AUGUST 2008 ~ BUMP BUDDIES

[MBG]

Hello! Our group has been pretty quite! How is everyone?!!

DH and I are heading to Boston tomorrow for our last getaway before the boys arrive..I am glad I didn't wait any longer to schedule this trip...I feel huge...can't imagine what I am going to feel like in few months.

I went on an overnight trip to Memphis and when I got back today my dh kept talking about how much my belly had grown.....overnight!!!! I think he may be exagerating a bit!!

Anyway....hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Marybeth

[2ndtimer]

Hi Marybeth & the rest of our Bump Buddies,
You're right, our group has been really quiet here lately. Just speaking for myself I think I've settled into a mode where I'm just watching myself & therefore baby grow. I have 3 months left & that seems like both a short time & a long time.
I finally got the nursery painted and now I need to set up the crib & other furniture. I get tired so easily when I'm doing any kind of physical labor! It's taking me a long time to get things done, but I really want to get to the point where the nursery is finished & then I can focus on cleaning the rest of the house. It's not really that dirty but I'm already in nesting mode.
Next week I go for my glucose tolerance test and then after that I graduate to the every 2 week MD appts. In June we will have our baby classes.
Not much else to report. The heat is really bothering me & I'm looking forward to our pool opening back up for the summer. Also, I'm a big geek so I'm really happy that Battlestar Gallactica is back on with new episodes & also Lost.
Hope everyone else is well. Sometimes no news is good news.
Take Care,
Rebecca

[seltzer]

Hey everyone,

Just checking in with all my quiet bump buddies. Glad to hear everyone is doing well. I am OK - just cannot WAIT for this pregnancy to end! I am pretty much still as physically miserable as ever, but I am hanging in there. I can't sleep either. But I am really excited for this baby! I too am exhausted and getting quite large. My bump has really expanded since about my 25th week. Next Tuesday I will officially be in my third trimester! My OB said my bump will "triple in size" by the end. HELP! We are working on the baby's room, as well as transitioning our son Nate (17 months today) to another bedroom. We're having an addition put on (two bedrooms)...this has been insanity. Basically I am just biding my time till I feel good again and have a new tiny baby in my arms.

[dancinnancy]

Hey mommas! Happy Mother's Day to you all!

My Ob has had me on a two week schedule since the beginning - I guess he's just been overly cautious with me & that's how often he sees his patients that went through ivf.

DH and I went to our first baby class last Thursday night! It's called 'getting ready for baby' & you're supposed to take it in your 5th month...oops, already into the 6th. Anyway, it meets three times, & at our first class we got to tour the maternity ward - very swank birthing rooms with enormous jacuzzi tubes! All of the husbands were joking that they'd be in the tub enjoying the jacuzzi jets while we were in labor ... ummmm...no! Don't think so! So the class just kind of scratches the surface with the basics as far as getting ready for labor, the tests that are performed on baby once she arrives, bathing the baby at home, lactation specialists that make house visits, choosing a pediatrician, etc. We're both happy we signed up for the class. Lamaze starts in July, and we're also taking a baby safe class that covers CPR for infants and children.

I had to schedule my glucose test - day after memorial day. I'm also getting another 4D ultrasound that day, so excited! Does anyone else have to get a Rhogam shot?! I have a rare blood type, ONeg, and DH is AB Pos. So, I have to get a shot that same day...to prevent my body from building up antibodies to the baby's blood type (IF she has an Rh Positive blood type, and IF our blood comes into contact during delivery). If I don't get this shot, and our blood crosses, then my blood would build up antibodies to any positive blood type, and any subsequent pregnancies would be compromised. Just one more thing to think about. But, it sounds as though this shot does the trick.... hope so.

Take care mommies!

[sharishu]

Hi Everyone,
Glad to see that we are all doing well. I was just sitting watching TV, and my little guy must've started doing jumping jacks! Whoa! It was such an amazing feeling. Well, I'm pretty big now, to the tune of how-much-bigger-can-I-freakin'-get?! But TG, feeling well overall. I get up about 8 THOUSAND times at night to pee, and am having a hard time with belly-pillow strategies. I roam around from sofa to bed at least a few times a night. I just checked my glucose test results online, and pretty sure it came out FINE

For anyone feeling anxious about not getting every detail of their nursery sorted out, take comfort in the fact that I can do NOTHING now, as I am set to move and deliver all around the same time. I mean, I can order stuff, but there's no rush, since there's nowhere to put anything for now. I figure the little tyke just needs a corner to sleep cozily, he won't know the difference. I'll get it all together as it goes. Go with the flow, as it were.

Well, I wish everyone a glorious 2.5-3 months of home-stretch pregnancy. Be well!

Shari

[MBG]

Hello!

Well Dh and I just got back from our last little getaway! We had a great weekend! We ate some really good food and got to see quite a bit of the Boston area!! Saturday night after a meal of fresh lobster and chocolate lava cake (YUM!!)...we went back to the hotel and were lying around on the bed.....Miles started in on his kicking and punching, so I had dh rest his hand on my belly....miles kicked so hard, it freaked dh out! He could not believe how strong it was!!! They really are getting rather strong. You can actually see my belly move when they move around!!

They seem to traveling further and further up into my uterus! I am really carrying these boys high!! It is funny when I look in the mirror and my belly looks cone shaped, because one of them is sticking out some body part or another!!


Well it is pretty crazy that we are heading into the home stretch!! It is scary and exciting all at the same time!!

I hope everyone had a good mother's day! We spent ours in the airport...YUCK!! The traveling part was not so much fun! By the end of the trip my back was killing me! I think it was a combination of bad airplane seats and no snoogle!!! I slept like a dream last night with my snoogle!!! (although I did get up about 10 times to go to the bathroom!!)

Dancinnacy: We recently took a new born care class and babysafe CPR class. I did not get a chance to tour the maternity ward, but I have visited it several times in the past, when friends had babies. I have not heard about the Rhogam shot...but will definately ask my doc at my next appointment. I am jealous that you have been going to the doc every 2 weeks! I wish my doc was that cautious.

Take care everyone!!

Marybeth

[sharishu]

MBG-
Sounds like a lovely weekend you had in Boston. Our 'pre-baby' weekend getaway is this week. We are going to Jerusalem to a kosher luxury hotel I've always wanted to go to. I'm excited since we keep kosher, so we will be able to partake of all the hotel amenities PLUS the yummy food. Can't wait!

Anyone here wear contact lenses? The past two days I just can't seem to wear them, it's just too uncomfortable. I've read about this happening to some women during pregnancy, but it hasn't been a problem until now. Anyone else experiencing contact lens discomfort? Oh and speaking of discomfort, I'm not gonna go into the details of my constipation, but suffice it to say that it is LITERALLY a major pain in the butt !

Be well, mommas, and happy belated mother's day.
Shari

[tinaO]

Hello all! Work is pissing me off today, so thought I would take a break over my lunch and say "hello" to everyone!

Shari - I cannot imagine not having the nursery ready before the baby arrives - I would freak out! Good for you though - I mean, you are right. The kid just needs a place to sleep and a place to be changed. People have kids in a lot worse places and change them in the streets, so there really is nothing to worry about. However, the control freak side of me already has bought diapers and wipes - ha! So, you are literally moving at the time of delivery? Wow! So much excitement, huh? Sorry about your constipation problems - thank God I have not had to deal with that at all. That sucks! Enjoy your upcoming trip though - how fun!

dancinnancy - Ok, we do need to get on the ball when it comes to the baby classes. I have not taken any yet. That is next on my list! The birthing rooms sounded nice where you are going to deliver - I hope we have one that nice!! I don't know anything about that shot you mentioned. I know my blood is A+. My glucose test is Monday and I finally get another ultrasound. It has been over a month!

Marybeth - Sounds like you are doing great! I know what you mean about travel, that is why I hate my job lately. Thankfully, I have not had to travel in the last couple of weeks. It is fun feeling little Noah kick. My husband made me a cake for Mother's day and I decided to have a slice at lunch and one for dinner (I could not resist!) and I believe I sent Noah into sugar overload. He was kicking, punching, throwing a fit for hours. I thought, "Geez kid - are you ever going to stop so I can go to sleep???". It was funny. But I tell you what, I am lucky. When I go to sleep, he goes to sleep. He doesn't wake me during the night and for the most part, I am not waking up to go to the bathroom at night. My main issue has been my hands falling asleep. It usually happens when I am on my back and it wakes me up, so I roll over back onto my side and my hands wake up and I can go back to sleep. Weird! I always start out on my side and I guess roll over during the night.

Seltzer - Sorry you are still not feeling well. I swear I would lose my mind if I were you. I am still dealing with the back pain, but other than that - I have been pretty good. Yesterday I went out on my 3 mile walk and the pain got so bad, it was shooting down my leg - I think it is my sciatic nerve. Prenatal yoga appears to be making my back worse - not better. I guess I just have to deal with it! I hope you start feeling better and remember - you are in the home stretch!!!

Rebecca - My husband is painting our nursery today!! I can't wait to see what it is going to look like. I am telling you - Noah's place is either going to be adorable or look like a crazy mess. Time will tell! I also ordered my changing table (I went with a dresser/hutch combo) and glider chair this past week, so in 6-8 weeks, hopefully I will have everything I need.
Ha - I laughed about your Battlestar Gallatica comment - my husband watches that and I tease him about it!

Karen - Have you gotten your glucose results back yet? Hopefully everything turned out great! By the way, I registered for the Boppy. I didn't know there were that many options!

Ok ladies, I better run. Hope you all had a great Mother's Day. My husband made a cake and bought me cards from him, one from my dogs and cat (that one was funny - he took pics of our animals and then cut out their faces and pasted them on the card over these other pets that were on the card) and then there was one from "the baby". That card was signed by Noah and it said, "Can't wait to meet you". Isn't that cute? He also bought me a mixer to make shakes! Yum!

Take care all!!!

Tina

[MBG]

Shari: I too wear contact lenses, but have not had a problem yet...what is bothering you...are your eyes drying out?
I too have the constipation issue! UGH!!! It is annoying and no fun!!!! I have been trying to remind myself to eat more fiber, I am better some days then others!!
Have fun on your get-away! I want to hear all about it!!

TinaO: What color are painting the nursery? Sounds like you have everything lined up! I pretty much have everything ordered and done, just working on some decorating ideas....like valences for the wndows..ther are 7 windows in the nursery...so you can imagine how that adds up!!! I am also trying to figure out what to put above the changing table. It is the only true wall in the room and I wanted to put something there..it looks so bare...I thought about the boys names, but dh thinks they will pull at them when they get older...who knows!! I am sure I will come up with something...I can always find ways to spend more $$

HOpe your glucose test goes well...tell me what flavor you drink and how it was....I have my test on the 27th.

I have to tell you guys....I went to babiesRus yesterday looking for some headphones for me and boys, of course I had to buy this whole kit full of gadgets!! Anyway..I played some Michael Bublee for the boys last night and they started going crazy!! They were both moving all around. I played some more music this morning and they did the same thing! It was fun! I just wish I new if they loved it or hated it!!

Belly rubs!!
Marybeth

[tinaO]

Well, I complain about my job - but I found one HUGE benefit of working for that place yesterday!! Sometimes it pays to work for a huge insurance company. We have this incredible program called "Working Moms" or something like that. Anyway, you connect through this web site and all these AMAZING benefits are available, esp as it relates to breastfeeding. My company actually subsidizes the entire cost of the Medela double electric breast pump (normally $280) with the exception of $20!!!! That is all I had to pay!! They also have all these kits they are sending me with everything about breastfeeding from books, a DVD class, the Medela storage bags, nursing bra pads, a separate kit with a diaper bag, bib, outfit for the baby, and Lord knows what else is in them! There is even an infant safety kit - all for free! Amazing!! They provide 24 hour a day nursing support, including helping you find a lactation consultant locally if you need one. The lady I spoke to said there is a wonderful one right here where I live. She told me where the breastfeeding room is at my office - yep, right on the same floor where I work - how cool is that?? She was so wonderful to talk to!! I was blown away. They can even help me find child care in the area, help arrange a maid to come clean the house (not for free of course!), etc. Really amazing.

So, my advice - check with your companies and see if there are any hidden benefits that you don't know about - as I literally stumbled across this yesterday through a wellness program we have on-line that I just happened to notice the link related to breastfeeding support.


Take care ladies!!

Tina

[tinaO]

Shari - I just saw this through my daily e-mail I get from "WhatToExpect" and thought I would pass it along since you mentioned your issues with your contact lenses:

Week 26: Seeing Straight
Your eyes are yet another seemingly random part of the body affected by those kooky pregnancy hormones. During this time, your vision might be less sharp (Is that you, Honey?) and your contact lenses might be less comfortable to wear. (A wild new pair of glasses may be just the look right now — literally.) Another twist in the eye story: Even though fluid retention may be partially to blame, ironically, your eyes may be drier than ever. So break out the Visine, but don't worry — eye symptoms, like skin symptoms, will disappear after delivery. Just be sure to let your practitioner know what's going on, so he or she can…well, keep an eye on things.

[2ndtimer]

Hi Guys,
I just got back from my glucose test. I sure hope I passed it because she had to stick me 2 x's for one blood sample. If I fail this one I have to go back for a 3 hour fasting test where I get stuck minimum of 4 times. Plus the sugar syrup that I had to drink has made me feel a little sick to my stomach.

Anyway, Tina I know what you mean about the prenatal yoga. I'm not enjoying it much anymore. It has made my back feel better but it hurts my knee. I LOVE regular yoga, but I find it very hard to relax into the poses when baby starts kicking or I suddenly have to pee or my hands go numb, etc. I've had some sciatica pain when walking too but just try to walk through it. That's awsome about the breast pump! Karen, I hope your glucose test was normal.

Shari, Marybeth, Seltzer, I too have terrible constipation. And I'm really scared about getting hemorrhoids from it because that's what happened to my sister & she ended up needing to get a hemorrhoidectomy outpt 3 days after her last baby. So I've been taking colace everyday. It's better to be proactive now than paying the price later.
No problems with my contacts, but my glasses are giving me headaches, weird huh?

Nancy, were you the one who mentioned registering for the baby shower? If so, thanks for the reminder! I just finished registering yesterday. Now I need to get the invites(or evites) sent. We're having a nontraditional coed baby shower/cookout. I don't really have a lot of girlfriends and I also wanted the men to feel welcome.

[tryw8]

Hi 2ndtimer:

I just got back from my glucose test. I sure hope I passed it because she had to stick me 2 x's for one blood sample. If I fail this one I have to go back for a 3 hour fasting test where I get stuck minimum of 4 times. Plus the sugar syrup that I had to drink has made me feel a little sick to my stomach.

Karen, I hope your glucose test was normal.

Well, I can tell you that my body didn't pass the one hour glucose test. So I had the 3-hour test a few days ago. I'll probably get the results at my next check up which is in a few more days. I can tell you that the sugar liquid that they had me drink at the first test, I had to drink double the amount for the 3-hour one. What?!? I had five minutest to finish this? Ewww .... YUCK! I had to fight back the gags. I sure wanted to heave. The girl was very understanding, though. It didn't make me feel any better because baby kept kicking since I hadn't eaten since 7pm the previous night.

For the 3-hour test, I had blood drawn 4 times. The initial one then every hour after that. The only thing I was allowed to do was walk slowly to the bathroom to relieve myself. Other than that, I had to hang out at the OB/GYN 's office. So thank goodness I brought along my portable DVD player to take my mind of off things. BTW, I left my husband home for this appointment. He would have been grumbling.

The only thing I wish I did, was bring my lunch with me. (I left it in the car.) I was so hungry! My appointment for the 3-hour test was at 830am. Then I had a weekly check up appointment at 12pm. By the time I reached the car, I was so famished. My husband said it was amazing that I didn't faint along the way.

Thanks for keeping us posted.

Karen

[2ndtimer]

Karen,
that is SUCH a bummer! I'm so sorry that you had to go back for the 3 hour marathon. And I'm really, really hoping that I don't have to go back for that. Fortunately, the good news is that even if you have gestational diabetes it may be something that is easily controlled with diet alone OR worst case scenario you have to go on insulin injections for a short while until the baby is born. For us IVF patients, the little itty bitty insulin syringes just aren't that scary.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for the both of us
Rebecca

[MBG]

Karen and Rebecca: I hope you both pass your tests! That syrup sounds pretty nasty.....did you have a choice in flavors? Not that one will probably taste much better than the other......will they not even allow you drink water during the wait? Are you not supposed to eat breakfast the morning of the test? Sorry for so many questions! I am having my test on the 27th....my doc did not say anything about not eating before my appointment, but I don't want to do anything to screw the results up!

Good luck girlies!!

Marybeth