* Expecting Mommies * December 2008

[amlundie]

Here's the new thread... I think this is the most current list if I missed something let me know!

Krysta: Born Nov 5, 2008; twin boys: William Ashe and Ronan Grayson
Nikie: DD Jan 31, 2009; baby girl:Avalon Marie!
Mel: DD Feb 24, 2009; baby boy: Jacob Blair!
Aryn: DD March 2, 2009; gender TBD!
Tonia: DD April 10, 2009; baby girl!
Amy: DD April 18, 2009; gender TBD!
Gracie: DD May 19, 2009; gender TBD!
Cheri: DD June 9, 2009; Gender TBD!
Tracey: DD June 11, 2009; Gender TBD!
Freeman82: DD June 19, 2009; Gender TBD!
Amy: DD June 25, 2009; Gender TBD!
Maryposa: DD June 28, 2009; Identical twins, gender TBD!

[Tinkerloo]

Thanks Mel - Marking my spot
-Amy

[Gracie514]

Ladies!

Nik: Check it out ~ you're next on the list!!!!! How exciting! Mel's not too far behind you either. I hope your third trimester is treating you good. I remember my last trimesters being uncomfortable and having a "let's get this over with already" attitude. Do you have the baby's room ready?

Mel: Yay - you're second on the list! I'm already in the middle! Hope you are feeling well.

Amy: I feel for ya. My m/s was pure he**! Now I'm in eating mode - LOL! I got on the scale this morning and I've gained 4 pounds. I am hungry all the time. Last night I ate dinner and then before bed I had 2 pieces of pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing. I promise your m/s will be over soon. I would guess in about 2-4 weeks tops!

Tori: Sorry about the negative test. Did you enjoy your visit to PA? It was kind of cold here but not too much snow.


AFM: I got all my shopping done for my DD on Black Friday and some for my DS. He is harder to shop for because everything he wants costs lots of $$$. He wants the XBox 360 with a few games, night vision goggles, cell phone, and some other stuff. DD's list was much simpler - dolls, nail polish, pajamas. I guess the older the boys, the more expensive the toys! We went to DH's 20th class reunion on Saturday night. It was fun. I was exhausted by the time I got home but couldn't sleep at all. I have a question for those in their 2nd trimester or beyond: When I'm trying to sleep sometimes I can hear my heartbeat in my ear and it drives me crazy. I know the doctor said it's normal because your body has like 25% more blood to carry but I hate the feeling. Has anyone else experienced this and does it go away?

[amlundie]

Gracie- I can't help with that I haven't had that issue... and hard as I try I can't figure out a way to fix it... maybe have some music on

[Maryposa]

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.
I am starting out the month of December with another Dr apt and an ultrasound... I am leaving work early (in about an hour) to go to my appointment. 10 Weeks and 2 days today.

[freeman82]

Hey everyone, just marking my spot.

Gracie~ I am not sure what to do about that problem. I have never experienced it. Hope you figure it out.

Maryposa ~ Hope everything goes well.

[Gracie514]

I googled my problem and found out some interesting information. I guess it's pretty normal to experience in pregnancy. But, one cause was anemia, or lack of iron (folic acid). I guess your body is using it up quickly and that's why we need the prenatal vitamin. Well, I have to admit I haven't been taking my prenatal vitamin like I should. I'm going to start taking it every day again and see if it helps. What would I do without the internet? LOL

[Tinkerloo]

Wow that is interesting Gracie! I've been having the pulling feeling waking me up again - I guess some uterus stretching going on.

I hope the vitamins help it out. That would probably make me crazy too. I wonder if putting extra pillows under your head might help since you wouldn't be lying flat.

I'm getting sleepy... and of course don't want the lunch that I brought in with me - ugh this food thing - so old already! Looking forward to wanting to eat everything in the fridge

- Amy

[Nik]

Supplement queen weighing in here:
I cannot recommend that you make any specific health choices, but i will tell you what I do:

I take Red Raspberry Leaf to soften the uterus, reduce cramping/braxton hicks/"pulling," and prepare it for labor.

I take a magnesium/potassium supplement to regulate my blood pressure, which is traditionally off during pregnancy even for normal moms. I had trouble with my heart racing and low blood pressure early on. Now, as I get bigger, the pressure is increasing, so the supps are super important.

If I feared anemia, I would take cholorophyl instead of iron. It basically helps the body use iron more efficiently, or so I've heard.

OMG! I can't believe I'm next on the list! Are we ready for this?

[Nik]

Girls: I'm huge. I think I'm carrying a linebacker. She's a biggie, and still two months to go! Check out these pics. Pic #1 is what I see when I try to look at my toes. Pic #2 is what others see when they look at me. Of course, this is a very pregnant shirt. In a sweatshirt, I still look like a victim of the college 35.

Scared? Yeah, it's weird. After trying so long to get pregnant and then finally being pregnant, the thought of HAVING an actual infant in the house has not really been part of the reasoning. So yeah, we're a bit scared. DH just said this weekend, "You know, we're going to have a BABY." So strange.

[Potaty]

Nik~ Your belly is soooo adorable!!!! I am cracking up at your "bird's eye view" one, I took one too. Except I was laying in bed and it looks like I'm naked because all you see is a bare belly, bare legs and feet. I think I had shorts on but ya couldn't see them!

[Tinkerloo]

Nik I think you have the glow - you look absolutely beautiful! I'm secretly hoping you deliver on my birthday - 2/2 - Groundhog's Day

[Tinkerloo]

Nik - A question for you. I know you love Coconut Oil and other natural solutions and remedies. Do you use CO for skin moisturizing? I'm having terrible dry skin and I've never been much of a lotion person because I tend to be a little sensitive and sometimes they break me out or make me itch, so I haven't really been using anything, but now it's getting bad. I thought I'd try CO but I'm not crazy about the oily feel? Are there any tricks? Maybe I'm using too much. Or if you have any other solutions that would be much appreciated. Or anyone else of course.

Have a great day ladies.
- Amy

[amlundie]

Nik- I love your belly! You are so adorable! Mine is starting to really poke out in a maternity shirt but in a t-shirt I also just look chubby. I suppose I'll take a belly pic for you guys soon.

Have a great day girlies!

[Gracie514]

Nik: You look wonderful! You are ALL belly!!! So, how do I take chlorophyl? Does it come in a pill form? Thanks

Amy: I've been itchy, itchy, itchy! I think it's just one of those things we have to deal with. I've been using baby powder after showering.

Maryposa: How was your doctor's appointment?

AFM: I have my next appointment this Friday. I will be nearly 17 weeks! At this appointment I will get the script for the big U/S. I don't want to find out the sex but boy is it ever tempting! I'm going to tell the tech when I get there that no matter what I say, DO NOT tell me the sex!!!! I don't want to give into the pressure. I woke up around 4:30 am and couldn't get back to sleep - UGH. I feel like crap today and I still have 7.5 hours of work to go.

[amlundie]

Gracie- Good morning! Sorry you're not feeling well. That is exciting about your big U/S... I think we may wait to find out after the next one... or after we have a boy and a girl.... not sure.

My next appt is tomorrow morning at 8:30 for the GTT... the good news is I get to sleep in before the appt... bad news I can't eat breakfast or drink coffee... oh well guess I'll sleep as long as possible then roll out of bed and go to the appt.

[freeman82]

Nik - You look really cute. You look so happy. Hope you are feeling well.

Gracie - My next appt. is on friday as well. I am not as close as you to getting the BIG u/s but I am getting excited because we are going to find out the sex. We are very excited. Hope everything goes well for you. Good Luck.

[Tinkerloo]

Hi Ladies -
I am going for genetic counselling and a CVS tomorrow. I'm feeling very nervous at this point although glad I will know soon that all is well - there are some family conditions that for me it is important to know about going in should they be present. So after much soul searching, I've decided this is the best path for me. Except I do not have to go through with it tomorrow once I've met with the counsellor if I want to do more thinking.

To be honest, I'm feeling a bit more nervous about knowing whether it's a boy or a girl. I've been finding myself really wanting to have a girl these past couple weeks and am afraid I will feel guilty for wanting that so much if it should be a boy. It's funny because a couple of weeks ago, that's not how I felt at all - I've been visualizing myself with a boy even though I have always, since being little, wanted to be the mommy to a little girl. So I'm wondering if maybe the "girl vibe" has popped up because it IS a girl. I'm hoping sharing those feelings here will help - no matter what comes to pass. Anyway, I should know for sure in the next couple of weeks- amazing!

Busy day at work for me today since I'll be out the rest of the week - but I'll check back.

Feel better Gracie!

-Amy

[Gracie514]

Thanks everyone! I have an hour and a half left! I could sleep on my desk right now.

Amy: I didn't do the genetic testing for my first two children so I opted out this time too. The amnio scared me. It's funny you're subconscience is letting you know you think it's a girl. Don't feel guilty about wanting a girl, most every woman wants a daughter. But, in truth, my DS is just as affectionate as my DD, if not more. Sons are pretty cool too!

Freeman: How many weeks are you? My appt's are spaced 4 weeks apart right now. I guess at about 30 weeks they'll go to 2 weeks apart. Do you think boy or girl? I really can't get an intuition this time.

Mel: Good luck with your testing. That crud you have to drink tastes like orange kool-aid with like 10X the sugar - ICK! I remember being so hungry while waiting for the blood test. I'm jealous you get to sleep in

[Tinkerloo]

Thanks for the reassurance Gracie - it did help to just "say" it out loud that I was feeling badly for wanting a girl so much. It's definitely a personal decision whether or not to do testing. What helped for me is that several friends who are "AMA" have had either CVS or Amnio and so I've been able to talk about their experience. And then I have others who opted only to do screening. I had to really sit with it and pray on it and also realize that there are some medical things that it could make a difference to know in utero. And so my decision was made. I'm an info kind of person anyway - I like to know what I'm dealing with to be informed - again a personal thing.

I hope you'll all send good vibes and prayers for me to relax and stay calm and for all to be well.

- Amy

[Potaty]

Good luck tomorrow, Amy! And don't worry about your feelings over gender, they are totally normal! Once you find out, you will be excited regardless. And little boys love their mommas! I have always pictured myself having a girl, but after having Tucker, I will be just fine if I am given all boys. The whole experience is incredible and I don't think you will be disappointed either way.

[Nik]

Re: Coconut oil: I like to use it under clothing (socks/sweats) to give it a chance to soak in. Try it before bed? It works really well on my feet and legs; not so well on my hands, though. If your itchiness has ANYTHING to do with yeast, the CO should help out tremendously.

Re: Chlorophyll... It's available in pills and liquids. Follow the directions on the bottle, or ask your nurse practitioner/midwife. The best would be a midwife, as they know their stuff.

Thanks for the encouragement on my baby belly. Sometimes I look kinda cute, I admit.

I also agree with Katy about boys being AWESOME! I want a girl this time for balance, but if my next kid is a son who is anything like my current one, I will be SO BLESSED!

[Potaty]

Nik~Tucker has his first every diaper rash. I gave him some acidophilus earlier today. I know babies can be allergic to nut oils, do you know if CO is safe for babies? His bottom bled when I wiped him earlier

[Tinkerloo]

Thanks for the reassurance on the gender ladies - you all made me feel much better. And thanks Nik for the CO guidance.

Katy - I'm not sure on the CO but thought I'd chime in that my dear friend who had trouble with diaper rash with her first son swore by the Weleda diaper cream - which I believe is a natural product - you should be able to find it online as I remember she had a hard time finding it in her small town.

Good night everyone -
Amy

[Potaty]

Thanks, Amy, I'll go google it!

I think it's due to too many "new" foods over the holiday. He is apparently allergic to something or he is full of yeast (or both). He is going back to a basic diet and taking acidophilus.

[Tinkerloo]

You got me curious Katy so I did a quick Google on Coconut Oil Diaper Rash and this was the first thing that popped up - interesting little read with a recipe of what to mix with the coconut oil for a nice soothing diaper rash cream as well as some other suggestions - one being breast milk!

Diaper Rash Home Remedy - Diaper Rash Cream

Good luck -

[Potaty]

Awesome site, Amy! Thanks! I do have CO and of course I have breastmilk so I will try that tomorrow. My mom is a homeopath so I have some of her diaper rash ointment that I put on him before bed. I think making it almost 9.5 months rash free is pretty good!

[Gracie514]

Good morning ladies! It's seriously freezing here - bbbrrrrrrrr. I think it's in the teens right now and dropping. I slept a little better last night. I drank a mug of warm milk right before bed. I had read that milk contains melatonin and triptophan(sp?) which both help with sleep issues. I still woke up a bit earlier than usual mostly because DD snuck into my bed and then a few hours later fell out! I heard a loud thump and there she was - we were both giggling at 5 am!!! I haven't weighed since Monday, I'm nervous because I've been so hungry. I think in the entire 2nd trimester you're supposed to gain 12-14 pounds so I hope I'm not exceeding it by too much.

Mel: Let us know how your test goes.

Nik: I'm also with you on boys, they are awesome. My DS melts my heart everyday.

Amy: Check in with how your testing went please. I'm praying that all is well.

Katy: Hope Tucker's diaper rash is better. I always used the plain old Desitin and my kids very rarely got diaper rash. I remember my DS got it once really bad because he had diarrhea and I had to wipe his little butt a million times.

One more thing, I heard a really cute girl's name....... Analeigh (ON-A-LEE)
Does anyone likey?

[Tinkerloo]

Good Morning Ladies -
Running around getting things done for work and tidying my home before my best friend gets here today to go with me for my counselling/test. I feel calmer this morning about the appointment so that is good. I had my friend who is a hypnotherapist specializing in hypnobirthing and hypnofertility do a meditation audio for me yesterday to listen to this morning to relax and calm me even more - I'll do that when all my rushing around is done.

Gracie - LOVE the new picture! And I like the name as well. I like it pronounced as ON-a-lee rather than AN-a-lee which unfortunately people will probably do.

Katy - That's cool that your mom is a homeopath - the past couple years when deciding what I was going to do with my life now that caring for my parents was over I have found myself interested in pursuing holistic medicine & nutrition and homeopathy. I think it would be fascinating. Of course I'm in no position, especially now, to embark down a completely different career path - but who knows what the future holds!

I will definitely let you all know how things go today - I'm supposed to come home and get right into bed so it may not be tonight - but definitely tomorrow. Thanks for the support & good thoughts today!

- Amy

[amlundie]

Hello Ladies,

Katy - for poor Tucker, hope his rash goes away soon!

Gracie- Love the new pic and the name it's very pretty!

AFM- GTT was I hate orange flavored drink... I like orange soda but not orange drink ( like koolade and Hi-C) So that made it bad since the thing was orange flavored.. and it was SOOOO sweet it hurt my throat to swallow it. I think making a pregnant woman drink that on an empty stomach, making her wait around for an hour, and then taking her blood is torture and they should find a better way to test for Glocose Tolerance OK enough whining it wasn't that bad I suppose and now it's over

Have a great day girls.. just 12 more weeks for me