Sept05Moms: Welcome Fiona, Baby B, Aimee, Lauren, Jed, Lily, Crow's baby & Kaito!!!

[dbers]

Sorry to disappoint kids.. It's nearly 1am and I'm home. Contractions were regular (about 2 minutes apart), but I'm still only 2 cm dialated. They had me walk around for an hour, and no change..except the contractions became much more painful!! So, the doctor on call (who wasn't very nice BTW) - said we should go home and call when the pain is "unbearable".. nice, right? Anyhow - we live 10 blocks from the hospital so it's not a huge deal. As we were walking out there was another pregnant woman walking in - obviously in labor - and she had the most pained look on her face. We decided when I have that look on my face, we'll go back. It's frustrating, but all the nurses kept saying if they admitted me tonight, we'd have a really long labor, and it's better to be at home. So - could go back tonight.. or not. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 11am - wonder if I'll make it to that? Thanks for all the well wishes - I'm hoping this is "it" and that I just need to wait it out a bit longer. Truthfully I wouldn't have felt comfortable not going in tonight - the contractions were too close together, and painful.. definitely a different feeling than I'd been having.

[Cr8nme]

Hang in there Diane. Hopefully you will be able to get some sleep. Keep us posted!

[BeachBum]

obviously in labor - and she had the most pained look on her face
Hope that you are feeling well this morning. I'm not quite sure if you want this to be it or not?

I just wanted to comment on the above quote. In my Bradley classes we learn about "emotional signposts". These different phases in emotions are supposed to help you to know where you are in labor. Basically if you are still smiling, and you can have some light hearted conversation between contractions you are still in early first stage. When that disappears and you are all business, that is supposedly "late first stage" when they recommend you should go to the hospital.

ETA-I didn't mean this to come off as "know it all". Hope no one took it that way. I just thought it was really interesting that the emotional signposts seemed to have some relevance. It's nice when you read something that does seem to actually apply in real life.

[philnikki]

Diane - Don't worry about disappointing us!! Take it from me, the girl who has been to L&D 4 times now ;) lol Take it easy and get some rest. Hopefully you are just in the early stages and everything will start moving today. I can tell you from the night I spent in the hospital that I really want to labor as much as I can from home before I go in if I happen to go naturally before Monday. Those beds just aren't that comfy ;) lol

Good Luck!!!!

[wildcat]

Dbers - No disappointment here, I'm just excited to see that some of our Sept moms are starting to have contractions and go to L&D and that it may be the real thing!! Good luck laboring at home today and I hope you can get some rest to gear up for the real event that hopefully will happen later today!!

[wildcat]

Here are pics of the gifts from my family baby shower!

All the gifts still in bags and the "big stuff":
http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/Wichita-Baby-Shower/normal_Wichita-Baby-Shower%20031sm.jpg

First set of gifts that were in the bags:
http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/Wichita-Baby-Shower/normal_Wichita-Baby-Shower%20034sm.jpg

Second set of gifts that were in the bags:
http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/Wichita-Baby-Shower/normal_Wichita-Baby-Shower%20037sm.jpg

My mom made this quilt, and I just LOVE it!!
http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/Wichita-Baby-Shower/normal_Wichita-Baby-Shower%20038sm.jpg

And my great aunt (so the baby's great, great aunt!!) made this quilt...it's an "Eye Spy" quilt, she said when the baby is older, you lay on it with them and play "I spy a bunny" and they have to find it! How cute!
http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/Wichita-Baby-Shower/normal_Wichita-Baby-Shower%20039sm.jpg

And my nana (maternal gma) made this blanket bunny!
http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/Wichita-Baby-Shower/normal_Wichita-Baby-Shower%20041sm.jpg

Sorry for so many pics! I just love the homemade stuff, it means so much for the baby to have homemade things from his/her grandma, great-gma and great-great aunt!

[pixiecat]

Diane - oh well, I am glad that you went in too! Hopefully baby comes soon!! Can't wait to hear the good news!

BeachBum - that is very interesting!! Don't worry, you weren't being "know it all" at all! I love that we can share this kind of stuff w/ each other. I know I hadn't thought of that!

Nikki - wow, crazy to know that you are 1 week away (or less!) We'll have more babies here before we know it!

Wildcat - dang, that is a good haul! I especially love the homemade quilts & bunny blankie!

Well ladies, nothing exciting going on here. I have decided to go w/ my doc's "due date" b/c it is earlier than my calculations! Originally I was very adament that they go w/ mine, b/c it is right! (yes, I was a charter!), but now, I'm like "whatever gets baby here earlier is fine with me." Doc will start to induce at 41 weeks, so if his date is earlier than mine, fine :p

I'm so excited, but also stressed about money, getting the house ready, having DH be not around, etc. He is trying to finish all of his projects before the baby comes, but it leaves me alone a lot to stress by myself! I've decided to stop work after 9/16 so that I can have a week or so to get organized.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day! ps. If anyone who is early in the month still needs a labor buddy (thought I saw one a few pages back!) I would be happy to take on another buddy!! Just let me know . :D

[randysmandy]

I went to the OB today. I have gained 7 lbs in one week. My hands, face and feet are swollen and my bloodpressure is slightly high. Therefore.....I may have preclamcia. :confused: I am so scared. I will get the test results back this afternoon (not soon enough). If I test positive and because I am full term (thank god) they will induce me immediately. So here I am at work nervously awaiting the results. So ladies-I may be #2. The good news is that the baby is way down, I am 50% effaced and am a good 1cm dialated. She also thinks Hunter is about 6-6 1/2 lbs.
Please be crossing your fingers for me.

dbers Hang in there girl!
Nikki Ava doesn't know if she wants out or in does she? :) ......I can't believe you only have 6 days left-YAY!
Andrea good to hear your little one has decided to cook a little longer.

Wow we are all having some close calls aren't we? Any day now!!!!!! Sept is right around the corner.

[dbers]

Just got back from the doctor's - contractions have pretty much stopped - I just feel a lot of pressure, and discomfort. My doctor is so nice :) She said - yup - false labor - and that when I really can't talk through a contraction is the time to go in.. she did say that she *thinks* it will be soon, and that the baby will be early! I am still 2 cm dialated (although now a "loose" 2), and about 60% effaced. She said she could feel the head, and the water sack. I definitely feel disappointed - but I know this happens quite often.. Oh - I'm having a contraction right now!! Of course, I know that this may mean NOTHING..

I asked about the wedding this weekend, and pretty much knew that she would say she didn't advise me going. I am so disappointed because this is one of my best friends, I am a bridesmaid, and I really want to be there - but it's at least 1 1/2 hours away from the hospital. She did say that I could disobey her, but that she couldn't, in good conscious, tell me to go. Obviously this wasn't a surprise.. but I will still probably wait a day or two to make a final decision - just because I'd rather be in denial. I either want the baby, or I want to go to the wedding!!! Is that too much to ask???

I'm going to try to sleep now - I only got about 2 hours last night.. Thanks for all the good vibes - it was a false start, but hopefully we'll be going soon!

[dbers]

Randysmandy - Didn't see your post until after I posted mine! I'm sorry about the scare - hopefully it is nothing. I've had so much swelling and weight gain (which has finally stopped).. was there protein in your urine? The important thing is that they figure out what is going on - and if they have to induce you - so be it! I'm glad baby is looking great - please keep us updated!

[wife&wannabemom]

dbers - yeah for the good doctor's appointment...I don't think it's too much to ask for you to either have the baby or go to the wedding this weekend....it's only Tuesday so alot could happen between now and the weekend....sounds like we have a bunch of people really "close"!

Andrea - glad everything is okay.

Big babies - add me to the mix.

Diarrhea - oh yeah, this too...my body is DEFINITELY cleansing itself before labor!

I had my 37 week internal today. 1 cm dilated and my cervix is "thinning out nicely". The doctor didn't say how much effaced but said things could be happening. I'm measuring big so the doc said they'd probably induce me in the 40th week instead of waiting until the 41st week, but we'll see what happens in teh next few weeks. The baby is still very active which the doc said is a good sign he is nice and healthy. I lost 2 lbs since last week but my last appointmetn was in the evening so I was probably retaining more water...my total weight gain so far is 39 lbs :eek:

[AndreaMMS]

Thanks for all the well-wishes! I am still contracting every few minutes, but it's not a consistant amount of time between each one (still between 3-8 minutes), and not really painful. As Nikki said though, it IS exhausting! I'm not thrilled with the possibility of weeks and weeks of this....I'm also convinced that I'm not dehydrated, as they gave me the IV fluids last night and the bellybean is still getting squeezed...it is totally wierd to me that I can have so many contractions and not be dilating!

My doctor is SO wonderful - she called me at home last night to see how I was doing, told me that I did the right thing by calling and going into the hospital, and I shouldn't be shy about calling again if I'm concerned.

In other news, the baby furnature has arrived! They are putting it together right now - I'm so excited! :) I'll post pictures later....

Nikki - I think our girls need a talking to! But you have a definate end date in site - I'm so happy for you!!! Did your doctor tell you anything about why you'd have so much false labor or what causes it?

randysmandy - Wow, I'm sorry to hear about your stressful day! Please keep us updated - I'm thinking about you!

Diane - Oh, man, I'm sorry about having to make the decision about the wedding - I know how badly you want to go....

[cr8zyforaf]

Andrea - glad everything is OK. Can't wait to see pictures of the furniture!

wife&wannabemom - Yeah cervix!! Glad to hear the appointment went well.

dbers - so sorry about the wedding. That really stinks. I don't think the baby or the wedding this weekend is too much to ask - a lot can happen between now and then. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

randysmandy - Fingers are crossed for you...I will be anxiously awaiting your test results!

pixiecat - I am with you on the excited and stressed at the same time - my emotions seem so out of control right now!

wildcat - great pictures - you really made out at your showers and got a ton of really nice stuff. I love the handmade items - how thoughtful!

BeachBum - they also went over the emotions thing in our birthing class - the laughing and joking stops late in the first stage. That is when we should head to the hospital - at least that is what the nurse told us.

Nothing going on here - just hanging out, waiting for something to happen. I do have an increase in discharge - could that mean I am thinning out. I really hope something is happening at my next appointment!

[AndreaMMS]

Wildcat - I forgot to comment on your pictures - I LOVE the home-made stuff you got - that's so special...

cr8zyforaf - I hope that things are happening for you!!!

Here are some photos of the baby's crib and changing table - I adore them!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d637b3127cce93cde28f9b6d00000016108AZOHLFo4ZuK

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d637b3127cce93cde373db0900000016108AZOHLFo4ZuK

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d637b3127cce93cde36e5a2400000015108AZOHLFo4ZuK

There's gonna be a BABY in there!!!!! WHOA!!!!! :eek: :D

[randysmandy]

no test results yet--I am on pins and needles...I think I might call the doctor's office soon.

dbers We must have posted at the same time! I'm glad that your appointment went well and it looks like you are on the same page as the other mommies that are due the first week (including me)

wildcat You got so many nice things...the handmade gifts are always the ones you will cherish forever.

andrea hang in there...maybe your contractions will stop soon. I adore your baby's bedding and crib. He/she is very lucky.

I will keep everyone posted-thank you for the good vibes.

[philnikki]

I will do more SO's later, but I just wanted to let randysmandy know that I am thinking of you!!! I would call the Dr. This is really too big of a deal to just keep you simmering about!!

[PrincessCrappy]

I just got back from the doctor. She was not worried at all about the difference in measurements between the thigh bone and the head. She said the thing they worry about is if there is a huge difference between the tummy and the head. Overall, she said the baby is measuring about 1-1.5 weeks ahead and doing very well. She's a little concerned about the size of the baby (and the fact that if we go to 40 weeks she thinks it will be over 9 lbs). She is recommending an internal check at my 38 week appt and if I am dialated and effaced at all, going ahead with an induction later that week. That's 2 weeks away! If I'm at 0 at my internal, we will just wait things out a little more - she doesn't like forcing an induction on a body that hasn't started doing anything on its own. Of course, all of this is a just in case plan, assuming the baby doesn't get things started on his/her own...

randysmandy - I can't imagine the stress of just waiting for that phone call! I'm sending good thoughts your way!

AndreaMMS - The nursery is BEAUTIFUL!! It sounds like you have a great doctor that is taking excellent care of you!

wife&wannabemom - sorry you're in the "cleansing out" club, too!

diane - I am sorry about the wedding this weekend. Hopefully you'll have a little baby to keep you company this weekend instead!

Wildcat - looks like you scored at your shower! The handmade gifts are so precious!

Hope everyone is having a great day and trying to stay comfortable!

[randysmandy]

Looks like all the good vibes I got from all of you really paid off.....my test results are negative!!!

I actually called them and they must have just finished cause the Lab tech had to call back after she talked to my OB. YAY...baby Hunter will be staying in his home til he is good and ready to come out. I'm hoping that's sonner than later. :D

Thanks and take care everyone!

[cr8zyforaf]

Real quick - I am on my way to meet friends for dinner - WOO HOO on the negative test results randysmandy - that is GREAT NEWS!!

PrincessCrappy - wow - 2 weeks - how exciting!

AndreaMMS - that furniture is BEAUTIFUL. I love the striping on the wall - did you guys do that?

[Brink]

Really quick s/o - sorry if I missed anyone.

Randysmandy - great to here about the results.

Princesscrappy - Wow Labor Buddy, maybe two weeks away - I'll be sure to stay on top of my e-mails. Sounds like we are on the same track for that 9 lb baby. Maybe they will tell me next week that they will induce early too. I'm not due until end of September, but waiting four weeks instead of six would be nice.

AndreaMMS - great furniture for the nursery - it's getting exciting.

Well, that's all I have time for today - trying to get a bunch of things done at work and then we have our labor class tonight. We'll see if DH can stay awake this week!

[AlisonCO]

Geez - I miss 3 pages and all of a sudden like 5 of you are almost having your babies:)

AndreaMMS - Your nursery is beautiful - hope the false labor is a sign that things will be happening for you soon!

randysmandy - Yeah for the - test!

dbers - :( about the wedding - hope you have your baby soon!

wildcat - Yeah for a great shower - those quilts are beautiful!

hisdaffodil - I am way late but thanks for your vent - I feel the same way!. My almost two year old is killing me - never a dull moment or even a minute to sit down from 6am to 7pm - my body hurts!

To everyone else who is miserable and contracting and swollen and cramping and "cleansing" and nesting - I am right there with you. I am trying to tell myself that this is all part of my body getting ready to do its thing! Plus you know that if this was our husbands going thru this, the population would be in BIG trouble :D

So I too am having tons of contractions, cramping and stomach issues. Plus today I was in tears because I couldn't find the suitcase I wanted to pack for the hospital. I originally put my stuff in a big shoulder bag but DH said that a suitcase might be better because when you open it, you can see things more easily. So I went out to the garage to look for my son's carry on suitcase that has animals all over it - for some reason I really want to take that suitcase. Eventually I found it and packed it.

I have an appt tomorrow and I am really debating whether or not I want to be checked. It is just such a loaded thing - if you are dilated etc then you think that something will happen and if nothing is happening you get dissapointed that it never will! I walked for 3 weeks at 3cm and 80% last time.

Hope that you all are doing OK - hang in there! We cannot stay pregnant forever ;) ;) ;)

[Cr8nme]

hey ladies~ I have only a minute as I am just getting home and need to eat dinner still.
I have an appointment with a prospective pediatrician. Does anyone know what I should ask?

Sorry can't do shout outs but I am beat from going back to work:(

[philnikki]

Cr8nme - Hey there!! As far as pediatrician questions go, these were the big ones that I asked:

What are your Office Hours??
How do you feel about after hours calls, and who do I call??
Any strong opinions for or against breast feeding??
How do you feel about prescribing antibiotics?

I also noted whether or not the waiting room was kid friendly and how long we waited to meet with him. You will also want to note if there are any specific things that might be worrying you bc they run in the family, etc. For example, diabetes runs pretty predominantly in both mine and DH's family, so we wanted to know what his plan was for making sure we would catch that in Ava early on if she has it.

Anyhoo -- just my two cents!

Also -- I am posting this wherever I can, but one of the August Mommies sarahanna115 had her baby boy Noah today, but he was born with a heart defect that is going to require surgery this week :( PLEASE add them to your prayers!!

AlisonCO - Glad you found your suitcase! I know what you mean about getting checked. Its like your damned if you, damned if you don't, ya know?

randysmandy YEAH for negative results!! You must be so relieved!!!! Little Hunter gets to stay put for a bit longer! :)

PrincessCrappy - Glad you had a good appt. 9 lbs :eek: I am hoping that at my u/s tom. I don't get that news!

diane - Sorry about your wedding plans :( Hopefully they will understand!

Andrea - Your nursery is GORGEOUS!!!

wildcat - I *so* wanted someone to make us a quilt and we didn't get one, so we'll have to keep a store bought one for her. That homemade stuff is just priceless. It's beautiful!! Glad you had such a great shower!!

As for me, tomorrow is my last u/s! It's pretty crazy how quickly things are coming now. I will let you know how big she is projected to be! Well, I need to get off of here and pack Phil's lunch...he is on midnights this week :( Thank god he gets to take 2 weeks annual leave when the baby gets here!

[dbers]

Thanks gals - you all made me feel better! :)

I'm feeling okay today - no contractions - well maybe a couple, but nothing painful.. it's pretty amazing that last night I was in some pretty bad pain and they were coming every 2 minutes...and now...nothing.

I think DH and I have come up with a compromise for the wedding - I know people will think I'm crazy to even consider it - but I am. The plan is we won't drive to CT on Friday for the bridesmaid luncheon, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner.. I hate to miss it - but that would mean we would be staying overnight. Instead, we'll rent a car just for Saturday, and see how I feel Saturday morning. If I'm fine - no contractions, etc... we will plan on going in for the day.. arriving about 12pm for pictures - the ceremony is at 1:30pm, then more pictures, and the reception starts at 5pm. We'll stay for a couple of hours and then drive back to NYC instead of staying at my parent's house, but if anything starts to happen earlier, we'll jump in the car and drive back. It's 1 1/2 hours - and I figure if I'm okay Saturday morning chances are I'll make it through the day. Of course, this will leave my final decision to the last minute, but that's probably the best way to do it. Who knows - maybe I'l have the baby before then - in which case my choice will be made. But this will feel more like going somewhere for the day, rather than a "wedding weekend"..

[jo&sean]

Everything is moving so fast in here!

dbers - sounds like that plan will work for the wedding. Being 1 1/2 hours away doesn't seem too bad.

RandysMandy - So glad those test results were negative!!

Wildcat - you made out like a bandit at your showers! Love all the quilts and stuff.

PrincessCrappy & Brink - 9 lbers?? You guys are my hereos! Those are some big babies!

Andrea - Your nursery furniture is beautfiul!

I know I probably missed some others ...

I am having a lot of contractions but nothing serious - just the "fake" ones I am assuming because there is no pattern to them. It still makes me nervous because DH is out of town during the week and he is 2 hours away...I just hope when I actually go into labor he is home! I am looking forward to my appt on Friday to see what is happening. Which reminds me, I need to get on the ball in regard to a ped. I totally did not put that on my checklist!

[Brink]

dbers - I don't think you are crazy at all. As long as you are feeling good, why not? I am due way after you, but I'm going up to our cabin in a couple of weeks and it's a 3 hour drive away. I also work 1 hour away and do that commute everyday and probably will up until the last. So, 1 hour away for a commute vs. 1 1/2 hours for the wedding doesn't sound that different. Just take it really easy while you are there and hopefully everything will be fine. Plus, they keep reminding us that the labor process is anywhere from 10-14 hours on average, so you have plenty of time to get back. Anyway - just my opinion.

I guess I shouldn't feel bad about my big baby, I guess it could be the other way around. At our labor class tonight there was a woman who is due a week prior to me and her baby is only measuring 3 1/2 lbs right now. She is concerned the opposite direction -

[mittyrd]

I can't believe how close some of you are. I check here first thing every morning to see if anyone's having their baby!! I'm hoping for a quick and painless (as much as possible) labor for everyone.

Everything is looking good here. They boys have started breastfeeding. Slowly but they seem to be getting it. THey are also allowed 2 bottles a day which they do pretty good with. THe doctors are talking about d/c in maybe 2 weeks :eek: if they get the hang of eating without spelling or choking. That will be 4 weeks early if it happens. I'm looking forward to getting some sort of normal life back.

I got back into my regular pants this week :D That was exciting! Now if I could just get my BBs into my regular clothes..........

[cnm]

mittyrd - That's great news. I hope things continue to look up!

AndreaMMS - Another cause of "preterm" contractions can be low potassium. My SIL thought she was in labor around 34 weeks, but they found out her postassium level was low and gave her some in an IV over night, and sent her home. Her ob/gyn switched her to a high potassium prenatal vitamin as well. Maybe some bananas would help, if you can tolerate them (she couldn't.) I'm glad you didn't have the baby before you could get your furniture up. ;)

dbers - Last time I was at my midwives' office, I asked when I should stop travelling (we drive to Vancouver, B.C. once or twice a month and that is 3-1/2 hours away), and she said that really it was a matter of comfort for me, and that I would a) have to figure out what I would want to do if I went into labor in Canada (would I stay there or drive home) and b) I probably wouldn't want to go too far from home when I got really close. Personally, I agree with your plan to see how you feel at the last minute but plan to go to the wedding anyway. I think my depression over not going to one I really wanted to go to would be worse for the kid than the actual travel. (On the other hand, I'm trying to send DH to a wedding on his own in a few weeks since I don't know the friends as well and I don't want to risk the airline not letting me on the plane!)

And now, since I've finally caught up, a few recent topics:

announcements - I love the picture card announcements that some of you guys are choosing. However, I've gotten some feedback on the save the date cards that I sent out for our wedding, that may have me go in a different direction. Along with my STD letter, I included a magnet that we made. I couldn't pick between the two pictures so people either of the following (sorry about the quality - the pictures I scanned don't blow up too well):
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d734b3127cce98edb0ed1d3000000016108BbMWzZs1Z0
or
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d734b3127cce98edb0eb1d3600000016108BbMWzZs1Z0
People still have them on their refrigerators. So I think I might do the same sort of thing for announcements. (The project is really easy since they sell magnetic paper that you can just run through a printer and push out into 8 magnets. The finished magnet is the size of a business card.)

going past due date - In Washington, you can have a birth center birth between 37 and 42 weeks. After 42 weeks, then it would be a hopital induction. So, I wouldn't be induced (unless there was some pressing need) until after October 9th. (So I keep telling myself that is when to expect the baby.)

PITA DH's - My younger brother was a horrid husband when his wife was pregnant. (Granted they had some other issues, but most of it I found inexcusable.) She went into the hospital with a stomach flu when he was 13 hours away at our grandmother's funeral and he just said that she was a "drama queen." Shortly after that, her doctor put her on house arrest (she was allowed to go to work and go home only) due to poor weight gain (she'd gained 3 pounds at 5 months and hadn't had any morning sickness.) This meant that she wouldn't be able to drive/fly to our family's house (13 hours drive away) for Thanksgiving. My brother told her that he had his own family and was going to see them regardless of what she did. (He didn't end up doing that.) But he learned his lesson partway through (he injured his ankle badly enough to go to the hospital and not be able to get off the couch for a few days). He still was a PITA, but when that baby came, he was so wonderful with her. He would worry about every little noise she made. SIL had a csxn and so he learned to change her diapers and get her bottles and do all of that good stuff right at the beginning and doesn't shy away from it. All of that to say, they may be a PITA now, but I bet things change once they see their son/daughter for the first time.

nursing bras - I bought one about 4 weeks ago, when I couldn't stand wearing my interim bras anymore. I wanted to get a Bravado! (which looked like it would grow some with me), but the store was all out of anything even remotely close to my size. So, since I was there, I tried on a bunch of others. My hands down favorite was one by Japanese Weekend. It is the most confusing thing to look at, but is made of a nice soft microfiber that didn't irritate my nipples like all of the other bras did when I was just trying them on. And it doesn't have snaps or clips to open/close. (It does have the hooks at the back.) Instead, you can just pull the cup up/down, which seems like it would be way easier. I still want to go try a Bravado! but I'll get another JW if I don't like it (though I've heard little but praise for Bravado! unless you need a lot of support, which I don't.)

mega M&M's - There is a store locator on their website, so you can find out where to buy them if they are in your area (they aren't in mine):
http://storefinder.mmmars.com/m-ms/mm.htm

prenatal massages - So far, I've had 2 and both were free. There is a massage school in town and the students do free massages for women who go to my midwives' office to get practice. One was at the office and another was part of their one day pregnancy massage certification program. The second was a lot of fun since the 2 women I had were so enthused about seeing and feeling the baby kick and feeling the top of my uterus. Personally, I know that they are very careful with the draping and only expose what they need to (and often masssage your butt through a sheet anyway) so I take it all off. No holes in their tables, but instead you lie on your side with your bottom leg straight and your top leg bent and resting on about 3 pillows to keep it even with you hip. And at the last one, they had a big wedge that had you sit up at about a 45 degree angle with pillows to support your head.

On Monday, I finally scheduled 2 interviews with peds. Hopefully, I'll like one of them (one was recommended by the midwives and another I found online.) We have one interview on Friday and another next Wednesday. I also got DH to go shopping with me to look for a glider (a lot late I know.) We managed to stumble into USA Baby's "Once a Trimester" sale, so we saved $40 on the glider we picked sans ottoman (we figure we can buy it later if we think we want it.) So, that will be ready for pick up in 8-12 weeks... (DH kept saying, "But you know it probably won't be here in time." And I kept telling him that I knew that when we started shopping, but that I just wanted one we'd like.) We're getting a Dutailier with a blue woven cushion in a color very close to the pecan crib that we already have.

We also made a stop at Lowe's for weed wacker line (DH went through most of it the week before slicing the lawn), a sprinkler and a wheelbarrow. (We had a wooden half barrel in the front yard that came with the house. It was a little decrepit but still worked. Our previous neighbors had a yard sale and a lady who'd gone to their sale ran the barrel over destroying it and then drove off. :mad: So, DH is going to use the wheelbarrow to move the pile of dirt.) We also got a can of "knock down" which is the wall texture we have so I could experiment and see if I could do something close to what is on the rest of our wall in the baby room. (The previous owners had a border up, which they took down when they moved. Apparently, they'd sanded the texture off of the wall where the border was. I kept looking for a 10" border and found that it was hard to find one that would be big enough and that I liked and that it is expensive.) So, yesterday, I bought two big cans and did one coat, and am going to do another coat shortly so I can do the second coat of paint tomorrow and be done!

Minor gripe: we live next door to an elementary school, but are on the back side, so we don't get bus or drop-off traffic. (The street ends where the field begins.) However, most people don't seem to like to walk around to the back to their kids' t-ball, softball, soccer, etc. practice, so we have lots of cars on the street. We've also had some problems with local delinquents leaving their beer containers and other garbage in our bushes. Now it appears that the local high school cheerleaders (their school is just a few blocks way) are using the field for their practices. One day, I counted nine cars parked 3 wide in front of our house, filling the street. Yesterday, when I was trying to go to my exercise class (and was already leaving late), one of the girls had parked her car directly in front of our drive way, leaving no way for me to get out (aside from driving over our lawn and off the curb.) So, I walked over there and asked who owned the blue Corolla and asked her to move it. And as she was moving, another cheerleader pulled up to park! I was just happy that they'd be gone by the time that I got back! Hopefully, they'll practice at their own school once school starts again (September 1st.) I'm not looking forward to hearing the school bells every hour all day again, though. (Minor annoyance, I know. I just hope it doesn't teach the kidlet to sleep through alarm clocks. ;) )

I'd better get to knocking down now.

[Cr8nme]

Have an appointment today for my weekly check-up. Probably not going to get an internal today so probably won't know if I have progressed :(
My grandparents are coming today which I am kinda dreading... I don't mean to sound ungrateful for them to come but I think it may be hard because my grandmother has had some illnesses in which she needs some care. I hardly have the energy anymore.

dbers ~ I think having a plan is better than nothing. If you are feeling good then go for it!

RandysMandy ~ Glad those test results were negative!!

Wildcat ~ Love all the quilts! You received a lot of nice stuff

PrincessCrappy & Brink ~ 9 lbers?? You guys are my hereos! Those are some big babies!

Andrea ~ I really like your nursery furniture

Mitty~ Wow! I am glad the boys are doing soo well. I am glad to hear they are coming home soon.

[cc8]

I'm behind on this thread again - it grows so quickly! Just wanted to chime in on nursing bras. I bought one last week - it's a Bravado and it is SUPER COMFY (I'm wearing it right now). My regular bras stopped being comfortable a while back so I finally gave in and bought the Bravado. I highly recommend it; though I can see how it may not offer enough support for larger women.

I'm going to wait until my milk comes in to see how big I'll get - at that point, I'll look into buying another nursing bra.

Question about Pumps - this may be a really weird question, but is it a good idea to bring our breast pump to the hospital with us? It's probably not necessary but I thought I'd ask (I am planning to BF but will have to eventually pump so DH can feed DD while I'm out).

[solongtogo]

Question about Pumps - this may be a really weird question, but is it a good idea to bring our breast pump to the hospital with us? It's probably not necessary but I thought I'd ask (I am planning to BF but will have to eventually pump so DH can feed DD while I'm out).


You won't need it, if your baby hasn't figured out how to latch on yet, the hospital will make sure the baby is getting nourishment...

[AndreaMMS]

Just got back from the doctor...still contracting every few (random) minutes, but I'm not dilating at all. Zero, zippo. She said I could be doing this for weeks and that it's no big deal. I suppose the no dilation is for the best though - I'm going to be 35 weeks on Thursday, so the baby could use a few more weeks of baking. Other than telling me to drink rediculous amounts of water and restrict my activity a bit for the next week, nothing new!

I am having another Level II ultrasound next week to check on her growth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RandysMandy, PrincessCrappy, Cr8zyforaf,Brink,AlisonCO, Nikki, Cre8nme, and Jo&Sean - Thanks for the compliments on the baby furnature! :D I'm so happy with it...

RandysMandy - I'm so happy to hear that your test results were good!!!! :D :D :D

CNM - thanks for the heads up about the potassium for pre-term labor - I'm gonna buy some bananas! I just ordered two Bravado Bras from their website - I'll let you know how they are. By the way, we have the exact same wedding date! :)

Mittyrd - So glad that the boys are doing better!!!!!!

[Kay2003]

Wow! I can't believe how close we are to having more babies on this thread! I keep checking to see who is next...

randysmandy - yay for negative test results! I had high HCG levels so am at risk for preeclampsia myself.

mitty - I can't BELIEVE you are already getting into your regular sized pants. And hooray that the boys are BREASTFEEDING!

rash - went to the dermatologist yesterday to have them take a look at my red chest. It was kind of an unsatisfying appointment. They couldn't figure it out,saying that pregnancy throws your hormones out of whack and maybe I've developed an allergy to elastic. So I can't wear underwire bras (bad for breastfeeding) and now I need to find a nursing bra without elastic...

nursing bras w/o elastic? any ideas?? I'll have to check the bravado website.

lower back pain is increasing and my bellybutton hurts from all the pressure!!

[PrincessCrappy]

Kay - Sorry about the rash -- don't you just hate when you get generic answers to medical questions. I just bought a nursing bra at Target that I don't think has elastic. It's not the best bra in the world, but I figured for $11 I would use it until I know for sure what size I need and then I'll get some nicer bras. The band at the bottom of the bra is all fabric and it has no underwire. I'll try to find the box it came in for the style #.

Andrea - Sorry you'll have to deal with contractions for another couple of weeks, but you're right, the baby should bake a few more weeks.

cc8 - I'm so glad you asked that about the pumps. I've been wondering the same thing and kept forgetting to ask. I know you can rent a hospital grade pump if you're having latch issues, but I was thinking why pay to rent one if I have one I can bring from home?

Cr8nme - Take it easy with your grandparents...you need your rest right now, too! We pretty much asked that same questions that Nikki posted. Scott and I both have asthma and other allergy problems so we spent some time talking about that.

cnm - I love your save the date magnets -- such a cute idea! You sure have been busy! The parking issues would drive me crazy. Thank goodness the mega m&m's aren't in my area either -- although I'm sure that won't keep me from checking out the candy aisle "just in case"...

Mitty - What great news about the boys!! It sounds like they are making some great progess! I cannot believe you are already in regular pants!!! Good news everywhere for you!

dbers - That is honestly the same plan I would make if I were in your shoes. I hope it all works out!

Brink - We're just the big baby labor buddies! Although, I've been doing so much reading on the u/s accuracy --- my bet is we both end up with average sized babies.

***************
Had another night of contractions. I haven't bothered timing them yet since they tend to die down after an hour or so but they are definitely getting more painful.

Have a good day, everyone!

[dbers]

Kay - I ordered two nursing bras from Mimi Maternity - they both have no underwire, and are pretty comfy! I know they had some on sale on their website if you want to check it out..

I am waiting until tomorrow to call my friend and tell her my plan about her wedding.. I think she'll be sad that I'm missing the rehearsal/dinner, etc. but it's better than not going at all, right?? Yesterday I was hoping for labor ASAP, now I would like baby M to wait until Sunday ;)

[Sandie78]

Add me to the list of people feeling icky. I was doing great, but today I'm just ugh! Anyway, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so I'll mention it if I'm still feeling yucky.

[solongtogo]

I also had a dr appt today, am 2cm, 80% effaced. However, what was thought to be the little ones head, turned out to be the tushie, verified by ultrasound. I am breech. She's also at the 0 stage, so she is as low as she's gonna get, and pretty much the doctor said that if they tried to turn her, it would likely fail.

I have a c-section set for August 25. One week from tomorrow. Wicked.

Also tested positive for Strep B, but I'm not concerned about that..

[BeachBum]

bras Can anyone beat a 40E? LOL I'm so shocked. I was a 36/38C before pregnancy! I swear I don't think I've put on that much weight either. Maybe I was just wearing a wrong sized bra before? I looked at Target for a nursing bra, but didn't find them. Are they with regular bras or in the maternity section?

pediatrician I posted a question about it in either parenting or pregnancy a few weeks ago and got some good responses. You might want to check there

Solongtogo I'm sorry about the breech news. You sound like you are ok with it, or at least getting there. I know I would have a hard time dealing with it....At least you get to meet your baby soon! That is something really positive to focus on.

prenatal massage I'm so glad that I have been able to do this. It feels so good, and it is just so nice to fully relax. I had a free one this week as someone was trying to get certified and needed a practice patient. She wasn't nearly as good as my regular lady, but hey it was free!

Labor Preparations Ok, well here at 36 weeks I feel like the only one that isn't having any "symptoms". No emergency poops, no BH contractions, no obsessive cleaning, not loosing my plug--nothing. Quite honestly, I'm not even uncomfortable (except in short bursts). I must also say that mentally, I'm not quite ready for the baby. I'm still happy being pregnant, and it being just the two of us.
We do plan to pack our bag this week. And I think we have decided on a boy name which makes me feel a lot better. I'm happy, don't get me wrong....it just doesn't feel like the end.

[dbers]

Lisa - Sorry about the breech news... but now you know you're having your baby next week - CRAZY!! Maybe you'll be the next to go???

Beach - I was a 34B and now I'm a 38D - although I feel like I could go for a 40D!! And our milk isn't even in yet - crazy, right???

Princess - I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one crazy enough to make a plan like that ;) Go contractions!!!

Andrea - Did I mention that I love the furniture and bedding too? So cute!!! Perfect for a little girl :)

[solongtogo]

Thanks guys. I was shell shocked at first, but the idea of having a c section, as scared about it as I am, is getting to be easier to handle as the hours go by. I would have been scared with a vaginal birth too because as a first timer, I don't know what to expect. And I'm sure things will be fine. I'm a little dissapointed in not being able to do it the 'normal' way, the baby has to come out some way, and the risks of trying it vaginally are too much for me to put upon my kid. There are perks of going at it this way too, so I'm focusing on that. Like hubby gets a free pair of scrubs from the hospital, which I will promptly steal when we get home :D

[knzbound]

Hi Ladies,
I've been reading along, but haven't had much to add to the conversation! Sounds like a lot of people are getting close! So exciting to be meeting all these babies.

All is well in preggo with #2 land...I am 36 weeks and just like beachbum said, doesn't really feel like the end and I'm fairly comfortable, considering. Not ready not to pregnant and dealing with infant + toddler is part of it. I guess as a second-timer, I know what I'm in for in those first few weeks and however little sleep I am getting now with insomnia and peeing, I know it's more than I'll be getting next month, so I'm not really wishing these last weeks away. ;)

On weekly appts. as of today. I had my GBS swab and an internal check. Cervix is long, but soft, and 1cm dilated. The only other news is that the baby is slightly transverse (sideways in uterus) with its head on the left side (most babies have their head on the right cuz there's more room). The position explains the extreme rib/side pain I've been having. Doc said the baby is basically kicking me in the liver. How fab! She seemed unconcerned about position and hopefully baby will move into a better blast-off position when labor starts. I brought up c/s and she told me not to even worry about it since lots of things can lead to c/s, so I guess I'll try not to!

dbers--I went on a day trip 1.5 hours away two days before my due date last time, if that makes you feel any better. I just figured that I'd have more than enough time to drive home and to the hospital, and I definitely would have. I'm being a bit more cautious with my second birth since those tend to go faster and we have to make arrangements for DD. I hope baby holds out until Sunday and you get to go to the wedding!

solongtogo--Sorry about the breach/c/s news. I'm sure it will take a few days to sink in, but you sound like you are handling it well.

mitty--Glad to hear the boys are doing so well. I'm sure you are more than ready to have them home. Hope the next few weeks fly by and with great progress on their parts! :)

[Cr8nme]

Had my doctors appoitnment today and still the same. The doctor made me bleed and now I am really uncomfortable. It even hurts when I walk a little:( Off to lay down for a little while.

[hisdaffodil]

Had my appointment today! I'm 2cm and 50% effaced! Yay!

Very glad to hear something was progressing down there, although I know I could hang out at 2 for weeks. She said I'm free to go at anytime and they won't try to stop me, etc. She swabbed for Strep so I'll get the results of that later. I setup my next 2 appts but she said I may not make the 2nd one. Whee!

I'll be back later for SO's, I have to go make DS some dinner.

I have no appetite, anyone else?? I'm kinda nibbly, but not really hungry for a meal or anything.

[elly]

solongtogo~ i'm glad you are handling the news well! i was positive for group b strep as well and my dr. says that with a c section, you will get all those antibiotics anyway. ;) there are definitely some advantages to having a c section! how exciting that you know you will get to meet your baby soon!

no symptoms~ i'm with beach bum and knzbound on not having contractions or anything. since i'm having a c section anyway, i'm fine with this. even at 41 weeks with my last, i never had contractions. i think my babies just get pretty comfortable in there. :)

bras~ i bought a bravado last year and it's just not as comfortable as my other nursing bras from motherhood. i think i just didn't like the thick band or something....very much felt like a sports bra to me but i know a lot of people love them!

it's exciting to read about all the progress being made.........can't believe our babies will be here so soon! :D

[philnikki]

So I had my very last ultrasound today. Baby girl is head down laying on the right hand side like she should. Her estimated weight based on today is 6 pounds 15 oz, which means she will likely be just at 7 pounds when she is born!!! :D Sounds great to me! That is right on the avg. for mine and DH's family. She kept sticking her little hands in her mouth the whole time and was sucking like a champ! The u/s tech said she had that sucking reflex down pat, so hopefully that means that she will take to bf'ing easily. She laughed again about how often babies she scans just lie there, but ours always puts on a show! Drama queen in my belly, I tell ya!!

solongtogo - I am also glad that you seem to be taking the news well. I (as a first timer too) didn't really have a particular idea in my head of how she would come out as long as she was healthy when she did :) Keep up the great attitude!! But, if you need to rant or vent or whatever, we are here for ya ;)
Next week is going to be a big week for us!!

hisdaffodil - YEAH on the progress!! I am sitting her still contracting and am not as far along as you ;) And I have two weeks on ya! It's so funny how everyone is different. I also feel the same way about food -- just nibbly. I will feel like I am so hungry and then when I eat, its like I eat half of what I normally would have.

knzbound - Yeah for a great appt!!

Bras I bought mine at JCP and they are super comfy. They are Duo brand they sell at Motherhood. They were buy two get one free :) I was a 36 B pre preggo, a 36C now, and I bought 36D nursing bras!!! :eek: Can't beleive I actually have a D cup bra!! I can't hold a candle to your 40 E beachbum!! lol

[hmbay]

solongtogo--sorry about the breech news. I think it's easier to deal with a c/s having some time to mentally prepare for it. my first was c/s because he was breech. It ended up being an emergency c/s instead of scheduled though as he went into distress because i had low fluid but I think I dealt better with it being a c/s since I had time to mentally prepare--I think it's harder to have one if you labored first and that doesn't work out for whatever reason. You sound like you have the right attitude though--you'll do fine.

mittyd--I'm so happy to hear the boys are doing well--and BFing as well. :D Ds never caught on well to that with being a preemie. hope things continue to go well.

I'm so excited for everyone who is getting so close. My spotting started up again but it's very very minor. I have an u/s appt on Friday and meet with my dr on Tuesday. I'm actually going to talk with him about scheduling the c/s for week 37/38 instead of week 39. I figure if they can't tell for sure how my previa is it's better not to dilate and if I went into labor after 37 weeks they'd not stop it anyhow so why can't I just schedule the c/s for that same time frame? We'll see what he says.

[AlisonCO]

Looks like I am joining solongtogo here:( My little one is also breech!
We are going into the hospital at 6:30am tomorrow to attempt a version. I am a bit nervous but my OB is very pro-version for second time moms because my uterus is a bit more stretchy. Also the baby is in the ideal breech position to attempt and hopefully have a successful turn. She is measuring right on at about 6 pounds and my fluid levels are nice and high.

Please think positive turning thoughts for us tomorrow - I am having a really really hard time with the idea of a c-section. This is our last baby and I so want to have another vag delivery. I also really do not want to be in the hospital for 4 days, have major surgery or anything associated with the c-section.

Will be back tomorrow with the results - Hope that you all are doing well!

[cc8]

solongtogo and AlisonCO, sorry about the breech news; I know I was in shock for a long time after hearing that I'd have to have a C/S!

Had my FINAL OB appt today! I can't believe it - we are officially scheduled for a C/S Wed August 24th, unless Alexis decides to come earlier, which in that case, DH and I would have to go into the emergency room sooner and have our C/S that way. Oh, BTW, apparently, I am GBS+ which doesn't really impact anything since we are having a C/S - unless my water breaks beforehand.

Assuming our game plan stays the same, I'm supposed to check in at the hospital on 8/24 at 6am. :eek: I'll be prepped and the C/S will start at 7:30am. This is all mighty early but probably better this way so I don't spend the whole morning in anticipation/getting nervous!

I've been focusing on the +'s of having a C/S since first hearing the news (I've posted them in my LJ if anyone wants to check it out). For my situation, a C/S is definitely the best way to go seeing how Alexis is breech AND she has her umbillical cord around her neck.

The doc did 30 minutes of fetal monitoring and everyone was SHOCKED that I was having these contractions which were evenly spaced at 5 min apart - I didn't even FEEL them!!

[jo&sean]

Solongtogo - Next week!?! Wow! So sorry that baby is breech. Stay positive. Everything will be just fine.

AllisonCo - Good luck tomorrow with trying to turn the baby. I have heard some very positive things about turning babies and that it works quite well. We will be thinking about you.

hisdaffodil - Yeah for the progression!

Boobs - Has anyone else had their boobs balloon even more all of a sudden? I hope it doesn't mean labor is coming early but boy..my boobs have gotten way bigger in size just the last couple of days! I definitely need to do some bra shopping this weekend :)

On top of the boob thing I am just one achey mess today. My hips hurt so bad that it hurts to walk. I haven't been able to sit for longer then 10 minutes before Addy's head puts so much pressure in my crotch that the shooting fire-like pains are unbearable. Then all the contractions. Nothing consistent though and certainly not painful but definitely a lot of tightening going on. Then Addy has been such a busy monkey. I thought the babies were supposed to calm down at this stage?

Ok, enough of my complaints. I am looking forward to my dr's appt on Friday to see what is going on in there :)

[solongtogo]

Allison: sorry you're joining ranks too :( I hope the turn is successful...sounds promising for you.

cc8: I found you on LJ and added you...

Also, I'm not planning on posting pictures of the little on on CC, but I will in my LJ so if you want to be added as a friend, either post in my lj or add me to your list.

[wildcat]

Oh my gosh, bring on the babies!! Just so I'm keeping this straight, I believe these are the babies we're having NEXT WEEK!!

Monday, 8/22 - Nikki
Wednesday, 8/24 - cc8
Thursday, 8/25 - solongtogo

Did I miss anyone?

Not much new here....I actually felt pretty good yesterday, for a change. But my body must have been super tired, bc I fell asleep at 9:45pm and slept until 7am this morning! :eek: Normally I go to bed around 12am! I didn't gain any weight from last week, which is great, considering I'm up 38 pounds at 35 weeks! :rolleyes: Better get ready for work, I'll try for some s/o's later!

[SD601]

Oh, Mitty, I'm sorry. Your boys were definitely first, and I'm so happy that they are doing so well and breastfeeding!

I'm coming to announce that Josiah Thomas was born Monday, 8/15/05 at 12:41 am. He was 35 weeks and 5 pounds, 13 ounces and 17 inches long. Doctor said he would be 9 pounds if full term.

My water broke on Saturday night (I didn't know it--it was just a trickle), and they induced me on Sunday. He is healthy but has jaundice, so he still in the hospital. Because he was early, he's also having trouble sucking, so breastfeeding is difficult. I'm home now and pumping. I rented one at the hospital.

I'm so tired but trying to write my birth story. I'll have more pictures uploaded soon.

http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?uid=8QauGzho5b6&rostate=67b0de21b8964e76d455&co=-1&js=1124369329626&rx=304&ry=304

http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?uid=8QauGzho5b6&rostate=67b0de21b8964e755566&co=-1&js=1124369466002&rx=304&ry=304

[hisdaffodil]

So mom says there's a full moon this weekend so people should start going into labor. Just fyi.

I forgot to mention I'd only gained half a pound this appt. I'm so glad that my weight gain is slowing down!! For a while it was like someone had pushed a boulder down a cliff, no stopping it!

My mom flew back in to town last night. Her plane got delayed so I had to stay awake until midnight just to pick them up at the airport! with a cranky 2 year old! Ugh. So by the time I got them home and got me to bed, it was 1am. I had heartburn so bad that I absolutely could not get to sleep. It was awful. So I'm wiped today. But it's good to have her back, now I'm free to go into labor anytime.

OMG, babies next week!!! How exciting!!

Allison - good luck with the version today!

Jo - Dori's been very busy too, which is why I was surprised at my progression some. I thought they were supposed to calm down as you get ready. But he's been wiggling and kicking and pinching and dancing like normal, except through contractions. We're due date buds, so it'll be neat to see if you 're progressing friday!

Bras - I am loving my 2 motherhood ones. I have a Target sportsbra one that is okay, and a Japanese Weekend sleep bra that I like a lot too.

Oh I forgot to add that I asked my doc about inducing. She said they normally go 2 weeks past due for 1st timers, 1 week past due for experienced moms who are inducable (like me, she said), and for someone suspected of gestational diabetes, they'll aim for before or right around the due date. So hopefully this kid will DEFINITELY be out by the 15th, one way or the other!

Girls, I need some help! This is my last weekend with DH before he goes in for this serious surgery on his neck. Since the type of tumor he has is so rare, the docs haven't brought up what his chances of complications are, or at least DH hasn't told me. He works both jobs all weekend except Sunday night, so I was thinking about doing something with him that night, just us. Both to help relieve some nerves/stress and for memories, in case anything does happen. Problem is that I can't think of what to do or what to get him or what I can do for him to help relieve some of his anxiety over this. Anyone been through anything similar and have some advice, either on what you got someone or what someone got you that really helped???

Doesn't help that I'm totally anxious and freaking out over it too. It's just a few days away now...

[Sabre]

Congrats Laura! Welcome Josiah!!!

The babies are coming, the babies are coming!!!

[hisdaffodil]

OMG!!!

Congratulations and welcome Josiah!!!! He's beautiful!! Hope you all recover quickly!
:D
:D

Yay, babies!!!!!!

[solongtogo]

Congratulations Laura!! He's just absolutely perfect..what a little sweetie :)

[AndreaMMS]

COngratulations, Laura!!! Welcome Josiah (beautiful name, by the way)!!!

He's gorgoeus!!!!!!! :D :D :D

[cr8zyforaf]

OMG....SD601 - Josiah is absolutely adorable. Congratulations.

Solongtogo - Next week!! How exciting. Sorry about the breech news - but try to stay positive - I am sure everything will be fine.

jo&sean - my boobs have not gotten any bigger - perhaps that is a sign that your body is getting ready. I hope mine don't get much bigger - I only purchased my nursing bras in one size bigger than what I am now.

cc8 - Wow - next week. Glad you are focusing on the positive. I think that is great.

AlisonCO - sorry about the breech news. I will be thinking good thoughts - hopefully they will get that baby to spin around.

mittyd - the boys are adorable. So glad to hear they are doing well and may be coming home soon.

I have my appointment this afternoon - please pray that something is happening...I am so jealous of all you women having progress - I am due September 4 and so far NOTHING....

[hmbay]

Congrats Laura and Welcome Josiah! :D

[elly]

Congratulations Laura!! He is precious....thanks for sharing the news! :D


cc8~ my c section will be early in the morning as well. i'm kind of excited about this b/c i'd hate to go all day without eating. :p

hisdaffodil~ i was going to suggest that your dh might enjoy a massage from a spa or something but i'm not sure one would be open sunday night. maybe dinner & a movie? my mother in law had a tumor removed and made it through surgery fine and is doing very well a year later. i know it's scary but try to relax as worrying isn't good for the baby. i'll pray that the surgery goes smoothly!

[wildcat]

Congratulations Laura and welcome Josiah!!Of course I'm at work and the picture is blocked :mad:, so I can't wait to get home and take a look!!!! I hope he gets to come home soon and starts breastfeeding like a champ!!

YEA, more babies!!

[pixiecat]

Wow!!! Congratulations Laura & welcome baby Josiah!!!! Sounds like you are both doing well - I'm so happy that more babies are coming!! Yippee!!

[philnikki]

WOW!!! What a great surprise when I get on here this morning!!

Congrats Laura and welcome baby Josiah!!!!

Just so you know, here is how we are handling the thread title in the next month or so....

Either I, or wildcat will update the thread title on the main page. The actual thread title update though can only be done by a moderator. Jennylou has graciously offered to do this for us as we change the title. As more babies come though, some of the earlier ones will need to drop off (otherwise our title would become a little crazy hehe). Just wanted to give everyone the heads up on how we were handling it!!!

hisdaffodil - I asked my DH for ya, and he said if it were him, he would like dinner and a movie ;)

Well, I am doing ok today. Still feeling all crampy, but I am going to take a dip in the pool here in a bit so hopefully some floating will relieve some of the tension in my neck and body. I am guessing I am just getting nervous and this is my body's reaction. I watched Birthday on Discovery Health this morning. I cry every time at those!!! Anyone else doing this too??!! :)

[September05Mommies]

Ok so I feel retarded ;) lol wildcat must have gotten to this before me this morning! :)

[hisdaffodil]

Sorry girls, I'm needy this morning. :)

My best friend just emailed me to tell me she's pregnant! They've been trying forever and her DH started clomid (i've never heard of the man being on it!) after some minor surgery to work on his tubing, and she was supposed to start clomid next month, but she got a BFP yesterday! I'm so excited for her!!

So my question is, I wanna do a maternity gift basket for her. She's waited so long for this! So what little things can you think of that you needed/used/loved while pregnant??

I got her the What to Expect book back when she started TTC. I'm thinking things like Palmer's Stretch Mark Cream, TUMS!, Preggo Pops, panti-liners, and I run out about there. Heh. Some reason I blank out on the things that woulda made my life easier while pregnant.

We'll probably do dinner and a movie then, since it's a Sunday night. I hope he doesn't think that's too normal to be nice, but since it'll be just the two of us fo ra change, that should make it special too.
elly - maybe a salon isn't open, but maybe I can give him one! Good suggestion!

I've been having BH's every 10-15 minutes since I got to work! Of course, I can breathe/talk through them and they don't hurt much, so I'm sure it's nothing. But I think they're pushing my plug out more because I"ve had a lot of the snotty stringy stuff again. I'm also vomiting somewhat (gagging mostly) and nauseous and nothing sounds good to eat. :confused:

I may go home in a little bit to rest and see if that helps.

[Brink]

Wow - congratulations Laura and welcome baby Josiah.

Can't believe the little ones are arriving. It still seems so unreal to me. I look at the picture of little Josiah and think that is the same size Aimee is now and just can't imagine it. I'm with those of you in denial. Other than that one night, I still have not had any signs of upcoming delivery. She is moving a ton and kicking me in the side so hard that a couple of times I just about doubled over.

Hisdaffodil - I don't have any advice for this weeked, but wanted to let you know we will be thinking about you and your DH. I'm sure everything will go fine, but I understand the anxiety. On the gift basket - the things you have mentioned are great. Only other thing might be a gift cert to the maternity store for her first purchase.

Philnikki - I'm right there with you on the Birthday show. Between that and Special Delivery, I could watch TV all day long. I'm not sure if I'm crying because it's so touching or because the though of the labor is scaring me!

I think my office might be throwing me a surprise baby shower today. We have our regular staff meeting at 11:00 this morning and a few weeks ago one of the girls was asking to make sure I would be here. Since they haven't mentioned anything else, I'm guessing it's a surprise today. We'll find out soon enough.

I have so much to do today at work and I just don't even want to start.

[cc8]

Congrats Laura and welcome Josiah!!!!

Lot's of little ones coming down the pike!!

elly - I was pretty surprised that my doc said no water but oh well if that's what we gotta do to get Alexis out, I'll gladly do it! :) YES, I am so glad the procedure is in the very early AM, though I'm wondering if I'll even feel like eating afterwards!

Solongtogo - I friended you on LJ as well! I'll probably only be posting pics on LJ not CC (due to the weird things that I heard happening at other public boards like the WC!)

Hope everyone has a great day!

[AlisonCO]

Congrats Laura and welcome baby Josiah!!!! He is gorgeous as is your family!!!

We are home from a successful version!!! Basically the baby was folded in half with her feet and hand up by her head and her head was in the top right part of my belly under my ribs. So her butt wasn't really down but off to one side a bit. So we go in and start the IV and monitor her for 10 minutes. My OB did an u/s to confirm the position and then she gave me some drug to relax my uterus. Then she lubed up my belly and started trying to turn her. It took about 15 minutes and several tries to get her past the mid point but finally it happened. My OB then gave me a very rough vag exam to hopefully start some contractions to encourage the baby to move into my pelvis. She was able to feel her hand which was up by her face. I am still 2 cm and pretty soft. There is a 20-25% chance that she will move back so my goal is to spend all of my free time on the ball to help gravity keep her down.

hisdaffodil - I think that you and your DH should go do something really fun and silly - mini golf, bowling etc and dinner. Please let us know how things go with the surgery!

philnikki - Yes I cry whenever I see a birth on TV or at the diaper commercials with the tiny newborns:)

Have a great day!

[solongtogo]

Congrats Allison!!

[pixiecat]

congrats on a successfull version Allison!! Now, don't move baby!!!

Brink - I am so there with you in denial-land! I know I'm late in the month, but I have had *no* signs of impending labor! So it stills feels very very far away...

[hisdaffodil]

Congrats Allison!!!!! Take it easy today, I hear versions leave you feeling soooo sore!

[cr8zyforaf]

Back from a very good appointment - I am soft, 80% effaced and a fingertip dilated. She also told me to plan for a big baby - she guessed baby is already around 6.5 and If I go full term, it will probably be close to/over 8 pounds :eek: . Weird, because both DH and I were under 7 pounds.

Next appointment is August 25th

Allison - Congratulations on the successful version - YIPPY!

Brink - how exciting - a surprise shower!! Lucky you!

hisdaffodil - that is so thoughtful of you- I would also suggest the Girlfriends guide to Pregnancy - hysterical, honest book about what to expect and Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs - again, hysterical.

philnikki - I am envious - swimming sounds so nice at this point. Glad you are feeling a little bit better.

[dbers]

Copgratulations Laura - so exciting!!!

[BeachBum]

Congrats Laura! I can't wait to hear all the details!

Allison I'm so glad to hear things went well today.

hisdaffidil how scary! I had forgotten that you guys were dealing with that too. I vote for dinner and ice cream with a nice walk--so you guys can relax and talk to each other. As for your friend, I agree that belly laughs was a fun read. How about a journal? or some maternity undies?


I had an appt today. I gained 9 lbs in 2 weeks. I'm shocked and rather upset. I am going cold turkey on the sweets. I guess I should have done that anyway--but its so hard!
My hands and feet are so swollen. They are nasty! The baby's head is down, but not engaged yet.
My doctor, knows how badly I want to avoid interventions including induction so he suggested that we start having sex 2x a day as a natural induction technique. I can't even imagine. My DH and I looked at eachother and just started cracking up. Anyone else on this "schedule"?

[PrincessCrappy]

Yeah! Another baby!!
Congratulations Laura! Happy Birthday, Josiah!

I've been hearing about the effects of the full moon, too. Let's see if we get anymore babies this weekend!

Cr8zyforaf - Congrats on a good appt. Looks like you're making progress. What is with this thread and all of these big babies??

Allison - Congrats on the successful turn! What great news. I've been bouncing on my ball to keep this kiddos head down, too.

Brink - Have a great time at your shower!

Hisdaffodil - I think what you've posted are great ideas for a maternity basket. Maybe a comfy pair of pj's in a bigger size? I also agree with Allison, I think you should do something light-hearted and silly with your DH and then maybe a romantic dinner. Keep your thoughts positive and know that all of us are praying for your DH and family!

Solongtogo - Do I need to have an LJ journal to friend someone or can I just have a membership? I don't want to miss anyone's baby pics, but I don't keep a journal there.

Jo&sean - No boobie growth here, but they are definitely feeling more sensitive. Sorry you're so uncomfy these days!

cc8 - NEXT WEEK!! Congrats on knowing your date and getting to meet that sweet baby so soon!

hmbay - Sorry about the spotting coming back. Try to take it easy and keep us posted!

I had more contractions last night. Laying down through them is the absolute worst. I tried rocking in the glider and then walking around. I didn't feel any relief until I sat on my ball. The contractions didn't last very long individually but it seemed the whole session lasted longer than it has before. I've been trying to wrap up a million last minute errands this week. My mom called to yell at me about driving by myself. I asked her if she really thought the baby would just fall out while I'm driving?!? She said she is more concerned that I'll get really bad contractions while driving and crash the car....dramatic much??

[PrincessCrappy]

beachbum - I missed your post. I am praying that DH doesn't see your "schedule"...he might get some crazy ideas for us! ;)

[mittyrd]

Congratulations Laura!! Welcome Josiah!

[Sandie78]

Yea! This is exciting the babies are coming. :)

I had a doctor's appointment this morning. This are going well. Baby is in the right position so that's good. I'll get my Strep B test at my next appointment on August 26. I'm going once a week now and the doctor told me I'm a "Lady in Waiting," but she didn't do an internal exam. So he'll be here soon. :)

[northern]

welcome josiah!
wow, we are really making some progress now! everyone stay healthy and comfortable and pamper yourselves!! i know, easier said than done. next week is my last week of work! then i am officially in stay-at-home mom mode and i can't wait to really get ready for the baby.
i am in the group that is basically feeling no progress but i'm ok with that (due 9/16) although my midwife did say last week that the baby seems to definately be moving down into the pelvis more, because of my measurements. so i guess that is something! we don't start internals until pretty close to the due date.
we have our childbirth class on sat., then breastfeeding on tuesday, then i am going to a cloth diapering workshop on the following saturday. fun!

alison- that is SO cool that the version worked. i am fascinated by those for some reason. my midwife gave me a handout once my baby turned head down, called "optimal fetal positioning" which basically says to use postures that are upright and forward leaning whenever possible (no slouching!) but i'm sure you already knew that!

good luck to all of you with big stuff going on this weekend and the coming week! i hope everything goes well.

[Cr8nme]

My doctor also told me to have lots of sex! I have actaully tried but with my rib pain it is hard :eek:

[cr8zyforaf]

Lots of sex :eek: - GAG ME. Seriously, I am so uncomfortable that I can't even imagine. My friend also told me nipple stimulation is supposed to help also - it releases some hormone.

[hisdaffodil]

sex.... what's that?

[Cr8nme]

I am home today. My grandparents came in town yesterday and it is going well. They are pretty low maintenance for now ;)

I am only home today because I had this big plumbing issue. Woke up this morning and got in the shower. Right after all the drains started to flood :eek: I didn't wash my hair this morning so I know I didn't clog the drain with anything. Now I am just waiting for a plumber to come. Ugghhhh it frustrates me soo much. There is all this black stuff like soot in my new bathtub. I wonder how much this is going to cost me :rolleyes:

[solongtogo]

Crappy...you just need an acct at LJ, you don't have to maintain a journal...just let me know your username and I'll add you, then you'll be able to see the entries I make.

[Brink]

Yeah for Baby Shower!!!! They had the surprise shower for me today at our meeting. It was really fun - I got a bunch a presents - books, monitor, toys, etc. Now we have one shower left this weekend with my DH's friends. It will be a couples shower, so interesting to see what we get. Then I'm heading to BRU on Sunday to purchase whatever I didn't receive.

Alison - congrats on the version. I saw one of those on the discovery channel the other day. It looked uncomfortable, but worth it.

LJ - I'm a novice poster (never joined a group before WC), what is LJ?

Sex - I wish we could. While I don't have a desire for 2x per day, DH and I have not done the deed for 8-10 weeks. We are on complete pelvic rest until after the big day and then have to wait the additional 6 weeks.

Cr8nme - sorry about the plumbing. Hope everything clears out.

[jo&sean]

Laura - Congratulations! Josiah is beautiful :) Hope you are feeling good!

Hisdaffodil - Did you decide on what to do with your DH? Dinner at his favorite place would be great. I like your idea for a maternity basket for your friend - how exciting for them. I can't think of anything to add - maybe a mani/pedi gift cert for when she gets farther along? Glad to hear I am not the only one with a monkey in my belly. Sounds like Dori has been acting like Addy :)

Mitty - I am so glad the boys are doing so well!! ( I didn't see your post yesterday for some reason). Congrats on getting back in your jeans too.

Allison - So glad the version went so well! That is great news.

Brink - that is so cool they had a shower for you at work :)

Michelle - Sorry about the plumbing issue..that sucks!

Sex - Yeah, what is that??! 2x a day? I think I will try the massage route before I resort to trying that. Quite honestly, the idea of it doesn't even provoke good thoughts right now...all I can think is OUCH...my crotch already feels like someone is poking me with a hot curling iron....

Not much new today - still extremely uncomfortable. It seems so odd that I could go one day being fine and the next being like this and I guess it will be like this until Addy makes her grand entrance. I have been having quite a few BH's today - nothing painful but they are strong. I am looking forward to my appointment tomorrow morning :)

[dbers]

I have to agree that sex does not sound appealing to me right now - but maybe once the weekend passes, I'll get desperate.. (Geez - I hope DH doesn't read this post!!)

[knzbound]

Welcome Josiah! He's beautiful! Congratulations, Laura.

alisonYay for the successful version. I hope she stays that way!

hisdaffodil--Hope all goes well with your DH's surgery. My best friend sent me a maternity care package for my first pregnancy. She included some chocolate treats for cravings, her old baby-naming book (she's done having kids), and a cute maternity top from Old Navy. It was really thoughtful.

[randysmandy]

HAPPY FRIDAY-THANKFULLY!

Welcome Josiah!!!! He is beautiful!

I don't have too much time for SO's because I need to get a presentation drawing out Monday, which my boss just informed me about today!!!!
Things went bad wednesday...my computer broke so I ended up in work everyday this week but yesterday. Brought it to the guy yesterday to fix and he hasn't even called me back yet! My boss hasn't said anything to me about staying home more during the week either. I have 2 weeks left and am commuting 45 min a day (execpt on the 2 days I stay home) I would like to stay home mon-wed-frid, but am not sure if that would be very professional of me. :confused:

All of you ladies that are due around my time have been having contractions and "cleansing" periods. I have had nothing. Although I am dialated and 50% effaced I am convinced this baby is not going to come on time :( He has been slowing down though-hmmm.

Brink Congrats on the gifts from your shower.
Cr8nme Sorry about your plumbing-what's with things breaking at this time in our pregnancy!????
Nikki 3 more days! Are you doing anything special as a couple this weekend?

[SD601]

Thank you so much for the congrats and compliments. We are both home and exhausted, and since he was so early, he's definitely having difficulty breastfeeding. I'm pumping, so he's only getting breast milk, but it's hard! I was going to buy a Medela PIS, but instead I'm renting a hospital grade pump for the first month. I love it--I get so much, and the nurses were able to show me how to use it. I definitely recommend this route.

I typed out my birth story and realized it's fairly long, but I'll post it now. You guys are getting so close, and we should have at least three more babies next week! Yea!

Birth Story

I was released from the hospital for preterm labor on Wednesday, with the assurance that if he did come, his lungs were mature. Since we had just spent the last two weeks desperately trying to stop my contractions (which, by the way, I couldn’t really feel—they were just light menstrual cramps), we figured that once off the magnesium, I would go into labor immediately. Instead, I had no contractions for two days, although I had lots of pressure.

In the middle of the night Friday, I accidentally knocked over my glass of water from my bedside table. When cleaning it up, I noticed a fist sized spot of water on the bed and assumed the water from the cup had just spilled on the bed. The next day I seemed to have more discharge than normal, but it was more clear and runny. I thought it was odd, that perhaps that “water spill” was my bag of water, so I called Triage at the hospital and described what I had. They recommended using a pad and seeing how much liquid soaked it. I used a couple light pads that day, but there was never enough to soak through. That evening I called my doctor, just to be sure. She recommended coming in to the hospital, so at 10pm, we went in. It was packed, so I had to wait an hour for a bed to be checked. At nearly midnight, they discovered my water had indeed broken and I was admitted.

They were pretty concerned, since it had been nearly 24 hours since it had broken, so in the morning (9:30 am), they started pitocin. I started having irregular, mild contractions in the next few hours, which steadily increased in intensity but not frequency. Although they were painful, they weren’t terrible, and I was more irritated that they weren’t actual labor. DH set up a mini DVD player, and we watched Seinfeld DVD’s all afternoon. They gave me some mild drug (Stadol? Fentanol?) in my IV which was HEAVEN. I felt I could easily manage these contractions as they steadily increased the pitocin.

[SD601]

Continued...

By 9 pm, the contractions were more frequent, so they checked my cervix (they were holding off checking because my water had broken). I was devastated to learn I was only at 4cm, when I had been 2 ½ cm for the past three weeks. I figured I had hours to go, so the nurse suggested an epidural. I was planning on getting one anyway, so I agreed. It was about 10 pm I received the epidural.

The epidural hurt so bad going in, but afterwards I was pleasantly numb in the stomach and hip area. We had a scare right after when the baby’s heart rate dropped, and suddenly I had three nurses in my room giving me oxygen and trying to find his heartbeat. At 11 pm, I started feeling pressure in my bowls, so the nurse checked me. I was 10 cm, completely effaced, and at a plus 2 station! She hurried to get the room ready for delivery.

I started pushing at 11:55 pm (Sunday night). It was just DH and the nurse holding my legs, and I really felt comfortable with just the two of them there. At first I didn’t have any pain, only pressure, which the nurse said were contractions. I pushed every time I felt pressure. At the end it hurt so bad all I wanted to do was push him out. I think what motivated me was hearing DH’s voice so excited, describing what he could see: “oh, Laura, he’s right there and he has so much hair!”

Josiah Thomas was born Monday, August 15, 2005 at 12:41 am. I had a second degree tear, mostly because he came out so fast. He was 5 lbs 13 oz and 17 inches long. He’s perfect and very much worth the wait.

[SD601]

A few photos...

http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?uid=8QauGzho5b6&rostate=67b0de21b89b228675ec&co=-1&js=1124464021431&rx=304&ry=304 http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?uid=8QauGzho5b6&rostate=67b0de21b89b2283f4d9&co=-1&js=1124464142415&rx=304&ry=304 http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?uid=8QauGzho5b6&rostate=67b0de21b89b229e75f4&co=-1&js=1124464178447&rx=304&ry=304 http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?uid=8QauGzho5b6&rostate=67b0de21b89b2299f4c3&co=-1&js=1124464241558&rx=304&ry=304

[hisdaffodil]

SD - glad you are home and well! What an amazing story and an amazing baby!

Which reminds me, because that was a lot how DS was born too. I didn't feel my contractions with him until I was 5cm and they broke my water. Before that, it felt just like BH/menstrual to me. I guess that's why I'm so nervous about all the BH i had yesterday. Seems a lot of women aren't feeling their contractions!! Once my water broke, DS came out in less than 2 hours!! Since this is my 2nd, i'm supposed to go faster, and now I'm worried about popping it out in the car or something.

So yesterday my BH things were 10-15 min apart, from like 7am until 7pm. Sometime around then, they just stopped and I just had a TON of pressure down there. So that's what I've had since. A ton of pressure, down there, some sharp twinges down there, back pain, now I can't BM much when before I was quite loose. On the other hand, I can finally pee again, which makes no sense as my belly looks lower and I have a lot of pressure in my hoo-ha.

And his movement has totally decreased. He was like Addy and dancing everyday all day. Wednesday he was dancing. But all day yesterday during all these contractions, barely any movement at all. Just occasionally enough that I didn't panic, but NOTHING like normal. Mom says this is the "resting" up phase they do before labor but I'm not sure. I just know he's barely moving, no matter what I do/eat/drink and it's way out of ordinary for him. This is still going on today but the BH are practically gone. Back to every couple of hours. I'm so confused!

But I'm so far from my due date I feel like there's no way I could really be starting labor. :rolleyes: Then again, i don't want to think I'll be this uncomfy and in pain for weeks!

Anyone else having anything like this?? sudden decreased movement, lots of pressure down there, but none of the "real" contractions?

I'm a little worried that maybe I am starting and my luck I'll really go into labor on Tues/Wed or something, when DH goes into the hospital, and he'll totally miss it all because we'll be in different hospitals.

oh and I'm an absolute basketcase today. Spacy and emotional and oddly enough, horny. :p :rolleyes: :o

[solongtogo]

SD, I'm so thrilled that your baby is doing well. He is a doll. I want to hold him :)

[PrincessCrappy]

SD - Thank you so much for sharing your birth story. I actually started to cry when I read your husband was describing what he saw. Good luck with the breastfeeding, I'm sure it will improve soon. He sure was a good sized baby for being 5 weeks early. The pictures are adorable...I just want to eat him up!

hisdaffodil - I was going to ask if slowed movement was normal for this stage. We are going through longer periods of no movement and then sudden bursts of movements. Of course you're a basketcase right now, you have a lot on your plate! Just vent here, hopefully it will help you feel a little better!

Randysmandy - Sorry about the work situation! Hopefully your computer will be fixed soon and you'll be back at home!

Brink - SCORE on the shower!

Cr8nme - So sorry about the plumbing issues. That just sucks!

Well, I am full term today!! I am SO happy to have reached this point. However, my sneakiness has backfired. I told DH (a long time ago) that we shouldn't have sex until I reached full term in case it got labor going. Well, this morning he woke me up with "do you know what today is???". UGH! I seriously think my crotch will break if I try to have sex, it hurts so much! :eek:

I just wanted to mention, I ordered a ring sling from Nancy Drew and I got it in the mail the other day. It is so awesome. The quality of this thing is amazing and her prices are CHEAP! I picked a custom fabric and she made it reversible. SO cute! I don't know if anyone is in the market for one, but I definitely wanted to plug her business since I was so impressed!

[dbers]

Wonderful birth story Laura - thanks for sharing :)

I *think* I'm losing more of my MP - I've been having lots of bloody (sorry - TMI) discharge ever since having 3 internals within about 12 hours (at the hospital on Monday and the doctor's Tuesday), which they said would happen - but now I'm thinking part of it is my MP! Feeling some pressure, and BH, but no real contractions. I'm a bit nervous about our wedding trip tomorrow, but hopefully it will all work out!

less movement - YUP! With bursts of activity - that's exactly how I would describe it.

[Kay2003]

Congrats, SD601 ! Thanks for sharing your birth story.

hisdaffodil - I think dinner and a movie sound like a great idea. Anything to get your mind off of the surgery. Also, adding a gift certificate for maternity clothing - like to Old Navy would be great.

bras - thanks for all the tips on non-elastic bras. I'm going to check them out this weekend.

beachbum - I'm with you on the weight gain. I'm also 36 weeks. I think I gained 5 pounds in a week. I think my belly dropped and that allows for more room to eat. I figure it's my baby's way of getting fatter (hopefully the baby, not me) in the last month... I also have a craving for sweets and it doesn't help that I have so many oatmeal raisin cookies and brownies left over from our party last weekend.

allison - glad to hear the version did the trick! I hear they can be painful and they aren't always successful.

recent pregnancy symptoms: hands are swollen. belly button extremely sore. stretch marks creeping up!!

[randysmandy]

I decided I need a break from work before have a panic attack.

Laura Thank you for sharing your story--crazy to think that I always viewed water breaking as a gush, but after listening in childbirth class it can happen just as it did to you-a trickle. I'm more nervous about not knowing I am in labor than the labor itself! By the way your baby was born on my first wedding anniversary!

Symptoms My back is KILLING me today. I woke up in the middle of the night with it. The baby is not moving much AT ALL today. hisdaffodil I have been experiencing alot of the same feelings and we are due a day apart. If that helps any!
Am I the only one who has not experienced Braxton Hicks???????? I have not felt a contraction at all! But it does hurt every now and then-like sharp pains in my hoo-hah area. I assume it is the baby's head moving around :confused:

Princess Oh my gosh my DH is the complete opposite of yours. He won't go near me because the OB said the baby's head is super low and he's afraid of hitting it LOL. A tid bit about the ring slings--the lady that made mine told me to carry a doll/stuffed animal around in the sling to get used to it! I love my sling too!

[cr8zyforaf]

SD601 - your birth story brought tears to my eyes - especially the part about your DH cheering you on. He is absolutely adorable - how much did he weigh? I hear the breastfeeding thing can be hard at first - try to stay patient - it will all start falling into place!

randysmandy - I have the same thing - tons of movement the last few days and last night and today - nothing. Had I not heard the heartbeat yesterday, I would be flipping out. I also have no Braxton Hicks, no contractions, nothing.

dbers - I will have my fingers and toes crossed for you on a successful wedding trip.

PrincessCrappy - Yeah for being full term. I am the same as you - I want to have sex - but I feel like my vagina will just burst if I do. DH just called me and asked if it was a possibility - then he even mentioned a BJ...bless his heart - poor guy hasn't gotten any in about 8 weeks and he knows once the baby comes - it will be at least 6 more weeks.

hisdaffodil - I am so envious that you are horny....I wish I was!! :D

randysmandy - so sorry you still have to commute - that must really stink! Try to stay positive - I also feel my bean is going to be late (which will totally mess up my vacation plans for the end of September) so I am trying to stay positive, which is hard.

Brink - Congrats on the baby shower - that was very thoughtful of your coworkers!

Cr8nme - so sorry about the plumbing issues. I came home a few weeks ago to a waterfall in my family room - the upstairs shower is leaking and we cannot find the leak anywhere - which is the last thing either of us needs at this point! Hopefully, you are able to get it fixed and not end up broke!

Nikki - Only a few more days until you are a mommy!! I am so excited for you!

[hisdaffodil]

movement - sounds like mine's a little different... I feel no movement, then a tiny bit, like one little stretch or push of something into my side/tummy, but no bursts of movement. Just one or two wiggles and then it's all still again. :confused:

Just wanted to thank you all for letting me vent in here. I didn't realize how anxious I would really get about this surgery coming up. It's been planned for a few weeks now, and I've been okay so I thought I'd be fine, but now that it's just a few days away, I'm totally nuts. Thanks ya'll!

Appetite - It's gone. I just went home for lunch to check on my remodel (I have drywall in 2 of 3 rooms now, yay!) and I didn't even eat. I'm absolutely not hungry. I had an ice cream bar on the way back, just for taste. I didn't really want breakfast, I haven't had my usual snacks... Weird.


cr8zyforaf - I may be horny but I'm too uncomfy to actually do anything about it. ;) Unfortunately DH is working 2 jobs now and doesn't get home till 2am so I have no hope of getting any, even if I felt up to it!

dbers - be careful! I hope you make it to the wedding okay!

PC - yay on full term!!

Back to work for me. Wheee.

[BeachBum]

Laura--Thanks for sharing your story. I can't believe how beautiful Josiah is! I think most newborns are really funny looking, but he is just so perfect. I hope the breastfeeding gets easier for you.


Things are Ok here (36 weeks) I'm far more uncomfy today than I was yesterday. I'm so swollen and gross.
We still haven't packed our hospital bag. Doing it seems stressful for some reason. :confused:
We started covering the inside of the armoire in the baby's room with fabric last night. It looks really cute (the outside is painted red, so we are using red check with red gross grain ribbon), but it more of a pain than we thought. I haven't used Mod Podge in years! I was kind of fun.

I'm so worried about not knowing if my water breaks. I'm so hot and sweaty, that I feel damp all the time anyway. I know its gross....Yesterday I pulled up my shirt and my bra had sweat lines--BLECH! :eek: :eek:



So those of you delivering next week, whatcha doing this weekend?

[hmbay]

no time for s/o's since I've missed the first half of work today--just wanted to post an update:

my little hospital adventure pt 2..... So I wake up this morning and the spotting is heavier and starting to turn red. I call the hospital and they tell me to keep my 8:30 u/s appt at the radiology place then to come over to L&D triage. u/s goes well. Still spotting but the tech noted it was dark brown now and that my placenta has FINALLY moved.!!!! It's still around 2cm away but it was 1.5 last time and it is just over 2 this time! She got a great shot of it and said with certainty it has moved away. And the baby is weighing in around 4 pounds 13 oz (Colin was born at 4 pounds 11 oz). So I go to L&D and they actually check the spotting this time and do a hesitant internal since they know for sure where the placenta is. They can't find the cervix without getting more agressive so tell me that's a good sign and leave it at that. NST test looks great so the dr stopped to chat and sent me back to work. No bedrest. Just keep doing what I'm doing. Explained exactly what will happen if I have serious placenta problems and what I need to do but said most likely I should make it several more weeks and since the placenta does appear to be moving she feels I might spot more but it shouldn't turn disasterous. She also informed me only about half their drs fully support vbac's out of the 11 who might be on call but that their policy is if you've only had 1 c/s and your placenta is at least 2 cm away (which mine now is) I can demand to try a VBAC and don't have to automatically have a c/s. She did warn me that I will most likely lose more blood than someone with a further away placenta which might necessitate stopping the vbac attempt--she gave me a 60-70% chance for a successful vbac if I attempt it. I also have the option to just schedule the c/s or stop the vbac attempt at ANY point in the process (I don't have to wait until a certain hour or dilation point) and switch to a c/s. So the bad news is I wasted half a day I really needed to be at work but the good news is the placenta has moved and the dr was very positive about this baby making it to at least 37 weeks! :D About time I get some good news! ;)

[wildcat]

Super busy at work, so no time for s/o's (I'll try for that tonight!), but had a quick question...

stretchmarks - I think I got my first one yesterday:mad:. Yesterday morning, nothing. I get home from work yesterday, change clothes, and I have a 2inch long red mark to the upper left of my belly button..what the he77??? It looks like broken blood vessels, is that a stretch mark? I always thought of them more as a shiny, indented thing, but this isn't. I know it's wishful thinking, but I thought maybe I caught my belly on something yesterday, but I guess I should just accept it.

[Cr8nme]

I too am super busy!

I am having the most extreme pain today. I can hardly walk from all the sharp pains and pressure. It even hurts down there when I cough :(

Hope everyone is okay today:)

[AlisonCO]

Laura - Your story is beautiful - thank you for sharing. Good Luck with breastfeeding - I hope that it gets easier soon!

hmbay - Yeah for the good news! It sounds like there is a good chance that a VBAC will work for you, but if not you will be in control of what happens.

PrincessCrappy - Yeah for full term! Your DH has a very good memory :D

hisdaffodil - I missed your other ? about the gift for your pregnant friend - I love the idea of adding a cute maternity shirt or maybe a gift cert for a massage or pedicure. Thinking about you, your DH and family!

randysmandy - I wonder if the back pain that you are having are really contractions? Sometimes while I am having BH's, I also get some pain in my lower back - kinda like PMS type cramps.

Thank you all for your congrats on the version! I am very sore today - in my belly and my vagina/cervix. I have been obsessively checking my belly to make sure that she is still head down:) I have been having a bunch of hard conntractions since my exam yesterday - I actually had 4 in about 30 minutes this morning that I had to breathe thru! One thing I forgot to mention about yesterday is that we saw our baby practicing breathing! It was so cool. You could see her lungs moving and her ribs going in and out - the tech said that it was a sign of a very happy baby.

stretch marks - I have 2 left over from last time, but no new one yet. Mine didn't actually appear last time until the last week. I did get some on my boobs after my milk came in but they were very faint and actually faded to the point where you can't see them.

sex - You all are crackin me up with this sex talk! We tried to do it last time at 40 weeks to bring on labor but it was so ridiculous that we both started laughing hysterically. I have no desire, DH seems OK and I would rather try other inducers like massage, pineapple and spicy foods.

I have been a lot more swollen in the last couple of days - I have to remember to take off my wedding ring in the early evening or it starts to hurt. I also have been loosing some of my mucus plug since yesterday some of it has been bloody - probably from the exam yesterday.

This weekend we are going to take Aidan swimming so I pulled out my swim top and it barely covers my belly - it was so cute a couple of months ago ;) I guess that means that I will have to try and shave down there a bit tonight so I don't scare anyone tomorrow.

Happy Friday mommies!

[hisdaffodil]

Allison - lol. Shaving is a gymnastic sport for me these days. I gave up.

cr8nme - Ouch! I'm sorry!

wildcat - I don't think they turn shiny for a while, right? You can see some in the belly shots thread if you go over there, maybe that'll help you see if your mark is one? I'm not going to say I haven't got any yet cuz if I do, I"ll get one :rolleyes: I panic all the time at night when I undress, because of all the lines from my clothes that I see out of the corner of my eye and freak out at.

hm - yay for good news!!

[jo&sean]

Laura - Thank you for sharing your birth story! Josiah is beautiful :)

PC - Yeah for being full term now. I can't believe your DH remembered your conversation ;)

Michelle - I am having those same kinds of pains. It really sucks doesn't it? Hang in there. Did you get your plumbing problem fixed?

Hisdaffodil - Don't worry about "venting" about your DH's surgery. I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling about it all - I mean even without being pg it would be stressful enough. So Dory has calmed down today? Hmmmmm.....

Hmbay - Yeah for the good news :)

Beachbum - Your armoire projects sounds really cool.


I had my first weekly appnt this morning. My dr says everything looks great. I told him how much pressure and pain I am having in my hoo-ha but I am not dilated at all. He said it is perfectly normal and because I am so petite Addy doesn't have a lot of room to go anywhere else except up and down. Her butt is stuffed under my ribs and her head is so low in my crotch that he said when she "drops", she will be dropping out into the world ;) So I have to just put up with the discomfort until she is ready to make her grand entrance which is a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things. My next appt is next Thursday and I will have all the group b tests then.

So glad today is Friday. Anyone have any exciting plans for the weekend? DH is home and working on Addy's nursery as I type (I am home too for that matter!). He is actually putting the first coat of mud on the walls!! Yeah!

[Cr8nme]

I got my plumbing project filled after my house semi-flooded :rolleyes: My whole drain was clogged by roots in the pipe that is coming fro a 50 foot tree in my backyard that is looking for water ugggg. So it took them 2 hours almost to unclog it.

[philnikki]

Wow! I have been away for a day and a half, and this thread has moved along like crazy!

Thanks to everyone for their well wished for Monday. I am PETRIFIED. I think the reality has finally set in. Consciously, I am doing ok, but I have had more tension in my back and neck in the past few days and I am convinced its a subconscious stress taking its toll.

As far as my plans for my *last* weekend of freedom (lol) DH has to work both days :( (well, in his case midnight shift) during the day on Sat. we are going to my nephew's first bday party and Sunday we might catch a movie, but mostly we are going to rest up for the big day on Monday!!!

movement - count me in with the decreased movement. She will be pretty calm most of the day and then out of nowhere has these big bouts of energy!

sex - We FINALLY DTD earlier today ;) lol DH has been so scared he would bump her in the head or something, lol I was hoping that it would help me dialate a little more for my induction. I am going to be eating a ton of pineapple and walking around a lot over the weekend too to make sure that things are starting to progress on thier own as well.

Laura - Thanks for your story!! Although now I am scared about the pain :( Did it really still hurt that bad with the epi in?? I am so nervous about that!! Glad you little one is doing well now!

hisdaffodil - Feel free to vent here sweetie. I know all of us are thinking of you and DH right now. It's a lot to deal with!!!

hmbay - Yeah!!! For good news!!

stretchmarks Um, I have a ton of those red lines :( They all cropped up about a week or so ago out of nowhere!! ARG. Hopefully they go away soon. Not fun at all. I am totally at this point as to wondering whether I will ever be sexy again ???

leg cramping - anyone starting to get this more and more now? Mine hurt like crazy for two full days! No amount of massaging or elevation or water would help. no fun.

Ok, well I better get off of here. I need to get some things done around this house before I head off to dreamland!!

Only 2 more full days left to go until my induction!!! :D

[mittyrd]

Laura: Congrats again! I'm so glad that you were able to bring Josiah home even though he was a little early! Pumping $uck$ but worth it to the babies. I know - I pump 7 times a day for 7 weeks now :eek: I haven't enjoyed one minute of it. Good for you for having such a good supply already - it takes some people quite a while to get that.

Sex: Even though it's been 7 weeks since I delivered we haven't done it yet. Just too tired between working, visiting babies, taking care of Jake, pumping and pumping, etc. I did do it during my last pg when I was ready to have Jake. It was the only time we did it (4 days before my due date) and lo and behold, I went into labor a few hours later.

[Brink]

I ended up working 1/2 day today and spent the rest of the day with DH. We went shopping and bought a new dining room table. Then I did some painting and caulking while he hung the closet doors in the nursery. We'll have another month of finishing touches, but it's getting there.

We have our couples shower/BBQ tomorrow. It's primarily DH's friends, but should be a lot of fun. We are running round tomorrow morning to get ready for it. At least it doesn't start until 4:00 so we have the day to prepare.

Jo&sean - Yeah for mud! You'll have texture and paint before you know it.

Princesscrappy - Congrats on the full term.

Mittyrd - I didn't even think about you going back to work. Do you just get the standard six weeks off or do you get to take more time when the babies come home? I know in California you can take up to 12 weeks anytime in the first year - does that apply for you?

Well, better get to bed so I can have energy for tomorrow.

[mittyrd]

Brink: I only took 4 weeks off even though I was entitled to 8 weeks since I had a c/s. But since the boys were transferred to the hospital where I work, I just went back to work. I could use the money. I am taking 12 weeks off when they come home which unfortunately will be unpaid but I am entitled to it under the FMLA.


Speaking of the boys coming home.........the doctor told me that they might be coming home at the end of the week :eek: They are off their tube feeds as of last night so they should be ready for discharge at the end of the week. It's been a long 8 weeks - I'll be happy to try and get some type of normal life back. Can it be normal with 3 boys under age 2 at home??? :rolleyes:

[jo&sean]

Mitty - That is so exciting that the boys will be coming home so soon! You are going ot have your hands full but in a very good way :)

Brink - Have fun at the BBQ today.

[PrincessCrappy]

Mitty - That is wonderful news! Hopefully the boys will do great this week so they can come home with the rest of the family by the end of the week.

Brink - Have a great time at your shower today!

Nikki - Only 2 more days! I am SO excited for you! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

dbers - I hope you are having a great time at the wedding.

I think I got a temporary "get out of sex free" card. I mentioned to DH what Mitty posted about going into labor 4 hours after having sex and he freaked out. He also realized it would be much easier for him to complete his fantasy football draft next weekend if the baby weren't here yet :rolleyes:.

I wonder if we made it through the full moon last night without any new babies?

[solongtogo]

Mitty: Congratulations on the wonderful news!

[randysmandy]

It looks like we did not make it through the full moon last night....
We need to congratulate hisdaffodil on a new baby boy!

Being her labor buddy, Sheree's husband called me today to tell me the good news.
Sheree had James Dorian Kinkade Po.... (she will help me with the spelling when she returns) at 9:18 am. He was 5lbs 13 1/2 oz and 17 1/2" long. He is under observation because the little guy had some breathing complications. Sheree's DH told me it was nothing to be worried about-nothing like resporatory distress or anything. She will be in the hospital for another 2 days and will fill us in on the rest!!!!!

[Sandie78]

Yea! Congratulations Hisdaffodil! And welcome James. :)

[AlisonCO]

CONGRATULATIONS hisdaffodil! Welcome to the world little James!

mittyrd - Congrats to you and to those strong little guys you have! How exciting to have them home so soon!

[solongtogo]

Congratulations to daffodil and her husband! Welcome James!!!

[dbers]

CONGRATULATIONS to hisdaffodil!!! - how exciting!

I made it back from the wedding - so glad I went. although I am having some contractions now - we'll see!!

[jo&sean]

Congrats Sheree to you and your family and welcome to James Dorian "Dori"!!!! :)

[philnikki]

OMG!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHEREE AND BABY JAMES!!!!

Wow! Can you believe it?!? I totally didn't see that one coming ;) lol

Thanks to everyone for wishing me luck! Only 1 more day until I get to meet my baby girl!! Woo Hoo!!!!

Take Care!!

~Nikki

[September05Mommies]

Thread title has been updated! Remember that it still takes a Mod. to post it.

Weird isn't it that our first 4 babies were all boys?!?

~philnikki

[wildcat]

Congrat's Sheree and baby James!!

Everytime I see a new baby, I get so excited, it's so hard to believe the time is here!!

Nikki - I can't wait to get your call on Monday, labor buddy!!!

nursing bra question - I know we already sorta talked about this once, but I was wondering if anyone has a Medela nursing bra? We had our breastfeeding class today and the lactation consultant showed us the Medela bras and they looked comfortable and are only $20 or so. I have a fitting on Tuesday after my dr. appt (the lactation consultant is part of my dr. group), but wanted to know any opinions?

[Brink]

Congratulations Hisdaffodil and baby James! So very exciting, I can't wait to hear the birth story.

Mitty - so glad to hear the boys are coming home soon, and good for you that you get to take the 12 weeks off. Hard to do financially, but I'm sure will be worth it. I am going through some of the same thought about how long to take off. I'm going to try and take the 12 weeks off, but not sure if we can afford it (I'm the primary breadwinner). Good luck.

Shower - we had a great shower. Got our babyswing, diaper bag and some other cool stuff. We are heading over to BRU tomorrow to pick up what we didn't get between the showers. That should be fun too.

Well, it's after midnight and we said goodbye to our last guest. I wanted to check the site to see if anything had happened, guess I was right. 4 babies already and it's not even September 1st.

Nikki - good luck on Monday.

[BeachBum]

Congrats hisdaffodil! and welcome James! I can't wait to hear more. :D

[mittyrd]

Congrats to hisdaffodil!!! Welcome James!!

[AndreaMMS]

Oh, WOW!

Congratulations, hisdaffodil - welcome sweet baby James!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nikki - Best of luck - I can't believe you're having your baby TOMORROW! That's so exciting!!!!

Mittyrd - I'm so happy to hear how well the boys are doing - congratulations!!!!!

[solongtogo]

Nikki,

Just wanted to wish you the best for tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you and hope recovery is a breeze for ya.

[jo&sean]

Nikki - Good Luck Tomorrow!!

[pixiecat]

Yippee!! Another baby!! Welcome James & congrats hisdaffodil!!!

Nikki - can't believe that tomorrow is the big day!!! Wishing you all the best & hope Ava makes a speedy appearance!!

[Cr8nme]

Nikki~ Girl you beat me ;) Good luck tomorrow and I can't wait to see little ava!!

[BeachBum]

Nikki- How about one more belly shot before the big day? :D Good luck tomorrow. I hope things go as planned, and wish you an easy recovery.

Mitty That is great news about the boys! I can't even imagine how hard this must have been for you. I hadn't realized that you had been back at work too!

hmbay that sounds like great news about your placenta moving and the options for the VBAC. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it works out how you want it to.

Shaving is a gymnastic sport for me these days. I gave up. I had DH do it for me with his beard trimmer. :D :p


I have been a lot more swollen in the last couple of days - I have to remember to take off my wedding ring in the early evening or it starts to hurt. I haven't been able to wear mine at all for over a month! I did have a friend who had to have hers cut off, so that might have scared me a bit too.

[PrincessCrappy]

Congratulations, Sheree! Welcome, Baby James!!

Good luck tomorrow, Nikki! We'll be thinking good thoughts for you and Ava.

[philnikki]

Well everyone, thank you so much for your thoughts and good luck. I am super nervous, but so excited to meet my baby girl. DH and I are getting ready to go to sleep (we need to get up at 4am tom. morning to eat, get ready, and be at the hospital by 6am). DH knows to call wildcat first thing, so you all should know pretty soon after it happens!!!

YEAH :D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dbers]

Good luck Niki!!! So excited for you, and can't wait to hear all about it!!

Here's a 38 week belly shot:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d600b3127cce93cc1bf6a88500000016108AbMWjNs3cM1

[AlisonCO]

Nikki - I hope that you have a very smooth labor and delivery - can't wait to hear the news! Good Luck tomorrow!

dbers - Cute, Cute pic!

wildcat - I don't have a Medela bra, but they are pretty well known and $20 is a great price. I would definetely get one and see how you like it.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

[hmbay]

hisdaffodil--congrats on baby James!

mittyd--how exciting the boys might be coming home! :) I hope they can at the end of the week.

sex--hmm well because of my low lying placenta DH hasn't had any since 20 weeks so pretty much he hasn't had any in 4 months. Cranky is an understatement. Since my placenta has now moved he wants sex. I asked the dr at the hospital and she said as long as I'm still spotting (and they aren't exactly sure why I'm spotting) I should continue to be on "pelvic rest". So every day I'm getting "are you still spotting????" Sigh. I miss the intimacy since it's been so long but part of me is like "can't you just wait a few more freaking weeks since you've made it this long?" I feel like a fat cow and I'm still afraid of something happening with the placenta. Maybe the dr will give me additional insight at my appt on Tuesday.

[PrincessCrappy]

Diane - Is this the first pic we've seen of you? You are the cutest thing ever! Glad to hear you had a good trip to the wedding this weekend.

I got my hair chopped off on Friday and I'm still not too sure how I feel about it. My DH loves it, though.

We had a pretty busy weekend. Friday night we went out to dinner with friends. Saturday we went to the mall. I needed to get a wedding shower present and I wanted to stock up at Sephora on much *needed* make-up stuff. DH and I went our separate ways at the mall....I think he might have been looking for my "push present". Saturday night we went to dinner at a friends house. Today we went to church and then another afternoon of shopping. We finally found drapes and lamps that we agreed on for our master bedroom and we found a great surf framed picture for the nursery. Now Scott is stuck with hanging all of this stuff...

I am desperately looking for a white, wooden floor and table lamp. I know PBK has them, but I was hoping I might find them cheaper somewhere else. Any suggestions?

I have been procrastinating on packing my hospital bag. I think it will make things too real. However, I have been having pain all day, so I think I better go get packed! Hope everyone had a great weekend.

[knzbound]

Congrats hisdaffodil and welcome James!

Woohoo--babies a-coming.

Nikki--Sending easy laboring vibes your way. Can't wait to hear all about your new arrival!

Medela bra--I bought a Medela late in my nursing life (after all my Bravados sagged out and I got tired of looking so schlumpy. The Bravados are super comfy in those first few weeks when you want/need to sleep in your nursing bras, but I just felt very saggy in them and I am very small-breasted.). I liked it better than the Bravado, but it was a little bunchy under clothes. Could just be my bbs or maybe there are different Medela styles? I think you could also use it for hands-free pumping, which I imagine would be a big bonus, but I barely ever pumped so I never tried that feature!

Bunching/major seamage-see-through seem to be a common problem w/nursing bras esp. if you wear nursing pads. Still hunting for one that looks good under tight-fitting or light-colored clothes! I feel like I spent 12 months in sweatshirts because my nursing bras looked so ridiculous under everything else.

[philnikki]

Good Morning!!!

Getting ready to leave for the hospital in a few! :D :D :D

Just wanted to say hello and thanks again for all of your thoughts! I truly, truly have appreciated your friendship throughout my pregnancy! You guys are the best :D

[randysmandy]

I know this is late, but Good luck Nikki-I can't wait to see Ava!!! I'm sure everything will go smoothly.

Dbers You look so cute.....I took my last belly shot yesterday. I plan on capturing it on video when I go into labor (or shall I say start my contractions) I saw a couple do that on Baby Story and I think it is a really good idea.

Nursing Bras I found the greatest nursing bras at Walmart. Had no idea they carried them since they don't have maternity clothes-but they do! They are between $9-12. No underwire and the shoulder straps are padded. I figure I can wear them to bed.

[cr8zyforaf]

Boy, I miss a few days and look what happens - another baby. Congrats to hisdaffodil and welcome to little James! Can't wait to hear how you both are doing.

Nikki - Good luck. I will be thinking of you today!

PrincessCrappy - lamps - you may want to check out JC Pennys - I just got their fall/winter book and I seem to remember some white lamps like they have at PBK. Also, try Sears...that is where I got the nursery furniture and I also remember seeing lamps in their book.

hmbay - fingers crossed that you get some answers at your appointment. I know it must be hard for you and DH.

dbers - you are adorable - great belly shot!

Nursing Bras - I purchased a few at Sears - no idea who makes them - I think they were $20 a piece and seem comfy. I just worry that I should have bought them bigger.

I am 38 weeks today - I have also not been able to wear my rings for about a month - I had the same fear - I did not want to have to cut them off. I am starting to swell. Also, the decrease in movement has me worried..is anyone else having a lot less movement lately? - I am thinking about calling the doctor. I am so uncomfortable and crampy.

[wildcat]

Nikki - I'm thinking about you this morning and sending good labor vibes that everything goes well and Ava makes her appearance soon!!

I'll let everyone know as soon as I get the phone call!

We had a great weekend! My DH and I are taking advantage of the last few "baby-free" weekends we have! Friday night we ran some errands and went to dinner. Saturday we went out to breakfast and then went to our breastfeeding class (which I really enjoyed as it was something I didn't know as much as I wanted to and really really want to be successful at!), then I had a girls dinner. Yesterday, we were kinda lazy and watched some tv, took a nap, cleaned the house (as it dawned on me that I could go into labor at any time with all the moms having babies around my due date and we need the house to stay clean!), then went grocery shopping (which we hadn't done in a month or better) and spent $250!! Then it was 8:30 and we didn't feel like cooking dinner and decided there were very few weekends left we could go out to dinner at 9pm on a Sunday, so we did:). I ordered the boys going home outfit over the weekend from the gap, it's this:
http://www.gap.com/assets/product/main/baby/bg300492-00p1.jpg
http://www.gap.com/assets/product/main/baby/bg300483-00p1.jpg
and I couldn't decide on which onsie, so I ordered them in white, blue, and blue and white striped and figure out which one when they get here!

I also ordered the diaper bag I've been drooling over for months:
http://store.babycenter.com/MEDIA/ProductCatalog/50239_207494_md.jpg

The only thing we really have left in the nursery is waiting on the glider and ottoman to get here (its' been 11 weeks since we ordered) and then my mom is going to sew curtains and a diaper stacker. I'll post pics when everything is finally in!

Oh - and my stretchmark wasn't a stretchmark, but just a scratch!!yippee!! So, almost 36 weeks and still stretchmark free, there's hope!

Hope everyone is having a good day, as much as we can be on a Monday anyway:rolleyes:.

[Brink]

Happy Monday - we'll if I weren't at work I guess it would be happy. I can't wait to be out of here......

Sunday DH and I spent together. We ran some errands but the biggest thing was BRU. We ended up getting all of the "big" stuff for our shower - stroller, highchair, swing, etc., but we didn't get any of the smaller stuff. So, we packed $1,200 worth of stuff into a cart (including a breat pump, that was a lot!) and completed everything. We got home yesterday and put everything away. I'll have to pull a bunch of it back out at some point to wash it all, but at least it's all there. Now we need to spend some time putting some things together, but we are all set.

Nikki - it's 9:00 my time, so I'm betting you are seriously underway with having Ava, but wanted to say good luck.

Wildcat - great coming home outfit.

Hope everyone has great days.....

[PrincessCrappy]

Cr8zyforaf - Thanks for the lamp recommendations. I'll definitely check those places out. I knew someone here would be able to help!

Brink - I went last week to finish off our registry, too. It was fun since most of the stuff left on the list were toys. We decided to leave the bigger stuff for later, especially since it's stuff we won't use right away like the high chair and a couple of toys for an older baby.

Wildcat - I LOVE that boy outfit. I was just in the store this weekend and I didn't see it. It's a good thing I already bought the boy outfit. I did pick up the girl outfit while I was there, though.
http://www.gap.com/assets/product/vi/baby/bg300431-01v.jpg http://www.gap.com/assets/product/vi/baby/bg300432-02v.jpg http://www.gap.com/assets/product/vi/baby/bg332581-00v.jpg http://www.gap.com/assets/product/vi/baby/bg300912-02v.jpg
Unfortunately they don't have a picture online of the cutest part of the outfit. It's a matching pink hat that is like a beret with a cute pink bow.

I can't wait to get an update on Nikki. How exciting!

[Kay2003]

congrats hisdaffodil! - can't wait to hear the birth story.

mitty - glad to hear your twin boys are coming home soon.

philnikki - I'm thinking of you now. can't wait to hear the good news.

dbers - I'm in a kind of similar situation as you were in....Next saturday I will be 37 weeks and 2 days. I want to go to my friend's wedding, which is seven hours away by car. I have an appointment on wednesday with my doctor (hopefully they will check my cervix) and can make a recommendation one way or the other. I really hope this baby stays put until after the wedding!! If I go, I'll leave saturday morning, go to the wedding and drive back on sunday..... but I'll bring my hospital bag, carseat, etc. etc with me just in case I have to deliver somewhere there!!

[Brink]

So, I'm sitting here at work, not working, and just had to share. This will be Aimee's Halloween costume. I think it is the cutest thing - plus, do you remember the Friends episode when Pheobie talks about Ross being Rachel's Lobster? Well, in addition to my DH being my lobster, I figure I'll love Aimee for the rest of her life, so she must be my lobster too!!!!! Anyway, just thought it was adorable.

http://images.snapfish.com/3447962323232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2334%3D873%3D965%3DXRO QDF%3E2323%3A558%3A%3B7%3C8ot1lsi

Princess - very cute outfit. I still haven't decided what to bring Aimee home in. Maybe I'll head over to Baby Gap.

[wildcat]

princesscrappy - They don't have that boys outfit in the stores...I went last Monday and they told me they were getting in all the new stuff on Tuesday. So DH and I went Friday night and still nothing, so I just ordered it online! Very cute girls outfit!! I just HAD to have pink for a girls outfit, also! I got it a few months ago at Gymboree, so it feels good to have them both finally done!

mitty - How exciting that the boys are coming home soon!!! I'm sure you are so excited!!

Brink - That's quite the shopping trip! It feels good to have everything done though, doesn't it? We were expecting to have to do a giant trip like that, but were very, very blessed at our showers...but had a few things to return (duplicates) and had a few other things to pick-up. It was so surreal actually BUYING things! It seems like just a few weeks ago we set-up the registry!

Still no word from Phil or Nikki!

less movement - Yep, sorta. I didn't have much movement at all last week, but then this kid has been going CRAZY all weekend and today. It's definitely much less of a pattern than it used to be.

[solongtogo]

less movement: Yep, definitely, and it's because there's so much less room in there for them to stretch out in. You should be feeling baby at least once a day...often times I didn't even know baby was moving until I pressed down on my belly a bit.

[randysmandy]

Today I woke up naucious but starving at the same time. I am a bit dizzy and my back is killing me. The nauciousness went away though after I ate lunch. The baby is squirming, but not rolling around like he usually does. I also got some pains this morning, but they subsided on my way to work....any thoughts????? Could I possibly be getting ready? I have an appointment tomorrow and can't wait to see how dialated I am . Also this weekend I tried to clean but my pulse went up to 95 and I couldn't breath that well. So I took it easy the rest of the day. I want to talk to my OB about that.
We went to our 5th and final wedding of the year Saturday and then caught dinner and a movie yesterday-maybe our last for a while. :)

Brink What an adorable costume!!!
Princess and Wildcat I also think that the outfits you have chosen are very cute!
Aren't you all anxious to put their little bodies into them!

I am wondering if Nikki has a little baby yet!

[PrincessCrappy]

Oh my gosh, Randysmandy, I could have written your post! I just finished vomitting and have some pretty sharp pains in my lower abdomen. The baby's movement is definitely feeling different and my belly is a lot lower than it was a few days ago. I have my dr appt this afternoon. I wonder if I can get her to do an internal...they like to wait until 38 weeks before starting internals (I have no idea why) and I'm only 37.5 :rolleyes:.

Brink - That is the cutest costume I've ever seen! I totally remember the lobster episode -- how perfect to find the costume. Where did you find it, I should probably start looking for one.

[solongtogo]

Man are we all having days or what? I too, woke up nasty sick and spent the morning vomiting.

[wildcat]

Weird!! I woke up and had to take Tums this morning...not like me at all!! Normally that's only at night!

[Cr8nme]

I could have written that post on saturday. I actually threw up in the kitchen sink:eek: I know it is so gross but at least it wasn't on the floor. Yesterday I could hardly walk with the back pain and the stomach cramping. I definately feel like soemthign is going on or trying to get started. I guess we will see. I was reaaly hoping the baby would come before Wednesday b/c my grandad is in town until then and then he won't be able to see the baby until Christmas :(

I have my bag packed except I need to get a little hat for the baby to wear home and I need a going home outfit as well as some socks and maybe some candy to suck on. What does everyone else have in their bag?

Right now I have:
Robe
Nightgown (nursing and regular)
Slippers
Going home outfit for baby
Maxi Pads
Toiletries for me and hubby
Change of underclothes and T-shirt for hubby
Boppy pillow and regular pillow

Am I forgetting anything?

[Brink]

Sounds like a lot of you are getting ready - so exciting.

Anyone else having numbness in their limbs? My right arm has been bothering me for the last week and today it is horrible. I'm trying to work (ok, a little) and everytime I work on the computer and use the mouse, my arm/hand goes numb and I have to stop. I'm assuming she is just resting on a nerve, but is anyone else experiencing this?

PrincessCrappy - I got the costume on-line at www.onestepahead.com - they had a bunch of them to pick from. Just too cute to pass up.

[randysmandy]

WOW-freeky....maybe we will all go into labor the same day!
Princess have a good appointment-they started my internals at 36 weeks! Press for it!

My bag
Pj's and robe
shirt for dh
Outfit to come home in
Socks
slippers
2 nursing bras
bathingsuit for dh
baby book for footprints!
baby coming home outfit (hat, socks,pants and shirt)
blanket for baby
camera (x-tra batteries)
video camera (tape already set up)
tucks pads
toiletries for both
hair elastics
snacks
magazines
money for food and change for vending machine
birthing ball (well not exactly IN the bag)
DH thinks I want to bring WAY too many things, but better safe than sorry!

I'm going home early today--I'm not coomfortable!

[hmbay]

clothes to come home in--just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. Try to pack something without a tummy panel in the front--either baggy non-maternity stuff or maternity stuff that just stretched all over like leggings etc. Reason I say this is after my c/s I could not wear anything with the panel--the bottom seam where the elastic hit the rest of the material seemed to hit right where my incision was. Hopefully no one will end up with a "surprise" c/s but if you do you might have the same problem with clothes rubbing on the incision so I thought I'd suggest packing something that should work with either type of delivery.

[SD601]

Congratulations, hisdaffodil and happy birthday baby James!

I can't wait to hear from Nikki. Inductions can take a long time, although I hope she goes quickly. I think baby Ava really wants out of there!

Regarding hospital bags, I don't think you guys have too much stuff. Of course, I was in the hospital for two weeks, so I was dying to have my own stuff, but even those two days after birth, I just wanted to feel like me. I put on my own pj's, used a robe for the bathroom, used my nursing bra, and put on make-up and hair stuff. Really, it's no big deal to have a lot of stuff. If you are being induced, I do recommend a laptop or mini-DVD player. I was in pain, so it was difficult to read, but watching Seinfeld DVD's really helped take my mind off it. DH and I had hours of fun through early labor.

I'm sorry so many of you are sick. I tell my DH at least once a day that I'm soooo happy not to be pregnant anymore.

Update: breastfeeding is going tentatively better, at least for the past three feedings. He can kind of latch on with the nipple shield, but I'm still pumping away to give him EBM. Since he has jaundice, he is very sleepy, so he's been pretty easy to take care of. He's one week old today and has his first doctor's appointment tomorrow!

Laura

[solongtogo]

Was Nikki getting induced or was she having a c-section? I can't remember...

[wildcat]

Nikki was being induced...had to be at the hospital at 6am today. Still no word!!

[hisdaffodil]

I'm pretty worn out so I'll do my best.

Friday I had a rough day, was still nauseous, but no contractions or anything really. When I got home from work, I was just really tired. I went out later to run an errand and got something to eat while I was out. A storm started hitting the area, so I headed to my mom's. About 8 or so I vomited a lot, had some diarrhea, and started contracting. They were just every hour and didn't hurt, so I thought they were BH. By 10, they were every ten minutes, and by midnight, they were down to 5 minutes and starting to hurt, but I was still in denial. So we stayed until about 2am, when they were around 3 minutes and hurting badly! Then I bundled up with my mom and ran to my house to get the hospital bag, leaving DS at her place with DH (He had to work 2 jobs the next day so I felt guilty waking him if it was a false alarm). By the time we got my bag and headed toward the hospital, I was down to 2 minutes and hurting, so we called DH to meet us at the hospital with DS.

I got in and got checked and was only 3cm, but contracting regularly. Seemed like they wanted to send me home, but by the time they got a call back from the on-call doctor, I had dilated another cm and was 70% effaced, so since I was making progress, they checked me in. So by 4am I was in a room. Since my GBS results hadn't gotten in yet from last week's swab, they started antibiotics. Then they decided taht since they did that, they'd go ahead and break my water, this was at 5:30. I got my epidural right after that, yay! I was still only 7cm by 8:30 and had only gotten an hour of sleep all night/morning. Then something kicked in because at 9:00 the nurse noticed my contractions were right on top of each other, she checked me and was like "Uh oh this baby's almost out!" :eek:

So she scrambled people together. The doc was called and reported that he was 15 minutes away. They got the room ready and told me to please not push, sneeze, cough, laugh or in any way move my tummy. :p

By 9:10, the previous shift's on-call doc showed up and said since he was still hanging around, he might as well deliver me. So he got down there and I pushed 5 times and James slid on out at 9:18.

He did have some difficulty breathing at first, and was given oxygen immediately. By 30 minutes post-birth, he was still not doing well so they decided to take him to the NICU. I got to hold him very briefly and he was whisked away.

After several hours, he was still having very labored breathing, so they put him on a CPAP and officially called him in respiratory distress syndrome. He did much better, and his blood gas levels were getting better, although his extremities were staying purply. After another day, he took a turn for the worse. His lung x-rays showed that his lungs were starting to collapse, and he was on 100% oxygen assistance. Around 4:00pm today they put him on a ventilator.

The neo-natal doc said that this would help him get better much faster since he wouldn't be exhausting all his energy just trying to breathe. By the time I left the hospital, about 45 minutes ago, he was already stabilizing his respiration and heart rates. They're also doing a little phototherapy as he was a bit jaundiced and without him eating anything right now, the lights are the only way to get it out.

So I'm home alone, without my little boy. It's been a traumatic few days. I just want to hold him so badly. I have no idea how long he'll be in there. Once he gets over the respiratory problems, they won't release him until he's feeding well. And they indicated taht could be several days after he starts breathing better. So I'm thinking he'll be in a week to two weeks.

I'm doing okay, I guess. I've been pumping and my nips are already cracked and bleeding from the hospital pump. So by the 2nd day, I had DH go home for my nice little manual Avent pump. It's just so much gentler than the electric. So I've been pumping milk for him and I'm way ahead of him since he's not even started yet. I was 134 lbs going in, and was 126 today going out.

His name is James Dorian Kincaid P.... Thanks for reporting his birth for me!!

I'll be checking back with him tonight and see how his gasses are doing. Then tomorrow morning I have to check my husband into the hospital, then drive back and forth between hospitals all day! The doc said I'm not even supposed to be driving but she understands that I gotta do what I gotta do. Ugh.

Funny note, she said I could have sex after 4 weeks, btu the nurse said 6. Hmmm. Not that I even want to THINK about it.

Oh and another funny. She said another of her patients delivered saturday morning at 36 weeks with a boy at 5lbs 13oz. Odd!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d603b3127cce93c3874de17b00000006109AZOG7Vw0ac

[jo&sean]

Sheree - Thank you for posting your story. I am so sorry that James is in the hospital but it sounds like he is going to be fine and I hope he gets to come home very soon! He looks so precious in his picture - just perfect. I can't believe it only took you 5 pushes - and that the nurses told you to hold up. What were they doing while you were progressing? You are under a lot of stress right now - take care of yourself and know that we are all thinking of you. I hope that your DH's surgery goes well tomorrow and be careful driving.

[Sandie78]

Aww, Sheree it sounds like it has been a tough couple of days. It's good to hear that James is in the hands of good doctors, and hopefully he'll be able to come home soon.


In other news, I had a scary night tonight. Dh and I were doing some babysitting at church and one of the little girls we were watching (2 years old) had a seizure. We didn't know she had this condition and it scared me a lot, but she ended up being fine. Made me a bit more nervous about being a mom though.

[Brink]

Hisdaffodil -

Thank you for sharing your story - you must be exhausted. I'm so happy to hear baby James is doing better and we will be thinking of him. Good luck to you and your DH tomorrow for that surgery. Can't believe all of this is hitting you at the same time - it's times like this that we realize what strong women we are - hang in there....

Carpel Tunnel - so, I think that is what I have. Even typing this note hurts (but I'll do it anyway). I'll talk to my doc tomorrow, but everything I've read makes it sound like that. I'll probably wear a wrist brace for the next few weeks. They say that 25% of pg women get it and it usually goes away after the pg. I'll count on that!

[wildcat]

hisdaffodil - Thanks for sharing your birth story, and so quick! Sorry to hear that James has to stay in the hospital awhile longer, but whatever's for the best and it sounds like he'll be just fine! Good luck with your DH's surgery tomorrow, keep us updated when you can.

Still no word from Nikki or Phil! Hopefully they're just holding their little girl in awe and aren't still in labor!

[mittyrd]

Hisdaffodil: Sorry to hear that baby James has to stay in the hospital. If you need any support, email me. I'm well versed in all NICU stuff now.........

My boys are coming home TOMORROW! I can't believe it - 7.5 weeks later. We have nothing ready for them (one would think that we would given that we had 7.5 weeks to prepare...) since we thought they would be in the hospital for another month. I'm excited to have them home and get some sort of normal life back. I'm very worried about how Jake will react but I guess he's got to meet them some time.

[BeachBum]

hisdaffodil Thanks for sharing your story. How exciting and scary all at the same time. I'm so glad to hear that you are doing well. I'm sorry that you had to leave James at the hospital, but it sounds like everything is going well and will be fine. I've said a little prayer for your family, and hope the surgery goes well.

mitty- Yippee! How exciting! Gosh it's hard to believe its been 7.5 weeks. To you I'm sure it feels like forever! I'm sure things will be strange for Jake at first, but I have confidence he will adapt and will learn to love his brothers.

Well I'll admit, I'm starting to worry about Nikki. Usually, when you go in for a morning induction the baby is delivered by 8pm. Hopefully, they just got so excited and wrapped up with "real" friends and family they forgot about us.

I'm 37 weeks today!

[cr8zyforaf]

hisdaffodil - thanks for sharing your story - he is absolutely adorable! So sorry that you are having a hard time - hopefully, your little bundle of joy will be able to come home with you soon - I will be thinking about you guys!

mitty - Great news!!! I am so excited for you - hopefully, your life can get back to be relatively normal soon. I am sure Jake will be fine - how exciting that he gets two little brothers!!

Brink - Sorry about the CT - two of my friends had it really bad while they were pregnant and both were fine after the baby was born...

I am also starting to worry about Nikki...hopefully we will hear something soon.

My back is killing me and heart burn has kicked into overdrive. I didn't even eat dinner last night and could barely sleep it was so bad. I hope this baby comes soon - I am miserable!

[hmbay]

hisdaffodil--so sorry James has to stay in the hospital for a while. That was the worst--leaving without DS the first time around. I'm sure they're taking good care of him and he'll be home before you know it though.

mittyd--how exciting! And funny story--when the drs told us Colin MIGHT come home the week of Thanksgiving we just figured they meant Friday so we planned on having Thursday to finish up the nursery etc and they call us Tuesday morning and tell us to bring the carseat--they're discharging him at 5 pm if he has a good day. :eek: We actually tried to convince them to keep him another day! ;) Such bad parents weren't we?

[wildcat]

Mitty - What great news!!!! The boys don't care if everything is 100% ready...they just want to be home with their family:).

Still no word from Nikki...it's starting to worry me a bit too. I am hoping that maybe they had Ava late last night and just didn't want to call too late and that I'll hear really soon...fingers crossed!

[jo&sean]

Still no word from Nikki?! Yikes! I hope everything is ok and that wildcat's prediction is true.

Mitty- Congrats on the boys coming home!! How exciting. I bet Jake will adjust just fine - if you didn't worry about him and his reaction then you would have had problems but because you are concerned about him adjusting, I bet he will great.

Brink - Sorry the ct is bothering you. I have had problems in the past with it but strangely enough it has left me alone since being pg.

I had my pre-delivery appt to get all registered at the hospital yesterday afternoon. I am so glad we did that before because there sure were a lot of papers to be filled out. The nurse who was doing the pre registering though was kind of a know-it all but I guess after working there for 30 years, you probably do know it all ;)

I also went and looked at the maternity shots with the photographer yesterday. They turned out better then I expected. Unfortunately, she doens't provide them to you on a disk, which I can understand why, but bummer. I will have to scan them when I get the actual photos.

I have not been feeling too hot and I hope that doens't mean anything. I have been really sick to my stomach, not overly hungery, getting crampy ... I keep telling Addy to stay put until AFTER the drywall is textured and painted :) Just a few more days and she will have a green light ;)

[cnm]

Laura - Congrats on Josiah! He's adorable.

Wildcat - Your coming home outfits are cute. I just got one. I found a cute little white sleeper with an appliqued star and moon on the front and a matching hat. I figure if there is a day to put a baby in all white, that would be it. ;)

Brink - That sounds like me. I've had some numbness and occasional pain in my hands (but mostly the right one) since the Fourth of July. Mostly, I notice it when I write (particularly if I'm writing in small lines), knit or now when I sleep/wake up. (In the morning I can't grip things well or tightly.) Typing doesn't bother me yet. I got two wrist splints from the drug store that are made for carpal tunnel and wear them when my wrists start bothering me or when I start feeling a finger of two going numb.

Missy - Congrats on bringing the twins home soon!

Sheree - I'm so sorry that you had to leave James behind. I can't imagine how much it hurts to not be able to hold him. But perhaps it is good that he has his own caretakers while your DH has his surgery. (I don't think I'd want to sit in a surgical waiting room with a 3 day old baby.) Sorry your Sunday night plans were altered.

Sometimes inductions like take a while. I think my SIL got to the hospital around 3, and ended up having the baby at 3 the next day by csxn. (I'm sure it would have been longer for her otherwise since they started with prostoglandin gel to ripen her cervix that night before moving on to Pitocin in the morning, both of which lowered my niece's heart rate, leading to the csxn.)

On Thursday, we finished painting the baby's room. It is a nice bright yellow now. (As soon as I finished the main walls and DH finished the trim, I went to my exercise class. I was so glad that it was the boring intern teaching, because I really didn't want to work any harder than that!)

Friday was a flurry. I had my appointment in the morning and my blood pressure was back down. (They took it twice the time before, once at 140/7x on the left then 130/77 on the right.) I think the last time I was still all hyped up about getting stuck in traffic and getting there late. This time it was 118/7x, still higher than before, but in the normal range again. Fortunately, I only gained 2 lbs in 2 weeks, so maybe I'll manage to stay below 200, but I'm not counting on it. My next appointment is August 31st. That is when they do the beta strep test (they give you the swab and directions and send you to the bathroom to do it yourself), and then after that is every week. I had a second breakfast/lunch at a restaurant down the street then did some quick grocery shopping, and made up my list of ped questions. DH called and asked if I could bring him the checkbook. (He had to have a physical for his greencard and only a few doctors are on the list. And this doctor doesn't accept credit cards!) So I dropped off the checkbook and went down the street to the ped we were interviewing. DH got there before we were escorted back. The lady with the appointment after us wasn't going to make it, so we were interrupted a few times with her phone calls, but then had more time to ask questions. We liked the guy a lot overall, though I think I have a few reservations. We have one more interview on Wednesday, and then we'll probably just decide since DH really liked the first guy. Then it was home quick to pack a bag for the weekend and collect the dog. We stopped north of the city to meet a guy who wanted boxes (the back of my Vibe was full of boxes and papers, so the dog had to sit at my feet until they were unloaded.) Then off to Canada to DH's cousin to pick up the strollers we were buying from her. One is a CAM Speedy (an Italian brand) that is a reclining umbrella stroller that looks like this:
http://www.camspa.com/DB_2002/images/prodotti/820_278.jpg
The other is a huge SUV stroller, the Bebecar AT Raider:
http://www.crocodilebaby.com/site_assets/www.crocodilebaby.com/images/dynamic/300Raider.jpg
With the two of those, there is not much room left in the back!

On Saturday, we got up early and walked on a ferry with the dog, then got on a second smaller ferry to get to Keats Island, where my DH's great aunt has a cabin. We stayed for the day, had lunch, dinner, and a swim in the ocean with his cousin, her husband and their two girls. I had to explain to the older one that boogie boarding wasn't going to work so hot, since I couldn't really lie on my stomach very well. :D Then we started home around 6:30. Walking up from the ferry to the car was hard and I had about 5 BH in 45 minutes before they finally stopped. We stopped and picked up all of the cloth diapers that had been set aside for us and then went home DH's parents' house (they weren't home) to watch some tv and SLEEP! I woke up at 12:30 with yucky heartburn - the one time I haven't packed my tums - and had to sit up straight for an hour before I could semi recline on my pillows and go back to sleep. DH missed the whole thing.

The next day, we went shopping (it is impossible to find a pump for an exercise ball!) and had lunch at a local chain called "White Spot" known for their "Triple O" sauce on burgers which I think is just good mayo and pickle relish. Then after picking up a few last items that DH's cousin dug up, we started home, only to find a 45 minute wait at the border...MUST GET THE NEXUS FORMS FILLED OUT AND MAILED! We finally got home around nine and then off to bed.

Not much yesterday. I did have two separate incidents of about a pea size of mucus on my tp. (Sex must really help... :o And fortunately, I still enjoy it...)I read some for my birth class and started to plan the snack (it is our turn this week.) I went to make up an exercise class, which was lots of fun, since it was with my original group who I know more of. Then I returned some books to the library. DH, meanwhile, mowed the lawn and unpacked all of our pictures. We've only got a few boxes to go, but they are big and in the way, and he's getting worried about getting it done. Today, I really need to do some laundry (lots of kid and crib stuff, plus our clothes) and move the assorted baby toys we've gotten up into the baby's closet (which is somehow the biggest closet in the whole house!)

[randysmandy]

Sheree I am sorry to hear that you are going through so much, but James is SO adorable and looks very strong. You will be holding him in your home before you know it! Be careful driving and take care of yourself. You're welcome-I was at a wedding when your DH left the message on my cell phone! I was in total shock....we didn't see that one coming!

cr8zyforaf I totally feel your pain. My back killed my yesterday. Then when I got home I could barely stay awake to eat, But I kept myself up til 9 and went to bed. I slept til 7 (working from home today cause my comp is fixed-YAY) but I made the bed and started to fold laundry and I got exhausted again!

I had an appointment today-no weight change,my blood pressure is fine, but I am still 1cm and 50% effaced. The baby IS lower though...I can't wait much longer!!! I feel like a little kid at Christmas! Except this present will be around forever :D My next appointment is August 30th if I make it til then!

I read in a magazine last night that 21% of babies are born 7 days after a full moon! hmm........that's this weekend!

Any word from Nikki??????????? I am nervous!

[dbers]

Just got back from the doctors - and all is status quo - AAARRRGGHH! Still a "loose 2". The doctor was surprised, and asked if I was mad at her for telling me not to go to the wedding.. I told her, no, because I went! She was glad :) Anyhow - next week is my due date week - I will see her Wednesday, and she said if I make it, we'll talk induction. She also did a more aggressive exam today, in the hopes of getting things going. In any event, she is going on vacation Sept. 8th, so she said I WILL have my baby before then.

Princess - Yes, it is the first picture I believe that I've posted!

Thanks for calling me cute ladies - cuz I haven't been feeling too "cute" lately :(

Thinking about Nikki today too.. I met a girl at the wedding who told me she had to be induced 3 times before it "took".. can you imagine? She was early though (they were inducing her because of low fluids and weight), so maybe that had something to do with it.

Sheree - Thinking about you, your DH and little James!

I read in a magazine last night that 21% of babies are born 7 days after a full moon! hmm........that's this weekend! Cool RandysMandy! I'll take this weekend! Actually, my friend predicted August 27th, which is Saturday, right? He's been right on before.. hhmm....

[solongtogo]

I wouldn't worry about Nikki just yet...being induced can take a really long time.

[jo&sean]

I *think* I lost part of my mucous plug this morning. It definitely was very different from anything else I have experienced thus far... My next appt is on Thursday so we will see what the dr. says :)

[cr8zyforaf]

I read in a magazine last night that 21% of babies are born 7 days after a full moon! hmm........that's this weekend!

OMG - sign me up...I am all for going this weekend. I still haven't installed the car seat - we have a 2 door that I drive and my DH one assignment this whole nine months was to trade it in, get rid of it, whatever - I am still driving it around....trying not to be to p*ssed at him, which is hard. I guess I should just suck it up and install the base.


jo&sean - yeah on loosing mucus plug - I look every time I go to the potty - nothing. Although I have been more mushy (TMI) lately which I think is good.

dbers - so glad you went to the wedding since it seems baby is stalling. How was the wedding?

randysmandy - that is great you are working from home - glad they got your computer fixed. Yes, the back pain is unbearable. I swear I feel about 100 when I get up in the morning because everything is so stiff.

cnm - wow, you've been busy. love the strollers. Question - how can you tell the difference between mucus and semen? DH and I had sex this weekend (unfortunately, I am grossed out by it at this point...just too darn uncomfortable) and I really couldn't tell - although things were mushier (gross) down there.

[Brink]

Mitty - so glad to hear the boys are coming home tomorrow. I'm surprised they are both coming home on the same day - guess they are already acting like twins..... yeah for starting your 12 weeks off too.

CT - thanks for the sympathy on the ct. I read last night that 25% of pg women develop it. cnm - sounds like we do have the same thing. I'm wearing the brace right now. I took it off this morning to shower and get ready and by the time I was putting on clothes, I was already numb.

Crazyforaf - too bad about the h/b. Have you tried Zantac? It has saved me so many times.

Jo&sean - congrats on the mp. Things are starting to move along for you. Also a huge congrats on the nursery walls. You'll have to post some pics when it's complete.

Well, that's about all the typing my wrist can take, even with the brace it's tingling from writing this e-mail. How in the world am I going to get all my thank you cards done in the next few weeks!

[dbers]

Kim - It was really nice! I was definitely uncomfortable, and praying that my water didn't break as I walked down the aisle - but I am so glad that I went.. especially since it's Tuesday and no sign of baby!! I think my friend was really happy as well. The photographer even took me outside for a brief pregnancy photoshoot :)

Brink - I think I've had CT on and off now for a month or so - my right hand gets numb and tingly every now and then.. Luckily, it should go away after we give birth!

I am *so* uncomfortable.. My hips and lower back are killing me :( I'm tempted to get a pregnancy massage, but don't feel like shelling out the $100..

[PrincessCrappy]

Hisdaffodil - Thank you so much for sharing your birth story. I'm sorry James didn't get to come home with you but it sounds like he is getting great care and making progress already. I hope things go well with your DH's surgery and your whole family is together again soon!

Sandie - What a scary experience! I would have completely freaked out. Glad to hear the little girl is fine now.

Brink - That sucks about the CT. Hopefully it will go away once Aimee is here!

Mitty!! - What wonderful news! I'm sure it will take Jake a few days to adjust but he will just love being a big brother! Good luck!!

Beachbum - YEAH for full term!

Cr8zyforaf - I'm sorry you're so miserable right now...it can't be too much longer, right?

Jo&Sean - Can't wait to see the pg pictures. Glad you like how they turned out!

cnm - I'm exhausted just reading about your weekend! Good for you for still getting in regular workouts!

Well, I had my dr appt yesterday. She did offer to do an internal, so I took her up on it. I'm only a fingertip dialated, soft and thinning. I was SO disappointed but she was quick to say this doesn't mean much. I could still go into labor at any moment - that made me feel a little better. I had a super embarassing moment while I was there, though. DH and I were sitting in the exam room waiting for the dr when it dawned on me that I was wearing a dress and I would have to lift it up in order for the dr to measure my belly and use the doppler. I couldn't remember what underwear I was wearing (not sure why it mattered :rolleyes: ) so I stood up and pulled up my dress so my DH could tell me what I had on. Of course the dr walked in right as I had my dress up around my hips, she asked "do you always flash your husband while you wait for the dr to come in?" :eek: I felt like such an idiot!

[solongtogo]

lol!! That sucks crappy..how embarrasing!

[Kay2003]

PrincessCrapppy - hilarious doctor's story! : )

mitty - yay for your twin boys coming home.

don't forget carseat - Don't forget to pack your carseat, unless it's already installed when you go to the hospital. At least in CA they won't let you go home without seeing it.

hisdaffodil - I can't believe you only had to push five times. My friend pushed for three hours for her first birth! LUCKY. I hope your baby gets to come home soon.

[randysmandy]

Princess You have me cracking up here! I'm glad that you took the internal. Hey you never know-my aunt had her baby the same day that she measured 2cm. Hmm.......

Ok so I have been watching the Baby Story as I work and I can't believe how many C-Sections there has been. In the last 5 episodes there have been 4! The episode that is one now is not a c-section, but the woman is screaming to get the baby out :eek:
Maybe I shouldn't be watching this!
Oh and I don't get the Discovery Health Channel so I can't watch any of the birth shows :( Maybe it's for the best. LOL

Jo Congrats on the painting and your MP!

[AndreaMMS]

Sheree - Thanks for sharing your story with us. I'm sorry that James is having problems, but it really sounds like he is getting great care. Your family is in my thoughts...

I'm a little worried about Nikki too, but my doula told me that she went to an induction that took - ready?- 36 HOURS!!! Eeeek!! So we shouldn't panic.

Mittyrd - :D Congratulations on getting to take the boys home!!! What wonderful news!!

PrincessCrappy - Your story cracked me up! However, didn't you know that when you get pregnant you automatically give up every semblance of dignity?!?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In other news, there's been a wee bit of drama with my pregnancy, but nothing too major...

First of all, I have a minor urinary tract infection (eeew), so I'm on antibiotics for the next week to clear it up. The good news is that it's possible that the infection is what's been causing the constant contractions I've been having for the past week, and now maybe I'll get a break form them.

I had another Level II Ultrasound yesterday and my doctor went over the results with me today - she is now "just about" 5 pounds...which is good because she's growing (a month ago she was 4 pounds 2 ounces), but it's still pretty small - 19th percentile. My doctor keeps telling me not to worry - that her daughters were 5 pounds at full-term, and both are fine. But she does want to keep a close eye on the baby and make sure she continues to grow, so I'm going to be having these ultrasounds every week, plus non-stress tests. If there is the slightest indication that she's not growing or is in any kind of distress she'll induce me. My cervix is high and closed, and only the slightest bit effaced, BUT her head is REALLY low, which she said will cut down quite a bit on labor time ! Good girl! The doc also said she wants me to work only two days a week from now on and relax the rest of the time (not full bed-rest) in the hopes of encouraging the baby to grow.

I feel ok about this stuff, but concerned at the same time. I'm just glad that my doctor is so on top of things.....

[dbers]

Princess - That is hysterical!! I'm sure she's seen much worse.. great story though :)

Andrea - Actually, someone I met at the wedding last weekend was induced early for the same reason.. her baby is just fine, and beautiful! It may not even come to that, but if she will do better outside of the womb, then so be it!!! Sending you ((((HUGS)))))!

RandysMandy - I have been watching Birth Day on Discovery Health like it's going out of style! I have also noticed a lot of C-Sections.. interesting..

[cr8zyforaf]

AndreaMMS - keep your chin up. I have a friend who had twins who both weighed under 5 pounds and they are 100 % fine. Also, my baby is only measuring 6 pounds right now - and I am almost 3 weeks ahead of you- it seems like they are keeping a watch and she is still growing. Everything will be fine! It is good that your cervix is still closed - my mom keeps telling me "the fruit will not fall from the tree until it is ripe" - take it easy and try not to stress!

[jo&sean]

Princess - That is one funny story!

AndreaMMS - Our baby is really small too - she is in the 9th percentile but the positive thing for both of us is that both of our babies are growing steady and strong. I am glad that your dr. wants to keep an eye on her - with being watched that closely, she will be just fine. Hang in there :)

I so don't want to work right now. I have been coming home to work in the afternoons and I can think of so many other things I would rather be doing ;)

[cnm]

Question - how can you tell the difference between mucus and semen? DH and I had sex this weekend (unfortunately, I am grossed out by it at this point...just too darn uncomfortable) and I really couldn't tell - although things were mushier (gross) down there.

What I took to be mucus reminded me more of a ball of dried rubber cement, firmer than what I see normally. It also was more translucent than the other stuff around. It appeared about 24 hours after the deed. Hope that helps.

[PrincessCrappy]

I'm so glad my mortifying moment brought smiles to so many faces! :p

Andrea - It is so great that your doctor has been so on top of things throughout this whole pregnancy. It sounds like she is taking every precaution to ensure a healthy baby for you! I know it's easy for me to say not to worry, but it really sounds like you guys have a solid plan.

[wildcat]

Oh my goodness, still no word from Nikki!! I'm really really hoping everything is ok!!!!!

Andrea - Sounds like you have a great dr!! My baby is only in the 24th percentile and all my dr. said was "looks like a small baby". I mean SOMEONE has to be on the lower end, right? I'm fine with a smaller baby;).

[wildcat]

Dropping off my latest belly pic at 35w4d:
http://www.billyandashlee.com/images/bellyshot-35w.jpg

[hmbay]

well the drs appt went well. He actually encouraged me to try the vbac and said they wouldn't allow me to try after a c/s and with the low lying placenta if they didn't feel it was safe and yes there would be extra precautions they would have to take both during and after labor but again that if they felt it was too big of a risk they wouldn't allow me to try it. Supposedly this dr is pro-c/s so I was shocked to get that reaction when I asked his opinion. And he was on time for his appt. Did say he had a 4 pm conference call but before he left he made sure I had all my questions answered--even said he could be a few minutes late for the call if I still had questions. MUCH happier with this new dr even though I'll probably see him only 2 or 3 more times before the birth. And the high point--he took me off pelvic rest! :)

[wildcat]

Hey girls...I checked Nikki's journal and one of her friends posted an update today:

"I talked to Nicole last night on the phone. She was induced yesterday morning, but as of 9:30 pm she was still only dilated to 3cm. So, they were stopping the petocin drip through the night and starting it again this am. She was supposed to have her bag of waters broken this morning by 9:30, so we'll see. Ava will definitely be here today, one way or another. Will keep everyone posted as Nikki said I would."

Hopefully we'll hear soon!

[cynthia]

An overdue update is in order.

I haven't posted here in ages. I actually don't think I have on this CC thread at all. I was cynthiadotcom on WC, but I'm just cynthia here (I've always wanted that username).

The last time I posted in the WC thread, I think I had mentioned that the subchorionic hemhorrage was healing. Thank goodness it's all healed and all bleeding has ended. It took about a month to completely heal. That was around 15 or 16 weeks or so. I really can't remember.

The rest of my pregnancy has been normal. I am currently at 38 weeks. At my 35 week appointment, I was getting the Group B test done. At the same time, my doctor said he had a hunch and asked if I wanted to have my cervix checked for dialation. Usually it's done after two more weeks or so, but I said fine. He checked and I was between 4 and 5 cm and 90% effaced. I was freaking out. I did not want to have the baby before 37 weeks. Heck, I don't want to have the baby early at all. I worry that the baby will have trouble eating, breathing, etc. on its own.

The doctor asked if I was feeling pressure since I did not feel any contractions. I did feel pressure, but I thought it was because I'm just getting so big and it's so hard on my legs these days. He sent me to the hospital for monitoring.

I had to stay overnight. There were contractions although I did not feel any of them. My body is strange that way, it just doesn't feel them like normal people. Finally at 4:30 a.m. the contractions stopped. Later that morning, my cervix was checked and no change. Still at 4.5 cm.

That same week on Friday, I had to go to the hospital again. This time I was feeling a very long 45 minute pain, which is what I felt with my first baby. So I thought for sure that I was in labor. The monitors found no contractions. The doctor said what I was feeling was pressure on my cervix. So they sent me home. Thankfully. I am terrified of the chance of pre-term labor/delivery.

At 37 weeks I reached 5 cm. I have remained there since. I am 38 weeks today. I am so happy I've made it to full-term. I still have not felt a single contraction even though I am this far dialated. Weird, I know. I'm worried that since I'm so far dialated that when labor truly arrives, it's going to be so fast that I won't be able to get my epidural-- or worse have the baby at home or in the car. OH jeez that would be so frightening. I hope I'll know when to go to the hospital. Maybe I'll get those big, long pains again-- like I had with Timmy. We'll have to wait and see.

My doctor today suggested I have a scheduled induction at either 39 or 40 weeks. I can cancel if I want to, but I might do it at 40 weeks. We'll see.

Thanks for reading my long update. I hope everyone is doing well.

[mittyrd]

Well, today is the big day. The boys are coming home!
http://images.snapfish.com/3447%3A%3B3523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2348%3D4%3A%3B%3D4 48%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3A573%3B6896ot1lsi

[hisdaffodil]

Cynthia - Woah!! I'm glad you made it to full term too!!

Mitty - I'm so happy for you!!!! How exciting! They're so adorable!

I'm about to head off to the hospital for DH's surgery. I'm pretty scared.

[dbers]

Glad to hear Nikki's okay - hope it doesn't take much longer!

Cynthia - How scary, but exciting that you made it full term! What a relief. :)

Mitty - Adorable! Congrats on getting to take them home :D

daffodil - Thinking of you today - please let us know how the surgery goes.

[wildcat]

AVA GRACE is here!!

I received this email from Phil at 1am this morning:
"Ava Grace was born Tuesday Night at 9:04 pm. (39 hours later for Nikki) She is 7.7 oz, and her length is 20.5 inches. Mom and baby are tired, but doing very well."

He also sent some pics, but I have to figure out if they wanted me to post them here or not first!

[randysmandy]

Mitty Oh you must be SO excited!!!!

hisdaffodil I will be praying for your little one. Everything will be fine. [hugs]

Poor Nikki--I can't imagine how frustrating this must be for her.

Last night I was laying on the couch and I had this pain all across my uterus--about 3 fingers above my naval. It hurt worse when I let my breath out. It would go away for about 5 min but lasted about 13. It was more of a burning hurt than a sharp pain. It went away overnight. Does anyone know what this could have been?

I need to vent a bit: My boss called this morning-I had just gotten into the office and he asked how I was feeling. I told him I was in pain last night and was very uncomfortable today (fyi:I work at a computer all day). He just said "yah you will be getting contractions on and off everyday" THAT WAS IT...not "go home and work...." I am thinking of telling him Friday that I will not be in the office next week. Hopefully the baby arrives on time-next Saturday.

[randysmandy]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVA!!!
Our threads crossed Wildcat! Thanks for the update-can't wait to see her!

[dbers]

Hooray!! Congrats to Nikki - and a big welcome to AVA!!

[wildcat]

Mitty - What a great picture and congrat's on such a huge milestone!!

hisdaffodil - You and your husband are in my prayers today. Keep us updated!

cynthia - I was wondering where you'd disappeared to and asked about you a few weeks ago!! What a rough road you've had with this pregnancy, but I'm glad to hear you've made it!! Has this baby been able to stay a surprise? I can't wait to find out what it is!!

randysmandy - I have no idea what the pain could have been? Maybe heartburn?

cc8 - I believe you are being induced today, good luck and we can't wait to hear!!

I had my GBS test yesterday, I imagine I'll get the results at my appt next week. No internal for me though...not for 2 more weeks (I'll be 37.5 weeks then). My dr. said that it doesn't tell much right now. I asked about the menstrual-type cramps I've had and he said that it's a good sign, it's the baby's head starting to go lower!woohoo!!

I also met with the lactation consultant and had a bra fitting. I'm normally a 34/36A and I'm now in a 38B! She said she imagines I'll fill out a C when my milk comes in! HOLY COW!! (for a small breasted girl, this is huge!). I also had her check my nipples and I have slightly flat nipples, so she has me wearing nipple shields for the rest of pregnancy to get them to protude more:rolleyes:. She told me to wear them as long as I can stand it during the day and then the week or so delivery, I should also wear them at night. Whatever helps my baby be able to eat, I will do! Also, just had to report on the Medela bras, I love them! I got the Seamless Softcup and also the Comfort Line (which is more sportsbra-looking and can be a sleeper).

Better get to work:rolleyes:.

[elly]

Hisdaffodil~ a little late in posting.....Congrats on baby James!!! :D
he is adorable...thank you for sharing your birth story!!

Nikki~ Congrats & welcome little Ava! :D I know you are thrilled that she is finally here!

Mitty~ Woohooo....so glad the boys are able to come home! I must have missed all their pics before....they are so precious!!!

Cynthia~ Thank you for the update.......so glad to hear you are doing well!

RandysMandy~ not sure about the pain...maybe your baby was just in an awkward position. glad it went away though!

[mittyrd]

Congratulations Nikki! Welcome Ava!!

[wife&wannabemom]

Wow, I have missed alot!

Welcome to the World Josiah, James & Ava!!!!!!! It's so excited that it's not even September yet and we have 5 babies born to our thread!!!!

Mittyd - your boys are so precious....good luck bringing them home, that is just so wonderful!

cc8 - Good luck today and we can't wait to hear about the next baby born!

hisdaffodil - thinking of you, your DH today!

Wow, looks like alot is happening here...I'm having such a hard time keeping up....

Well, I went to the doctor yesterday for my 38 week internal and i'm 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced...the doctor definitely thinks I will deliver before my due date (9/6). I have be super crampy and my back is really tight....and let's not forget the dreaded bathroom issues....I've had a few contractions here and there but nothing consistent yet. Hopefully Patrick will hold off until Friday since that is my last day of work...yippee!!!! And our nursery furniture is FINALLY being delivered today....I ordered it on June 2nd and it's just coming today!!!! That is the only room in the house not finished yet so I'll be happy to get it done.

Otherwise, not much new....I've been having stabbing pains in my cervix and the doctor said that is a sign a pending labor....hopefully soon!

[pixiecat]

Wow! Lots going on! Welcome Baby Ava!! & Congrats Phil and Nikki!!! such happy news, so glad that she is *finally* here!!

cc8 - Big day already! Wishing you all the best, can't wait to hear the announcement!

Mitty -Yippee!!! Your boys are so precious, I'm so happy that they can finally go home! They look great!!

Cynthia - sounds like things have been a little scary, but congrats on making it to full term!

wildcat - you look great! Yippee for your new "figure"!

Things here are just going along, pretty normal! I had a mini-breakdown at work yesterday - I just can't stand my pregnancy brain! I hate making little errors (all caught by my boss, right before review time, of course! :rolleyes: ) Anyway, I'm hoping our baby is going to be really smart, since she is stealing all of my brain cells!

My family shower is this weekend... I can't wait! And then we can really start getting ready for her arrival. Crazy :D

[hmbay]

Nikki--congrats

wildcat--I'm a 36A myself and I did indeed go up to a c cup when BFing my first. I'm already in C cups this time around so I'm assuming I might be in a D when my milk comes in? :eek: I haven't bought any new nursing bras yet. I'm hoping I'm wrong. ;)

[cynthia]

Thanks ladies for your replies.

wildcat, Yes, this baby remains a surprise. I'm quite thrilled about this. It's getting to be so much fun anticipating whether it's a boy or girl with family and friends. I am SO looking forward to finding out at the birth, a moment I've always dreamed about.

[jo&sean]

Welcome Ava Grace! and congrats to Phil & Nikki! That is a long labor but I am glad everyone is doing great :)

Cynthia - Welcome back to the thread - glad to hear you made it FT. Sounds like you have been through quite a lot - not much longer!

HisDaffodil - I'll be thinking of you guys today.

Mitty - Congrats on bringing the boys home! They are soooo adorable :)

PixieCat - I hear you on the baby brain lapses. I told DH the other day I will be happy to get my body and brain back!

Not much new here. I have a lot of pressure and am really, really grumpy today. Too bad for the guys I work with ;) I actually slept great last night but feel more tired today then I have in the last week....weird. I am looking forward to my appt tomorrow to see if there is anything going on.

[cr8zyforaf]

Big congrats to Nikki and welcome to the world baby Ava..how exciting!

Cynthia - welcome back. I can't believe you are walking around that dilated - wow. Congrats on making it full term.

HisDaffodil - my thoughts are with you guys today.

Mittyd - the boys are absolutely adorable. Congrats on finally bringing them home.

wife&wannabemom - Fingers crossed that Patrick waits until Friday! I am so excited for you...I wish someone would tell me I will go before my due date.

pixiecat - I am with you on the pregnancy brain and being short fused. Hopefully, we don't have much longer!

My 38 week appointment is tomorrow and I am praying they tell me I am progressing - last time I was 90% effaced and a fingertip dilated. However, I've had no pains or contractions and now I am constipated again.

[PrincessCrappy]

Holy cow there is a lot going on!

Congratulations Nikki! Welcome, Ava!! I can't wait to hear the whole story!

hmbay - Congrats on the good news about the vbac!

Cynthia - Welcome back! It sounds like you've had a scary pg but it's almost over now! Congrats on making it to full term (with a surprise, too!).

Mitty - YEAH!!! I am so happy for you and your family to finally have the boys home. They are SO adorable!

sheree - We're thinking of you and your DH today. Good luck with the surgery!

Randysmandy - Sorry your boss is being such a jacka$$. Take it easy!

CC8 - Today is your big day!! Good luck - I can't wait to hear the news!!

wife&wannabe - congrats on getting to 2 already! Hopefully the baby will cooperate and stay in until friday!

Cr8zyforaf - You won't believe this, but I'm also constipated again and my contractions have stopped!! We have gone on major walks (I live in a really hilly neighborhood) these last 2 nights and nothing is happening. I even resorted to DTD (I know, tmi!) and still nothing...

So today is CC8's big day and tomorrow is Solongtogo's, right? BABIES -- how exciting!!

[BeachBum]

Congrats!Nikki! What a long labor! But I'm glad to hear you guys are doing well. I can't wait to see pictures!

HisDaffodil You're in my thoughts

Mitty what a great photo! They look so happy together! And by the way I just love their names!

wildcat cute belly pic! you look great!

cynthia I'm so glad you get your surprise! I remember reading so long ago how it got ruined for you with your first...Welcome back to the thread!


Well tomorrow will be an entire week without candy, ice cream or desserts (or sodas). I don't think I've ever been this long in my entire life. Yes, I have one hell of a sweet tooth. After my tremendous weight gain last time (9lb in 2 weeks) I figured I better get back on the program--I was doing so good before that. I've been weighing myself this week and I think I 'm down a lb. I hope so!

Anyone else down to just a few outfits? Seriously, I only have one pair of real pants that still fit. I only have one over the belly pair, and the other styles just don't cut it any more. I alternate between those and a jean skirt almost everyday. I do have some yoga pants that are fantastic, but I feel like a bum when I wear them around. I also am really enjoying dresses and wish I had more. They are so cool and non restrictive!

another item for the hospital bag
I few people on another thread I frequent recommend bringing a good conditioner for the epidural moms. They said laboring on their backs really turned their hair into a tangled mess in the back. I thought that was a helpful suggestion.


We decided on names! I can't remember if I mentioned this or not... but we have had such a hard time choosing. So if it's a girl we will name her Elliot Reagan and if its a boy he will be Henry Stephen (Stephen is my DH's name.) I'm so excited to have decided!

So we have two more babies this week, right? Please don't keep us in suspense like Nikki did! Good luck ladies!

[solongtogo]

Congratulations Nikki!!! Happy Birthday Miss Ava!!!

CC8- Your big day is here! I hope everything goes smoothly, and I can't wait to hear about it.

Tomorrow is my big day. Had my last dr appt today, and even though she checked, I forgot to ask how far dialated and effaced I was. She's still breech, and the doc could feel her little foot. Had a pretesting thing at the hospital that equaled to filling out a bunch of forms and getting some blood drawn. They have CD players in the delivery rooms and told us we could bring in a CD if we wanted. My CD of choice..the Smashmouth greatest hits. I'm so twisted.

By this time tomorrow, I'll be holding our baby!

[cr8zyforaf]

solongtogo- yeah for you - my EDD buddy!!! I am so happy for you- I remember how sick and miserable you were in the beginning. I will be thinking good labor thoughts for you.

[jo&sean]

Solongtogo - How exciting to think that you WILL be holding your baby this time tomorrow :) Good luck and hope all goes well.

Looking forward to hearing from CC8 too!

Outfits - I feel like I have nothing to wear but all of my pants still fit - my issue is the shirts. Everything is getting really short and my belly pokes out the bottom - not very nice around the office ;)

Well I better get back to work!

[knzbound]

Wow, lots going on in here!

Congrats Nikki and welcome to baby Ava! 39 hours? You're a trooper. Can't wait to hear all about it!

mitty--Yay for bringing the boys home! I hope it goes well.

cc8--Can't wait to hear of your DD's arrival!

solongtogo--Best of luck tomorrow! We'll be thinking of you.

hisdaffodil--I hope all goes smoothly w/your DH's surgery.

37-week appt.--I had my appt. this morning and all is well. I'm GBS+, which is sort of a bummer. I was last time, too, so I'm not too surprised. Doctor says it changes my "when to call/when to go to L&D" plan a bit, especially as a second-time mom. They want you have to have 4 hours of antibiotics before the baby is delivered and with second-timers who can come in pretty far dilated with hours of contracting behind them, sometimes it's tough to get all those meds in, so I am to call/go in as soon as my water breaks (not wait for contrax, or try to get contrax to start) or as soon as I start contracting. Grrr. I was hoping to be able to labor at home for longer this time around since the abx confined me to the area just around my bed at the hospital. Oh well. I know it's for the best for the baby, and I just hope all these stories I hear of second labors being so much quicker are true for me! I also lost 2-3 lbs. since last week, probably water weight. Yippee. I'm almost 2cm and baby is still in a funky semi-transverse position but the head is down, so hopefully it won't impact a vaginal delivery.

outfits--Definitely busting out of most of my maternity gear. Ugh. I can't wait to feel more comfy and get back in my regular clothes--or go shopping for some new non-maternity clothes!

[wildcat]

quick question - Is "full-term" the beginning of 37 or 38 weeks?

[PrincessCrappy]

Solong - What are you plans for tonight??

Wildcat - I think full term is the beginning of 37 weeks, at least that's what I counted it as.

Question for those of you that have been losing your mucus plug: I know ultimately a big glob will fall out, but what was your discharge like leading up to that? TMI warining: I just went tinkle and noticed green, boogery like stuff on the TP; not a lot, just nothing I've ever seen before. Thanks!

[dbers]

It was sort of yellowish/green.. more yellow I think.. but I am just assuming that was part of my MP!

[randysmandy]

solongtogo Good luck tomorrow-you must be Sooo excited!!!!

I fit into three things, but am convinced I can still wear all my clothes-ARG.

Princess Everytime I wiped today it was more thick and yellowish...YIPEE!

I left work today at 12:30-was not comfortable and said to myself "screw my boss, my baby is due in 10 days and I want to go home and lay down" So I did. :)

[Brink]

Hi everyone,

I've been following along all day, but this carpel tunnel hurts when I type, so I've been trying to save my typing for actual work. So, I probably won't do too many s/o's in the next few days but wanted to say congrats to those having babies this week and yeah for those making progress.

[Kay2003]

solongtogo - Good luck! I'm thinking of you.

mittyrd - adorable picture. The twins look so cozy together.

philnikki - CONGRATULATIONS! Get lots of rest.

beachbum - Wow. I am so impressed that you've gone a whole week without sweets. I have that sweet tooth too and can't survive without sugar. I've been telling myself that the weight gain I've experienced in this last month (lots similar to you) is water weight, plus the baby's last attempts to put on weight.... But I really think your determination to keep sugar out of your diet is admirable.

driving 7 hours okay - I had a doctor's appointment today and she checked my cervix because Saturday I am driving seven hours away to my close friend's wedding. THe doctor didn't think it would be a problem but I got my medical chart copied, just in case I go into labor. Plus I am lugging all of my hospital bag stuff in the car, just in case.

Yay for almost the end of Wednesday! The weekend is in sight.

Take care, everyone!

[Cr8nme]

Hello Ladies

I am still here mostly reading along. I took today off work and tomorrow probably since I am just sooo tired. I cannot handle standing up all day teaching. I feel like I can hardly stay awake right now. I also had a doctors appointment today but it was with the nurse practitioner since my doctor is out of town. I didn't have an internal but I did lose 2 pounds. I am on the countdown now with only 10 days to go

Solongtogo~ Wishing easy labor vines for you!! Can't wait to hear about the little one.

Nikki~ Congrats on Ms. Ava I can't wait to hear all about her!

[AlisonCO]

Nikki - CONGRATS and Welcome to the World little AVA!!! After that long labor, I hope that your recovery is very fast!!! Can't wait to see pictures:)

wildcat - I just saw your recent belly pics and my gender guess is GIRL! I think that full term is when you hit 37 weeks.

solongtogo - Best wishes for tomorrow - I hope that your delivery is smooth.

Princess - My MP has not been green but different shades of yellow/tan. I also never had a big glob last time - just lots of small globs with one bloody one at the end.

cr8nme - Sometimes weight loss indicates that labor is close!

knzbound - I am pretty sure that my baby is semi-transverse also. Her head is down but off to one side a bit. Must ask the doc about that tomorrow.

hisdaffodil - Thinking about you and your DH!!!

mittyrd - The boys are so cute! Congrats again on bringing them home!

outfits - I have 2 shorts, one capri and a couple of decent shirts that I can still wear. I can't wear my size M shirts anymore because they do not cover the belly!!!

HI to everyone else!

I have an appt tomorrow afternoon to check position and progress - please send good "head - down" thoughts for us! I am still worried that she is not is a good position.

I had a stomach bug Monday and it wiped me out! I puked 6 times in 4 hours and in between I was having serious contractions. I was obviously very dehydrated, but I was still worried that I was going to go into labor feeling like crap. Then Tueday night we were up with DS from 11pm-2:30am for no apparent reason - I thought for sure that he was getting sick, but no he was just playin us. Of course the stinker was up at 6:30am like nothing had happened. Finally last night I took a Benedryl at 9:30 and slept until 6:45am and only got up twice to pee.

Good Night All.

[knzbound]

Alison--FWIW, doctor was not very concerned w/that position. Not super comfy for me, and not ideal, but she said as long as the head stays somewhere down in that general direction (and there's little chance of him/her flipping now due to lack of space), it will move in the right direction with the progression of labor. I hope the same holds true for you! Sorry about the stomach bug. Yuck. :(

[dbers]

Hey guys - I think my water just broke! I was on the toilet and suddenly.. gush , gush.. Of course now that I stand up it's not gushing, but trickling I would say. I called the doctor on call (the not so nice one), and she said since I was on the toilet it could just be that the baby pressed on my bladder.. umm.. yeah, I dont think so. I asked if she wanted me to wait, and she said yes. Luckily MY doctor (who I love) is on call starting at 8am!!! We're basically getting ready to go - I called my sister and this is exactly how it happened to her. She said she didn't start gushing again for a bit.

Wish me luck ladies - I think this is it!

[randysmandy]

Dbers Good Luck--we'll be waiting. :D
Maybe the end is in sight for me afterall!

[BeachBum]

and noticed green, boogery like stuff on the TP
You might want to check with your Dr about this. I think myconium is green, and you would want to make sure that isn't what you saw.

dbers How exciting! We are waiting with eager anticipation to hear more!

Did CC8 have a labor buddy? I want to hear about another baby! :)

solongtogo sending good thoughts your way today!

[Sabre]

dbers That's how it happened for my friend. This is so exciting!

solongtogo Thinking of you today

hisdaffodil Congrats on baby James. I hope that your husband is doing well after yesterday.

Nikki Welcome Ava!

Beachbum ~ With my first, her merconium was black like tar.

I apologize ladies, I've been reading along, but I just haven't had the urge to post.

I went to the OB yesterday for my 36wk appointment. I am GBS negative and I am 2cm/50%. The baby's head is right against my cervix, but my cervix is still prosterior so it doesn't look like labor is coming anytime soon. He said that if the baby comes within the next week, he will probably weigh about 7lbs. eek!

ETA: I lost part of my plug yesterday, it looked like blood tinged snot. When the ob was doing the internal, he said that he pulled out more of my plug.

That's it, nothing too terribly exciting, just waiting....

[AndreaMMS]

I'm Diane's (Dbers) labor buddy, and my cell is on and glued to my side!!!! All I know at this point is what she posted in here - I'll keep y'all updated! :D

Solongtogo -Best of luck today!!!!!!!!

hisdaffodil - I hope that all went well with your husbans surgery and that James is doing better. You poor thing - so much stress! I'll be thinking about you!!

Nikki - WELCOME LITTLE AVA!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see pictures and hear your story!

jo&sean - I didn't know your baby was measruing on the small side too. Are you getting extra ultrasounds as well? What has your doctor told you?

Thank you so much to everyone who gave me supportive comments about my baby's size. You made me feel a lot better. :) I'm a worrier by nature, :rolleyes: And this particular issue was playing into all my fears that the hyperemesis I had earlier in the pregnancy had hurt her somehow. But she's very active, srtong heartbeat...she'll be fine! She's a fighter!

[cr8zyforaf]

dbers - the same thing happened to my friend. Wow - how exciting. Fingers crossed for you!

solongtogo - sending good labor vibes your way!

AlisonCO - sending head down vibes to you. FWIW, my baby is sitting to the side also and the doctor said that is fine - she said as labor approaches, baby will slide down to where it needs to be...because it is so tight in there now (which is probably why my belly button feels like it is going to burst open) there is no chance of the baby flipping around. Please be sure to drink lots of water.

Cr8nme - sorry you are feeling so tired. I can't imagine standing on my swollen feet all day - so it is nice that you can stay home!

Kay2003 - good luck on you drive to the wedding. Have a great time!

Brink - so sorry your CT is giving you such a fit.

I have my appointment this afternoon with the mean doctor :mad: ..I hope I am making progress - but am not hopeful - no contractions, no mucus plug - nothing. I am so jealous of all you ladies! At this point, I am so ready to just hold my baby!

[Cr8nme]

Nothing going on here for me. My grandfather left yesterday and my grandmaother stayed but now she is in the hospital for high blood pressure:( I had to take her at 1:15 this morning and they decided to keep her at 7:00. I am waiting to find out what room she is in so I can go back and see her. I feel so guilty that she is all the way out here from DC to see me and she is sick. I mean she gets sick at hopme but its a bummer to get sick while out of town. No signs of my baby coming :( I was really hoping the little one would make his or her entrance for my grandads visit.

[BeachBum]

With my first, her merconium was black like tar I think you're right in that it's black after delivery, but if the baby expels it in the womb it will be green and cause for some concern.



Just got back from my 37 week appointment--closed up tight. My Doctor was fine with my birthplan though which makes me feel good about things. He even said if I encountered nurses that were not wanting to cooperate let him know and he would speak up for me--he didn't want my birth experience tainted by fighting with them--YIPPEE! This is such a relief for me--I've have felt all along that I was going to have to fight with my Doctor over wanting a natural birth.

[randysmandy]

Cr8nme So sorry to hear about your grandmother. Everything happens for a reason-maybe you will go into labor at the same time she is released from the hospital! Believe me..I wish that we could just say "hey baby-time to come out!" And voila....contractions! I will be thinking of you and your gram.

I know I can't take this too much longer. I can't concentrate on work or get comfortable AND I'm at home today!

[wildcat]

dbers - Oh how exciting!!! I can't wait to hear more and good luck and quick labor vibes to you!!

I'll have to go back and check to see if cc8 has a labor buddy...I'll let you know!

beachbum - I've heard the same thing about green anything pre-birth...it's reason for a call to the dr.

hisdaffodil - Still thinking about you...

cr8nme - Sorry to hear your grandfather will miss the birth and that your grandmother is in the hospital=(. It won't be long now until the baby makes its appearance!

I woke up with a killer headache...I think it's stress from work (I'm working about 55 hour weeks right now and keep dreaming about work at night, so annoying). So, I tried Tylenol and it didn't touch it. I'm going to go get a Diet Coke and see if the caffeine helps...I'm afraid it's approaching a migraine:(.

[wildcat]

Just for reference, here's the labor buddy list again...it doesn't look like either cc8 or solongtogo have labor buddies:(.

Due Date Mommy
3-Sep philnikki
22-Sep wildcat

2-Sep dbers
22-Sep AndreaM

3-Sep cr8nme
15-Sep jo&sean

3-Sep randysmandy
16-Sep his daffodil

4-Sep cr8zyforaf
30-Sep pixiecat

6-Sep elly
25-Sep cnm

9-Sep princesscrappy
26-Sep brink

18-Sep sabre
20-Sep devil_kitty_1

[Kay2003]

Just wanted to say, Good luck, dbers!!

[AndreaMMS]

I spoke to her about an hour ago (yeah, that's right - girlfriend called me from the hospital! She's one strong Mama-to-be!). She's checked into the delivery floor, is 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated, and happy as a clam now that she has her epidural. :) They had just started her on Pitocin.

She and Jason sounded calm and happy, and very, very excited.

I'll post more as soon as I hear anything! :D

[jo&sean]

Wow lots going on in here!

Dbers - How exciting!! Good luck!

Solongtogo - Can't wait to hear how everything goes today!

Andrea - I am glad you are feeling better about everything. Yes, our baby has been measuring on the small side since the beginning - mostly just because I am petite (5'0) so it's not like I should have a 10 lb'r. Originally, the plan was to have u/s every two weeks after a certain point (I think 26 weeks) to keep an eye on her but because I have been measuring so well and the u/s's I have had done (four thus far) all have shown her growing steadily plus the fact that her h/b has been consistent, we decided they weren't necessary unless there was another reason to do so. At any rate, my dr. gets really excited everytime he measures or reviews and u/s and seeing him so pleased with her progress has made me feel much more confident.


My Appt Update!
Well I had an appt this morning. I am 80% effaced! *Gasp* and right between 1-2 cm dilated :confused: !! I knew that something had changed. Dr. thinks that I did indeed loose a lot of my mucous plug earlier this week per my discovery on the tp on Monday. The head nurse doesn't think I will make it to my appt. next Friday and my dr. thinks I am going to deliver on the 6th (no rhyme or reason, just his "football" pick -he's too funny!).

So we will see. I know I could walk around dilated for weeks but because I am so soft already and the fact that Addy is physically "filling me up" as the dr. said - she is so low that her head is like right there and her butt is still wedged under my rib cage - there is just no where else for her to go.

I can't possibly think about working after all this - it just makes everything seem more real :) Good thing the drywall guys are coming tomorrow!!

[jo&sean]

Ohh I forgot to mention about the mucous plug. My dr. said it was normal for it to be tinged green but it shouldn't be bright green or anything like that. Mine had a little green but mostly yellow color to it.

[PrincessCrappy]

Wow! Things are really moving in here!

Diane! - I am SO excited for you! Happy and easy labor vibes going your way!!

Solong - I hope your c-section is going well. I can't wait to hear the news. Quick recovery vibes to you!

Jo&Sean - Thanks for info re: mucas plug. I was starting to panic, but what your dr described is what I had, a "tinge" of green not day-glo green! Yeah for you on the progress!! I am SO jealous!

Wildcat - sorry about the headache. I usually suffer from migraines with my periods (prescription meds and all) but luckily haven't had to deal with them during the pregnancy. Hope you feel better soon!

Beachbum - I'm glad your dr is on board with your plans. You must feel a huge weight off your shoulders!

Cr8nme - I'm sorry your g-pa left before meeting the baby and I'm really sorry to hear your grams is ill. Take it easy and try not to stress too much!

Sabre - Glad to see you around!

Ok, ladies. It's time to really start brainstorming. What is going to bring on labor? I know the following supposedly help, what can you add? I'm willing to try anything in order to avoid an induction!

sex
spicy food
walking

[BeachBum]

Ok, ladies. It's time to really start brainstorming. What is going to bring on labor? I know the following supposedly help, what can you add? I'm willing to try anything in order to avoid an induction!
sex
spicy food
walking


Nipple stimulation (like for an hour)
Castor Oil (1 Tbsp in 4 oz of liquid morning and night)

As for the sex--it is good for 2 reasons 1)Semen help to soften the cervix, and orgasms help to get the uterus contracting

Another thing that I read about is Black or Blue Cohosh--it is an herbal supplement used for menopause. But I don't know anyone who has tried it or how safe it is.

[AndreaMMS]

PLEASE don't try the blue/black cohash without talking to your doctor! It can cause miscarrage early in a pregnancy (hence why it can bring on labor), so it's VERY STRONG STUFF that should only be given by a doctor or midwife and only if closely monitored.

[katzmeow671]

/March 05 Mama delurking/ Our childbirth instructor said to NOT try nipple stimulation either as it too can be dangerous. Apparently it can make things progress too quickly. / back to lurking until there is news about dbers!/

ETA Queso Dip from Chili's worked for me! Went to lunch at 11:30 and by 1 I was in definite labor!

[calliope_muses]

Didn't know if anyone had planned to come in here with news about Solongtogo...

Lisa and her hubby are the proud parents of a beautiful little girl! Courtney was born earlier today and weighs 6 lbs 3 ounces, 19 ½” long. She has black hair that’s about an inch long!

Congrats Lisa and Dave!!

[hmbay]

Congrats Lisa!

[wildcat]

Congrat's solongtogo and welcome Courtney!!!

labor triggersOne of my friends really wanted the baby to come out(after 3 weeks of bedrest around 34 weeks of pregnancy, she ended up going to term!), that instead of taking the elevator down from her office, she took the stairs, and we were on the 20th floor!! She was in labor later that night/morning:). I plan on a stairs only policy once I hit 37 weeks next week!

[wildcat]

Thread notice - Just an fyi - I'll be updating the thread solo as Nikki will be busy with Ava for awhile;), so hopefully I can stay on top of it!! However, it's really hard to concentrate on work with all the baby news, so I'll probably be ok!! Anyway, on the first page we have a post with our due dates, the gender, and now delivery announcements! For new moms, please post in red if there's anything I missed and I'll be glad to fix it! Also, as pictures of baby's are posted, let me know if you want them posted on the first page or not! As a reminder to Nikki's message from the other day, as baby's are born, I'll update the title of the first post and the moderators will make the change to the thread title. However, only so many names fit on the line, so as more baby's are born, the first ones will drop off. I can't believe our baby's are really on the way!!

[PrincessCrappy]

Congratulations Lisa! Hooray for Courtney!!

So far queso dip is winning out over 20 flights of stairs for my labor induction plans! :p Any other suggestions?

Cr8zyforaf - I think you were the person that recommended JCPenney for white wooden lamps. If so, THANK YOU! I just ordered 2 lamps (with shades) for less than ONE lamp (without shade) from PBK!