Mothering Forum banner
27K views 538 replies 37 participants last post by  granite 
#1 ·
Welcome queer, pregnant and parenting folks!

This is the late winter/early spring thread, for the months of February and March 2013.

If you want to be added, just post in bold with your due date. Also, if you have recently had your babe(s), please chime in with the name and birth date in bold. If your information is not correct or has changed, please also post in bold so that I can get it corrected!!

Pregnant - due dates:

March 2013

withlittlelungs, EDD 3/15/2013

May 2013

KnittingTigers, EDD 5/2/2013 (twins!)

wishin'&hopin', EDD 5/15/2013

June 2013

PokeyAC, EDD 6/17/2013

Outdoorsy

Cordelia15

easttowest, EDD 6/23/2013

erinTNgirl, EDD 6/23/2013

CocoBird, EDD 6/11/2013

July 2013

Tourneymama, EDD 7/4/2013

August 2013

Carmen 358, EDD 8/7/2013

September 2013

mrsandmrs & Bigfoot, EDD 9/6/2013 (twins!)

esenbee, EDD 9/20/2013

October 2013

Sphinxy, EDD 10/10/2013

November 2013

granite

escher, EDD 11/24/2013

baby.fatty, EDD 11/30/2013

sotohana, EDD 11/25/2013

Graduates

lisedean, Sawyer, Elliott, and Miles, 3/24/2013

Cananny, August, Gage and Finn, 2/24/2013

KateAdele, baby girl, 12/2012

Nosreves, Elio Sol, 12/5/2012 - 12/6/2012
candle.gif


MidwifeStephPDX, Lucie Rain, 10/25/12

Planet, Wylie Blue, born 9/9/2012

DesertSunsets, Everleigh Jane, born 9/1/2012

dandylez, Adair Seamus, born 6/28/2012

KSDoulaMama, surro-babe, born 6/27/2012

SwtRainbowBrite, Riley Sophia, born 6/25/2012

PleasantlyFurious, Zoe Aurora, born 6/22/2012

SmilingSara & Seraf, Soren Dare, born 5/2/2012

PrettyIsa, Edith Josephine, born 4/18/2012

Ad Astra, boy/girl twins, born 4/11/2012

Onemommyonemama, Sage S., born 3/21/2012

Qmama42, baby girl, born 1/18/2012

Indigo and DP, baby girl A, born 1/8/2012
CrystalPerez, Cohen Anthony Perez born 12/12/11

glassesgirlnj, Annamaria Sigyn Estelle, born 11/28/11
Mami2mami, Layla Janae born 11/22/11
DAWNMP1, Raya Sylvan, born 11/10/11
2ezforyou, Jagger Stone, born 11/2/11
Seraf and SmilingSara: Shay Brock, born 11/1/11
Escher: Son, born 10/24/11
Julietea8: Rowan Kathryn, born 10/16/11
Starling&Diesel: Hawksley Solace, born 10/2/11
AmyPDX: Alexander Cole, born 8/7/11
AmandaHope: Lilah Nyx, born 7/24/11
Pigirl: Son, born 7/22/11
Mizyellow: Harrison, born 7/20/11
Painefaria: Keegan, born 5/23/11
Cejae: Emmerson and Parker, born 5/22/11
Imogenlily: Soloman Dov, born 5/3/11
2HappyMamas: Baby, born 4/16/11
Bttrflygypsy: Elliot Graham, born 4/15/11
LibraryLady: Alice Meredith, born 4/8/11
Wehrli & jenmostoften: Silas Scott, born 4/4/11
Gumshoegirl007: Addison Alexis Réal, born 3/24/11
Beastie: Esther, born 3/13/11
Burg: Reed Kylie, born 2/05/11
Korey: Baby girl T, born 1/30/11
Coco99: Chloe and Charlie, born 1/30/11
Abeecharmer: Twin girls, born 1/10/11
Mtnlisa: Josie Anne, born 12/18/10
Kimlyn32: Kacey Elaine, born 12/13/10
Erthe_mama & fsonj: Vida, born 11/23/10
Monarchgrrl: Sophia Elizabeth, born 11/2/10
Quasar & Smartycat: Charles Jeffery, born 10/29/10
Mistral: Olivia Grace, born 10/18/10
Lyndzies: Cadence James, born 10/15/10
FTMPapa: Elise Ember Soliel, born 10/3/10
Megan_sacha: Zivia Littlewood, born 8/23/10
Mpkgoddess: Catherine Margaret (Cate), born 8/18/10
Osker & H: daughter, born 8/11/10
Jjnoho: Sam, born 7/8/10
Megincl & Ktcl: Wylie Grace, born 7/4/10
Ksdoulamama: Grace Elizabeth, born 5/17/10
Pleasantlyfurious: Leo Sebastian, born 5/16/10
Kelly: Asa Brent, born 4/29/10
Wishin'&hopin': Henry, born 4/10
Indigoscot: son, born 1/24/10
Kjm: Kale, born 1/12/10
Carmen358: Skylar, born 12/30/09
Kelmendi: Simon, born 12/23/09
Babyfatty: Henry Earl, born 12/9/09
Beth: Hazel, born 11/19/09
Scalpel: Nathan Fisher & Maxwell Edward, born 11/3/09
Denny_Zoo29: Dekaylee May Katherine Bond, born 10/29/09.
Jodybird511: Asher, born 10/9/09
Wazzmum: Tate, born 9/15/09
Raene & River: Cedar, born 8/30/09
DM630: Amelia, born 8/14/09
Ninefirefly: daughter, born 7/31/09
Serenekitten: Asher, born 7/21/09
QTRANDI: Rudy, born 7/7/09
JennM1021: Alexander, born 6/29/09
Lexbeach & Lena: Leo, born 6/26/09
Heart-N-Bones: Ella Grace, born 4/22/09
Quasar & Smartycat: Raymond Joseph, born 4/5/09
Pranava: Zion, born 3/24/09
Giggleblue: "A", born 3/16/09
Pigirl: Baby, born 1/30/09
Starling and Diesel: Esme, born 1/30/09
2happymamas: Colette (Coco), born 1/5/09
Simcon: G, born 12/28/08
MujerMamaMismo: Sebastian Felix, born 12/21/08
Tigermiep & M: Anders Xavier, born 12/11/08
JenInMpls & Jo: E.W., born 10/24/08
Becca: Phoebe Joy, born 10/9/08
Scalpel & Darcie: Alexis Jean, born 8/29/08
Venustx: Levi, Sage, and Jillian, born 8/12/08
AngelaM: Ocean Rae, born 8/10/08
Mamimapster: Jocheved (Julia) Hadassah Bat Sara V' Miriam, born 7/15/08
Kk_davey: Grier, born 7/7/08
MollyKenzie: Lucy & Edie, born 6/18/08
Rightkindofme: Shanna Francesca, born 5/24/08
TheGirls: Alexandra Kathryn Stay, born on 5/12/08
Thismama: Zelda, born 5/6/08
Mamastotwo: son & daughter, born 5/2/08
Msjodi: Delaney Cait, born 5/1/08
Jentina & Sarah: Ellis Thomas, born 2/20/08
NZmumof2 & Leah: Florence, born 1/23/08

Recovering from Losses, Held in Our Hearts
candle.gif


MaxK

NZmumof2

TineyDreams

Carmen

Alphahen

Baby.fatty
Kgulbransen
Fivegrandbaby

[NOTE: Any EDDs over a month old without a birth announcement will be deleted.]
 
See less See more
2
#427 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by prettyisa View Post

AFM-so, DP has decided to start conversations about when we're going to start trying for another baby. It's all a little overwhelming. My plan had always been to wait until Edie was at least a year old, so I wasn't expecting it, but with two cousins both expecting at the same time I guess it's been on her mind. She wants to do an ICI round before we go back to do IVF again, just to see what happens. I think we'll do it, since she's so enthusiastic about the idea, but I'm finding the whole thing a little overwhelming. It won't be until July, anyway, but with a whole house renovation to be done between then and now it feels like that's basically next weekend as far as I'm concerned. So, trying not to freak out too much.
Whoa!! That's incredibly exciting, and also overwhelming, for sure. Who will be carrying this time around? I'm thrilled about all the Chicago area queer mama babies to come in the next year or two. And as for the sleeping thing, I completely understand about missing her at night. I would, too! She is such a love.

Cananny: Congrats on Finn's imminent arrival home! Hope his brothers follow suit shortly. How are you doing? How are you adjusting to the idea of having them all to yourself? How's the milk situation?

AFU: Though I hate to jinx myself by saying it, night weaning is going shockingly well. Even with a milk cold, Lilah didn't cry at all last night. Each time I tell her "milkies are sleeping," she just rolls over, snuggles into me, flops around a bit to get comfy, and goes back to sleep. I can hardly believe it. A week ago, I would never have believed it. The resilience and adaptability of young children is mind boggling.
 
#430 ·
Cananny, love the pictures. They are so dear. It's so exciting that Finn will be home soon!

Welcome, cocobird!

Isa, wow that is exciting, and overwhelming! The idea of more than one baby overwhelms me, too! :)

Amanda, I've been following yr adventures in night weaning closely. I imagine we'll eventually be in yr shoes and it won't be easy! W loves his night nursing...

The dreaded time has come...W has almost outgrown the magical rock n play. We have no idea where to lay him down for a nap now!? The rocking helps him so much. Dang. Just has his 6 month check up and his lovely ped recommended sleep training. I told her w weren't going to consider it at this time.she was understanding but had no other helpful solutions for our night issues. I felt so overwhelmed and frustrated, like it has to be either all or nothing! Gah!
 
#431 ·
Thanks Pokey :) My wife and I are very excited!! We already have two girls--10 and 15, who she had prior to our being together. I've been part of the family for four years. While the girls are my girls now, this is my first BABY.
smile.gif


We are having a little girl, the due date is June 11. I am pretty sure we decided on the first name Amadora. The middle name is still up in the air! For the most part, I've been enjoying pregnancy very much! I love feeling her move around everyday--gets the hiccups almost everyday now, too! I'm overwhelmed with love for this little being. A bit earlier in my pregnancy, my ten year old daughter got something called fifths disease, or parvovirus B19. It is a very common rash that kids get, and not harmful to them or almost anyone....except fetuses. I got tested and it turns out I did get fifths disease from her (about half adults are immune, but not me). Sometimes the baby can get fifths from the mama, and usually the baby is still okay. Sometimes, though, babies develop anemia, and if this gets severe enough, may need a blood transfusion. SO, we have been having an ultrasound every week since week 23 and will continue to until week 33. So far, she is healthy, and this has just meant extra ultrasound pictures for us! The last two weeks her blood flow has sped up a bit (if it keeps speeding up that would show that she is becoming anemic) but a lot of babies who get parvo have this go back to normal before they become anemic. So that is what we are hoping for. I've been a bit worried lately but trying not to be too worried, and more excited and happy and focusing on her health. I've been lighting a candle for her and praying for her in my way as well.
stillheart.gif
 
#433 ·
joy.gif
cananny!!! i am so excited for Finn to sleep in his own home!! congratulations!! i am sure his brothers will be joining him soon.
joy.gif


welcome coco!

i think i know 5 people who are nightweaning right now. it's weird how those things go in waves. one of my friends just sent me an email that the first week was so horrible but now everything is great! the resilience of kids (and parents) is amazing.

i would be stoked about a bellingham meet-up. my passport recently expired so i would need time to renew it if the meet-up were on the other side. we're in oly.

planet - do they make bigger magic seats? or ... maybe a car seat on a vibrating washing machine?

we're 15 weeks now! whoo! we started meeting doulas around town. i was worried i wouldn't connect with anyone and we would end up doula-less, but i really liked the first one we met, so i am hopeful that we'll find a good match. we even found a couple who have attended twin births, which is important to me. i know all births are different special snowflakes, but there's something reassuring about someone having seen that before and all the accompanying medical issues. i get the impression that we are really "interesting" clients, since we're queer, having twins, my wife is inducing lactation, and so on.
 
#436 ·
Cananny, I'm so happy for you and DP having little Finn at home! I hope the others soon follow... Absolutely loving the photos, thanks for sharing.

Wow, prettyisa, no kidding, having that conversation so soon would overwhelm me too! Though I guess it's also a good sign, that she's stoked on your new lives as parents, right? I wasn't around here when you were first TTC, so am wondering: Why only one ICI then straight to IVF, instead of trying IUI?

Glad to hear night weaning has been so successful, AmandaHope... I'm sure it's a big relief for you.

Welcome.gif
Cocobird! FX for your babe with the anemia situation... I like your positive attitude, and hope for the best.

Oh no, planet, losing W's preferred sleeping spot sounds tough! How about a hammock-type thing? Wouldn't take up the space that a crib would, though you'd need either a big stand for it or to put holes in the ceiling/walls, which may not work if you're renting. Or a doorway clamp-mount? IDK... Also, I guess there's the cost... I just looked them up right now and all seem pretty pricey, more than I was expecting... Good luck!

Yay for 15 weeks, mrsandmrs! Nausea showing any sign of letting up? Yes, I would guess that a doula would indeed see your situation as "interesting", LOL... What made you like the first doula?

Hurrah, Escher! Welcome back! Will you be joining the November DDC? I've looked at it a few times, but not participated yet... Still trying to gauge if it's my cup of tea or not...

seraf, I love your enthusiasm for the November birthdays!

AFM: Someone posted on here ages ago about being pregnant and feeling nauseous and getting really into bagels w/cream cheese...? Anyway, that's me right now! Every construction site I work at (my job sees me move around almost every day) is close to either a Timmy's or a Bucky's or some cafe where my salvation lies: BagelLove4Evah!!! Considering I was nearly gluten-free until pregnancy, this is a big change, LOL. I'm rolling with it.

Hmmmmm, hard to say where to have a PNW meet up... Not my island, that's for sure, cuz ferries are a hassle and I wouldn't want to subject anyone to that. Bellingham is great location-wise! Anyone here live there or know it well? Should we think about when Pride is in various places, and look at gathering then? I know Vancouver has their Pride on the August long weekend...
 
#437 ·
Quick post on my phone...

Granite, that was (and still is) me - bagels and cream cheese kick ass! I too was very limited on the gluten/wheat products pre-pregnancy, but now I'm loving it. Though over the last week my love of roast potatoes and/or french fries may be even stronger. Either way, it's a carb-fest over here!

Congrats, Cananny! And thanks for the pics. SO CUTE.

Welcome, Coco!!

Do I dare say it? I think I'm getting some of my energy back. I did nap twice today, but they were brief and I got some chores done - big victory! Going offline for a week. DW and I are headed out on our final pre-baby vacation tomorrow. I SO need this!!!
 
#438 ·
Hi Everyone,

Sphinxy: Hooray for more energy! I hope you have a great vacation!

Granite: I haven't decided if I'll get very involved with the November DDC. With our son, I sort of tried to be part of both the October and the November clubs (he was due October 27 and I was convinced he was going to come late), and it ended up just being too much and I wasn't really involved in either group. I know some people here (Seraf? Starling?) have been more involved in DDCs and have found them useful, so maybe I'll try it again this time. When are you due? It must be early November?

Seraf: I thought you would like that due date.
orngbiggrin.gif
5% chance she/he will actually show up that day!

MrsandMrs & Bigfoot: Congratulations on 15 weeks! I'm glad that you're finding some good possible doulas.

Welcome, Coco! I'll keep my fingers crossed that your little one continues to be delightfully healthy. Amadora is a beautiful name.

Planet: It's so annoying that peds almost always don't have any suggestions for sleep other than sleep training. I hope you figure out another (rocking?) solution soon!

Amandahope: I've been following your night-weaning story closely, since it is something we regularly consider. I'm glad to hear that it seems to be getting easier!

Isa: I remember how crazy it felt to start thinking about a second child. It still feels a little bit crazy (we already HAVE a baby!), but now that our little guy is 16 months it feels much more doable. I'm glad now that we started charting when it still felt totally insane, since if we had waited I think that would have pushed us later than we really wanted to be. Good luck with getting started with thinking through all that!

Cananny: Congratulations! What beautiful babies you have.

AFM: My wife is going in for the second beta tomorrow, so I have my fingers very firmly crossed that we'll see appropriate doubling.
fingersx.gif
 
#439 ·
Cananny ... Those babies are magnificent. And so are you to have brought them here safe and sound!

Planet ... How about a hammock? I've seen *gorgeous* ones that can be used for quite some time. This is the one I've seen most often. If we had the cash and a good place to put it, I would've had one from the get go! That, and a bakfiets bike. Sigh. My two top dream items. Haven't scored either one. Travel always gets our money first, so not really complaining.

Coco ... That is worrisome about the fifths disease. My daughter had it when I was pregnant with my son, but all was well. Congratulations about your baby girl! A house full of women! Grand!

escher ... That's so exciting!!! Congratulations!!! As for DDC, I'm still in touch with a handful of folks from E's DDC, but not at all with any from H's. I think I was more attached to E's DDC because we lived very rurally and it was my first pregnancy. With H, I couldn't be bothered. I still was involved during my pregnancy with H, and liked connecting with other folks who were going through their pregnancies at the same time, but I didn't bond meaningfully with anyone there outside of our common factor of being pregnant, which is bond enough to enjoy a DDC. It depends on the tone of the DDC too ... if you have a bunch of homophobes, not so much fun. If you've got a bunch of smart, funky, crunchy peeps, right on!

PNW meet-up ... I'm in! I'm always roadtripping with the kids, so I'm happy to roadtrip in the direction of a meet-up. Especially if there is a nice state park nearby that we can park ourselves at for a few nights.

AFU: Our plans to adopt our neighbour's foster daughter have been tanked. We jumped through as many hoops as we could and then finally got a meeting with a permanent placement social worker. They won't give her to us for a number of reasons. Lots of "perfectly good" and vetted people are already waiting. We can't complete the mandated MCFD education component in time, even though we are willing to pay for it privately, as well as the homestudy. Those I could've pushed and cajolled about, but ultimately, the have a policy not to "twin" children. As in, they won't place her with us because she is the same age as H. Such a shitty system. She and H are awesome together, and I understand the concerns (comparison, favouritism, etc) but I know that we'd be the best place for her anyway. There is no way around that one. It's so sad to me to think that we've known and loved her since birth, but MCFD will place her with "nice waiting people" before letting her become a member of a kick-ass family who would go to the ends of the earth for her. Also, her specific worker doesn't like us because we've been so vocal (diplomatically so, but still loud) about our intentions. And she's the one who gets to decide. Sigh.

We've been approved to do respite for her, so we're hoping that we can still be a part of her life that way, and continue to do respite for her after she's been placed.
 
#441 ·
Starling, I'm sorry the system is set up in a way to prevent her adoption by you. That sounds very sad.

Escher, that's a better chance than odds of pregnancy on a given cycle, so I'll take it. A Sagittarius and a Scorpio. Good times will be had by all.

Sphinxy, mmmmm bagels.
 
#442 ·
Starling, that just blows. I'm really sad and angry on your behalf, and the child's.

Escher, congrats and welcome!

Bagels and cream cheese. That was my whole first trimester. You do what you gotta do. I learned from this experience that the only two decent NY style bagel shops in my (smallish southern) town are located next to the Jewish synagogue and the Unitarian church. Totally cracked me up. I know how to find my people now. (And yes, I am clearly a northeasterner in exile.)

All is well here. I'm rocking along at 33.5 weeks. Kind of crazy to think they could be here in a couple weeks! We're feeling reasonably ready. We've got tons of cloth diapers, buttloads of herbs and meds to help with breastfeeding, the co-sleeper set up, and a dresser from Ikea assembled and full of baby clothes. Things we still need to do are install the car seats (I've been reluctant to give up the whole back seat of our Accord, but it's time), file our taxes, and tour the hospital. At our last ultrasound baby A was headdown, and B was sideways, but with her head lower than her butt. As long as they stay that way, I can deliver in an L&D room, rather than the OR, so fingers crossed. The hospital is 40 minutes from our house, but there's a hotel right next door to it with rooms that have jacuzzis. We're thinking of checking in there when labor starts, and then heading over to the hospital at the last minute, so that I can labor in peace (and in a jacuzzi). Does this sound crazy? When DD was born, I stayed home til I felt like I needed to push, then went to the hospital. She was born an hour later. I hate hospitals and think that trying to get through labor in one is going to seriously stress me out.

No other big news. My mother arrives in 10 days for the next four or five months. I'm excited about the extra help, but a little stressed about having another large personality in our relatively small house.
 
#443 ·
Welcome Cocobird and welcome back Escher!!!

Sphinxy--glad to hear the fatigue is lifting!

Granite--add me to the list of folk who could only stomach bagels and cream cheese during the first trimester, and it HAD to be everything bagels (for DW it was peanut butter toast).

Planet--our DS was a CRAPPY sleeper, we tried everything, but I think ultimately what happened was we didn't stick it out with anything long enough. We DID swaddle for longer than 6 months (altho' I don't remember when that changed, I think when he started crawling) and then we used sleep sacks. For the brief while we tried co-sleeping (it didn't work for him) he went down for naps on our bed (a very high and probably wildly dangerous bed) but since he would only nap attached to a nipple at that point (my nipple to be precise) it was pretty much supervised. Sounds like you'll continue to practice "smile and nod" when given advice that doesn't jive with yours. (DW is a doc and has people ask parenting questions all the time, sometimes I wonder if there is a board somewhere with folk discussing the bad advice she's given about how to find resources for safe co-sleeping and why topping off with formula when there is not medical indication--as in, the baby is growing/gaining/pooping/peeing fine--may torpedo breastfeeding). Doctors are people too, and parenting is NOT covered in medical school, so I think MOST doctors are operating out of their own parenting experiences (their own or others) when they offer suggestions (I think that's the case not just for doc's but for all the folk with the slew of letters behind their names).

Starling--So sorry to hear that your families adoption hopes were squished, I hope that you do manage to keep a connection to the baby.
hug2.gif


I've always loved the aesthetic of the hammock, does anyone here actually have/use one? Because of DS's sleep issues (up every hour and a half most of his first 14 months) we're trying to set it up so that we have consistent sleep expectations from the get go. But, since DS2 will be a second with a busy big brother, I think many (probably too many) of his naps will take place in carriers (we walk a LOT, especially in nice weather).

AFUs ;) We are cruising along at 32 weeks, DW looks like she literally has a basketball under her dresses...dresses because her back has been so bad that pants are WAY too uncomfortable and the belly bands in them were giving her contact irritation rashes. We are both suspecting that this baby will be bigger at birth than average, but holding onto "your baby will be the right size for your body". Speaking of which, LOVED the hypnobirthing class. It just ended and I feel like it gave me lots to offer DW as the "supporting mom" during birth. And, the instructor/materials were WAY less heteronormative than the Bradley class we took for DS (the Bradley class was a very negative experience for a variety of reasons). So, I recommend (I found the book less helpful than the class) taking a class for folks who can swing it--and even tho' we had to get/pay for a sitter to go, it really did mean that we got 5 weeks worth of date nights! Our hospital tour is this week and I'm looking forward to it too.

DS, will be three (!) next month. He is adorable and sweet and really just delights me most of the time. The rest of the time he makes me want to scream, mostly when he's being clingy or hyper sensitive--he asks multiple times a day if we are happy, if the answer is anything but "yes, we are happy" he tantrums and completely freaks out (and, looks heartbroken!). Anyone have suggestions for how to deal with that one? We are trying to get him to observe ways to know if someone is happy, we talk about all feelings being okay, we use the book "How Are You Peeling, Foods With Moods" to talk about feelings...but this concern with happiness is really hard to cope with for me. Of course, it's also incredibly sweet when his response to the question "what things make you happy?" is "mama".
 
#444 ·
isa: wow, that is a quick turn around! I'm sure you don't need to be told this but don't rush into anything if you don't feel completely ready :)

Welcome and congratulations, Cocobird!

starling, I'm so sorry to hear your adoption won't be going through...I was excited for your family. I can understand the "waiting families" thing (and the "twin" thing to some extent") but of course if a child already has an existing relationship with a family as amazing as yours I think that should trump things. Big hugs to you.

Knitting, I can't believe you are so close! It seems to have gone by so quickly! I think it's completely awesome that you plan on delivering these babies with what seems like a ton of confidence and bravery...it will be amazing! If the hospital is right across the street from the hotel I don't see a problem labouring there until you are ready. Will you have doula or midwife with you?

wishin: DD sometimes asks me if I'm happy. Usually when I'm upset or angry about something. It's recently changed to "are you happy with me?"...I've always suspected that she's really asking if I'm mad at her or if I'm upset because of her. I always make sure to let her know I love her and that I am happy no matter what...but that I can be upset or angry and still be happy with her. I don't know if that makes sense when I write it out on here lol I worry that she takes on others emotions...especially mine. I think it's just part of her personality.

Afm: I feel like baby has had a big growth spurt or something...my fundus is suddenly well above my belly button. And yesterday when I was laying down I could *almost* feel movement from the outside once or twice. I can't wait for DP and DD to be able to feel the kicks :) My anatomy scan is next week and DP has to work now so I'm trying to figure out the best thing to do with DD. I wanted her to be able to come but DP thinks it could be scary and is a bad idea in case something is wrong in the scan :( However, I don't have anyone to ask to come along and be with her if needed...nor do I have anyone to watch her while I go! I may have no choice but to suck it up and just put on a brave face if something is wrong...and bring her along with me.
 
#445 ·
Hi Coco! I love Amadora-we had thought pretty seriously about Isadora (since my real name isn't Isa, but it has some sentimental value to me) but ended up with Edith instead. Still, I think it's so pretty! I hope that things continue to go well and that you have no cause to worry any further!

MrsandMrs-Interesting, for sure! I'm glad you are finding people that you think will be good additions to your birth team!

Escher-Yay!! Congratulations! How exciting! My sister's birthday is the 22nd-I always thought it was a nice time of year for a birthday.
smile.gif


Granite-A good question! Last time we did IUIs, then medicated and monitored IUIs, then IVF. My insurance is pretty awesome and will start us right at IVF for future babies, since there's demonstrated history of needing to use it to get pregnant. DP wants to spare us the time and pain of going through another egg retrieval and transfer, and would really like me to just get pregnant more 'naturally'. I'm open to trying once at home, just to see what happens, but I really don't want to go through months and months of variously complicated procedures just to end up back at IVF again, especially considering the costs involved and the fear of running through our little stockpile of donor sperm (since we would prefer to try and use the same donor for all kids). I am at the point where if we're going to involve a doctor I want to just go all in and hope that what worked last time will work this time. Of course if an ICI at home worked on the first try, I'd be thrilled! Also, I still haven't kicked the bagel habit from pregnancy. It's just sooo gooey and perfect.

Sphinxy-Oo! I hope you guys have fun!

Oh, Starling. What a disappointment, and what a crappy system. I'm so sorry to hear that you won't be getting to adopt that little girl. Hugs to you.

Knitting-I would TOTALLY go hang out in the Jacuzzi until the last minute. That sounds perfect-nice and close but also private and unmedicated. Ideal. Also, I wish you lots of strength for that long with your mom around. I'm sure she's going to be phenomenally helpful, but it would be a total triumph for me to make it that long with my mom in my house without losing it.

Wishin-oh, that is so sweet! And I have no idea what would help. Can you help him learn what things might mean you are unhappy, so he can look for the negative signs and just kind of assume that everything is good unless you've got some kind of warning? Good luck! Also, your poor DP! I hope she likes dresses! That's still a ways to go…We found the hypnobirthing cd that our instructor gave us really soothing-once in a while DP asks if we can listen to it before bed, since we are always both knocked out within the first two minutes.
smile.gif
 
#446 ·
carmen--crosspost! Would the nurses be able to watch her for a minute or two while you get started and make sure that everything is ok before sending her in? I think it would be amazing for her to see her little sibling's u/s!
 
#447 ·
Congratulations, ESCHER! Wow! So exciting. Fingers crossed for an easy, healthy pregnancy for your DP.

Welcome to Coco, too!

Sphinxy: really glad that you are getting some energy back. What a relief!

Starling: That is just heartbreaking. The child's best possible welfare and outcome should be the guiding criteria, not bureaucracy and rules. I get the reasons for having policies like not "twinning," but the specific context matters a great deal, and it is tragic that the worker won't consider your situation fully. I'm so sorry...for all of you.

Knitting: WOW so close! I love the idea of laboring at the hotel with the jacuzzi. Minus the jacuzzi, that's what we did (though we hadn't planned to...). I had active labor and transition in about 90 minutes of time at a hotel that was 5 min from the hospital. In your case, I'd say try to get to the hospital before the (first) baby is crowning, though. Ugh. I can only imagine how upset the ER staff would be if the first baby of twins is about to hit the lobby floor. It was crazy enough for me with one. Anyway, best best wishes for your mom's visit and all of the transitions to come.

AFU: Night weaning is...over. Amazing. She now wakes up, but I tell her "milkies are sleeping," and she rolls over, cuddles against me, and goes back to sleep. I can't believe it still. Yesterday, I took her to my doula's office to pick up a few more cloth diapers (of the one of only two brands that still fits her and doesn't leak--Thirsties and Blueberry pockets, in case anyone is interested), and she was finishing up a birth class and asked if I'd tell Lilah's birth story. It was kind of intense to try to tell, especially with Lilah running around and protesting. The downside of her being so verbal is that can tell everyone in the room very clearly that she has no interest in hanging out with them. We walked in, and she called out clear as day, "NO PEOPLE. BYE BYE PEOPLE." So I made it as short as I could and tried to entertain her with an exercise ball. It was just so funny, all of these first-time parents with their beautiful bellies, holding hands with partners, sitting in yogic positions all peacefully on the floor, and me scrambling around after Lilah telling this chaotic birth story about racing into the ER.... That's just how life feels right now--hugely chaotic--but also wonderfully full. I do hope that you first-time expecting folks enjoy the peace and quiet, though :).
 
#449 ·
Hi Everyone,

Starling: I'm sorry. How disappointing.

Carmen: That sounds like a hard situation with needing to take your daughter to the ultrasound. Hopefully everything will be just fine and it will be a joyful and calm scan, but I definitely understand not being sure about that. I remember going to the 20-week scan for our son and thinking on the way there about who I would need to call first if there wasn't a heartbeat. I agree that we (my wife) got pregnant insanely quickly this time (second IUI, first well-timed one). It seems crazy that it is possible that such few insems might really produce a baby.

AmandaHope: I am so impressed that night-weaning is over! Way to go!

Wishin: It's interesting to hear that you found the hypobirthing class. My wife and I have been discussing what kind of birth class we should do this time around, We had a good experience with Bradley for our son's birth (but I think it was the teacher, not the Bradley program, that made it good), but it seems like too much to do that again, even though we will be in different roles this time. Your DS sounds sweet, but I can definitely understand the challenges of him wanting you to be happy all the time. Good luck figuring out what, if anything, to do about that.

KnittingTigers: It sounds like you are impressively ready! I think your idea of spending most of labor in a hotel is brilliant.

AFM: Waiting for beta results. Trying not to worry.
 
#450 ·
Tiger, second labors can be insanely fast. If I had started for the hospital when I realized I was pushing, A would have been born on the front sidewalk. And of course, S was born in the car less than 2 minutes from the house (longer run up labor, but he was nearly 2 pounds heavier). I guess I'm saying, if you want a hospital birth, make sure you leave early enough.

Escher, hopefully you've got a good news beta by now!

Carmen, you've made it this far, the ultrasound will be a huge relief. Sara took S to many ultrasounds while I was working. The nurses were disappointed when I came because they didn't get to play with S. when she was sent to the hospital for observation at one point, the L&D nurses played with S until my mom got there to take over. Your DD may be cool to just look at books if she comes along. Maybe play I spy with the magazines?

Wishin, no real ideas. How is his communication these days?

Nothing really going on here. The boys are a whirlwind of destruction these days.
 
#451 ·
Huh, Seraf. Food for thought. I do not want to deliver twins in a hotel or on the sidewalk or in the lobby of the ER. I also do not want to spend hours laboring in the hospital, getting poked and prodded and fighting off interventions. I guess we'll have to play it by ear, and see how things feel when the time comes.

I went back to work today after working from home for most of last week (spring break). Kind of sucked. My goal is to make it through the end of next week, and then transition to working from home til the babies come. Hoping I last that long. By the end of today my feet and ankles were huge, and I felt totally wiped. Not good. My gigantic Crocs (bought two sizes large just for this pregnancy) weren't fitting by mid-day. Yikes.

Carmen, we had to take DD to our first scan this time around (during which I was terrified of seeing an empty sac). We broke with our normal parenting protocol and let her watch a PBS show on my phone, wearing headphones. She didn't even notice the scan, or DP practically passing out when the doctor said "twins!". Whatever you do, I hope it goes well, and that there's good news!

Escher, thinking of you and your beta. Fingers crossed!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top