November 2005 Mommies

[november2005mommies]

Nov05 Mommies - 2nd trimester here we are!

Your co-moderators are Alanna and asianbear07.
Please put updates in RED to make it easier for us to find them!

baby arrival announcements can be made to:
announcemybaby@yahoo.com

threadmembers are encouraged to frequent the email account to watch for new arrivals! (and then to post and report to the thread!) Login using the password: hooray!

To join, please submit a post to this thread with the following information:

CC Name
Me: Name, age
DH: Name, age
Married: Date
TTC: Date (optional)
BFP: Date (optional)
EDD: Date

***Please also note if you have any other children, etc.

abbytfox IT'S A SURPRISE!!
Me: Abby, 29
DH: Adam, 28
Married: 6/22/03
EDD: 12/7/05

Alanna IT'S A GIRL!!
Me: Alanna (Lana), 32
DH: J., 31
Married: 9/13/03
TTC: Nov. 2004
BFP: Feb. 24, 2005
EDD: November 5, 2005
Gender Prediction: A BOY!

albuquerque IT'S A GIRL!!
Me: Ashley, 33
DH: George, 32
Married: 27 June 2003
TTC: November 2004
BFP: 23 February 2005
EDD: 5 November 2005

amyhky IT'S A BOY !!
me: Amy 33 yrs.
DH: Chad 34 yrs.
married 6/28/03
DS: Hayden, born 7/3/04
EDD: 11/9/05 - it's a boy!

AmyPooh IT'S A BOY !! ~ Cameron Grant
(AmyInDallas on WC)
Me: Amy, 28
DH: Rich, 32
Married: 8/3/2002
DD: Kailey Catheryn, 9/3/2004
EDD: 11/26/2005
Gender: Don't know yet

Asianbear 07 IT'S A GIRL!! ~ Kemberlyn Ruth Serene
Me-Natasha, 22
DH-bert, 25
Married: 7/7/07
BFP: ?? don't know what this is
DS: Ethan Joseph
EDD: 11/13/05
gender prediction-- We are hoping for a GIRL!

Beevo12 IT'S A BOY !! ~ Kaden Bradford
Me: Yota
DH:Brad
Married: September 21, 2002
TTC: December 2003 (4 m/c's)
BFP: March 4th, 2005
EDD: November 16th, 2005

Bliss (WC name is Augustbride03) IT'S A SURPRISE!!
Me: Adrienne, 29
DH: David, 31
Married: August 30
BFP: March 17, 2005 (happy St. Patrick's Day to us!)
EDD: November 26, 2005

Breakfasthill IT'S A SURPRISE!!
Me: Beth, 30
DH: John, 41
Married: 9/21/02
DD: 5/17/04
EDD: 11/15/05

clzj IT'S A SURPRISE!!
Me: Lynn 31
DH: Charles 30
Married: 6/8/2002
DSS: Zachary 10
DS: Isaiah 2
EDD: 11/14/05
Prediction: Girl

Decemberwed IT'S A GIRL!! ~ Lily Kate
Me: Kassie, 32
DH: Kevin, 32
Married: 12/15/01
DS: Benjamin Rowley 1/20/03
EDD: 11/15/05

dziner, 34 IT'S A BOY !!
DH, 36
married 11.25.00
Ava Brooke, born 12.27.03
Edd: 11.17.05

First-time mom (morrisonk from WC) IT'S A GIRL!! ~ Kaylin Mae
Me: Krystal, 24
DH: Doug, 24
Married: July 31,2004
TTC: December
BFP: March 17, 2005
EDD: November 21, 2005

Hawaii2SJ IT'S A BOY !!
Me: Deanne, 28
DH: Randy, 28
Married: 1/24/04
TTC: 8/01/04
BFP: 2/03/05
EDD: 11/04/05

Kelly's Girl IT'S A SURPRISE!!
Kelly's Girl, 31
DH-31
Married: 10/13/01
BFP: 3/15/05
EDD: 11/22/05

Kristen78 IT'S A GIRL!!
Me: Kristen, 27
DH: Andrew, 30
Married: 8/16/03
TTC: 9/1/04
BFP: 3/4/05
EDD: 11/13/05

Lindzee82IT'S A BOY !! ~ Matthew Timothy
Me: Lindsey, 22
DH: Eric, 24
Married: August 21, 2004
TTC: January 2005
BFP: March 2005
EDD: November 14, 2005

LSUGirl IT'S A BOY !! ~ Andrew (Drew) John
Me: Rikki, 29
DH: Paul, 35
Married: 9/01/02
DS: 8/27/03
EDD: 11/09/05

mrs_barkley IT'S A GIRL!!
Me: Terena, 27
DH: Tim, 28
Married: September 20, 2003
DD: Gina Marie, May 1, 2004
TTC: we weren't
BFP: March 10, 2005
EDD: November 2, 2005
hoping for a boy!

Poodlelover
Me: Terri, 31
DH: Brian, 32
DD: Madeline Elizabeth 01/23/04
Married: June 30, 2001
BFP: March 15, 2005
EDD: November 24 (Turkey Day!)

rehoboth IT'S A SURPRISE!!
Me: rehoboth, 33
DH: 37
Married: June 30, 2001
DS: 11/05/03
BFP: 2/21/05
EDD: 11/03/05

rochacha IT'S A BOY !!
Me: 33
DH: 32
Married: 10/26/02
TTC: 12/04
BFP: 3/13/05
EDD: 11/21/05
Gender Prediction: A BOY!

SEBSKI IT'S A BOY !!
Me: 29
DH: 30
Married: 10/27/02
BFP: 3/11/05
EDD: 11/22/05

sem426 IT'S A GIRL!!
Me: Stacy 33
DH: Adam 33
Married: November 24, 2001
BFP: March 12, 2005
EDD: November 15, 2005

Shirsty IT'S A BOY !!
Me: 30
DH: 32
Married: 8/17/01
TTC: Jan 2004
BFP: Mar 2005
EDD: Nov 6, 2005

StClaire IT'S A GIRL!! ~ Avery Grace
Me: Claire, 26
DH: Bryan 32
Married: December 15, 2001
BFP: March 3, 2005
EDD: November 9, 2005

Tulip IT'S A SURPRISE!!
Me: Kelly, 28
DH: Dan, 31
Married: May 25, 2002
BFP: February 24, 2005
EDD: October 28

[november2005mommies]

October 28
Tulip

November 2
mrs_barkley

November 3
rehoboth

November 4
Hawaii2SJ

November 5
Alanna
albuquerque

November 6
Shirsty

November 9
StClaire
LSUGirl
amyhky

November 13
Asianbear 07
Kristen78

November 14
clzj
Lindzee82

November 15
SEM426
Breakfasthill
Decemberwed

November 16
Beevo12

November 21
first-time mom
rochacha

November 22
Kelly's Girl
Sebski

November 24
Poodlelover

November 26
AmyPooh
Bliss

December 7
Abbytfox

[november2005mommies]

August 12
Alanna

August 27
SEM426

August 31
Sebski

*********************************************
ULTRASOUND APPOINTMENTS

August 23
Asianbear07

[november2005mommies]

Sebski
18 weeks 2 days
http://images.snapfish.com/343%3C%3A%3B%3A323232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D7%3A6%3 D%3B45%3DXROQDF%3E23238%3C%3A%3A73%3A53ot1lsi

Alanna
13 weeks
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da08b3127cce9130e2cadf0700000016108AbuG7No1ZNG

Kristen78
19weeks 4 days
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d805b3127cce9234a57b892700000036128AcNGrZi0atL

mrs barkley
13 weeks
http://tinypic.com/6huge9.jpg

albuquerque
22 weeks
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d929b3127cce92f0a34eb31d00000016108Qcsm7Ru0cc

abbytfox
20 weeks
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d900b3127cce92a71c025e6400000016108CZNnLFmycm

[november2005mommies]

AsianBear07
23 weeks
http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3A74%3B23232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2348%3D329%3D%3C%3 B3%3DXROQDF%3E2323975%3B%3B%3A462ot1lsi

first-time mom
20 weeks
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d936b3127cce92b4e3ebb40700000016108AcNGbZq1cuO

LSUGirl
24 Weeks
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/rikkifonte/Drewface.jpg

[november2005mommies]

mrs barkley
20 weeks
http://tinypic.com/6hugc2.jpg

SEM426
23 weeks
http://images.snapfish.com/34449%3C8323232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3C35%3D467%3 DXROQDF%3E2323979%3C3%3C94%3Bot1lsi

First-time mom
25 weeks 4 days
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d630b3127cce9330e457f0c900000010108AcNGbZq1cuO

LSUGirl
24 weeks
http://images.snapfish.com/344528%3A%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2328%3D%3C85%3D%3B 77%3DXROQDF%3E232397%3B656978ot1lsi

Hawaii2SJ
26 weeks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v514/alohadee/14963af6.jpg

[november2005mommies]

Tulip
26 weeks
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d906b3127cce93434b7ddc3f00000016108IbuHDlm1aE

Abbytfox
23 weeks
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d630b3127cce930b2c08111800000036108CZNnLFmycm

Kelly's Girl
24 weeks 1 day
http://images.snapfish.com/34462%3B%3A723232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2333%3D%3A69%3D8%3 B6%3DXROQDF%3E23239%3A985%3A6%3A2ot1lsi

Sebski
24 weeks
http://images.snapfish.com/3445%3B72%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2329%3D7%3A6%3D%3B 45%3DXROQDF%3E23239%3A438%3A54%3Bot1lsi

Lindzee82
26 Weeks
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d629b3127cce9324ea93a43900000036108AbtGzhs3ZtT

Beevo12
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d624b3127cce931774e47b1c00000015108Aasmjlu5aNN

[november2005mommies]

Please feel free to post... I will add links to the old threads on the WC here if this catches on... in the meantime would be happy to hear what people think of having a satellite of our thread here...

please let me know if you want me to add you to the roster here!

thanks!

Alanna (lana1)

[poodlelover]

CC Poodlelover
Me: Terri, 31
DH: Brian, 32
DD: Madeline Elizabeth 01/23/04
Married: June 30, 2001
BFP: March 15, 2005
EDD: November 24 (Turkey Day!)

Hi, It's TJ&BJ from WC. Big u/s is July 18.. I want to find out the sex, dh does not. I have 3 weeks to talk him into it. :)

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here! :)

Hi Terri!! Glad you are here! Hope to see some more people cross over too!

[StClaire]

StClaire
Me: Claire, 26
DH: Bryan 32
Married: December 15, 2001
BFP: March 3, 2005
EDD: November 9, 2005

IT'S A GIRL! Avery Grace

[mrs_barkley]

Please add me :)

CC Name: mrs_barkley
Me: Terena, 27
DH: Tim, 28
Married: September 20, 2003
DD: Gina Marie, May 1, 2004
TTC: we weren't
BFP: March 10, 2005
EDD: November 2, 2005
hoping for a boy!

My next appointment is July 19 and my big u/s will be approx. 2 weeks later. We are going to try to find out. DD didn't cooperate so we will see if her brother or sister does. :)

[sem426]

sem426
Me: Stacy 33
DH: Adam 33
Married: November 24, 2001
BFP: March 12, 2005
EDD: November 15, 2005

It's a GIRL!

Next Dr appt 7/2.

[Sebski]

SEBSKI
Me: 29
DH: 30
Married: 10/27/02
BFP: 3/11/05
EDD: 11/22/05

It's a boy!

http://images.snapfish.com/343%3C%3A%3B%3A323232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2329%3D7%3A6%3 D%3B45%3DXROQDF%3E23238%3C%3A%3A73%3A54ot1lsi

18w2d U/S shot:
http://images.snapfish.com/343%3C%3A%3B%3A323232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D7%3A6%3 D%3B45%3DXROQDF%3E23238%3C%3A%3A73%3A53ot1lsi

Sorry if the pix show up too large - not sure how to make them smaller. I'm joining from the WC in order to keep up with everyone who's left our Nov thread there. :)

[StClaire]

Sebski Congrats on your BOY!! How exciting!! Wow, that second shot is cool! Isn't technology so amazing?!

[Kelly's Girl]

This site is great! I am so glad someone at WC pointed it out on our Nov. thread. I like it much better than the new WC.

Stats-
Me-Kelly's Girl, 31
DH-31
Married: 10/13/01
BFP: 3/15/05
EDD: 11/22/05
It's a surprise

[Natasha]

Me-Natasha, 22
DH-bert, 25
Married: 7/7/07
BFP: 3/4/05 (thanks Mrs Barkley!)
EDD: 11/13/05
gender prediction-- We are hoping for a GIRL!

[mrs_barkley]

BFP means Big Fat Positive. It's a short way of saying that you got a positive pregnancy test :)

[sem426]

Glad to see more of the WC group coming over here. For now I'll keep tabs on both groups! i don't want to lose track of what's going on with the Nov Mommies. :)

[Tulip]

CC Tulip
Me: Kelly, 28
DH: Dan, 31
Married: May 25, 2002
BFP: February 24, 2005
EDD: October 28

:D

[beevo12]

Me: Yota
DH:Brad
Married: September 21, 2002
TTC: December 2003 (4 m/c's)
BFP: March 4th, 2005
EDD: November 16th, 2005

Oh, and it's a BOY! Kaden Bradford

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!

Glad to see all these familiar faces!!

As usual if I missed any updates or got anything wrong.. just let me know!!! I will fix it ASAP!

[Natasha]

For me, I have a 2.5 y/o son, Ethan Joseph, AND my u/s is slated for August 23.

[amypooh]

CC AmyPooh (AmyInDallas on WC)
Me: Amy, 28
DH: Rich, 32
Married: 8/3/2002
DD: Kailey Catheryn, 9/3/2004
EDD: 11/26/2005
Gender: Don't know yet

Big Sono Appt - July 13th
Next OB Appt - July 20th

Yay I like this so much better than the WC format!

[Sebski]

Or, 20w3d since my DS is measuring 10 days early.

Thanks StClaire - I love that picture of DS and look at it almost daily. :D

I just posted this over in the WC thread... what stroller/travel system are you registering for or have? I have the baby bargains book but am having trouble getting through it - find it boring - so I'm looking for the easy way out by polling the masses. ;)

[sem426]

Sebski I'm totally clueless as well on the strollers. I think I'm going to bring a friend who has a kid with me when I register or I might have a breakdown in the store!

Question....I'm trying to scan my u/s pix and they aren't coming out well...too dark. Is there something special I should be doing to make them come out clearer?

So far, I'm really liking this new board! :)

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!

[Tulip]

I thought everyone was quiet. I forgot to subscribe. Oops. Off to update myself. :D

[clzj]

clzj here

Me: Lynn 31
DH: Charles 30
Married: 6/8/2002
DSS: Zachary 10
DS: Isaiah 2
EDD: 11/20/05
Prediction: Girl
Not finding out

Next OB/Big Sono July 8

To answer the question about stollers. With DS I had an evenflo travel system. I need to verify that it is still good. I would recommend a travel system just for the easy of application. At the age of 2 he does not use the big stroller much. He either walks or we use the umberlla stroller. We also have an airline approved stroller so if you travel via airplane look at this one too.

Airline Approved Stroller (http://www.strolex.com)

At the next appointment which is only 1.5 weeks away I will be making the decision if this will be c-section or not. I have to remember to bring a video tape that day.

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!

Welcome clzj!!

Anyone who wants me to add an ultrasound picture or a belly shot from WC just let me know... (or if you have a new one... thats good too! :) )

[clzj]

How is everyone handling the heat?

[first-time mom]

First-time mom (morrisonk from WC)
Me: Krystal, 24
DH: Doug, 24
Married: July 31,2004
TTC: December
BFP: March 17, 2005
EDD: November 21, 2005
Gender: GIRL!! Kaylin Mae


20 wk ultrasound July 5th :D

[first-time mom]

http://www.shutterfly.com/view/pictures.jsp

[Sebski]

Heat Not handling the heat all too well in this corner. I don't think it's the heat as much as it is humidity... YUCK!

Anyone else feeling as if their baby is growing like a weed? I think DS has moved up a bit in the belly... the past couple of days I've felt a tightening near my ribs - sorta like I've done too many situps.

Be back in a bit w/ belly shots!

[Bliss]

Hi all! I am going to hang out in both boards, please add me to the list :)

CC: WC name is Augustbride03
Me: Adrienne, 29
DH: David, 31
Married: August 30
BFP: March 17, 2005 (happy St. Patrick's Day to us!)
EDD: November 26, 2005

Question, hope this isnt TMI, but has anyone been experiencing an increase in discharge? I had read that this can happen in the 2nd trimester, and noticed it today. Nothing gushy or anything, just a little more than usual. I am trying not to call my doc with every concern, is this something that is normal, or worth checking in w. my doctor on? TIA :)

[Natasha]

I had an increase in discharge, and showed a bit of infection, so they put me on some pennicillian for 10 days. can't hurt to have it checked...

[first-time mom]

I have a major increase in discharge and have been checked out by the doctor several times and it is normal for my body. Everyone is different it just depends on how you body handles the hormones. I am just one of those lucky girls that has to wear pantiliners during my preg :rolleyes:
So if it worries you check it out with your doc, i was told it gets worse from here on out...

(formally morrisonk on WC)

[Tulip]

Hi all! I am going to hang out in both boards, please add me to the list :)

CC: WC name is Augustbride03
Me: Adrienne, 29
DH: David, 31
Married: August 30
BFP: March 17, 2005 (happy St. Patrick's Day to us!)
EDD: November 26, 2005

Question, hope this isnt TMI, but has anyone been experiencing an increase in discharge? I had read that this can happen in the 2nd trimester, and noticed it today. Nothing gushy or anything, just a little more than usual. I am trying not to call my doc with every concern, is this something that is normal, or worth checking in w. my doctor on? TIA :)
It's perfectly normal. I've been having to wear pantyliners since about week 18 or so.

[Alanna]

Hey everyone!!

Things are about the same for me...

sebski i definitely feel ilke there has been a major growth spurt going on with the baby... my stomach seems like it doubled in size in the past couple of weeks... getting comfortable to go to sleep is definitely getting challenging.

we havent really started to look at strollers/carseats etc yet.. so i am really enjoying the discussion over the past couple of days...

we ordered our crib and dresser/changing table this past weekend... they said it might take 16 weeks to come in.. im glad we got going when we did with it! They said its partially due to Ragazzi being closed for two weeks every july and the fact that we chose "rubbed cream" as the color which takes more time...

its okay though because we have a lot of work to do in the nursery before we could put it in there anyway.

i think we will begin registering this month... DH's parents are oming for a visit next week... so maybe we will let them tag along since they dont get to take part in much stuff since they live in the midwest...

QOTD has anyone started looking into birth/babycare/breastfeeding classes? My next m/w's appt is a week from friday and I am planning on asking for some preliminary info... i think we would like to take a class in all those topics... when would we actually take the classes? late august/sept?

[Tulip]

QOTD has anyone started looking into birth/babycare/breastfeeding classes? My next m/w's appt is a week from friday and I am planning on asking for some preliminary info... i think we would like to take a class in all those topics... when would we actually take the classes? late august/sept?
I registed on the phone for our class and I keep forgetting to send it in the mail to confirm. We have to take ours as 2 Saturdays in mid-September. They offer 6 Tuesday nights instead but they run from early August to mid-September and we're on vacation the first week. They won't let us take the next session b/c we have to be done our classes at least a month before my due date.

[clzj]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alanna
QOTD has anyone started looking into birth/babycare/breastfeeding classes? My next m/w's appt is a week from friday and I am planning on asking for some preliminary info... i think we would like to take a class in all those topics... when would we actually take the classes? late august/sept?


I am not taking any classes this time around. I am taking a hospital tour though because we have changed hospitals. If I decide to do VBAC then I might take a class.

[sem426]

Heat This humidity is awful, but I guess it could be worse since it hasn't been too sunny. I've been trying to spend as little time outside as possible! Luckily I only need to take the subway a short way so that hasn't been too bad either.

Lana I've been looking at furniture online and I love one of the Ragazzi sets. I didn't reallize it could take so long to come in, so I guess I better get on that soon! I like the "candlelight" color so maybe I won't have to wait as long.

Birth Classes I have my next OB appt on Sat and I"m going to ask him about it then. I know they have several classes at the hospital. I think it might be a little too soon now, but I'm thinking I'd like to go in Sept probably.

U/S So I callled my Dr yesterday to see if he got the results of my big U/S from Sat. (It was done at the radiology place, not in the dr's office). The technician told me to call on Tues to talk to the Dr b/c he should have had the results by then and also since Baby S was being difficult and not in the best position I might need to go for another one. Well the nurse finally called me back at like 5:30 last night to say they still didn't have the results. ARGH!
I NEED to have another U/S to get confirmation tthat baby S is REALLY a GIRL since they weren't 100% sure the last time!!!

registering I think we'll probably start doing that in a few weeks. I'm sure I'll need to go back a few times since it will be very overwhelming. They are opening a brand new BRU right by my house, so I"ll probably do most of the registering there. However, I might also add some items at Buy Buy Baby or Pottery Barn Kids too. Not sure yet.

discharge Yes, it's totally normal. I asked my dr about it the last time I was there. I also have had an increase.

maternity pants Does anyone else have the problem with the elastic not being snug enough? Maybe it's bc I'm not that big yet and I'll "grow" into them, but with a few of my pants I feel like they are sagging!! Especially when I go up stairs...it's not a pretty sight :eek:

Sebski We talked about day care a while back and just wanted you to know I started getting info from a few places by me. I've "registered" at 3 so far, just to get my name on the list for April '06 when I'll need care. The prices seem to be around $275/week for "all inclusive" (diapers, wipes, formula etc) and those that don't include all the extras are about $765/month.


have a great day everyone!

[Sebski]

Sem thanks for the heads up to daycare costs... we're planning on stopping into one next Friday since we'll both be off for a family engagement. I have to call today for some background info on the place. Do you think you're going to do the 'full' daycare or end up providing the center w/ diapers etc.? It seems like it would be a lot of work providing that weekly etc...

Ragazzi & furniture I went out looking last weekend and seemed to gravitate toward that furniture line more than others. Thank you for the heads up on ordering sooner rather than later... especially since this kid's due date keeps getting earlier and earlier! Thanks for the heads up! To those of you who ordered - do you mind posting pix of what you chose?

Strollers well, I buckled and read through the car seat and stroller section of baby bargains last night. I haven't gone into Babies R Us yet, but am already narrowing it down to either the Graco Lite travel system or the Peg Perego Pliko stroller w/ the SnugRide infant car seat. Now I just have to get my butt to the store and physically play around with them. Maybe I'll head over there tonight...

Registering once we decide on the stroller set, we'll start our registry. I think we're going to start online at first and then go into the store to use the gun. Looking to keep it as painless as possible!

Maternity Pants the elastic is definitely not that strong. Or, I'm just not big enough either. I bought them when I was like 10w though, and think I bought them too large anticipating that I would be huge and need the room. :rolleyes: I'm wearing a pair today that I keep having to pull up. Maybe they'll come in handy as we get bigger? :confused: I'm finding though that I like the maternity panel much better than the elastic waist... have to buy more pants w/ the maternity panel!

My next appt is tomorrow night... I went in on Monday for a visit due to some probs I'm having w/ vision but I'm still keeping tomorrow's appt. Want to talk to her about being very out of breath and feeling a lot of palpitations too... anyone else feel really worn out? The past couple of weeks have been murder and I don't know if it's all in my head or related to my heart (I have MVP). Hoping to get some answers OTHER than "some women experience that while pregnant". :rolleyes:

[sem426]

Seb This is the set I like...although I haven't even seen it in person yet! It's the Castello line in Candlelight.

http://ragazzi.com/nursery/xlarge/2500_CRIB_5001_Candlelight_new.jpg

[Alanna]

sebski
we bought two pieces of the "sabrina" collection...

We bought this year's version of the Sabrina crib.

it has the same detail on it as last year's (pictured here)
http://www.ragazzi.com/nursery/cribs_large/cl_4201.jpg

but it has a different shape... (our only picture sucks. - its there in the background.. we were really debating which dresser to get... thats why thats so front and center)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d808b3127cce922868d3f78300000016108AbuG7No1ZNG


we decided against that dresser and instead we got the sabrina "grand baby caddy" pictured here on the far right:

http://www.ragazzi.com/nursery/xlarge/4100_RubbedCream.jpg


we ordered everything in the "rubbed cream" which is not so much cream as a warm white and it has been antiqued...

as you can tell we decided to just girly girl it up!
:)

Now if only i could find some bedding that i loved....
:)

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!

Welcome Bliss and first-time mom !!!

[Sebski]

Thanks for posting the baby furniture pix! Beautiful sets! Keep on posting what you end up choosing as your baby's furniture - I love looking at everyone's choices! :)


Question - how big is your nursery and how many pieces are you ordering for it? I was thinking of the crib, dresser/changing table combo and possibly an armoire. Not sure if all the furniture would crowd the room though... it's not a very large room... I'm not really sold on getting a glider/chair for nursing. I would rather not spend the $ on something like that until I know I'll need it. We have a twin bed in our spare room right next to the nursery w/ a TV setup so I'm thinking I could just use that for nursing in the middle of the night.

[mrs_barkley]

Strollers : My MIL entered us in a baby contest that Walmart was having when I was pregnant with DD and we won the grand prize. It was a Graco LiteRider travel system with a SnugRide carrier. We love it! Since she was a preemie we used the carseat for a long time. We still use the stroller alot :)

Cribs : We didn't buy one. We borrowed one from my il's that they had from my nephew. It is really pretty.

Question - how big is your nursery and how many pieces are you ordering for it? Our nursery is pretty small. It was our storage room before DD came along. We have her crib and two dressers in there. We also have a twin bed that she will use once she is big enuf. We didn't get a changing table or anything of the sort. We just change her on the bed or the couch or wherever there is room. :)

Registering : I started a registry on Walmart.com. I used it last time and really liked it. We are probably going to wait to register for clothes and such until after my u/s.

Heat: It's 101 today! Ouch! I try to stay inside as much as possible. I love central air :)

[mrs_barkley]

has anyone started looking into birth/babycare/breastfeeding classes? : I didn't take any classes with DD because she came so early. I probably won't take any this time. I did fine without them.

Here is my u/s pic and belly pics from 20 weeks. :)

13 week ultrasound
http://tinypic.com/6huge9.jpg

20 week belly pics
http://tinypic.com/6hug5k.jpg
http://tinypic.com/6hugc2.jpg

[StClaire]

We ended up going with furniture by Sorelle. It is the Cottage 4 in 1 Series in Antique White. We love it, but we are going to change out the knobs on the pieces to make it more antique-y.
http://sorellefurniture.com/images2/Cribs/190.jpg
http://sorellefurniture.com/images2/CasePieces/1940.jpg
http://sorellefurniture.com/images2/CasePieces/1920.jpg

It will go good with our bedding:
http://www.babysupermall.com/main/products/coc/coc102033.jpg
http://www.babysupermall.com/main/products/coc/coc102033-det-q1.jpg

[sem426]

YAY! I just scheduled another U/S for 7/12. My Dr said everything looked great from the first u/s last weekend. Baby is measuring exactly right for 11/15 due date. He just wants me to go back and get another one bc they didn't get a great spine pix of the baby since she was not cooperating! Hopefully I'll also get more positive confirmation that this baby is for sure a Girl!

[Kristen78]

Kristen78
Me: Kristen, 27
DH: Andrew, 30
Married: 8/16/03
TTC: 9/1/04
BFP: 3/4/05
EDD: 11/13/05

Its a GIRL! at least the doc said 70% chance

My next ultrasound is 7/20

Ultrasound photo from 6/23/05 when I was 19w4d
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d805b3127cce9234a57b892700000036128AcNGrZi0atL

[Sebski]

Congrats on your baby girlKristen!

StClaire beautiful furniture!

Sem yay for another u/s you lucky stiff! :)

So I started my baby registry last night. So much fun!!!! Thank goodness I brought my mom and sister with me - DH would have been good for nothing! ;) I got the big ticket items down... decided to go w/ the Peg Perego Plinko3 (in blue) w/ the matching Viaggio car seat. I liked one of the Graco Quattros, but it folded up much bigger than the Pliko and was very heavy when folded. We have a pretty steep driveway that's difficult unloading even groceries in... can't imagine loading and unloading a heavy stroller like that. I didn't care for any of the patterns in the Graco Metrolite series. I asked the sales associate if the Snugride would fit in the Pliko but he told me no. Even though I think it was posted here (and one of my friends mentioned) it would. :confused: Other than that I went with the Eddie Baur high chair (wasn't impressed w/ any of the high chairs but this one was better I guess) and the Sweet Dreams pack-n-play in clarion. Hmmm... what else... the Fisher Price aquarium swing, a papasan, eurobath, Sony monitor, some receiving blankets, sleep sacs, a few onsies ... am drawing a blank on other things now. I have to go back and walk around again for longer, but I wanted to get started on a weeknight when it would be less busy. Surprisingly, bottles threw me for a loop. I wasn't expecting so many choices so I held off on putting anything down.

What's the best bottle out there? I'm hoping that breastfeeding will work out, but want to be prepared in case it doesn't - I don't like surprises. ;) The last thing I want to do is send DH to pick out bottles for our newborn in a pinch.

Must say that I feel sooooooo much better having started the registry... I was starting to feel overwhelmed by everything that was piling up on my to do list!

[clzj]

Sebiski-Bottles. My DH had wanted the vent aire for the baby. That is what we registered for and he did not take to them. I ended up with the Platex Nursers. He loved those. It is trail and error with the bottles.

[mrs_barkley]

Sebski: We use the generic bottles from Walmart. I think they are called Parents Choice. They are not expensive and DD hasn't had any problems with them.

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!

Welcome Kristen78 - glad you crossed over!!! :D

[rochacha]

I posted once or twice ont he WC group thread way back in the first trimester. I lurked a lot, but never really posted. It seems that a lot of that orginal group has moved here. So, sign me up...

rochacha
Me: 33
DH: 32
Married: 10/26/02
TTC: 12/04
BFP: 3/13/05
EDD: 11/21/05
Gender Prediction: A BOY!
U/S: 6/29...we are having a boy!

[albuquerque]

I went through the motions of registering over here sometime last week, but it took several days for them to send me the email that completes the registration. Anyway, it finally came, and here I am. What a relief it is to use these boards, compared to the pain of trying to deal with the "improved" WC. I will probably try to keep up with both boards, but since WC won't let me update my email address, I don't get email updates there anymore, and it just naturally leads to not checking in there as much.

Anyway, my stats again for reference:

albuquerque
Me: Ashley, 33
DH: George, 32
Married: 27 June 2003
TTC: November 2004
BFP: 23 February 2005
EDD: 5 November 2005


Our level 2 ultrasound is tomorrow, I'll be 22 weeks! They do them a lot later over here, I think it's because Europe doesn't have the whole political controversy about abortion that exists in the US (even though we live in a country where the govt officially supports the church!). The doc told me that they can see a lot of things much better at 22 weeks than 18 (stands to reason), and if something is terribly wrong and you make the decision to terminate, you don't have to factor in the abortion legislation centered on fetus viability (around 23 weeks) that exists in the US. Anyway, I can't wait, I consider it a bit cruel and unusual that I've had to wait this long when everybody finds out 4 weeks earlier in the US!

[clzj]

Alb-i will be almost 21 weeks when I go next week for my u/s and this is not the level 2. It is just the sex one.

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here! :)


Welcome rochacha and albuquerque!!!!!

Some fun stats!

We now have 17 members...

We have 5 Girls... 3 Boys... and 3 Surprises!!

And we are waiting on 6 babies to hopefully let us know at their next u/s!!

[Alanna]

Yay for all the new people!

Special Shout out to my date twin Alb !!! good luck with your U/S tomorrow... can't wait to hear the results!

QOTD is anyone else having major bra problems?? I already bought some new ones a while back and now ive outgrown those :mad: I tried to find ones that fit myself.. but i think i give up... im going to have to go today and get measured... i think its possible that im totally out of my old range now... so frustrating.. so uncomfortable! anyway... i guess that was more of a "rant of the day" than a QOTD... but any sympathy will be appreciated...

[sem426]

Bras So far my regular bras are still fitting fine. I"m sure soon I might need to get the extender thing for the back. But I haven't noticed any "overflowing" yet!

Dreams Has anyone else been having bizarre dreams? I have been dreaming about random people and places that I haven't seen or spoken to in years! No dreams about the baby or motherhood, but very vivid dreams about lots of strange things!

belly pix I keep meaning to take belly shots! I am definitely going to do it this weekend and will post then.

tomorrow I have my dr's appt. we'll see how much weight I've gained. according to my scale I've only gained about 4 lbs. I need to see if my Dr thinks that is ok or if I'm not gaining enough.

Have a great long 4th of July weekend!

[clzj]

Sem-with my ds I only gained 15 pounds and that was at 39 weeks. At my last appointment I had only gained 1 pound since finding out we were pg. I think the doctor will say something if you are not. I know at my last appointment the docotr was not concerned.

[Sebski]

Hi Alb! Glad to see you made your way over here! Good luck with the u/s tomorrow - hopefully you learn the gender!!!

Bra Probs None here. I WISH I was having some! :p I'm only now completely filling up my cups. *sigh*

Weight Went to the doc again last night and found that I was up 3 pounds from MONDAY. :eek: The nurse assured me that it was fine - especially since it was late in the day etc. That brought me up to a total gain of 15 pounds so far for the pregnancy. I'm estimating 30-35pds total by the end of the pregnancy since I'm at the 1/2 way point starting this weekend. I don't really mind since my pre-preggo pants still fit in the leg/hip area - just not the waist. :D

I don't know how I'm supposed to get any work done when I now have a Babies R Us online registry that I can update. HAHA! I love looking at it and thinking "he's going to be in that blanket or wear that robe". I'm so excited!

Speaking of him - my little man is bopping away in there today... I just finished my Gatorade and he's dancing up a storm! :)

[Bliss]

Seb, how funny, my little one loves Gatorade too :) Whenever I drink it I get lots of little tickles in there.

Our level II is on Wednesday.We are not finding out the sex of the babe. I cannot wait to see our little one again!

Bra Problems I have already gone from a (small) 36C to an overflowing 38D. And I am going back to the store today to get measured again since the new ones feel tight. What is the bra extender?! That would save me money since buying bras that I will probably never wear again is driving me nuts.

[Kristen78]

Bras - I went from a 36B to a 36C and now I just ordered some 36Ds. My cups are overflowing! I wonder if I should have gone to a 38D instead? Hmmm...anyways I decided to get a D because its getting hard to fit my boobies into the C cups.

Weight - I have gained 8 pounds so far. My doc hasn't said anything to me about my weight gain yet, so I guess its OK? She did tell me to aim for 25 pounds total. I needed to lose about 10 pounds to begin with. I'm hoping to only have gained 2-3 by my 24 week appointment, because I know you gain more quickly towards the end.

[Natasha]

Bras : oh yes, nothing fits...ugh. its too darn hot for bras anyway, lol...

Weight: I have gained about 10 pounds at 21 weeks.

Is the heat KILLING anyone else? I am just sweltering. I called in sick to work today, because I felt so "heat sick". I work in a fabric store, and it's a lot of physical work. Our A/C has been bad lately, and I don't think I would have made it for 8 hours. Ugh.

[beevo12]

HEY! What do ya'll think of the letters I made today? Well I didn't carve them or anything, but I bought them and painted them white, then stuck some "stickers" on them. (Our nursery is going to be a jungle theme) Anyways, here's pics!! Should I leave the stickers on or take them off and leave them plain white.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d920b3127cce92dcb0d62e0a00000016108Aasmjlu5aNN
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d920b3127cce92dcb0d22e0e00000015108Aasmjlu5aNN
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d920b3127cce92dcb0de2e0200000016108Aasmjlu5aNN

[dziner]

Can't remember if I signed on here or not yet, but I'm definitely here!

dziner, 34
DH, 36
married 11.25.00
Ava Brooke, born 12.27.03
Baby Boy due 11.17.05

Glad we've been able to pick up where we left off...even if I am still mostly a lurker. ;)

[Natasha]

Beevo--Hmmm, not sure if I *personally* like the one sticker per letter. But, I am also occasionally reffered to as the Queen of Overkill, so if you like em, keep them like that!

[beevo12]

Asianbear Thank you for your honest opinion, I think there was something not right about it. I took off the cheetah's and this is what they look like now.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d922b3127cce92d8d4c49e7300000016108Aasmjlu5aNN

[StClaire]

Beevo I think the letters are adorable! I do like the second set better. So cute! Where did you get the letters?

[beevo12]

Thanks StClaire I got the letters at Target for 1.99 each. I got the white paint in the same aisle. (Craft paint)

[albuquerque]

Our ultrasound went fine, all the various screens came back fine, and:

It's a GIRL!!! (I'd put that in pink, but the pink is so light I'm afraid it would be unreadable.) Back in the WC thread, I came out and admitted that I had an ever-so-slight girl preference, so clearly I'm happy. George seemed genuinely not to care as long as Baby is healthy, and it appears that she is. He might be marginally happy that she's a girl just because I'm happy about it. My mother was very clearly praying for a girl, she was thrilled. I was a little worried that George's parents, especially his dad, would be a little disappointed not to have a grandson, but his reaction to the news put those worries to rest immediately. They're clearly just so happy to have a baby on the way that they probably wouldn't care very much if it turned out to be a kitten.

I'm also unsurprised. I'd have been shocked if it were a boy. In the first weeks after the BFP I was thinking it was a boy, for no particular reason, but then later, once we (I) started to think at all about names (more on that in a minute), decorations, etc., I realized I was approaching these topics as if I somehow knew it was a girl--thinking hard about girl options and only glancing at the boy options with this "cute but doesn't apply to me" attitude. That was a weird realization, and since then I've been pretty convinced we had a little girl.

At the ultrasound I asked the doctor if he could tell us if the baby is a boy or a girl, and he said, "do you want to know?" I said yes, and he said, "what do you think it is?" I said (with zero hesitation) I thought it was a girl, and he answered (also with zero hesitation), "It is." I asked how he could tell, and he said, "I looked between the baby's legs!" And gestured at the screen impatiently, as if it were perfectly obvious. To me, the screen looked very little different at that point from the static you get on your TV when you turn to where there's no channel, but I guess I'll take his word for it. I didn't see whatever it was that he saw, but he didn't sound like there was any uncertainty in his mind.

We didn't get a videotape of the ultrasound, but we did get something like 55 still picture printouts. Unfortunately these are mostly of the "Here's Baby's spinal cord!" or "Here's Baby's kidneys!" variety, but we did get a few cute head profile shots, so I'll post one of those.

As for names--now that we know we're having a girl, I'm desperate to talk about names. I let George off the hook this far, so that he wouldn't get impatient picking out names for both a boy AND a girl, but now that we know which we need, I want to get on with it! We approach this from pretty different cultural standpoints. In Greece, they don't name a baby until it's baptised, usually at about a year old (until then they call the baby "Bebis" for a boy, and "Beba" for a girl). Also, Greek kids are usually named after grandparents, paternal side first, then maternal, and then if there are enough kids, you finally get to be creative. Names are also *always* either taken from ancient Greek names (Sophocles, Persephone, etc), or Orthodox christian names (Greek version of George, John, Maria, etc.). It turns out that George objects to this tradition of naming after the grandparents, and yesterday his parents volunteered that they don't care what we name the baby, so we might throw that tradition completely out the window. I do want to give the baby a traditionally Greek name, though, because here namedays are more celebrated than birthdays, and I don't want my kiddo to be the only kid in class without a nameday. I actually like George's father's name (Konstantinos, goes by Kostas), but his mother's name....it's Maria (she goes by Mary), and while it is a nice name, something like 52% of Greek women are named Maria and go by some variation of it. I want something a little more different. We might name her after her great-grandmother, beloved matriarch of the family, Katerina--I'd call her Katie. But there are a few other options, topmost in my mind being Zoe (here pronounced zoEE, not ZOee). This name comes from the ancient Greek root meaning "life", which is something I love. The problem with all this is that George is still reluctant to discuss names at all ("Do we have to decide right now?"). He knows that I insist that the baby have a name before I go into the delivery room, but I might have to live with the compromise that we decide not long before that. At least he isn't insisting on waiting until baptism!

[Tulip]

Hey guys sorry I haven't been around in a few days. I found out Wednesday that my grandmother died the night before. She was 89 and not well. Still hurts since I'm pregnant and my cousin's wife is due with #2 in 2 weeks. :(

Upcoming Doctor's appointments:
July 7
July 27

Off to catch up!

[beevo12]

oh Tulip, I'm so sorry about your grandma!

[sem426]

Tulip I'm so sorry about your grandmother.

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend. We were busy...lots of food, friends and sun. It was a nice weekend. Monday we went to look at some more baby furniture. I saw another set by Cavalli/Munire that I liked. We'll have to decide which one we like best. i still haven't seen the Ragazzi one in person yet.

Sat I had a dr's appt. Everything was good. I'm up 6lbs total now. Heartbeat was strong and my dr gave us info on signing up for a hospital tour and class on childbirth. My next Dr's appt is 7/30

I finally took belly shots over the weekend and once I upload them I will post.

I still haven't figured out how to scan my u/s pix and get them to come out clearly...hmmm.

Alb congrats on your GIRL!

beevo Those letters look so cute!

My office was closed yesterday as well for the holiday weekend, so a super short week for me :D . Friday night we're off to Boston for the weekend to visits friends. Hopefully I'll only need to make one bathroom stop along the way!

[Sebski]

Morning ladies!

Tulip so sorry about your gram's passing!

Alb congrats on your baby girl!

Beevo love the letters! They look great!

Sem did your doctor tell you when you should register for the classes at the hospital? I forgot to ask about that at last week's visit...

Not much is up with me... I went shopping for maternity clothes last night and dropped a small mint on some outfits at Macy's. Felt soooo good to open up the closet this morning and have some clothing choices though! :cool: Also - I think I'm pretty firm on a crib set by Ragazzi. It's a sleigh crib in cherry with a dresser that can be used as a changing table - have to find pix of it online. I'm bring DH to the store tomorrow night to check that and the bedding out so we can hopefully order something soon. My girlfriend had her baby at the end of May and still has no baby furniture! She ordered it back in March but I think she went factory direct and that's what's holding up the process for her. Want to make sure we have the nursery pretty set by mid-October!

[Alanna]

Hi Everyone!

I was so missing CC yesterday! I'm glad its back to normal today.

Congrats Alb on your baby GIRL!
Good luck finding a name... i cant imagine that some people wait a year!
I have told DH about 7 times that if we dont get another ultrasound during this pregnancy that confirms its a girl we HAVE to talk boy names so that if on the off-chance she ends up being a he... the kid isnt nameless for days while we negotiate...

Tulip Im so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I'm sure she will be looking down on you and your baby always.

beevo12 your letters came out really cute!

sem426 Have fun in Boston! We live about 7 miles north of boston and its rainy but cool here (70s) ...I was thinking if you have baby furniture on your mind... (and the inclination - which I know is probably ot the way you want to spend your nice getaway weekend.. but in anycase i thought i would mention....) there are a few places north of the city that have pretty comprehensive collections of Ragazzi on display (one is in Reading, MA http://www.babyfurniturewarehouse.com/ and one is in Danvers, MA http://www.bostonbaby.com/ both have other locations too.. but these are the ones I have gone to...) so if you were burning to see the set you mentioned... you might be able to see them around here... anyway... enjoy your time here!! its supposed to be a pretty mild weekend - Yay!

We have Dh's parents coming tomorrow from the midwest to visit... this will be the first time they visit us and stay in a hotel... i am hoping it works out really well so that they wont mind doing it again once the baby is here... our house is in total upheaval since we have emptied the study so that it can be a nursery... we have boxes everywhere... its really hard trying to figure out where to put everything... i have so much stuff in the attic now.. its kind of sad...

[Natasha]

Tulip--I am so sorry to hear about your grandma. I lost mine 2 weeks after DS was born. You're in my thoughts.

[Sebski]

Ugggggh... I've been sooo tired the past 2 days... I could crawl under my desk and seriously fall right asleep right now. Today is draaaaging!

[Natasha]

Sebs--Me too! I have been really tired, and I have had a nasty headache that won't go away. I am wondering if it is the weather, or what?

[sem426]

Alanna Thanks for the baby furniture info in Boston! I'd love to check them out! We'll see if our friends have any interest in doing that :rolleyes:

sebski My dr didnt' say a specific time frame we should do the childbirth classes, but I asked him about it and he said we should call the hospital and check out their schedule. I'm thinking we'll probably go sometime in late Aug maybe.

So Tired! I've been so tired too! I was asleep at 9:15 last night. I also had a bad headache over the weekend that lasted almost 2 days. Tylenol didn't help much, but thank goodness it finally went away. It's been dreary here the last couple of days so I'm sure that's not helping w/the sleepiness.

Terrorism After this mornings attacks in London, I kind of didn't want to get on the train and come to NYC for work today. I didn't really see too much increased police at my station in NJ or in Penn Station when I got in this morning. It's just so scary. I spent a semester abroad in London during college, so it's even more frightening knowing where these locations are that were attacked.

Sorry to be a downer...I'm through now.

Hope everyone has a great, safe day!

Stacy

[Natasha]

Stacy--I was the same way! I fell asleep sp early last night, but the headache I had forever has gone away.

I was sooooooooooooo tired last night, I started dozing around 6:30! I got up for dinner, then fell right back asleep and stayed asleep till 8 this morning when DS woke up! What is going on?

[Kelly's Girl]

I thought this second tri was the honeymoon phase- but I am exhausted lately as well!!!

I'm curious- do you find yourself comparing bellies w/other preggos? Seeing pics of Britney Spears makes me feel better about my expanding waistline- I look at her and think, "I look so much cuter than that!" (Sorry if you're a BS fan, I just think she's gone too far down trash alley for my taste.)

[Kristen78]

Tiredness - Wow, I have alot more energy and can stay up alot later than I could in the 1st trimester. I have always been early to bed anyways, like 9-10 usually. In the 1st trimester I was in bed around 8. Now I can go till 10 or 11! The other day I did get really sleepy around 5pm though. I even went to take a nap, but I had been extra busy the entire weekend so it may have just taken its toll.

I had a wierd experience the other day. I never have suffered from motion sickness in my life. But the other day we were out sailing on the lake and it was pretty windy and I felt pretty crappy. I wonder if things change because you are pregnant?

Registering - I went to register the other day. We dont have a BRU near by but there is a TRU you can register at. I was so disappointed at what they had to choose from. We ended up scanning like 10 small things and then I did the rest online. I kind of have the feeling that people wont really abide by the registry anyways. Oh well!

Furniture - I ordered my crib almost 2 weeks ago. It takes 4-8 weeks to come I guess. I can't wait. My DH liked to make furniture so he is crafting a dresser/changing table that will be 50" wide and have 3 drawers on one side and a door with shelf storage on the other. He's making it out of maple to match the crib.

Nursery - Has anyone started on this yet? We recently ripped up the carpet in our bedrooms and put down hardwood floors. They look great! So I painted the baby's room green, but then hated the green so repainted it a warm cream this weekend. I love it! I'm so excited about getting the room together, but at the same time dont want to do it all now and hten not have anything to look forward to in a few months. *sigh*

Baby clothes - Someone restrain me from BabyGap! I have been buying way too much there. But in my defense everything is so cheap on sale! I have some pants for the baby (a girl) and some onsies and sleepers, and littel socks. I also got the cutest dress for next summer. Originally $30 on sale for $13. Sweet! Seriously though I need to go on a hiatus from that place. But I have only spent about $60 there so far and I did get quite a few things.

Heartburn - I have suffered from terrible heartburn since day 1. I recently started taking TUMS and those things seem to work well.

That is my pregnancy update in a nutshell!

[Sebski]

Terrorism I hear ya Sem... I also commute to NYC from Jersey via the train. Granted it's just the Path, but still, I'm underground for about 15/20 minutes. Was not a fun experience this morning. I was in the city for 9/11 and it really brought back some bad memories. Be safe during your commute!!!

Bellies I'm ALWAYS hawking down other preggos and comparing! :D For instance I was in Motherhood the other night and a woman there was saying that she was 3 months along - when she looked much further on than that. And, when we went for the level 2 u/s, I was trying to figure out how far along everyone in the waiting room was so I could gauge how they looked compared to me. :p It's a bad habit but I love hawking the preggo belly!

Tired so I'm officially feeling like my body is confused and thinking it's back in the 1st trimester again. I've been soooo tired this week and today was extremely queasy all day long. Maybe the baby's going through a growth spurt or something?

Clothes/Furniture/Registry I haven't had the courage to buy any baby clothes yet... but, that doesn't stop me from adding them to my registry! ;) Speaking of registries, someone already bought from ours! We only registered last week and I went online yesterday to add something and saw that one of our items had been purchased already. Our son already has a gift out there! :) DH and I are heading to the furniture store tonight so I can show him the Ragazzi set I'm lukewarm over. He thinks we're ordering it while I'm not sure if I've checked out enough places yet. :rolleyes: I love his quick decision making! The set has everything I want, I just feel like I didn't look in enough places... I went to Babies R Us and this crib furniture specialty store. That's it.

Do most baby furniture stores carry the same items? How many places did you visit before deciding/ordering?

[Tulip]

Bellies, I'm always checking out other women's bellies. I think I'm so much bigger then most. I nearly passed out when I saw the tabloids saying Britney looked like she's having twins. I think she's a month and a half ahead of me and not much bigger! :eek:

Tired, I've been exhausted the last week but that's b/c I have a bronchial infection. :(

I'm off on vacation as of this afternoon. See you guys on Monday, July 18th.

[albuquerque]

Just swinging by to (finally) post that ultrasound shot:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d929b3127cce92f0a34eb31d00000016108Qcsm7Ru0cc

I think the little dots just above her nose are the tips of her fingers.

Can anybody post a link of these Britney pictures? I wanna see what "looks like twins" looks like! I think, though, that like everything in pregnancy, everyone is a little different. I have a friend who is shaped like a green bean. She came to visit me from London two years ago when she was 5 months preg, and at the time I looked more preg (couldn't have been further from it) than she did. She wore high heels until the day she delivered. She said her first clue that something was up was that she couldn't seem to balance on her heels. That day, she had her baby, 9.5 lbs. ONE WEEK LATER, she called me and mentioned in passing that she was very happy because SHE'D BEEN ABLE TO FIT BACK INTO HER JEANS THAT DAY. "I just don't know where the baby was!" Ugh. Another friend got those "are you having twins?" comments, and had a baby who was just under 6lbs. Everyone, everyone is different.

[Kristen78]

I've seen some pictures of Britney and I dont think she looks that big. I am not a Britney fan but geeze, give the girl a break, she is pregnant! I feel bad for her that the press is taking pictures and creating rumors about everyhting she puts in her mouth and what clothes she is wearing, how much weight she has gained etc...

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!!

Im sorry i was so bad about updating this past week... i was having some weird logging out issues these past few days.....


on that note... now that it seems like this group is here to stay... i was wondering if anyone would like to co-moderate with me... its an easy job... just updating info when it comes in... you can pm me as november2005mommies or as Alanna if you are interested and we can exchange emails and info!

Thanks!

ETA: albuquerque I put your ultrasound up as being taken at 22weeks... is that right? let me know if you want me to change it or make it more specific...

[Alanna]

Here are a couple snitched from another thread....

http://img.timeinc.net/people/i/2005/startracks/050711/bspears.jpg

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d806b3127cce92d89cbf61b000000015109WcNmbXQ

[rochacha]

Just thought I'd pop in and give an update too.

Tiredness - I have actually been feeling really good as of late. Much better than in the 1st triemester. I have been taking a pregnancy yoga class once a week, and even though it gets over at 9, I feel rejuvinated.

Swelling - I noticed last night that I had no ankles. In fact my entire foot was "puffy". I thought it was too ealry for something like that to happen. Anyone know of any remedies to help? I try to keep my feet up when I am at my desk.

Registering - Why am I dredding this? I started ones online at BrU and Target, but I have yet to step foot inthe stories and actually look at stuff.

Nursery - Count me as one that has not yet done anything with this either. Oh wait, we have actually decided which room the baby will be in, but we still have to paint. Thanksfully, my parents spulrged on a crib, we have to go and pick it up sometime next week. It is a Pali April, ina dark wood finsh. It is nice and simple.
http://www.paliitaly.com/admin/downloadfile.php?type=ProdSmall&id=101&lang=USA

Has anyone begun doing the day care and pediatrician interviewing yet? I feel like I need a checklist of what I should be doing and when it needs to get done. Oh, I better add birthing classes to that list too!

sem426 and sebski -- I can only imagine how weird it must be to live int he NYC area and hear about the bombing in london. Hits a little too close to home, doesn't it?

Kelly's Girl -- I am 20 weeks, and I saw a pic of a 24 week belly shot in another thread, and I think to myself...there is no way I am going to be that big in a 4 weeks! But, I have been feeling it getting tighter and firmer, and yes bigger this week.

albuquerque -- congrats on your baby girl! Cute u/s pic.

Kristen78 -- No one really know how far along she is, so I think she looks good.

[sem426]

Britney- I don't think she looks that big....her choice of clothing...well that is questionable!

swelling Luckily it hasn't been that hot here this week. We've got tons of rain though. So no swelling so far. Every a.m when i get up I look at my legs and feet to see if there has been any change!

Belly shots I promise to post some next week when we get home from Boston. I was at a party last weekend and the people there couldn't believe i was 5 mos along...some said I didn't look pregnant even!?!? Do I just look FAT then!?! :confused:

Nursery We've done nothing so far! Right now the baby's room has an eliptical machine and DH's home gym! Plus our computer is in there now as well. We have to move out all of that stuff, then paint.

Registering Part of me is looking forward to it, part of me is freaking out! I remember registering for our wedding...I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown picking out pots and pans! I'll probably just do it in small increments and I'm definitely bringing one of my friends who has a baby to give me some advice!

Alb Great U/S pic!

Sebski I was in NYC on 9/11 too...so yesterday was very eerie.

We're off to Boston in a few hours...hopefully this rain will stop soon!
Have a great weekend ladies!

[Bliss]

Hi all, we had our 20 week doctors appointment on Wednesday, and had a sonogram :) Baby K looked great, we saw him/her moving around, waving arms and kicking little feet. It was the greatest thing ever. Of course my little one is as stubborn as daddy lol, and didnt want to move around for the tech to get all of her measurements. So we have another one scheduled for 7/19. HB is 148, and our munchkin is weighing in at 10oz. The tech recommended that I try and drink some soda before the next u/s, anyone do this? I think that our babe was so comfy in there s/he did not want to move around :) Got some great news that my placenta moved up, as at 11 weeks I had a total preevia. So I am thrilled, no more worrying and no more pelvic rest ;)

Of course, worrywart me is now counting the days until our next u/s, even though the doctor assured me that everything looks good and she just wants to have all the measurements for her records. *sigh* I promise myself someday I am not going to worry about every little thing. Probably around the time this baby turns 18 lol.

Here are some profile pics:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d929b3127cce92f89f1eb35100000036108BaN2bZy1aY

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d929b3127cce92f89f08b34700000016108BaN2bZy1aY

swelling I have had some in my hands and feet, but not too much. I really only notice if I have been standing on my feet all day.

registering, we are planning on starting to do that soon. I think I am going to get the Babybargians book today to start researching. We have started talking about what we want to do w. the nursery but are still going back and forth, we hope to look at furniture in the next few weeks.

[Sebski]

Based on those pictures, if Brittany is having twins, then I'm having triplets! :p I think her belly looks great. Notice I said 'belly'... her clothing choices and hair on the other hand... man! Doesn't she have a stylist on hand to help her out?!?

Movement Anyone feeling pretty constant movement? I'm still getting the flutters, but not really 'hard kicks' yet. I read about women who feel the baby rolling etc, but I'm still just getting the flutters... and, they don't seem that often. Not sure if it's reason to get concerned... my doctor said at last week's appt that I should start feeling some good movement this week/next. Well, this week came and went w/ nuttin. Maybe next week? If not, I might call them next week and see what they say... :confused: Bliss as you can see - I'm quite the worrywart too! ;) (congrats on the previa working itself out!)

Sem definitely bring someone other than DH to register with! I first went w/ my mom and sister (who has a 2 year old) and got the big items done with their help. DH went back with me to do the fun/fluff stuff like toys, bouncers, bath etc. If it were just him and I registering, we would have just aimlessly walked through Babies R Us for a couple of hours. :)

Even though I dreaded the whole registering process, it turned out not to be that bad. I actually enjoyed it! Plus, it was SUCH a relief to get it over and done with!

I love all the u/s pictures!!! We have some beautiful babes in this thread!

Have a great weekend mommy's!

[Natasha]

Alb--That picture got me teared up. Too precious...

Bliss--What a great profile. Don't worry too much, sometimes babies jut aren't cooperative with the u/s!

I am feeling tired and achy and cranky all the time. No registry or nursery for us yet, so not much to report. Your babies all look beautiful!

[Natasha]

We might find out the gender tomorrow! I have a counseling appointment at the Pregnancy Center in my neighborhood, and they have an u/s machine. I ma going to see if I can talk them into me having a peek. If not, we have to wait till August 23rd. We may go for one of the 3/4-D u/s's too. they seem to be not that expensive... It's my own dang fault for lagging so long on getting to the doctor. I need to get over my stinkin procrastination habit!

[first-time mom]

I had my level 2 on July 5th and everything looked great. I was told that the baby was 11 oz and that my uterus was already an inch past my belly button :eek: So everything went well with that

Other concerns: A few nights ago I started to notice a weird strange pressure (very little) when I have been on my feet the whole day so I always go to bed when this happens. Well last night I didnt sleep because I had shooting pains through my cervix all night. They are not extremely painful but they were annoying enough to make me worry about them. I know the baby is ok cause I could feel her kicking before and after these pains. Has anyone else experienced these? I also have been pretty achy but my Dr. said this was cause she was growing!!! I think I am just going to walk into the Dr. 's office even though I am sure they will be annoyed, but hey they get payed big bucks so I dont care. I am just worried because everything i read says that when you cervix is thinning you get stabbing pains? Any insight would be nice, since this is my first time being pregnant i dont know what to expect..... :o

[clzj]

Next Appointment Aug 1. Official due Date Nov 14.

Baby looks good. This one is not breech like DS. We have decided to do a repeat c-section. The baby is moving a lot. I think this one moves more than DS did.

[Kristen78]

I can't believe I am at 22 weeks already. Craziness! I told my DH last night that there is less time from now till the baby comes than there was from the start of the pregnancy till now. He started to feel the heat I think! He thought that was a little scary.

Last night my DH was able to feel the baby move. it was really neat. I'm psyched he was finally able to share what I have been feeling for the past 4 weeks. I am excited for the movements to get stronger so he can feel our baby girl move alot.

This weekend I painted the baby's closet. So the room is all painted and just waiting for furniture. I ordered the crib 2 weeks ago so it is supposed to take 4 - 8 weeks to come in. So I think we should have it by mid-late August.

My next OB appointment is 7/20. I am having another ultrasound to get a better look at the umbilical cord, and I am also having my Gestational Diabetes test. I hope I pass the test! I dont want to have to think about altering diet, etc...

daycare - I am still calling around to daycares. I am on a few waiting lists and am waiting for call backs on a few other places. So I think something will pan out for us soon. It seems like alot of places don't really know if they will have room or not until about 2 months before you need to start daycare.

Anyone know where to buy children's hangers? I found some online but they only sell nice wooden ones and I dont know if I want to spend that kind of money on hangers...

[amypooh]

Kristen78 - I bought plastic children's hangers at BRU and Target.

[Sebski]

First-Time Mom Sorry you're experiencing those shooting pains... I had something similar this weekend. They were very sharp/stabbing, and on my right side... happened every few minutes and would stop if I sat down and breathed deeply. I figured the baby was growing... they've stopped since Saturday night. I think you're right to head to the doc's, after all if mine had continued, I would have definitely called this morning and tried to head in. Good luck!

My next appt is July 28.

Edited to add - When do we have to do the GDB test with that drink? Not sure if it's at the 24w or 28w appt...

[clzj]

I think it is the 28 week appointment. I was not told to have a long appointment next time.

I forgot to add that I have gained another pound and I am up a grand total of 2.

[Kristen78]

My gestational diabetes test is being done at 23w3d. My doc said they do it between 20-24 weeks.

sharp pains - I'm sure what you ladies are experiencing is probably round ligament pain. its normal and occurs when your uterus stretches. I only get it in bed if I change positions suddenly or stretch my body.

[Kelly's Girl]

I made the halfway point! No news to report, other than I ordered my crib bedding last week. Don't have a mattress to put it on yet, but I got the bedding! :p Got a great deal- 7 piece set for $142!!! Since I have crazy Seuss murals all over the walls, I got a simple yellow/checked set. Got some paint for the baseboards as well, now just need to motivate DH.

Re: Britney Spears- so didn't know she was rumored to be having twins when I originally posted! I was comparing my mom-to-be style w/ her, mostly- while I love my burgeoning belly, I don't feel the need to show it to everyone on the street!

Has anyone (first-timers) settled on a pediatrician? Second time moms, how did you find yours? I posted a thread in Parenting about interviewing Drs- did you do this? I don't even know what to ask! I feel silly, like a kid playing grown-up!

QOTD Is anyone keeping their name(s) a secret? And even more impressive- does anyone know the gender and not telling? Wow, I think I'd slip on that one, but we're having a surprise and we're keeping our potential names under wraps. Mostly to avoid criticism and unwanted input, especially if we go with a name that was panned!

[Sebski]

Pediatrician I already checked one out... my sister took my niece to her doctor for an appt and I tagged along to see the office/meet him informally. Wasn't impressed... office was beyond busy and they didn't have a large waiting area at all. They are a big practice so I was surprised to step off the elevator and see parents walking the hallway w/ their kids since there was no room in the waiting area. I asked my sister if this might have been an off day for them and she said she usually waits about 30 - 45 min to be seen when she has an appt. :eek: (is that even normal???) She's a SAHM with the patience of a saint, but I'm going to be working and can't imagine waiting like that every time I have to take DS to the doc. Plus, the doctor seemed pretty cold when he came into the room... didn't seem warm up until after my sister mentioned I was expecting and tagged along to check him out. After that, he became very chatty. :rolleyes: Needless to say, I left with a lukewarm feeling. Have to find a way to break it to my sis that I won't be using her ped - she takes things like that pretty personally. Anyhoo - I'm going to visit my SIL's pediatrician next... she raves about him and he's right in the same town as us. She LOVES him so I'm hoping he'll win me over. If this one doesn't pan out I will ask my OB for some recs... she lives a couple of towns away from me and has children herself so I'm sure she has a good ped. Not sure of what ??? to ask since I really didn't ask any at my sister's ped appt... I pretty much made up my mind before even entering the examine room that the staff/waiting process/crowded scene wasn't for me. (2nd-timers Is that a bad way to base my decision?)... looking forward to learning what others are asking the peds!

Edited to add a ped office question - are there normally toys in the waiting room? My sister's ped didn't have ANYTHING for the kids to focus on or play with. I remember growing up that our ped did have toys... not sure if this is something that's been done away with though since waaaay back then. ;)

QOTD our name (once we decide on one) is not being kept secret. Honestly, I have too big a mouth to keep such a secret. :o As for finding out and not telling anyone - kudos to those who can do that for the exact same reason... I'm a blabber! :D

[clzj]

Kelly's Girl-As for the peditrican. I had strict guidelines per my husband. He want a fluent English speaking doctor. I made appointments with 2 offices. This first office I talked with had 2 doctors in the office the child would see but on a weekend the there was a change for the child to see 6 other doctors that you not have a look at his file. The office we choose has 14 doctors and 3 offices, open every day of the year. You pick a primary doc and then if you need to go in at a time that doctor is not in you get another doctor. I liked the fact that this office has rights to Children's hospital and has office hours everyday of the year. I don't have a problem making an appointment for the ped we choice. The only time he sees a different doc is if we go for sick call or it is a last minute visit.

There are books in the waiting area but not any toys because of the issue of children chewing on them and etc.

[mrs_barkley]

Pediatrician: My OB is also a family practice doctor. Gina sees her and she is really good :) They have a little play area and also a fish tank. Gina loves to watch the fish.

QOTD: We have told people what our boy name will be and we haven't picked out a girl name yet. We don't know the gender yet but when we find out we will probably tell everybody.

[first-time mom]

Well I showed up at the Dr.'s office this morning and had an exam. He said he was looking for two things the length of my cervix and the firmness. He said if it was short and soft then he would worry about preterm labor. So he checked me out and mine was long and firm so I was relieved there. I asked him what he thought it could have been and he said it could be growing pains with the uterus growing (round ligament). I thought round ligament pain was on the sides or your stomach? The twinge/stabbing pains I felt seemed like they were right up through my cervix?? Could that be round ligament pain?? Anyway he listened to the heart beat and said I was right where I am supposed to be and if anything changes to give him a call. I havent noticed to many more twinge pains during the day today but I am really achy!!
Is anyone else experiencing this ache?

Asianbear- I saw in one of your posts you said you were achy. Is your ache low in the pelvis area? Did it kinda feel like a dull ache that you usually experience two weeks before you period?? I am just curious what everyone else experience is? I will feel so much better once i hit like 25+ weeks cause then I know there is a chance the baby will survive if something did happen. Although I dont know why I am worrying cause so far everything has looked fine but this aching and pains scare me..

Thanks guys

[albuquerque]

Hi first time mom, I have no personal experience with what you're describing, but I read a thread I think only last week with a lot of women complaining about pains that sound really similar to what you're describing. I can't remember if it was here or on WC, but a lot of women described pain down there, one woman called it the "kicked in the hoo ha" feeling. It seems it's more and more common the later you get into pregnancy, and it has to do with your pelvic bones stretching in advance of the birth? I think? It didn't sound the same to me as round ligament pain--I get this, like you said, a muscular pain on both sides. Round ligament pain doesn't feel to me like these other women were describing their pain, like being kicked in the crotch. I can't remember the title of the thread so I don't know how to tell you to do a search for it, sorry. But a LOT of women had it, some as early as 20 or so weeks, and then more and more after 30 weeks into the pregnancy.

If the doctor says you're all closed up tight, try not to worry. Easy for me to say, I know.

[Alanna]

Hi Everyone!

I had my regular appointment last friday and the m/w said everything looked good... im up about a total of 7 lbs... and she seemed happy with that but she did say the baby was measuring large at this point so we have to keep an eye on that... but that i shouldnt worry about it. (yeah right)

Glucose test I actually went in and had the one hour done yesterday. it wasnt too bad... i wanted to do it in the morning though and the m.w told me notto eat anything too sugary before it.. and well.. we didnt have anything breakfasty that fit that criteria - I was fraid to drink it on an empty stomach so i ended up having about 4 harvest crisp multigrain crackers.... ick. the drink wasnt as bad as i thought it would be... it was a much smaller amount than i thought... so now i am waiting for the results which should be in by the end of the day... please keep your fingers crossed for me!

baby names we are keeping our baby name secret. I already wrote a while back that dh slipped up and said it in a conversation with his mother.. so i think she suspects... but we are just pretending that never happened...

pediatrician we havent started on this at all... Im hoping to get a few recommendations from dh's co-workers who live in the area.... but other than that im not really sure how to approach it...

aches and pains im getting a lot of soreness this week... i think the baby must be growing a lot... i havent had any sharp pains really though to speak of. I do get a really weird sensation ever so often that it really hard to describe... all i can think of is maybe its the baby rolling over? its really really weird feeling (though not unpleasant)

Ill be back to do updates by the end of the day...

[clzj]

So has anyone thought about their diapiering choice?

I am actually thinking about cloth diapering this time.

[sem426]

Back from a nice long weekend in Boston! It's so good to get away sometimes!
Today I have my u/s! Hopefully, the baby will be more cooperative than it was the last time!

Baby Names We're keeping it a secret until the birth.

Pediatrician We are going to an "open house" in August at the ped office we'd like to use. They have 10 dr's, so we can meet them all and decide on which one to use.

aches/pains Nothing much to report here thank goodness. I've been feeling pretty good overall! :)

Glucose test My Dr. hasn't mentioned when this will be. I'll have to ask at my next appt.

This weekend we're going to check out one more furniture store and then make a decision. We also need to start a registry probably soon.

Have a great day!

[albuquerque]

I never ever expected to be the big granola mommie....actually I won't be at all, because I'm not going to do the family bed or attachment parenting (or at least I plan not to, a friend who very vehemently said the same thing about the family bed later came back to me and told me "never say never")....but for some reason I'm very determined to do cloth diapering. To the extent that I've already spent nearly $400 on cloth diapers and cloth diapering accessories, on products from Mother of Eden, who makes fuzzibunz (www.fuzzibunz.com). I've had these shipped to my mom, and she will bring them to me when she comes mid-October. Ordinarily I'd follow the advice of all the CD mommies and try lots of different kinds of diapers, but I don't have the selection here in Greece that you guys have in the US, and I have lots of customs/shipping nightmares that prevent me from ordering from the US direct to me here, so I had to make some decisions ahead of time so that my mom could bring me the stuff. I ordered 16 small FB diapers, liners, all sorts of diaper bags, changing pads, cloth wipes, etc. My mom has them now and she says they're unbelieveably cute. The website says the size small should last from about 0-6 months, though a lot of people have trouble getting them to fit newborns. I guess I'll just use disposables until the FB smalls fit.

My reasons--it should be cheaper in the end (only $200 was for diapers, all the other stuff I can use with CDs or disposables--maybe some 2nd time moms can tell me what you might expect to spend in diapers over about 5 months?), spread out over hopefully 5-6 months, it's supposed to be better for baby (no chemicals, less diaper rash, etc), they're really sooooo much cuter than disposables, and (most importantly for me) I just can't get past the environment thing. I might be very naive about this, but I think they won't be a lot more hassle--it doesn't take me that long to throw an extra load of laundry every day if necessary, and that's far less hassle than going out to buy more disposables. Well, I guess you're going to the store all the time anyway, but I'm hoping that the hassle factor won't be a big issue.

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!


**** The co-moderator job is still open if anyone is willing to give a hand****

[Natasha]

first time mom-- Yep, I found a thread that described exactly what I was feeling. "Kicked in the hoo ha" is the best description I can give. Sometimes the pain goes down into my left inner thigh, too. Days that I work (I work in retail on my feet all day), the pain is alot worse. It's bad at night too, especially if I move abruptly in my sleep. It has been, by far, the most difficult aspect of my pregnancy thus far. I go to the doctor next week, so I am going to check with him then to make sure its normal.

Pediatrician-- My doctor is a family practice doc, so he will be the babies ped. too. Ethan has a different ped. through his dads insurance.

Names--We aren't keeping the names or genders a secret. There is no way I could, I am the biggest blabber mouth ever...lol

We have our 3D/4D imaging appointment! July 19th! So, I will know what the baby is and what he/she looks like a week from today!

[Kristen78]

Pediatrician - I haven't thought about this yet. But yesterday I searched my insurance's website and there are 2 offices very close to my house that are in my plan. So maybe I will go with one of those. I will probably ask my OB for advice once the due date gets closer.

baby Names - We are keeping it a secret although my blabbermouth DH already told his sister the name we will probably use when seh asked him what names he liked. Men!

Diapering - I am planning on using disposables. I dont have the time or stomach for cleaning out cloth diapers. Althought my DH would love to use cloth, but he also doesnt want to change diapers, so he gets no say in it. But he will be changing diapers. he wants to use diapers made by this local company Seventh Generation. They make biodegradable diapers I guess. We might try those.

[Bliss]

I was still having that leaky/discharge feeling, so went to the doc to make sure that everything is OK, and they tested the "stuff" and thank godness its not amniotic fluid, so I am very relieved. I guess I am a lucky preggo who has like a river going on some days, its such a wonderful thing no one tells you about pregnancy :) They also took a quick u/s to check fluid levels, all was great and we got to see the little ones heart in full view, it was really amazing and all measurements looked great. So mommy is breathing in a sigh of relief today and promising myself that I am going to try and enjoy the second half of pregnancy and not make myself nuts :)

Preparing for Birth classes, has anyone registered for these yet? Looks like we have to go at the end of September or beginning of October, as any other class goes past my due date. We have 2 options, either 4 separate classes from 6-930 at night on Sunday, or an all day Sunday class. DH is thinking of the all day one, but I am wondering if this will be information overload.

I am working my way through baby bargians, also got the consumer reports book. Hopefully we will start registering soon. Its tough, as DH wants to be there at least the first time, and we really can only do it on Sunday as he works Saturday. At least it gives me time to make heads or tails of all the baby gear out there. I went to see my 2 friends who had babies in March, and they gave me some good recommendations on what to get. It was so amazing holding the babies, and thinking that I am going to have a little one of my own in 4 months!! :)

[rochacha]

Diapering:
I love to do cloth, but I know that time will be a major factor and I just don't think it will happen. So disposables are going to be my friend.

Ped:
I actually got a recommendation from a friend, and I think I will check him out. They love him, and they are new, first time parents, and very close friends...so hopefully I will like him as well.

Classes:
We too were thinking of going with the full day Saturday class. It will be overload, but The thought of having to spend 5 weeks going to class is not appealing at all.

Baby Names:
I wish we had some to share...

[first-time mom]

Bliss- I just want to say that I too have the wet vagina syndrome. I have to wear a pantiliner everyday and i seem to get one big gush the same time everyday.......(Sorry TMI),it is definatley not a fun symptom of pregnancy. I to had mine checked and it is not amniotic fluid. I have finally chalked it up to me being one of those people that is going to have the heavy discharge during my pregnancy.

Now if I can only not worry about the aching I would be all set......It seems there is always something. I have had some people scare me and tell me that labor feels like period aches which makes me think something is seriously wrong. But I have been aching since 16 wks so obviously it cant be labor or I would know by now..

Diapering-I to am going to use disposables. I work at a daycare with infant and toddlers and there was a child there that uses cloth and i gaged everytime i had to change him...I personally would spend the money.

Themes- I have done my little girls bedroom in light purple and I chose a snoopy comforter so I could use it with the second child.

My next appt. is for the glucose and it is Aug 9th

[sem426]

After my second u/s today we are pretty confident that it Baby S is indeed aGIRL!

The tech was able to see some female genitalia, so that's good enough for me! The baby was more cooperative also, we got the spine picture that the dr wanted this time.

Diapers Disposable!! There is no way I am cleaning cloth diapers!

[Sebski]

My job has decided to block the constantchatter website! I went in this morning and tried accessing the site... big ole firewall. :mad:

Classes I'm going to register this week for ours... we're doing the childbirth prep/lamaze w/ a hospital tour, the infant CPR class and I'm doing a bf class as well. :) I called today and they said it's not too early at all to register.

Sem congrats on your little baby girl!!!

Diapers disposable all the way for us. I give anyone who does cloth a lot of credit but I don't think I'm cut out for that.

Ok I'm off to bed! Will check in with everyone tomorrow night. :)

[abbytfox]

Hi Everyone! I was missing everyone at WC and finally got myself in gear to check in on you here. I am still over there as well, but felt like I could manage both threads. I know I am officially a December mom, but already had a history with you guys...hope it's okay if I stay. Please sign me up!

abbytfox
Me: Abby, 29
DH: Adam, 28
Married: 6/22/03
EDD: 12/7/05
Baby will be a surprise!

Tomorrow is BF's (Baby Fox) 19 weeks! Only one week from our level 2 u/s. I can not wait to see the little profile on the screen.

Weight I am having a serious weight issue. I read everyone's stories and yes, I know that all pregnancies are different, but I have gained 18 pounds!!! :confused: At my last weigh in, I felt that I might have gained 3-4 pounds and the scale said I had gained 9 pounds...in one month. Is that even possible? Granted...we had eaten sushi the night before (vegetarian, so no worries!) and all the soy definitely made me retain water, but 9 pounds!!?? I was shocked to say the least. The doctor isn't too concerned (yet) and told me to cut back on carbs because the baby needs protein, fat and calcium to grow and develop. I have always had to watch my weight, but this is one time when I shouldn't be stressed about it and I am. Contrary to what it may seem like, I am not pigging out on huge bowls of ice cream every night or eating massive amounts of pizza and pasta. I am so confused as to why this would have happened. Any ideas?

[Natasha]

Abby--I gained a ton (well, almost 40lbs) with my son, and my eating habits really didn't change that much. I think it just depends on your body, and what it does, you know?

Sem--YAY for a baby GIRL! Send some girls vibes my way, heehee...

discharge--Yep, I'm another heavy discharge mom to be. Ugh.

classes--We are officially signing up at the end of this month.

diapers--used disposable with my son, will probably use disposable with this one.

[Kristen78]

discharge - I have been getting some, but nothing major. I dont have to wear a panty liner or anything.

classes - Still deciding about this. I dont plan on trying for a natural birth so I wonder how important the classes really are. But I would like to go to something so my DH knows what to expect. I'm going to see what class my OB recommends at my next appointment.

[november2005mommies]

****ANNOUNCEMENT****

Please join me in welcoming ASIANBEAR07 as our new co-moderator!!!!!

So glad to have her here to help!!!

:D

[clzj]

Kristen-as a prior c-section mom the child birth prep class where they teach the method of breathing you don't really need. I did take one because that was how my hospital did things. I took a class that went over to care for the baby and such but you only got that if you took a child birth prep class.

If you don't mind me asking why you are not going to try for naturual the first time?

I am repeating the c-section this time around but that is due to the risk of complications.

[sem426]

asianbear Thanks for being our co-moderator!

child birth classes I am planning on signing up shortly for a birthing class as well as a child care class. I was thinking about going in August...is that too soon? My hospital also offers a CPR class that we might take as well.

abbytfox welcome to CC! I've been spending most of my time over here and not on WC much. Don't worry too much about your weight..if your dr isn't concerned then I'm sure it's ok!

Sebski No CC at work! :eek: Don't know how I would make it through the day!! :D

[Kristen78]

clzj - Opps, when I meant I was not trying for a natural birth, I meant drug-free. I fully intend to get an epidural as soon as they offer me one! Of course I plan to deliver vaginally. I dont want to get a c-section.

I guess I just wonder how much breathing techniques are used when you opt to get pain meds?

[albuquerque]

Thanks, asianbear, for co-moderating!

I've been wondering what to do about classes. They have them here, usually given by the midwife that works with your doctor. The problem is that the midwife who works with my doctor doesn't speak English, and my Greek isn't really good enough to make it worth going to her. A friend of a friend is married to a guy who doesn't speak Greek, and so they went to a midwife who *does* speak English, and I could try to go to her. But how much of the class is specific to the person giving the class? I mean, if you take it from your hospital or your midwife, they can tell you how they do things, and what to expect from your experience at that hospital or with that midwife. But if I go to this midwife (who speaks English), is she going to explain an experience that will be totally different from what I end up with with my doctor and my midwife? Or is it more general stuff that would be applicable no matter where you deliver and who is there to help you?

Welcome, Abby! Seriously, don't worry about the weight thing. Lots of people gain LOTS of weight, and 18 lbs at the halfway mark doesn't sound too crazy to me. I've probably gained close to that--it's hard for me to know exactly because they measure weight in kilos, here, and we didn't have a scale at the beginning, and I didn't go to the doctor until I was nearly 10 weeks. AND I know I was actually *losing* weight in the first trimester because I couldn't bear to eat, so whatever weight gain is on the official record doesn't measure the accurate amount from the lowest point to the highest, and doesn't accurately reflect the pretty high rate of gain I've had in the second trimester. Just try to eat healthy, and don't worry unless the doctor tells you to worry. I think generally it isn't a good thing to spend a lot of time hungry when you're pregnant. They say if you're hungry, your baby is hungry.

[Natasha]

Hey, more than happy to help. I probably visit this thread more than any other (other than my journal), so I figured I'd do my part!

[breakfasthill]

YAHOO!

I found everyone. Could you add me here!

Breakfasthill
Me: Beth, 30
DH: John, 41
Married: 9/21/02
DD: 5/17/04
EDD: 11/15/05
Baby will be a surprise!

Today I am 22 weeks. Baby has been rumbling around. Tomorrow I am going to an amusement park - I personally feel I should get a discount because I can't go on anything. I will be there to maybe go in the pool and take pictures of my neices, husband, and DD having fun!

[amypooh]

This sono was so different from the one with Kailey. We could see everything so clearly. Cameron was moving all around just being generally rowdy in there. Bladder, kidneys, heart ...check, check, check all perfect and clear as day. Leg bones measuring perfectly on target. Already weighing 1lb. I think this one is going to be bigger than Kailey. I need to check my notes from her sono. Then the all important money shot. And it was so funny, at the same time Rich and I both shouted, Its a boy!! No doubt about it, we're having a boy. We'll have the perfect set. :)

[Sebski]

Amy congrats on your son!!!!!! How exciting!!!

I'm pretty late in the game with doing this, but I rented a doppler yesterday and it arrived today. I've been feeling like this part of the pregnancy is kinda dragging and I got a little restless waiting to hear him until my next appt. ;) Anyhoo - just listened to my little boy's heart beat. *sigh* He's so precious. :) And, the little kicks/flutters I've been feeling since about 16w are definitely the baby... as soon as I caught his beat, he swam away and I had to go hunting him down. It was so nice to get confirmation from those swim away flutters - I knew it wasn't gas!!! :D I'm probably only going to keep the doppler for the month and then return it... but, it's definitely worth it since it sorta eliminated the 'dragging' feeling.

Not much else is up w/ me. I was supposed to go to the crib store w/ DH tonight but we both ended up working later than we planned... maybe tomorrow... definitely by the end of next week. ;)

Have a great night ladies - hope everyone's feeling well!!!

[Alanna]

For those of us here who were part of the TCC w/ charting thread over on the other site... some happy news! I was lurking on the March Mommies thread and the newest member over there is none other than Red_Canuck! Im so happy for her! Strongest sticky vibes to her!

[albuquerque]

Hurray for RED!! That's GREAT news! I'll have to hunt her down and tell her so in person!

Speaking of lurking in other months' threads, has anyone else done any lurking in the July mommas' thread? So exciting! I can't believe we'll all be in that stage ourselves in a few more months!

[LSUGirl]

OK OK after a couple week absence, I'm back. I gave in. Aren't you just so excited? lol

Can you add me?

LSUGirl
Me: Rikki, 29
DH: Paul, 35
Married: 9/01/02
DS: 8/27/03
EDD: 11/09/05
It's a Boy! Andrew (Drew) John

We have had a bit of excitement the last week. A week ago Saturday my son stepped on my stomach (accidentally, of course). Drew didn't move for two days after that. Plus I had some spotting and cramping. Add that in with some dizziness on Wednesday and last Friday they sent me to the hospital. Not what you want at 22 weeks. They did a fetal fibronectin test (preterm labor). It was negative, thank God. Everything looks fine. HB, Blood pressure all that stuff. Minor Minor contrax while I was in the hospital. So small only the monitor could pick them up. I have been put on restrictions. I am only allowed to lift my son (25 lbs) when I have too. Otherwise, he still needs to get in and out of the car and his crib.

We have a repeat u/s on Monday July 25 at 9:30

I'm not going to complain about a repeat u/s. It will be nice to get another look and confirmation that everything is fine :)

I am going to try and catch up with everyone now.

Amy, I've been talking to you in LJ, but again congrats on the boy!!

[clzj]

LSU-Glad everything is okay.

[LSUGirl]

You guys are super fast with the updates ;)

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!

(you hit us just right for instant updating... LSUGirl :) )


WELCOME to LSUGirl, Breakfasthill and Abbytfox !!! So SO happy you have all joined up!! :)

We are up to 6 boys 6 girls and 5 surprises :) Let me know if anyone needs to be updated in that section...

Amypooh let me know if you want me to add a name to your gender announcement (looks like you might have decided on one?? :) )

[amypooh]

Yes definitely add a name for us ... I'm almost positive it will be Cameron Grant :)

[Natasha]

Well, we have decided for sure on names for a boy or girl. Girl: Kemberlyn Ruth Boy: Braeden Williamson

Welcome to the new arrivals! So exciting to see all the expectant moms!

[albuquerque]

Nice to see you again, LSUGirl, and whew, glad that everything's OK! That must have been a really scary couple of days! Your poor little boy, I bet he never, ever lives this down. Years from now your younger son will still be teasing him about sibling rivalry before he was even born!

[first-time mom]

LSUgirl- glad to hear everything's ok. I do have a question for you thought I noticed you said you had some cramping? I have been aching (lower pelvis area) since I have been pregnant is this the same thing as cramping? Anyone else out there been feeling this ache? Mine comes and goes during the day and some days it doesnt do it at all. I have some friends that are pregnant and they say they have been aching during there pregnancy too so I just wanted to see what everyone elses input is. To explain it a little more it feels like the ache I get about two weeks before my period. It worries me because so people say that aching could mean labor as well so it worries me everytime i feel it which seems to be everyday. I also have grown very fast my uterus is way past my belly button and it seems that whenever I notice the ache is constant I seem to grow. Just want to hear from ya all. :confused:

[Sebski]

LSU so glad to hear everything is ok - what a scare that must have been! Poor little Drew - hope he's back to moving all around for you. :)

Great news about Red joining the March mom's thread!!!!!!! :D What wonderful news!!!

I peek in the July thread as well.... along with all the other threads that have passed since I got my BFP :p. Started at the March thread and can't believe we're already up to lurking in the JULY thread! Just think - there's only 3 more threads to lurk in before it's OUR threads turn!!!!!!!!!!!! Unreal how fast time is flying!

Nothing new to report for me... I'm on the hunt for an evening dress for a black tie city wedding we have next weekend. It's clients of DH's (yawn) and I don't know anyone, nor can I drink (double yawn) so it should prove interesting. I find myself much more social/friendly around new people after a glass of merlot. ;) Anyhoo - I went to Pea in the Pod and struck out. I'm going to Nordstroms tomorrow - they have some dresses online that look ok. I shouldn't have left it till the last minute, but I was afraid I would 'pop' if I bought it too early and wanted to wait just in case... DH thinks I have one already :o!

[clzj]

Sebski-With my DS I would have a glass of wine about once a month and he is fine. It is up to you. Good luck on the dress hunt. I am reader for a wedding in September and I am holding off on getting a dress.

[albuquerque]

I'm with CLZJ on the wine topic. If I'm having dinner with a group of people and they all have wine, I have half a glass too. If DH is having a beer, I'll have a swallow or two. I have lots of friends in London and France who drank moderately, even on an everyday basis, all through their pregnancies, and their kids are fine. When I was in London a few months ago, I had dinner with a friend at the restaurant her husband owns, and I had two glasses of wine that night and one the next day at their house with lunch. My friend has always had at least that much, even while pregnant, and their daughter is not only fine but has always been waaaay ahead of other kids her age in developmental milestones and intelligence indicators.

Obviously somebody else's kid turning out OK doesn't mean you should take risks you disagree with in your pregnancy. For myself, I'm just trying to find a sense of balance with all things--I don't want to take unnecessary risks, but I also don't want to turn into an extremist who can't taste the fish for fear of the toxins, you know? When I was a teenager, my mother went through a phase where she was wringing her hands in fear every time I left the house (this was brought on by a family tragedy, so I do understand where it came from), and way back then I vowed never to let my life be ruled by fear, because life wasn't worth living if I was going to spend it locked in my bedroom.

The one problem with a glass of merlot at a wedding would probably be that you would more than likely have some busybody come tell you what you should and shouldn't be drinking. All too many people are experts at how other people should live their lives.

[Sebski]

Hi ladies... I'm home today because my cat's very sick. He hasn't eaten all week and I took him to the vet yesterday and they found something between his small and large intestines. They're doing more tests today and a barium (sp?) dye test to see what the deal is and I'm waiting for a call from them with the verdict. Needless to say I've been crying all morning and decided I couldn't take that call at work so I just stayed home. :( I have a feeling that my job is getting a little annoyed with me... even though I have 3 weeks of vacay time left for the year (have been stockpiling it to tack on to maternity leave) I don't think they actually appreciate my taking any of it. Funny how companies work... they give you time, but then mgmt makes comments/frowns upon you taking it. :rolleyes: I hate corporate America!

Thanks for the wine input... I agree with both of you on everything in moderation. Especially since we're more than 1/2 way thru the pregnancy. However, DH is adamantly opposed to any sort of caffeine or wine etc. bevvies during pregnancy. And, besides, like Alb said, I'll probably be met with stares and gawks at the wedding if I were to have a small glass of wine. Being that it's a client wedding for DH, the last thing I want to be remembered as is the pregnant wife of so-and-so who *gasp* had wine while with child. So, I'll be a good girl and refrain. :cool:

[albuquerque]

Sebski I'm really sorry about your cat. I haven't had to deal with a sick child yet, so I can say that one of the hardest things I've had to cope with is when my dog was sick, and when she eventually died. Hopefully your vet will come back with better news than what you're fearing.

I so hear you on the corporate America unspoken disapproval for actually *gasp* taking the freaking vacation days you're *entitled to*. God this used to piss me off. People would go around bragging about how many vacation days they *didn't* take every year as if they got some stupid badge of honor for it. I always thought maybe they could have done the same amount of work *and* had their vacation days if they spent a little less time publicly patting themselves on the back for not taking vacation! And to be quite honest, if your office is anything like mine was, they *do* resent you taking vacation time when they know you have maternity leave coming up. But you know what? They'll resent you anyway just for the maternity leave, whether you take the vacation or not, so screw them and don't leave a single day on the table. I also think that when managers see their subordinates bowing to this kind of pressure, it tells them that they can push around that particular subordinate that much more. I had one colleague who gave up her entire year's vacation the year she took her maternity leave--our dickhead manager was harder on her than on anyone, he certainly didn't appreciate her sacrifice. In the end she was so miserable she left the company. Another colleague, after seeing that, took a harder line with the manager. She let it be well known that she knew exactly what she was entitled to in terms of vacation and maternity leave, and she was taking every last minute of it, and she worked hard during the time she was at work and expected recognition for it. And, while our manager was still a dickhead, he respected her a lot more and didn't torment her like the first one. (Probably he knew he couldn't get away with it with her, that if he tried to push her it would backfire on him.) And she's still there, somehow managing the balance.

It is such a breath of fresh air that in Europe, first of all you are given a decent amount of vacation (DH gets 22 days in his first year at his new company), you aren't persecuted for taking it, and I've heard (though I won't experience it personally) that not only are the maternity benefits better, but there's just culturally much less professional backlash for taking maternity leave. The US is great in a lot of ways, but then it has a loooooooong way to go in some others......

[Alanna]

Sebski I am so sorry to hear about your cat!! I will be thinking about you this morning and hoping to hear that there is a happy outcome. My cats mean the world to me and I can totally understand why you needed to take this morning off.... keep us updated!

[Bliss]

Sebski I hope everything is OK with your cat! My dogs are my "kids" so I understand how upsetting it can be when they are sick. Hope all is OK.

Re alcohol, I havent had any but its just been a personal choice between DH and I. I was definitely a social drinker pre-preggo, so its been an adjustment. We are going on vacation the first week of August, renting a house in Nantucket w. our best friends and we all used to booze together. When I really get an urge for a beer (wasnt ever a big wine drinker) I can say that O'Douls is my best friend LOL. One of those kills the taste for me. I have a friend who had a glass of wine a week on average when she was PG in the 2nd half of her pregnancy and her son is just fine. I know my mom had some drinks when she was PG with me & my sister too, as well as Alb's points about Europe. I think we are just so uptight here in the US, my friend who is not from here makes fun of me since I will not eat cold cuts...she was eating raw fish :eek: when PG and her kid is just fine. I am just so neurotic to begin with, who needs more stress LOL.

We are going to look at furniture on Sunday, and hope to register soon.
Car seat/stroller, what brand did/will you all get? I am looking at them together since I want a travel system when the baby is small. My friends have Graco systems and seem pretty happy w. them, so I am going to check those out.

[abbytfox]

Seb I am so sorry to hear that your cat isn't well. I hope that the vet finds that she can be helped and everything works out. So hard!

LSUGirl Its funny...I couldn't stay away either. We're hooked! Glad to hear that everything is ok with the baby. That must have been so scary. How is your other son handling the fact that you can't pick him up as often? Is he able to understand what is going on with you and his baby brother? I think that would be really hard too.

first-time mom I am also a first-timer! I have had an achy feeling that comes and goes, just like you. I have asked other new-moms I know and consulted books and it seems that the feeling is really normal (even though its disconcerting.) It is just as you say...your uterus is growing and so you feel what is like a growing pain. Mine isn't sharp, just a dull achy feeling, almost like a headache in my lower belly. If you are really concerned definitely talk to your doc. They should be able to reassure you that things are normal. Hope it feels better soon!

asianbear Congrats on deciding on names! We are still working on it...We are finding a girl's name especially difficult. We want something traditional and classic but not trendy (so many "old-fashioned" names are really in style right now...I don't want my child to be one of five girls in her class named "Emma")

Working on getting my belly shots up today. I have some from two weeks ago (17 weeks) and some from this week (19 weeks) I feel like I can tell that there has been some growth, so that is exciting. DH and I are headed to Napa this weekend with our really good friends. We are going for a nice dinner, wine tasting (although I won't be having any contrary to the wine discussion that already took place! ;) ) and getting massages. I have been starting to "feel" my pregnancy in my back so a massage should be just perfect. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

[Kristen78]

alcohol - I haven;t had a drop yet. I don't think I will. I think its probably OK though to have a glass of wine or beer here and there, but frankly I havent missed it enough to warrant having it and I dont think I would feel right drinking a glass of wine or beer. I would have a sip of someone's though, but my DH doesnt really drink either so the opportunity just hasn't presented itself. Which is fine by me.

Bliss - You should read up about carseats/strollers. have you been to the BabyBargains website? there is a great stroller thread there. Graco does not receive such good reviews for strollers. The Graco Snugride carseat gets great reviews though. Also they have a great thread there about the dangers of keeping your baby in a carseat too much. Being in the carseat too long can give them a flat head. Also, did you know that you can buy a ton of other strollers and the Graco Carseat will fit into those strollers? I already got a Snugride carseat, but I think I am going with a Peg Perego stroller. My SIL has a Graco stroller and the thing is HUGE. When it is folded it is huge.

[dziner]

My DD refused to sleep in anything but her carseat (Snugride) for the first 2.5 months! I've actually read that it's lying in the crib that can cause a flat side on the head, and since DD wouldn't lie flat...she never got one. Think about it; there's no weight on her head when she's nearly upright. It bothered me to no end that she wouldn't sleep in a crib but lots of people told me their kid had done the same. She was/is tiny and probably felt lost in a crib. We swaddled her and put her in the carseat to sleep and she was cozy as could be until she was ready to sleep flat.

Travel systems: I used the Snugride with the Universal Carseat Carrier frame and that was great. Very light and easy to handle, huge basket underneath. Once we moved into the convertible carseat I switched over to a lightweight stroller that didn't need to recline since DD was no longer a newborn and wanted to see what was going on. Many moms are sad to give up their infant carrier b/c it's nice not to have to wake a sleeping baby, but personally I hated mine. They are bulky and really heavy with a kiddo inside. I was much happier using the convertible carseat/lightweight stroller and went by Baby Bargains' recommendations for everything I bought.

[abbytfox]

I finally got a chance to have DH help me with the photos. I see a little bit of growth from 17 to 19 weeks. What do you think? Still waiting for the baby to make its presence known from the inside...

17 Weeks
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1360/2/55/25/12/24/6/624122555205_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1360/2/55/25/12/24/8/824122555205_0_ALB.jpg

19 Weeks
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1360/2/55/25/12/34/1/134122555205_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1360/2/55/25/12/34/3/334122555205_0_ALB.jpg

[LSUGirl]

He does not understand. So far it's been ok. I can still pick him up when I need to, so that helps. He knows there is a baby in there but I don't think he totally understands it will soon be in our house, living with us ;)

[first-time mom]

I am going to try to post some pics AGAIN. Hope it works this time:) Here are two belly shots one from 18 wks and one from 22wks. Here is my 20 wk ultrasound pic as well.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d809b3127cce922c7bf22eb600000016108AcNGbZq1cuO[/mg]


[img]http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d936b3127cce92b41a17f41f00000016108AcNGbZq1cuO

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d936b3127cce92b4e3ebb40700000016108AcNGbZq1cuO

[first-time mom]

For some reason my 18 wk belly shot didnt work so here I go again. I also threw in a pic of my little doggy Paxton. He is the baby of the house right now :D

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d809b3127cce922c7bf22eb600000016108AcNGbZq1cuO

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d936b3127cce92b4e3d4350800000016108AcNGbZq1cuO

[Sebski]

Thank you for all of the well wishes for my cat... he's home and doing much better! :D Had had a massive amount of hairballs stuck between his large and small intestines. They managed to get them out and he's slowly eating more and getting his energy back. YAY!

Also happy to report that we ordered our baby furniture today! WOO HOO! We went with the Ragazzi Toscanna line and picked this crib:

http://www.ragazzi.com/nursery/xlarge/4300_Cherry.jpg

With this dresser (in cherry like the crib above) with the changing table top part :

http://www.ragazzi.com/nursery/xlarge/4300_RubbedSnowdrift.jpg

We liked the 2nd dresser better since it has a nice cubby type drawer on the left and then on the right is a cool pull out pantry-style set of drawers that looks convenient for diapers.

Salesperson said it should be here by the end of September. :) Soooo happy this is off our list now!

Hope everyone is feeling well!

[albuquerque]

I'm so glad to hear that your cat is OK, Sebski. It must have been an awful day waiting for the call, but now you get a second chance to sit with him on your lap all day and let him know how much you love him.

Also, I LOVE your furniture. I'm a little jealous! I simply can't find stuff like that over here--the "high end" baby furniture in Greece has crap painted all over it, huge cartoon characters and god knows what all else, I find it to be completely tasteless. Even if I could find stuff like what you're buying, probably DH would have a heart attack at the price tag and we wouldn't get it. We're probably going to end up with much simpler stuff, mostly likely this from Mothercare, an English company that has simpler things that are easier for me to stomach than the typical stuff in the Greek market:

http://www.mothercare.gr/image.asp?pcode=T1283-093

It's simple natural pine, which makes it easy to find coordinating pieces, and we're probably going to get an equally simple, natural pine dresser from Ikea to use as a changing table. The bed changes to a single bed after the kiddo grows up a bit, so I like that we won't really have to change Baby's furniture once Baby gets past the baby stage. It's nothing really beautifully crafted like some of the things I've seen the rest of you buying, but it's simple and solid and I like it a h3ll of a lot better than the uber-expensive stuff I've seen here with, for example, Lady & the Tramp characters on the headboard that are *literally* bigger than DH and me! Scary!

We haven't even 100% decided which room will be Baby's. We have our room, one bigger spare bedroom, and one tiny spare bedroom that is currently chock full of boxes and things. In our bigger spare bedroom, we have a bed (only a twin at the moment, but I'm always on DH about getting at least a full size in here so that if we have a couple come stay with us, they'll have somewhere to sleep!), a desk, and our fullsize piano keyboard. The thing is we use this room *all* the *time* (I currently use it as my "office" since I'm telecommuting), and it would be a pain to cram all this stuff into the smaller bedroom. Actually, we couldn't fit the desk (it's big) and a full size bed in the smaller bedroom, I don't think. So I'm thinking of using the smaller room for Baby. It only needs to have the crib, the dresser, and a chair, right? That should all fit....the only problem is that the only "window" in that room is a big sliding glass door that leads out to the balcony (this is common in Greece, our bedroom is the same way), and the balcony is shared with the kitchen and not very big, and we currently have the kitty's litter box and short term garbage storage on that balcony! So I have to figure out what to do about that....

[Tulip]

I hope everyone had a good weekend. I'm back, well rested and now swamped at work. Oh well not much longer before we're off again. :D

[abbytfox]

Since Thursday I have been thinking that I might be feeling BF moving around. I was watching Oprah on Thursday afternoon and felt a little tap from the inside. I didn't feel it again and wasn't ready to say anything. Then Friday afternoon I felt it again. That night I told DH that I thought I had felt BF moving around. Saturday we were headed to Napa with our friends...when the alarm went off at 8 I pushed snooze. As I was settling back into a lovely sleep for 8 minutes, I definitely felt a stronger tap. I turned to DH and said "I think I just felt BF kicking!" I was totally smiling and he put his hand on my tummy. We just lay there really quiet. I kept saying "Did you feel that?" and he couldn't. Then he finally did feel it. Really gentle taps, but it is the baby. Sunday morning, we were at the hotel and the same thing happened. I think I was more aware of the movements because it seemed they were more often and frequent. Last night BF was moving ALL over! It is just amazing to me! Hooray!

Napa was beautiful. We had so much fun with our friends. After we arrived, we had lunch outdoors on a patio overlooking vineyards. Then I went with as they tasted wines from Clos Pegas, Duck Horn and Merryvale. My favorite (even though I didn't get to taste the wines) was Duck Horn because they actually seat you at a table and you can relax and taste instead of having to wait for your little space at the counter. The building was gorgeous with an amazing english garden and wrap around porch. In the afternoon we got massages and then had a gorgeous dinner outside at Bistro Don Giovanni. It was such a great day!

Just wondering...has anyone paid to have the 3D u/s? It is really expensive and although I love to see the pictures of the face it just seems that $150 could buy a lot of things for the baby. I don't have the option of a video of our u/s this week (our big one) and that is also a feature at the 3D place. Also, the regular u/s screening doesn't offer 3D imaging...at least I don't think that they do.

Alb I think that crib you chose looks great! Very simple and perfect. I have seen some of the European crib designs and I know exactly what you are talking about with the life sized pictures of Lady and the Tramp. I like your choice much more! I think that you should make the smaller room the baby's. Even though finding places for the boxes will be annoying and hard, I am not as worried about the sliding door. You can put a piece of wood (like a dowel) in the rail to prevent anyone from getting in (or out for that matter!) It sounds great to me!

Seb I love your furniture too. I acutally have looked at that crib, but DH and I haven't even started looking together. Also, end of Septemeber sounds perfect for delivery of the furniture. Not too close to the baby's arrival, but not so early either. On another note, so glad your kitty is ok!

first-time mom Cute belly! It made me feel good to look at yours and see that I wasn't sticking out that much farther on my 19 week than you at 18. I only know what is normal for me, which is why it is so helpful to see others! Your doggie is darling! I have recently been wanting a dachsund...but now with the baby, we are going to wait a little for the dog. One thing at a time...

[dziner]

Just another bit of unsolicited advice...;) this time re: nursery furniture.

Think longevity. I know lots of parents who buy beautiful, expensive baby furniture and then end up having to refurnish the whole room once they move the kiddo out of the crib b/c it doesn't match the new bed or just looks too babyish. For both kiddos, we bought simple wooden dressers off craigslist that they won't outgrow. Here is a photo of DD's; this one happens to be gorgeous b/c DH is into woodworking and wanted to refinish it. I painted the pulls and will do that again for DS.

http://hammermania.net/dresser.jpg

We paid $75 for that piece and $150 for the "new" one and they double as changing tables as well.

Not meaning to spoil anyone's fun...just thinking practically, as the money spent on furniture could definitely go into a college fund. ;)

[sem426]

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend.

Alb/Seb- Love the furniture choices!

Abby YAY for feeling the baby move!

First Time Mom Cute belly shots!

Furniture We will probably make a decision w/in the next week or so and buy something.

Movement The baby has been doing cartwheels! All weekend she was active, but yesterday we were at the movies and I had some candy and she was going nuts! Guess my baby has a sweet tooth like her mommy :D

Heat/Humidity I don't think it could be any more like a steambath today! there is literally NO air out there! I'm managing ok so far. Trying to stay in the a/c most of the time!

Birth Classes/Baby Care I can't remember if I posted this already (pregnancy brain) but we signed up for classes at our hospital in September for birth classes as well as child care. We are also going to pick our Ped at the open house they are having in August.

Overall, I'm feeling really good! Can't believe how fast time is flying!

[rochacha]

Am I the only one who has yet to feel the baby move? I am 22 weeks today and I swear, I have nothing going on in that region. I am starting to get a bit worried. If there is still nothing, next week I am going to have to tell the Doc. I have an appointment coming up a week from today.

Abby - congrats on the feeling...i am envious.

Everyone furniture choices look great. We bought a crib, and are using some hand me down from Grandma for a dresser/changing table.

Heat/Humidity - It is horrible where I am too!

Birth Classes/Baby Care - that is on my list of things to do, which still has to be done! Arrrr...am I running behind?

Cute belly pics, First-time-mom!

[Natasha]

23 weeks, one day


Rochacha--I was about 6 months I think, before I felt DS move. Check with your doctor, but I think it is not unusual. Just kind of a bummer. If it's any consolation, once my DS started moving, he never stopped! With this one, i started feeling it at 18 weeks or so.

I have gained about 12 pounds, I believe. Not bad, cause I gained waaay more with DS. i feel not so bug, so thats good. All my weight has been in the belly region, legs and butt are still normal.

[Tulip]

Lumpy has started to keep me up at night with some of the stronger kicks. I'm feeling them all the time now. It's so cool. Dan has felt them too. :D

I'm up 17 lbs. as this morning. :( I'm really upset about that.

[abbytfox]

Tulip I am sorry that you are feeling bad about the weight. Your gain sounds perfect to me. In all the books I have read they say that at 20 weeks you may have gained up to 17 pounds. You are many weeks beyond that. I think you are exactly where you need to be. Sometimes you might just have a growth spurt and gain. I know all about that! I was freaking out a few weeks ago because I had gained 9 pounds in one month!!! I wasn't even eating that much differently than my normal eating habits. I think that the baby was really growing. (Me too I guess... I am one of those women who is pregnant EVERYWHERE! not just a little belly) Anyway, I just wanted to say that I understand how you feel, but it seems like you are exactly where you should be. Hope you feel better about it soon. My friend always tells me, when I complain/worry about getting so big, to remember what an amazing thing your body is doing and the reason you are gaining weight is to support your baby and that not everyone can do that. I know you know that, but sometimes just hearing it again makes me feel a little better. :)

[Tulip]

abby, thanks for the pep talk. It does help. Oddly enough even though I was bigger when I got pregnant (size 14/16) I'm all belly with this kid. I guess I should accept the fact that I'm growing a big, healthy baby but being over 200 pounds right now is killing me. I'm going to not think about it though esp. since we just got back from vacay and some of it is from that week I know.

[Kristen78]

I have been feeling the baby move since about 18 weeks. It was very seldom though those first coupld of weeks. For the past 2 weeks it has been constant. Especially at night when I go to lay down. As soon as I lay down this babe is moving and shaking all over the place. She must take after her father... :p

I have my next appointment on Wednesday morning. I'm supposed to be having my 1-hour Gestational Diabetes test, another iron check (not sure why since I passed the last one with flying colors), and another ultrasound to re-check the sex and to get a better look at the umbilical cord. As of my last appointment (6/23) I had gained 10 pounds I think? I'm sure this time it will be more. The good thing I think is that it looks like most of it is in my belly. At least I keep telling myself that. Ha ha!

[Sebski]

Can't remember if it was in this thread or another mommy thread (I'm a serial mommy thread lurker and can't keep them straight after awhile!) but I remember reading about someone who was experiencing 'groin pain'. I started experiencing that today... it's more in the region of where your leg meets your groin though - the right side. And man oh man is it ever uncomfortable! Makes walking pretty interesting and DH is laughing at my new 'waddle'. So - if it was someone in this thread experiencing this - I now feel your pain and it's not fun! :( Other than the leg/groin pain... I was feeling very stretched this weekend. I told DH that it felt as if the baby was outgrowing my stomach. :confused: Last night I was pretty crampy from it, and my back has begun to bother me. I haven't had the big 'pop' yet, but I think I'm almost there.

Has anyone else wondered where all the cutely dressed pregnant women get their clothes from? Well, I found out yesterday... A Pea in the Pod. But - OUCH to the prices!!! $80 for a tank top - a tank top! :eek: I went in to find a dress for the wedding we have this weekend and lucked out in the sales rack. Found a 2 piece black # with a halter top and long straight skirt. I just hope I don't have the big 'pop' before Saturday... I had to purchase the top in a small since the preggo-boob fairy lost my address and I'm still as tiny as ever on top. Only other size option was large since the sales rack was pretty combed through... it fits perfectly now, but things could get really hairy if I become huge in the next few days. I'll be damned if I pay a few hundred for a dress I'm only going to wear once!!! They really have nerve to charge like they do!

Furniture I agree w/ dziner about purchasing wisely... I combed the stores to find a style that I knew I could live with for the rest of our 'kiddos'. Both beds I've ever purchased have been sleigh style and all of our furniture is cherry wood. And, that's why we purchased a dresser with the changing table contraption on top... the top part can come off when we stop using it and we're left with a regular sized dresser. I'm not a fan of little furniture or kid stuff... I want to spend my $ on things that I know I can move around in the house and use in diff rooms if I have too.

Alb love the crib!!! We also have a very small room for the baby... I *think* it's 10x9. So, we're only doing the crib and dresser furniture-wise. I don't want such a small space to become overpowered by tons of furniture. I think the smaller room you described sounds perfect for the baby and agree w/ Abby about putting a bar or something across the door for extra security. I wouldn't worry about the room being small - after all, I'm not... but, I also shared a room w/ my sister until I was 16 so I'm biased on "a small room is better than having to share one". ;)

Congrats on all the baby movement that's going on! rochacha perfectly normal not to feel anything yet - my doctor told me that some baby's move faster than others and not to worry if I don't recognize any movement before 24/25w. She said recognize since she advised that most women do in fact feel the baby move, but mistake it for something else. I wouldn't get concerned yet. :)

[Bliss]

Furniture, we went looking for the first time yesterday and I cannot believe the highway robbery some places want for of all things...dressers. I am cool w. the crib, but to spend $500 on a simple 5 drawer dresser is totally beyond me. The issue I see though is that the sets we like are a very light wood and I dont know how we would match another dresser to it. We are thinking of maybe buying a low dresser (with changing table on top) that converts to a dresser only, and the crib and thats it. My DH has an antique dresser that was his grandmothers that we may leave in the room as well. I will have to take a pic and post it to get opinions. I dont want the room to look mismatched, but I dont want to spend a ton on furniture the babe wont remember anyway lol.

Glider- I remember a post a while back (maybe on the WC thread?) about gliders. I am leaning towards a Dutlier (sp?) since I sat in one yesterday and it was heavenly :) But I feel slightly guilty about spending all that money. For second time moms, did you use your gliders, and anyone find a difference between the Dutlier and other not so expensive brands?

I am trying to get myself ready to register, after going to BRU yesterday I feel like I should have shirts made up for me & DH with this guy :confused: on them lol. I broke down and emailed my mommy friends for recommendations on carseat, stroller, pack n play, bouncy chair so I could see what they like in "the real world". I have gotten some great feedback on teh Graco Snugride carseat, so we are going w. that, and the Graco Metrolite- but that one still has mixed reviews, so I may see what other strollers are compatible w. the Snugride before we decide for good.

Sebski, great to hear that your cat is doing better :)

[shirsty]

Hi guys, can I join? It seems like the WC is in total meltdown now and I can't take it anymore!!

CC Name: Shirsty
Me: 30
DH: 32
Married: 8/17/01
TTC: Jan 2004
BFP: Mar 2005
EDD: Nov 6, 2005

also I am having a BOY!

I am 24 weeks now, still feeling pretty good. I am starting to feel some pretty strong kicks! Just 2-3 weeks ago I wasn't feeling much of anything, and now they very noticeable, so have hope everybody who's not feeling much yet, though I know it's hard to be patient.

Bliss we tried some of the Dutaliers in BRU and they are totally heavenly. Has anybody tried out the one that Target sells? It's only $200, I wonder how it compares to the more expensive Dutaliers.

[albuquerque]

I know a lot of people prefer the gliders that look like full-out armchairs. I myself prefer the rocking-chair look, like the typical Dutailer gliders (although I think Dutailer sells some of the bigger armchair ones also). I was shopping for one of these for my cousin early this year (her baby was born in early March). I looked through a lot of the reviews, and the thing that kind of worried me about the cheaper ones on BRU (I think they are Shermag? And maybe one other brand?) is that people kept saying they were great in the beginning, but that they fell apart after a few months. One comment that was repeated again and again was that the back would spontaneously pop off. This is seriously not good, and I have always been of the opinion better to spend a little more money and get something good, than spend a little less money and find that you'd thrown it in the toilet and then have to end up spending more money anyway down the road! This is aside from the danger factor of potentially having the back pop off the chair while you're in it with your baby!

I opted to spend the money on the Dutailer. My cousin was helping me do the research since I didn't want to buy her a big gift and then have it be something she didn't really want--and she found a great deal at Albee Baby (http://www.specialtybaby.com/) on closeout Dutailer prices. I think I spent less than $150 on the chair plus cushions. They bought the ottoman later, and I think it was probably not too cheap, but overall I think you can't beat the prices. And I think they do free shipping for orders over a certain $ amount, which this certainly was. I sat in the chair when I went to see her, and I loved it. And she loves it. She lived in that chair for a while after her baby was born, it's perfect for nursing. I would totally buy one from them if only they would ship to Greece (they won't!).

[Alanna]

hi everyone!

I had another appointment on Friday and the baby's heart beat was nice and strong... music to my ears! the other weird thing i found out was that i have a pregnancy related heart murmur. My midwife said its not uncommon and happens because your heart has to work harder when you are pregnant... it should go away once i give birth... ah... all the fun stuff i had know idea i was in for. my m/w also said that i should be feeling movement every few hours now.. and to start trying to notice it...

the big news was that on sunday my DH was able to feel her kick for the first time! she was doing this crazy series of big kicks and he cme in at just the right time... such a happy event!

I don't think I posted this in here last week... though several of you know via other threads... that i failed my 1hr GD test last week. I am trying to be optimistic no matter what the results of the 3hr. but its all been kind of emotionally exhausting. anyway... any positive vibes or good thoughts you could send my way tomorrow morning (when i take my 3hr) would be most appreciated.

gliders after a lot of comparison shopping...we ended up liking Dutailier the best... for those living in cities... you might want to check out craig's list... there are a lot of baby related items that i wouldnt be comfortable buying second hand.. but I think gliders are a great second hand item. we got our dutailier for only $135 including the ottoman...

furniture we are only buying two pieces (other than the glider) a crib and a baby bureau/changing table... my thought is that the bureau will go on to be this baby's regular bureau and if we have a boy next then i will get something more boyish that can transition later for him too when he is past baby age... it was important to me though (shallow as it might sound) to have a very feminine matching set for my daughter... i grew up in a very mixy match - function over form- hand me down bedroom (i was the youngest of 4 children - with two older sisters) so maybe its an unfinished business sort of thing for me... i am compelled to go to the other extreme... but in anycase I am really happy so far with our choices...

Last but not least Sebski SO happy to hear about your cat! YAY! :)

[sem426]

Finally some belly pics! Not sure why some of them have a shadow on them...

21 weeks (a little old)

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1277/2/96/40/71/54/6/654714096203_0_ALB.jpg?r=1121787273713

22w 4d

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1277/2/96/40/52/49/5/549524096203_0_ALB.jpg?r=1121787273713

23 weeks (today!)

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1277/2/96/40/71/63/3/363714096203_0_ALB.jpg?r=1121787273713

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1277/2/96/40/81/55/6/655814096203_0_ALB.jpg?r=1121787273713

Furniture UGH! So I just called 3 stores in NJ and none of them have the set I want in the showroom! I've only seen it online and really like it, but really want to see it in person. They can all order it, but I'm still on the hunt to find it somewhere in person!

Bedding I've been looking online at some crib bedding and I really like this set:

http://store1.yimg.com/I/dreamtimebaby_1854_36935855

Welcome Shirsty! I think I might be done with WC...everytime I go to log on the boards are down.

Alanna Sorry about your 1 hour GD test. I have mine in a couple of weeks. Sending positive thoughts your way for your 3 hour.

[abbytfox]

Tomorrow is my BIG U/S!!!! As you know, we won't be finding out the sex, but I am just elated with the fact that we will get to see our little BF on the screen. I am a little disappointed because I called to ask and they don't do videos of the u/s. I was hoping to be able to watch it again and again. Oh well....at least we'll have some pics to keep.

Still feeling the babe moving, but less than a few days ago. I was starting to get worried, but then I felt it move last night so I felt better.

We have had some car drama going on here...I won't go into the whole story, but we need to buy a new car pretty much RIGHT NOW. We were trying to wait until November when we would have our Jeep paid off so we would only have one car payment at a time but the other day DH's car just died for about the millionth time. So now is the time...We have narrowed it down to the Accord 4-door or the Altima. We really like them both and the driving and amenities on them are pretty similar. Does anyone drive/own one of these cars? What is your experience with them? TIA!

sem Not sure why...but I can't see any of your belly shots. :( I do think the bedding you are looking at is very sweet! How annoying about the furniture...We are going to start looking in the next couple weeks and I hope I can find what we want to see in person. It looks like some of the companies don't distribute to many places around me...which is strange since I live so close to San Francisco. Good luck finding your pieces!

Lana Good luck passing your test! I will definitely send positive thoughts your way tomorrow...

Shirsty Welcome! I got kind of irritated at the WC too. For two days now I haven't been able to access any message boards and they were all messed up before that. I hope to still be able to check in over there, but it is so much easier here. Congrats on your baby boy!

Bliss I am so with you on the whole registering thing and going to BRU! It is like I walk in and my eyes glaze over. I end up walking around in a daze and leave without learning about or deciding on anything! It is kind of funny at this point...at some point I think DH and I just need to do it!

Tulip I completely understand. I am quickly approaching the dreaded 200 and it is VERY hard to get my brain around. I was also a 14/16 (in bottoms...I am such a pear!) and about 15 pounds heavier than my wedding weight (when I felt really great even though I wasn't at my "ideal" weight) I also feel like I can simply look at food and it places itself on my body.I think this is especially hard because I always envisioned pregnancy as the one time when I could just let the food/weight obsession go and RELAX, but I still feel controlled in a way by those feelings. Just know that someone else is going through the same thing you are...

[sem426]

abby That's weird...I can see all of the pictures.

Can anyone else see my belly shots? If not, any clue why I can see them in the post and Abby can't? :confused:

[albuquerque]

Abby On the car thing, my first car was a 4 door Honda Accord (1993). My parents bought it for me new my last year in college, and I loved loved loved it. Only a year later, though, I moved to New York and they have had it ever since. About 3 years ago, they bought a second Honda Accord because the first one has worked out so well. Neither car has ever been in the shop aside from oil changes and routine maintenance. My DH had a 1989 Honda Civic when I met him--I don't even want to think about how many miles that little car had on it, and it held up to the horrific NYC conditions for a long, long time--the potholes, the chemicals to melt snow/ice in the winter, being parked outside. Obviously after that many years the routine maintenance comes more and more frequently, but it was a good little car and it broke both our hearts when we had to give it up in the whole process of moving to Greece. Honda engines will run until the body falls off the car, and the body falls off the car none too soon. When we were buying a car here in Greece, it was between a VW Golf, a Toyota Corolla, and a Honda Civic (it pays to have a smaller car in this crazy city, so we didn't really consider the Accord or the bigger models in the other brands). We ended up with the Honda--which wasn't the cheapest--just because we've had all-around nothing but good luck with Hondas. Also, Hondas have a good resale value because they have such a reputation for reliability.

Question about bedding.... When you buy these adorable bedding sets, how do you know that they will fit your crib and your mattress? Are cribs a standard size in the US? Probably they are, there, that would make sense and just generally make everything easier...but I've learned that they aren't standard sizes here. Ugh. If all cribs are *not* the same size there, how do you get your crib bumper to fit? And the sheets?

[Natasha]

Sebs--Yep, we were complaining about groin pain in here. Mine is in my grain and left thigh. It's horrible! I have to agree on the maternity clothes prices. I spent $25 on a shirt, which is pricey for me. I am a bargain shopper. But, since most of my preggo clothes were handed down from a friend who recently had a baby, it's probably safe for me to splurge a bit.

shirsty--I tried updating the forum with your info, but I couldn't log in. So, Alanna will do it!

Today is GENDER DETERMINATION day for us!!!

[clzj]

Abby-I second the honda. I have a honda civic. I love it. It is a '96 with 120000 on it and my husband only does routine maintenance on it.

[abbytfox]

Thanks Alb and clzj for the info about your Honda experiences. I actually have heard from other friends who love their Hondas. I will pass the info along to DH. Decisions, decisions...

sem How wierd that I would be the only one who can't see. Too sad! Maybe my computer is having a moment of insanity...wouldn't be the first time. Even now I am only getting little boxes with a red x. Oh well...

I am off to buy towels and a shower curtain for the guest bathroom. We've lived in our new house for two months and still have tons to do!

[rochacha]

asianbear07 -- thanks for sharing your "movement" story with me. 6 months? The U/S tech said it would be a couple of weeks before I felt anything since the placenta is infront of the baby. But three weeks later I am still waiting. Soon enough I know it will happen. Can't wait to hear if it is a boy or a girl~

Tulip -- another 14/16 sized preggo girl here with you. You are right seeing that scale hot the 200 mark and then go over has not been fun. But, I try to concentrate on the pounds added (ie, six pounds since my BFP), not the number on the scale (ie holding stedy at 200).

Sebski - that groin pain, souds, umm painful. ouch. take it easy.

Alanna - sorry about the test, I heard many women go on to pass the 3 hour, and I hope you are one of them. I think mine must be coming up soon.

Abby- I owned a 1997 Altima, but turned it in last year for a toyota matrix (which I luv!). The altima was a good car for me, I drive a lot for work and in the four years I had the car (bought used) I put about 120,000 miles on it, and didn't do too much other than maintence. It handles very well in the snow (not sure where you live), and was a very comfy ride. However, with that being said I have friend who have had nothing but problems with their Nissans. I'd go for th Honda.

sem426 -- I cn't see the pics either. I am with you on wanting to see it in person vs. online. It is such an expense, and not something easy to return if you don't like it. Hopefully you can find it.

Question for all you second time moms...my Bro and SIL are expecting their 2nd in September. I wanted to send a "care package" since they are not having a shower. They are going to use a lot of things from the 1st, but any ideas on what send...thing that wear out, get used so much that new ones would be nice? Thanks.

albuquerque -- I assume it is standard size, but I don't know for a fact.

[Kelly's Girl]

Don't really have much to report- just felt like de-lurking and checking in! I have an OB appt. on Friday, so maybe I'll have something to add...

Glad everyone is rocking right along! Try to beat the heat if you can- I know it is *miserable* here, and only getting hotter.

[sem426]

I'm so sad that no one can see the pix besides me!! They are from kodakgallery (ofoto) and i posted the links the same way I did the bedding pix...everyone can see that right?

one more try...21 weeks...

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1277/2/96/40/71/54/6/654714096203_0_ALB.jpg?r=1121796876555

did it work??

[Tulip]

I still can't see them. :(

[sem426]

Hmmm..ok maybe we can't post from ofoto? I'm going to try snapfish and see if that works. I am determined to get these pix posted!

Here goes...

21 weeks

http://images.snapfish.com/34449%3C8323232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3C35%3D467%3 DXROQDF%3E2323979%3C3%3C953ot1lsi

22 weeks 4 days

http://images.snapfish.com/34449%3C8323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3C35%3D467%3 DXROQDF%3E2323979%3C3%3C952ot1lsi

23 weeks

http://images.snapfish.com/34449%3C8323232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3C35%3D467%3 DXROQDF%3E2323979%3C3%3C94%3Bot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34449%3C8323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3C35%3D467%3 DXROQDF%3E2323979%3C3%3C955ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34449%3C8323232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3C35%3D467 %3DXROQDF%3E2323979%3C3%3C954ot1lsi

[Alanna]

I see them now! :)

[sem426]

Yay! :D

[Natasha]

Sem, you look great!!

[clzj]

Rochacha-I would say onsies. Also what season was the other one born in? I need to get sleepers for the winter that are small. Diapers, towels/washcloths, bibs, bath/lotion products

[abbytfox]

sem Yay! I could see your pics too! Looking good...

rochacha Thanks for your input on the car discussion. I really don't want to have to deal with maintence stuff...the worst!

Baby Shower Question Some of my mom's friends offered to throw me a shower (which is so nice!) However we are having trouble with a date. MIL had two dates in October that worked best for her (she will be coming all the way accross the country), but two of the women hosting can't do it then (both already have out of the country trips planned.) The new date they are proposing is November 5. I am officially due on December 7th. Do you think that I will be too close to my due date? I am concerned about a couple things:
1) As much as I can, I would like to be ready for the baby around the beginning to middle of November. For example, I would like to have the car seat in the car by Thanksgiving at the latest, just in case :) . I was thinking that that kind of gift is often given at a shower. Will I have enough time to get everything together if I need to purchase things?
2) I will be in my last month of pregnancy. Will I be uncomfortable and not able to enjoy myself as much as if we had the shower earlier?

I know these are silly things to worry about...but I am thinking of them and hope you guys can give me some insight/advice. Thanks!!!

[dziner]

Rochacha, unless you know they need all new clothes for a different gender baby, I'd recommend something for the new nursery...bookends, a cute lamp, wall hanging, or baby book/photo album. Something you'd want new for each child.

[shirsty]

Thanks for the welcome guys! Alanna thanks for the glider tip for Craig's list, I've never been on there before but have bought stuff on Ebay many times. There were several gliders on there for sale, for WAY cheaper than new, we are definitely going to check them out. I agree there are some things that make sense to buy used (if you want to go that way).

Abby I think a shower a month ahead of your due date is fine, personally. I hear you on the car seat thing though, that's why we're going to buy the car seat and crib ourselves, so we know we them ready to go and don't have to wonder if someone will get them for a shower. All other stuff though I would be willing to wait and see.

Question for you guys: does anyone randomly feel pressure in the cervical/vaginal area? I do most days, but it's not constant. I guess it makes sense, if the baby is moving around he'll be putting pressure on me in different ways but it still kind of weirds me out. Anybody else?

[Natasha]

shirsty--I feel, like, flicks almost. like she's kicking right there.

Yep, I said she! We're having a girl!

http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3A74%3B23232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2348%3D329%3D%3C%3 B3%3DXROQDF%3E2323975%3B%3B%3A462ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3444%3A74%3B23232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2348%3D329%3D%3C%3 B3%3DXROQDF%3E2323975%3B%3B93%3B%3Aot1lsi

[first-time mom]

Shirsty- I to feel pressure down there that comes and goes. Some days I dont feel it at all and other days I do. I also get little twinge pains down through my cervix occasionally but I think she is kicking me or my uterus is growing. I have learned that aches, pains, and pressure are all normal even though the books say its a sign of labor. With all that going on down there how could we feel absolutley nothing?

Asianbear- congrats on your girl:)

[abbytfox]

We're off to see our baby! I can not wait to see BF moving all around on the screen and make sure that everything is a-ok. I'll check in later...hopefully with some cute pics!

Asianbear Congrats on your baby girl! She looks darling...

[sem426]

asianbear Congrats on your GIRL!! Great u/s pix.

pressure I haven't felt any pressure down there really yet. Although I do seem to get random aches and pains. I think from sleeping on my left side all of the time my arm now is bothering me.

abby i think having the shower a month before your due date will be ok. I'm sure you'll be feeling good and if there are some items you want to have before then you can purchase them yourself.

baby nurse Is anyone planning on having a baby nurse for the first week or so after you come home from the hospital? several of my friends have done this and they swear it was the best thing they did/spent $ on. I know alot of pepole have their mom or someone help them out, but I'm looking into doing this. I think for the first couple of days to have someone in the house that knows what they are doing and can help me learn to bathe, feed, and take care of the baby would be beneficial. Also, if it helped me catch up on some sleep for the first couple of days that would be an added bonus :)

[Kristen78]

Well I just got back from my doctor's appointment.

I passed my glucose test with a score of 82. I guess they conside 135+ as failing? So 82 is a pretty good score.

We also got confirmation that we are indeed having a baby girl.

The bad news is that they were doing the 2nd ultrasound to look at the umbilical cord and it seems I might only have 2 vessels in my baby's cord. 1 artery and 1 vein. I am being referred to the hospital for a level 2 ultrasound. I am so worried! the doctor assured me that most of the time the 2 vessel cord means nothing. But it can be indicative of other problems related to the heart and kidneys. So of course now I am all bent out of shape and nervous. I've been reading some stuff online and some of it makes me feel better and some of it doesn't. The doc said that she has seen ALOT of 2-vessels cords and only one time was there a problem with it. So I suppose I should try to not worry about it. the good news is that everything else looks really good. Baby is about 1 pound now. And we were able to see the heart and kidneys last ultrasound and they all looked great. So I hope this is just a fluke.

I'd appreciate your well-wishes and prayers. I hope everything is ok.

[Tulip]

I have my GTT on Friday and I'm nervous about it. The doctor has also told me that I have carpal tunnel in my wrist and that's why my right hand keeps going numb. Oh joy, oh bliss! What wonderful things we get to experience during pregnancy.

Congrats to all those who found out the sex of their babies!

ETA - I only have 100 days left now! :eek:

[Natasha]

Thanks, everyone!

Kristen--I am sure everything will be fine, but I said a little prayer for you and your little girl! Try not to worry too much till you know something is wrong for sure!

[Kristen78]

Thanks AsianBear.

I just received a call from my OB. They were able to fit me in for the level 2 ultrasound tomorrow at 12:45pm. So at least I dont have to spend more than 24 hours worrying about this. Wish me luck please!

[Tulip]

Good luck Kristen. I'll be thinking of you.

[amypooh]

Kristen78 - Sending out lots of prayers for you and your little girl today. I hope you get good news today.

[LSUGirl]

Kristen, thinking about you.

Abby, I don't think a month a head of time is too late. It sounds perfect. I had my third and final (with DS#1) Early August and Matthew was due Sept. 2.

Sem , I am SO much bigger than you!!!!

[Alanna]

Kristen Ill be thinking of you tomorrow... I hope you come home very reassured.

I had my 3 hour GTT today and well.. I survived.. definitely not siometing that I would do though if i didnt have too... i didnt have too much problem witht he fasting element of it... (somepepople say they get so hungry they are shaking by the end... ) but i started early in the monring so i was eating by noon...

the drink was terrible though and very tough to get down that early in the morning. i defintiely felt lightheaded for a while after drinking it... i guess it was like having a serious sugar high... they also hadnt refrigerated it which made it even worse...


i know i passed the fasting blood draw because they do that right away... but i have to wait til friday to find out if i passed the others.

needless to say i am a little on edge...

when i came home i slept for 3 hours... it felt really good...

anyway.. congrats asianbear on your little girl and Welcome Shirsty!!


I promise to do updates tomorrow...

[Bliss]

Asianbear, congrats on your baby girl!!

Abby, hope all went well with your u/s today :)

Kristen78, hope all goes well tomorrow. Try not to worry too much, sometimes all of the information on the web about PG stuff is more a curse than a blessing. When I was having a lot of discharge, I read so much and convinced myself it could be so many horrible things, and everything was fine (thank God). Wishing you all the best :)

Sem, you are tiny!! Compared to you I think I am having a giant baby :D

Still on the hunt for baby furniture. How long does it usually take to come in? I am trying to figure out the last possible minute that I can order it and have it here for the babe lol. By the time DH and I agree on something it may be the end of August lol.

[shirsty]

Kristen I will also be thinking about you tomorrow, looking forward to hearing the good news that all is well with your babe.

Asianbear congrats! I love the photo of her feet, it makes me think so THAT'S what's going on in there when I feel all those kicks, no wonder they are getting so strong :)

First time mom I think you hit the nail on the head with the pressure thing, about it being in all the books as a sign of labor. If I went by all that stuff (pressure, menstral-cramps, etc) I would think I was in labor my entire pregnancy.

Sem I would love to have a nurse at home, I have no idea what something like that costs though, I assume it would be super $$.

I just got back from my prenatal yoga class, I can't recommend it enough for all the aches and pains, it is so relaxing and I feel so connected to my baby afterwards.

[abbytfox]

The u/s was absolutely amazing! When the baby came up on the screen I could not take my eyes off of it...I know it is just an ultrasound, but BF is gorgeous (I may be a little biased ;)) DH even said "this is better than even finding out we were pregnant!" He was just a little excited... Everything looks great, strong heartbeat, 4 chambers in the heart, the spine was great and the brain was developing nicely.

One of the first things that the tech said was "Look at the big feet, my goodness!" She kept saying things like "Come on kiddo, move those big feet, they're in the way" and stuff like that. So I asked if they feet were really that big. (I thought maybe it was just an endearing thing she said to everyone...I know that is dumb, but I really didn't know.) She said that the feet were measuring as big as the bone in the lower leg and at about 22 weeks (I am 20 weeks today.) Then she went through the rest of the body and kept saying how big he/she was. The head was nice and round, and measuring at 21w6d and she measured the crown to rump length as 7 1/2 inches. She said that usually at this stage babies are in the 50th percentile, but BF is in the 90th. She/He is already 1 pound which usually doesn't happen until about week 22 or 23. I guess I am a little worried that the baby is so big already, but part of me thinks that my doctor was off on my due date. The tech said that (if she were me) she would be ready for the baby around Thanksgiving and would put my due date at 11/27 (which is exactly where I thought that it would be based on my last period and when I thought I had ovulated...contrary to what the u/s at the first doctor's visit showed) Either way BF is a big baby so far...I guess I am getting enough protein!!!

Lastly, since we did not want to know the sex she didn't tell us, but she did get a picture for her records. While she was looking at BF's parts, DH said "What's that?" I knew that it was a shot between the legs, but the tech just said "I am just blurring out part of this picture." I thought that was strange to say because if it was a girl there wouldn't be anything to blur. Usually girl parts just look like there is nothing between the legs, right? So unless there was a little something to see, I figured she wouldn't need to blur anything out. Now DH is convinced it is a boy...I am still undecided. Maybe she was just trying to throw us off. When you see the pics, let me know what you think...Boy or girl? Can you tell?

I put the pictures of BF on the fridge and can not stop staring at them...AMAZING! DH and I are going to scan them tonight and I will have them up soon! Can't wait to share...

Kristen Good luck tomorrow! Thinking of you...

Tulip Carpal Tunnel Syndrome does NOT sound fun. So sorry! Did doc give you any tips on how to aleviate the numbness? Does it happen a lot? Yuck.

[abbytfox]

Here are the u/s pics! I love the profile shots...so cute! Take a look at the collage that the tech put together for us...boy or girl? DH and I both think boy, now. I am convinced. I guess we'll find out for sure around Thanksgiving or the beginning of December...

Baby Fox Profile and Face Image
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1279/2/75/81/38/75/8/875388175205_0_ALB.jpg

Full Body Collage of Baby Fox
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1279/2/75/81/38/85/1/185388175205_0_ALB.jpg

[albuquerque]

abby, I hate to tell you this, but I can't see your ultrasound pics. Also, regarding the boy/girl thing, they say that sometimes when it is a girl you can clearly see three lines. We're having a girl, or so the ultrasound doc says, but honestly I had to just take his word for it. When I asked him how he could tell, he gestured at the screen and said "well I just looked between the baby's legs!" as if it were the clearest thing in the world, plain for all to see....but I couldn't see anything that didn't look like random black and white blobs. DH couldn't tell either. We were both totally mystified, but apparently it was quite clear to the doc, he didn't sound a bit unsure of himself. So anyway, apparently there IS something to see with girls, so the fact that she blurred the image doesn't necessarily mean that you're having a boy at all.

I'm having my GTT...right now. Ugh. So annoying...you don't do these things at the doctor here, you go to what they call a microbiologist for all blood draws, urine analysis, etc. I had DH call the guy ahead of time to get the scoop, make sure he could do this test, etc. Yes, yes, he can do it, no problem, but I have to go early in the morning b/c that's the only time he's there. Then my MIL, who is a wonderful person but can occassionally drive me up the freaking wall, came over for dinner unexpectedly the night before, causing us to need to cook something other than what we'd planned (we didn't have enough food for plan A), causing dinner to be somewhat late even by our standards, at 11pm. She acted surprised that I was going to eat dinner because I was going for this test at 7:30 in the morning, and she insisted I needed to fast 12 hours. Well, lady, *yes* I'm going to freaking eat! I was starving! But then the next morning DH agreed that I should ask the guy if it was OK that I hadn't fasted 12 hours. I stayed in bed and made him call him when we got up, around 8:30. The microbiologist said it was fine as long as I hadn't eaten anything in the previous 2 hours. I was so mad! First of all, by that time it was too late for me to go do it (I have a ton of work this week, not that you'd know it by the novel I'm writing at the moment!), and my freaking MIL was going to make me skip dinner and starve for 12 hours for nothing?! I'm PREGNANT for god's sake, I can't be starving myself!!! Anyway, so I got up this morning, went over there around 7:30 to do it. Well, the microbiologist doesn't have the glucose stuff you need to drink. He took the first blood draw, then told me to go to a pharmacy, buy the sugar stuff, mix it with water, drink it, and return an hour later (I need to return as soon as I finish writing this). All this was in Greek, mind you, and my Greek is not so hot. Anyway, I had planned to be started with this at 7:30, done by 8:30, and home by 8:35. NO! I got the sugar, drank it at 8:30, now have to go back for a 9:30 blood draw, which puts me a bit late for getting started on today's insane work schedule.....grrr.....THIS is why I had DH CALL the guy to get the scoop ahead of time! If he'd just freaking found out what I needed to do ahead of time, I could have already bought the sugar, taken it with me, and been done with this by 8:30 YESTERDAY!!!

OK, on that note, I'm off to give away more of my blood....

Kristen, thinking of you today with your ultrasound. Try not to worry, I'm sure it will be fine. And you too, Alanna. All these stupid tests, the last thing we preggos need is more excuse to freak out!!!

[Sebski]

Hi ladies! Haven't had much time to post but I've been following along with the thread...

Kristen I'll be thinking of you today... good luck! Although I doubt you'll need it since I'm sure everything is be fine! :)

Abby I LOVE the collage of baby that you got!!! Great pictures! Did the tech blur anything out of those shots? If so, I'm guessing boy too. :D

Nurse You're looking at her! ;) My entire family lives 1 town over from us, so I plan on leaning on them a lot in the beginning.

GTT My doctor's office is giving me the drink at my next appt (Aug 1st) to take home w/ me as prep for the next one (28w). Does this sound too late to everyone? I thought I would be taking it on the 1st when I'll be 24w, but I called to double check and was told no. :confused:

Have to run and catch the train - have a great day ladies!!!

[Decemberwed]

Alright, I admit it...WC is sooo yesterday and CC is way better. Can I join this thread?

CC DecemberwedIt's a GIRL!
Me: Kassie, 32
DH: Kevin, 32
Married: 12/15/01
DS: Benjamin Rowley 1/20/03
EDD: Lily Kate 11/15/05

[Tulip]

Abby, he offered me a prescription for a wrist splint to sleep with. Right now I'm having enough trouble sleeping that I'm not interested in it. I added a wrist guard to my keyboard at work and will be getting one of those mouse pads with a wrist guard. It seems to help the numbness.

DecemberWed, welcome to the dark side! ;)

[sem426]

abby I can't see the pix either :(

Kristen I hope everything goes well today.

Decemberwed Welcome to CC!

GTT I have my next appt on 7/30, but my Dr didn't mention I'd be doing the test that day so I"m thinking mine will be at my 28 week appt too?

[abbytfox]

We are having car issues this morning, so I need to take DH to the mechanic and then to the train. I will try to fix the problem when I get home...so wierd, they were there last night when I did my preview.

[albuquerque]

If you want to laugh until you cry, until your stomach hurts, go read the thread on the Parenting board about the worst thing your curious toddler has done. Laugh, laugh! And then....Fear!

And has everyone read the birth stories thread in Family Planning? I keep hoping for more stories...I wish there were a way to move that thread over to Parenting, I bet it would get more posts there.

[abbytfox]

Let's see...I switched to shutterfly. Maybe this will work better...

It cropped the profile pics a little, but you can still see.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d900b3127cce92a71c345e5200000016108CZNnLFmycm

Here is the collage...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d900b3127cce92a71c025e6400000016108CZNnLFmycm

Alb Thanks for the info about girl parts vs. boy parts on a sonogram. We are now less convinced that it is a boy...which is good, I really do want to be surprised when we have the baby and it was kind of sad that we felt we already knew the sex (well, sad but thrilling...if you can understand that!)

Seb Yes. The tech said that she was blurring the pics of the genital area. Still we kept thinking...why would she need to blur the pic if its a girl? In my mind, a little penis means boy and nothing in between the legs means girl. But now, Alb said that her doc said 3 little lines between the legs means girl. So we really don't know. In the collage pic, it looks like there might be something boy-ish between the legs...however, she did blur the image. Who knows? We'll find out in Nov/Dec, I guess!

[Natasha]

Abby--It was pretty clear my son was a boy. But, I honestly can't tell with yours. You got some great shots!



Our tech told us "you can tell its a girl, look", and "pointed out" her girl parts. I'm taking her word for it, because I could not tell!

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!

***Housekeeping!!***

Bliss, Mrs_Barkley, and poodlelover I'm not sure if you are waiting on gender u/s or if you have decided to have SURPRISE babies... if you arent finding out the sex I can add the "it's a surprise!!" tag to your info on the first page.... let me know what you would like :)

abbytfox I added your u/s picture... i chose the cool collage one... but if you would rather have the other just let me know and i will swap them out!

asianbear i added your u/s picture too but wasnt sure what week it was taken in...

SEM426 and First-time mom I added your belly shots to the first page... hope thats okay! let me know if you dont want them there or if you want me to choose a different one.

and for those who like to keep score...

we have 8 girls - 7 boys - and 5 surprises!!

Thats all for this update... let me know if i missed anything! Sorry this update was so long coming :)

[Natasha]

Alanna--It was in the 23rd week. Thanks for updating, sorry I haven't been more help!

[Kristen78]

I'm back! The ultrasound went good. it wasn't all that different from the ones my doc does in her office, just at the hospital they have a big screen up on the wall for you to see, like a 20" television. And the ultrasound machine looks more in-depth.

So first the tech comes in. She was the one to do the ultrasound. She was nice, and printed me out lots of pictures. She confirmed again its a GIRL. We saw so much I can't even remember it all. Alot of it was stuff that was not so interesting to me. But my baby is breech today. Yesterday she wasn't. She was holding her foot in one picture. We saw her stomach, kidneys, heart. Heartbeat is about 151 bpm now. The tech said everything looked good. But I don't think she can really give you any information since she is not the doctor. So I was still very nervous. She said the doc would come in afterwards and talk to us. So she took all sorts of measurements. She confirmed there were only 2 vessels in the cord, which was disappointing. Part of me was hoping we would get there and they would say, "Oh no, there are 3 vessels" and then all my worrying would be gone.

So that took about 25 minutes for the ultrasound. Then she left and we waited about 5 minutes and the doc came in. The tech had left the jelly stuff on my tummy in case the doc wanted to look with an ultrasound too. So the Doc comes in and says that she saw some hints that there might be 3 vessels and she wanted to take a look. But she confirmed there were only 2.

But the doc was really nice. She said the ultrasound looks great and she doesn't see anything to worry about. Yeah! She said she sees ALOT of 2-vessel cords and my baby is measuring right on target and the kidneys and heart both look great. So she said in my case there really is nothing to be worried about. Then my DH opened his big mouth to tell her about his sister who had a heart defect (She had a hole in her heart that never closed from birth) and then she said that maybe we should do an echocardiogram just in case. Argh! I don't want to have one, but DH thinks we should. So we scheduled that. I really don't see the point since the doc said the heart looked great. And DH's sister went until she was 31 before she knew about her heart condition. so I dont know what they would do about it before birth anyways. But Andrew wants to have it done anyways. So now I made an appointment for that on August 11th. I need to call my insurance company to see if they will cover it though. I secretly hope they don't and that its expensive so we dont have to have it...

Thats all. I am feeling much better now about the entire thing. She said my baby is measuring at about 1 lb 5 oz. I saw alot of her measurements on screen and they were around the 23w6d mark. So that is good too. Right on target.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes and prayers - they worked!

[Alanna]

Yay Kristen!!! Thats great news! Im glad to hear you had such a good appointment...

I understand how you feel about having the echocardiogram but maybe its for the best... is it very invasive? or are you just hooked up to a machine?

i think its good to let fate (insurance) decide!

[Kristen78]

Alanna, a echocardiogram is just an ultrasound of the heart. So I would assume its pretty much like a regular ultrasound. I dont know what makes it so different though. Or why they just can't do it while they are doing a normal ultrasound.

[Kelly's Girl]

Glad things looked great, Kristen! I know that must be reassuring, and having an echo opens up some concerns, but like Alanna said, maybe it's for the best and it'll doubly put your mind at ease.

I have an appointment tomorrow, and my mom will be in town, so I called the nurse to see if there was an off-chance I'd have another u/s since my placenta was kinda low last time, and that way my mom could see it. The OB said okay, and scheduled me for 10 a.m.!!! I am so pumped! I'm sure they're just being accommodating to be nice since Mom will be here, but I am really excited to see Baby B again!

[Bliss]

We have decided (along w. our shy baby, who doesnt like crotch shots lol) that Baby Bliss is an "Its a Surprise" baby.

Of course, I now have to resist the ultimate temptation, since I am switching doctors (long story on my bad experiences w. the doc I was going to) and I am getting my records, including my u/s records. A friend of mine who is in school to be a radiologist told me that some techs write down the sex of the baby in the report, even if the parents dont want to know, just for records. So now when I get the records, I have to resist reading them to see if it says boy/girl. I dont know where I am going to get the willpower.

Kristen, glad to hear all went well at your appointment.

Abby, cutie pics :) When we had our u/s I thought the babys stomach was his/her head at first :rolleyes: , so I personally cannot tell anything from what's onscreen. Maybe she blurred out the parts just to be safe, even if you cannot see anything from the untrained eye.

I am feeling huge lately. Love being preggo, but cannot shut that voice in my head up that whispers "how are you ever going to get this weight off post baby??" Of course, I drown it out when I have a strong craving for ice cream lol. I have already told DH not to expect any miracles of his "old" wife's pre-baby body.

[shirsty]

Kristen glad to hear your appointment went well! I can see how having the echo could be worrisome but just think when it's done you will have that much more assurance that your baby is fine.

Bliss I hear you on the feeling huge, I think I'm in growth spurt mode again. I keep thinking, how much more am I going to grow? If the baby is only 1.5-2 lbs now it seems like I have A LOT to grow!

My DH has been out of town for a week, I am really curious to see if he thinks I grew while he was gone, sure feels like it! I have not been sleeping well at all and have pretty much felt like cr@p all week, it's amazing how much I rely on him to not only take care of stuff around the house these days but also how much I need him around for moral/emotional/etc support. I'm sooooooooooooo glad he'll be home day after tomorrow.

[Tulip]

TGIF I got my Snoogle and my copy of Harry Potter last night. One to help me sleep and one to hinder it. ;) I've also got a massage today at 3pm. :D

My next doctor's appointment is July 27th.

[sem426]

I'll second that TGIF!! What a long week!

Alanna thanks for updating and posting my belly pix!

Kristen So glad everything was ok. I've had echocardiagram's before (I have a heart murmur). They are non invasive and over very quickly.

Tulip Enjoy your massage!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and try to stay cool! :)

[LSUGirl]

Kristen - so glad things look good. Don;t worry about the hole in the heart. My son has that. All babies are born with this whole in their heart. It usually closes within the first week. My son's never closed. We have been told that this baby will probablyhave the same thing. It's not a big deal. My son does have to go through some testing in a couple months after he turns two. thatis only so they know how big it is and how well he would stand anesthesia if he ever needed it. It does not and will not limit him in anyway.

A few days late, but here are my 24 weeks shots. I can't believe how big I am already (compared to with my first son).
http://images.snapfish.com/344528%3A%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2328%3D%3C85%3D%3B 77%3DXROQDF%3E232397%3B656978ot1lsi

We have our follow-up u/s on Monday.

[Kristen78]

LSUGirl - Thanks. My SIL had the hole in her heart that never closed from birth also. It does cause problems. She ended up having a stroke at age 31 and thats how she found out about the hole in her heart. So I don't necessarily think its no big deal. But it is fixable and she was only in the hospital for a few days after surgery and now she is fine. She has always been very active. I'm not worried about it at all. I just dont see the point on having the ECHO done to see if there is a hole when all babies have the hole in their hearts, kwim? It seems pointless. But I will do it because DH wants to...

[Lindzee82]

Lindzee82
Me: Lindsey, 22
DH: Eric, 24
Married: August 21, 2004
TTC: January 2005
BFP: March 2005
EDD: November 14, 2005
It's a boy ~ Matthew Timothy

[november2005mommies]

Updated to here!

Welcome Lindzee so glad to see you made the leap!!!

[Lindzee82]

Updated to here!

Welcome Lindzee so glad to see you made the leap!!!

Thanks!! :D

[Sebski]

Feels like I haven't posted in so long!

Rikki adorable belly!!! I haven't taken a belly shot since 16w - have to get on that since I turn 23w tomorrow. They're great keepsakes!

Kristen I've had echos done before - very simple u/s of the heart that doesn't take long at all. Good luck and post back with the results!

Welcome to the wild side Lindzee!

I'm feeling ok... this week I definitely felt more pregnant than I have in the past 6 months. Had a lot of heartburn and back pain. I still haven't really 'popped' but I think he's moved up. As long as he's comfy I guess right? :rolleyes: Makes for some interesting sleeping... I was in Babies R Us today adding to my registry and I was going to buy a preggo pillow. I didn't think they looked worth it though in the picture... something's telling me I should've just got one and tried it. Ugh.

How's everyone else feeling? Hope you all had a great weekend - can't believe tomorrow is Monday already - wasn't it *just* Friday???

[Decemberwed]

LSU -

Big? I think you look tiny! I am 24 weeks tomorrow and feel like I look like The Hulk compared to your tiny belly! Or, at least it feels that way!

Anybody else ready to fast forward to November?

[Tulip]

Here's my 23w belly shot:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/gruton/9cec8dfa.jpg

Any guesses on the sex?

[sem426]

Lindzee Welcome!!

LSU Girl Your belly is not big at all! You look very cute!

Nothing much to report from here. We went to a few furniture stores this weekend and I think the more I see the more I'm confused. I just need to make a decision! Some stores said it could take up to 14-16 weeks! But some of the other ones said they had the furniture in stock and we could have it in a week ( not that I'm ready for it quite that soon!)

I am feeling good. Have my dr's appt on Sat, so hopefully everything will go smoothly. I also want to find out when I'll be having the glucose testing done.

Tomorrow it's supposed to be close to 100 degrees here...UGH! That means lots of a/c to a/c for me!

[Alanna]

Hi everyone!

Tulip nice belly shot! I'm going to guess GIRL because i think you are carrying similar to me...

I got some happy news on friday that i passed my 3 hr GTT... !! :D almost with flying colors... (all my values were pretty significantly under the cutoff except my fourth which exceed the cutoff by 3 points....) anyway... im still a happy camper... im going to just watc my barbs and try to get out walking more and my m/w thought id be okay... i will have to take it again though in about a month or so :(

we went and started our registry this weekend.... what an ordeal... we were in BRU for over 2 hours... i was SO tired by the end of it... i think we have wrestled most of our big decisions to the ground though.... im still having major stress over bedding though... im so torn between two choices... neither are exactly what i want.... but i have to choose so we can get the room painted.... i just dont know what to do.... sigh.

[sem426]

Tulip I think we cross posted..so I didn't get a chance to make my guess! I am going to go with BOY. No real reason..I just getting "boy" thoughts from you!

Lana YAY! Congrats on passing your GTT! That's such a relief! We need to go and start a registry too! If you don't love any of the bedding at BRU why don't you check out other places? Every furniture store I've been in has lots of bedding to choose from.

[Natasha]

Yay Alanna! Thats great news.

We're debating on whether or not to start a registry. FH sons was born out of state 18 months ago, and Ethan had a shower before he was born. i am thinking about registering, just because it is our first chile together, and the first girl. We probably won't be having a shower, but when people say "what can I get you for the baby", I can say, "well, we ave a registry, but its really just a checklist for us....we don't really expect anyone to buy us stuff". Ugh, i don't know.

[albuquerque]

Tulip, I'm guessing BOY also. No real reason, though, don't ask me why!

Alanna, congrats on passing your GTT! What a relief, huh? I think I did OK on my 1hr, based on what little I understood from the what the microbiologist told me about the results (all in Greek). Guess I won't know for sure until I fax the results to the dr.

Hi all, hope you're all dealing with the heat in the US ok. It's pretty hot here, too, but the heat over there sounds out of control!

We won't have a registry and we won't have a shower--those are American traditions that haven't carried over here, which makes me a little sad. But, that's life. I have been really happy yesterday and today, though, to learn that my friend in London is going to lend us her baby monitor and her Medela PIS breast pump, two pricey things that we won't have to buy now! And also yesterday my mom called all ecstatic about a shopping trip that she and my cousin (who has a 5mo old little boy) made on Friday. They found a consignment store in the $$$$ neighborhood in NJ where my cousin lives, and they were having a sale. As many clothes as you can stuff into a plastic bag, for $5. Also they got me a Baby Bjorn for $7 and a Boppy for $3. My mom said the stuff isn't scroungy 2nd hand store stuff at all, it looks new and some of it still has tags--looks like I get to take advantages of the excesses of other people's baby showers! I've heard stories about people getting 3 Baby Bjorns without gift receipts, and so many clothes that Baby outgrows them before the tags get cut off. I'm guessing that's the case with a lot of the stuff they picked up for me. I'm pretty happy, because we need all the help we can get with baby stuff. Not only are there no registries or showers here, but we don't have any friends with kids here either, so we can't even borrow things like strollers or car seats. My cousin borrowed practically all the big ticket things (crib, car seat, stroller, baby monitor, breast pump, etc etc) AND she had 2 showers. I'm trying not to be jealous, but with all the clothes and stuff they got us, and with my friend in London mailing me the baby monitor and breast pump, I'm a lot happier! I won't get a shower, but at least I'll get boxes of fun stuff to open! Who cares if it's 2nd hand? Things here are *expensive* and since I won't be working again after the end of August until who knows when....I'm thrilled!

After seeing some of the itsy bitsy belly shots on here (Sem and LSUGirl), I was feeling a little like Humpty Dumpty. So I spent an hour or so browsing the July and August Momma threads....woah. I mean, you know that a 9mos preggo woman is big, but it's funny how things seem different when you're preggo yourself. I guess I have a way to go! I need to try to get some belly shots up. But first I need to relocate the software for our digital camera....ugh.

On the topic of things seeming different...you know how you see baby clothes and you think, ooooooh, they're so TINY!? Well, another friend sent me two little jumpers and a matching hat, and a little hooded ducky towel and a little pink robe....and for the first time I looked at those things and thought, my god, that's not small at all! Especially the HAT!! Will her head really be that big?! Scary! They are 3-6 months, but still!!! I think my friend sent 3-6 months stuff because both her daughters were nearly 9 lbs at birth, and they never wore 0-3 at all. And babies in my family DO run that big, I was nearly 9 lbs. And DH was 9.75 lbs!!! I remember my mother saying that when she toured the hospital in her last month with me, she looked at the newborns who had always looked so little to her, and she thought for the first time, my god, those babies are HUGE!! They're HUGE!!! I'm starting to feel this way already!

[Alanna]

The April 2006 baby thread has arrived!! oh how i love to see that time is marching on!! :D

Thanks for all the congrats on the GTT.. i am so relieved!

Sem426 I actually couldnt find any bedding that i liked at BRU.. i was going back and forth between a set from PBK and some by Kidsline that i saw in a local baby store... i sent my mom both pictures today and she pretty much settled it for me! YAY for mother's with opinions! we are planning on ordering the kidsline set this weekend :) (so glad to be done with that!)

[Lindzee82]

Sebski - Thanks!

Sem - Thanks!

Alanna - That is great that you passed your GTT. I have my 1 hour one at 28 weeks and I am very nervous because I have heard the drink is very yucky! What are your two choices of bedding? Maybe we can help you decide!!

[clzj]

I need some help. I got a call from a company that I sent a resume out in April/May. I am just worried about switching jobs this late in the game. I don't have interview clothes that would fit me right now. Also I have paid materity and my DH does not understand why I don't want to change jobs at this point. What would you do?

[Sebski]

Tulip I'm guessing GIRL! I love how you displayed your U/S pix on your fridge - we do the same! :D

Alanna Congrats on passing your GTT! Great news!!!

Alb We had the same reality check with baby clothing sizes today... one of my friends gave us some baby outfits for Jr. and DH and I were marveling that we will soon be responsible for another human being who is that TINY!!! :)

asianbear07 I would start a registry if I were you... that way if people ask what you need/want, you can refer them to it by saying something like "well we started a registry in order to collect our ideas". Hint them over to it. ;)

Decemberwed ME ME! I'm ready to fast forward to November!!! I love being pregnant, don't get me wrong, but between the constant backpain for the past week - unending heartburn - tossing/turning in my sleep... I'm hoping the last few months fly by.

Cljz If I were in your position, I don't think I could switch jobs at this stage of the game. At this point I'm literally counting the hours until I go out on maternity leave! I'm just not feeling like myself and couldn't imagine having to go through a job interview of all things right now. Will they offer maternity leave if you get it - most places require you be employed w/ them for a year before giving you paid leave. Good luck making that decision!

Speaking of which - are we going to buddy up as our dates get closer? I know we have time, but was wondering if we were going to do like the other groups so that the thread knows when our babies arrive.

[abbytfox]

I have been feeling BF kicking a lot today! At one point I even said something to the baby because I was so surprised. I have to say I am loving my preggo belly (just not all the weight everywhere else!) I am feeling really good and even got my butt to the gym today for 30 mins. I used to go to an aerobics class and walk at least 4 times a week, so I felt really good just getting myself there. I had hoped to take a prenatal yoga class, but they are all filled up already. I would have to drive about 20 minutes to get to the closest one that is available and I'm not sure if I want to do that or not. Does anyone do prenatal yoga? Is it really worth it?

Question Has anyone worked with Javis Davis for baby bedding? We got our samples in the mail a little while ago and I really would love to use their "Bubble Gum Lime" fabrics to create something unisex and gorgeous. I haven't seen anything I like anywhere...we really want something cute but not cutesie at all and I want to be able to accessorize with my frogs (stuffed animals, art, and other knick-knacks) Here is a pic of the fabrics we like...(excluding the zebra print)http://www.javisdavis.com/3_collections/images/montages/Mtg_Bubble_Gum_Lime I would love to hear any experiences you had working with them. Did you find them to be a good value for what you get?

clzj I can totally understand why you aren't interested in switching jobs right now. Does your DH really want you to interview for it? I would talk to him again and let him know that maybe you will look into it after the baby comes. Also, you could let the company know the situation and tell them that you are very interested in working for their company but are going on Maternity leave in a few months. Maybe you can call them after the baby is born and see if there are any openings at that time. If you are interested in switching, I know it is against the law for them not to give you the job based on your pregnancy status. Good luck, that sounds really tricky.

Alb I am glad you are feeling happy lately! Can't beat those second trimester highs! It sounds like you will have a ton of great stuff coming your way. Have fun looking at everything!

Lana Congrats on passing your GTT! One less thing to be concerned with...at least for now. Registering seems completely overwhelming...I have set a baby shower date for November 5, so I have a little time, but really feel like we need to start thinking about it. It must feel great to have it mostly done.

Tulip You look great! Hope you are feeling good too.

[LSUGirl]

Cross posted from my LJ

We had our follow up u/s today.
We got a good look at Drew today. He was moving all around, fighting the u/s tech lady.

The main thing they were looking at was my fluid level and placental position. Fluid is fine. Placenta is fine. I still have a small bruise left from where Matthew stepped on me. I didn't even have to tell her where he stepped on me. She pointed it right out. The placenta has no separation (what they were concerned about). My placenta is in a different position than it was with Matthew. With Matthew is was top towards the back. This time it is top towards the front (does that make sense?). So that is why I have some trouble feeling him. He's moving just fine (so much for my mellow baby) it's just that my placenta is absorbing some of the movement, so I don't feel it much. She said as the weeks go on I will feel him more and more, but I probably won't get the same sensations as with Matthew.

His growth is going just fine (too well, I'll explain in a minute). They did do an echo to check his heart. The tech and the doctor kept using the words "beautiful" and "perfect" when describing his heart. So I guess his heart is good to go.

We did get one moe "money shot" for Paul to prove that Drew IS a boy. It was hard to get (as you'll see in the pic). Drew had his legs crossed, so the tech had to do some manuvering to get it.

Drew is already head down. Hopefully he will stay that way.

Now for the part where you all get to laugh at me!! Matthew was a small baby right? HAHAHA. My hopes of having another 6-pounder went flying out the window this morning. I had to open my big mouth and ask how big Drew was at this point. The tech started laughing and said "Let's just say he's making up for his brother being so small." I thought oh great. She said average fo a boy is 7.4 (Matthew was 6.9). So I asked where Drew is right now. She said "2 pounds. Just shy of 2 pounds. And he's 12 inches long already." Meaning nothing to me I asked what % that was. She said 72%!!!! If Drew stays on this growth pattern (please, God, let him slow down a bit) I am looking at an 8.5-9 lbs baby!!!! There is no way. How in the hell can I hav a 9 lbs baby??? That is the size of Matthew at like 3 months!! So yes, I am freaking out, just a bit. I WILL be requesting another u/s at the end of the pg to see how big he is BEFORE I give birth. Good Lord, Man!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/rikkifonte/Drewface.jpg

[Kristen78]

I'm in a pregnancy rut. I'm so bored! How am I going to make it 3 more months? Ahhhh....

In other news I ordered a upholstered Dutailier glider/ottoman yesterday. The store near me wanted $549 for the glider and $218 for the ottoman. I live in northern VT and I think this place figures since they are the only children's store around that sells Dutailier they can rip people off. LOL. So I called a place in Manchester NH and got the glider for $429 and ottoman for $179, so we just have to drive down there to pick it up when it comes in. My FIL has a big pickup truck so I am sure we will use that.

My mom is having a shower for me in Boston on 9/17, at least thats the plan for now. I think my husband's family will probably have a shower for me as well up here but I dont know for certain. That will probably be a surprise one if they do. I am itching to set up the nursery but I dont have anything to put in there yet, you know?

What else? Oh, I think I mentioned this before but I passed my glucose test with flying colors. What a relief. I didnt want to have to take the 3-hour test. I'm having a echo cardiogram for the baby's heart on 8/11 and my next OB appointment is 8/16 (on our 2 year wedding anniversary). Thats all...

Oh, my mom desperately wants to buy me this Graco bedside bassinet to use for the baby to sleep in our room. Not sure if I should get it or not. I think it would be nice to have the baby in my room, but I dont want to have a hard time transitioning her to the crib later either. I guess I will get the bassinet and maybe have her nap in the crib to get used to it. I guess I have time to think about all that...