April/May 2008 MOMS (all others are welcomed too)

[jade1]

Hi Ladies. I have b/g twins born on April 3rd, 2008. They were born at 34 weeks by emergency c-sct. After a month in the nicu they came home and our adventure began. I would love to chat with you ladies. Doesn't time just fly with babies. They grow so fast!!

[Cocoa]

OOOHHHH... welcome Jade1 - please, please, please DO chat with us!

So what happened that you have your babies 6 weeks early? My G/B twins were born April 4th at 36w2d. Woodcliff's B/G twins were born the same day as yours!!!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Hi everyone!!!

xxxCocoa

[jade1]

Hi Cocoa, Thanks for the welcome!! I was put on bedrest at 16 weeks for preterm labor....having contractions and shortened cervix. In the hospital until they got contractions under control. Sent home on strict bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy. I went in for my weekly appt at 34 weeks expecting to get off bedrest, but twin A had no fluid so I had to deliver. That is great you made it to 36 weeks. Any bedrest or issues during pregnancy? So give me details on your twins.......

[Cocoa]

Hi Jade:

I am so glad they were keeping a good eye on you...any reason they gave for the fluid being gone? Were you leaking? Where do you live?

Let's see... my twin A was baby girl and she was head down the WHOLE time and her head was "stuck" in my pelvis by 31 weeks! Baby B was of course my boy who was sitting frank breech on my left side taking up all my belly and squishing baby girl all the way into my spine...you never would have known it was twins but they were born really good sizes (see my siggy below). Unfortunately, they needed lung help and were in NICU for 5 days but really rallied and surprised the doctors. I was so out of it with narcotics from the c-section that they were just fine before I knew they were in any trouble in the first place.

I am still unsure EXACTLY the medical reason they were born a little early since my OB was a real b*#@h and dismissed my severe upper right quadrant pain after the first horrible episode at 31 weeks, she dismissed my NOT PEEING shortly thereafter and my SEVERE pitting edema by saying "you're old, you're having twins" but this was all because she didn't like me telling her what I thought she should do (I was scared for my life and the life of the twins and KNEW something was wrong - I was on terbutaline from 24 weeks). My BP was high FOR ME and I had 30+ protein in my urine - apparently not enough for her to call my condition pre-e but the specialist I saw 2 years earlier told me when I brought the babaies to see him that it WAS pre-e and that pre-e does NOT have to present with dangerous levels just higher levels than normal BUT he told me the lack of peeing was toxic and my doctor should have done something. Anyway, I don't know the REASON my OB put in my records RE: delivery at 36w BUT I DO know that the perinatologist told ME they should be delivered at 35w 2d when my OB DID put in hospital for "dehydration" at week 35 - yeah right - I was NOT dehydrated I was NOT peeing but I WAS drinking A LOT to try to flush it out. I am following up with this and she won't know what hit her when I'm through - SHE DISCHARGED ME FROM THE HOSPITAL WITH DANGEROULSY HIGH BP WITH NO INSTURCTIONS OR FOLLOW UP!!!! and did something else to put up smoke and mirrors to cover her mistakes. I was delivered because I was in danger and the peri knows it. I have ordered my medical records.

OK, that's my horrific story but my twins are wonderful. They are climbing up on EVERYTHING!!! They both have two little bottom teeth (soooo darn cute!) and they TALK and TALK and TALK - da da, ma ma, ahhhh, ooohhhh - soooo cute! I have to feed them now but PM me and we can share emails and send pics...

You doing vaccinations?

Talk to you soon...

xxxCocoa

[jade1]

What a crazy story. I cant believe your dr. I hope that you can get that straightened out. Sounds like you had a nightmare pregnancy like me!!

So I live in NC. I am not sure why my fluid was low except just that I was out of room. So I had to deliver. I have one twin with 8 teeth the other has none. One is crawling and standing the other sits and scoots. It is crazy how diffferent they are. Oh I have done vaccines so far but am on the fence on the MMR. Of course my dr thinks it is safe, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

I think I read you have 3 kids. How old is your other? Do you plan on more?

Well I sent you a pm. Hope you have a great weekend!!

[Cocoa]

Jade!

I didn't get your PM so I sent one to you with my email address...

Yes, my twins couldn't be any more different in temperament and SCHEDULE!!! Oy!!! If HE doesn't get up at midnight then SHE'S up at 2am and HE'S up at 4am!!! I am up at LEAST 3 times... and their eating habits are differnt too. She loves to crunch crackers and cherrios and he loves to EAT mush!

Oh, but they are the loves of my life! My older son is 15 now and he is the BEST big brother in the world!!! I am very proud of him even though his adolescence drives me nuts - his room is a pig sty an dhe doesn't seem to care, he hears what he wants to hear and decides which one of his chores he thinks is important enough to do and will MAYBE do them at the expense of all others... He has aspergers autism but he's doing really well - very smart and likes H.S. - THAT was a surprise!!!

These are your first children? Isn't it surreal? It's the best being a mom...

So, I will be in touch soon...

xxxCocoa

[Mandy J]

Hi Jade,

Welcome to our group. How is everyone doing?

After feeling quite smug about Ellie not having any problems with sleeping even when getting her 1st 2 teeth, I have just had the last few nights of getting Ellie to sleep and then her waking up crying...I am soooooo knackered! DH doesn't even stir when she cries...typical. Anyway, i've just got her off to sleep now, so gonna have an early night...hopefully ALL night!

Here's a couple up to date pictures of Ellie

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j181/mrjkj/001.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j181/mrjkj/004.jpg

[Cocoa]

Mandy! She IS a real cutie... You could just eat her up!!! I LOVE the hair... You should see Jade's kids! Sooooo FA-FREAKIN' cute!!! Oh, and I think mine are too of course

Gotta go to sleep - we can talk knackered... tomorrow!

xxxCocoa

[robinsonpr]

Hello everyone!!!!

Woah it's been soooooo long since I posted. We have changed phone providers and they completely screwed up our internet connection so I've been stuck in the dark for an eternity!

I've been reading back to catch up a bit....sounds like everyone is getting on so well!!!

So first things first here's my xmas pic of Jack and Charlie:



They are so big now I can't believe it!!!

Had some stressful times over Christmas. On the 20th Dec Jack got a 3/4 spots on his chest. Not normal looking spots though, they looked quite "angry". And Charlie had one exactly the same on his hip, but just one. They then scabbed over. At the time one of my friends little girls had chicken pox, but she didn't know how she'd picked it up. She lives over 100 miles away though and we haven't seen each other for a few months). So chicken pox did cross my mind, but I didn't think it was that because it was so few spots (I've since learned that in young babies chicken pox doesn't always mean lots of spots). Anyway the babies didn't seem ill at all so it didn't worry me too much.

Then on Christmas day Jack woke up with another 4/5 spots on his chest so I thought it probably WAS chicken pox. But no matter they don't treat it so carried on with Christmas! So then on the 27th I took him to the doctor just to be on the safe side. The doc said it probably was NOT chicken pox, but maybe due to his teething. Fine. Then a couple of days later Jack woke up and his whole torso was covered in a blotchy rash. He seemed fine in himself though and didn't appear to be scratching or anything. I hadn't changed washing powder/diet etc. So back to the docs and saw a different doctor this time. This one said it was a virus, most likely picked up because his immune system was low due to the chicken pox. WTF!!! So this doc said they def looked like chicken pox spots. He's fine now, all rashes and spots gone, but I'm still none the wiser as to whether he did have chicken pox!!!

SO I was reading Vlada's post about feeling unsatisfied. I've so been waiting for internet access to ask you girls the very same question as I have been feeling the same. I won't say I feel unsatisfied or bored, maybe trapped is a better way to describe it. But it is the routine that has me trapped.

I've been pretty much working to the 2 hour rule: after 2-2.5 hours of being awake and active the boys become a bit grizzly so I put them down for a nap. This was fine when they were smaller and I accepted they needed their sleep. They nap well and to a good schedule. The problem with twins is that this means I can't really get out of the house. By the time they've been changed/fed etc there's not much more of the 2 hours left!

They are just about 9 months old now and I thought they might have dropped their naps, but no, they still get really grizzly after 2-3 hours and they do go to sleep quite easily so I guess they must need it. We get up at 6.30am, nap at 8.30am, nap at 11.30am, nap at 3.30pm and then bed at 6.30pm. They sleep well, often from 6.30-6.30 with no need for me, sometimes I just have to go in and put their dummy in if they properly cry. If they snuffle I just leave them to sort themselves out.

So what's the deal with these naps? Should they be having this many naps now????

I've tried a couple of times to just not let them have a nap and they just cry for it.

As soon as they drop one or 2 of the 3 naps I'll be able to work on getting out more, but at the moment I'm just tied to the house! Help!!!!

Hayley xx

[Vlada]

Wow, gorgeous pictures!!!!!!
Hayley,
Tesa was taking 3 naps a day up to 7.5 months, then she switched to 2 naps, i kinda helped her to switch too, just slowly moving her schedule. I hope your boys will do the same . I know how hard it is to deal with 3 naps.
I am still feeling a little down, i guess the word trapped is the right one to describe it. Some days are better than the others though...
It is very hard to get out...
I hope everyone is doing well
Vlada

[Mandy J]

I often feel a bit guilty that Ellie doesn't have a nap routine....she just sleeps when she is tired wherever that may be, in the pram, car, at work, on the floor or in my arms at a cafe. She really only has a morning nap and sometimes in the afternoon, but as she seems content I'm not gonna worry about it too much! I have friends that have a routine time for their children and they go to sleep in the cot each time, I really admire this, but somehow I am never 'time managed' enough to do it myself.

Luckily, I don't seem to be experiencing this trapped feeling, I just drag Ellie wherever I go, but then DH does look after her for 2 days while I work so I guess that is probably why.

Hayley, your picture is just beautiful

Mandy
x

[carolina1girl1]

Great news!! They discharged Miley from rehab!! No more, yeah.. They wanted to see her crawl and that is what they got. I am so happy. I have been reading and catching up here and there. Cocoa, I know what you are talking about with your oldest son, I have a 12 year old that is a wonderful big brother but the pre-teen attitude drives me crazy. He is all and all a great kid. Mandy, Elllie is beautiful!! And Hayley, Jack and Charlie are sooo cute.. I don't have schedules. I tote her everywhere with me, and she naps when she needs to. I have friends that can't believe i don't have bedtimes or naptimes, but that is what works for me. I never had bedtimes and schedules with my son unitl he started school. And he turned out fine, and that is what worked. What is the thing with shots? Is there something wrong with the mmr? I never even heard anything about them. My son always got all his shots when he needed them and figured that was that. Miley is just getting over a stomach bug where she threw up, never seen a baby throw up like that, wow. Took a few days to recover from no sleep. Now she has thrush. Geeezzz. My son never had that kinda freaked me out. Miley is starting to pull herself up on things. She does this fake cough noise and then just laughs. So silly. She still has no teeth!!!! What kind of finger foods are you feeding the babies?? Miley loves to feed herself but not sure what to give her. What do your babies like to play with?? I keep a tote with small toys and put them in a pile on the floor for her, keeps her busy for awhile so i can get some cleaning done. (and maybe some computer time)
Here is a new pic of Miley at her first trip to the zoo..
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j207/ ... CN2333.jpg

melanie

[Mandy J]

Hi Melanie,

Oh, so please you have finished with the rehab, one less thing to worry about

Re: MMR jab, if I remember rightly, a few years ago a doctor 'A' linked MMR with causing Autism in children. However, the government and other doctors rediculed his findings insisting the MMR was safe and that doctor 'A' had only studied relatively few cases...SO who do we believe....errrrm! Unfortunately, the whole episode was enough to put doubts in many parents minds, so many of them have opted for the 3 seperate vacinations or not to vaccinate at all, I respect anyones views on wether to vaccinate or not, I work in anatural health clinic, and a few there would not vaccinate prefering homeopathy or alther alternatives...however, although I run the clinic..I work in a more conventional approach so for me, the risks from the MMR are far less than the life threatening Measles and I will vaccinate.

Mandy
x

[woodcliff]

Wow! Jack and Charlie are ADORABLE...

I have no routine with the babies any more...sometimes they take separate naps...gone are the days when I could monitor the 2.5 - 3 hr rule and put them down for a nap. Now, they do eat every 3 hours...
BUT my girl doesn't like to nap that often...

When it's warm enough (too cold today and tomorrow in DC) I put them in the stroller and take a long walk. They always sleep!

But since eating solids and teething, all schedules are out the window. They used to sleep 7 - 7. Now I give bottles at 11:30 or midnight, and hope to get my son to 6 a.m. My daughter is now sleeping until 7:15 am. FOR NOW It is always evolving.

I can't believe the chicken pox situation! How scary...you handled it so well Hayley! I would've panicked Glad they are OK

And happy Miley is out of rehab! Such a cute shot.

I'm just more tired than I was before. This 9 month stage is demanding, and I have an au pair. It's too much even with help sometimes...hats off to you mamas who don't have any help! I am dying to get things accomplished, I never seem to get from square one to square two.

re: the MMR study that ran in the Lancet was bogus because the lead doctor had been hired by PARENTS to sue the pharm company. He made up a BOGUS study to support his claims in court. The co-authors, all MDs, didn't know this and refuted the study, as did the Lancet. A huge black eye for the Lancet.

Again, there is NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE that the MMR causes autism. There are just hysterical mothers whose children have autism, (ie: Jenny McCarthy) and they want to look for something or someone to blame.

It is being diagnosed more frequently because autism has become an industry at least in America. (ie: psychologists who diagnose it, and have made the 'spectrum' a bit wider than it was originally, social workers, etc. Everyone makes $$$ off of these poor kids.)

The sad thing is that, indeed, symptoms of autism start just around the time you get the MMR (at 1 year)...so of course it looks like the shots cause it! Again, there is no proof that the shots cause it.

I strongly believe in vaccines, that it is a public health issue and not a personal choice. I believe there should be a Federal law MANDATING certain vaccines...the only reason we don't have huge outbreaks of measles or other diseases is because *responsible parents* vaccinate their children...protecting the kids who are unvaccinated.

One key reason home schooling has grown is due to unvaccinated children ...parents can't send their kids to school so they educate (kind of) their kids at home. Again, the dumbing down of America.

It is a shame, however, that the pharm industry has not yet made enough individual vaccines so that parents can give the MMR separately. THAT would be nice for parents who are fearful of the MMR.

If my children end up autistic, I'll know it's genetic or from a virus, not from the MMR.

Ha. More than my 2 cents! Just the facts.
As ever
Me

[Cocoa]

Hey!

Not wanting to offend but I have to vehemently disagree with Woodcliff. Living with an autistic child and watching him grow from birth THROUGH his vaccines AND reading almost every report written about vaccines data without the influence of so-and-so hiring so-and-so I can definitively say that I believe vaccines activate a gene that pre-disposes children to autism. I also thoroughly believe that the LIVE part of the MMR vaccine in combination with the other parts CAN activate an existing pre-disposition to autism. Therefore I WILL seek to separate this vaccine. I am an advocate for my children's welfare and have sought as much information (at the behest of my physician who I believe agrees with me but cannot voice it out and out) as I can regarding the results of these vaccines. I am NOT foolish and wil NOT expose my children to unnecessary viruses so I HAVE vaccinated BUT I will NOT be fooled by those who seek to gain financially and just follow recommendations because just as parents can hire those who will justify THEIR case there are docotors who will hide within the security of their underwriting support for vaccines and we may never know! Don't be fooled... I KNOW parents whose children DID suffer as a direct result of vaccinations... I like to think I weigh both sides - I vaccinate but on an altered schedule AND I do my research...

As far as schedules... I let my babies sleep when they are ready and they are on VERY different schedules. So be it... I live my life around their schedules - they are my last babies AND I waited for them for many, many years... I take them everywhere if need be and they are VERY well-adjusted and loving babies... I am sure you all find the same to be true...

All our love and blessings...

xxxCocoa
ps - the effects of autism can usually be identified by experts between the ages of 23-28 months BUT some changes can be seen after the MMR vaccine only to later manifest as regressive behaviors. My son cried for 4 hours after the vaccine, became aloof and when he was old enough a short while later he began to show some regressive and strange behaviors. I have heard/seen stories where children regressed a short couple of days later... not a coincidence in MY mind...