*EXPECTING MOMMIES* November 2008

[AsmallerME]

Amy - I'm curious too. I'm not sure if I remember you posting your story before either, but it is such an awesome thing you're doing for yourself. I'd be doing the same thing if I was you. And you'll be a fantastic mother.

[KrystaLyn]

New pictures of my boys taken today. The lights were low in the nursery, so they are kind of dark, and the glare on Ashe's isolette was really bad because of it, but oh well!

Ronan 2 weeks 3 days old


Ashe 2 weeks 3 days old

[Tinkerloo]

Krysta they are lovely! When do you anticipate them coming home?

Amber/Katy - Thanks for the wonderful support. I have to say that since things took so quickly for me, I haven't had much time to settle into it myself. I had been primed to believe that it could take 6 months or more to get pregnant, if I even did before I ran out of funds. I thought I would have time to tell a wider group of friends what I was up to before winding up pregnant, but nope! My closest friends, who are wonderful knew, but nobody else - not even my far away family in England. I have decided now to wait until the end of the first trimester to tell them because apart from surprise, they will be worried about the health of the baby at my age, and I'd rather be able to tell them all is well right from the get go. So I am just getting used to sharing the news with everyone - which is why it's so nice to have your support as well.

As far as donors, that part wasn't as difficult for me as I'd anticipated. There is not tons of information on their profiles really to judge from - at least not that felt truly moving to me. Of course there is extensive medical history - but once screened in that way, then it was just onto the few important things that mattered to me. Most important was that he was willing to be known if my child wishes to know more when he/she is 18. This donor agreed to that and a one time meeting. I can never request it, only the child. Also, he allowed a baby/childhood picture of himself to be shared. This made him more real and tangible for me, so I imagined it would do the same for the child. I also smiled continuously everytime I looked at his picture - that was a good indicator for me! He also made a comment when asked why he was a donor that his 2 children are the greatest joy of his life and he wished that for anyone who wanted it. That spoke to my heart - unlike many of the others who were honest and simply said it was for the money to get through school. There is nothing wrong with that and I'm sure "my" donor wanted the money as well (it's quite a commitment at this particular clinic - they donate for a year and go through regular testing throughout, so they almost have an extra job), but there was something nice in his statement. He also turned out to be closer to my age than most - which wasn't something I was necessarily looking for, but it wound up that way.

I'm happy to answer any questions - it's good practice for me for when it happens face to face.

I have barely accomplished anything today - but got some good rest I'll speed clean before my friend arrives tomorrow afternoon - and she's not staying over now, so that helps with some things not needing to be done before she gets here!

- Amy

[Tinkerloo]

Gracie - I keep meaning to ask - how are you feeling? How's the tooth?

[Nik]

Amy: Thanks for sharing your story. I cannot congratulate you enough on your accomplishments. Infertility and TTC are stressful enough with two people working at it...Good for you. Your donor selection process is moving, too. It's nice to have a heartwarming story to share about getting pregnant.

Krysta: Ashe has so much hair! I really love those onesies. The boys look so good in your pictures; I know they'll be home in no time. Congrats!

[freeman82]

AMY - What a wonderful story. I think it is great what you are doing. Goodluck and congratulations.

Gracie - Hope the tooth ache gets better.

Krysta - the babies are beautiful. Congratulations

[AsmallerME]

Krysta - your boys look great! Have they given you an estimated date for when they can go home?

Amy - thanks for sharing. I got goosebumps reading about the donor. I didn't even know it was an option to see pictures or to have your child contact them when of age. That's really such an awesome thing for you baby. Since you're waiting a few more weeks until you tell your family, have you though of how you'll be doing it? I'm guessing you'll be at the start of your 2nd tri at Christmas, right? How exciting!

[Tinkerloo]

Hi Everyone -
Thanks Ladies for such wonderful messages.

Amber - yes I start my 2nd trimester almost exactly around Christmas time. It's such a surreal experience how it goes slowly yet quickly. I'm just past 9 weeks now. I haven't thought about how to tell family in England yet - i t's the older generation I'm feeling "shy" around - old fashioned thinking, etc. My cousins will all be fine. I'm going to miss a big family wedding that they all think I'm coming over for (since I had planned on it) because it will only be 6-7 weeks after I've given birth and that feels way too soon to travel that far. So I will probably start by saying I won't be able to make it for the wedding, but it's for a good reason...

I'm dragging this morning - not wanting to do any chores before my friend visits this afternoon. Unfortunately I'd be embarrassed if I didn't so I must get moving... soon. I know I'll be glad when it's done - I'm just savoring "do nothing" time.

Happy Sunday -
-Amy

[amlundie]

Hiya ladies!

Amy- what a wonderful story!

My appt went well, my weight was up too much but I know my body and I know it wasn't actual weight gain. And since that day 4 of the extra lbs are already gone. I had eaten early Thanksgiving the night before and had a big lunch before the appt. My next appt is Dec 3rd for glucose tolerance test and I have to fast before it so the weight on the scale will be my real weight.

Well I gotta run and do some work now have a great day ladies!

[Gracie514]

Amy: I love that you have decided to have the baby now, for yourself, instead of waiting for the "right guy". You are giving him/her the precious gift of life. I sort of get a vibe that you're having a girl, don't know why though. When I think of you, I think pink! I can see you raising a strong, independent young girl. (same if it's blue!!!)

Krysta: They are so sweet and I also love the onesies!

Nik: Thanks for the tooth tip but I don't have any CO. It went away Friday afternoon and hasn't returned (crossing fingers). Maybe there was something stuck up there???? How are you feeling?

Mel: Don't stress over the weight gain. When I had DS I gained about 50 pounds. Then with DD I only gained about 30 pounds, but I still hadn't lost about 20 of the 50 from DS!!!! In the beginning you'll drop 15-20 pounds almost instantly. The rest will come off just a little slower.

Meekness: Sorry the test was negative. But, if you're not sure where you are in your cycle, you could still be pg and just not producing enough of the hormone to get a positive result. I would wait 2-3 days and retest.

Tori: Good vibes being sent your way......did you test????


AFM: I had a yucky weekend. My DD has strep throat so we spent most of the weekend at home. The nausea came back yesterday too I also feel kind of weepy, almost sad. I don't know if maybe I'm getting sick too or if it's just my hormones. Sometimes the holidays make me sad because I start remembering family that isn't here anymore. My FIL would be so excited that I am pg again. I'm glad I have all of you to talk to.

[amlundie]

Gracie- We're glad to have you to talk to also! I know this time of year can be hard.

Meekness- Sorry about the negative test

Krysta- they are so beautiful!

[Tinkerloo]

Hi Ladies -
Things have gotten a bit hectic at work, which is sort of nice because the days go much faster. On the flip side, I'm not here as much!

Thanks again for all of your super support! Gracie - I've been thinking pink myself the past week or so, so I am hoping a little bit that that is indeed the case - but if not, then I will have a sweet boy who will be really nice to the women in his life I'm glad your tooth seems to have resolved - the last thing any of us need is something else to deal with with our bodies.

The queasies are raising their head - must be time to eat something! I'll check back soon

- Amy

[Gracie514]

Amy ~ hope the queasies went away. I have them today too - blech!

Heading home to rest. Can't wait to watch Dancing with the Stars!!!

[Nik]

Gracie: I like my CO for lots of things. I use it on my feet to keep them smooth. I'm going to wear it to bed on my hands tonight to heal up some cracks. I'm even looking into using it in my neti pot to moisturize my nasal membranes. Good stuff. OTOH, it's even BETTER that your pain went away on its own.

MEL: Why are you fasting for the GTT? My nurse had me eat before and after, telling me that it would def. cause a sugar spike if I'm not used to that much sugar...

I had my doctor's appointment today. Heart rate=150. No concerns, except my weight. The doc advised me to exercise and stay away from junk food and sweets, especially sweets, he said. He's right. My blood pressure is creeping up a bit, too. I want to def. start walking again. I need to get in shape-labor is hard work!!!! The good news is I haven't gained any weight in a week! I see him again in two weeks, then again two weeks after, then every week starting the week of Christmas. It's getting close!

[amlundie]

....the doctor said to fast from midnight the night before, no food no drink, and the appt is at 8:30 am. so basically I won't eat breakfast before I go.... I thought most of the time you did fast before that test.

[Gracie514]

If I remember correctly, when I had that test done with my first 2 I thought I had to fast too I kind of remember getting ill because I was so hungry afterwards that I stopped at Arby's for food. I'm going to google it and see what I can find.

Today is my DD's Thanksgiving Feast at Kindergarten so I'll be leaving work and heading to that in a little while. I slept well last night, thank goodness. Nausea is still here - UGH!

[freeman82]

The last time I was pregnant I had to fast for the test too. I remember hating it very badly because on top of not eating you had to drink that awful stuff It wasn't pleasant.

[amlundie]

oh BTW congrats on your appts getting closer together Nik!!! I have started every 2 weeks

[Potaty]

Hmmmm...I didn't have to fast for it. Maybe it depends on the doctor's preference.

[amlundie]

Yeah guess so, oh well my doc office (and the hospital) is about 3 minutes from my house so I should be ok without eating breakfast... I'll just sleep in as long as possible...darn poor me

[Tinkerloo]

Blek - I'm not looking forward to that test at all - fasting in particular - because I don't eat a lot of sugar now either.

I fell asleep at 7:30 last night! I thought that I'd wake up at some point for sure - but slept straight through till 4:30 when I start to wake up anyway! So thankful that I didn't have to pee and the dog didn't either - a nice long rest! Although of course I'm already yawning. But after today - no more work until Mon!

I hope you feel a bit better Gracie! And I hope the rest of you have a great day!
- Amy

[Maryposa]

I think they can do either fasting or not, there are two different groups of numbers (criteria) to measure against depending on which situation is used.

[KrystaLyn]

The first time I had a GTT I wasnt PG, and I think I had to fast. This time, when I WAS PG, my Drs told me not to fast. Said they get better results if I dont fast. I passed both times, so who knows?

[Toridoll2004]

Hey Gracie,

I am actually due Thanksgiving day. Yuck. But I feel different, so I'm gonna wait till I miss to test. I'll probably do it sometime next week for sure if I do skip

And I'm actually from Pittsburgh. Well, around that area. I lived in Westmoreland County in the Lower Burrell area. I just moved here in February. I'm coming up for Thanksgiving. Can't wait to be home! Is the snow real bad up there right now?

[Tinkerloo]

Krista -
I keep meaning to mention that I was active on the boards at the Atkins site for many months earlier this year before TTC and I repeatedly saw the nutritionist there say to not be in ketosis while pregnant OR breastfeeding. I believe they said that the lowest NETcarbs that you should have everyday during either of these times in your life was 50.

Hope that helps. You want those little bubbas to have the best, highest quality breastmilk possible so they thrive! They are so precious -
-Amy

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by Toridoll2004

Hey Gracie,

I am actually due Thanksgiving day. Yuck. But I feel different, so I'm gonna wait till I miss to test. I'll probably do it sometime next week for sure if I do skip

And I'm actually from Pittsburgh. Well, around that area. I lived in Westmoreland County in the Lower Burrell area. I just moved here in February. I'm coming up for Thanksgiving. Can't wait to be home! Is the snow real bad up there right now?

It's actually snowing right now! There's nothing laying on the ground but I think we're supposed to get about 3 inches, so no big deal. I'm in Southwestern PA in Allegheny County. I will warn you, it is very COLD!

Amy: I just got back to work from DD's Thanksgiving Feast and I am pooped! I wanted to go home and take a nap. I was in charge of handing out corn bread muffins and rolls. One little boy came up and he didn't have anything on his plate so I asked him if he wanted a muffin and he said no. I said "Honey, you don't have anything to eat, aren't you hungry?" And then he proceeded to get big tears in his eyes! I felt so bad. Maybe he was just having a bad day. All in all it was a fun time! Now I have 3.5 hours until I can go home and sleep

[Tinkerloo]

I feel your pain Gracie - today I'm having to reorganize our office to make room for someone new who is starting on Monday. I've been feeling disgusting from the dust and just want to stop now - but of course I can't because the place is a disaster area. If it was my house, I'd be done till another day - but I can't do that here And no worries of course - I'm not moving anything heavy - I get to boss the guys around to do that

So instead, I'll take a little break and then finish up. I still have tons of desk work to do too before I leave in 3 hours! Can't wait to head home today - although first I'm stopping to do some shopping at Cost Plus - they have the jarred chestnuts I need for my English Christmas dinner - way cheaper than elsewhere - they have already sold out of two shipments but the manager stashed some for me because I kept coming in to check for them! Nice guy!

Okay - I'd better get this mess handled - I could fall asleep sitting here right now - bed will feel great tonight!
- Amy

[KrystaLyn]

Amy, that is what I was really wondering, about being in Ketosis. I am not doing to start any kindof plan until January anyway, but I think from what I have heard, I will probably only do OWL with AT LEAST 50 carbs and see how I do. I wont do anything hardcore until I am done BFing. Thanks for the input!

[Potaty]

Krysta~I get 50 carbs a day, probably even a little more and I am losing very nicely. I don't have ketostix so I don't know if I'm in ketosis but I don't see how I could be. I am only nursing one so I don't think you will have any problems seeing the scale drop while doing OWL or even maintenance levels.

[KrystaLyn]

To be honest, I havent had a problem with the scales dropping even NOT dieting. I lost 3 more pounds yesterday and am now only 8 lbs away from my Pre-preg weight! Of course, I gained a little while TTC, so I want to lose that, too.