**February 2011 Babies**

[purpleFish]

PA - my parents live outside of Pittsburgh, so the kids and I are going to be there about a week. I am sorry you didn't get to see anything... I feel your pain. I just try to remind myself that it is a good thing and that if they were doing an ultrasound it would be because something is wrong. Baby furniture is so hard... Somewhat easier with twins... there is only so much you can fit in one room=) Anyway one good thing to ask is how long do you plan to use it. If you plan to get a crib that turns into a toddler bed, then something super sturdy is what I would look for. Also if you or your husband are really tall you might think about not doing a toddler bed. My son was big and he couldn't comfortably sleep in his crib at about a year. With dressers and such, do you plan to use it until they are 3? 5? 10? We got a cheap dresser and put a foam changing pad on top and decided when they were older we would get them a nice dresser. I figure there is no point in spending a fortune if you are only going to use it for a few years.

With all the recalls out there make sure to check the website before you buy. I know my crib that is only a few years old was recalled: And remember they are not recommending drop side cribs at all anymore, because of the danger, but if you find a good used one most companies will give you a kit to make it not a drop side for free (we did this with our crib).

http://www.cpsc.gov/info/cribs/index.html

[PA_FA]

Thanks purplefish. I plan on using it for a long time. I would like something that converts to a full bed. What was yours recalled for?
Have a safe drive to PIT! I'll be there the weekend of the 18th. I CAN"T WAIT to get Primanti Brothers sandwich. It's all that is keeping me going for the next few weeks.

[purpleFish]

PA - Our crib was one of the ones that the plastic was failing and the drop side was coming off and strangling kids. It is a little scary to know that our crib actually was the cause of some infant deaths. It was a mid-priced crib, and we used it with no problems. We got the kit from the manufacturer that is supposed to make it safe. We put our toddlers in it and let them shake/jump the heck out of it and it seems to be fine. We are flying to Pittsburgh, we live in Oregon so it would be a long drive. We are stopping in Chicago for the weekend on the way to see my brother and his kids. The kids are very keyed up about our trip.... I wish I had that energy=)


Almost halfway through the pregnancy already! Can you believe it! Just about another week and then 19 weeks!!! wow!

[PA_FA]

Purplefish- I'm not sure why I thought you were driving. Pregnancy brain...I seem to use that excuse a lot lately. LOL Either way...be safe and have fun!

[jenice]

Hi everyone, haven't been on here in awhile. I recently lost a family member tragically. It has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with in my life. I hope all the recent stress doesn't cause any problems. In time things will get better but my outlook on life has changed forever. I'm 13 weeks tomorrow and see my RE today. I am hoping to be discharged today and hoping to stop those shots I had genetic screen done earlier this week and saw the baby it is getting so big. This is my second pregnancy so I have popped out alot already. Everyone @ the funeral now knows I'm pregnant, not exactly the way I wanted people to find out. Life has its own plan though. I hope to catch up on personnals later.

[PA_FA]

OMG Jenice I am so sorry for your loss. If you ever want to talk you know we are all here for you. BIG HUGS coming your way.

[mev0630]

Jenice - I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope the memories of your time with your loved one gives you comfort. ((hugs))

[PA_FA]

Kamaile- Where are you? How have you been feeling? I finally got my trip to Honolulu. I'll be there Sep3-4. At least I get a mini vacation before the baby comes.

[Kamaile]

ohhhh ok here you are lol...i was wondering why the other thread was so quiet all the time... so are you coming to Hawaii for a vacay or for work? will you be staying in Waikiki?

[PA_FA]

Kamaile- I posted over on may cycle board...but I will be there for 24hrs for work. Staying in Waikiki Beach. Right across from the Duke's statue.

[julia_78]

Hi everyone

Sorry I have not been posting much, work has been busy and I have felt so exhausted that I spend every spare 10 minute napping...
Pa-fa - hope you get to enjoy hawaii in between the flights, that sounds like so much fun!! i bet it's tough competition between flight attendants to get to work on that route?? i can't believe you are 16 weeks already! almost half way thru!!
jenice - i am so sorry for your loss hon (((((hugs)))))
purplefish - hope you enjoy your week wtih family in chicago! you are also half way there, these pregnancies are flying by!! congrats on your new floors, isn't it nice to get the house in order? we got our floors refinished during our vacation so we did not have to deal w/ the dust and it was great coming home to new floors
lisa - hope the medicine is helpign with your m/s. hope you'll get better soon as you move along in the pregnancy.
mev - your trip to italy sounds great! your comment on gelato reminded me of the eat/ pray/ love book, her description of the food was so vivid i was STARVING the entire time i read the italy section has anyone seen the movie yet?
natasha - welcome on this board!
kittymom - hope your docs can get the blood pressure in check... congrats on a girl and on a surprise!! is everyone else planning to find out boy/girl?? DH does not want to but I really hope he'll come around

afm - well i'll be 12 weeks on thu. i have been feeling good except for the constantly tired part. i had some bleeding scares 2 weeks ago as i was travelling for work and ended up at the ER in amsterdam (it also happened in our first pregnancy also in amsterdam and i ended up m/c so i was extra worried). luckily i was fine and it was just my subchrionic hemorrhage pointing its ugly head. so we got to see the babies at week 10 in amsterdam, and week 11 at the OB at home, and they are doing great, good heart beats, measuring good and moving around like crazy! 3 more days of progesterone and i am DONE (can't wait to put away these ugly inserts). i have been trying to put my pregnancy books aside to stop worrying about every little thing, so started looking into "getting ready for baby" books, and oh my god it's even more overwhelming!!! i don't even know what half the things on the registry list are for what kind of strollers do you thinking about for those of you who are expecting twins? do you know if the snap & go that hooks up with the infant car seat is any good for the beginning? does anyone know how early we should start looking into day care? i wish they did pregnancy calendars like they do for weddings "month 4 - start working on blablabla" so i would not feel like i need to start on everything now...

take care everyone!
julia

[PA_FA]

Hey Julia- I'm so sorry for your scare in Amsterdam. EEEK what a nightmare. I'm so glad those babies are doing great.
I felt overwhelmed about what to buy also and another pregnant first time mom told me about a book she got called "Baby Bargains". You can find it at any major book store. It basically goes over everything from cribs to breast pumps to clothing and monitors. EVERYTHING! They lay it all out and tell you what you need, what you don't and when you need it. They also go over every brand and grade them A-F so you know what is good and what is crap. Best $20 I have spent so far!
Congrats for almost being out of the first trimester!!!!!! And yes it's very tough to get on that route...it takes about 25 years to be able to get it on your schedule (bid it) for every month. At that rate I will hold Honolulu when I am 50. LOL

[jenice]

Thanks everyone for your messages. It has been a really tough time. I'll be 14 weeks on friday, time is ticking along now. My DD started kindergarten all grown up !!! It will be nice to have time to myself though. We have no family near us to babysit, so we hardly ever get away. We still have to tell my DD about the new addition. Maybe this weekend

Julia - If you ever need any advice you can pm me. All of the baby stuff can be overwhelming, they make to much stuff. I was a shopper when I had my DD, so I packed it all away. I was working back then, and had to go back to work 7 weeks after my c-section. I started to look @ eight months preggo for daycares.. I figured I could do the tours of the daycares better without lugging a baby with me. Plus, you never know how early you can go into labor. You are having twins right ? I would ask your OB how far along do they think you will go to ? I wanted to see the availability of the daycares or I would have to go to another one. I think baby r us had a sample registry.When you do your registry, the people @ the store can really help you and I think they give you a checklist too. I know I used tons of bibs, burpcloths, onesies, and blankets. I loved my bouncers I had 2 of those. Hardly ever used my pack n play but some people do use it alot. Stroller, highchair and swing and of course a crib. I also have the play gym and jumperoo so the baby can jump up and down when older. Those are nice to have but not essential. The exasaucer was good to have but my DD would get bored pretty fast in it. I have a bassinet but it doesn't vibrate though. I think the new ones do. My DD would fall asleep with the vibration from my pack n play or bouncer. Hope this helps.

[mev0630]

Hi All! I hope everyone is doing well!

PA_FA & Kamaile - You two were making so jealous all that talk of Honolulu. This will be the first time in 8 years that my husband and I don't take our annual trip to Oahu. We go every January (my husband has a conference that he attends and I get to tag along while getting out of the Chicago winter for a week), but since I'm due February 14th, I won't be traveling after December. I'm going to miss the sun and the beach. I'm also going to miss Aoki's shave ice in Haleiwa and Boots & Kimo's macadamia nut pancakes in Kailua! (Why do my trips always revolve around food!?!) I'm especially going to miss spending my days doing SUP (Stand Up Paddle) hasn't really caught on here on Lake Michigan Have fun PA_FA!

Julia_78 - I hear you about being overwhelmed about a registry. I assume it's going to take 3-4 trips to the baby stores to complete our registry, especially as we do our research on the bigger items like cribs, strollers, etc. I PMed PurpleFish since that she's done twins once and is on her second set I can forward what she has sent me so far, especially since I asked her what I absolutely need two of and what items are fine of only one. Thanks again Purple-Fish! As for strollers, my husband and I are seriously considering the Baby Jogger City Select. It's a mid-price stroller (not like the Peg Peregos or iCandys) and its tandem with a bit of leveling. We live in downtown Chicago so we're always on foot or using public transportation so we want something that can survive all four seasons, fit through store doors, and get us into a train or bus. Side-by-side and regular tandem just won't work in the city for us. I'll let you know what we decide!
As for daycares, we're probably going to start looking next month, again because we live in downtown Chicago we were warned that many places have waiting lists. We're also trying to decide on finding a nanny. I think with twins, the thought of having to get them both ready while we get ready for work to drop them off at daycare just seems overwhelming. I'd rather let them stay home and have someone come over to watch them. I need to start looking into finding out how to find a nanny. I recently joined my local Bump Club so I'm hoping to meet new and expectant who can lead me in the right direction here. I too have been overwhelmed by all the pregnancy and baby books, so I'm taking a break from them. I just finished "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (Steig Larson) and LOVED it! So, now I'm on "The Girl Who Played with Fire".

Jenice - I'm sorry you're having a tough time with you loved one passing and I'm sure having your DD start kindergarten can't be easy. Thanks for your quick list of items to start thing about for registry items!

AFM, been feeling great! My bump is growing every day. I bought a t-shirt today that says "my pod has two peas". I don't typically buy message t-shirts but I couldn't resist!?! My DH and I have a ritual every night, he rubs my belly with anti-stretch mark cream (who knows if it'll work!?!) while he talks or sings to my belly. It's quite sweet
I've started weekly prenatal yoga classes and it feels wonderful, I've met lots of other expectant moms and to see the ones at 38- and 39-weeks doing some of these poses are amazing! I did some MAJOR maternity clothes shopping while I was on a business trip in Minneapolis earlier this week, they have no sales tax on clothes and shoes which is great since Chicago has the highest sales tax at 10.25%!! I bought some great basics on sale at the Gap and I had to get a few work outfits as I have 4 conferences and meetings coming up over the next 3 months. I bought alot of versatile maternity clothes at Hot Mama that will work for during and after (nursing accessible). And of course some fun clothes like jeggings and jeans with cute tops for the weekends for date nights DH and I are trying to have lots of date nights (movies, dinners, museums, etc) as we know it'll be a while after we have the twins to find ourselves out just the two of us

Lastly, a week from today we'll know the sexes of our twins (hopefully)! We have a Level II ultrasound scheduled, so assuming babies are in a good position, we should be able to see their parts! We can't wait!

I hope everyone has a really great and relaxing Labor Day Weekend! For those of you on the Eastern seaboard, I hope Hurricane Earl spares you and doesn't create too much difficult weather for you.

[kitty_mom]

Hello ladies
Just wanted to check in real quick and see how everyone was doing. I've ben pretty busy with work and moving so I havent been able to post much but I've been checking in on everyone!

Jenice-I'm sorry for your loss. I hope that you may find peace in your memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Julia-My BP was excellent when I went back in for a check up. Don't know what happened but I sure dont want it to happen again! Sorry you had such a scare. I've made 2 ER trips myself and I know how terrifiying they are. So glad everything turned out fine

Mev-I need to know where you got your pea pod shirt! I may have to copy you and get one! I've seen a lot of shirts for singleton pregnancies but not so many I liked for twins. I think it is cool that we have the same due date and we are bith expecting twind. I f I'm not mistaken I think PA_FA is a day behind us.

AFM-Moving moving moving. I cant beleive how much crap we have accumulated over the last 5 years. I'd like to throw it all away but DH says I'd regret it. I think I'll regret keeping it! But hey he's moving it all I'm just goingto supervise Hopefully Hurricane Earl doesnt interfere too much with things. I found out that my mother is havng a shower for me in October. I thought it was early however she lives out of state and will be in town for a family function so decided to do it on this trip. Plus she's thought if I end up on bed rest because of the blood pressure she doesnt want to plan something I wont be at! I guess it makes sense it just seemed super early at 24 weeks. But I guess it is never too early to start right???? Going to see my little ones for an u/s next week So excited. Hopefully Baby A will cooperate and we can determine the gender.

Hope you all have a great weekend. And for those of you also on the East Coast I hope Earl doesnt mess with any long weekend plans!
Take Care