AUGUST 2008 ~ BUMP BUDDIES

[gori]

Thanks girls....Amnio full results come back next week.
Seltzer: if you want, you can still find out the sex of the baby at your next ultrasound. I know, sometimes, people want to keep it a surprise. Somehow, I couldn't do that
Rebecca, Marybeth, Shari: how about you? Will you find out?
Dancinnancy: Congrats on your baby girl! Now, we can compare notes
Tina: hope your heartburn is better. Feeling the baby move is the best feeling ever! I felt it first time around 15 1/2 weeks... was so exciting!
Karen: hope you are doing well & your amnio went well. I sent you a note. Pls keep us posted.

[tinaO]

Gori!!!!! Yeah!!!!!! I am really happy for you and now you can go back to enjoying your pregnancy from here on out!!! Congrats on a girl!!!! You must be so happy and relieved!!!

Well ladies, have I mentioned how much I hate business travel? After sitting in the airport from about 10:30 a.m. till almost 3:30 p.m yesterday, I finally cancelled my trip and went home. All American flights to Dallas were grounded and all Continental flights to Houston were severely delayed. The 10:15 a.m. flight to Houston finally was going to take off around 3:30 p.m, but the flight I was supposed to be on to Wichita had already left Houston. They booked me on the next one that was going to leave Houston for Wichita at 4:40 p.m, although they already showed it delayed until 9:30 p.m....which meant I would get to Wichita around 11:30 p.m. I thought to myself, "Do you really think that flight is going to go to Wichita or do you think there is a better chance you will finally get to Houston and your flight will be cancelled to Wichita and you will be stuck in Houston"? I decided there was a better chance of the latter, so I cancelled my trip, phoned the company I was going to visit and told them I was not going to make it. Sure enough - I checked last night and the flight from Houston to Wichita was CANCELLED and so were all flights to Wichita after that! So, I felt very good about the decison I made! UUGGGHHHH!!! I hate to travel - esp now! It sucks!!! The airport was CRAZY yesterday because in my terminal there were 5 flights worth of passengers waiting to go to Houston and everyone is pissed off. It is Spring Break down here and so many people traveling places. I laughed most of the time and talked to everyone around me. The old Tina would have been pissed along with everyone else - I think this baby is having a positive effect on me! Thankfully, the terrible weather we had yesterday has passed and I am at home rather than stuck in a meeting all day in Wichita, Kansas! Life is good!!!!

Ok, I must admit that I can't wait to know what we are having!! It is making me crazy......

Karen - Please let us know how you are!! I know everything is going to turn out ok for you!!!

Love to all!

[tinaO]

Oh - and my back is getting much better and my 2 days of heartburn are gone!!! Life really IS good!!!

[squeezan]

Hi Ladies
Sorry I haven't posted on here much lately - have been reading tho'.
Tina, congrats on feeling the baby move - isn't it amazing! I started feeling it at about 18 weeks and its just getting more and more now.
I've got my anomoly scan tomorow but I've decided I'm not going to find out what I'm having. It's fun listening to people guessing and I like surprises.

Gori, congrats on the test results. It must have been worrying but you can relax a bit now.

I had a meeting with my boss today to sort out my mat leave and I'm finishing work on 20th June, that's 3 months tomorrow Plus I still get all the annual leave for when I'm on mat leave so I'm taking some holiday day and just working 3 days a week for a while first. That means with the bank holiday next week I've only got 2 full weeks left at work. I can't believe it! It seems really early to be slowing down, especcially as I feel so well but if I don't take it then I'll lose it and, besides, I've put everything into that job for years now - its time to look after myself and my baby.

Su

[gori]

Hi Su, I am envious now That sounds like the right thing to do though. Sometimes, we need to know when to slow down & make time for ourselves & the baby, esp when so much has gone into our pregnancies! Is your employer agreeing to pay you for the 3 months? That would be great!! And working 3 days a week now seems relaxing, yet will keep you somewhat busy, which is good
I am planning to work till the end though [I did the same with my previous pregnancy...Gosh, that was 11 yrs back!]. I was a lot more adventurous back then. My parents were visiting for a few weeks & just 1 week before my due date, I remember we all [my parents, dh & I] planned a day trip [6 hrs drive total] to see the mountains/snow
And on my due date, I went with dh to watch an action movie on the theatre. Well, I was not having any labor pains at that time, so there is my rationale
Will probably stop working for an extended period though after the delivery [may be even stop totally!!]. I have worked enough & want to spend some quality time with the baby.
Let us know how the 18 week scan goes. Good Luck!!

[sharishu]

Hey ladies,

Gori- I'm so happy for you!! I have definitely been thinking of you and was so relieved your amnio was successful. Yay! BTW- I did find out what I'm having, just keeping the news between very close family members (husband and parents only )

Tina- How does it feel when the baby moves? I thought I felt it a few times, but I've had similar 'digestion' type sensations, so can't be too sure. Glad you are feeling better and that you are not stuck in the airport right now (I hope!)

Anyway, unfortunately my m/s is back! It usually comes on when I'm showering or brushing my teeth. Yuck! Other than that, I can't complain. That should be the worst of my problems.

Hope everyone is well. Have a great weekend!
Shari

[tryw8]

Hi Ladies:
(gori, tinaO, 2ndtimer, seltzer, sharishu, MBG)

YA-HOO!!!
I went to my OB/GYN appointment yesterday. My DH was able to accompany me. (They've got to make wider parking stalls to accomodate us expectant mothers.) Anyways, we got to hear the words we've been wanting to hear, "I got the preliminary results from your amnio and everything looks really good. You can NOW tell your family the awesome news of your pregnancy." My DH and I stared at one another in disbelief. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He didn't care where we were, he kissed me right in front of the doctor.

I'm still on Progesterone 2cc daily until week 23. Then I'll be dropped down to 2cc once a week. I can't wait till these injections end.

I had a mild cramping from the amnio needle going in then it resulted in a bruise. I will be returning to the fetal specialist for one more appointment on this upcoming Friday because he wasn't able to see the "stomach bubble". This is to check if baby is swallowing. The clarity of the ultrasound there was unbelievable. Then we also got to see the 3D images. All of the images were placed on a CD which I could print up later @ Costco. If you ladies get a chance to hear your baby's heartbeat in stereo rather than on the fetal doppler, it's an unreal experience.

Finally, we get to tell the family, my employer and coworkers. Some of my patients have made snide remarks about me looking like I've gain weight. (I've only gained all about two pounds. But my belly @ 4 months is getting difficult to hide especially after I eat even a small meal.)

My DH is just ecstatic! We plan on telling the family at Easter brunch. We'll be going over to my parents house. Then later that day, we'll be celebrating with his family. I'll bet they are going to be wondering how the heck we were able to keep a secret this long.

Speaking of a secret,
Sorry!
We asked not find out or be told of the sex. I didn't want to know being that this is my first ever baby. My DH, on the other hand, wanted to know. He decided at the last moment to respect my wishes. If my DH knew and I didn't, I probably bug the heck out of him until he told me what he knew. We wouldn't have any peace @ home. Now, for the gruelling task of finding a name for either a girl or a boy.

BTW, do any of you have a recommendation for a lotion. My legs are looking really dry. I'm using a body lotion w/ shea butter from L'Occitane. But it seems as though it is not doing the trick. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Have a Happy Easter to you all!

Karen

P.S. gori - I sent you a PM. Please be sure to check your box.

[tinaO]

KAREN!!!! WHOO HOO!!!! YEAH!!!! I have been waiting and waiting for your news!!!! SO happy for you!!

Ladies - we have ONE BIG HEALTHY group on preggos and babies on our thread!!!!

Time to CELEBRATE!!!!!

We have a lot to be thankful for....



P.S. Marybeth/dancinnancy - Guess who got her BFP??? ITSGOTTAWORK!!! We keep in touch and I check on her from time to time on the March/April thread. First Beta was 309! If you recall, when she went through her cycle with us, she had a chemical. Be sure to stop in there when you get a chance and congratulate her. She still keeps track of us.

[seltzer]

Congratulations Karen!!! I am so thrilled for you and so happy to hear your news. Hey, it's perfectly OK not to find out the sex of the baby--DP and I are not finding out either. It's SUCH an awesome surprise that way, just wait till you deliver that baby and they announce "It's a..."! I really cannot believe you've been able to keep your pregnancy a secret this long. Now you can go crazy and tell the world. And speaking of names, I am not having much success finding girls' names. I have a short list of boys' names, but only one or two girls' names I am not completely thrilled with. I am picky. If you have really dry skin, I would recommend Eucerin products. They make one especially to relieve itching too. I think those are the best for severely dry skin. For my abdomen I use Palmer's stretch mark lotion (cocoa butter plus more stuff), and I really like it. I haven't felt any itching or dryness on my stomach at all.

Things w/me are so-so. I've been really miserable and uncomfortable w/my stomach and GI problems. I am a hurting unit. I am trying so hard to be upbeat and just accept it but I'm not doing overly great w/that. I just hate it. I am sick all the time and incapacitated. Sigh. I stayed home from work yesterday because of it. One of our cats, Sandy, hasn't been doing well for about 1-2 weeks. I cuddled w/her a lot on Thursday night and made a vet appt. for her Friday at 4:30 b/c she looked worse--more lethargic and weak. Not in pain, but decrepit. On Friday morning I went downstairs to check on her and she had died. It was really upsetting, and DP had gone overnight to her sister's for Good Friday with our son and dog. So I was alone. We dropped her body off at the vet's today for cremation. We are going to bury her ashes in our backyard by the lake since she LOVED it there. She was 19--ancient for a cat. She will be missed.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend. So glad everyone and their babies are healthy and happy.

[dancinnancy]

Seltzer-
So sorry to hear about your beloved Sandy
Sounds like she'll have a beautiful resting place.

I have a funny story to cheer you up...like I say to my mother, you can't make this sh*t up! The Monster in law is visiting this weekend....arghhh. She's a piece of work, her newest thing is that she has come up with a nickname for our baby to call her - mind you it's a different nickname than the one she insists her two other grandchildren call her. Are you ready for this one...MUM-Z! She wants DH and I to call her that as well!! HA! Her first name begins with the letter Z, & most of her buddies call her 'Z' or 'big Z', and she now wants us to call her Mum Z?! Um, let me think about that for a minute....nope, not doing it! First of all, if she were from England, okay, I might go with it...but she's not, she's from Eastern Europe, and Mum Z is something she has made up - b/c she doesn't want to be referred to as a Grandmother - she should be so lucky! She's the type that you have to choose your battles with wisely, and I'm simply ignoring this one - as she has told me in the past, "you're just so passive aggresive", so I guess I should live up to my title. The other thing she decided to spring on us this weekend was that she's planning a trip to Europe in late May & plans on staying "maybe through the month of June." I told her that my baby shower would most likely be the 3rd or 4th weekend in June, and she told me that I would have to change that to work with her schedule. Nope, not doing that either! Her trip is 'in the air' and not set in stone, & those are truly our only two free weekends prior to August that we'll have open. So not catering to her.
The good news is that DH won't cater to her either...THANK GOD!
Okay, sorry, I had to vent...I have to go back downstairs to be social...

Happy Easter!!! Just think, next year the Easter bunny will be visiting a few more houses! OH! And the cute little Easter bonnets & outfits for our little ones...so cute!!!

[sharishu]

Karen-
Sooo happy to hear your positive amnio results. You sound so much more relaxed, as well you should. I hope you enjoy your pregnancy more from here on in!

Seltzer-
First of all, I am soo sorry to hear about your cat. Sounds like she's been part of your family for a while, and you must miss her. Take time to grieve; you SHOULD stay home and take it easy now. You're dealing with a lot of challenges. As far as the GI difficulties, I feel ya, girl. You said once that nothing is 'TMI' so I thought I would share this with you. Friday morning I threw up on an empty stomach, so all that came up was stomach acid. It burned my chest (and nose to boot!), and I couldn't eat anything but bread and potatoes all day friday; everything else gave me a horrible burning sensation in my chest. Thank goodness I felt better on Saturday. I will do everything in my power not to throw up before eating, because that was AWFUL! Once I feel better though, I actually take comfort in the fact that the symptoms are all normal and positive in the end. Hope you (and I) feel better soon. Hang in there!

Nancy-
First of all, I like your bump photos! I wish I had taken progress photos like that to see the difference really clearly. Secondly, your mother in law (or outlaw) sounds like a piece of work. The MAIN thing is that dh is on your side. As long as that's the case, I'm sure you guys can handle anything. I agree that 'Mum-Z' is really pathetic, though at least it gave me a good chuckle. Glad you are also not succumbing to her craziness regarding the baby shower date. That's all you need right now! Hope you are feeling well, that's the main thing.

BTW- Don't know if any of you remember brs888 (Brandy) from our 2ww. Perhaps Rebecca and Tina, as you were both on that thread with me. She had a BFN while we were all getting BFP's. Anyway, she just became pregnant with her second! I found out while browsing through the 'trying for 2nd' thread, and I was so excited! I love hearing happy endings, as I know you all do as well. Thought I'd spread the good news.

Hope you are all doing well today. Have a great week.
Shari

[2ndtimer]

Hi Ladies,
Happy Easter to everyone. We're not very religious so we didn't do anything special, but it's been so nice having the long weekend. Oh, DH did tell me yesterday afternoon that his mother was coming up for "Easter dinner," so I had to go out to the store at the last minute & get a ham and other things. But the visit was very pleasant and the meal turned out good. (MIL can be a little nutty sometimes, but nothing compared to Nancy's Mumzi, it sounds)

Karen -I am so happy that you got good news from the amnio. Relax & enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! You've earned it girl.
Selter -so sorry to hear about your cat. I love my dog like a child and I know how important pets can be..... By the way, I'm struggling with coming up with a little boy name. Any suggestions?
Shari -Have you tried Zantac? It's on my approved meds list and it might really help you with your acid stomach. I also take Tums after dinner & before I go to bed. I remember brs888 -very happy to hear she got good news. I still check the IVF forum regularly to follow progress on old ivf buddies. It's so tough when some of your ivf buddies get the BFP and you get left behind with your BFN. Now that I'm finally on the other side I feel so bad for those who are still trying.

Hope everyone else is doing well. Tina, you were right that we are all so lucky & blessed to have healthy pregancies(I know Seltzer & Shari still feel bad, but overall -no one's been hospitalized or had serious problems.) I'm just really happy for Gori & Karen. It was good hearing from Squeezan! Marybeth, hope the twins are behaving.

I broke down & bought some maternity jeans from Old Navy with the belly panel & they are SO comfortable. I've also been using the Palmers stretch mark lotion. Not sure if it works to prevent stretch marks but it's really good lotion.

Take care,
Rebecca

[gori]

Karen, read your PM & this this post. REALLY.........happy for you!! Having gone thru one these recently, I know what a sigh of relief it is.... It is so exciting to finally tell the world & best of all, to start buying a few things, thinking of names etc I am sure you family was ecstatic when you told them!
Seltzer, there are times when physically, we do not feel too good. I hope this is a passing stage. It's not fun feeling uncomfortable. Yesterday, I was feeling bloated too. And so sorry to hear about your cat. Hope you feel better.
Rebecca, maternity pants are the best! I bought a few 2 months back itself. I have a tendency to gain weight quickly during pregnancy. How good are these lotions? I should try one. My stretch marks from prev pregnancy are still there
Dancinnancy: Your MIL is so.....funny & annoying, I am sure. I was laughing reading about 'Mum-Z' and asking for changing dates for baby shower. MILs have a tendency to get on out nerves

[MBG]

Hey girls! I have been out of the loop for awhile!! I have tried to catch up on everyone's posts...

Karen and Gori: Congrats on your amnio results! THat is fabulous news!! Karen....I am sure you have told the world by now! You must be on top of the world to finally let the cat out of the bag!! How did your family react? I am sure everyone was over the moon! I would try Aveeno for ultra dry skin, they have treatments to put in bath water as well as lotion.

Seltzer: I am so sorry to hear about Sandy! We have a dog (hollis) that is our baby...he is getting older (13 yrs). Sometimes when I see him struggling with things I start to cry....I can't imagine losing him. It sounds like Sandy was very loved and will have a beautiful resting place.

I have been expeiriencing some GI problems myself over the past 5 days. It started on Friday. I have never in my life had such a problem with gas!! I have had no appetite and when I do it, I feel as though I am going to puke. My stomach has been in constant turmoil...I hope the babies haven't been scared. I have been in bed since friday afternoon! UGH!!!Seltzer, not sure if this is what you have been going through this entire time, but if it is, I have a whole new round of sympathy for you. Things seem to have started to settle down today...however, I went ahead and took today off to make sure. I swear, It seems like i come down with something once a month. I spoke to my neighbor yesteday, she told me several people from her work have come down with something very similiar! I can't wait for flu season to be over with! I am not a sickly person, but it seem this pregnancy has really dropped my immune system!!!

Anyway...before I came down with the gas attack from hell...I was having a pain on my left side. I couldn't put any pressure on it at all. I called the doc and they told me it was probably growing pains, but if it would make me feel better to come in and they would check me out...needless to say, I went in to see the doc...Come to find out, my left Kidney is retaining a little fluid, which can cause pain, and the pressure from growing uterus is not helping any,not to mention baby nugget is laying transverse. Basically there is nothing I can do, but deal with it. The good news is....I was able to get another u/s. Both babies look GREAT!! They are getting so big!!! She asked me if I wanted to know what we were having....at first I said no, since my dh was not with me, but I knew he wanted to know just as much as I did...so i caved in.......drum roll please!!! We are having 2 BOYS!! I do not think I have ever seen my dh so happy! I called him immediately after leaving the appointment. The first thing he asked...did you find out what we are having?? I told him he would have to wait until he came home, I did not want to tell him over the phone. He was home within 10 minutes!!!! He was dancing all around! It was really cute! We are over the moon, but I would have been over the moon regardless...just as long as I know both boys are healthy!! Both boys are measureing 8 oz (the size of a singleton). I was very pleased to hear this! I guess I have been doing something right!!!!

I am still waiting to tell my family on April 6th. I told them I did not find out at the last appointment, but you guys won't tell anyone!!!

Sorry for the novel, I hope I did not miss anyone!!
Marybeth

[2ndtimer]

YAY!!! MORE BOYS!! Congrats Marybeth
Rebecca