain cheeses, soft eggs, etc. Do you want to go ahead and start that one? We could make it a sticky once it gets big. :)

paisley

11-08-2005, 03:31 PM

I posted over in the Nov 05 DDC to ask what sorts of things they did together that they liked best. Everyone who replied *loved* the birth bead swap. They recommend doing that in the second trimester just in case anyone runs late. ;)

They also did 3 trimester swaps. The trimester swaps got me thinking, should we try to do all 3 or just 2? If we want to do a first trimester swap we would need to get on it real soon. Our July 1st Mamas will be finishing up their first trimester around Dec. 16th. Do you think that would be too much to take on with the holidays coming up and all?

mimi_n_tre

11-08-2005, 03:42 PM

I think I like the Get to know so and so idea.
Mary

paisley

11-08-2005, 03:56 PM

Mary, that reminds me - I wanted to mention that there is a seperate thread going to sign up to host a Meet & Greet thread. Come on over and add your name to the list if you haven't already! :D

~pi

11-08-2005, 04:10 PM

They also did 3 trimester swaps. The trimester swaps got me thinking, should we try to do all 3 or just 2? If we want to do a first trimester swap we would need to get on it real soon. Our July 1st Mamas will be finishing up their first trimester around Dec. 16th. Do you think that would be too much to take on with the holidays coming up and all?

I would participate in three swaps as long as they are not too $$$. I think it's reasonable to do one before the holidays as long as it isn't too complicated or elaborate.

Jen, you're awesome for spearheading this. :bow

Mama2ABCD

11-08-2005, 04:38 PM

what is a "swap"?

Jen, you're awesome for spearheading this. i agree :thumb

paisley

11-08-2005, 04:47 PM

Thanks ladies. :shy

what is a "swap"?

A swap is a fabulous thing. :D Short answer: you send a package to someone and someone else sends you a package in exchange.

Long answer: Anyone who is interested in participating signs up in the swap thread and posts a list of things they would want to receive. Then you choose who you would like to send a gift to and surprise them with a package. Swaps usually have a set value (say $10-$20) per package and deadlines for sending them out. Clear as mud? :)

ETA - There is a whole board here for co-op's and swaps if you want to see some examples of how it all works: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=168
Be warned though, it can be dangerous! And you have to have been a member for 60 days and have at least 50 posts to be able to see it.

Mama2ABCD

11-08-2005, 04:58 PM

more like clear as water, Jen. thanks for the explain.

Mama2ABCD

11-09-2005, 07:21 AM

paisley

11-10-2005, 02:30 PM

Hey Jen, here's a link for a fetal developement site (sutter health). this would be month one http://babies.sutterhealth.org/babygrowth/fetaldev/bg_fetaldev-1.html
and month two http://babies.sutterhealth.org/babygrowth/fetaldev/bg_fetaldev-2.html

would that be something to sticky at the top?
Aww, those are great links! I think that would be good as a sticky or even as part of the weekly chat threads too. If you want to make it a sticky, start a thread and then PM laralou (our mod) with the link and your request. :thumb

homemademomma

11-10-2005, 07:27 PM

i think a birth bead swap is a great idea. i love RAK too. nak

paisley

11-13-2005, 10:21 PM

Based on the ideas from this thread and the other DDC's I've spied on :wink, here's a list of the different activties we could do:

1st trimester:
1st Trimester swap

2nd trimester:
Birth Bead Swap/Virtual Mama Blessing (send beads with poems, herb baths, tea, etc)
2nd Trimester swap

3rd trimester:
3rd Trimester swap
Maternity Panty swap :p

Ongoing:
Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)
Secret Buddy gifts

So how does all that look? We don't have to do it all of course, I just wanted to make a list before I forget! :lol I will start a thread to see who is interested in a quick 1st Tri swap before the holidays. If anyone wants to volunteer to head up any one of these, please do! I don't mind organizing but I don't want to have all the fun. ;)

Also, can someone explain how RAK works? I get the general idea but I don't know how it's organized or anything like that.