April May June 2003 Moms and Kids

[Kellymb75]

I figured that since most of us are moving on over to CC we should start up our thread here. I don't like the way the new boards over at WC are set up and this is so much more user friendly (IMO) so I figured I'd go ahead and start us up over here.

Since this is a new board, why don't we just start fresh? Please write out your user name here (former WC user name if different as well), and stats that you want to give. Try and keep it in the format that I list below so we can be uniform (you all know how anal I can get ;) ). Oh and put it in bold so I don't miss it.

Thanks!


Adrianna14
me: Tanya (32)
DH: Greg (29)
DS: Hunter - 6/22/03
DD: Avery - July 2005!

clzj
Me: Lynn 31
DH: Charles 30
DSS: Zachary 10
DS: Isaiah 4/24/03
Edd: 11/20/05-not finding out the sex

Dotsie
Me - Dorothy 30
Dh - Sean 34
DS - Aidan Patrick June 27, 2003

hisdaffodil
Me: Sheree (24)
DH: John (35)
DS: Emerson - 5/28/03
EDD a BOY - 9/15/05

Jarm (jctweets on WC)
Me: Jodi (27)
DH: Ray (25)
DD: Arlyn - 6.2.03

kdevita
me: Karie (30)
DH: George (29)
DD: Aubrey - 5/17/03

Kellymb75 (Kelly's Wedding on WC)
Me: Kelly (30)
DH: Kurt (27)
DD: Morgan - 4.19.03
EDD on baby #2: 2.26.06

mommy2AlliWill (joann on wc)
me: Joann 33
dh: Chip 38
Alli 6/11/03
Will 09/03/04

Mom2Amelia (memorialdaybride on WC)
Me: Cyndi (36)
DH: Rob (38)
DD: Amelia 6/11/03

mrsschu
me: mrsschu (36)
DH: mr.schu (36)
DD: zoe (6/9/03)

tin roof rusted (gomer on WC)
me: meribeth, 29
dh: tim, 32
ds: liam, 5/10/03

Wilsmom (Elisim on WC)
Me: Suzanne (30)
DH: Keith (40)
DS: Wil 6/20/03

[mom2amelia]

Yay. I'm so glad we're moving over here. I hope everyone else follows.

Mom2Amelia (memorialdaybride on WC)
Me: Cyndi (36)
DH: Rob (38)
DD: Amelia 6/11/03

[Wilsmom]

Thanks, Kelly, for starting this up!

Wilsmom (Elisim on WC)
Me: Suzanne (30)
DH: Keith (40)
DS: Wil 6/20/03

[clzj]

clzj
Me: Lynn 31
DH: Charles 30
DSS: Zachary 10
DS: Isaiah 4/24/03
Edd: 11/20/05-not finding out the sex

Congrats Kelly on the new bundle

[jarm]

OMG Kelly! Did I miss the announcement or is this it? Congrats to you!

Jarm (jctweets on WC)
Me: Jodi (27)
DH: Ray (25)
DD: Arlyn - 6.2.03

ETA: Nevermind...saw it on LJ! Still a huge congrats to you, Kurt and Morgan!

[mommy2AlliWill]

Hi all- checking in.

[mom2amelia]

I'm so glad everyone's coming over. Now we just have to find the rest of the group and steer them over there. This is MUCH better than the new WC in terms of readability and useability, I think.

[Kellymb75]

Thanks Lynn and Jodi. I announced it on WC (like anyone goes there anymore) and in my LJ.

I'm sure more will come as word gets spread.

Hey Joann, you didn't follow protocol. What are you thinking? You knew I'd call you on it! :D

[mommy2AlliWill]

WC, LJ here...ohmigosh it is too much. Of course I didn't follow protocal, I haven't figured out where I am yet :D



joann on wc
me: Joann 33
dh: Chip 38
Alli 6/11/03
Will 09/03/04

[mrsschu]

this is all too confusing (although i'm here, aren't i?). i am glad to see a lot of you girls here. anyway, here are my stats:

mrsschu (same on LJ; mrs.schu on wc)
me: mrsschu (36)
DH: mr.schu (36)
DD: zoe (6/9/03)

btw, i am also (usually) on LJ; i'm mrsschu there too, so friend me if you are there and haven't yet (if you want)!

happy belated bday to aidan!!!!!!!! (if dotsie makes it here)

[Dotsie]

Dotsie ...Dotsie on the wc

Me - Dorothy 30
Dh - Sean 34
DS - Aidan Patrick June 27, 2003

I'm glad we're all over here now. I'm really sad that I'm no longer on the wc. I was on there for 5 years. I can't believe how bad the new format is....blech!

Congrats on baby #2 Kelly.

[hisdaffodil]

hisdaffodil
Me: Sheree (24)
DH: John (35)
DS: Emerson - 5/28/03
EDD a BOY - 9/15/05

I found it! Yay!!

Congrats Kelly! :D

[kdevita]

kdevita
me: Karie (30)
DH: George (29)
DD: Aubrey - 5/17/03

Thanks Kelly!! Glad I found it!
Congratulations ...tell us more!

[Kellymb75]

YAY! I'm glad so many are coming on over! It's sad to see the WC go but really their new boards just aren't very user friendly IMO.

Thank you all for the congratulations. Really there isn't much to tell about my pregnancy. I found out a week ago today after getting 2 BFN's so I was pretty sure I wasn't pregnant so it was a very nice surprise. My guess is that my due date is Feb. 26, 2006 but I could be off a little on that since my cycles the last few months were a little odd. We already have our names picked out (which is odd to me) and anyone that's guessed so far has said boy.

[tin roof rusted]

i was gomer on wc.

me: meribeth, 29
dh: tim, 32
ds: liam, 5/10/03

[mom2amelia]

OMG, MB, I had no idea that was you. I saw you in the 2-year old tread and I was wondering who you were. Yay. I'm so glad you're over here.

[Kellymb75]

OMG, MB, I had no idea that was you. I saw you in the 2-year old tread and I was wondering who you were. Yay. I'm so glad you're over here.
Ditto! Cyndi beat me to it! :)

[kdevita]

Meribeth!! Long time no chat!! Glad to see you!!

[tin roof rusted]

LOL! I was trying to decide if I should go incognito. ;) I'm no good at that, though.

So good to see you all over here. :) I'd love to keep this thread going. I can't wait to read about everything our babies (kids?) are doing now.

Karie, great to see you again!!

[mommy2AlliWill]

Meribeth- Wow! It is nice to "see" you again!

So glad everyone is finding it okay.

[Adrianna14]

Hello... thought I may as well register here. I rarely posted on WC anymore... but I read every now and then. Never made it to LJ, either. I have no time to breathe at home, let alone keep up on the internet anymore... my, how life has changed!!! :rolleyes:

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say HI.

Hunter turned 2 on the 22nd. He is BUSY BUSY but so much fun. He is the little cassanova of his daycare - I can't count the number of girlfriends he has. :D Avery is getting bigger any day... my official due date is July 16th - but I am looking like she will come any day. We'll see. I hope she doesn't come too early - today was my first full day off of work, so I want to enjoy my 2 weeks off before she comes!!!

Congrats Kelly... I saw the ticker you posted on WC, and figured thats what you meant!

Stats:
Adrianna14
me: Tanya (32)
DH: Greg (29)
DS: Hunter - 6/22/03
DD: Avery - July 2005!

[jarm]

Wow! It's so great that so many of us are shifting over and at least popping in to say hi. Hopefully we can all keep up. I know how hard it is with a toddler.

My aunt is coming to visit tomorrow so I have to clean today. I hate cleaning! I'm up before Arlyn so I should get a start. Deep breath...going to do it!

[jarm]

Hey guys...was just thinking about the gtg. Did anything ever materialize?

[Dotsie]

I haven't heard anything about the GTG either. I have to admit I haven't been the best at posting either. I have been really busy with being a mom, system analyst, and realtor...whew!!! I didn't realize I would be as busy as I am. Sean is on the baby bandwagon again. I think we'll get into the swing of things next year. I can't think about another one just yet. Although I am amazed at how fast Aidan is growing up. He can have a full conversation with you now!! He is also telling us when he has to pee. He tells us he has to go "stinkies" only after he has gone. We have to get the timing down on that one :rolleyes:

[mommy2AlliWill]

Jodi & Dorothy- we are getting together in DC August 6 although we haven't pinned down exactly where yet. Dorothy, if you are still up for going we can carpool.

Adrianna- Wow! Avery is on the way. Can't wait to hear how Hunter likes being a big brother.

[hisdaffodil]

Glad to see everyone showing up!!!!

Come on down Avery!! :)

Quick question... Did any of our group have Gestational Diabetes?? My doc just told me that my blood sugar was 391 after the 1 hour Glucose test. She's not doing the 3 hour one :confused: just said it was so high she wants me to see a specialist to get on insulin! I'm a little freaked out. I thought you always got the followup if you failed the 1st and that most women passed the 3 even if they failed the 1. Anyone have a clue? And what can I expect with GD, if any of ya'll had it?

Thanks! We're off to DH's doc's appt to see if they can tell him anything else about his tumor....

[mommy2AlliWill]

hisdaffodil- I had it with Alli, but not with Will. I never had to go to insulin was able to control through diet however MDB did have insulin. She may have some insight for you. Sorry you are having to deal with it, I remember how hard the diet restrications were when you were already watching what you would eat. Good luck!!

[clzj]

HD-good luck.

Also I don't remember who did cloth diapers but I am wondering how it went? And what did you all need.

[mom2amelia]

Well, I'll just respond to everyone! I was on insulin and I use cloth diapers :D

HD- what do you want to know? The insulin isn't half as bad as I'd imagined and I actually had a less restrictive diet because of it. I tried to control my blood sugars for 2 days on my own and then they moved me to insulin. I took four shots a day and tested my blood sugar four times a day - resting, breakfast, lunch, dinner. It was a hassle, but not the end of the world. I kept reminding myself that there are kids with diabetes who have to do this every day for the rest of their lives, and I only had to do it for a few months. Helped keep things in perspective.

clzj - we've used cloth since Amelia was born. We do use 'sposies when we're out of the house for an extended time and for sleep (could never find a good enough nighttime system). It's gone great so far. I can't remember what my stash was when she was born, but I know we used fitted diapers with a cover during the newborn phase and then experimented with lots of diapers as she got bigger. Eventually we settled on Fuzzi Bunz and that's what we've used exclusively for over a year now. I highly recommend the CDing thread (I'm sure there's one over here now). It's very helpful when you're just getting started. Colleen at Naturalbabies.com is very knowledgable and helpful too. If you email her and tell her you're preparing for a newborn, she'll advise you one what you need. She's great.

Dotsie - you'd better be coming to the GTG, Kelly and I are dying to meet Aidan.

[clzj]

mom2amelia-are you a SAHM?

[mom2amelia]

I'm not a SAHM right now. I was for a little while when Amelia was around 6months old, and I might be again soon, but for now I work full-time.

[clzj]

As a working mom did you find that cloth diapers were a problem? I will only be home for about 7 weeks with the new little one.

[mom2amelia]

No, I didn't find it to be a problem, especially in the beginning when the diapers don't really smell anyway. We did (still do) diapers about every 2 days. You just have to have enough to diaper with while the laundry is going. Kissaluvs (the fitteds we used) take a long time to dry too. You could throw them in the machine in the morning to let them soak and run the hot wash when you get home. Now that Amelia's poops go in the toilet not the pail, we don't do the soak cycle anymore. I also have a nanny now, so she does diapers during the week, which makes it really easy on me ;). As they get older it just gets easier.

[Adrianna14]

Just wanted to pop in and say "no Avery yet"... still just hangin' out at home and waiting... I'm enjoying my time off!!! (Hunter is still at daycare, so I am totally relaxing at home.... its sooooooo nice) :p

I'm hoping she'll be born next week sometime. My whole family is out of town this weekend for my nephew's wedding, so coming this weekend would not be the most ideal - no one around to watch Hunter for us!!

[Dotsie]

I'm pretty sure that Aidan and I will be attending the GTG. I can't wait to meet all the people that I feel I know already :)
Joann - I'm not sure about car pooling. Aidan's carseat is in like it's part of the car. It took DH about 3 hours to get it like that. We could certainly drive "together" though. We could meet up and then hit the highway.
Adrianna - Good luck with impending mommyhood again. I love the name Avery. I always liked Avery Rose but with our last name her initials would be ARM....not very nice :p
Aidan's bday party is Sunday. We have 44 people coming. I can't wait. The weather is supposed to be sunny and 90. Perfect. I will have tons of pics to post......if I can figure out how on this site.

[jarm]

I am so jealous about the GTG. I so wanna go! I'll be in class, though, that's supposed to be a lot of fun. I'm hoping to take at least a weekend trip sometime in August to PA, so maybe Joann, Dotsie and myself (and any others around) can meet at Sesame Place or something.

[Dotsie]

Jody - we have season passes to Sesame. I've taken Aidan several times already. He likes it but he will not go in any of the water rides. He won't even get wet in Ernie's sprinkler land :rolleyes:
I'm free all of August so let me know!!

[mom2amelia]

Happy Monday everyone. Just popping in to see how everyone's weekend was. Ours was uneventful. We had a party Saturday night for Rob's work, so my in-laws came in to watch Amelia. They had a blast. We had a so-so time. Rob played tennis and volleyball all weekend, so Amelia and I spent the weekend being spectators. At least we got to be outside.

Hope everyone had a nice relaxing weekend. The summer is going so fast, isn't it?

[jarm]

Shhh...the summer cannot go too fast. I have a field project to complete. It stinks! I can't find what I wanted to do. Ugh! Oh well...

I thought about it afterwards, but I probably could've made it on the 6 (it's a Saturday, right?), but now my stepmom's coming from Florida to visit, which I begged her to do. Oh well...

[jarm]

Hello???

[Dotsie]

HI, we're still here. I've been super busy. I'm on vacation for the next week and I'm cleaning my house like a mad woman. I finally have the time to deep clean.
Aidan's bday party was on Sunday. It was so much fun. There was about 50 people there (and that was small for us). We had it at a local private park that caters the party as well. It has pools, ponies, miniature golf, etc. I'll post pics soon.
We're kicking around the thought of moving. We live on a really busy street and with Aidan getting older we don't really want to take the risk (God forbid) of something happening to him. We still have a lot to get done on our house so it won't be for another year or so.
Next year we are also going to try for #2. This time next year actually. I'm really excited about it. It finally struck me as I was getting rid of Aidan's bottles and whatnot yesterday that I am ready for another baby. It's weird how it hits you all of a sudden.
Have a great weekend everyone.

[mom2amelia]

50 people??? One of these years I'm coming to Philly for Aidan's birthday party!

Jodi - I'm bummed that you can't come to the GTG. We'll have to make it an annual thing.

Dotsie - you're coming, right?

I think I'm quitting my job today. Scary, huh? I've been thinking about it for awhile and it's just time. I'm hoping they'll let me continue to work until they find my replacement. I'd love to stay until December so that my leaving coincides with Rob's bonus. Plus, I'll be about 5.5 months pregnant then, so I'll still have plenty of time with Amelia before baby #2 gets here, but I'll be pregnant enough that I'm sure I'll be relieved not to have to go to work everyday.

In other news, we signed the contract yesterday with the builder who's going to renovate our kitchen. I cannot wait to get started. It's only an update, not a major remodel, but I'm so happy to be getting rid of the world's ugliest countertops.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. We are getting our carpets cleaned tomorrow. Yay!!! Sad that that's the most exciting thing I can think of.

[clzj]

Mom2amelia-Congrats on #2

[mom2amelia]

Thanks Lynn.

[jarm]

Dotsie - Isn't it weird how it hits you about another baby? I'm still going back and forth. I feel like it's got to be this year or not at all, but this fall I'm finishing my Master's so I don't want to chance having awful m/s during those classes. Plus Ray started his new job and won't have time accumulated until July. Lots of things for us to think about.

Cyndi - I'm so bummed that I can't make it. Good luck with quitting today.


Just wanted to pop in and tell you guys about a potty training kit offer. Here's the link (http://www.charmin.com/en_us/pages/offers.shtml)

[Adrianna14]

Cyndi ~
I didn't know you were expecting #2... congrats!!!

******************************
Well, I'm still here... waiting for Avery. Official due date was the 16th. I could have sworn that she would have come early, but I guess I was wrong!! 2 days late and I'm still not feeling anything! I'm in no huge rush - I am excited to meet her, yet I know how my life will change drastically so I am just enjoying my last few days of relaxing. Plus, each day late she is... is another day I get added to my maternity leave! ha..ha... :) We have an induction scheduled for the 26th if she isn't here by then. I DO NOT want to be induced AT ALL, so you'll find me jogging around the block if she isn't here by the 24th. :D

[mom2amelia]

Tanya - Thanks. I made an announcment on LJ, but I just kind of slipped it in over here. I haven't known about it for too long ;).

I can't believe Avery isn't here yet. You are so patient. I hope you don't have to be induced. Are you planning to go back to work after your maternity leave it up?

***********************************
I didn't quit my job. Well, I tried, but it didn't take. My boss basically turned it all around and said, "we can work it out . . ." Somehow she didn't *accept* my resignation. It was quite bizarre. I posted more details about it in my LJ. Anyway, I think I'll try to quit again at the end of August. Maybe then she'll know I'm serious.

[Dotsie]

Cyndi - Congrats on #2. We're going to start trying in November. I want to lose about 20-30 lbs before I get pg again.

[mom2amelia]

Thanks Dotsie. I also wanted to lose weight before getting pregnant with #2, but we've been trying since Amelia was about 7 months old, and I manged to lose most of the pregnancy weight, but I still haven't lost the post-wedding weight. I'd love to be about 15 lbs lighter than I am now, but it's too late now. I had actually just started back on Weight Watchers the week before I got my BFP. I lost 5 lbs the first week and gained .5 the second. I didn't go back after that!!

[Dotsie]

I'm 55 lbs heavier than I was on my wedding day just 4 years ago. I put on 15 lbs about a year after the wedding due to me having knee surgery and being laid up for 5 months. Right after that I got pg and gained about 60lbs with that. I want to get down to where I was when I got pg with Aidan.

[jarm]

Dorothy - You're going to start TTC in this November? Hmmm...we *might* be pg again together! ;)

Adrianna - I'm so sorry that Avery's not here yet, although you don't sound upset by it. I would be really anxious!

Arlyn news
We moved her to the twin bed last week. She was going through some separation anxiety and so I would climb into bed with her and sleep with her...better than trying to get her to go back to sleep and then me being wide awake! We went and bought her a "big girl" bedroom set. It'll be delivered on July 30...I can't wait!

Our anniversary is this week and I have nothing for Ray...not even a card. Oh well...I'm sure I'll think of something.

I'm starting to stress out about my project. It's due a week from today and I don't have the books that I really want to read for the project yet. They should be here sometime this week.

Ohhh...we took Arlyn to the carnival on Friday. She had a ball coming down the big slide with her Daddy. She also went on the carousel and the "berry" go round.

[Dotsie]

Jody - That would be so awesome if I could be pg with one of you guys. I can't believe how excited I am about ttc. My best friend (I think I told you about her) was pg with a baby with a birth defect. She was due in Sept. but the baby passed away in June. I was devastated along with her. She will be ttc again in Sept so that would be nice if she and I could be pg together.

[tin roof rusted]

Dotsie, i kwym about wanting to lose weight before ttc. i am ~30 lbs heavier than when i got married--it sucks. but we are ttc anyway, and i'm just in denial. someday i will lose this weight...someday...

[mom2amelia]

After we all have #2 we'll just start a new thread "AMJ 03 Moms - THE DIET!" and we'll all lose weight together.

[jarm]

Great idea Cyndi!

Meribeth -- I saw your post in the Connecticut thread. Didn't know you were from CT!

[Dotsie]

I started low carb yesterday. I'm doing o.k. so far :rolleyes: Like I said I want to lose about 30 lbs before I get pg. My best friend lost about 45 lbs and then got pg and said it was soo hard to see herself gaining all that weight back. She told me to just get pg and forget about losing weight. I don't want to do that because I can feel the weight is taking it's toll on my body. My back is constantly hurting. I normally weigh in at 130. I'm 185 right now. That's way too much for my body to handle. Then if I get pg that at least another 30 lbs. uh-huh. No thanks.
Was anyone else scared about #2? I keep thinking about finances and the fact our house needs fixing up etc. It's almost like I'm convincing myself to not have #2 when I know we both want another baby.

[jarm]

Definitely having issues...especially with the financial aspect. We're still in an apartment, and I don't see us moving into a house anytime soon. I think that if we hold off on 2 that maybe we'll be able to get ourselves into a house, but then I don't want a huge gap between kids so I feel like it's now or never. I'm not really sold on having a second, though. I know it doesn't make sense...it doesn't to me.

As far as losing weight, I'm going to try and do so much better and have most of this extra weight go to the baby...do you think that's possible? I'm hoping it can be!

[clzj]

I was back to the same weight i was with Isaiah and as of my 20 week appointment I have only gained 2 pounds.

[jarm]

Thank you clzj! You give me some hope!

[tin roof rusted]

yes, jodi--i have long since moved away ;) but CT is definitely my home. did you grow up there, too?

[jarm]

I grew up in Connecticut...still here. Somehow can't leave. I would like to move to PA, but I've acquired tenure, and don't particularly want to start all over again. I also work at one of the top elementary schools in our state, and I know I can get Arlyn in there, so we're not going anywhere.

[Adrianna14]

Cyndi ~ Yep, I'm going back to work after Avery arrives. I get 6 weeks off for maternity after she is here, and then I'm adding on 2 weeks of my vacation - so 8 weeks total. Not a lot of time off, but we can't afford to not have me work. We just moved to a different house and I have a good paying job with excellent insurance, bonuses, stock, etc.... so me leaving voluntarily would be a bad choice right now. Have to pay the bills! Oh, and save for college, etc! I think I may go crazy if I were a stay at home mom, anyway, so although it will be soooo sad to bring Avery to daycare, that is best for all of us, I think. Hunter loves it there - and she will go to the same one as he does - and we LOVE the infant teacher --- so I am so happy she will be taking care of Avery. Hunter is one of her favorite children in the whole center, so I know she'll be showing Avery extra special attention. ;)

Speaking of which.... still no Avery yet!!!! 3 days late and counting.

Weight.....
I didn't lose all the weight I gained with Hunter (35 pounds) before I got pg, so I was like 25 pounds over my wedding weight when I got pg. again. I have only gained 18 pounds total with this pregnancy, though!! I think its because I already had all that "extra" on me, so didn't need to gain all the extra body weight... I just gained the necessary baby weight, etc. Plus, all I've been craving is fruit the whole time, so that may have helped, too!! So, there is hope for all of you that still have some extra weight on you that are ttc #2... you may not gain as much the second time around.

I WILL LOSE IT THIS TIME..... I am so sick of being "fat" -- I never have been before in my life -- I want to fit in all my cute clothes I used to wear!!! :) :(

[laralu]

Hi all. It took me a while to come over here.

Don't even get me started on weight loss. I still have 10 lbs to go to get to pre-pregnancy weight with Katarina. I have, thankfully, lost all the Leo weight.

[kdevita]

Laralu! Hey! How are you? Congrats on #2!
I didnt know you had him but of course by now you must have. More info please!

Im back to my pre-Aubrey weight but a helluva lot flabbier and grosser looking, so would like to get in better shape before TTC #2 whenever the heck that may be!

[laralu]

Hi Karie! Leo is 4 months now. I can't believe how fast time goes by. He is a really happy baby now that his colic has subsided and is being treated for reflux. Basically, her was the same as Katarina the first 3 months.

You really need to get yourself over to LJ. Nicknack is over there. Why aren't you. Are you still working? How's Aubrey. I miss seeing her beautiful eyes! Do you still have my email? My hard drive died and I replaced it a while back so I lost everyone's email.

[kdevita]

Laralu,
I wish I had time to get over to LJ. I barely have time to check in here. Ive long ago given up on Aubre's journal sadly and this is the only thread I ever make it into. One day when I am a SAHM I will remedy that and will be EVERYWHERE! :D

I just emailed you to see if that was your correct email..

[Adrianna14]

Well, I had my 40 week dr. appt today. I had to see another dr. since mine was out of town. She checked me and I was 3 cm..... and then almost instantly she said "where does this baby kick you???" I knew exactly what she meant. She rolled in the portable ultrasound machine, and yep..... SHE IS BREECH!!!! UGH. She wasn't always that way... at my 22 week US she was head down, but I know a lot can change since then.

She moves SO MUCH.... so who knows when it happened or if my regular dr. missed something or maybe it just happend this week, who knows. I am so bummed! So I was given the option of trying to turn her, or just going for the C section. I am not excited about either option. I am going to have them try to turn her on Friday at noon... and if it doesn't work, I am going to do the C section. I am hoping she will turn back on her own - as I said, she moves so much - she is moving around right now. The good thing is that since this is my second, turning sometimes has more of a success rate.... BUT since I'm 40 weeks, she is also pretty big.

UGH. I know Joann tried this and it failed and she said it hurt. I also read some other posts that said it worked for them - and it was quick and didn't hurt. So, if if doesn't work for me within the first few minutes, I'm telling them to forget it and I'll just do the C section.

This girl is already causing me problems and she's not even a teenager yet!

:) :(

[hisdaffodil]

Oh Adrianna! I'm sorry! I'm having the same problem, so far, if it's any consolation. Except my stubbon kiddo has been breech almost the entire time. butt down, head up, and hands and feet up by his face, folded up like a big ole taco. So far he hasn't turned either, although I've still got a few weeks. But since he's been this way the whole time, I've been able to panic and worry about it a lot. I hope they're able to turn her for you! But if not, you'll have that beautiful girl in your hands soon, at least!

I got back to pre-pg weight with Emerson before this pg. I've gained about 30 lbs so far this time :eek: and hope to get it all off by Christmas!

Good luck with those ttc 2, I'd love to see more babies in here!

speakin of which, how ya doing Kelly??

[jarm]

Adrianna - That stinks! When I was pg with Arlyn, I insisted she was going to be breech, but was relieved that she was "normal" when I went to the doctor a few weeks before the due date. The following week they said that she was breech. There was no way she had changed...I don't think anyway, and I could tell that her head was hitting my ribs the entire time. It's better to know now that she's breech instead of when you're about to deliver. DH was a month early and breech and MIL had to deliver him naturally! Ouch!!!

[mommy2AlliWill]

Karie- so glad to see you over here!!! I wish you could LJ but I understand the time crunch. I was afraid we had lost you with no more WC.

Adrianna- I did have a horrible experience with version but I know other people who said theirs weren’t as bad. I think my doctor just tried a little too hard. I also think (& I’m no expert) there is a higher success rate if you have already had a baby because your uterus has stretched further & has more “give”. Hope she turns on her own though. Amelia turned for Cyndi at the last minute, maybe Avery will be accommodating too:)

I have a need for post-babies weight loss too. I think I am up about 40 pounds from pre- kids. It is depressing but at the same time I am not motivated enough right now to do anything about it. KWIM.

[jarm]

I know exactly what you mean, Joann!

Ohh...I mentioned it on LJ, but I'm thinking about trying to get to PA August 11-13 (going to try to recruit a friend to go with me so I'm not travelling alone). My thought in this is that Kelly could come to Sesame Place along with Dorothy and Joann...I'm going to say on the 12th. What do you guys think? If anyone else is around there, too, you're more than welcome. I have to call and see if I can have a place to stay and if I can recruit someone to come for the ride with me. I hate driving through New York by myself.

[mom2amelia]

Karie - I too wish you'd come over to LJ, but totally get why you don't. I hope we'll see a little more of you over here.

Tanya- oh man, that sucks! I hope she turns on her own for you. I did every trick in the book to get Amelia to turn. On Friday afternoon she was transverse breech and I scheduled a version for Monday morning. Between Friday and Monday I had DH talk to the baby way down low on my belly, I laid head down feet up, I put a flashlight up to my you-know-what, I did something similar to a downward dog pose, and probably some other things that I don't remember. (I found tips for turning online). Sometime Sunday night, I think, she turned, because when I went in Monday for the version she was already head down. She was born a week later, vaginally. I've heard good and bad stories about versions. The doctor who was scheduled to do mine has something like a 90% success rate and it takes about 15 minutes. I think there's some skill involved, not just any OB should be doing it.

Sheree - when are you due?

[Kellymb75]

Tanya, I hope Avery turns on her own, hopefully she'll be a little bit cooperative for her mommy. I also hope you don't have to worry about being pregnant too much longer.

I'm hanging in there, the "pukey monster" as Morgan calls it has decided to come visit but it's manageable for the most part so far. I'm spending far more time then I'd like in the bathroom but it's for a good cause, right? I have to keep reminding myself of that. I've already really popped, I feel huge considering I'm only about 8.5 weeks pregnant.

My next ob appointment isn't until August 15 so by then we will definitely be able to hear a heartbeat since I'll be 12 weeks. We're heading to the Poconos next month for two weeks and I'm so excited. I'm going to get to meet several "imaginary" friends and hang out in a resort. It should be fun.

I think we're going to send out postcards to family and friends we don't tell in person and on the front we'll have Morgan in her I'm going to be a big sister shirt and on the back say something along the lines of how Morgan wanted to be the first to share the exciting news. Get ready for the newest addition arriving February 2006. If anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

[hisdaffodil]

I'm due Sept 15th ish. I'm aiming for more like end of August/1st of September :D Emerson was 3 weeks early, so why can't I get this one out early??

So the doc thinks I have 8 weeks left, and I think i have 6. ;) Plenty of turning time, if he was only so cooperative. If he'd ever been in a head down position, I might have hope, but he seems to be fixed on his current orientation.

I'll have to hunt down that website for turning tricks. I'm desperate not to have a C, although I'll be okay if I do have to. I just don't need to be out of work as long as a C will require, plus I'm a total wuss on recovery pains. And too vain to wish a scar. And I want my Mom in there, and I can only have DH if it's a C, etc etc.

[clzj]

Tanya and HD-As a c-section with the first the recovery time is not that bad. The worst thing with it is not being able to use your stomach muscles. You use those muscles for everything. I am going to have a repeat c in Nov and I am looking at being back to work after 6 weeks/7weeks. My scar is only visable to me. You can still wear a bikini if you want. Most if not all c-sections are a bikini cut and that is in your pubic hair line. Feel free to ask all the questions you want about a c-section I have had one. My dr even said that if I was dying to have a vag delivery this time I could try it and I truely don't have a desire to have vag delivery. I know that there are some that don't want the time it takes to recover. With my first I was driving after a week. One of the big things is you need to be up and moving around

[Adrianna14]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone! I am going to try some of those things that I read online and what Cyndi suggested to get her to maybe turn on her own. You never know!!! Flashlight, here we come! :D

I don't have anything totally against having a C section (ie: I'm not concerned about recovery, I won't feel like I "failed" if its not a V birth again, etc.) I guess I'm more concerned about the actual surgery itself. I've never had surgery. I know its done all the time - it just doesn't excite me too much. Plus I bled a lot having Hunter naturally and it didn't stop quickly, and I'm scared about the bleeding in surgery. (a good friend of mine had to have a transfusion since she didn't stop bleeding and I could see myself going that same road). But if that is what it takes to get her out, then I guess that is what it will have to be! I just hope it all goes textbook, either way!

I'll update everyone when we get home... Sunday or Monday ish!

[jarm]

Adrianna - So the way I read it, you're going in for the version tomorrow, but if it's unsuccessful then you will be having a c-section tomorrow? Best of luck to you!!!

[kdevita]

Wish I could get over to LJ too! I'm usually here checking in once a day even if I don't post Im reading...crazy busy at work...boo!

C-section terrifies me, the whole being sliced open and my guts rearranged skeeves me out, but of course wouldn't hestitate if needed to be done.
This is so exciting with all the babies coming along fast and furious! Seems like yesterday you were all announcing your BFPs!

For you preggos, does the 2nd pregnancy go much faster because you have your hands full with toddler?

Best of luck Adrianna! Hope she turns around for ya RIGHT NOW! Can't wait to hear the good news! :D

[Lisa]

hey I'm here now too! Please add me
[B]me- Lisa
DH-Matt
DS Ethan 6-17-03
DD Lauryn Grace 2-28-05

[hisdaffodil]

kdev - in a sense, it does go faster... But on the other hand, I'm so darn busy, I haven't had time to really do the things with this one that I did last time, like the weekly belly shots, keeping the prego journal, etc. Plus it's been really hard because Emerson is a toddler, he wants things, wants to spend time with me, wants me to play with him, and I just can't do what I could before. It's caused many an emotional meltdown with me. I feel so bad for the little guy. I can't go outside so much because the heat is causing me problems,a nd he loves being outside. I can't hold him as much or for as long, he's just too heavy! I can't chase him down, and i'm just more tired in general. Plus my lap is pretty much gone and he hates that. So it's been rougher, on more people, but it has gone a little faster, with the result that i'm totally not ready and have nothing prepared. Heh.

Good luck Adrianna!

clzj - thanks for your thoughts on the c! 6-7 weeks is way too long, financially, for me to be out of work, which is part of why I'm so concerned about having one. Plus my job is VERY physically demanding and my doc will totally not release me after that short a time, or so she's indicating. I don't know. I'll be okay if I have one, it'll just set us back a bit. I'm definitely glad to hear the scar isn't too bad!

[clzj]

Today when I got home from work Isaiah was so cute. I had his truck up on a sand pail. He was fixing his truck. The pail was his jack. I didn't get a picture of it though. Maybe next time.

[kdevita]

clzj-that is too cute!

HD-Hmmm that doesnt make it sound very fun... ;)

Have to tell you Aubrey's new goodbye ritual besides saying "I love you too mama" which KILLS me every time, is she waits at the door as Im leaving and asks me if I have my keys, then if I have my purse, then as Im leaving she yells "Wear seatbelt Mama!" and waves "Bye Mama" as Im leaving. It kills me and Im late for work every day because of our last minute goodbyes!

[mom2amelia]

karie - that is so cute! Don't they just melt your heart?

clzj - how cute is that?

Tanya - I'm guessing you must have had that baby girl by now, right? I hope it all went well. We'll anxiously be awaiting pictures.

[Dotsie]

I am so sorry that I haven't been posting like I should be. Things here are good. Aidan is getting bigger by the second and is talking so much that there are times that I actually ask him for "quiet" time. He's a motor mouth just like his mommy :p
I started taking my prenatal vitamins last week. I still get a little nervous taking them because I know that when *if* I get pg again it's a life altering moment. DH and I are getting really excited about it though. I started doing low carb this week and so far so good. I would like to knock off at least 30 lbs before we start TTC in October.
I have an appt in NYC in September. Is anyone familiar with the area of the Upper West Side? If you are can you help me with hotel recommendations? I've been to NYC once and that was in 1987 on a class trip.

[mom2amelia]

Dotsie - Kelly, Joann and I have been emailing you about the GTG. Have you gotten any of them? Email one of us, or respond here if you haven't gotten them so we can get you up to speed. Good luck with the low carb thing. I've seen it work wonders.

[Dotsie]

aack. I never check my email. When is the GTG again? Where are we all meeting up?

[jarm]

Dorothy -- I also emailed you about going to Sesame Place on the 11th, and possibly Crayola Factory in case of rain. Can you make it?

[Kellymb75]

Dorothy, we're meeting Saturday August 6 in Baltimore, we're going to hit up the aquarium around 10:30 and then probably do lunch and then maybe hit up the Children's Science Museum. Check your email, you must have a zillion from us by now.

Also, I'm doing Sesame Place with Jodi and Joann because I'll be in the Poconos then. Hopefully you'll be able to make one of the GTG's if not both.

[Adrianna14]

Hi everyone.... Avery is here!

Avery Elizabeth
July 22, 2005 2:22 PM
9lbs, 3oz

She totally doesn't look like she was that big... I think she porked up since she was a week late. :p

I went in at noon on the 22nd... and we tried the version. It wasn't that bad. I was scared that it was going to hurt on the inside more, and it actually hurt on the outside more... ie: skin on skin contact of the doctor pushing on my skin and trying to turn at the same time. She just tried twice - and Avery didn't budge - so we didn't try again. So, it was just like a minute total that I had to go through - so it wasn't bad at all. Definitely glad that I tried it.

So, I was next in line for surgery... they got me all ready, I walked in, and she was born via C section. It all went great. I was scared about feeling the tugging/pushing that I heard you can still feel with a spinal. Well, aparantly I take to a spinal great... becasue I didn't feel a darn thing. Not a tug, push, nothing. I was so happy - becasue any of that would have freaked me out!

When they pulled her out, her legs were straight up along side her and her feet were up by her head, so it looks like she had been that way for a while - guess my doctor missed it - I don't think she turned last minute.

She is a WONDERFUL baby - so sweet and sleeps a lot. Breastfeeding went great from day 1. So, we are really lucky.
Recovery is going well. My stomach muscles hurt and its hard to get up, but otherwise, I think I can compare this to the recovery of having Hunter. I still had stitches with Hunter.... they were just in "other" places. :rolleyes: :) And actually those were harder to deal with, since I felt like I couldn't go to the bathroom for like ever!!!!

I have 8 weeks off of work, paid, for maternity. And then I'm taking 2 more off for vacation.... so I am looking forward to my 10 weeks off and spending itme with her. I could take more time off (unpaid) for family leave - but we can't afford me to take unpaid leave now, so I'll just have to enjoy my 10 weeks.

*******************************
On a different note... that Sesame Place sounds great - I wish we had fun things like that around here!! Hunter would LOVE a place like that... he is obsessed with Sesame Street.

[jarm]

Welcome Avery! At least you tried the version, unlike this wuss who refused! ;) Just putting in a request for pictures when you get a second! :)

[mom2amelia]

CONGRATULATIONS TANYA AND WELCOME AVERY ELIZABETH

Any chance we'll get to see some pictures soon?

[Dotsie]

WELCOME TO THE WORLD AVERY ELIZABETH, MAY YOUR STAY BE A LONG AND HAPPY ONE!!!

I'm in for Sesame but I don't think I'll be in for the Baltimore one. Sorry guys.

[akwifeandmomma]

Tanya! Wow--I don't even remember knowing you were pregnant, and here you've had a baby!

Congratulations!

[Adrianna14]

Thanks everyone. I'll post pics soon - I just tried with snapfish, and it didn't work. Does snapfish work on this site? I don't put it past myself that I did it wrong, though. :) I'll check into it further when I have more time.... need to go make some dinner right now - starving 2 year old. :D

[Kellymb75]

Congratulations Tanya! I look forward to pictures!

I'm sorry you can't make Baltimore Dorothy. I look forward to meeting you in PA though.

[kdevita]

Hooray CONGRATULATIONS!! Welecome Avery! What does Hunter think about his new baby sister?

[Adrianna14]

Hunter is doing really good with Avery. He kisses her all the time and says "nice baby" and "my baby". BUT - we can also tell that he is vying for attention... his volume level has increased like 3x, and he is a total whirlwind around the house at night when he comes home from daycare. That is to be expected, though, so we are doing our best to tell him what a good boy he is... how helpful he is... how we love him, etc. Sometimes when I'm holding her he'll come up and say "my mommy!". So, he is still trying to make sure he's not being replaced. But, he hasn't shown any bad attitude toward the baby, so that is good.

OK, hopefully this works this time!

One day old....
http://images.snapfish.com/3445884%3B23232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2345%3D%3B6%3A%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E232399437%3A688ot1lsi

Hunter sees Avery for the first time....
http://images.snapfish.com/3445884%3B23232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2345%3D%3B6%3A%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E2323994378273ot1lsi

Going home....
http://images.snapfish.com/3445884%3B23232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2345%3D%3B6%3A%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E2323994378275ot1lsi

[Kellymb75]

Avery is gorgeous Tanya. Look at Hunter, he's gotten pretty big but he still has that ADORABLE baby face that I love on toddlers.

I'm so glad that overall Hunter is doing well in the adjustment to being a big brother. I know some day he'll be protecting her like crazy, chasing boys away and just an all around great big brother.

[kdevita]

Beautiful pictures! Avery is adorble! Hunter too!
Glad things are going well.. "my mommy" is too cute!

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Kellymb75]

I leave tomorrow for the Poconos, well really we go to my mom's tomorrow to break up the drive and head to the Poconos on Sunday. I can't wait! I get to meet Joann, Jodi and Dorothy and get to see Cyndi again. This should be tons of fun. I'm also meeting some other LJ/WC friends as well. I seriously cannot wait.

I probably won't be around much for the next 2 weeks because we'll only have dial up where we're staying.

Have a great weekend and a great 2 weeks everyone! See you soon Cyndi, Dorothy, Joann and Jodi!

[mom2amelia]

Tanya - she is gorgeous. I think I see a resemblance between her and Hunter. Am I right? Good luck and please come back with more pictures.

Kelly - can't wait till next week! Have a great trip. Call me.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Cyndi

[jarm]

Avery is adorable, Adrianna! Hunter looks so proud in that picture!

Has anyone had their child give up sippy cups yet? We're trying regular cups, but we're not having much success. Arlyn hates to get anything on her...like freaks out if she spills a drop...so she refuses to drink out of a regular cup.

[Kellymb75]

We are in no rush to get rid of the sippy cups. If Morgan has a cup at a restaurant with a straw she still wants to totally tip it towards her, she made a huge mess last night, she just doesn't get it. She drinks out of bottled water bottles okay most of the time but she still is prone to making a mess. I figure I'll cut back on them when she's able to get how to hold the cup properly without making huge messes.

[Dotsie]

Jody, it's funny you should mention that. We have been transitioning from sippy's to "real" cups and Aidan is the same way. Heaven forbid something gets on him!!!
We just got these cups at BRU yesterday.
This is what they look like (sorry for the HUGE image)http://store1.yimg.com/I/kidsurplus_1856_22918702

So far they are working pretty good. They don't spill at all.

[jarm]

Oh yeah...we had bought one of those, but I think we lost it. Must go get some! Our ped said that we should really be getting her off the sippy's. Good to know that Aidan has luck with them. Thanks Dorothy!

[Adrianna14]

They have them (Hunter's class) drink out of regular cups at daycare... but I'm in no rush to move him off of sippy's at home. Mostly, I don't want the mess around the house. :D He grabs our cups and drinks out of them OK... but if I give him one of his own, I just put it in a sippy. He just doesn't stay still, and don't want him running around the house with a glass.

[Tiffany79]

Hi Guys,
New member here. I have a friends who loves this site so I thought I would give it a try. Nice to see a thread for April '03 moms. Have a DS (Tevor). Would love some advice on the whole pacifier thing...would love to get rid of it, but when we try he always put his hands in his mouth. Any suggestions....also thinking about moving to a big boy bed....do you think getting rid of the pacifier and moving beds is too :confused: much at one time?

[clzj]

I had no problems with moving mine to a big boy bed. He actually chose that bed once it was set up in his room. I have not broken mine of his thumb so no advice on the pacifer.

[Tiffany79]

So Clzj you put up the big boy bed in his room with the crib?
That seems like it would be a good idea....let him get used to the idea then see if he wants to move?

[clzj]

That is what we did. What happened is we are expecting #2 and his new room is being remodeled. My DSS got a new bed and my DS got his old bed and since his new room is not done we just put the twin bed in there to start with. His big boy bed has been up for about 2 months now and he has not once wanted his crib.

[hisdaffodil]

Wow! Avery is so adorable and definitely looks a lot like Hunter! How cute!

Sippy cups - Why'd the doctor say to get her off of them? Just curious. we're mostly on Sippies, but he uses a straw cup just fine when we're out, and he can drink out of our glasses with minimal mess, depending on if he stops or tries to run around with it. :rolleyes:

pacifiers - no help there. DS gave them up himself at 6 months, just wouldnt' take them anymore! Although he did try to steal his cousin's paci last week, which is the 1st time he's shown interest in them since he was a baby.

Beds - Since we co-slept, it was a lot easier to transition him into a big boy bed. He never really got used to a crib at all. It really helped that his daycare puts them to sleep on mats, so he was kinda free of the crib as a sleeping spot idea. We set his toddler bed up in our room and he slept just fine, then once he got used to his own bed, we moved it into his room and it worked out. We ordered his big boy bed last week. His mattress is in there, but the bedframe isn't yet. He loved it at the store so hopefully that transition will go well.

He got his first haircut last week! His first real one, anyway. I've been clipping the curls as they got too long in the back but was too chicken to tackle an actual haircut. He looks so grown up now! :(

Side note - DH goes sometime this month to have his tumor removed. It's apparently a pretty rare type, and in a practically impossible place to biopsy, so we're still not even sure Exactly what it is or if it could be cancerous. It has grown a lot in the last month, so we're pretty worried.

[jarm]

The ped told us to get her off of sippy cups because it's bad for the teeth. That was almost two months ago and she's still using sippy cups. Oh well...

Welcome Tiffany. With re: to the big bed, we transitioned her when she started climbing on the rails and sitting on the top. Talk about heart skipping a beat...that was in February. Her crib converted, and a couple of weeks ago she was really clingy and would wake up several times in the middle of the night. It was just easier to sleep in bed with her, but we didn't fit in the toddler bed, so we moved her to the big bed. We finally got her furniture the other day and I'm happy to say that she LOVES it! Phew!

[mom2amelia]

Hisdaffodil - I hope your DH is ok. Please keep us posted. I'm sure you're scared to death, but hopefully it'll turn out to be nothing at all.

Welcome Tiffany. Sorry I can't help with the pacifier, DD was never much into hers to begin with, so we it away at around 6 months. She's still in a crib, but I think we'll transition her to a big girl bed in the next few months.

[Tiffany79]

Thank you guys for all the advice......I still am unsure of when to transition him. He LOVES his crib and has never tried to climb out. Maybe we will just wait and see....maybe around Christmas.

Hisdaffodil...I am so sorry to hear about your husband. Please keep us updated!! I am sure it will be nothing serious.

Pacifiers....I think that I will just have to take them away and say the Pacifier Fairy came and took them for the children who really needed them....or something like that.

I am interested in why your doc says its bad for the teeth using sippy cups,jarm? DS has been on them since 7 months........

DH and I are thinking of having another baby soon.... What are your thoughts on how far apart you have your children.....

[clzj]

Tiffany-There are a lot of us on here that are expecting #2. Some of our orignial gang had #2 before #1 was 2 or right around the age of 2. My original thought was to have them 3 years apart and my #2 is due in Nov.

[Dotsie]

Welcome Tiffany.

We are going to transition Aidan to his big boy bed in a few months. Right now he sleeps with us so the crib aspect doesn't even factor in. I am a little worried about how he'll react to it but we'll see.

We are going to start TTC in October. I always wanted my kids 3 years apart so that will be right at 3 years maybe a month or so longer.

Aidan is still predominantly on sippy's. He can drink very well out of a regular cup but he likes to run around like a maniac and spill his drink onto the carpets. I took him to his first dentist appt 2 weeks ago. His teeth are find, no cavities but he will need braces. The dentist said while they are babies you want them to have spaces between their teeth. If they don't then their adult teeth won't have enough room to grow in "right" so that is the cause for braces. Aidan has spaces between his top teeth but not the bottom. Good thing our insurance coverage pays for braces :rolleyes:

I sold another house yesterday...Woo-hoo!!! They make settlement in October. I love being a realtor. Every time I go to settlement and get my check it's like Christmas morning as a kid. Tee-hee!!! :D

[kdevita]

Welcome Tiffany!
Im so annoyed I havent been getting any notifications that you've all been chattiway! I'll have to be better about checking in.

No pacifiers here. Aubrey never really liked them. Still 80% on sippy cups. Have you all taken your kids to the dentist? I have not...should I?
My ped said around 3 but Id rather do it earlier if I should.

Tiffany Aubrey is the same way about her crib. Has not tried once to climb out. She does flail around in her sleep alot and usually sleeps sideways in the crib so Im hestitant to put her in a real bed. I know it would have safety bars but shed probably end up head first off the end.

Dotsie-Congrats on your rising career as a realtor! Thats great news! I can imagine how exciting it must be to get that fat check each time! :D

HD-thinking of you and your DH. Hoping its nothing to worry about!!

[Tiffany79]

kdevita...I am with you on the dentist issue. My ped told me around 3 but I was think it should be sooner if they have all their teeth. What does everyone else think.

I also agree with you on the crib situation, kdevita. My DS is all over the crib at night. I also worry that he would roam around in the middle of the night. Am I being toooo paranoid??

I was thinking about having them 3 years apart. I would love to have a little free from diaper duty! Has anyone potty trained yet? If we start TTC it probably would wait until maybe Feb or March.

WTG Dotsie on your sell!! The money can be really good :p

So does everyone have a bunch of friends that have kids? I am the only one in my bunch, so it makes it hard to to couple things with couples that don't have any......any suggestions??

Clzj....congrats!!!!! Do you know if its a boy or girl?

[Dotsie]

omg - Hisdaffodil I forgot to post about your DH. You are all in my prayers and I'm sure everything will be fine.

[mommy2AlliWill]

Adrianna- congrats. She is so beautiful. Glad to hear that you had a good birth experience even if it wasn't how you had planned it.

hisdaffodil- How scary! I am thinking about your hubby & wishing yoy all the best. You must be under so much stress now & what 8 months pregnant?

Dorothy- congrats! I was wondering how real estate was going for you.

Sippy cups- Ohmigosh Alli may be drinking out of a sippy until she starts kindergarten. She is always with juice cup in hand & I can not imagine what a mess she'd make with a regular cup.

We are still in a crib.

I think 14 months is the ideal spaciong for kids (j/k, although now that Will is almost one it is really, really nice having them so close).

Welcome Tiffany!!!!

[Kellymb75]

Welcome Tiffany, it's nice to see a new member make their way into our thread.

Sheree, I think about you and your DH all the time, I really hope whatever it ends up being that it's not very serious. Let me know if you need anything, you know how to reach me.

We're spacing our two just under 3 years apart. I'm due late February and Morgan was born April 19, 2003 so it will be very close. We tried for about 9 months before we got pregnant this time but I'm very happy having an almost 3 year separation in ages. It seems almost perfect to me. After this one we are done though.

Morgan still uses her sippy cups, no one has ever said anything to me about sippy cups not being good for their teeth. I think that everyone has a different thought about that sort of thing and my dentist and her pediatrician both seem fine with her having sippy cups still. She uses a straw cup quite often as well so I refuse to stress about it. I like not having to worry about messes from a regular cup so I'm going to prolong the sippy/straw cups as long as I can.

We're up in the Poconos and it's really beautiful here. I'm a little bored mostly because we have to drive to almost everything and DH is in a boot camp training class so we don't see him very much but the end product is so worth missing him a bit.

Can't wait for this weekend Cyndi and Joann!

[mom2amelia]

Sippy cups - Amelia still uses one and I'm in no hurry to transition her off. I don't really care if she's 5 and still uses one. She drinks fine from a straw or even a regular cup on occassion, but really, the less mess I have to deal with the better.

Child spacing - I would have preferred 2 years, but mother nature had other plans. Ours will be 2 years 9 months apart. I think that's fine. My sister and I are 3 years apart and that was a good spacing, I think.

I'm leaving for DC tomorrow morning. I can't wait! Have a good weekend everyone. J and K, see you Saturday!!

[hisdaffodil]

Woah! I musta missed that or my pg brain did anyway! Congrats on #2! Amelia will have a blast :)

[mom2amelia]

Thanks Sheree. I kinda snuck it into my signature but never made a full-on announcement over here. We are thrilled.

Any news on your DH? I've been thinking about you guys.

[Dotsie]

Congrats on #2 MDB. Hopefully I'll be right behind you...in a couple of months ;)

[hisdaffodil]

Thanks everyone for thinking about DH!
No news yet. His surgeries are scheduled for the 23rd and 24th, so I should have more news after that. Otherwise nothing new on it.

Definitely no fun to deal with all this, much less while 8 months pregnant. I'll be 37 weeks the week he gets it done.

[Kellymb75]

How is everyone?

I'm bored out of my mind. I have been having some complications with this pregnancy and I've been put on bedrest. I started bleeding Saturday, no cramping, it stopped and went for an u/s on Monday. Baby was looking great, found a small blood clot. Tuesday I started bleeding really really badly, still no cramping. Went into the doctor and she basically said I was miscarrying but we were gonna do an u/s to confirm. I wouldn't look at the screen until the tech told me to look here and i'd see my baby's heartbeat. My doctor came in during the middle and was shocked that the baby was still viable. She put me on bedrest and told me to come back on Thursday for another u/s. I went yesterday and baby is still doing very well. I have a blood clot pretty much around my entire placenta and my placenta is trying to prematurely break away some. The bloodclot should reabsorb on it's own, problem with that is blood is an irritant and the main worry is that my water will break prematurely. Still on bedrest and go back to the doctor next week sometime, their office was having scheduling issues for next week so they are supposed to call to make the appointment. I'll have another u/s next week and we'll see where we stand then. I'm being monitored very closely and have had 3 ultrasounds in one week. I'm guessing that with as many ultrasounds as I'm getting we'll find out the sex of this baby in the somewhat near future.

Hope everyone else is doing well. Have a great weekend!

[kdevita]

Kelly Im so sorry you are going through such a hard time with #2. Is there something they can do to get rid of the clot or do you just have to wait it out? Thinking good thoughts for you and baby..Hang in there and keep us posted! HUGS!

[Kellymb75]

Thanks Karie. There's nothing I can do but just sit and wait. I wish there was something we could do, but the best thing I can do is just stay off my feet and not lift anything.

[jarm]

Hello all! Just popping in to check on all of you who aren't on LJ.

Adrianna - How are things going with Avery? Hunter?

hisdaffodil - How are things going with your DH and the pg?

[Wilsmom]

I was just lurking in the September Mommas thread, and read that hisdaffodil had her baby boy yesterday!

Congratulations Sheree and welcome James!!!

She likes to have them early, doesn't she? ;)

[jarm]

Yay hisdaffodil! Hope all is going great!

[Dotsie]

Congrats Hisdaffodil. Welcome James!!!

[Adrianna14]

Congrats hisdaffodil!! You said that you were going to have him early - guess you know your body pretty well, huh?! :)

Things are going OK with me. Avery sleeps VERY good at night, so that is wonderful - I haven't been sleep deprived at all. She wakes up just once, around like 3AM to eat. I can deal with that. :) She also still sleeps a lot during the day - so that has been pretty nice, too.

The problem is when she is awake. When she is awake, she is crying. Crying, crying, crying. ugh. I was hoping to have a happy little girl baby that coos and kicks and is mellow.... nope, mostly hysterically crying. The only thing that makes her happy is to be in her cradle swing... swinging away. Makes me feel guilty since I'm not holding her, etc... but I guess if that is what makes her happy, then she knows what she wants.

I'm wondering if she has bad tummy problems or reflux. We gave Hunter Zantac since he was very irritable when he was little and he puked after every meal. Not just spit up, either - he used to spit up like 1/2 his meal. She doesn't spit up much, but she cries and arches her back a lot like she is in pain. I'm wondering if Zantac will help her too. I don't believe at all that a baby is just "colicy" and you have to deal with it - I think babies cry for a reason. If she doesn't get better soon, I may check with my ped about trying that with her, too.

As for Hunter.... he is in FULL ON terrible 2's and doesn't listen to a thing we say. If we tell him to be quiet and not yell when the baby is 3 feet away from him sleeping... he'll just yell louder. If we ask him to quit doing something, he'll just do it again. And, he is SUCH a boy... he runs everywhere, turns everything over, crawls over stuff, crashes into things with his bike, etc. I know he just wants attention too since the baby is here, but ACK!!! He is driving me nuts!! :rolleyes: Thank goodness for daycare and the fact that he is still going there, even though I'm at home... or else DH maybe would have to commit me to an insane asylum if I watched 2 kids all day long. :D
But of course, he still does all his sweet things (kissing, hugging, saying "tank-tu Mama" when I do something for him) that also make me forget what a turd he can be - guess that is the fun part of age 2 also. :)

[Kellymb75]

Congratulations Sheree! Wow, you do like to have your boys early. Sounds like things are going well and I can't wait to hear how things went down and to see pictures.

Tanya, sounds like overall Avery is a great baby. I'm sorry she seems to be having tummy troubles. Do you think it's just gas and maybe some mylicon (yeah I spelled that WRONG) would help? I'm sure you've probably already thought of that. I'm glad to hear that things seem to be going well. Keep us updated about her tummy troubles and what her doctor says if you do need to talk to them about it.

I'm still hanging around doing next to nothing. I'm still on bedrest and will not be getting off of it until at least September 6 which is my next doctor's appointment. I doubt I'll be getting off then either but one can hope, right? I've been to the doctor or the ER 5 times in the last two weeks, I'm hoping to hold out until the 6th because I'm sick of the poking/prodding and well I'd prefer not to see everyone so often since I'm not there for fun reasons. I'm just over 13 weeks now (is that the 2nd tri or is it 14 weeks that is considered the 2nd tri?) and as of last Wednesday the baby was looking great and measuring perfectly. I'm guessing we'll be able to find out the sex of this baby a little easier then with Morgan since we'll have so many u/s. I'm secretly hoping that at my next appointment that they do an u/s and actually take the time to look and see if they can make an educated guess as to the sex since I really want to know. We've got names picked out and ready to go this time too so we're ready to call this baby by it's name already.

Hope everyone is doing well.

[mrsschu]

congrats, hisdaffodil! (i just re-read sheree's last post, and it said her husband's surgery was to be this week! ack!) i hope all is okay with you guys. update us when you can...

and congrats, adrianna! i'm sorry i have taken so long to congratulate you - i haven't been in here in so long! i'm sorry avery is crying so much. i'm glad to hear she does sleep well, though. at least there's that! i hope you guys find out that there's something, like zantac, that helps. zoe has hit the terrible 2s too, and we're finding it a BIG adjustment (for all of us). they really are different than babies, aren't they? zoe isn't that bad, but she has new (annoying!) behaviors and it's hard to deal with. i consult with my supernanny book a lot!

i'm glad to hear how everyone's doing. we're doing well. i have to get zoe - she's up and playing, which is nice, but i know any minute it may turn bad.

[mom2amelia]

Welcome Baby James and congratulations to Sheree and family. I hope you update us soon and that everything is going well with James and with your DH.

Tanya- how nice that Avery sleeps. Too bad she's such a fuss-pot when she's awake. Amelia was just like that. I wore her in a sling for the first 3 months, pretty much all the time. She grew out of that hysterical-crying-for-no-ascertainable-reason phase at around 12 weeks. Thank Gd. I'm going to be a SAHM with Amelia and baby #2, and I'm totally freaking out about handling both of them. Maybe by March Amelia will have grown out of her 2-ness.

Speaking of which, Amelia is totally 2 these days too. She's got a mind of her own, that kid. Her new favorite trick is screaming at the top of her lungs for no reason. Just three or four short screams. They are killing my ears. She's also big on stalling at bed time. For some reason, I thought that was an older kid trick, but she's mastered it. She'll even say, "it's bedtime" and then run away, or dawdle going up the stairs. Then she fights us on brushing her teeth, putting on her pjs, getting into the crib. She just can't bring herself to ever just do what we say. She always has to have some input. Oh well, it's also the most fun age we've had so far, so I'm venting, but not really complaining.

[Adrianna14]

Sorry for my big complaint fest above. After all of that venting, Avery has been sleeping ALL day today. So, no crying - yea! :D She must be going through a growth spurt. We have company coming over tonight, so I'm sure she will be up from 5-8 now and I won't be able to visit much.
Yes, I've tried gas drops - they seem to work momentarily - long enough for her to fall asleep again.

I also neglected to mention Kelly yesterday.... sorry you are having such troubles and I'm hoping things turn around for you and you can be taken off of bed rest very soon!! It has to be hard, especially with a 2 year old in the house.

[hisdaffodil]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[hisdaffodil]

Just read your comments, guess ya'll already knew. Heh. :p

I do like to have them early, looks like! Now I feel SO Guilty for wanting him to come out early, what with him being in the NICU. They've tried to make me feel good that I didn't do anything to get him here too soon, he just wanted to see the world.

Yup hubby's surgery is tomorrow and wednesday.

Hopefully my next is a girl, and since my boys rush it, maybe she'll stay in late?

Kelly - hope you get feeling better!

[mommy2AlliWill]

Congrats Sheree & welcome James. dang girl, you do deliver early. Sorry you are home wihtout him, hope he is able to join yu soon. I'll be praying for you all over the next couple dasy as you deal with James & your husband in the hospital.

Adrianna- wow! It must be hard when she is crying all the time. Glad she is nursing & sleeping okay though.

Sign Alli up on Hunter & Amelia's "I"M SO 2" list. Ugh, love her so much but I am exhausted from repeating myself all day & all night. All ofyou with new babies & pregnancies to deal with make me glad Will is almost a year, I have enough other things tiring me out.

[Dotsie]

Sheree - Keeping your family in my prayers.
Kelly - Hope you're able to get off bed rest soon.

Put Aidan on the "I'm 2 list". He is BRUTAL to deal with anymore. If he doesn't get his way he will throw anything near him. He has almost broken the glass in our french doors. He loves to hit the big screen t.v. oh and I'm his favorite punching bag. I've been trying time outs but they really don't seem to be working. I think I'm going to try and get a book about being a toddler parent. Dh and I are always sniping at each other because of Aidan's bad behaviour. UGh I hate this.

[jarm]

Wow! I guess Arlyn isn't so bad. She has her moments, but we put her in her place. Sounds funny to say, but usually we can correct her behavior...no idea how we do it.

The other night she was doing something...oh yeah, she threw her cereal on the ground and I asked her to pick it up, she laughed and looked away. I made her look at me and said, "I will count to five, if you aren't cleaning it up, you're going to time out." Counted to 5 and she was still laughing and now running away. I picked her up, carried her to time out and told her to sit there. Ray cleaned up the cereal. When I took her out of time out, I made her help me clean up her toys in the hallway and the living room. I had forgotten that there was floor under all the toys she had out. She helped for a few minutes, which was really good. I was impressed. Now when the living room is messy with toys, we're going to clean them up.

Bedtime has been a chore for us recently. She will scream if we put her pj's on and then put her right to bed, so we do the routine (brush teeth, bath, pj, etc) and then we let her play for about 15-20 more minutes. We read (usually she'll "read" to us), and she doesn't fight us going to bed. I was starting to think it might be time to do away with naps, but she gets cranky without them, although the Saturday she didn't nap at all and was fine, and Sunday she had a short nap and was fine (well, almost). Maybe she only needs a nap every other day. We'll see.

[Dotsie]

I've come to rescue our group from page 2. Things here are fine. Aidan continues to test our patience. He is a wonderful child who is full of personality, but he is also one strong willed person. I think he gets that from his mommy ;) Today is September 1st. We are officially TTC this month. I am so excited but so scared. I'm an only and I always wanted a sibling, but I feel so guilty for wanting another baby. I keep thinking that I will be taking something away from him in having another child. I know I will be at times. On the other hand I will be giving him a partner in life. Someone who will "hopefully" understand him because they will know what it was like growing up. Eh, I'm rambling now. Hope everyone is doing well.

Kelly how are you faring?

[Kellymb75]

Good luck TTC Dorothy! Your fears are all normal, I think that each one of us fears this when getting ready to TTC and while we're pregnant again and even after we have our 2nd or 3rd or whatever we struggle with the great balancing act of motherhood. It's not easy, I don't know first hand yet but it seems oh so worth it, I'm sure it is actually.

Thanks for asking about me, I'm hanging in. I'm still on bedrest but I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and I cannot wait to have it. I hope they take me off bedrest then. My early pregnancy symptoms have decided to come back for a visit again which just doesn't seem fair at all. I'll be 15 weeks on Saturday and had a few weeks free of nausea and all that good stuff but now it's back like crazy. I'm sure I'll get another u/s on Tuesday and while I know it's early I hope they get a good look between the legs and we can find out what we're having. I've only had dreams about having another girl but for some reason I have this huge need to buy a ton of boy layette clothes from gymboree so I think my guess is starting to lean more towards boy. Who knows, I change my mind at the blink of an eye so your guesses are probably better then mine.

Hope everyone is doing well. I hope that none of you are having to deal with the devastation first hand in LA, AL, or MS, it's just all so very sad.

[Dotsie]

Kelly, I found out Aidan was a boy at 13 1/2 weeks.

[Kellymb75]

Dorothy, you found out VERY early. Aidan was cooperative in the womb then. I'm guessing that if I am having a boy we'll be able to tell on Tuesday, if it's a girl they will be less enthusiastic to say for sure.

[Dotsie]

In the beginning of my pg I had some bleeding issues. I was rushed in for an emergency u/s. After the tech told me that the baby was fine, I asked if she could tell what it was. She said that she couldn't be 100% because it was so early but she thought she could see "boy parts". My DH was excited and IMPRESSED :rolleyes: because you could "see" his parts so early. When I went in for my routine u/s at 19 weeks they confirmed that Aidan was indeed a boy. Good Luck!!

[Kellymb75]

I need to remember to ask this time. I haven't asked before just assuming it was way too early. I'll be 15w3d so the possibility is definitely there, especially if this one is a boy. We haven't even talked about the big u/s at the 20ish week marker yet, I guess they keep just trying to get me over this blood clot thing. All I know is I want to know what we're having MUCH sooner this time, hopefully this baby won't follow it it's big sister's footsteps and be totally modest.

[jarm]

Good luck Kelly!

I am tossing a ball with Arlyn right now...she has really great aim! I think I have a future softball player here...we just have to work on the catching!

[Kellymb75]

Thanks Jodi!

Morgan has quite the arm and aim, she just gets far too excited to actually focus on catching though. She's a total spaz when we try and throw the ball back to her. It's so much fun to watch though. She's got a mean kick though so I'm thinking soccer will be her thing.

[Kellymb75]

Firgured I'd go ahead and post my update here as well.

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

I just got back from my appointment. No u/s today but I have one in two weeks with a perintatal group. It's the same place I went for the very first u/s this pregnancy. Same doctor too and I really like him so that should go well. We heard the heartbeat again, nice and strong between 158-162 and the little bugger was moving around making it hard to hear, just like Morgan.

I have more info about what's going on, not sure how well I'll get this written out though. I have a subchorionic bleed that is sitting between my placenta and the wall of my uterus. I have placenta previa, the not so great kind. My previa is completely around and below my cervix. It's less likely to resolve itself then the other previas that they see where the cervix isn't completely covered. My chances of needing a c-section are higher because of that. She told me that by around 18 weeks they can have a good idea of what will probably happen.

Still on bedrest, no pelvic anything, I can do things with Morgan but I cannot pick her up at all. She told me if I promised to rest as much as possible she would say that I could probably get up a little more then before but still go slow and not do too much for at least another 2 weeks until the u/s and my follow-up appt. with her.

My u/s is 9/19 at 8:30 and my follow-up with her is 9/20 at 8:20. I will of course have a lot more information by then and we should know if this is a girl or boy at that point as well. She told me to also just page the OB on call if I can't get through to their office ASAP if I'm having severe cramping or bleeding really really badly. She didn't seem to think that it was great that I was passing clots but she also said that it could also mean that the previa is moving up and giving the "bubble" which is the blood clot room to pass. She said it didn't make much more sense to do another u/s right now since we know what we're dealing with when it 2 weeks we'll have even more answers. I tend to agree with her.

If I'm not making sense, PLEASE asks questions, I'm still trying to figure it all out too.

[Dotsie]

Kelly - So sorry to hear that you are still on bedrest. That really sucks. Hopefully the previa will resolve itself in the next few weeks. I'm glad you update over here because I NEVER go over to LJ. If no one comes over here I don't know whats going on.

[kdevita]

Kelly Im so sorry to hear about the previa. Im so glad though that they figured out what it was, probably a slight relief from random bleeding! Fingers crossed its moving up to the right place!

Been reading here just not posting lately...Its been a crazy few weeks, my Aunt died, my mom had surgery, Dad was waiting to hear if he had a prostate problem (HE DOESNT!!! YAY!!), and we're getting our house ready to put on the market!! Craziness all around!! Oh and Aubrey had Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Ugh, but all better now!

Hope are are all great!! Thinking of you all and missing chatting...

[Kellymb75]

Wow, Karie, a lot is going on with you right now. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt's passing and your mom's medical issues. I'm really glad your dad isn't having the prostate problems they thought he might be. Ugh, Hand Foot and Mouth Disease must have been a pain too, glad Aubrey is feeling much better.

[Wilsmom]

kdevita: I'm so sorry to hear about everything you've been going through. I'm so glad to hear your dad doesn't have cancer - I know that's a HUGE relief!

I'm coming in quietly to let you guys know that I'm pregnant and due on May 18, 2006. :D I am not announcing to anyone IRL for a while, so I sure hope no one finds me here!

[Kellymb75]

YAY!! Congrats again Suzanne! So very excited for you!

Anyone else have anything to announce? Everytime I turn around it seems like someone is getting knocked up or having their baby. :D

[jarm]

Congrats Suzanne!

Karie -- Try to keep your head up. Hopefully things will turn around soon. I hate that horrible things are always grouped together.

[kdevita]

Thanks everyone! Things are definately getting better and now because we are moving and our payments will be much less we might start TTC in Feb!!! YAHOO!!

Congratulations Suzanne!! Thrilled for you!!

[jarm]

I couldn't admit it the other day because I wasn't feeling confident about this (which I'm still not, but do you really ever), but I also am pg! I got a BFP Saturday...EDD is 5/18. May and June are busy months for birthdays, and now we'll have one more!

[Dotsie]

EEEk, so many pg ladies!!! CONGRATS!!! Here's to a healthy and happy 9 months to all of you!!!

We are starting this week. I will O sometime in the next few days. Hopefully I'll be able to sneak in here myself. Wow, I think I'm the last one here to try.

[Kellymb75]

YAY Jodi! I was hinting at you but wanted to try and keep it sounding a bit innocent as well. I have been keeping secrets galore lately, I feel honored to be able to keep them but it's been HARD! :D

Good Luck Dorothy! Look forward to hearing some exciting news from you soon too!

[Wilsmom]

CONGRATULATIONS JODI!!! :D Wow, we have the same due date! Like you, I'm still not sure of this because I don't feel pregnant at all. I hope it sticks. My first ultrasound is Oct. 12, so I'll probably worry until then unless morning sickness kicks in soon.

Dorothy, I hope this is your month. Then we could all be in this together! Good luck!

[jarm]

Dorothy -- I sure hope that this is your month, too! Sending baby dust your way!

[Dotsie]

Bring it on!!!! :D
It's so weird. My best friend Dawn and I are on the same exact cycle. How and why do I know this? Because (and yes I do know that I'm not supposed to start a sentence with because) :p when I was telling her that we were going to start TTC #2 this month, Dawn told me that she and her DH were going to start TTC #2 this month as well. We started talking and lo and behold our cycles are the same. I really hope that we both get pg this month. It would be amazing to be due the exact same day as my best friend. We've gone through so much in life, this would be perfect.

[Kellymb75]

I'm definitely looking pregnant these days. Just thought I'd drop by with a quick belly shot from tonight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/kellymb1975/16W6D.jpg

Hope everyone is good. It's almost Friday! Have a great weekend everyone!

[Dotsie]

oh kelly, you look soo cute!!!

[Kellymb75]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARIE! :D :D

I hope you have a great day!

[kdevita]

Thanks Kelly! Had a great birthday..G and I went to the Red Sox game Sat night. He got free tix from work like right behind home plate. My mom said she thinks she saw us on TV. ha ha. Great game and huge sushi-fest before hand. We had a great time!

Kelly you look so cute!! Hows the bedrest going?

CONGRATS JODI!!!

Good luck Dorothy!! No you arent the last one here! I think it might be me! ha ha. We are planning on TTC in Feb!

Preggos all around!! YAHOOO!!!!
Hoping to see some new baby pics in here? hint hint

[hisdaffodil]

Wow! Congrats to the new pg ladies!

Kelly - cute belly! I guess you had your u/s by now?

Since there was a request... :)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d733b3127cce9457a10e859300000035109AZOG7Vw0ac
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d733b3127cce9457a125048800000015109AZOG7Vw0ac

We've been really busy over here. DH was back in the hospital this past weekend. He had a reaction to his suture material on the interior stitches, and it abcessed. There was a ton of infection that they had to drain out. So they've got his incision re-opened and are packing it every day with gauze. It's not pretty. He's also out of work again for another week, and I'm still not back at work, so we're getting a bit strapped.

Our basement did finally get done. Well, the carpet comes in Thursday to be put down, but all the actual construction is done. Yay, I have my house back. So I finally got to bring Jamie home to his real home, yay!

He's doing good albeit a bit confused as to night and day. Eating much better than Em ever did, and really not near as fussy either.

Emerson's a busy bee too. He's finally finally using sentences and such. He's all boy, into running, climbing, and trucks. There was actually a lot less jealousy over Jamie than I thought there'd be. He loves to hold him too, and gives him kisses and pets his hair. Very cute.

Ugh, it's way past my bedtime. Night ladies, hope ya'll are all doing well.

[kdevita]

So cute HD!! LOVE that first picture!! Sorry to hear about your DH but I hope he makes a speedy recovery #2!! Cool about your basement! Always great to add more living space!!

I've turned into an ebay junkie looking and buying for Aubreys big girl room when we mnove! I've never gotten a chance to do a room for her since we moved in with my parents when she was born and her room now was already painted etc when we moved in so Im getting a little NUTS!! People keep outbidding me though at the last minute it makes me NUTS!!

Thoughts are with all those down on the gulf coast. RITA go away!!

[Kellymb75]

I was very lucky to get an adorable birth announcement from Sheree and family! Kurt was impressed with how well it turned out and that must have been a lot easier for you then doing them another way. Way too cute, Morgan has decided it's hers and carries it around and tells us it's a baby but not her baby. Too funny!

Good Luck bidding/winning Karie. I'm an ebay junkie for sure. There is something called auction sniper (www.auctionsniper.com) that you can use to have bid up to a certain amount for you at the last minute. That might be what some people are doing to outbid you. Got any ebay questions feel free to email me.

For those of you that don't know it, I'm OFF bedrest!! The previa (if I ever truly had it) has moved and I no longer have a previa. There are still blood clots but they are old and MUCH smaller and not very worrisome anymore. Baby is looking good but is acting way too much like its older sister did. The legs were tightly crossed and the doctor couldn't even verify that there were 4 chambers to the heart so we go back on Oct. 14 for another u/s. I'll be close to 21 weeks then and I plan to at least have a nice glass of OJ before going because the baby was so sluggish and was flat on it's belly almost the entire time. Of course an hour or two AFTER the u/s the baby was moving around again. Go figure, stubborn just like it's mama and big sister.

Not much else going on around here, just trying to take it slow and get back into some sort of routine. I still can't lift anything heavy (i.e. Morgan), no sex, and I need to listen very carefully to my body but it rules being off of bedrest.

[hisdaffodil]

Thanks Kelly! We use the AmazingMail thing, it's so easy and about the only way I have time to get cards out. We use it at Christmas too. Just upload a picture, add a message, click on who I want it to go to, and boom, it's off. It would have looked better but I didn't realize the pic I was using was low res until after the fact. Oops. :)
Glad Morgan likes it. Congrats on the bedrest issue!

Today's the big day, we get carpet!!!

kdev - no kidding. This is a tri-level house, so the "basement" being out is really 1/3 of our house that was unusable! Sucked big time! no laundry, and only 1 bathroom for 3 months!

[mommy2AlliWill]

HD- He is so cute! I am sorry things have been so crazy. Ouch for your husband. I hope he is feeling better soon. New carpet sounds exciting too!

kdevita- happy belated birthday, that sounds like an awesome night out.

I hit your LJs already, but congrats wil'smom & jodi!!

dorothy- good luck!

kelly- you look excellent!

[jarm]

Hellooooooooo...

Just popping my head in to say hi. And send some babydust to Dorothy and whoever else needs/wants it!

[Dotsie]

aww Jodi that's so sweet of you. I'm due for AF tomorrow or Tuesday and I've gotten BFN's so far. I'm thinking this isn't my month. Although I have a question for you all. Warning... may be TMI!! Yesterday morning my breasts started leaking a clear fluid. I was shocked because the only time that has happened was when I was pg with Aidan and right afterwards. They are still leaking a tiny bit today as well. Today it looked like the color of colostrum. My bb's don't hurt but I wanted to know, has anyone else experienced this? I was excited at first because I thought it might be a sign that I"m pg. I am going to wait a couple of days and if I'm not pg I"m going to call my dr to get checked out.
How's all the pg ladies feeling??

[clzj]

How is everyone doing? I have just 5 more weeks left until #2 arrives. Things aren't done. I have made a list of what needs to get done and the biggest thing is moving Isaiah out of the babies room into his big boy room. I don't thing the big boy room is going to be done. I might have to paint after the fact. Oh well that is life.

[kdevita]

Dorothy did AF come?

[Dotsie]

oh yeah she showed up...b!tch that she can be. I'm on cd8 right now. We're going to try again this month. I'm starting to stress about money right now though. We're not exactly well off and I'm worried that having another baby will put a huge strain on our budget. I'm biting the bullet and going ahead with it. Heck if our parents waited until they could afford us I think about 75% of us wouldn't be here!!:D

[mrsschu]

i haven't posted in here in forever! i have a journal on LJ, but i'm not keeping up in there too well either. i usually read more than anything.
anyway, dotsie, i am sorry about AF and i can commiserate w/you. we're on our 4th month of trying, again, since my last m/c. it doesn't seem to be so easy to conceive this time. each time we've done it (gotten me pregnant), it's been really easy (i use OPKs and they really work for me).
good luck!

good luck to you, clzj! keep us posted!

jodi - i'll take some of that baby dust!

my DH laughed at me when i told him i'm getting aggressive this month! he was teasing, and he had a great attitude when i kept saying we had to BD again. i was very scientific about it, and by the end of the week, it seemed like an experiment!
i'm happy to keep reading about how everyone is doing. update when you can, everyone! it's amazing that we are still here for each other. yea for us!

[jarm]

mrs.schu -- baby dust galore coming your way.

[kdevita]

Sorry to hear that Dorothy. I think I have a surplus of baby dust since we're not TTC so HERE YOU GO!!

Melissa, Great to see you in here! Heres a boat load of dust for you too! Any new pics of Zoe to share?

[Kellymb75]

Dorothy and Melissa, I hope AF stays far far away, for 40+ weeks.

Not too much going on over here. Just hanging out. I am just over 20 weeks now (20w5d to be exact). It's hard to believe I've hit the half-way point. I go for another u/s tomorrow. Anyone care to guess the sex? I have thought girl for several weeks now but I'm probably wrong, I have a horrible track record with this sort of thing. I thought Morgan was a boy so that tells you what I know. I'm hoping we don't have a super shy kid again tomorrow.

Hope everyone is doing well. Are all the little trick or treaters armed with costumes? Morgan's gonna be Minnie Mouse (she picked it out).

[Dotsie]

Thanks Kelly.
We bought Aidan's costume a few weeks ago. He's going to be Captain Hook from Peter pan. He's so freakin adorable in it. I'm going to draw with black eyeliner a mustache on him. I can't wait.
I'm thinking you're going to have a boy!! I don't know why but I do. You'll find out tomorrow right? I can't believe your pg is already half over. That went by really fast.
Hope everyone is doing well.

[jarm]

That brings up a good point, Kelly! Are you guys taking your kids trick or treating? I think we are.

Arlyn was supposed to be a NY Giants cheerleader, but now she changed her mind and wanted to be Jojo. She thinks we returned it because of her atrocious behavior the other night...she kept hitting, biting and scratching me. We told her that if she keeps behaving as good as she has been (which has been really, really good), that we'll go get the costume for her. It's hiding in our closet. She looked so adorable in it.

We went for an u/s the other day. Arlyn was with us, and told us that the baby was on the potty. We both just shook our heads, and dismissed it, but she kept saying it. This afternoon she brought the u/s pics over and said, "Look, mommy. The baby's going potty." I asked her why she thought that and she showed me that the darker part right next to the baby looked like the hole of the potty. Gotta love the thinking of a 2 year old.

We've basically cut out her naps, for selfish reasons. She does fairly well, but there are days when she definitely needs one. With Ray's new work schedule, working Saturdays and Sundays at 4, we needed to have her be able to stay awake in case we wanted to do fun family things. Of course it's been too rainy to do anything and this Saturday he has to work from 8a-12a. Blah!

[Kellymb75]

Yes, we're taking Morgan trick or treating. She's gone the other two years but only so she could walk around with the neighborhood kids, she wasn't into candy or anything then and didn't really understand that she was getting some so it wasn't a big deal. This year she totally gets it and I have a feeling we'll have to make the candy disappear quickly because she'll try and eat it all the time.

I had another ultrasound this morning. Everything looked great. The baby was much more cooperative and showed us his goods. Yes I said HIS goods. We're having a boy this time. Kurt was smiling from ear to ear when the doctor confirmed that what we were seeing most certainly was a penis. Once we saw it he kept moving around to show us again, apparently he's quite proud of his "boyhood". Now I must go on a shopping spree, this will be fun!

[Dotsie]

I knew it!!! Yay for baby boys!!!
I'm so happy for you Kelly. I loved having a boy and truth be told I would love another boy if I ever get pg again. I'm so excited for you.

We're taking Aidan trick or treating this year. He's went ever since he was born. A bunch of us go out. It's so much fun!

[hisdaffodil]

Yay Kelly!! Congrats on the boy!! They are something else... You know I want a girl so badly, but I wouldn't trade my boys for a million of 'em. Boys rock. :)

Em's sorta trick or treating. I'm only taking him to friends and family to trick or treat, then we're going back to my mom's to hand out candy to others. I just think he's too young yet. He's not quite as far along intellectually as most of ya'll's are, it seems. He hates holding hands and will totally run out in traffic. He really doesn't mind well right now.
He'll be a pirate though, with baby Jamie as a parrot. DH's idea.

I dragged him to the doc's last week. His behaviour has just gotten out of my control and I had run out of resources. He throws fits, hits his head ont he floor or wall or whatever when he's upset, wont' go to sleep until nearly 1am, and won't eat anything that isn't purely carb. So I took him in to make sure he was healthy. He's 27.5 lbs, on the small side, but on track with where he's always been on the percentages. Doc pronounced him a toddler and gave me their practice's brochures recommending how to handle it all. So anyone else doing the following, and how's it going?

Eating - no snacking all day, very small snacks between meals, limit to 16oz of milk. (So far this has worked great! Still a no-go o n the veggies and fruits, but he he's eating meat again!)

Fits - Time-outs for 2 minutes at a time when he disobeys, ignore tantrums that are obviously just for attention, soothe when he has a frustration tantrum (eh, this isn't going too well for us yet)

Sleep - tell him it's nini time, put him down in bed, shut the door and leave him in there till he goes to sleep. If he screams (he does!), soothe him after 5-10 minutes of screaming/crying, but only for 30 seconds, then leave again. (terrified me to shut him in his room alone, but it's actually working okay)

Anything ya'll are doing that is working wonders?? He just doesn't have the language yet to really deal with very well.

And potty-training.... well let's say I've given up for a while. He still barely shows any of the readiness signs. He could care less most of the time if he's dirty, and he definitely doesn't notice peeing.

Sorry for hte long post, I'm definitely feeling like a crappy mom right now.

[kdevita]

COngratulations Kelly!! THat is so exciting!! Morgan must be thrilled to be having a baby brother!

HD, sorry to hear you're having a hard time with Emerson. Sounds like the terrible twos alright! We're started the time outs as well and it kind of works. I usually give her to the count of 3 to change her behavior and she never does so it always ends up being a time out.

The last time I asked her if she wanted a time out and she said "yes" and ran off to the chair! On her way she said to me "You count, mama!" Ugh I guess she doesnt QUITE get it yet but it was pretty funny! I think you just have to keep at it and evetually they'll get it.

Same for the sleep thing. Stick to whatever you've decided to do and he'll get it eventually. Aubrey was terrible at going to bed and staying there too. We finally settled on a routine and if I even change the order of the songs I sing she corrects me.

Ooo gotta run...DH just made dinner and its ready!! Have a great weekend everyone!

[Dotsie]

boy you could hear crickets in this thread....

[Kellymb75]

chirp chirp chirp :p

[Kellymb75]

Gift exchange....do we want to do one this year?

[Dotsie]

Absolutely. If we can get anyone back in here to let them know ;)

[hisdaffodil]

I'm here! :p

I'd love to participate again too. I think he's getting old enough to actually get excited about Christmas this year. maybe. :)

[Kellymb75]

See even if I can't get everyone to come back in here I have enough emails to bug people to see if they want to participate. I'm fun like that.

Hopefully a few more will pop in saying they want to so we can get the ball rolling. I'd be more then happy to organize again.

This year is going to be so much fun with the holidays, I know Morgan totally gets it and will be really excited when we start to really talk about it.

[mom2amelia]

I already emailed you back, so you know that I'm in.

How is everyone doing. Not fair to pop in and not give at least a little tidbit about yourself or your kid :p

All is well in Cleveland. Amelia potty learned about a month ago. She's in big-girl underwear all day and pull-ups at night. The biggest problem we're having now is that she wakes up every few hours overnight to go to the potty. The ped said this is a good thing, that most kids don't feel the urge overnight. I don't think it's a good thing. I put her in the pull-ups so I wouldn't HAVE to get up, you know? Anyway, I'm happy for her that PLing was so easy, but I'm so freakin tired.

I'm 19w pregnant. I'm not nearly as big this time as I was with A. I think it's mostly because I'm not eating nearly as much crap, so it's more baby and less fat. We'll see how the weeks progress.

Rob's away for 4-6 weeks for a trial in Arizona. He's been gone a week already. This single mom stuff is so freakin hard. I don't know how people do it.

Ok, so that's my update. Where are yours?

[mommy2AlliWill]

I haven't gotten any updates from here! Oh!

Kelly- We are in for the holiday exchange.

We are trick of treating, we just go to some friends & to the neighbors we know, maybe 10 houses. Alli is being a sheep & Will is a chicken.

No potty training here. We sort of gave it a low pressure shot & Alli isn't interested so now I am going to try in January.

Time outs are a joke, Alli acts the same as Aubrey...says she wants to go & happily jumps on the chair. So frustrating!

Cyndi- 19 weeks!!! My gosh I feel like you should be like 10 weeks. Do you think it is going fast?


HD- sorry Em is such a handful, can't be easy when you also have an infant to deal with.

dorothy- ha-ha crickets. HOpe you are doing well.

[Kellymb75]

A quick update from me since cyndi requested (even though she KNOWS what's going on in my life).

I'm off bedrest, been off for a while. Had a doctor's appointment on
Wednesday and have been downgraded to a low-risk pregnancy from a high-risk one which feels fabulous. No restrictions beyond Morgan being my weight restriction, can't lift anything heavier then she is (she's about 26 lbs).

I'll be 22 weeks tomorrow so we're over half-way there, we're having a boy (I already announced this right?) and his name will be Benjamin Robert.

Morgan is really quite easy overall. We send her to her room rather then a time out chair, seems to work better. I only send her for big issues such as hitting and throwing things (which don't happen too often). I know I've had it relatively easy with her so I'm bracing myself for a crazy boy who will test every bit of my patience, understanding and sanity.

[hisdaffodil]

Also have to say we do room time-outs instead of a chair. He goes to his room, no tv. He has his toys in there, but it doesn't matter. He's upset about being put in his room when everyone else is out there, so it works so far.

I'm glad Em's not the only one who really could care less about the potty! I tried and gave up. He just doesn't care if he's wet or dirty. He *knows* he's going poopy, because he goes and hides and squats down, but he doesn't tell us or care that he's dirty afterwards. We'll probably try again this winter too.

MDB = Congrats on Amelia's potty training! Right now, DH is working 2 jobs, so he's gone from 9am until 2am! So in the evenings it's just me with the kids. I so have a higher regard for single moms. I get absolutely NADA done on the house after work. I'm lucky to get everyone bathed and in bed by midnight, much less housework done!

[Adrianna14]

Oh, I'm here too. I peek in and read about once a week, that seems to be all I have time to do lately. The days of posting all day long at work for me are LONG gone... my work day is so flippin busy now, its crazy.

I'd be in for the gift exchange.

Hunter is doing great. Yes, Kelly, you WILL BE in for it with a boy!!! Morgan sounds like an angel - that would not quite be how I'd describe Hunter lately. Don't get me wrong, he is the sweetest little boy on earth (hugs and kisses for everyone he meets), but yelling, running, climbing, throwing, trying to hit, tantrums, taking off while in public, etc. etc. are all a part of our daily life. And DH and I are both short on patience for whining and acting out in general, so its not for our lack of trying that he acts that way. He's just a 2 year old BOY. :rolleyes: :)
Time outs, naughty stairs, yells, threats, etc. don't phase him. If he wants to be good he will be, if not, he just won't be. Even with DH raises his voice, it doesn't even scare him... most kids, thats all it takes to make them cry is when daddy yells! Oh well, I've just adjusted to the crazy chaos of my life with a 2 year old boy. And even with all that, I wouldn't trade him for anything - I love having a boy and being a mommy to a little boy! :p

No potty training here yet. We've tried, and they try at daycare, but he just loves to sit on it and "say" he is going, but never goes. I think he has twice. He sleeps SOOOO well at night right now, though, I hate throw a kink in my sleep with him getting up to go potty. It has to happen before he is 3, though, or else he can't move up to the preschool room at school. (and our tuition dropps again... tee hee.! Incentive for me!!!)

Avery IS an angel... she is a wonderful baby. Sleeps GREAT... only wakes up 2x a night to eat and falls asleep right away after. She laughs and smiles all the time - loves to kick and play and be held. She still sleeps a lot during the day, which helps my mom out a lot... since she is watching her for these next couple of months so she won't need to be in daycare so young.

I feel for all you who are taking care of kids on your own while DH is working. Mine has been taking small day trips to go hunting or fishing, and I think I go crazy while he is gone. He is going to be gone 4 days this week, and i am ready to cry just thinking about it!!! With working again now, that just makes my life chaos at night when he is gone. After this week, he is NOT allowed to go anywhere any more this year! My foot is down!!!!! I see a trip to Vegas for mommy come about April.... :D

[kdevita]

Count us in too Kelly! Thanks for organizing!!

Our big news is that we're moving!! In a nutshell my parents and G and I are going in on an investment house together and we're going to live there. Its bigger, nicer, in a wonderful neighborhood for LESS money than we're paying now which means we can TTC in Jan/Feb AND I might be able to be a SAHM!! YAHOOOO!! THings are looking up! We closed last Monday on the new house and we have been painting and cleaning and moving in slowly. Our house is on the market so fingers crossed it wont take too long! Did I already tell you this? It sounds like I did I think. Oh well. now its reality!

No real potty training here either. Not trying either with the big move coming up. We'll try for real in Jan/Feb.

Aubrey is going to be a chicken too! Joann did you get it at Old Navy? Its hysterical but I am not holding my breath that Aubrey is actually going to wear it. We've tried to "practice" with no luck. We'll see..

Cant wait to see some Halloween pictures in here!

[Wilsmom]

Hi everyone!

I read in here as much as I can, but this pregnancy is taking its toll on me and I'm usually sick from 4:00 on, which is when I get online. I'm 10 weeks, and hoping the sickness will end soon. It wasn't this bad with Wil, and I wish it would have been worse then, because it's soooo hard to be so sick and deal with a 2 year old.

By the way, Adrianna, I could have written the same things about Wil as you did Hunter. Our boys are full of energy! He's so sweet, and he makes me laugh all the time.

We tried potty training this past summer, with a lot of success, but now Wil's not interested in using it much anymore. He did this past week at school, and yesterday at home, but that's been it for quite a while. I would love to have him potty trained by May, when the new baby arrives, but I've heard all kinds of stories about kids regressing, so I'm preparing myself for the fact that it may not be done. And I definitely don't want Cyndi's problem of getting up at night for him to use the potty! ;)

Well, I'm not feeling great so this wasn't a proper update, but hopefully I'll be back soon. And I'm in for the gift exchange!

[Kellymb75]

I just sent an email out to everyone concerning the gift exchange. Please let me know if you don't get it. I don't think I left anyone out but I also don't want anyone to get left out.

Thanks!

[hisdaffodil]

Dunno what I hope to get from posting this, advice,commiseration, whatever. I just need to talk/speculate about it to someone who might understand, and that'd be you girls. :)

DH's brother just called me a while ago, to tell me that Dh's other bro has been trying to get ahold of him to let him know some important news. SIL has been having eye trouble since giving birth, going blind occasionally in one eye, and other things. She had an MRI Friday and they called her back in on Monday. They gave her a preliminary diagnosis of MS and she is still int he hospital today!

I didn't even know you could get MS that young! She's younger than me! She's only 21! She has two little girls, one who was born 1 year, exactly, after Emerson, so is coming up on 18 months old. And the other was born about a month after Jamie, so is 1 month old.

His brother mentioned that the other brother had said something to his sister about making arrangements for the kids. But he left that in a message, so noone's for sure what he means about that. Currently he's at work, so I can't find out for sure. Brother speculates that he's maybe looking for someone to take in the kids, possibly until they get things settled about this, or maybe for good if she is goign to go downhill fast! He's also left DH a couple of messages, but DH couldn't get ahold of him before he left for work, so we don't know if he wanted to just tell us what was up, or maybe ask us about the kids.

What on earth should I do if they ask us to take in their 2 little girls??? I'd love to, honestly. But my mom watches our kids, and I don't know if I can ask her to watch 2 more YOUNG children. We certainly can't afford to put 4 kids in daycare, or even 2 of them. The brother works part-time in food service, and they're on gov't assistance, so they definitely can't help us out with money to watch their kids. Since they still get WIC, formula for the baby should be covered, and I guess an 18 month old doesn't eat that much more. But diapers for 2 more kids! Yikes!!

And I get Nothing done with just 2 kids. Could I even deal with 4?? And what if this isn't just short term?? AAAAAH!!!

thoughts?
anyone know of any agency that would help us care for these kids, or some rich philanthropist who wants to donate to their care?
if they live with us, can we claim them on taxes and get money for them that way? if they're not ours, but live with us, can we apply for WIC, Medical, some sort of aid in their name?

Aaah!

Course I could just be over-thinking this right now. It's all just speculation for now, as far as what he meant by "make arrangements for the kids."
Eeek!

MS at 21!

[jarm]

I've heard of MS at young ages. In fact my principal's neice was thought to have it last year. She's definitely not 21, but she's young enough with three young kids. I don't know what to tell you other than to wait and see if you're even asked about it. If you are, you can say, "We need to think it over." Then explore your options...that way you're not stressing yourself out if they aren't going to ask you, however if you want to be prepared (or after you are asked) then contact people. I'm not sure how it would work. You might be able to get some assistance from the state, but probably not because they're not foster children. I really don't know. I'm not much help, huh? Sorry! Good luck!

[Adrianna14]

I would guess, if anything, he meant that maybe they needed someone to watch them while they had to go to doctors visits or something? I'd think it would be wayyyy to early to be thinking about "other" arrangements. But thats just my opinion without knowing the full situation.

My good friend has MS. She was diagnosed at like 21-22, I think. Since then, she has lived a fully normal life... finished college, got her masters, now is working on her docterate... had a baby, etc. She just turned 30. You would never know she has it by meeting her. Actually, she is divorced now and is a single mom. She does take medication every day. Her case is mild and who knows what will happen in 20 years, but as of now, I almost forget she has it until she mentions it.

[Kellymb75]

Oh gosh what a horrible thing to have to deal with, especially only a month after giving birth. I do know of one person that pretty much went blind in one eye after giving birth but she still can see out of the other eye and can drive and not stop doing normal stuff. She hasn't been diagnosed with anything though.

If it comes down to them asking you to take the two little girls I would want them to give me custody. If she gets better or the kids go back to their dad you can always have custody changed back. If you have custody you can get assistance for them, you can file them on your taxes, you should be able to talk to someone at social services or another organization and get ideas/help. If it's just a short-term situation I would hope they would be able to supply diapers and formula to you.

Let me know if you'd like me to look into this a little further, I can do some research and see what I can find out. I think I have more time on my hands right now then you do so I'd be happy to try and help out.

I hope she gets better and can keep her girls and stay healthy.

[hisdaffodil]

Thanks girls! Sorry, I was a little panicky last night.

I still don't have information. It's so hard because the brother does not have a phone. So we have to wait till he gets ahold of us.

The reason we think he's looking for arrangements for living, more than just doc's appts, is for several reasons, actually:

1. SIL is still in the hospital, he works, so there's noone to watch the kids, he's had to take off. So he needs something all day long at least.

2. they're currently bunking with my disabled MIL, so she can't watch them.

3. They had talked about giving the kids up before because they are so financially unable to care for them.

4. she has no insurance except what she still has through the state, which ends after your PP exam, if I recall. So all their money will end up in doctor's visits, probably. And it'll now be a pre-existing condition, so she'll have trouble getting insurance even if she did get a FT job.

They really can't afford these children. The kids live with our disabled MIL in a very old house that is run down and dirty. The 18 month old is not allowed out of her playpen because of the condition of the house and objects in the house. She lives in that pack n play. It's very sad. I know BIL and SIL want her to be able to run around adn she did before they lost their apartment.

So I think that this is just their last straw. There's no way they can pay for the kids and SIL's care. BIL works a minimum wage job with no benefits. And her Medicare is about out.

I dunno. I wish I could get more info!! I worked as a CNA years ago. I worked With a nurse who had MS and could function normally 90% of the time, but we had patients in there with MS who ended up paraplegic and quadraplegic. My ex-hubby's mother had MS. She was about in the middle. Disabled enough to not be able to work or anything, but not enough to need constant care.

It's been on my mind alllll day. We're just in the best position to care for those kids, especially if it's just temporary.

Dh's sis is a couple of states away, in an apt with 3 older kids. DH's other brother just had their first baby and live in a very non-toddler proof house, drive a 2 door car and a truck. We live near enough for them to visit the kids, in a toddlerized house with a fenced in yard, with 2 cars and exactly the right number and sizes of car seats for all 4 kids.

The custody thing would probably be the only way we could even think of it in the long-term. That'd qualify us for a lot of assistance. Ooooh I hate taking gov't aid.

Anyways. Thanks for letting me talk it out, at least! Hopefully we'll hear from the brother today!

[Kellymb75]

I'm a bad girl. I was lurking and well umm let me just say to someone here...a line is a line! We all have said it and we all know it's true.

I know this is early but well.....early congratulations!! I'm SURE you know who you are.;) :p

[Dotsie]

Brat!! :D
Yes, it's me. Like I posted in other threads. You have to really, really look for the line. I'm not 100% convinced just yet. I'm only 11DPO as of today, so that's really early. I tested with an Equate and they have a sensitivity of 25 so I'm guessing I barely have that much in my system just yet, if I am indeed pg. Thanks for the congratulatories though. Hopefully tomorro I get a nice dark line.

[jarm]

Now, now children! Okay, Dorothy! There is no need for name calling. ;)

Congrats again...a line is a line! Good luck tomorrow!

[Dotsie]

Brat was a term of endearment. We have "known" each other for about 3 years now:D

[jarm]

Okay...I'll let it slide this time. ;)

Can't wait to see everyone's kiddos in their Halloween costumes (hint, hint). Can you believe that it's Halloween already???

[Dotsie]

I know before you know it Thanksgiving, and the Holidays will be here..woo-hoo!! I bought a gigantic infaltable snowglobe for our front lawn today. I got it at Walmart. It has Santa and a couple reindeer in it. It's 6 feet tall when it's inflated. I can't wait to decorate. :D

[jarm]

I think they have it at my grocery store. It is huge! I love it!!! I want it, but we have no place for it. :(

[clzj]

COngrats dorthy.

Here is an update on me.

Baby Report:
Angel Baby
10/26/05
appox 7 PM
baby weight: 6lbs 7 oz
baby height: 21.5 inches

Details:All day Wed I was feeding it sugar and trying to get it to move. After attempting all day it was just not working. I found out at 3 PM that the baby had not hr and had become breech. We do not know all of the details if we every will. The best guess is right now that when the baby flipped it pinched its cord between its head and the septum in my uterus. Without have the cord funtioning the baby died. I delivered via c-section on Wednesday. I just came home today

[Dotsie]

Oh my God CLZJ I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you and your family have my sincerest condolences and are all in my prayers. That exact same thing happened to my best friend in June. I am so sorry.

oh and I'm not pg. I tested today...BFN.

[jarm]

OMG...Huge hugs going around to both of you (and anyone else who needs them).

[kdevita]

OMG Clzj! I'm sooo sorry to hear your news. My thoughts and prayers are with you!! Sending huge hugs your way...

[mrsschu]

clzj - omg, i honestly don't know what to say. i am so sorry for your loss. i'm thinking of you and your family. let us know if we can do anything. i'm so, so sorry.

dorothy - did you use the same brand hpt this time? are you sure? i'm sorry if you're not pg. i hope you are! (i go with the theory that it's not over until AF shows...)

[mom2amelia]

clzj - I don't know what to say. I am so so sorry for your loss. How devastating. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you try to move on from this tragedy.

[Kellymb75]

Lynn - I cannot even begin to express with words how very sorry I am for you and your DH and your family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Let us know if we can do anything for you.

[Kellymb75]

Her costume was a huge success. She was the only minnie mouse (or mickey mouse) we saw the entire night. We got sooo many compliments on it, all we heard was "oooohhh look at that cute minnie mouse, what a great costume".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/kellymb1975/DSC06493.jpg

[mom2amelia]

Kelly That's the cutest Minnie Mouse I've ever seen. What a doll.

You know, I came in here the other day to send my condolences to Lynn, but I just realized that there were several (maybe 10) posts in here prior to that that I never saw. Is anyone else not getting emails about posts in here? Joann, I think you said you weren't. Maybe that's why we go through such long dry spells. Anyway . . .

Trick or Treating was a blast. Amelia was totally into it. We had our friends over for pizza before-hand and then Amelia and Ben hit the street. Amelia was Raggedy Ann and Ben was Jeff Gordon. They were like old pros. They said "trick or treat" and "thank you" at every door. They walked up to most doors by themselves. It was a really mild night, so most of our neighbors were on their front porches waiting for the kids. In our neighborhood TOTing is only from 6-8, so everyone comes out at once. It was very festive. We hit both sides of our street and both sides of the perpendicular street. I thought she'd get tired, but she was raring to go. She was allowed two pieces of candy last night - she picked a mini box of Jr. Mints and Animal Crackers - and the rest she traded in for a toy. She decided she wants a new backpack, so we'll go get one this weekend. By this morning she seemed to have forgotten about the candy (but not the backpack). Whew!!

Here's a pic of her in her costume from a few weeks ago when she was trying it on:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b397/ckport/raggedyann1.jpg

And here's a pic of Amelia and Ben in action:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b397/ckport/toting.jpg

[Dotsie]

Kelly - Morgan really is a beautiful little girl. Quite the cute Minnie she made.
mom2amelia - Amelia made the prettiest Raggedy Ann. How cute!!

I have to download my pics. Aidan was Captain Hook. He was so cute. We took him in his wagon but he pulled the wagon all night instead of riding in it:rolleyes: He went up to every house like he's a ToT pro. He got about 5lbs of candy. I'm letting him eat his fill today (bad mommy) because it's getting tossed tomorrow. He's never had candy until this week and let me tell you, I don't think I'll ever be able to get him to eat a normal piece of food again. Jokingly I told Sean for Xmas we'll save tons of money and just buy him a 10lb bag of sugar and a spoon.

[jarm]

Hey all. For those of you who are either having your second or already have your second, what did/are you doing about strollers? Are you just going to let your first kid walk while you push a stroller or are you getting a double stroller? Anyone have arguments for either side of that? TIA!

[Kellymb75]

Hey all. For those of you who are either having your second or already have your second, what did/are you doing about strollers? Are you just going to let your first kid walk while you push a stroller or are you getting a double stroller? Anyone have arguments for either side of that? TIA!
We are doing the wait and see approach. Morgan isn't that interested in her stroller these days but there are times when she will sit in it for forever while we're out. I figure I plan to wear him most of the time while he's tiny so we can just take the single stroller for Morgan if necessary. DH on the other hand wants to go out and buy a double stroller right now. I just don't want a million pieces of baby gear we don't need or won't use.

[hisdaffodil]

We decided to just wing it. Emerson hates the stroller anyway, so I figured the baby could have it with no troubles. Most of the time I wear him though, so there's no strollers involved. For some reason DH did pick up a double stroller at a yard sale, a front to back one, not a side to side. So I guess if we ever plan to go somewhere involving a LOT of walking, we'll use it. My back hurts after wearing the baby for a couple of hours.

So far it's worked okay. So Kelly, tell your DH that, because mine paid for that double and we haven't used it at all yet. I'd definitely wait and see. I figure we may use it when Jamie's older and too heavy for me to wear. But by then, Em should definitely be capable of staying with us while walking and not running off.

Anyone else have a child who wants to play in traffic???

Since we get less activity these days, how about a Question of the Week?

QOTW - What's everyone's kids eating, when do they eat, and how often do they have phases where they wont' eat??


clzj - I have no idea what to say. There are no words. Your family is in our hearts right now, honey. *hug*

[Dotsie]

Aidan eats NOTHING. He's been in this "phase" since he was 13 months old:rolleyes:

[clzj]

Isaiah eats pretty good most days. He does have picky days. He calls all meats chcicken but will it beef and pork. He does not eat much in the was of veggies. I think a lot is texture for him.

[jarm]

What kind of car do you have? Do you like it?

[Dotsie]

Took Aidan to see CHicken Little. He was fabulous in the theatre. I was a little nervous about taking him because he can never sit still but I was so proud of him. The movie isn't all that great but I just watched him acting like such the big boy.

Jody - We have a Chevy Trailblazer LTZ. I do like it but I want the Buick Terraza. I'm thinking that if we ever have another baby we'll need the room, and I'm not terribly fond of minivans so the Terraza seems to be the hybrid of the minivan/suv. Sean has a Dodge Ram quad cab but it will never seat 2 car seats in the back.

[Kellymb75]

We have a Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. Never in my life did I think I'd want a "mommyvan" as Kurt calls it but I love it. We have tons of space and with the baby coming I really liked that I had the power opening doors on both sides and power rear hatch. Should make loading them into the car while out a bit easier in general.

Dorothy, we test drove the Terraza and the main reason we didn't like it was because it felt like there was little head room and Kurt and I are not tall people. Just thought I'd mention that in case you haven't been in one.

[mom2amelia]

Hey all. For those of you who are either having your second or already have your second, what did/are you doing about strollers? Are you just going to let your first kid walk while you push a stroller or are you getting a double stroller? Anyone have arguments for either side of that? TIA!


We're gonna wait and see too. I think I'll probably wear the baby and Amelia can use the stroller if she wants too. She'll be almost 3 years old, I just don't think we'll need a double.

We drive an Acura TL and a Honda Odyssey. I am so not a minivan mom, but I don't know how you can live without one. It is so easy to get Amelia in and out of her seat, and there's plenty of room for the dog, our "stuff" and another couple of car seats. We can get two carseats in the TL, but it's such a pain getting Amelia in her seat - I have to contort my pregnant body to lean in there and tighten her straps (she climbs into the seat on her own).

ETA - Amelia hasn't eaten anything in 2 or 3 days. She usually a pretty good eater, but the last few days she's just kind of pushed her food around her plate and then said she was done. I don't think she consumed 100 calories of food yesterday. Thank goodness she drank some milk.

[hisdaffodil]

Thanks for the responses. Em is a lot like Aidan. He has just never been a good eater. Occasionally he'll have a day where he'll actually eat his meals. And he does like snacks like pretzels or grahams, but eating actual food, forget it!

We drive a Ford Focus and a Saturn LS1. I don't recommend either as a "family" car. it's very cramped with two carseats. And hard to get in and out of.

Kelly - Glad to hear you like your Caravan! We're looking at the new Dodge Grands and the Town and Country, eyeballing that Stow N Go. Does yours have that?? If so, is it as handy as it looks? A saturn sales guy was telling us that to make them stow, the seats are really thin and uncomfy.

We're also looking at the Saturn Relay. But I'd like to make it another year without car payments, I'm really liking that.

We'll probably go Mini-van when we do though. The Relay is kinda an SUV-van, I guess. It doesn't scream Soccer Mom to me, anyway. I never really wanted a minivan, but now the reality of the numerous car seats has me thinking I was nuts not to want one.

[Adrianna14]

clzj ~ I don't know what words I can even say, so I will just say I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you....

[Adrianna14]

Hunter eats just about nothing, although you would never know it by his size. He was 30 pounds at 1 year old, and is about 35 pounds now. His favorite foods: peaches, applesauce, beans, peas, corn, yogurt, bagels, chocolate milk, mac and cheese, rolled up turkey, waffles, fried eggs, hot dogs, fruit roll ups, and Rice a Roni. :) Thats about it. Maybe I should eat just that stuff, and I'd finally lose my last 25 pounds?! :D He rarely eats a decent dinner, so I'm just hoping he eats good during the day at daycare, since he is seeing everyone else eat. During the weekend, I can't get him to eat much at all.

We drive a Nissan Altima and a Dodge Durango. We love the Durango and it fits 2 car seats just fine. I HATE the Altima. Nothing against the Altima itself, its actually a great car. I just HATE driving a car. 2 days after we bought it and I got ride of my SUV, I knew I hated it. I feel like I'm in a rolling death trap being that close to the ground!! Plus its cramped with 2 kids. I want my SUV back! :) So, actually, this weekend we are going to go get a truck (4 door) for DH since he has been wanting one forever. I'm taking the Durango back, and we are selling the car. Yea! I'm never buying a car again.

[Kellymb75]

Sheree, we do have the stow and go and it's awesome! I don't think the seats are thin or uncomfortable. The middle seats are captain chairs and they easily hold Morgan's Marathon on them with a little room on each side and that's a pretty big carseat. I would highly recommend stow and go to anyone that thinks they would ever take a van seat out, it's so much easier. My inlaws actually bought the same van with fewer options for the stow and go and they LOVE it.

[hisdaffodil]

Kelly - Great!! I'm sooo glad to hear this! The T&C is quite expensive, so when I found out Dodge had it too, I was happy. But we take quite a few long drives, so DH was harping on the comfortability issue. But it was a Saturn dealer who mentioned thin seats, so I was a bit suspicious thinking he was just trying to dig at the competition. We'd be taking seats out left and right, so to find some that I can manage, by my little self, is awesome. Maybe I can get one next year. :)

[hisdaffodil]

Yes, for starters, I am a Christmas Freak. So I put my tree up yesterday. At about 9pm. I can tell Christmas is going to be fun this year. The tree lasted less than 24 hours when paired with a 2 year old. :)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf33b3127cce95618decf39500000006109AZOG7Vw0ac

He just kinda went behind it and pushed. It knocked his toy box over when it hit down. So I'm waiting on DH to come home so I can attempt to hoist it up and see what might be salvaged.

[Kellymb75]

OMG!!! I hope we don't have similar issues. I think Morgan will leave it alone but I'm not sure. I don't even know where our tree will go up because last year we didn't put it up because we were in FL and the year before I can't remember where it went. We don't have a ton of room to put it anywhere so I hope we can find a decent place. I hope you are able to salvage all of it, if not most of it. Good luck!

[hisdaffodil]

Hey ladies,

I just need some thoughts/prayers or whatever you do. I absolutely hate 2005. Except for my little Jamie bug.

You all know what crap we've gone through this year, with the house flooding, the sick prego, DH's tumor and surgeries, premie baby in the hospital, etc.

Today we took the car in for a checkup due to a weird noise. That was at 8am. At 9am, they called and said it needed this and that and this, and it'd be $990! At 9:30, DH's bro called to let us know that his Mom had a heart attack! So at 10, we were switching out cars (being down to one) so that he could go to get his mom and take her to the hospital (she needed to be forced to go). By 2pm, they've decided to admit her and transfer her to another hospital. 4pm I pick up my stupid money hog car. DH informs me that his sister and her two kids will be coming down from Nebraska and staying with us. i Proceed to start super cleaning and trying to find places to bed a few extra folks. 8pm, DH is home briefly, then leaves to go to the hospital with his mom's things. On the way there, he calls me, his brother has had a car accident and is injured!

So MIL is in the hospital, BIL is en route to the hospital, and the car broke us. Ugh. I hate 2005!

Anywho. Just needed to vent a bit. Fussy baby, gotta go.

[Dotsie]

omg, I am so sorry for all that you're going through. You and all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers. 2005 seems to have been a tough year all around. I too am hoping that 2006 will be a much better year. Just know that we are here for you if you need us. {{HUGS}}

[mom2amelia]

Sheree - I am so sorry you are going through all that. I hope your MIL is ok. How scary. 2005 did indeed suck rocks for you. I hope 2006 makes up for all of that. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts. Hang in there.

[hisdaffodil]

Thanks girls! I'm sure 2006 will be much better! There's not much left that could go wrong anyway!

The good thing about the tree falling is that it must have scared him because he hasn't touched it since it went back up.

Obsessions - What is your kid obsessed with??

Mine stands out in the front yard, and will do so for hours, at night to point at the moon, chanting "A Moon! A moon, Look a Moon!!!" He will do this whether it's freezing out or not. He'll do it in the car if he can see the moon. He'll do it if he sees a picture of the moon. The boy is totally moonstruck!

[Dotsie]

Care bears. Aidan is obsessed with the damn things. He calls them "New show bears". They have the movie (from 1986, I remember seeing it in the theatre) On Demand with comcast cable and my mom put the movie on for him last week. We now watch it nonstop ALL DAY LONG:rolleyes:

[jarm]

Shrek...everyday all day if she could. Must conveniently lose that DVD. I can only take so much!

[Kellymb75]

Morgan's newest obsession is just repeating anything and everything that pops into her head a billion and one times. Doesn't matter if we acknowledge that she's said it or not, she has to say it many, many, many times over. It makes me want to pull my hair out.

[mommy2AlliWill]

HD- So sorry about that long list of bad things that have happened recently. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that 2006 is much, much better for you & your family.

Alli is obsessed with Dora.

[hisdaffodil]

Backpack backpack... backpack, backpack!

Speakin of Dora, Has anyone found ANY of her cousin Diego's stuff in the stores? Em likes Diego better than Dora but I haven't seen anything Diego. I'm hoping they do the Rescue Pack thing like Dora's BackPack that you can buy.