December 12-19 Updates!

[mirandahope]

I noticed we could use a new thread, so I thought I'd start it. Hope this is a good week for everyone! Four months left until April!!

[mirandahope]

I thought I'd post how I am doing in another place than the thread starter.

I have bursts of energy sometimes, but also still quite tired.

I am excited that my loathing of onions and garlic and rice have disappeared, making it possible again to go to restaurants! I have felt like a weirdo because that has not been possible-every place around has at least one of those three items!

I am still nauseous though, and still reliant on my anti-nausea pills, and am prepared to be until the end of the pregnancy, because I need to know I can handle it. As I told a friend this morning, I would rather have morning sickness for another 17 weeks and have a healthy baby than be fine and not. I know it will end one day. And with my coping strategies, I haven't thrown up in about 3 weeks now! Although I still get nauseous daily.

DH felt the baby tap his hand yesterday morning. I love that they are interacting now a bit. The feeling of baby has gone from a butterfly in hands to a tickle to now it feels like someone stroking the head of a dog kindly. I wonder what it will feel like next!

[lmonter]

Ds and I have a head cold. I've got drainage that's making my throat really raw, ds is sneezing out snot through his mouth and nose, and has watery eyes. At least we're boosting his immune system.

Saw last night on the news that a gal I went to school with and worked with for a while was murdered last weekend. I'm wondering how her kids are doing, they're still pretty young.

I'm feeling the occasional kicks/thumps. Like the baby's poking me. Dh has felt it a few times which has been fun. Ds likes giving my belly (the baby) kisses, which is adorable.

Now I'm just working on gearing up for the holidays and getting all our ducks in a row. And dh and I have his company Christmas party on Friday, which will be fun. Shirley Temples all night for me, adult conversation, and lots of fancy yummy food that we don't have to pay for. :)

Lanna

[AllisonK]

Well I am just having a day. I am so grumpy! All started when I realized that I had no clean maternity shirts. It has been a while since I did laundry. So I tried on every shirt I own and finally am wearing one of DH t-shirts today. All of the shirts in my drawer go to maybe my belly button. :) So I realized I HAD to do laundry today. I hate going down to the laundry it is so cold outside. And I had to grocery shop, its been about 2 weeks and we have run out of everything! So my AM has not been fun, I have a midwife appt today and we are taking DD so she is all excited. I have to make the christmas cards and the newsletter we do every year. My DD 5th bday is this weekend so I still need to figure out what I am doing for her party. And I don't want to do any of it!!! Well enough whining from me!
My last doula client had her baby on Friday AM so I am still recuperating from being up from 4 am until 11pm on only 3 hours of sleep. It was a great birth and I was so excited to have a non hopsital birth to attend! It was great.

Well no more rambling from me.
Allison

[AdinaL]

Sounds like we could all use a maid for a day, and a good spa day!

Doing okay here - tree is in the house, though not decorated. House is a giant mess. And I am super stuffy snotty. Don't know if it is allergies or a cold...blah.

off to clean and do laundry.....Blah.

[newbelly2006]

I'll join the sick crowd.

A nasty cold last week took a turn into nasty bronchitis this week. The really fun part is that I'm allergic to both Penicillian and erhthymycin so finding a pregnant friendly antibiotic is quite a challenge. I've been a mess, nothing for Christmas is done, and our living room has a half built cabinet waiting for the television (6 months without it) to hide within it so DS will stop begging day and night for "just one video, mama" (The scholastic stories. He doesn't even realize that the televisoin has anything but videos available).

It's been a rough month but at least the babies seem to be holding their own. THe massive growth spurt from last month appears to have abated which means I'm a little more comfortable.

And in good news, I had maternity photos taken for the first time ever. Wow. It's amazing what a good photographer can do!!

Hope everyone is remembering to take some time to enjoy the lights and snow and new growing babes in the midst of the holiday rush and stress.

Paula

[BetsyPage]

I think my hormones have made me both really sensitive and somehow insensitive to others. Blah. Other than that I'm doing OK, but I shouldn't be let out in public.

[eilonwy]

:wave

I'm depressed.

I'm cold.

I'm absolutely miserable and itchy.

:shrug It's getting to the point where I'm not sure that it's hormones anymore... but whatever it is, it sucks. :shrug

[hairpin]

Sorry everyone is feeling so utterly crappy this week. :(

I have just one question... How much is my baby supposed to be moving? Cause somedays he moves in the morning, lunch, and evening. And today and yesterday I haven't felt much of anything. I did feel something last night.

Could it be he just moves at night when my mind is on other things?

I've heard too that other people will be able to feel the baby move soon, but he's not that regular to warn people about him. :(

Is it just that maybe he's not as active as other kids? Maybe I should be thankful... and he's going to be a calm kid?

Also, I think I'm starting to get used to the movements and am just ignoring it?

Woah, I'm kinda of slightly freaking out. :flipped

[eilonwy]

I think it's too early to be freaking out about irregular movement yet, but if you've got a funny feeling, give your care provider a call. That's what they're there for! Remember always that you're paying them, even if you're not paying out of pocket, and you're entitled to peace of mind or else why bother with them, right? :thumb

[AdinaL]

I feel things pretty regularly - as in daily. But when during the day is entirely up to the little girl! :lol Yesterday it felt like sychornized swimming moves in there, today she has been prety quiet.

DH has been able to feel her, but he was very patient and I caught her during an active spurt.

Tomorrow she might be more active...or she could be chill today cause I don't feel so good. :shrug Who knows? :)

You sound about the same as me, and I am just happy if I feel her every day. :D

[nighten]

Allison, go to Target or Old Navy (I'm sure other stores have them too) and buy some of the ultra long ribbed tank tops. They have them in loads of different colors and they go GREAT under normal tops that are now way the heck too short to consider wearing, and ta-dah! Instant maternity okayness :) Plus they act as an added layer which is nice in winter.

I love my tanks -- I wear them under everything because I'm so blindingly white I think I'd scare people if they saw my tummy.

And they are cheaper than buying more maternity tops....

--------------

I'm feeling good right now. Started the Buspar this week and am pretending it's working already.

Work SUCKS a load but it's only because my boss is a horrid greedy monster.

My co-workers are precious. I'll miss them.

I can barely read magazines right now I get all choked up over nothing! Forget Christmas movies. I'm a wreck. I watched Finding Neverland and nearly hyperventilated I was crying so hard. That was a mistake. My pg books are getting me misty-eyed even, from the little quotes at the bottom of the page. It's almost embarrassing. I read the Dr Seuss In Utero book last night to the bean and got choked up at the end.

Sinuses are horribly dry especially at night (yaya for saline nose spray) and no cold in da head but need a new humidifier badly -- any recommendations? My sex dreams have turned into water-gulping-my-mouth's-so-dry dreams. I wake up and chug water like mad then pee every ten minutes for an hour and it starts all over.

Speaking of, still not sleeping well though, and waking up earlier -- baby poking has awakened me a few times actually. Am starting to pay more attention to when she's awake -- since I've heard it's an indicator of when she'll be awake once she's born. So far it looks scary: average every two hours she's up and poking. She seems to like Christmas music in the car though, despite her mama's bad singing voice.

I love my new maternity belt: Here's where i got it (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00063IQ3Y/qid=1134452806/sr=8-6/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i6_xgl121/102-6893258-4091362?v=glance&s=hpc&n=507846). They have it in all diff sizes -- it has seriously helped with the sciatica pain. I recommend it lots :) You don't have to wear the top band part btw.

And I'm >this< close to being finished with Christmas shopping. Now if I can get my cards addressed and actually mail them I'll be really on the ball....

Sorry some of you had a bad day today :( Am sending out a big hug and happy thoughts to everyone. Four more months, yes? Is it me or doesn't it seem like we've been pg a lot longer than 5 months?

[FarmerCathy]

Wow, I hope everyone feels better soon that is feeling blah and sicky. That sucks.
I'm feeling better today. My dh felt the baby kick this morning and was really excited that he felt like it was real this time. I guess he wasn't sure if it was really a kick or not last time. It's definately a stronger kick now. Then I guess I talked him into (tmi) sex. So, I guess it's not as bad as I thought. He is really good at giving me affection and stuff like that, I think having the baby there made him nervous. Maybe this means it's feeling real to him now that were going to have a baby. :bouncy

Anyway, now he's being a pain in the butt again. Oh well.

Feel better soon ladies that are sick and those who just have the yucky blahs.

Cathy

[PheobNFam]

Well... I'm hurty. My lower back is REALLY hurting. I've been trying to soak in warm baths, or do warm compresses for a bit of time here and there. Then I try to massage my own back as best I can (not easy). But I still limb when I walk because of hip pain. It makes doing ANYTHING really tough. I have some MAJOR projects that need to be done by Christmas. Wish me luck.

We've been having some issues with DD and behavior. We cut out all candy (with the occassional tiny treat), and it seems to have really helps. Seems the issue was a lot nuturicional. No more chocolate milk for this kid! It got to the point when I was so stressed about her, and I didn't even like being around her! I just needed some relaxing alone time, and then a determination when I was around her.

Life can be tough at times. Endurance can be wearing. I'm just sticking with everything, and only thinking about positive things -- for example, DH is in the kitchen doing dishes for me! How nice is that!?

[hairpin]

Not too much time to post...

Good news is that I do feel the baby kicking and punching, just most of it happens at night. So I'm not worried anymore. And when I went to bed at 3 AM last night baby was moving a lot, so my hubby got to feel the kicking for the first time. :D

Hope all of you survive today pretty well intact. :D Gotta run.

[wencit]

Joining all you mamas with the "blahs." I have been sooooo unmotivated lately. I'm usually a clean freak, but my house has been a perpetual mess this past month or so. I can't seem to get my butt off the couch or the bed to clean up, do dishes, go grocery shopping, anything! And to top it off, I'm starting to freak out about all the things I still need to do to prepare for the baby's arrival -- yet I feel too unmotivated to do anything about it! Argh, what is wrong with me?! In particular, I'm stressing about being able to handle labor, but have I picked up any of my birthing books? Nope. :rolleyes

Hugs to all of you sick mamas! It sucks being sick, but it sucks much worse to be sick AND pregnant. I wish pregnant women got a "freebie" from catching colds and flus during pregnancy, kind of like a "get out of jail free" card. :) Hope y'all can take it easy!

[mirandahope]

Sorry to hear that so many of you are battling bugs. I've been lucky so far, no viruses yet, touch wood!

Just still managing morning sickness for the 16th week and counting.... :flipped

Went to the midwife today and felt very reassured that things ARE going well, and the time from now until birth will be good as well. She did a pin-prick glucose test: I was so worried I would have to drink the infamous sugary liquid, but she just whipped out her trusty hand held tester and I hardly felt a thing, and she declared me fine! Phew, that was easy!!

My tastes are changing, and so I am needing to get curious again when I go to the grocery about what I might want to eat. I invited DH to make food for both of us last night (before I was pregnant, he was the chef at home, and I've been doing my own thing since I got pregnant because it is too hard to explain what I want), now that my food tolerances have changed, widened!! It was a pretty good stir-fry. NIce to eat with my DH again!!

[BetsyPage]

The movement issue... I have noticed lots of variations in terms of how much movement I feel... The week of Thanksgiving, I was feeling SO MUCH movement, like pointy bones and such. Not so much anymore. My *theory* is that my uterus goes through growth spurts, and that sometimes the baby is more crowded, then she has a bit more room. Because I can always sit still for a while and then start feeling some things. Or the other possibility is that maybe my baby is just in a position where I'm not feeling as much?

It's weird... sometimes I don't even feel that pregnant at 24 weeks! A stranger seeing me would not really be sure I'm pregnant.

[AdinaL]

I don't think that anyone notices that I am pregnant, unless I am wearing the right clothes. :lol

Anyone's tummy seem to change size and shape? Sometimes I look bigger than others....:scratch

[Wittyone]

Anyone's tummy seem to change size and shape? Sometimes I look bigger than others....:scratch

Definitely! I seem to look and feel the biggest in the evenings after dinner :lol

And on the movement variation...it varies a lot! Some days are just more active than others. I do have an absolute regular active time from 8 to 10 pm though. This has been predictable for a couple of weeks now. Last night baby was really bouncing around and I commented it must be around 8:00 - when I looked up at the clock it was 8:08 :lol Wonder if this will be baby's active time out of utero as well?

[AdinaL]

Someone reassure me that the head cold I currently have is not going to hurt the baby. :lol I am being totally paranoid today....:shake

[nighten]

The head cold you have today is totally not going to affect the baby. If anything it will give her exposure to a different/deeper/headcold tone of your voice that she might not have had the chance to hear :)

You're fine. And sorry you're sick *hugs*

-------------

I had a fine day until a particular person came into work and then it all went downhill and now I'm miserable. So my bad day was a day behind everyone else's apparently....

Plus I feel like I'm not making any sense any more -- in posts, in daily life, in talking. Just like the fog in my brain is starting to seep out around me. Anyone else feel this way?

[lmonter]

Wonder if this will be baby's active time out of utero as well?
Maybe... Ds was more active around 10am/noon and on and off until we went to bed at 10/midnight. At 2yo he gets up at 10am and goes to bed around 11pm.


Adina - Your head cold is only giving you more antibodies. Which totally rocks if you plan to breastfeed. :)


nighten - I swear I've gotten dumber since getting pregnant with ds, and it hasn't gotten any better. He keeps sucking my brains out. Luckily he seems to be getting smarter as I get dumber. I figure it'll even out between us by the time he's 10. ;)

[nighten]

nighten - I swear I've gotten dumber since getting pregnant with ds, and it hasn't gotten any better. He keeps sucking my brains out. Luckily he seems to be getting smarter as I get dumber. I figure it'll even out between us by the time he's 10. ;)

HAHAHA!! I totally needed to hear that. Thanks :)

*hugs*

[hairpin]

Lanna, sorry for your friend. It must be so hard on her family. Hope you are doing ok.

Sorry everyone is so sicky feeling. :/

I had the realization today... That I'm pretty self-centered. :/ I think I'm starting to drive people nuts cause all I talk about is the baby. Luckily my husband seems to not mind, but... I think I better make more of an effort to not barrage people with my pregnancy. It is hard however, as this is so exciting for us. You know? Well...

Last night we went on a tour of the hospital where I was planning on giving birth. I probably will still go there. I was just sooooooo depressed at seeing what it actually looked like. You know how hotels look all nice in the picture when you're making a reservation, and then you get there and wonder how on earth they made the photo look like they did?

The postpartum room is very small. The waiting room is very small. I don't know how we're going to fit my family in that floor of the hospital. The ceilings are low. I was starting to feel claustrophobic in there. I know I'm going to want to open a window in the hospital and I'll flip out. As well all the labor rooms were full so we weren't able to look in. I suppose I have to go back once more to see the labor room. We didn't see the nursery, or much of anything but the postpartum room. And... I looked in the shower in that room and there was black mildew on it. In a hospital!?! (sigh) My mother-in-law didn't like it too much that I told her that her son was going to have to clean the bathroom for me. :/

We could change hospitals to one that has bigger rooms, is cleaner, and nicer overall. But they have a higher rate of C-sections and tend to be not that friendly if you want to do a more natural birth (from what I hear). As well, I've heard the doctors at my current hospital are the best. So what to do? I'm tending to think I can deal with not being completely comfortable in the hospital as long as I have a better chance of not getting into a C-section situation or being repeatedly asked if I want drugs.

I'll be thinking more about this. I wish there was a site I could go where people gave reviews of hospitals.

Anyways thanks for letting me vent and letting me be self-centered for a while. :D

[aprilushka]

Lanna, sorry for your friend. It must be so hard on her family. Hope you are doing ok.

Sorry everyone is so sicky feeling. :/

I had the realization today... That I'm pretty self-centered. :/ I think I'm starting to drive people nuts cause all I talk about is the baby. Luckily my husband seems to not mind, but... I think I better make more of an effort to not barrage people with my pregnancy. It is hard however, as this is so exciting for us. You know? Well...

Last night we went on a tour of the hospital where I was planning on giving birth. I probably will still go there. I was just sooooooo depressed at seeing what it actually looked like. You know how hotels look all nice in the picture when you're making a reservation, and then you get there and wonder how on earth they made the photo look like they did?

The postpartum room is very small. The waiting room is very small. I don't know how we're going to fit my family in that floor of the hospital. The ceilings are low. I was starting to feel claustrophobic in there. I know I'm going to want to open a window in the hospital and I'll flip out. As well all the labor rooms were full so we weren't able to look in. I suppose I have to go back once more to see the labor room. We didn't see the nursery, or much of anything but the postpartum room. And... I looked in the shower in that room and there was black mildew on it. In a hospital!?! (sigh) My mother-in-law didn't like it too much that I told her that her son was going to have to clean the bathroom for me. :/

We could change hospitals to one that has bigger rooms, is cleaner, and nicer overall. But they have a higher rate of C-sections and tend to be not that friendly if you want to do a more natural birth (from what I hear). As well, I've heard the doctors at my current hospital are the best. So what to do? I'm tending to think I can deal with not being completely comfortable in the hospital as long as I have a better chance of not getting into a C-section situation or being repeatedly asked if I want drugs.

I'll be thinking more about this. I wish there was a site I could go where people gave reviews of hospitals.

Anyways thanks for letting me vent and letting me be self-centered for a while. :D

In a lot of states there is an organization or agency that rates hospitals and includes their c/s statistics in those ratings. I think the Mother Friendly Childbirth initiative also might have some info on individual hospitals. I know NY has one-- I checked it out the other day and saw the stats on the hosp where I had a c/s-- it was about average for the state, but was not a pleasant hospital. Personally, I think the doctor on call had a lot more to do with it, though. I would be more worried about being comfortable with your care provider, you can put nurses off with "I've agreed with my doc about this and that so NO", although of course that's no fun.

[eilonwy]

That's a brilliant idea... we should have them here, in the Tribal Areas, perhaps-- reviews of hospitals, statistics, etc. :nod That would be so freaking cool.... :D

I have good news-- I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Gieco! Wait... no I didn't. :lol

Sorry. So Mike cashed in a week of vacation time so that we could get a washing machine, but we still couldn't swing it because he didn't qualify for a credit card at the store. That sucks, but Mike said that we should use the money for me to see the dentist, because that needs to be done anyway. I'm so freaking happy!! I'm going to see the dentist tomorrow! Something good comes of all the crap. We still really want (need!!) to get a washing machine before BellyBean arrives, and it's horribly depressing that we can't get one now, but seeing the dentist is very important and a very freaking good thing. :D

[nighten]

Grats Rynna on the dentist (yikes -- I hate the dentist -- you must either be quite brave or very much in pain). ;)

OKay so maybe this is a dumb question, but the conversation about the hospital policies, etc., has me wondering -- isn't it more important to find out what stats your caregiver has than the hospital you're choosing to birth in?

I'm not trying to be rude or anything, I just don't understand. I don't get it.

I have a midwife -- she's part of a practice. If something happens and she can't be with me (another patient goes into labor first, etc.) then another midwife from her practice would be there to take care of me. I've met the other midwives for that very purpose. Granted I hope my m/w will be there as we are old friends, but if she couldn't I know there's someone who will be in charge who will respect my birth plan/wishes.

Is that not how it works for everyone? Or do you just randomly show up at the hospital and hope you get a good doctor? That seems nuts to me sorry -- am I missing something here? 'Splain please :)

Thanks!

[AdinaL]

So if you get a different midwife...or if none of your midwives are available, then you get the on call doc right? Which is where the hospital stats come into play. It is benficial to know both your providers stats AND the hospitals...because hospitals have all sorts of policies that you might not know about. And those contirbute to their stats.

That is one of the reasons it is homebirth for me! :D

[hairpin]

OKay so maybe this is a dumb question, but the conversation about the hospital policies, etc., has me wondering -- isn't it more important to find out what stats your caregiver has than the hospital you're choosing to birth in?

My situation is that the caregiver and hospital are the same. Whoever is the midwife that is on duty will be assisting me. My main midwife and doctor are not on call to help me out when I start going into labor, which is why they have me meet everyone on the team. I just hope that I don't have to deal with the one midwife that I don't like. Maybe I should find out her schedule. As well there are nurses that will be attending to me that I will have never met before, as I have all my appointments at another location besides the hospital.

It's my impression that certain hospitals will have a general attitude about what is and isn't as acceptable. Some encourage a more natural birth process, and I think this would mean there are less cesareans. All in all I think hospital statistics would help out. But I haven't found any sites with numerous reviews or any kind of star rating. Although there is a "compare hospital" feature on my insurance website, that has been somewhat helpful. Mostly I've just been talking to friends and trying to find people's birth experiences for various hospitals on the interent. Also I'm going to be doing tours, since I think I'll be able to figure out more about the way the hospital operates by what they choose to say and not say on the tour.

Whew!

[nighten]

Yikes! I didn't think about the doctor on call thing. Can't you refuse and insist upon a midwife? There's three midwives in the practice I attend and two docs (DH is friends with one of the docs). Surely ONE of the midwives would be able to make it?

I can't do a homebirth. DH would freak and I'm too old and I don't really want to anyway.

We're doing a tour of the two main hospitals -- and I've got a list of questions from some of my books but I really thought those questions were routine and in my case unnecessary since I am using a midwife.

Boy don't I feel like a dumbass now.

And kinda scared. Crap. We have no choice about facilities as my DH works for the hospital and so we go to the downtown one or the Women's Ctr one.

Otherwise it'll cost a fortune and insurance won't cover it as well. But I wasn't concerned at all about it until now....that sucks!

[hairpin]

Hey, nighten, I don't think you necessarily need to be stressing out.

Maybe if you write down a birth plan, what you expect to happen and not to happen, when and where, and share this with you midwife you'll find out how things might go. I haven't done this yet myself, but I'm planning on doing it for my next visit.

Every hospital is different. Some doctors/midwives do act like they are on call, just not mine. If they have the same kind of policy as my hospital (no guarantees of doctor or midwife) then maybe you'd want to hire a doula or make sure you have extra support there from someone who will be a familiar face.

Also just of note, it's my understanding that at my hospital there will be nurses and most likely either a doctor or midwife from my practice (the clinic away from the hospital where I do all my monthly meetings). However, my hospital requires a doctor there to catch the baby. Some hospitals let you do this with a midwife. Every hospital has different rules so be sure to ask.

But don't stress out just yet. :)

[AdinaL]

Wait until your tour honey. :hug Ask about who you get if everyone from your practice is busy....that may give you some more insight. Ask about hospital policies, about what the doctor on call (if you have to use them) will do with your birth plan, etc.

I would write a birth plan. :nod I would also discuss your hospital visit with your midwives, and see what they have to say.

Totally unrelated...how old are you? I totally understand if you don't want a homebirth. :hug Just be informed and take notes during your tour, ask everything that comes into your head. Remember you pay them, not the other way around - it isn't your job to make THEM comfortable - other way around!! :hug

It will be fine! :hug

[nighten]

Okay - thank you whew! That helps. I freak out so easily these days it's embarrassing. :o

I'll be 37 in a few weeks and this is my first baby so I really would feel better in a hospital even though I am planning on having a natural birth and my m/w is very supportive of that. I have BPD but am off my normal meds (have been since ttc) though the doctor did put me on Buspar, which she said is safe during pg (cat b). While everything seems fine with the baby (had level 2 u/s) I don't want to take any chances -- the plan is to labor as long as possible at home then head to the hospital.

My m/w had commented that works great unless I need ab for group strep? Gah I hope not -- I'm considering saying no unless I have symptoms but that's a diff discussion. I HATE antibiotics.

Anyway she had mentioned I could either write a birth plan or just tell her my wishes (she and I are old friends so I know she'll do everything in her power to attend the birth), but I think I'll write the birth plan as a backup just in case (plus I like the idea from Birthing Within of putting a note on the door saying "Natural Birth in progress -- please don't offer drugs" to handle the pushy nurse types, etc.).

Anyway I will get a good list of questions together for the tours. They aren't until next month so I have some time.

Thanks for the reassurance. Sorry I freaked. It's quite common these days sigh.

*hugs*

[eilonwy]

Grats Rynna on the dentist (yikes -- I hate the dentist -- you must either be quite brave or very much in pain). ;)

Definately the latter... but they do use plenty of novocaine. :nod

OKay so maybe this is a dumb question, but the conversation about the hospital policies, etc., has me wondering -- isn't it more important to find out what stats your caregiver has than the hospital you're choosing to birth in?

I checked both before BooBah was born. The hospital had a relatively low rate of first time c-sections, 13% iirc. My caregiver didn't (doesn't) do them (he's a family practice doctor) but looked it up and said that of his 20 most recent OB patients, 3 had ended up with c-sections, two for breech births and one an emergency in which the baby died. The backup OB for his practice had a first time c-section rate of less than 10%; he didn't like doing c-sections and thus avoided them whenever possible.

Nonetheless, I ended up having a c-section with BooBah. I had the right hospital, and the right OB was on call; my doctor was on vacation. The OB looked at the ultrasound and sighed deeply and said, "I've done a version today and gone to extreme measures to help two women have vaginal deliveries but I know when to hold 'em and I know when to fold 'em, and you're going to have to have surgery." He sounded more disappointed than I did (I had figured out that morning that I would probably wind up with a c-section sometime that evening... long story, but I knew and had already reconciled myself to the fact)! :lol The wheels were put in motion, and I stayed on the fetal heart monitor (didn't need to monitor my contractions because I wasn't *having* any) until Mike arrived. He took his insulin, grabbed some food, changed into scrubs and less than 15 minutes later he was looking at a brand new, super-pink BooBah. :love

This time around, I know the deal. I will not hesitate and if I think that I need a c-section, my butt will be in the hospital so fast that heads will spin, but I'm hoping and planning to have the baby "too quickly to get to the hospital." :thumb :lol I will have a comprehensive back-up birth plan which I will go over with my PCP, and I will make copies for my chart and extra copies for nurses... but I'm totally cool with everything. I'm large and in charge. :D :lol

[AdinaL]

Sigh....

I am super moody today. I am ready for Xmas to be here, only I want someone else to do all the work. I am still getting over this cold, and it sucks. I am supposed to make something for my DH's company party tonight, and supposed to make myself look alive...when I feel dead.

I burst into tears at some other thread this morning, and all I want to do is sleep. But of course I can't get back to sleep. I haven't done any Xmas shopping at all, and I need to ship stuff. Bah! :( :bawl

All i want to do is stay in bed.

[lmonter]

I am supposed to make something for my DH's company party tonight, and supposed to make myself look alive...when I feel dead.
If you need to make something dessert-y, try this Chocolate Peanut Butter Sin (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showpost.php?p=4263510&postcount=122) (for lack of a better recipe title). Once you take a bite (assuming you can ingest the ingredients of course) you'll instantly feel better. :)

[AdinaL]

That sounds good...but this company has a stupid theme....colors. All the brown slots were taken. So i have to make something not food colored..:irked:

[eilonwy]

:hug Adina, I feel your pain!

What about that super quick and easy cranberry sauce recipe that's on the back of packages of fresh cranberries? It's really delicious (unlike the jellied crap that comes out of cans), the kids and I actually sat and dipped apples into it. :lol

There's no need to look alive when you're showing, btw. :nono You can be impressive simply by showing up. Make sure to wear clothing that accentuates your belly, and do the pregnant lady waddle. :thumb :D

I found out that I've got more than a dozen cavities. :yikes: Only two are causing regular pain, there might be one or two more that respond to cold and of course the old root canal site that's making me miserable. :nut It's going to cost too much to get them all fixed, but we'll take care of the painful ones and then... just hope for the best. *sigh* Miseries, miseries.

I'm going to see if I can make some more hats for the MIN thread... but I have no idea how I'm going to ship them out at this point. :shrug Not a freaking clue. :scratch That's depressing, too. Ah, well. :shrug

It's snowing outside. We're supposed to get around 4 inches before it turns into sleet and freezing rain. Yich. :lol Then it's supposed to snow again tomorrow night! :nut Here's the horrible part-- we don't have a shovel or any rock salt!! :yikes: I'm already parking on top of a big blob of ice, and I wanted to melt it before the snow began again, but... :shrug Ick, ick, ick.

[zion]

Hey everyone. Just checking in to say hi. I thought I could read through your posts but it's still hard. Ray and I are doing well. We both got our chromasome studies back and everything is fine so we don't have to worry about passing anything on to the next baby when we decide to try again. It was a 100% fluke. As hard as this whole thing is at least it's not an ongoing problem that we have to worry about.

I started charting again. Hoping to be pregnant again before Sadie's due date.

I may check in with you mamas occasionally. I wish you all the best. I'll be thinking of you!!

[aprilushka]

Hey everyone. Just checking in to say hi. I thought I could read through your posts but it's still hard. Ray and I are doing well. We both got our chromasome studies back and everything is fine so we don't have to worry about passing anything on to the next baby when we decide to try again. It was a 100% fluke. As hard as this whole thing is at least it's not an ongoing problem that we have to worry about.

I started charting again. Hoping to be pregnant again before Sadie's due date.

I may check in with you mamas occasionally. I wish you all the best. I'll be thinking of you!!

I'm glad your tests came back with good news. All the best with TTC, thanks for sharing with us.

[AdinaL]

:zion :hug

[duckat]

Hi, Mamas!
I haven't been around in a looong while. We moved from KY to FL this past month, and things have been crazy. It's finally settling down, DH has taken DS swimming at the Y, and I have the house to myself!
We've found a great birth center here and I like the m/w a lot. We had an u/s a couple of weeks ago that showed another boy! So now we have to play the name game since we had a great girl name all ready to go. *sigh*
Otherwise, things are good. DS talks to baby brother through my belly button, but hasn't gotten to feel him move yet.
Hope you're all ready for the holidays!

[burke-a-bee]

Hi, Mamas!
I haven't been around in a looong while. We moved from KY to FL this past month, and things have been crazy. It's finally settling down, DH has taken DS swimming at the Y, and I have the house to myself!
We've found a great birth center here and I like the m/w a lot. We had an u/s a couple of weeks ago that showed another boy! So now we have to play the name game since we had a great girl name all ready to go. *sigh*
Otherwise, things are good. DS talks to baby brother through my belly button, but hasn't gotten to feel him move yet.
Hope you're all ready for the holidays!
Where in Fl are you?

[duckat]

Where in Fl are you?

We're in DeLand. West of Daytona, north of Orlando.

Hollywood is pretty far south, right? I'm just learning my geography. :lol

[AdinaL]

Ready for the holidays???BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA:laugh:

Man, I am just in a foul mood today. It feels like PMS, but it isn't. Some evil ass hormones I tell ya.

I am not going to the holiday party. :shake I am not good enough company to even try.

Blah. Sorry to bitch here..:( I just had a "friend" be massively insenstive and it set me off, and i was already miserable. At least I feel a bit better cold wise.

[eilonwy]

Zion, thanks for the update. :hug

Adina-- I hate December. It sucks royally every year for me, and it's only getting worse as BeanBean gets older. :irked: Everything about it just blows, so of course adding hormones into the mix makes it worse... right now, for example, Mike is lecturing me about how I scream too much. :eyesroll Why? Well, today at the grocery store while buying milk and eggs (snow prep) I decided to spend a dollar that I didn't really have and buy some Jiffy Pop in that pan-thing, because they're fun and amusing and damn it, I need more amusement in my life. About an hour ago, I discovered that while I was putting BooBah down for a nap earlier today, BeanBean had removed the cover and tossed it and half of the popcorn all over the kitchen floor. :irked: I was *PISSED*. Granted, I may have overreacted, but I didn't hit BeanBean or even yell directly at him, I just shrieked, slammed a door, and came upstairs to veg in front of the computer. This was a tiny thing, but it came after a day full of tiny things, when I thought that I'd have something kind of fun to do this evening. So for this, Mike decides that it's time to lecture me and tell me that my screaming is, get this, a threat to our lease. :eyesroll As if his refusal to do dishes more often than once a freaking month without being badgered into it *isn't* a threat to our lease. :irked: It's all my fault, though, everything is. Now on top of everything else, I want to kick Mike for being a dumb ass. :cuss:

[AdinaL]

I usually love December. But this year, with the whole looking for a house thing, not having any money, Dh working a TON, I am just wiped out. Of course, being sick isn't helping.

If I weren't pregnant I would go and have a giant margarita. But, alas, no such luck on that.

Sounds like you and I are having the same kind of day. :( :hug

[duckat]

Ready for the holidays???BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA:laugh:



Don't worry. I'm not either. Seems like the rest of the world is, though. I'm mostly trying to ignore it all.

[eilonwy]

If I weren't pregnant I would go and have a giant margarita. But, alas, no such luck on that.

If I had had my perfect, everything-is-wonderful ultrasound last month, I'd be drinking a beer right now, too. Well, maybe not... but I certainly wouldn't say no if someone offered one! I figure, after the first trimester (when the baby is fully formed) and before the end of the third (when you might go into labor at any moment) it's relatively safe to drink a little bit. Not a ton, but a little, as long as your body doesn't immediately and completely reject it (which it might). I haven't had a drink since I found out about BooBah's kidney problems when I was about 20 weeks pregnant with her. :rolleyes

If Monday's ultrasound goes well, though, I may con someone into buying me a beer... :mischief

[AdinaL]

I had like two sips of DH's marg a while ago. And having been ttc for 3+ years....which means essentially no drinking for that long...I have no tolerance. :lol One marg would probably make me pass out or throw up. But the two sips were goooood. :yum That perfect salty & sour combo.

What I really want right now - is rum balls. :yum Of all the stupid cravings. :lol

I am glad this thread is here...Or i would be sitting in my bedroom crying by myself. :shake

[nighten]

I hate my job :( My boss is a foul evil greedy witch from hell and I hope her boobs shrivel up and fall off.

I'm sitting here wishing so badly I could have a drink. But even if I decided a glass of wine would be okay my heartburn is horrific and it'd kill me I know it.

So I think I'll settle for crying.

I've worked at this job for seven years total. I worked there four years during college/grad school then took several years off to work in the "real world" then came back after I got married and have worked there three years since.

So seven years total. Before, I worked directly for the owner, a normally nice man who's a rather spineless. He was married to a dear sweet lady whom I was friends with. They got divorced :( After I left for corporate hell, he remarried (enter the witch).

So last Christmas I got a $200 bonus. Granted compared to my corporate job that wasn't much but it was really nice -- I mean it's $200! I was happy as a clam and used it for Christmas gifts. It was great.

But after Christmas, despite what everyone hoped for, no one got raises and it'd been two years at least since raises were given and so everyone sat down at the store meeting and said we need a raise -- not we want one but we need one and here's how much (it wasn't much) and we did it very gently and it was awful to have to ask but there are some folks there who desperately need the money and we decided it would be better to go in as one group, fully supportive of one another.

The boss's wife said they'd think about it, then later they told us we were getting half what we asked for because that's all they could "afford" (but lied because they gave some people more than others -- and I was told this but couldn't say anything which was miserable. So much for all for one) and the very next month they said business was so bad (it wasn't, I know, I've seen the books) that they were cutting hours, so ever since, no one has made as much money as they did before the "raise."

Meanwhile the new wife/witchmonster decides she needs a new house that wasn't shared with the old wife and they buy a $500,000 (yes, that's half a million dollars, folks) estate with three horses and a pool and pasture land and everything. This is on top of the two new cars for them, and the two new cars for her teenager who wrecked the first new car before they'd had it insured.

They decided to have the Christmas party this year at the new house (they always hosted it at their old house before). But they asked us to be sure and bring food. So we did and it was tonight -- it took an hour to drive out there but we got to the estate, and it's obscene.

And then the owner hands us our Christmas bonuses and mine was $100.

Half of what it was last year.

No, I'm not working as much as I was last year but I'm pregnant and tired and I get paid hourly so it's no skin off their noses if I'm not working full shifts.

I am so hurt right now I just want to cry or vomit and I'm not sure which one it will be.

I hate my job. I really want to quit. Actually I just want to never go there again. :(

What would you do? The other girls who've been there a long time got over $200 bonuses. The part time Xmas help all got $100. Including me, the one person who's been there the longest of everyone. I got the same as the girl who's been there a month. Yes I've been planning on quitting my job when the baby comes, but I'd hoped to use my bonus to pay for something I've already bought for my husband for Christmas :( And was planning on using the money from working there to help us stock up on baby stuff from now until she's born.

But now I just want to quit. The boss's wife wants me to I know -- but if I quit now she'd have a reason to fuss about me leaving them in a lurch at Christmas.

What would you do? I'm just really sad and disappointed. :(

[aprilushka]

If you don't absolutely need the money, were planning to quit anyway and it's interfering with your ability to gestate in peace, then maybe it's worth considering quitting, but I think it's hard for anyone to say what they would do because all of us have different situations and it's hard to project into someone else's life. I certainly would be pissed in your situation too. There comes a time with every sucky job where you cross over the it's not worth it line, but it's hard to say where that is.

I'm never leaving the civil service. The raises are small here and not everything is lock step but the capacity for capriciousness is definitely smaller than in the private sector.

Can I have a paranoid moment? At 22w5d it's too early to get paranoid about fetal movement but we have had a few vigorous days followed by a much less vigorous day followed by almost nothing but a few fingertip like prods today (I think, it was on the metro and hard to tell with all the vibration). I shouldn't get paranoid for another couple of weeks about regularity of movement but I'm going to have to have a paranoid moment. I've seen a lot of loss lately online and it's hard not to have a paranoid moment. Please humor me.

[duckat]

Nighten: I'm sorry. That's a sucky situation. I think it's time to weigh the pros and cons and decide whether it's better to leave now or stick it out until closer to baby time. From someone who quit work with baby, it is nice to have that extra money around...

April: I'm totally with you on the movement paranoia. This one will have a 2 day party it seems, then sleep it off. If you're really worried, I'm sure your practioner wouldn't mind taking a listen to ease your mind. But also, at this age, they're still small enough to "hide" and may be drumming vigorously on your spine or placenta...you just can't feel it.

:hug to both of you

[aprilushka]

Thanks.

We're having our morning activity session so paranoia moment is over...until the next one, ha ha. I think I actually felt adreneline with that one, not sure that can be good.

[eilonwy]

Renee, that really sucks. :hug In your position, I'd probably write a letter; copies to the owner, his wife, anyone in a management position... depending on the size of the company, maybe an email to everyone. I hate it when people get away with crap like that, it shouldn't be allowed to happen. :nono In the letter I'd say all the stuff you said in your post, plus a list of how they can either a) make it up to you or b) what you expect by way of severance pay. Maybe add a lawyer's name and phone number, if you want to be really nasty about it. :mischief

We've got lots and lots of wiggling going on over here. :D My placenta is posterior, which explains why I'm feeling so much movement. :thumb It's great fun. :D I kind of like feeling like a walking pod, you know? :lol

[wencit]

Huge :hug to all of you mamas who are having rough days!

Renee, that really sucks. Personally, I would just tough it out for the next few months, but that's because I could really use the extra financial padding before quitting my job. I figure that a few more months won't kill me. However, as aprilushka says, you're the best one to make that decision, because no one else is living in your shoes exactly. I know you'll get support, no matter what you decide to do! I'm so sorry your boss' wife is a b!tch. Karma will bite her in the butt later.

We're not supposed to do kick counts until the 28th week, right? Now you all have ME paranoid!

I've been feeling super "PMS"y lately, too. The other night, I had a full-on temper tantrum at my DH, 2-year-old style. Complete with plenty of whining and crying. I stopped short of throwing myself on the carpet on all fours, kicking and screaming, but I wasn't too far from it. Ugh, these hormones are terrible.

[AdinaL]

Kick counts???

What are kick counts?

[wencit]

Kick counts???

What are kick counts? I read that starting in your 28th week, you're supposed to do "kick counts" once in the morning and once in the evening.

Basically, you set your watch for 10 minutes and make sure the baby kicks 10 times within that period. If it doesn't, you drink some orange juice, lay down, and repeat the counting. If you don't feel 10 kicks within 2 hours, you call your practitioner, as this could signal that the baby is in distress.

More things to make us paranoid, right? :)

[eilonwy]

:laugh: OMG!

Listen, you're only supposed to do kick counts if a) you notice severely reduced movement after 28 weeks or b) you've got a funny feeling that something is wrong. What you do is, after you've noticed that the baby has been less active or you get that creepy feeling (again, after 28 weeks), you eat a decent meal (or, if you're not hungry, drink something with plenty of sugar, orange juice, a bit of soda, whatever) and then lie down for an hour. You want to feel 10 distinct movements in an hour. If you count ten before the hour is up, no worries; if you don't, you can either jump up and down and get your blood pumping (if you think that you're probably just paranoid) or call your care provider and start to freak out a bit.

Most of the time when you don't notice as much movement as usual, it's because your own activity level has been higher. When you're moving around and doing stuff, not only do you fail to notice the baby moving but the baby is actually lulled into sleep by the gentle rocking motions of your body. :love It's like being in a moving hammock, you know? :lol It makes you tired, even in utero. :D

[duckat]

My OB never mentioned kick counts when I was pg with DS. My m/w this time just says "is the baby good and active?"

Really, if you just pay attention and take a little break every now and then to listen to your body, you're fine.

[eilonwy]

My OB never mentioned kick counts when I was pg with DS. My m/w this time just says "is the baby good and active?"

This is what I was getting at-- kick counts shouldn't come up for most of us most of the time, only if you've got some reason to be paranoid or you really feel like something is wrong. Of course, being pregnant for the first time is, for many of us, a reason to be paranoid. :innocent :lol

[AdinaL]

Bah! More things to make me paranoid!!!!!! ugh.

Baby moves plenty...in spurts. So, not worried at this point...and I am only 22 weeks. :D

Yuck, what a horrible thing to tell a pg woman to do...{shudder}

[PheobNFam]

Well, I'm still moody as heck, but other than that, this pregnancy seems to be progressing nicely.

I had a dream the other night that I was in labor. My midwife had me in a closet, hanging from the closet rod. LOL. I was pushing, but after a bit the contractions and urge to push subsided. It was weird. In the dream I seemed to think I was 33 weeks along (I was 23 weeks to the day at the time). And was looking forward to delivery, but was rather glad it seemed to be waiting... but honestly, to go from pushing to waiting....? LOL Crazy pregnant dreams.

I got a good compliment from my mom today. She said "You look thin! You're not supposed to be thin and pregnant! You're supposed to be pregnant and FAT!" Then we laughed. It was a fun compliment to get. I'm not "thin" per se (even when I'm NOT pregnant). I think my big old belly just makes the rest of me look thinner! LOL. I'd gained 7 lbs in the 5 weeks since my last midwife appointment. That only puts me 5lbs above my pre pregnancy weight (though I had about 20lbs to lose at that point :o ). I'd lost about 7 lbs in my first trimester... so I don't really know where that would put my total weight gain... 14lbs? Or 5lbs? LOL I dunno... But I'm feeling fine. :thumb

[eilonwy]

:lol People keep telling me that my legs look really thin, and compared to where they were, they do. :lol I'm not thin by any stretch either, but I have lost a lot of weight.. :shrug Weds, I'll get to find out if I've started gaining yet or at least stopped losing. :D

[eilonwy]

Yesterday evening when we got to the ILs, FIL asked if we'd purchased a washer & dryer yet, and what sort they were, etc. Mike told him that we hadn't and why, and he was quite bummed out; apparently, FIL had been looking forward to us having a washer and dryer almost as much as we had. He thought about it and realized that he could solve the problem for us; this morning, he took Mike to Home Depot where *he* opened a credit account and got the 10% off so that we could get the washer and dryer!!! :happyt: :banana :broc: :carrot :jumpers I'm so freaking excited!! The washer & pedestal will be arriving on Wednesday and Mike and I will pick the dryer up on Friday. :D We're going to have a washing machine!!! A huge one that actually works *best* when it's totally stuffed!! I'm so excited, I'll be able to make detergent again, and we can use our cloth diapers... of course, we'll need to get some large covers and Fuzzi Bunz, but in the long run this will save us an almost scary amount of money.

Now we still have problems because we have to figure out how we're going to pay for my dental care (a boatload of cavities and an old root canal with so much decay around it that it's on it's way to falling out of my head), but just having the machine on it's way is such a huge relief to me. :D I'm so happy! :lol

[nighten]

:clap :laundry

YAY, Rynna!!! Congrats :) You totally deserve it!

Well, I did it -- I turned in my notice at work. I work this week then off to visit the ILs for a week then will work the following week and that's it. I sat down with the owner (not his wife) on Friday and told him everything -- how the place had changed and become so greedy and money-oriented and how that wasn't what was important, how it was being happy and SUPPORTIVE of your fellow workers and that I didn't think it was a healthy environment for me to be in and how I no longer felt as if my level of expertise nor length of service (7 years) mattered obviously and so I was done. I didn't say anything about the bonus as it really was what that stood for, moreso than the money -- besides I couldn't sit there and call his wife greedy and also complain about money at the same time.

I told him no it wasn't the pg, as it wasn't physical (although I admit it has been hard the past few weeks) but it was emotional and I needed to not be stressed and being around greed and rudeness nonstop was stressing me out.

Anyway it was actually a good talk and I was very kind and he was sweet and it was kinda sad because he talked about his exwife at one point who was precious. Anyway his current wife will either be really nice to me on Monday as she's wanted me to quit (she knows I can't stand her and I disapprove of the way she treats us, and her DH), or she'll be a complete horrid meanie as she won't like what I said very much, if he told her everything.

I somehow doubt he'll tell her everything -- I mean would you tell your greedy Cinderellastepmom of a wife that your employees really think of her? I wouldn't. Woman has a temper like you wouldn't believe and drinks like a fish too.

Anyway so I'm done -- I'm quitting a little earlier than I'd planned but it's made me realize just how much I need to do before the baby comes anyway. And my hubby is being precious about it all -- we went to my folks house for xmas yesterday and they gave us cash for presents (hooray!) so it will help pay for stuff from xmas and still put a little in the saving pot for baby stuff. And we'll make do with what we can for baby. Mom said she'd help me buy the organic crib mattress if I needed, since it was more important for me to get my pregnant self and little baby away from the negative influence of that woman at work. Mom's great :)

So I wanted to say thanks to everyone for your support and for listening to my post the other night. I feel better now-- although kinda sad as I really did used to love my job. Oh well.

[kyle98sean02]

Renee I am so happy you are getting out of there :hug. I have wrote 2 long posts responding to everyone in the past few days and my computer just keeps shutting off and I lose everything. I am never this quiet :lol I just need to post smaller posts so I dont get frustrated when I lose everything and walk away :)

[aprilushka]

Rynna congratulations! When I lived in Russia for a year I had to wash everything in the bathtub (pre kids thank God). Living without a washer sucks big time.

Renee, good for you!

[eilonwy]

Rynna congratulations! When I lived in Russia for a year I had to wash everything in the bathtub (pre kids thank God). Living without a washer sucks big time.

:hug I actually had to do this fairly regularly as a child/teen, right here in America. :eyesroll :shake What's really awful is when you end up smelling like dishsoap because that's all you've got to use... On the other hand, if ever we lose all electricity, I know how to use a washboard. :shrug :lol What I don't know is where I'd find one! :lol

Renee-- congrats on the decision. :D

[AdinaL]

It's snowing! :D

Which is awesome as long as it doesn't take the power out. And I can go to work on Monday...and pick upmy sister on Wednesday.:lol

I am gonna be walking to the store later -because it sucks to drive...and we only live a block and a half from the store.

Baby is kicking like crazy. :D Which makes me happy.

Rynna - awesome news!!! :banana That makes life much easier.

We had stuff to do - but I think we are gonna decorate our tree and hang out. It isn't worth the risk of getting in the car and driving on the super icy roads. Xmas presents can be late! :nod

[mirandahope]

Hey everyone. Just checking in to say hi. I thought I could read through your posts but it's still hard. Ray and I are doing well. We both got our chromasome studies back and everything is fine so we don't have to worry about passing anything on to the next baby when we decide to try again. It was a 100% fluke. As hard as this whole thing is at least it's not an ongoing problem that we have to worry about.

I started charting again. Hoping to be pregnant again before Sadie's due date.

I may check in with you mamas occasionally. I wish you all the best. I'll be thinking of you!!

Zion, I am sorry for your loss. I know what it is like to lose a baby at about 20 weeks. I admire the upbeat attitude, and hope you have for the future. Best wishes for the next time around!!

[mirandahope]

Rynna--Congrats on the washer and dryer, and for having supportive ILS!!

Nighten--Congrats on the job decision. Sounds like a good move for your and family's sanity.

Baby moved a lot for about 9 hours yesterday! The most I have felt at one time ever. Today I didn't feel so much, but I know it goes in 'fits and starts' as my grandparents generation says.

Rynna--thanks for clarifying about the counting of kicks, I didn't have complete info on this either, and wondered how it all works.

I'm so tired lately, not sleeping through the night. Exhausted.

I dreamed the other night that I was learning how to breast feed the baby, and it was a girl in the dream, although I have felt for a while that it is a boy!

I am getting more and more hopeful as the days get closer to when baby could survive quite nicely on his/her own. Babies have survived at 24 weeks, which we are at on Friday, and although I will not do anything to encourage an early birth, it is nice to know that it is possible for my child to survive from about now on! What a relief, after last time's loss.

I am also still morning sick, which for me doesn't happen at all in the morning, but mostly before lunch and dinner, and tells me I'm hungry. So thankful still for diclectin and soda water, cheese and yummy veggies.

[Stayathomemommy]

charting movement i always thought was for later in the pregnancy but it could be helpful now too. you just get comfy and relax, fun to do with hubby because you are both concentrating on baby together, and watch the clock. you just keep track of how long it takes to feel 10 movements. you could be done in 1 minute or it might take 15 minutes. either way you just keep track and when you think maybe the baby isnt as active you can stop and time the movements. if its way off of "normal" for your baby you can bring it up with your midwife/doc. like most of you my little boy kicks like crazy all the time but it wouldnt hurt to know what normal is time wise in case i ever thought something was wrong??

[nighten]

We went to a Christmas party Sat night and they had five dogs in a back area behind a doggy gate (they'd already tried eating the food, said the hostess, and thus were relegated to the pantry room), and one of them howled/barked/shrieked loudly and the baby went NUTS!

When I was downstairs out of earshot the baby was still as could be, but when I went upstairs to get some ginger ale or food, and the dog started its ruckus, the baby was kicking and poking like mad -- more than ever before!

At first I didn't realize it was the dog making the baby move, but then I tried walking into another room, or the hostess would quiet the dog and the baby would stop moving.

The funny thing is we have two dogs and she's never reacted to their barking like this. Granted the stranger dog had a really high-pitched loud bark, but can the baby already be used to our dogs?

I thought she just now could hear things from outside the womb -- didn't realize she could distinguish the noises? Amazing.

[wencit]

Oops, sorry to cause such an uproar over the kick counts! Rynna, thanks for letting me know it was 10 movements in an hour, not 10 minutes. I guess I got my "10s" all mixed up!

[eilonwy]

The funny thing is we have two dogs and she's never reacted to their barking like this. Granted the stranger dog had a really high-pitched loud bark, but can the baby already be used to our dogs?

This totally amazed me while I was pregnant with BeanBean. At the time, I was living with my mom, sister, and nieces who were 5 and 2. The 2 year old, being a little kid, was very loud and cried a fair bit. By the time BeanBean had developed ears, he was totally accustomed to the sound of BeastieBeast crying, but any other baby/child shrieking would set him kicking furiously! :lol It held true after he was born, too; BeastieBeast could throw tantrums (and she did, she's got Asperger's and SID) and he'd sleep right through them, but a strange baby made the slightest sound and he'd wake up every time. :lol

I had my second ultrasound today. The baby's heart was much easier to see and looked lovely. :thumb The kidneys were, once again, present and unremarkable and....





































































































































Like Adina, I was wrong! It's a GIRL!!! :shy :lol

[AdinaL]

:lol :banana We were both wrong???!!! :lol Congrats Rynna! :D I am so glad everything looks good!

[burke-a-bee]

Congrats on the great ultrasound. And a girl! :D

[celestialdreamer]

Yay Rynna! Congrats on the baby girl!!!

[kyle98sean02]

Yeah Rynna! I am so glad everything looked good :) I was just thinking about you last night wondering when you were going in for your follow up u/s. The girl count is finally catching up to the boys for April!

[aprilushka]

Congrats Rynna!

I hope I get a kidney clean bill of health next time too, whenever that will be since it's hard for me to make an appointment anytime in the next three weeks.

[hairpin]

Congrats on the news, Rynna. :)

And good for you, Renee, on quiting your job. I'm sure you'll be much happier now.

Me. I'm feeling big. I'm starting to exercise more now since I think our bathroom will be done soon. In other words, it's easier to exercise when I know I can shower.

Also I'm wearing bigger clothes, cause I hate how people stare at me in the tighter stuff. They look at me like I'm going to explode on them. I voiced this opinion to my friend at work, and he said "what? are you afraid people won't think you're a virgin anymore?" HAHAHA! He says the funniest things sometimes. Other times I get cranky about the comments. Thought it was funny though.

Does anyone else hate the staring from strangers?

[steelcitysistah]

Definitely not having any problems with strangers here. I've been so bundled up in winter clothing for the past month that it has to be nearly impossible for a stranger to actually tell that I'm pregnant at all!
Maybe that's why I'm enjoyng the more form fitting clothes. I like seeing my belly out from under all the winter stuff!
Actually - I just love being able see my belly in general.... :love

Come to think of it - I could've probably been accused of staring at a pregnant belly or two in the past. I just think that pregnant women are so naturally and incredibly beautiful and radiant!

[eilonwy]

I just got a phone call from Home Depot!! :banana :broc: :bouncy I'm so freaking excited, I'll be able to :laundry :laundry :laundry!! :jumpers: Fabulous! Now if only we could set up a line outside for spring... :scratch I have no idea how we'd manage it, but it would be sooooo nice! Our electric bill at our old apartment used to drop *drastically* when we only used our dryer on rainy/bitter cold/snowy days. :thumb Heck, I'd be happy if we could hang a line *inside*... but of course, that would only be practical if we had a really powerful fan.

We won't have the dryer until Sunday (when Mike and I will install it :thumb), and it's too freaking cold for a line even if we did have one (what's the point of frozen laundry? :lol) so we'll have to wash and then haul wet laundry to the laundromat to dry it for a few days... but I'm so willing to deal! Everything is beautiful... I've just enjoyed 3 oz of wine and I'm damn near buzzed (this is what happens when you don't drink for an age :lol) and I'm so excited about the washing machine... BooBah is taking a nap and BeanBean is quietly "reading" and eating the last of the spaghetti that I made for lunch. :thumb He'll probably be asleep by the time I get downstairs again. :D I've done a little bit of cleaning and I'll probably do some more...

It's funny, you know. Right now I *want* to be upset about so many things, like the fact that we don't have enough dressers and bookshelves (God, do we ever need bookshelves!) and wall shelves and curtains... but I can't help being happy. :down I'm very relieved that BellyBean is looking healthy and strong, and while I'm not sure how I'll use my home-made detergent with this new washer that's coming, I know that we'll still save a ton and a half of money with it so it's okay. I have no idea why I'm so happy, really, but I am. :shrug I guess it feels like things could be a heck of a lot worse, even though many of them are pretty sucky. :lol

[celestialdreamer]

Heck, I'd be happy if we could hang a line *inside*... but of course, that would only be practical if we had a really powerful fan.


I'm not sure how I'll use my home-made detergent with this new washer that's coming,

What about using one of those drying rack things inside? We have been having dryer 'issues' for months now (DH keeps trying to fix it and then more things break on it :( ) and I've resorted to using the drying rack quite a few times. I just set it up in the middle of a room and turn on a fan if I want stuff to dry fast, otherwise I just leave it for a day. Of course when I do that, I ususally hang up all the shirts and jeans in our closets while still wet and just hang dry the socks, washcloths, etc. Is your new machine a front loader? Is that why you are nervous about using the homemade soap? I think I might have a recipe that is okay for front loaders (thats what we have) if you want it. Okay, enough talk about washers and dryers...I'm just excited for you! I so want a dryer that actually works more than once in awhile :lol

hairpin- I don't like the staring strangers mostly cause I'm always afraid that they are trying to figure out if I'm pregnant or just have a fat belly :bag: I am overweight and even though I was WAY out there with my dd somepeople seriously never realized I was pregnant! I think its cause I carried really weird with her. This time I look pregnant already but I'm still paranoid.

steelcitysistah- I think I probably stare sometimes too :lol I think its mostly because of a little jealousy since I never really had the perfect round preggo belly last time. If I had a little basketball tummy I'd probably wear tight clothes too LOL

I'm 25 weeks today...this pregnancy is going by way too fast. All of a sudden I've been feeling kicks way up high near my ribs if I'm hunched over, which is really surprising. I still haven't gained any weight, still vomiting occasionally and cooking sounds like too much work. Our kitchen remodel is going to make me go insane if its not done soon. I have so much stuff to do before Christmas that I could cry just reading the 'to do' list :( My DH is promising that the kitchen countertops will be done and the sink installed (I'm currently washing dishes in the bathtub) by Christmas so we can still host dinner as planned. I'm not done with making Christmas gifts (some of which include baking which will have to be done at my mom's house) and haven't wrapped a single thing. I am so overwhelmed and really, really wishing I didn't procrastinate so much! Well, I better go work on putting all the food back in the pantry so we can actually set up the dining room table...unless I decide that we should just eat Christmas dinner on the sofa in front of the TV :lol