*Getting Healthy for Baby* June

[Nik]

WOW! Hold the phones! Tell me about Stevia and TTC. I JUST switched over from Splenda to Stevia, like two weeks ago! I need info!

I'm feeling SO MUCH more energetic these past two days, and frankly, it's scaring me... On the other hand, I had one foot on the floor this morning while I tried to snooze the last two hours because I was just SURE I was going to vomit. It continued on the way to school, even though I had "chocolate milk" for breakfast. For a snack, I had apple slices and about three ounces of peanuts. Now, I'm feeling a bit icky in the belly again. I'm trying to stay positive, but it's so difficult! Help me!

Kat: My ex-CIL's son, my still-first cousin, once removed, is renting my house right now. I know you can send her an email through her website, which is something like Louisville Paranormal Investigations.com. Her name's Carolyn Craft.
Have fun!

[obraxton]

Hi, all....Hope all is well. I'm still too tired to read posts, but I thought I'd better say a quick hi, before I can even type for a while...maybe I'll catch a "third" wind. There's a heat wave coming tomorrow! It's going to be 95+ for the next week or so. It's about 80 this week, and it felt like 100 degrees to me. So, I'm trying to figure out the best course of action. I have to go to Trenton on Monday and Tuesday, and thats about a 2 hour drive (work), I decided to ride with a co-worker instead of driving, I have a feeling my swelling's gonna get worse.......Not to sound like a spoiled sport, cause I'll gladly take it, I'm more concerned about Elijah, b/c the doctor says that I have to remember that when I'm hot, he's even hotter, and to avoid any harm to him, I have to be hydrated and cool when delivering in the summer time.
Next week I'll be 32 weeks, and he'll be almost full term in a little while. My body's gone through a lot of different stages, and this month is the fright stage of delivery. Not knowing what's going to happen if he's going to be ok. But I know God already knows, so I'm at peace. It's just weird how your hormones change as quickly as your body does. I'm going with DH to Picture People on Monday to take our maternity photo. I'll try to post it.

Belle, just wanted to show some today. Hope all is well with you, honey
GB79, Nik's right, nothing like making plans...so keep it up and you'll have to break them soon! Missed having you around, keep in touch
Amber, got me interested in this Wii. I saw it at wal-mart and thought of you. Would be something good to try right now.
Amm...Congrats on the meds going down..
Nik, enjoy the fatigue. it won't last very long.
Katy, you did very good with your pregnancy weight gain and after loss. I can remember if you said so already...did you nurse?

Everyone else, Hi, love ya, and talk to you soon!!!

[LuckyKitty]

Thanks for the info, Nik! I'll definitely try to get in touch with them. I wish I had more info for you on the Stevia, but it just doesn't seem to be out there. From what I understand, they force-fed mice large amounts of Stevia and found some correlation with infertility. That being said, it would take a truckload or so a day of the stuff to equal those amounts for us and we're not mice, so it might not even apply to women. You might check with your doc to be sure, but I don't know of any reason why you should be concerned, you've gotten the conception part taken care of

I'm excited cause I (finally) made an appt with a nurse practicioner here in town to start moving forward with getting us some help on the TTC front. I've put it off so long that now I'm way past due even for my annual. This lady has gotten a couple of my friends PG (no pun intended ) with IUI and clomid and what-not, so I'm she can help us too. Appt's the 16th, so I'll keep you all posted

[Potaty]

Originally Posted by obraxton

:Katy, you did very good with your pregnancy weight gain and after loss. I can remember if you said so already...did you nurse?

Yes, I am nursing and I absolutely love it! It was hard at first but now it is a cinch and it such a special time to have with Tucker. I even still get teary when I look down while nursing him, and when he lets go to smile at me....words cannot describe it!!!!!!

Originally Posted by LuckyKitty

I'm excited cause I (finally) made an appt with a nurse practicioner here in town to start moving forward with getting us some help on the TTC front. I've put it off so long that now I'm way past due even for my annual. This lady has gotten a couple of my friends PG (no pun intended ) with IUI and clomid and what-not, so I'm she can help us too. Appt's the 16th, so I'll keep you all posted

That's great! I am excited for you! I have no regrets about enlisting medical intervention!

[Nik]

Good luck, Kat, on the ghost thing and on the appt. I hope things go well for you!

Sorry about all that whiny, incessant need for reassurance. I feel like the girl in high school who always complained to her friends, "Does this make me look fat?" Eventually, don't we all just want to say, "Just go on a diet and shut your mouth!" Thanks for being so supportive and patient with my demands.

[Potaty]

Nik~Never apologize for how you're feeling! We love to hear all about it, the good and bad!

Belle~Please check in, we are worried about you!

[AsmallerME]

Hey ladies.

Kat - yeah!!!!! I'm so glad you got the fit! What are your favorite games? I'm guessing we can't play together but we can challange each others score. My favorites so far are the hoola-hoop, advanced step, bubble river (or whatever it's called), soccer, and I like some of the yoga poses. I couldn't figure out the row squat to save my life. I logged 40 minutes today and loved every second. Congrats on the appointment with the doctor. It's exciting to be taking the next step towards motherhood.

Nik - you're whining is precisely what a support group is for. Well not your whining in particular, but you know what I mean! Don't stress about things in the past. Your baby is fine and you're doing what you can to keep it fine. I too think the symptoms are a great sign. I had strong symptoms until the spotting and then they went away completely. I never had nausea though and that's one of the best symptoms that things are fine. Be strong and keep posting all these things b/c us non-pregnant women need to know every detail. At least I do.

Belle - I'm sending you good vibes girlie. I miss you and hope things are going okay.

Dessa - I can't wait to see the maternity pictures. I bet you look amazing. Haha...the wii fit would be very difficult pregnant as most games involve balance and I'd think yours is completely out of whack right now.

Okay, dinner is ready....I'll be back to post more in a bit.

Oh, one last thing in case I forget. I saw a statute book open in the library today and thought it was cake. What the heck is wrong with my cake obsessed brain today??? haha

[Nik]

Amber: You've been on Wii fit too long. Your body's looking for more calories in cake-shaped objects! Thanks for the feedback on my symptoms. I'll try to keep updating.

Belle: Where are you!!!!?

I want feedback on my baby girl name. Whaddya think of:

Annabelle Sue?

HONEST OPINIONS!

I threw out an oddball suggestion today, and hubby just cracked up. He said we should tell everyone that we have chosen that name, just to see their reactions. It's not as funny until you say it aloud, so read this one aloud, particularly if you can do a Barbra Walters voice:

Aurora Rose

[Potaty]

I think that's a very nice name! It sounds so southern! I am the self proclaimed Queen of Different Names. That's why we didn't divulge the name prior to his birth, we didn't want any negative opinions on the 2 names we had picked out. I also kind of feel like we picked the wrong name for him but it's too late now! LOL

[Potaty]

Okay, ladies. I suck. I was supposed to start induction on Sunday, but life has kept me from grocery shopping. My MIL came today to watch Tucker (she is obsessed with him, lol) so I could go to the store and I ended up meeting up with my sis and going to garage sale-ing (?) instead. That was my opportunity to get going on this and I didn't do it!!!!! Why??? I have no idea. I have this little devil on my shoulder saying that me and dh's joint 30th bday party is next Saturday and I shouldn't start until after that. It's Luau themed and there will be yummy adult beverages and dessert (dinner too).

What would you all do?
1) Party Shmarty, get on the wagon, NOW!
or
2) It's your 30th Bday party....eat and drink to your heart's content but get your big booty on the wagon the next day (which would be next Sunday).

Again, I totally suck and I realize this.

[Nik]

Katy: First, what was Tucker's other name, and why do you have doubts?

Then: Combine the two! Start induction tomorrow, with a planned holiday next Saturday. Drink lots of water the following Sunday, and it shouldn't set you back too far.

[obraxton]

I agree with Nik, Katy, I think your motivation and determination will be higher. One day of splurge will not be as counterproductive as stalling an extra week. IMO.

[AsmallerME]

Katy - I agree that the best course of action is choice c. Start now and then give yourself the day off for the party. You might be down a few pounds by then and your appetite might be smaller so you'll probably do less damage. Plus you'll have tons of stuff premade in the fridge for next Sunday. Start now.

Nik - I like the name. I agree it sounds very southern but girlie and cute. Does it have any significance to you or just a random name you thought up?

[AsmallerME]

Oh Katy, I don't think you picked the wrong name. I love his name. But I did read an article that something like 10% of people change their babies names within the first year to something different b/c they second guess their decision. So I guess it's normal to have some of those feelings.

[Nik]

Amber: I never thought of the fact that Katy's appetite will be suppressed after a week of LC. Good point! Also, I didn't realize that people actually CHANGE their kids' names. I absolutely LOVE Tucker, btw.

RE: Annabelle Sue: Annabelle is just a name we picked based on my rigid, annoying criteria. Sue is my grandma's middle name, and we think it sounds so cute together, that you just have to smile!

I'm one of those people who doesn't have a long list that gets narrowed down. Usually, I pick a name that I like, and somehow shoot it down for being "wrong." After I choose a name, I have to sit on it for a week and check the meaning and popularity (I don't want my kid to be one of seventeen kids in his class with the same name).

Strangely, we're not at all Southern in our attitudes or behaviors. However, I think Annabelle has lots of potential. It can be shortened in several different ways, and she won't be called by her full name except by family members. As an adult, she can go by "Anne" to sound more mature, if necessary.

I chose it because I wanted a name with a soft start that ended with substance. I love Ellen, but I wanted more syllables. My favorite was:
Eliot Blythe, but hubby vetoed it because he doesn't like Eliot as a girl's name. Annabelle has the weight of a good name, the "elle" sound I like, and the soft, feminine start. So there's my extensive defense of the name. Now, I'm just going to see if it sticks...

[Potaty]

Thanks for the input ladies and you are all so smart! I am going to start induction tomorrow with a planned cheat on Saturday. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Nik

Katy: First, what was Tucker's other name, and why do you have doubts?.

He was going to be either Tucker Scott (my dh's pick) or Shay Carter (my pick). We never could decide so we combined the two, but I really think he is more of a Shay Carter than a Tucker Shay. I have a hard time calling him Tucker sometimes because it doesn't seem to fit him. Oh well.

I may use Shay Carter if we have another boy, people will think I am obsessed with the name Shay, but that's okay. It means "gift" and that's part of the reason I love it so much.

[Potaty]

Originally Posted by Nik

I absolutely LOVE Tucker, btw.

(I don't want my kid to be one of seventeen kids in his class with the same name).

I love the name Tucker, too, I just don't feel like it fits him as well as Shay does. When I think of the name Tucker, I think ornery, outgoing and fiesty and he is laid back, relaxed, and very much an observer.

I thought I was picking a unique name until my sister (works in a school) just screened 3 Tuckers for preschool!

[Nik]

I'm a big fan of calling a kid whatever comes to mind.
Just call him Shay-it's part of his name. I like Tucker Shay better than either of the other two, IMHO.

[AsmallerME]

Just call him Shay. I have tons of friends who go by their middle name and have their entire lives. And obviously you can do whatever you want to do, but it would be a little weird having two kids with the same name if you have another boy. Unless Shay has some family significance or something. If your husband is fine with it, I'd just start calling him Shay since he seems to be favoring that name.

Nik - I love your reasoning behind the name. I'm the same way with either loving or hating a name right away. We are set on the boy name but girl names we can't agree with. We'll pick one for a few weeks and then hate it and start again. I'm thinking we won't really find a girl name until we get an u/s that tells us we need one. I hope we do need one though since having a daughter would be too much fun. Do you have mother's intuition about the sex of your baby?

Okay I logged another 30 minutes on my fit. Kat - I unlocked that weird penguin game and did that a few times. My favorite is still advanced step. It makes me miss taking step aerobics at the gym, back when I had a membership...

[Nik]

Mother's intuition, hope, Chinese gender chart...I'm thinkin' it's Annie!

[obraxton]

99 degrees here, and NOW I have a horrible headcold....can't catch a break with the heat even with the a/c on, and DH lovingly brought the water cooler and oj next to the bedroom for me b/c he has to work. I don't even want to take the doctor's approved medications and give them to Elijah. I don't feel like I have a fever. I never liked taking meds before him, so I really don't want to now. It would be more bearable if not for this heat. 99 degrees in June.....we didn't even get to have a spring in NJ. I'm praying that this is just a fluke, b/c it's JUNE, not August, and I would hate for it to climb any higher. Ladies, just wanted to check in....the computer room has no a/c, so I'll be seeing you in a few days.

[amm]

Hey Ladies!

It's hothothot here in Georgia... so I feel the pain of those in the heat. I am not a fan of summertime because I hate hot weather.

It's cycle day 7 for me... I've been temping and this morning's temp seemed really low... I took it twice to be sure. I think that maybe since I breathe through my mouth when I sleep my temps could be off?

Today's Menu:
B- chocolate protein shake with 1tbs peanut butter blended in
L- salad with grilled chicken and light ranch
S- cheddar cheese and a pickle
D- went out to Ruby Tuesdays - had chicken wings and salad bar.

I also did 45 minutes on the treadmill. I've been trying to find a Wii Fit and can't locate one anywhere!

[Potaty]

Okay ladies, I made a roast to prepare for my LC start tomorrow! I will need oodles of support over the next few days! Wish me luck!

[Nik]

Good luck with LC and with the heat. I have seasonal allergies, and am not taking meds with the pregnancy, so we turned on the air last week. I use an ice pack on my eyes when they get really itchy, and it seems to help. I also chew on ice to alleviate nasal symptoms, but I haven't had much of those lately. It seems like these remedies might help you cool down, Dessa. Good luck with your cold, dear!

Amm: Have you tried vaginal temping? I'd buy a brand new thermometer for that, but it might be more accurate?

[Potaty]

Amm~I did the vaginal temping and found it to be much more accurate for me and in return my charting made a lot more sense and was much clearer to read. Maybe try that?