Winter Cycle Friends 2009/2010 - Everyone Welcome!

[katie99]

Ok, so as I thought - I definitely overdid it yesterday! I started to feel like my belly was telling me to just go sit down already last night by dinnertime, and started to get really tired, well even after a pretty decent nights sleep - I'm still wiped out today. Oh well it was nice to have energy for 1 day at least.
One of the guys that Chris works with (that already sent us a pack & play & highchair) just gave us a monstrous size bag of the cutest girls clothes for 24 months
Theres sundresses, pjs, tops, skirts, even little jeans and they're all osh kosh or baby gap - whoo hooo! Savannah is totally set for clothes at that age now.
So thats what I'm up to today, sorting through all these clothes that wont fit for 2 more years - haha

Steph - i'm taking the fact that you havent been around as you're actually behaving and on bed rest - good job girl! hope you're feeling ok, as ok as you can be with the twins beating you up from the inside -lol. just let Andrew take care of everyone - mostly you! miss you and hang on honey - you're so close to the finish line now - much love - xoxoxo

Angela - UGh how frustrating about the letters for Gabriella's wall. I hope that you can get them ordered soon so you can see how nice they will look when you put them up. I had a hard time also with the darn letters ( but that was Pottery barn kids ineptitude) once they got squared away and sent the right letters - they were so adorable to look at. Since Gabriella is also a longish name, what I did was place all the letters on the bed so I could try different ways of seeing how they shloud hang, like straight, or in a wave, or sort of serptentine - it saved a lot of holes in the wall to figure it out that way - I cant wait to see pics when you're done!

Where is everyone today?

[Stephanieford78]

Katie - I haven't been on much since my phone is a pain is the arse to use for this forum, takes forever to load and doesn't let me write too much. BLAH! I am holding in there. The hospital bed was actually more comfy for my pg self. It can adjust, my bed can't. Plus, memory foam sucks when your this huge. I have all the pillows stacked up behind me as well as under my knees and it is still hard to sleep. BUT home is less depressing. lol So 1cm and 60%, you could go anytime now. Now, YOU take it easy! You got a lot done, but I worry so be careful!

Angela - Glad you found more energy. Not easy to do the farther along we get is it? lol Hopefully the letters issue will get worked fast so that can be one more thing that is done and out of the way!

Claudia - I will do my best! How are you feeling? You seem to be so busy these days, I hope you find time to relax and unwind a bit.

Pa - I have the same issues so no worries, I think most of us do. lol They were giving me stool softener in the hospital twice a day, benefiber can help too. Cranberry juice is also a natural laxative, along with chocolate and prune juice and broccoli and other veggies.

Babyluv - The plan is to go in at 7am on the 13th. At this point I think I will probably make it too. I am 36 weeks today! I can't beleive I am this big and having so many contractions without cervical change either! I must have a good 40lbs of baby, placenta, water, etc in me. Can't wait to lose it! lol

AFM - Now that I NEED Andrew home and it was confirmed that he could still have the time off, they have been making him go to work. This means that I can't get out of bed, I can't go pee, I can't get clean or even dressed until he comes home. Not that I am an invalid, but it is a lot harder at home, the bed can't adjust to help me sit up, the gown just gets thrown over me where getting into clothes is painful without help, and I don't have to step up into the shower at the hospital, also don't have a stool to sit on at home when the pressure gets to be too much. Anyway, he has had to fight every day to go home early to help me. The in-laws are here, got here the same day that I was sent home. They have been trying to help, but I am not comfy letting them see me naked to help in the mornings. lol It's a 4 day off for Andrew now so we don't have to fight with the unit again until the day before the surgery. I have 5 days and less than 19 hours left. lol I can't wait! I am glad to be home, even with the company. Much better than a month in a cubical. I am not stressing doing anything, his mom does the cooking and has done some cleaning and laundry. Andrew thinks they could do more though, more so that he doesn't have to do it. lol They asked him to grill some chicken for dinner, I am waiting to hear him complain later for making him cook or something. Anyway, I am going to get going. Much love to you all!

[angelaezra]

Katie – I was asking the same thing when I logged on earlier today … where is everyone.

I am sorry that you overdid it yesterday and feel so very tired today. We definitely feel good on some days and feel like we can accomplish a lot but then we pay for it right? Just relax and try to rest up. Oh and still not letters today. I think I am just going to purchase them somewhere else and return the ones that I have already purchased. I am tired of dealing with them because it doesn’t take 2 days to upload an item on their website so I can purchase it!

Stephanie – I am glad that you are home also. But, I can see how it can be a little hard to complete some of your tasks. The in-laws are there and helping … that is great news. Yeah, if I were you I would have the countdown to the big date too if I were in your shoes!

AFM – I just got home about 30 mins ago. I had a dinner with my physicians at one of the local restaurants. I wasn’t going to go because in the evenings I am just exhausted. But, I was able to rest before the meeting so I was able to attend. I hope everyone has a good night!

Angela

[PA_FA]

OMG you guys. You know how we have all talked about or thought that fertility problems are not talked about as much as they should be? I think we all feel at times that we are alone...at least until I found all of you. Anyhow...I was watching my favorite show tonight. Grey's Anatomy. The preview for next week, I won't say too much in case someone has not seen it yet, but on the preview Meridith and Derek go to a fertility Dr to find out why they are having problems getting pregnant. In the preview the fert Dr says, "We have a few things we need to discuss." OMG I am so happy they are talking about this on prime time tv!
Anyhow, I just wanted to share with you all. I hope your day was great.

Katie-get some rest girl. As everyone keeps telling me...you better sleep now because when that little bundle comes, you won't sleep for the next 18 years!
Stephanie- I'm happy Andrew has days off. I hope he does not have any problems when you go back to the hospital. I'm glad the house guests are helping you too!
Angela- Don't over do it momma! Hugs!!!!!!

[PA_FA]

baby bump 21w.jpg

[Franca]

OMG some of you are going to have your babies soon mummas you need to relax and not do alot ...Is anyone nervous about the labour? I'm really hoping i get a c section im really scared. xx

[Riley baby maybe]

Hi ladies! Just a quick note to say I was induced last night (2 dayd late) due to low amniotic fluid. Pray for us! I'll keep you updated the best I can from my phone.

[Stephanieford78]

Riley - Hope all is well! Can't wait to hear your update on how everything went. I hope you can post pictures!

Pa - What a cute baby bump. I love greys! I didn't see but the first episode though, but I am glad they are bringing up IVF. Though I didn't know they were trying to get preggers, thought the baby that might have been from last season was a surprise and last I knew Derek didn't know about it. Gosh, the things you miss while cooped up in the hospital, not to mention my company has gained control over the remote. lol

Franca - I'm scared about the c section! lol I rather labor and be healed faster! We don't always get what we want though.

Angela - Hope you are resting and everything is well.

AFM - Not much to say since yesterday. I did piss off the MIL already. I didn't argue, just let her say what she wanted and let that be that. No biggie, though it isn't like me to stay tight lipped. I like to prove my points before I shut up. lol I guess we are planning on going out for breakfast. His family keeps bugging to go to Denny's. Not sure if they thing it's upscale or what, but I'm not to excited about it. lol Oh well, I guess wevhave to do 'some' kind of entertaining and if going to a fly trap is their idea of fun, so be it. Andrew wishes we had a wheelchair so that I could go places and still be on rest. So I think he might look into renting one for a couple days. Other than that it's been bland but still glad to be home. Hope everyone is doing well.

[natasha10]

riley- How exciting.. your Having your baby!

Angela- dont we all wish we could see an u/s monthly.

Katie- School is going good just studying alot. taking 4 classes was alot I have an exam every week so its a bit overwhelming i have to stay on top of my books. but it will be done in dec. so a few months left. then i wont be doing it like this. Im only taking one class with the baby in jan through may.

AFM- Its so amazing how i couldnt feel her move at all and one day it just happened. now since then i feel her like crazy that I can see her poking on my skin.Its unbelieveable. Did i say how much i hated my ob office. I been waiting for a prenantal vitamin to be ordered to the pharmacy for like two or three weeks. I call andno one answers my message. I went to my appt last week and saw another dr. and the nurse said she would call a script in and never did. My dr's nurse tried but i need a generic and she ordered a trade med so i just keep waiting. Its a mess. they kind of make me nervous to take care of me cuz they seem unorganized and i have to ride them to do anything. egh..irritating.

Everyone is getting closer to their due dates!! Have a great weekend mommas!!!

[katie99]

Steph - First off YAY for hitting 36 weeks!!! I know how rough this has been for you, but you're super strong and for twins that are that big? You have done an amazing job at keeping them cooking this long! So, hurry up Wed! I'm right there with you as far as forget being able to get comfy ever. I gotta say that a hospital bed sounds pretty cozy right now with all the controls to help sit up and no stupid pillows to keep moving around either. Even with 3 hard pillows my acid reflux is wont quit! Last night I was up 3-4 times with acid pouring onto my mouth ( gross!) and another 4-5 times to pee since Savannah sure does like to bounce off my cervix & bladder these past few days. You know I really thought that I'd spend the last few weeks of pregnancy getting caught on sleep before that becomes something I miss ALOT - and its been the total opposite - I'm so tired all the time. I know you know what I mean lol. Ok, so 1 blowup with your MIL so far is not too bad - I was stressing how you all would be getting along, you've just got a few more days before you'll be back in the hospital and the nurses will run interference for you I give up wondering whats wrong with Andrew's command - they are simply ass backwards and super frustrating! At least he's home for a few days before to take care of you. And, umm, hey? I thought men LOVE to grill meats? like some caveman throwback or something? Chris is home til tues and doesnt have the rest of next weeks schedule yet, but its weird to feel so dependant on him, but I'm so glad that his coworkers understand and have been more than helpful about knowing that when its time - he's outta there! actually they were pretty darn good about all the IVF appts too. I'm sorry that Andrew has to fight with the idiots in charge - you two dont need that added strain. Ok, so its Denny's then? I used to like them alot, but the ones down South are clean and always tasty - up here? we have one that I wont go to because it looks dirty to me - ewww. But if thats what will shut them up - so be it. So we are both just waiting and waiting now - I'm willing to split the difference of now and the 24th - how about your birthday? the 12th sounds good to me lol. Ah, whatever the babies decide, right? I'm glad that you're feeling ok, as good as you can, right? hang in there mama, miss you and wish you much love - xoxoxo

Angela - Yes, you wouldnt think that simple nursery letters could be such a pain, would you? You can find the fabric ones at Pottery Barn kids online, and they were on sale, or on ETSY.com, or even Ebay - if you're looking for the plastic ones that you paint/ decorate yourself you can get them at Babies r Us, or any of the fabric stores ( Joann's or Michael's) Let the hunt begin!

PA - Aw, your bump is so cute! I spend alot of days without bothering to put on makeup anymore too. Haha you're too funny, I think that I havent had more than 2 hrs of uninterupted sleep in the past month - ugh!

Franca - Umm, yes, the thought of labor is scaring me to death too, but I'm more worried about having to have a last minute c section - eek!

Riley - OMG honey - you'll be meeting your little girl some time today! So exciting!

Natasha - Aw honey I feel for you, nursing school is hard! To do it pregnant? My hats off to you girl! Jan to May will be so much easier on you. If I were that unhappy with my OB office, i would chance practices before you get too far along, what about towards the end? You'll need to reach them often and quickly
How very unprofessional to not even return phone calls!

AFM - My belly has finally dropped, it looks so funny now, kind of oblong? and when i walk sometimes it hurts so much that it feels like knives are poking me in the cervix - OW! I'm a slow moving female for sure, and now it hurts if I stand too muchand sitting forward isnt easy, so driving hurts also - Ack it seems like everything hurts lately- fun, fun, fun. I'm curious to see if I make it to my OB appt on tues, since they told me that I was 1 cm dilated, I keep wondering if I've dilated more or am holding steady. My nerves are getting to me now though, I'm so close - but eeeek! I just hope it goes quick and I dint have to go through like 30 hours of labor OK, happy thoughts, just keep thinking happy thoughts....
much love to you all - xoxoxo

[gi]

Hi girls,

Riley I didnt realise your due date had come and gone!!!! Best of luck and i pray you and baby have a safe and healthy birth xxx

Steph so you will meet the twins in 5 days!!!! I hope your mil doesnt drive you mad in the meantime, thankfully Andrew has got some time off to help you get up etc. is he entitled to any time off after the birth??

PA ahhh your bump is so cute, dont worry too much and you too Franca about not feeling the baby's as often i think at 21 wks i only felt her once or twice a day it was around 23 wks when i felt her more often, even now she has quiet days sometimes. If you can try get a handle on the constipation as you dont want heamorrids i got them at about wk 28 and its only in the last wk that i am a bit uncomfortable even had a little bit of bleeding yesterday from them.

Katie oh no so your little rascal Savannah decided to let rip on your bladder in public Kayla still loves hitting mine think she also found my cervix yesterday!! I had a dream the other night my waters broke in the supermarket could you imagine i would be soooo embarrassed, i may remember to wear dark clothes when out shopping so if it does happen no one would notice!! Just say your post Yeah so you have dropped!! I would say that may make you dialate some more!! So have you perfected the perfect Waddle walk yet lol, not long now you can do it!!! I am packing cards, psp games etc in case we have a long labour now i cant imagine been up to playing them till AFter the epidural!!!

Franca havent really thought about labour yet think i am still in denial its gonna happen soon!! I am not afraid of the pain just worried about whether she will arrive safely, my cousins little baby girl (their 1st child) died shortly after labour due to complications with cord last yr and it was and still is horrific for them (thankfully they are now 13 wks pg), now i know every labour is different but i will never forget the pain and heartbreak etched on their faces.

Babyluv i may remember to remind my mum about the prune juice story as she gives her grand child that for constipation!!! Uggh i would say the smell was awful!!!

Natasha you must be fed up with all the probs. you have with your OB's office, you know where Not to go if you have another baby!!

AFM finally after Jason made me promise i packed my hospital and labour bag, i never realised how much stuff i would need. The labour bag contains just the basics as we are going public you are not guaranteed a bed on arrival and prob. spend a lot of time pacing the hallway so there is no point lugging a big bag around until we finally get a bed in a ward, plus you share a ward with up to 4 others so dont want things going missing while in delivery room!! So all we need now is Kayla to arrive though not just yet she still needs couple of wks to cook!!

gi xxx

[angelaezra]

PA_FA – I love Grey’s Anatomy but I missed that episode. I would have loved to see it. I too think it is great to hear about fertility in the media.

I hope you are starting to enjoy your time off. I love the baby bump! You look so great!

Franca – Yeah, I think the closer we all get to our due dates, the more we become a little concerned. I know I mentioned that I had dinner with several of my doctor’s last night and several of them decided to talk about delivery horror stories that they remember from residency or current situations! One on them finally realized that I probably did not want to hear about that since I will be in labor in 9 weeks or less!

Riley baby maybe – That is great news! I am sure you will have an uneventful delivery. Please remind me again what you are having and his/her name?

Stephanie – I hope that your MIL doesn’t bother you too bad, but, good for you not arguing with her because you definitely don’t need that right now, right? So, the in-laws want to pay a visit to Denny’s … well as long as it occupies them and they don’t bother you, why not?

Natasha – It is good to hear from you. So how much longer do you have left in this quarter? I am sorry that your OB is stressing you out. I think that is ridiculous that you have to wait that long for a prenatal vitamin. But, you know the pharmacy can substitute your brand name for a generic and they don’t have to call your OB to confirm not unless he wrote DAW (dispense as written) on your prescription.

Katie – So, your belly dropped already! That is so very exciting! I can imagine that it is uncomfortable for you. Now, I know what to look forward to!

Gi – Congrats on packing that bag! You talked about your hospital and stated that you share a room. Do you share a room when giving birth or is that after you give birth? My mom said there were other people in her room when she delivered me also.

AFM – I am so glad that it is Friday! I am so very tired. But, the day started off bad this morning because my HR OB’s office called and said that my glucose challenge was slightly high and my doc wants me to take the 3 hour test. My results were 130, which is the high end of what they will accept, so he just wants to make sure. I thought, oh “NO” because I barely made it through the 1 hour test without throwing up. This 3 hour test is going to kill me! I know several of you ladies had to take it also, so do you guys have any tips?

On a good note, I called The Flower Factory again this afternoon and they still haven’t fixed the web site to put the letters on it. I told her to forget it because it has been since Wednesday and it shouldn’t take them that long to fix it. So, I went to Joann Fabrics and bought them this afternoon and I will take the other ones back to the store this weekend. So, hopefully, we can at least get started on decorating her room and putting the crib up, etc.

Angela

[Stephanieford78]

Angela - I'm so sorry you have to suffer through another glucose test! I know how sick you were from the last one. I hope you can get through it ok though! Good for you for giving up on that stupid site to get back up. I would have gone somewhere else too. I couldn't find letters here at all, we just don't have a lot of shops here. Online everything was so expensive so of course, I had Andrew make them. It worked out. lol Just like it did for you! Now time to decorate and have fun putting all the pieces together. Has DH put the furniture together yet?

Gi - Yes Andrew will get time off after the birth. He just has to fight for my birthday off and then th babies will be here and no more fighting. He will be getting 10 days (maybe 20 for twins, still looking into it) of leave for the babies which will be free. Then he will take more regular leave to make it at least a total of a month at home. I never realized how much I would want in the hospital until I was there for a month. lol The next time I go I will only be there for a couple days so I think I got it down what I will need. I have to repack the bags now, Andrew just shoved things anywhere in order to pack faster to get out of there. lol

Katie - You poor thing with your acid reflux! Maybe Zantac will help? I was told that is safe. There is this little shot of pure crap they give you before surgery (gave it to me before ER) that really helps spite it's awful taste. They gave me that in the hospital, it really works, though not looking forward to the taste again. I know they will give it to me again for the section. I still can't believe you are dialated. lol So exciting isn't it? What's the plan if is at work? I hope you can find a way to get some good sleep in before Savannah comes. Too bad we can't just be given a hospital bed on loan paid for by insurance during the last trimester. lol Oh, and don't think about 30 hours of labor! Not allowed! Smooth sailing, I say!

Riley - I hope you and your baby girl are enjoying each other!

Hazel - I bet you guys are busy bonding with little George who is probably starting to smile at his beautiful mum!

AFM - Ok, what's the old adage... Houseguests and fish start to smell after three days. Yes, good ole Ben, I agree! It's been three days and I am feeling the toll already. The first day things seemed to b going smoothly as far as keep up in the house. Each day since has gotten worse and worse. The biggest peeve is garbage being left everywhere!! Though let Alex leave a bowl on the table for a few minutes and grandma will tell her to put it away. Without going into boring details, the house is a mess. Issue number two... hygeine. No one washes their hands after going to the bathroom!! They wear the same clothes, like no one is going to notice? They don't even teach the 3 year old that they are trying (lazily) to potty train to wash his hands. He is only made to go potty maybe twice a day, no one gos with him. Otherwise he just goes 1 or 2 in a pull up. The kid gets no attention unless it is to yell at him, no one plays with him and all they brought for him to play with is a small book tote with a few cars and truck toys in it. I askd Andrew if this is how he was brought up... Yes he said. I said no wonder they said all the kids had a learning disability. They weren't disabled, they weren't stimulated!! This kid could be president but never will because he has no one to stimulate his brain. Andrew has been trying to help, but of course it won't be enough. I feel so bad for him! Gosh, I got off track didn't I? Sorry to vent... I just can't believe what I am seeing on a daily basis, it just gets worse! Needless to say, I am going to have loads of sanitizer handy because sure enough they will never come close to touching my babies without it. Enough about them... I think I might have either had some really old deluted blood come out with some discharge or I lost some of my mucus plug??? That would be interesting to be this close and just go into labor on my own. Of course, losing it doesn't mean anything will happen, but I can hope right? lol I guess I will try to get some sleep. Good thing I wasn't on my phone this time, I wouldn't have been able to write my novel. Take care everyone!!

[hjw]

I am so, so terrible at keeping up with you ladies! Sorry!!! George is just sooo time consuming, and trying to fit in housework, laundry and sorting out the dogs' needs in the brief periods he sleeps seems to leave me absolutely nil time for myself each day. DH is out at the moment walking the dogs and George is asleep in my left arm so I'm trying to tap out a quick (but slow!) message with my right hand on the iPad!

All is going well with George, he is still feeding and sleeping well on formula. He was weighed on Thurs and had put on just over a pound in a week, so he has caught up on the weight loss of the first ten days when we had the breastfeeding issues. As at Thurs (19 days old) he was 9lb 12oz and 57cm long. Still a big boy, my arms ache carting him around! We are going shopping today for some 0-3 month clothes as his feet are touching the bottom of the newborn sleep suits.

Steph, you have done so brilliantly to get this far. You're so close, wishing you patience for just a few more days - hope the in-laws don't drive you too crazy in the meantime! So do you think it was your mucus plug which went? When I lost mine, it came in 2-3 sections over a few days but still didn't trigger labour, although then again George was lying with his shoulders between my stomach and spine rather than sideways across my pelvis and needed turning in the operating theatre before he could be born, so maybe that's why things didn't get going on their own and I had to be induced - who knows...

Riley, I'm thinking of you, hope it is all over by now and you are holding your beautiful baby in your arms! Can't wait to hear the news and see photos...

Katie - oh honey, I remember how uncomfortable it was when the baby's head engaged and he dropped lower. I agree, it's bad design that just when we need to be catching up on our rest, we need to go to the toilet constantly, can't move around without serious discomfort and heartburn plagues us when we try and sleep. Not long to go though honey... And please don't worry about a long labour, you will be so focused on what is happening in the moment that in a strange way you won't be noticing the clock! It's all worth it when you meet your baby for the first time! I can't wait for Savannah to arrive!!

Gi, Angela, babyluv, PA_FA, Claudia, Natasha, Franca and everyone else - I'm following all your posts and always so happy to hear well everyone's doing. The babies are going to be arriving thick and fast over the next few months - so exciting!

Take care,
Hazel x

p.s. Steph, yes, we actually got our first proper smiles from George this morning. We were blown away!

[Riley baby maybe]

Well, she made it! Baby Reagan was born at 435 pm on October 8th. She was 19 1/4 inches long and 6 lbs 10 oza. She is already breast feeding like a champ, too. I started at 1130 am at a 1 and got my epidural. At 130 pm I was a 3 and when checked at 330 pm I was a 9! I labored a little more, pushed with 3 contractions and she was here!! She did have some meconium so the NICU came in while she was arriving and checked her out, all was well. We fell asleep around 1 am and she just woke up around 500 am. I think she would've slept longer but the nursery came and was messing with her. She's gorgeous and we are so thankful for our miracle! I'lll get some pics on when we get home and settled. Take care!