Expecting Mommies~JUNE 2008

[Nik]

OH! Gas is killing me! It took over $40 today for 1/2 a tank!
Dessa: This is the hard part; hang in there! Seven weeks will fly by. You can be happy that your hips are hurting. It probably means that your pelvis is opening, making room for that special delivery. I predict no problems for you.

Weird pregnancy thing today: It seems that my mornings and afternoons are totally different. Yesterday, I said my morning was great and I ate a lot because I felt so awesome. Then last night, it was terrible. Today was exactly the opposite. I felt awful in the morning, but great tonight! So strange...

[obraxton]

Nik, you are really enjoying the MS, admit it. I love your stories, I know you feel like you're on a roller-coaster, but doesn't seem a little refreshing to go through the pangs of pregnancy. God knew exactly what He was doing. Men couldn't take this stuff!

Doctor appt:
I have a LOT of things to do, I am swelling a lot in my feet, and the doctor wants me to make sure I don't do too much that will cause any more, and if dizziness occurs to come in right away, don't know much about that. The leakage is normal, mommy tinkling herself...... I also have a tear from the iron pills causing constipation.........at least the hip pain subsided with some BD'ing last night. I should be on Discovery Health.....

The baby would normally be just under 5 lbs, but Elijah's at 5lbs 11 ounces.
I requested July 25 to be my last day before my Aug7 delivery...the doc looked at me like I had 2 heads. So, she would not let me go past July 4. That's about 3 weeks??? I think. She still doesn't think that he's going to go to August, and I kinda believe her now. At least he's at the weight that if he would be delivered today he would be out of grave danger. That's a big reassurance when thinking about a possible pre-term. Thank God for His protection. Needless to say, my posts will be limited for the next couple of weeks b/c I have a LOT of work yet to do!

[Nik]

Dessa: I'm glad to hear that things went well with the Dr. Elijah will be here before you know it! DEFINITELY take it easy with the swelling. It can be very painful. I swelled like crazy with DS, right around this time of year.

Yes, you're right about the m/s. It's reassuring. Even though right now, I feel icky and want to puke, it's a comforting discomfort. Still, I felt great this morning. Woke up from my nap like a caged animal, all in a rage and hungry/sore/nauseated. What gives?

Have you experienced these "vivid dreams" that are supposedly caused by pregnancy? Last night, I wouldn't call them vivid-just weird. Now, of course, I can't remember anything. This morning I was running it through my mind, and it had something to do with a circus and selling strange items to various people I have met throughout my life. Maybe I'm going to give birth to a traveling salesman?

Fun thing: Which gender predictors/games did you/are you planning to use? I like the Chinese gender predictor, which predicts a girl for me.

[Nik]

I just purchased my baby's bed online!

Baby will use a co-sleeper to sleep in our room for the first few months. Then, s/he'll move to our bed until s/he's weaned (about 16 months). Therefore, we don't need a crib. We'll buy a toddler "gate" that slips under the mattress to make this bed work for the little one.

I want to decorate it much like it's shown in the picture, with Dick and Jane accents to make it more childlike.

Fashion Bed Group Casey Daybed - Black - Daybeds at Daybeds

[Nik]

Okay, girls! Let's talk nutrition. What have you read/heard about LC while pregnant? All my intentions have flown out the window, and I'm giving in to every last craving. I'm starting to feel very fat, and I'm not liking it. What can we do while pregnant to continue our journey toward whole-body health and wellness?

[obraxton]

My doctor recommended Phase 2 SBD or Weight Watchers, but WW will not let you join if you're pregnant. Unfortunately, with a stricter LC, you leave out the good stuff the baby needs, like fruits. And also, whole grains have been my friend b/c of the digestive impairment I'm experiencing. I also don't like sugar substitutes, esp. SF ice creams, etc, I try to use them but get an aversion. My doctor says to stay away from the white flours and sugary sweets as much as possible. But they are hard bc they are what you crave. But when I want a carb, I usally go for a sweet potato or something with nutritional content.

[obraxton]

I had a test this afternoon, and from 2 pm I have been fast ASLEEP! I haven't been this tired since 1st trimester, I literally pulled myself out of the bed just now, so I wouldn't go back again! But I feel it calling me..
In other news, my baby dropped yesterday...that could mean a few days or a few weeks, I'm betting on weeks though I don't think he'll come until at least mid-July.

[Nik]

Dessa: Great news on Elijah dropping! It won't be long now. I'm sure he'll hold off for a few weeks at least, but I think you're considered full term at 37 weeks. Am I just making that up? My DS was born at 37 weeks, so I think that's where I'm getting the number. Who knows?

I'll have to look into SB. I'm really going to try to do better in the coming weeks. I can do better, I know it! I had a sweet potato tonight with my steak and green beans, and I was so proud of myself. It was good, too.

[obraxton]

I'm just short of 34 weeks now, so I'm praying for just a couple more inside. I doubt we'll make it to 40, but who knows. Yes, I believe 37 is considered full term. I asked him not to upstage mommy at the baby shower, I'll be so we'll see if he agrees! I'll be 36.2 weeks then
Yeah, just Phase 2, Nik....you can find pdf meal plans online. That meal sounds right up my alley....if DH still feels up to date night tonight, I'm going to order that at Outback. I want to go to the steakhouse so badly...Maybe we should post our menus and pg weight gain more often, especially for the ones that are coming behind us to use as a guide?
I think you're going to be fine. I think weight gain was my biggest worry during the 1st trimester, and boy did I worry, and yes I gained a lot then. but I really haven't gained as much since. My doctor said that some women just gain weight in the 1st trimester and slows down until the baby grows towards the end.

[Nik]

I hope Elijah stays put until after the shower! I'm 8 weeks 1 day today, and 34 weeks sounds SOOOO far away!

I guess I'm not surprised that I'm gaining so much weight, since I've deviated from my diet so much! I think posting menus is a great idea, though I'm embarrassed that mine is so veggie-free today. I hope Amm comes through here soon!
B: chocolate almond milk, organic yogurt
L: nachos and ranchero chicken soft taco from Taco Bell
S: cookies and cream ice cream w/ovaltine
D: bacon, eggs, toast, chocolate almond milk
S: Something to help the vitamins go down
Water: Not enough. I really struggle with this on the weekends

In pregnancy news, I have been feeling great this weekend with lots of food and rest. Last night, however, I got a tickle in my throat. I couldn't help but cough, and I had to run to the bathroom for fear of vomiting. I actually heaved for the first time in this pregnancy, but luckily did not "produce" anything. That made me feel a little better, I guess.

[obraxton]

Nik, I hear you, this was a lot longer than I though, but good, though....Good breakfast menu. I know water can almost be something you have to write down to remember!
Repeat post:
Went for what was though to be my last ultra sound.....The baby is doing well, actually measured at 4.10 lbs on the u/s instead of 5.10 like doc predicted, which made me happy, thinking he was out of risk for early deliver.....However, NOW my amniotic fluid is running low....Now every Monday I have to go to the hospital for tests. If I it continues to be low, they may have no choice but to deliver him... I tried not to cry, but I couldn't help it. I know he's not too early for the worst scenarios, but the fact of him not possibly getting enough to eat really upset me. So please keep Elijah in your prayers, I know he's in good Hands, and the Lord will sustain him....On the wondeful side, I got a good glimpse of his facial features...he had his eyes wide open (big like his mommy), was yawning and having a little drink.

[Nik]

Dessa: Lots of love to you and Elijah, and wishes for a very *abundant* womb.

B: chocolate almond milk
S: Cheese, apple, blueberry yogurt
L: 1/2 KFC Twister and two KFC chocolate chip cookies
S: some cheese, peanuts
D: Burger, a few fries, and two more cookies!

TOO much fast food today. Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow... I did try to eat more often and smaller portions, and that seemed to help.

[dollface10]

Hi, Ladies!

I just found out through an early detection home test that I am pregnant. I believe I am probably only a couple of weeks along, as I was feeling cramping, which most likely was the implantation cramping. My period was due on June 15th, never came and I immediately started feeling the cramping.

This will be our second baby. Our first, Isabella, is almost 4 (August 31), and has been asking for a baby sister for about 6 months now.

I plan to continue eating low carb through my pregnancy - I just feel too good to give it up, and I know that it will be much better for the baby. With Bella, I ate whatever I wanted and felt tired and awful all of the time. I'll be adding more veggies and some more fruit, and dairy to my diet, but just can't bring myself to go back.

I'm looking forward to hearing how everyone is doing with their pregnancies!

[Nik]

Welcome Christina!
Congrats on your BFP.
Maybe you can help me stay accountable with my eating plan. I'm trying to stop eating crap, but it's so easy. When you only eat a few bites at a time, you know the rest of the story...

Here's my diet for the day, so far. As you can tell, I've been posting my menus for some suggestions and accountability. I realized yesterday that I'm not getting nearly enough protein, so I'm going to try to work on that starting tomorrow.

B: chocolate almond milk
S: cheese, Total raisin bran, yogurt, rice snacks w/peanut butter
S: fudgecicle, cottage cheese
L: something meaty, I hope

[obraxton]

Very good plan, Christina just adding the fruits and dairy should make all the difference vs high carbing it! I tried, I really did, but the first trimester I only wanted carb rich foods, now I've lost the desire for it, so better late than ever.

[obraxton]

Nik, you're charting every day I couldn't bring myself to it, I hate the weekly weigh ins......! I wish I had your bravery!

[Nik]

Dessa: The weight gain is scary, but I keep trying to tell myself that the baby will not make me gain 90 pounds. It will be okay.

I didn't do too well with my menu today, but I did buy some protein drinks, more yogurt, and some fish sticks to try to get more protein. I'm craving crispy, fried foods, like the potato chips I also bought to dip in my applesauce.

I'm trying to overpack my lunch so that I can have lots to snack on through the day and during lunch. I really just need to eat smaller quantities more often. Tomorrow, I'm planning on having a protein shake for breakfast and packing cheese, apples, raisin bran, peanuts, peanut butter, and maybe some bell peppers in my lunch box. I'll let you know how it goes!

[Nik]

My menu today was much better. I purchased some protein shakes yesterday (Boost) and some protein today, so I'm going to try to drink my protein. Here's the damage:

B: 2 protein shakes (over about 90 minutes)
S: cheese, apples, raisin bran, two mini brownies and one mini banana bread
L: one bowl of honey-nut cheerios w/milk; one bowl of fruity pebbles w/almond milk
D: carrot sticks, mashed potatoes w/skin, chicken breast w/swiss and mushrooms; a bit of bread

Clearly, I'm lacking meat (which sounds gross) and veggies (which sound gross) in my diet. I bought the protein at the health food store, so I'm going to try to add that to a veggie and fruit smoothie to kill two birds with one stone. I hope to be able to add some spinach and strawberries and end up with something palatable. I always do better when I drink my protein.

I also purchased some ginger chews. I'll let you all know how they work at alleviating the m/s, nausea, and heartburn.

[KrystaLyn]

I'll be honest, Ive just been eating whatever I can, or that sounds good. It has been more, lately, however. I went to the Dr today and am finally back up to the weight I was before I got PG! Only 3.5 more weeks of the first tri and I havent gained an ounce! LOL. I hope I can keep it that way and just start gaining in the second and third tri. My goal is to only gain 30lbs. We will see. I have to say, I have been eating a lot of fruit, and really hardly any sugar or bad carbs anyway, just because my body doesnt crave them.

However, the past few days, my body has been rejecting meat, too, blech. I made some hamburger helper last night and the smell of the raw hamburger almost made me sick. And for some reason, the thought of chicken right now makes me want to gag. But you know what I was craving and was so good I could have had another one? A Wendys strawberry Frosty Shake! YUM. I have a feeling I'm going to be eating a few of those for a while! For some reason they are just so good to me right now. So much for hardly any sugar, huh?

[Nik]

Krysta:
I believe increasing dairy is excessively important in pregnancy. Ergo, the strawberry shakes are essential to your diet...

The only thing that consistently sounds good to me is cereal. Strange. I force other things down, but cereal is the only thing I WANT to eat. I don't really crave it, but it is desirable.

So, Krysta: Any ideas on gender yet? I'm trying to figure it out, but I'm consistently between the wives' tales. One moment, the ring swings in a circle over my belly. The next, it's a straight line...

[obraxton]

Krysta, I wanted to try the shake, but I was afraid I wouldn't like it, DH said it was good but he's Mikey, he'll say anything's good, and is built like a track star.....

Nik, I saw the ginger drops in the health store once, let me know how they turn out for you.

I hated meat in the beginning, and still can't tolerate the sight of chicken, and when I do eat it, it's very blah....and I never finish. But I had the worst craving for a good steak this last trimester, and DH finally took me to Outback. I love the bread, but I really wasn't into it this trip..which was good. That had to have been the best steak of my life.....I think you have to consider that your body might not always agree with what your meal plan will be, but I think the best advice for cravings is to consider a healthier alternative first, like instead of mashed potatoes, a sweet potato instead. I also loved cereal, but instead of the healthy Kashi, I Cinnamon Toast Crunch was my preference. I would buy my DH 3 boxes of other brands for my one, and dared him to touch it, but that was about a 2 or 3 weeks span, but it was my breakfast lunch and dinner it seemed.
Breakfast: Orange Juice and fruit
Snack: Ashamed to say a honey bun
Lunch: Treated by supervisor; rotissierie chicken quarter, mashed potatoes, and dressing (only finished the potatoes, which was about 1/2 cup)
Dinner: Small bowl spagetti with dreamfields pasta.( wasn't very hungry)

last night had a scare with Elijah, of course b/c fluid is low I had to come to ER if no fetal movement. I called dr. who sent me there, for about 2 hours. HB was very strong, and he reacted to my movement "perfectly" as doctor said. He is moving slow, but did move and have hiccups and moved face a lot, but I had to stay until they counted his movements. They said b/c the fluid's low this week, he has less to slosh around so he's in conservation mode. His bladder was full, which was a good sign that he was urinating as he should be.
Today, he made up for it, and gave me a few swift kicks after eating. Orange juice wakes him up, so now we're keeping an ongoing supply in the fridge...can someone please tell dh that it's not for him..lol!

[Nik]

Oh Dessa! So scary about Elijah! I wish you peace and faith through this next trial of pregnancy. It seems we never stop worrying about our little ones.

To combat the "bad" cereal cravings, I bought a variety pack of those single-serve boxes. The big indulgence was the fruity pebbles, and I just figure that it's rice, so it's okay. I'll let you know how my smoothie experiment goes tomorrow...

The ginger drops are VERY spicy, but seem to be pretty effective. My nausea has calmed down quite a bit lately, so I don't know if I have a good yardstick, but I'll keep you updated. Good luck to Dessa and Elijah!

[obraxton]

Thanks so much. He's pretty active this past day, so that's reassuring. I just keep praying and believing all will be well, at least if there's a need for emergency intervention, he'll have extremely good chances of pulling through just fine.

Having a headache with doctors and with work! My leave paperwork hasn't even been filled out, and we sent it in on Monday! Next Thursday's my last day, per THEIR instructions, and they have no record of it! UGH!

[KrystaLyn]

Dessa, my Dr just told me yesterday I have to quit work at 28 weeks. Seems kinda early, but probably cause its twins and they will come early. But, it works out cause thats exactly when I was planning to quit...the end of October. Hope you get your paperwork done in time!

Well, I had another shake today...LARGE, this time, which may have been a little too much. The small yesterday wasn't enough, though, so I guess there is no happy middle ground for me (they dont have a medium size!) And I managed to eat a few french fries and a jr. cheeseburger, too. I was feeling pretty crappy this morning, and started getting a headache at work, but the shake seemed to fix it, oddly enough. No headache now. But I am SO EXHAUSTED! I'm gonna take a nap as soon as I finish up here.

[obraxton]

Ok, Krysta! Take it easy. I think 28 weeks is very generous for twins, actually. They probably expect too soon of a delivery if you don't take it easy. How long do they want you to carry? I think J-Lo was 9 months when she delivered, I thought that was very peculiar, but then she probably had a live in maternity unit too. The doctor will fax my info on tomorrow, but the disability paperwork can't be sent until a month prior to my dd. Either way, I am soooo ready to go! You get your rest! You got 3 people to store energy for!

Baby's moving good again today! Can wait, but so excited to gear up for him. I'm looking at the things we bought him now, the onesies are so cute. For boys, I wanted the dark colored onesies, like red, navy, dark green, and black, I think my little man will be too precious! I also bought a couple of swaddlers that I've become obsessed with. I have a couple of African friends who make their own slings and it's so awesome to see b/c the baby can be positioned all around the body. I see that they make a version of the slings now, so I have to get one too! Hubby picked out the bouncy, he's been talking about we need a bouncy and a bathtub forever so I let him pick them out on his own.