October Mommies-2-B Club!!!!

[Mellie_1233]

Suga - I think you're amazing for being able to see into the future clearly enough to realize that there will be a lesson in all of this. It sounds like things are tough but Mackenzie still is being given a good prognosis, right? I'm sure I'd be every bit as stressed as you. Hang in there. Having a preemie must be so emotionally complicated -- the joy of the baby but the stress at the same time. What are the dr's saying about Mackenzie? I will say a prayer for you and your babies tonight.

Rio - I'm sorry about the weight probs and blood sugar. I'm up to 13.5 pounds and I've been fretting about it b/c I feel like I should have gained more by now although my dr says it's fine. How is your iron? I was a little anemic and they put me on iron supplements. My DH has been cooking ever since and he makes delicious steaks so I am probably now overloading my poor little girl w/iron. She'll come out looking like Popeye What does your dr say about the weight prob? Have you asked your dr if you could use shakes? I've been drinking a Boost shake every so often to keep the calories up. My dr said it was ok to drink, although I try to not have one every day b/c they are so loaded w/vitamins I'm afraid I'll overdo it between that and the prenatals if I drink too many of them. Maybe there's a low-carb shake you could ask your dr about?

Well, I've made my first nervous Mommy call. My little girl was so active last night that it worried me. She was moving all over for about 2 hours. Of course, I googled This made me more concerned so I called my doc's office to make sure that this was ok -- which it was.

Nice to hear from everyone. It was getting quiet on here.

[loopie]

hi all you lovely mommies

mellie- was baby just super active? 2 hours does seem like a long time for kicking and squirming- did DH get a chance to feel anything? mine seems to miss the kicks every time!!

sug- it must be so heartbreaking right now-2 babies- 1 doing well, the other having a tougher time of it - in the long run, you will be prepared more than most for the trials of parenthood and all of the stuff you and dh are going through with your girls will soon move into the fun phase of having them home with you, healthy and strong- my dh and i are thinking of you.

hey Katie- a week ahead- i'm so jealous!!! i'm definitely getting to the point that things are getting much harder to do and i want the 40 to hurry up and be here - but contractions already??? they are not worried, but still i'd be nervous. dh and i are not banking the cord blood- we really talked it over, and more than likely this will be our only natural born bean- we may adopt in the future (or another miracle could happen) but so unlikely. Having spoken with several authorities on it, it seems to make sense if you are a minority, or of mixed racial decent, or have family history of problems, etc
We looked into donating our cord blood, they said they don't take it anymore- what is the wash and boil?

kelly- glad everything (except the babies'feet in your ribs) is going well for you how often are your baby classes? do they teach baby CPR? that is one i need to know for sure!!

ok- all for now so tired - returned 3 bags of stuff to target, then bought the stuff i really needed- i think there are still a few things we need yet, but I cannot remember what they are!!!!!!

cheers to all

loopie

[KatieG]

loopie---Did you have gift receipts for target. They are really strict down here and wont let you exchange anyrthing even if it has tags and is odviously from there. I have lots to exchange but I dont know if I can deal with target.

I need to read more about the cord blood. I keep going back and forth and god forbid we needed it and didnt have it I'd be mad at myself . I need to do more research.

Wash and Boil---Just need to wash his clothes and extra sheets and disinfect the pacifiers and bottle stuff.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

[loopie]

Katie- I did not have any gift receipts- but some of the stuff was on my registry ( got doubles and triples) - but a lot was not- I just went in with all the stuff I knew was from Target, and they hooked me up- I mean, use the belly card if all else fails! - I got about a $300 gift card in returns- and spent it all yesterday! I was sure I'd have some leftover, but with a monitor, changing pad, and a couple of other bigger ticket items (and some ice cream ) I pretty much used it up- sheesh!

The cord blood thing is tough- the one i'm having a hard time with is circumcision - i don't want to, dh does- grrrrrrrr

take it easy!

loopie

[riogirl71]

Anyone considering a video monitor? I have been thinking of it for whenever Skid is around, not that she would be mean to the baby (I pray not) but she just doesn't care about things and if we ever asked her to watch him (only with us in the house!) I can always keep an eye...

Any thoughts about gliders, yes or no? locking ones? It is driving me crazy trying to figure it out!


Loopie- I feel like it is a lot harder to do things also, I sit in the office thinking of all these great things I am going to do when I get home, then I get home and I don't want to do anything cause I am so beat! Loved your pooch story and told it to DH, he loved it! We decided on circumcision...
Katie I looked into the cord blood thing and decided not to. It seems like there are only very specific diseases they can deal with, I read an article and it did not seem like it was all that helpful. Of course, if you are that one in a million case, you would think different so it's a hard choice. Glad the bean is doing fine!
Mellie- wow you are Miss skinny minny! I really have to watch my carbs so I am really restricted on what I eat these days. The OB is not concerned but the endocrinologist wants more weight, so go figure! I am glad your little girl is doing so well and so active!
Suga- I am also praying that Maczenzie gains her strength, I can't even imagine going through what you have to go through and know that you are one tough cookie! I can't wait for your two healthy girls to be home with you and DH!
Kelly- let us know if you get any good tips on your classes! Sorry the girls are making you a little uncomfortable, I at this point, couldn't imagine carrying twins!

We met and picked a pediatrician yesterday, very nice guy. I did a non stress test this a.m. and we passed with flying colors, very cool to hear baby's hiccups and heartbeat on the speakers.

Hope all is well with you beautiful mommas!

[jomae]

Hey Girls
Hope were all well and hanging in there.
Anyone finding themselves very flushed i ended up at the local hospital the other noght after feeling very dizzy again and bright red in the face of course the midwife couldn't tell me what the probblem was except to say it could be a positional thing or possibly my suga levels which can all be normal. I so need to buy slip on shoes its cold over here at the moment and i want to wear closed in shoes for warmth but the laces are killing me i just can't bend by the time i have one shoe on i'm out of breath and grunting and groaning which must be a sight. Dh told our tiler to not bother coming to do our tiles as he was seriously mucking us about so we are now in the thick of doing it ourselves which with the unable to bend problem makes it very difficult but it is looking great i'm just looking forward to moving our furniture in and finally setting up the house so i can sit back and relax a little. I would like to think that i cna sit back and do nothing for the last month and wait for Katies arrival.

Rio its a bit sad you feel you'll need to monitor your ds with bub and frankly i wouldn't be leaving him with her if your already concernes. Mind you she may totally suprize you and be the best big sister there is heres hoping for the suprize change.

Corny i know your not reading this but when you get a chance to look back you'll see iv'e been thinking of you

Suga how are the girls going any progress for mackenzie is Brooke continueing to do well. I hope your taking good care of your self and not being to tough on your self your doing a great job as a new mummy

Sorry have to run go to get organized for the day
Hope everyone else is doing fine

Take care jomaexxx

[weezie]

Suga- Congratulations on the girls. I'm very happy for you and DH. Please know that Mackenzie and your entire family are in my prayers.

Rio- Sorry the GD is still giving you fits. 17 lbs? Geez, you are lucky. Take care of yourself. I never gave much thought to the video monitors because I saw once that if a person (hacker) wanted to watch your baby it can be done from outside the home if you are using video monitors. But they would have to be in a car close by or something. But you bring up a good point with the SD. If my skids were with us as much as your SD, I would do it. No questions asked. Nanny cam, video monitor, something!

Sounds like all the baby showers were a hit! And all of you mommies are doing fine, aside from the sleepless nights, karate chops to the ribs, etc...

DH and I have attended all of our classes with the exception of Infant Stimulation which I will go to tomorrow night. I loved all of them! We are STILL living with my parents. Our cabinets were finally delivered and DH is working hard at finishing things up at the house. I even spent 2 days sanding and hauling out trash from the demo. We were hoping to be back after this weekend, but it looks more like next weekend. I had my baby shower 2 weeks ago and got tons of great gifts. I just have to return 2 or 3 things. I plan on finishing my "thank you" notes today. Unfortunately, we had 3 funerals to attend last week, so that set us back a bit. I just really hope that within the next 2 weeks we are back at home and I will have had the maid come and do a through cleaning so I can start cooking and freezing meals. As you can imagine I am "gi-normous"! I have gained 26 lbs and OB is not really concerned. Baby Gavin is so high, it's very uncomfortable. I did however buy a great maternity pillow from The Company Store. It helps some and I'll take every little bit of help I can get. I love all the pictures you ladies have posted!!!!

I hope everyone has a quiet and happy week ahead!
~peace

[sugabeanzs]

Weezie: I wish I could get a maid! lol. I am just so lazy...well, lack motivation to clean at the moment.


As for our little girls they are doing much better! Mackenzie is now 4 lbs and ate her 3cc out of a bottle today! She did not spit it up and gave a good burp! So hopefully they will start to increase her feedings. She is in an open crib now as well. Still a few breathing issues but they seem to finally be starting to work themselves out SLOWLY which is fine as long as she is healthy in the end. Brooke is 3lbs 10 oz now! She is on 16cc of food and will start to bottle sometime this week. She is getting moved into an open crib as well. No issues with this girl minus the small tummy! So hopefully in Sept if all things keep going up they will be able to come home!! My mom is coming up this weekend to see them which will be nice to have someone at the hospital with me for long periods of time. Hope all is well with you!!

[loopie]

hi all!

weezie - great to hear from you!!! argh! still not home- i'd be going mad!- actually, i think i did go crazy when i was out of the house.
Tell me about infant stimulation class- is it ways to interact with Gavin?

anyone know if baby sign language actually works? know anyone who's used it?
jomae- glad your trip to the hospital was brief and nothing serious -i am with you on the leaning over thing- it's getting mighty hard, and i get lightheaded- if i need to do anything down low, i just plop myself down on the floor and crawl around, or scoot across the floor. take it easy on the tiling- it seems like a do-able job, but you may end up getting in a weird and uncomfortable position- definitely don't do stuff like that without someone around- I find that i over stress myself when left to my own devices!

suga- good to hear the babes are doing well- just a bit more, and they'll be HOME!!!!!!!!!!I hope you are getting some sleep- how close are you to your hospital? do they let you stay with the girls all day?

rio- so crappy about the skids- but, they may surprise you yet!
i'm not getting a glider but I hear they are pretty cool
- i'm sticking to the old rocking chairs I have, and hope to make a nursing stool (it's a sort of angled footstool that helps with positioning- going to copy a friend's)

nothing much here- going camping this weekend (last big outing), and trying to take it easy- I went to school yesterday, cleaned up my studio, and got plum exhausted!!!!! I hope I can make it, but am starting to think I may not make it to week 40 and still be in school guess it was just wishful thinking after all


tammy- where are you?

take care of yourselves and those beans!

xxloopie

[sugabeanzs]

Loopie: Baby sign language does work. I know a lot of people who used it. The only thing I did see in some of them was that their kids did not talk as soon as others? Could have just been a coincidence. I am going to use it though on just simple stuff. I think it you talk to them while doing it it should be fine.

Jomae: I did not read about the hospital thing! I must have skimmed over it! I am glad it was only a short stay. Just take it easy (as I am sure you are)

Rio: I have a glider and love it!! Good luck on finding one.

The hospital is only 5 minutes away from us which is good and you can stay in the NICU 24 hours just leaving during the nurses shift change. Sometimes it is hard to stay a long time though because you just have so many errands to run and taking care of the husband. Otherwise I would be there 24 hours!!

[riogirl71]

Suga- glad the little girls are growing and I can't wait for pics! They will be home with mommy very soon!
Loopie- My friend's little girl did sign language and she was always really calm cause she could communicate well, didn't stunt her speech. We have a book and cards and we are for sure doing sign language with bean. That and I am only speaking Portuguese to him so he has 2 languages he is fluent in. We ordered the glider and I am pretty excited! Yes it sucks about the Skid but I need to protect my bean, even DH wouldn't trust him to his daughter's care so why should I? Very sad though
Weezie - so good to hear from you! I hope your house gets done soon so you can be home! I wish my Skid wasn't with us all of the time too! Cause it's all I need right now - more drama from her, there is always something! I think the video monitor will be a good investment and peace of mind. any good tips from your classes?
Jomae - hope you are feeling better! I hear you about shoes
Tammy?

[Mellie_1233]

Hello Mommies!

I have a question for everyone. Where exactly do you feel most of your fetal movements? I notice that I tend to feel something (a bottom maybe?) just above and an inch or so to the right of my navel and that I feel something else that may be her head below the navel and about 2 inches to the left. I suspect it's her head b/c that's where the hiccups seem to come from.

I was just wondering b/c I never really feel anything directly above or below the navel so it makes me think she's laying kind of diagonal. And, she seems to have a "favorite" spot b/c she doesn't deviate too much from this.

What about the rest of you?

[riogirl71]

Hi Mellie - I feel the hiccups really low, about 3 inches down from my navel. I feel a butt or foot above my navel often as high as 4 inches. At my last ultrasound (forever ago) he was still head up so I don't know if he moved yet.

[geckogirl]

Wow - I haven't posted in quite a while and there has been so much going on with all of you!

Jomae - I hope you are feeling better and have no more hospital scares. I hope you are back in your home and can start decorating, organizing and relaxing!

Weezie - I am curious about the infant stimulation class. Please share what you learn. I am taking a few classes through my hospital and that is not one that is offered. I already took breastfeeding and will take newborn care next week. I know what you mean about carrying high. Declan is still very high and it really makes breathing a chore. I really want him to drop.

sugabeanz - I am praying for you and your girls. It looks like they are doing fabulous, but I would imagine the worry and strain on you is tremendous. Take care of yourself and post updates when you can.

loopie - I have a baby sign language book that I got at one of my showers, but I haven't looked at it yet. I will certainly try it out especially if it makes the baby calmer. Have fun camping! I just started back at my high school teaching job. This is week two and I am really struggling. My feet swell from being on my feet all day, I am totally exhausted and it is just plain HARD. I doubt I will make it until the end of Sept. as planned.

Mellie - I feel most of the baby movements in the exact place as you. I think his bottom (or head) is just under my ribs on the right side and his feet (or hands) are low on the left side. I have an ultrasound next Wednesday and they will be able to tell me for sure. I am afraid he might be breech since I feel his hiccups up high. I sure hope not!

I have been doing bi-weekly NSTs and yesterday they said that I was having contractions. I can't feel them and they didn't seem too concerned -said to call if I can feel them and there are more than four in an hour. I also tested positive for protein in the urine. Again, they didn't seem too concerned and just told me to call if I get any other signs of pre eclampsia. I was supposed to start daily monitoring of my urine today and there was only a trace in it this morning. Perhaps I was dehydrated yesterday. The nurse said that they want to keep the baby in for another 2-3 weeks, but after that they will not try to stop my labor. However if I get full blown pre eclampsia they may have to do an emergency c-section right away. Yikes! I am sure my ob will give me more details when I see her next Tues. I have another NST on Friday and then again next Tues before I see the ob. I am really hoping that she will tell me to quit working. The contractions and protein in the urine showed up after I went back to work and I am not sure if this is just a coincidence or not. Anyone else having contractions yet?

Hope you are all feeling well. We are getting sooooo close now. It is exciting!

[sugabeanzs]

Gecko: I too had protein in the urine. It was just a trace amount though and my BP was perfect so they were not worried about it. How is your BP??Congrats on getting to 34 weeks! Thanks for the prayers, they are really appreciated.

Mellie: Well since I had two it was a little different with movement but Baby B was the really active one so I felt her right under my ribs. If A kicked it was way below the belly button.