Baby Talk - Part 2

[CARLINI]

Suzanne I love when you tell your story about James. It gives me hope! What do you think tipped the scales for you? Was it gaining weight?

Jilly how are feeling about giving BBT a try? Of course I’m biased, but I think you should try it.

CJ you are just too cute!! I love your little bump!

Regarding spacing, we’ll probably need to have ours back to back since I’m near retirement age. We're planning on not TTC for this cycle and maybe the next so I can recover from the miscarriage. I also don't want to get pregnant when I'm not under the care of a specialist, due to the low progesterone issue. It's so hard to wait though! I do think I'll start charting again so I have something recent to show the RE when we go.

Induction starts FRIDAY! I can use some menu ideas. Can everyone share their favorite LC dish? I am so excited to finally be gaining some control over my diet. DH is travelling for work for two weeks. I miss him already, but I have full list of household stuff I need to get done. Hopefully the time will go by fast.

Have a great day everyone!

[pocahontas]

Originally Posted by CARLINI

Induction starts FRIDAY!

Woot! I am really digging this recipe: Jalapeno Popper Chicken. I made it a couple weeks ago and have it on the menu this week too. It's great with a side of broccoli and fast to make too!

I have been doing well on LC but the scale is bouncing up and down 3lbs after my initial 8lb loss. I think I will just put it away and focus on eating on plan. Last night we grilled steaks and zucchini and I made mashed cauli also.

TOM finally left over the weekend so a' temping and BD'ing we will go!

[CARLINI]

That looks yummy! Does DH do LC with you?

I love the start of a new cycle... One step closer to a baby!

[pocahontas]

Originally Posted by CARLINI

That looks yummy! Does DH do LC with you?

I love the start of a new cycle... One step closer to a baby!

DH does not LC but he does watch what he eats and he eats anything I put in front of him. The man is 6'5" and maybe, MAYBE, 20lbs overweight. Lucky!!!!

I hope we are one step closer! I would love to say we are PG!!!!! this cycle!

[DisneyPrincess]

I think I'm gong to start lc Wednesday. My cravings are awful

[pocahontas]

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

I think I'm gong to start lc Wednesday. My cravings are awful

Low carb is the only thing that has ever curbed my appetite and controlled cravings. It makes so much sense but it sure is hard to stick to sometimes! I have to make an effort and a BIG one, now.

[DisneyPrincess]

Originally Posted by pocahontas

Low carb is the only thing that has ever curbed my appetite and controlled cravings. It makes so much sense but it sure is hard to stick to sometimes! I have to make an effort and a BIG one, now.

For me as well. At carbs set me off big time.

You got this!

[suzanneyea]

I gained about twenty pounds very quickly and that is what probably helped me finally get pregnant. This is why I really encourage everyone with food or weight issues to get them under control. It can really effect your fertility more than you realize.

[jillybean720]

Still staying on track - well, had an oops yesterday. We went to the Cheesecake Factory, and was fine with skipping the cheesecake. I ordered their "spicy cashew chicken" where the description said the chicken was sauteed (so no batter or breading), and then I ordered it over broccoli instead of the rice it was supposed to have. Sounds good, right? As soon as it arrived, I could tell I was in trouble - the sauce was dark and thick/sticky, which means it was full of sugar, and the chicken wasn't breaded or battered, but it did seem to have almost a coating, so I'm thinking they maybe floured the chicken before sauteeing. I spit it into 2 meals, so had this for both lunch and dinner. I would easily estimate 50 grams of carbs or more for that order.

Originally Posted by CARLINI

Jilly how are feeling about giving BBT a try? Of course I’m biased, but I think you should try it.

BBT? Is that temping? I'm going to give it a whirl when I get my period.

Originally Posted by CARLINI

Induction starts FRIDAY! I can use some menu ideas. Can everyone share their favorite LC dish? I am so excited to finally be gaining some control over my diet.

I've been on track for over a week now, and I just feel better in general, especially mentally just knowing I'm doing better for myself and for my family (my husband eats whatever I make at home, so he gets at least one low-carb meal per day and I like to try to set a good example for Ben).

As for recipes, I don't follow many, just sort of throw things together. Some times work out better than others On did that I liked this week was a bacon-wrapped turkey tenderloin. I cut the tenderloins into smaller sections, but you can keep it all together and just slice as needed. I coated the raw tenderloins with a little barbecue sauce (not much, just brushed on a thin coat) then wrapped with bacon and baked at 350 for maybe 40 minutes. The turkey was so juicy and tender

For my sweets cravings, I make fat bombs. I did some last week that were chocolate (unsweetened cocoa powder) and peanut butter (I have this Earth's Balance pb that has coconut oil in it) with butter, a splash of cream, and some sweetener (I used Truvia, but I'm trying to switch over to plain erythritol). I made some today that were cream cheese, butter, coconut oil, and sweetener (I used a few drops of liquid stevia for the first time and some erythritol). I would have added a splash of vanilla, but I discovered I'm out. I also made today some vanilla coconut bark: 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, 4 tablespoons coconut oil, 2-3 tablespoons butter, and sweetener to taste. The first time I did it, I just melted everything in a glass bowl in the microwave and then mixed in the coconut and added some liquid stevia, then spread in a pan and put in the fridge to set. When I tried it, it was gross (I think not nearly enough sweetener for tastes), so I put it all into a pot on the stove and melted it back down and added more sweetener (erythritol), and the coconut inadvertently started browning. I went with it and let it all pretty evenly get golden, then put it on parchment paper in a Pyrex dish in the fridge. I just took it out and broke it up into pieces, and OMG it is so good! If you like coconut, I highly recommend it! I know others have also added things like chopped nuts or dark chocolate, but I like it nice and simple.

The grocery store I frequent carries fresh pre-washed vegetables in small packs (2-3 servings per bag, according to the labels) that can be steamed right in the bag in the microwave, so I buy a handful of those to use as sides for dinner throughout the week - cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, baby zucchinis, and snow peas. I just steam them and then mix with some butter and seasoning and serve alongside some sort of meat.

Originally Posted by SouthernCJ

I REALLY love my house though, great neighborhoood with the best schools, 15 minutes from work. So much to think about I am overwhelmed! Need to relax a bit.

ha, yes, relax - you have time to figure it out! I was 4 months shy of 30 when Ben was born. My husband insists the children not outnumber the parents, so we will be done after a second

Originally Posted by pocahontas

I have been doing well on LC but the scale is bouncing up and down 3lbs after my initial 8lb loss.

That's what always seems to happen to me. I get the initial sort of "whoosh" of water weight or whatever, and then I don't really make much progress after that. But, at least I know I'm eating healthier. It's hard to remember sometimes that it's not only about losing weight, but rather being healthy in general. I have to remind myself about that a lot!

[Suzie]

Had my 24 week appointment today, wow is this going quickly!

Everything is great! He was happy with the ultrasound and we heard the heart beat no problem again. I got my lab orders to take the diabetes test again. It looks like I have to do the 3 hour this time. I have to do that sometime around 28 weeks. The doctor helped me to record the heart beat onto a frame my mom bought me for Christmas. It holds an ultrasound picture and then you press a button and it plays the heartbeat. I love it!

We have a follow up ultrasound on the 31st which my mom is going to as well. She is very excited.

I hope everyone else is doing well! I always pop in and read what everyone has to say, but don't always have time to respond to everyone or say anything. Always sending out general hugs and well wishes to everyone though!

[Lori37]

Originally Posted by Suzie

Had my 24 week appointment today, wow is this going quickly!

Everything is great! He was happy with the ultrasound and we heard the heart beat no problem again. I got my lab orders to take the diabetes test again. It looks like I have to do the 3 hour this time. I have to do that sometime around 28 weeks. The doctor helped me to record the heart beat onto a frame my mom bought me for Christmas. It holds an ultrasound picture and then you press a button and it plays the heartbeat. I love it!

We have a follow up ultrasound on the 31st which my mom is going to as well. She is very excited.

I hope everyone else is doing well! I always pop in and read what everyone has to say, but don't always have time to respond to everyone or say anything. Always sending out general hugs and well wishes to everyone though!

SO EXCITING!

[Arctic_Mama]

On spacing, when my son was born my oldest was still three, so I had three kids three and under for awhile there! It's not bad at all, I much prefer >two years spacing and my closest spacing (fourteen months apart) was my easiest. Their stages were close enough and still are that it's not a big mental task, both girls have similar needs and I was in that mode already.

I don't ever plan on having one out of diapers before another comes, but we'll see what The Lord has in store for us. When this ones born I'll have a five year old (almost six!), four year old, and two year old. Closer is better, in my opinion, but I'm probably slightly insane

[Arctic_Mama]

Originally Posted by Suzie

Had my 24 week appointment today, wow is this going quickly!

Everything is great! He was happy with the ultrasound and we heard the heart beat no problem again. I got my lab orders to take the diabetes test again. It looks like I have to do the 3 hour this time. I have to do that sometime around 28 weeks. The doctor helped me to record the heart beat onto a frame my mom bought me for Christmas. It holds an ultrasound picture and then you press a button and it plays the heartbeat. I love it!

We have a follow up ultrasound on the 31st which my mom is going to as well. She is very excited.

I hope everyone else is doing well! I always pop in and read what everyone has to say, but don't always have time to respond to everyone or say anything. Always sending out general hugs and well wishes to everyone though!

Glad to hear things are going well. I hope the 3 hour test is smooth sailing for you

[suzanneyea]

Poor James has the croup!

[SouthernCJ]

Originally Posted by Arctic_Mama

On spacing, when my son was born my oldest was still three, so I had three kids three and under for awhile there! It's not bad at all, I much prefer >two years spacing and my closest spacing (fourteen months apart) was my easiest. Their stages were close enough and still are that it's not a big mental task, both girls have similar needs and I was in that mode already.

I don't ever plan on having one out of diapers before another comes, but we'll see what The Lord has in store for us. When this ones born I'll have a five year old (almost six!), four year old, and two year old. Closer is better, in my opinion, but I'm probably slightly insane

Wow this is your fourth!? You go girl! Do you stay at home with them, or have a relative take care of them? For that many kids it would be about $2k/month in daycare. I don't think we could swing that!



Suzanne-Poor James! Feel better soon buddy.

[CARLINI]

DH eats LC too and that makes it so easy for me. Through many years of trial and error, I’ve found the only way of eating that works for me is LC. It is hard to stick with long term, but I feel my best on it. It's the calorie counting that makes me a little mental (regardless of the plan). I'm trying to decide if I'm going to go there or not...

I’ve got most of my menu done and plan on shopping tonight or tomorrow. I love to start induction on a Friday because it gives me the weekend to feel like poop at home. I have an exercise facility at work, so I may run over on break and do 10 minutes on the elliptical. I need to start somewhere!

Andi I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for you.

DP do you do Atkins or another LC plan?

Suzanne I know you’re right. At least for me, diet has a direct effect on my cycles. I’m putting a lot of hope that LC is going to fix my hormone imbalances and I’ll finally get my little one. I hope James gets well soon. Poor kid.

Jilly eating out is one of my biggest struggles when eating LC. You really just don’t know what you’re getting. DH and I noticed if we order just a steak, they put some kind of spice/flavor enhancers on it… and God knows what that stuff is really made up of. I’m a black or white person, and I’m really trying to find some gray areas in life. So my new theory is if I’m doing good 95% of the time, I’m okay with that. I drive myself crazy otherwise. So my long drawn out point is you're making progress despite the sticky sauce episode. Just keep moving forward. BBT is basal body temperature charting. Thanks for the recipe for the fat bombs. That sounds good!

Suzie I’m so excited for you! Getting closer.

CJ and Taryl

[jillybean720]

Trucking along, low-carbing, and freezing (it's 17 degrees out here today, which isn't awful except that my office furnace apparently can't keep up - it's FREEZING in here!).

I made a cup of hit chicken broth to sip on the other night because I was cold, and I don't drink coffee or tea, so it's a nice low-carb hot drink. It was sooooo salty, and I discovered yesterday why that was: I was using my bouillon powder for another recipe and happened to notice it said 1 tsp per cup of water for broth. Ooops, I thought it was 1 TABLEspoon

Originally Posted by SouthernCJ

For that many kids it would be about $2k/month in daycare. I don't think we could swing that!

ha, daycare varies SO MUCH by location! We pay $225/week for Ben, and that's more than $100 less than the daycare facilities because he's at an in-home daycare. So, 4 per month would run us about...$3600, and that's only if we could find a home daycare to take them all; a daycare center/facility would be well over $5k/month Hence, we're planning to stop at two

[DisneyPrincess]

Gosh I feel so blessed to be able to work from home!

I'm just doing basic lc for now- meats, eggs, little cheese, fats and veggies.

[CARLINI]

I haven't looked into daycare yet, but I'm guessing if we have two or more, we may be better off if stayed home.

[pocahontas]

Originally Posted by SouthernCJ

For that many kids it would be about $2k/month in daycare. I don't think we could swing that!

Daycare here is roughly $1,000 per month per child. We are looking at $2k per month when we have our second. DS will be starting Montessori at 3.5 yr old but that isnt any cheaper. I would love to stay home but I make pretty good $$$ so it isnt feasible.

Suzanne - I hope baby James is better soon!

Carlini - Thanks girl! Same to you. I know you are taking a break but you never know what is in store.

Taryl - I didnt realize this was your 4th! I like a closer age gap too but it wasnt in the cards for us.

Still on plan and doing well. I am back down 2 of the 3lbs I was up on Monday. Weekends are hard because I snack a lot and dont drink enough water. I shouldnt weigh on Mondays!

[SouthernCJ]

Originally Posted by pocahontas

Daycare here is roughly $1,000 per month per child. We are looking at $2k per month when we have our second. DS will be starting Montessori at 3.5 yr old but that isnt any cheaper. I would love to stay home but I make pretty good $$$ so it isnt feasible.

Suzanne - I hope baby James is better soon!

Carlini - Thanks girl! Same to you. I know you are taking a break but you never know what is in store.

Taryl - I didnt realize this was your 4th! I like a closer age gap too but it wasnt in the cards for us.

Still on plan and doing well. I am back down 2 of the 3lbs I was up on Monday. Weekends are hard because I snack a lot and dont drink enough water. I shouldnt weigh on Mondays!

Oh my gosh the daycare costs It's so crazy! A baby in daycare will run us $500 a month, which is apparently incredibly cheap. It's the most expensive place in town though! Sometimes Mississippi can get a little backwoods but there are some serious perks to living in a place with a lower cost of living.

[pocahontas]

Dont even get me started on the price of homes in this area!

[Suzie]

Daycares in this area run around $1000 a month at the cheapest, most are more than that. Luckily, my mom and dad are pretty much retired at this point and want the baby at first at least. We will be taking him there my next work year (August-May), and then probably finding somewhere else once the baby is more active and moving around. As they aren't too equipped to be chasing a moving baby or toddler around!

[Lori37]

Originally Posted by SouthernCJ

Oh my gosh the daycare costs It's so crazy! A baby in daycare will run us $500 a month, which is apparently incredibly cheap. It's the most expensive place in town though! Sometimes Mississippi can get a little backwoods but there are some serious perks to living in a place with a lower cost of living.

Yeah that is pretty cheap!

Originally Posted by pocahontas

Dont even get me started on the price of homes in this area!

Tell me about it! I want so badly to leave California, I don't see ever being able to afford a house here!

[suzanneyea]

I Quebec, the parents pay seven dollars a day for daycare, the government covers the rest. But, we pay higher taxes.

[CARLINI]

I had strong sugar cravings yesterday, but I didn't cave. I have a follow up appointment with the midwife this afternoon. I called the RE clinic we're interested in going to, and I don't need a referral. That's good, because I hear it's hard to get in there.

I’m so excited to FINALLY be taking control of my diet and lifestyle. I feel like I have a plan now, and that’s relieving some of my anxiety over the situation.

[pocahontas]

Originally Posted by CARLINI

I’m so excited to FINALLY be taking control of my diet and lifestyle. I feel like I have a plan now, and that’s relieving some of my anxiety over the situation.

I am so glad to hear it Carlini. I feel good taking control of my diet and lifestyle too. So much is out of our control but what isnt should be my focus right now. Its paying off, I was down another 3lbs this morning!

[DisneyPrincess]

Well Stella Grace has lost weight I'm so sad for her. So I met with the LC and I have to feed her and pump every 2 hours during the day and feed her every 3 hours at night. We go back Friday to see if she's gained. If she hasn't we will have to supplement with formula.

[CARLINI]

Originally Posted by pocahontas

Its paying off, I was down another 3lbs this morning!

Good work!

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Well Stella Grace has lost weight

Oh I'm sorry.

[jillybean720]

Well, back on my low-carb roller coaster. I lost the first handful of pounds quickly (assuming water/glycogen depletion), and now I'm up a pound from about this time last week. Other than the Cheesecake Factory misstep, I've been solidly on-plan. I have to try really really hard to remember I do this for more than just weight loss...but some measurable signs of success would be encouraging. Meh. Off to cook my baby zucchinis to serve with my homemade, breadcrumb-free meatloaf.

Originally Posted by pocahontas

I would love to stay home but I make pretty good $$$ so it isnt feasible.

Same here. I earn 6 figures, which is a lot of money in most places, but in northern VA (near DC), we are FAR from wealthy - we have zero credit card debt, very small car payments, and very small student loan payments; all of our money goes toward housing, and we still couldn't afford to live in the nicer county and had to compromise and opt for a house with no garage. It's mind-blowing when I grew up in a small town, and my mom stayed home (though she watched other kids to earn some $$).

Originally Posted by DisneyPrincess

Well Stella Grace has lost weight I'm so sad for her. So I met with the LC and I have to feed her and pump every 2 hours during the day and feed her every 3 hours at night. We go back Friday to see if she's gained. If she hasn't we will have to supplement with formula.

I'm so sorry. Believe me, I know how frustrating and heartbreaking it is! I had a MAJOR battle with guilt when I discovered I just was physically incapable of providing breastmilk for my son and had to switch to formula. Just know she's getting the benefits even if you can just get her one good feeding of breastmilk a day. And if it just doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world. I felt like it was, believe me! But I was a better mother for not being so stressed about it and for not having to strap on the pump 8-12 times a day, and Ben is super healthy despite no breastmilk after his first two weeks of life - none of the issues formula-fed babies are supposedly plagued with (frequent ear infections, overweight, etc.), and we've certainly "bonded" just fine