Winter Cycle Friends 2009/2010 - Everyone Welcome!

[natasha10]

katie- Oh im sure you'll do just fine. Its says 5 days though. sooon soon you'll be holding your baby girl. exciting.

sara- i plan to either take it off completely next semester from school or only take one class blended which is mostly on line but meets once in awhile for class. I want the most timei can get and the least stress. but at the same time i didnt wanna fall behind and atleast take one class. I register next month so i have to think about it.

[katie99]

OK, I admit it - I feel like a balloon thats ready to pop! Help!

[angelaezra]

Natasha – Well, the good news for you is that midterm is almost here for you so that you can take a much needed break until after your daughter arrives.

Claudia – It does sound like your nursery is moving along very well. I can’t wait to see the pictures from your maternity shoot. I am sure they will be fabulous. I think all of us are experiencing the shock from others when they see us because we are almost finished … whoo hoo!

Franca – I will try my best to stop and relax for awhile.

Sara – I am glad that your tests have been stable since you have been in the hospital. I do hope that your physicians do decide on a common date for your c/s so you can mentally prepare. I think for me that is the most nerve racking thing is not knowing when Gabriella will finally arrive. It is normal to be emotional at this time so don’t worry about it but I am sure your babies will be just fine.

Katie – I will take a look at the registry because it still should be up and going and I will let you know. So you thought Savannah was trying to make her grand entrance last night! I think all of us worry about the same thing regarding labor but I think you will know when it is time. I just read your next post and I can only imagine how uncomfortable you are right now because I am so uncomfortable myself. Each day I keep saying that I feel like I am not going to make it because I am so tired and it seems like every part of my body hurts!

AFM – My weekly OB appointment went well today. I met another OB partner today and he was very nice as well as the other physicians that I have met. So I basically had a normal boring appointment, which is good. My DH has a conference in Toledo, which is 3 hours away this weekend and the doctor said that he doesn’t recommend me traveling that far at this stage in my pregnancy. So my DH is trying to be a rebel and wants me to go anyway. So we will see. On a good note, we met our pediatrician today and we really like the group so we are going with them.

Angela

[angelaezra]

Katie - I sent you a PM about the registry.

Angela

[babyluv3]

Sara - 35 weeks!! YAY!! That's huge friend, huge. I am really happy to have an end date and hope you get one soon as well. Sounds like the problem Steph was having with doctors being on the same page. I'm so glad all of your labs are coming back clean. And I agree with Angela, you can be hormonal right now! This is definitely not something you were expecting, and you are doing awesome.

Katie - Starting to feel the same way myself (like a balloon). Soon, soon, soon!

Claudia - Thanks for the compliments on the pictures! I have great little models I do love taking pics. At some point I really want to take some photography classes.

Angela - glad you had a boring appt! As fun as it would be to go (and I'm sure you'll be fine) don't do it if you'll be stressed the whole time. I love my DH, but sometimes I think he's living in lala land over pregnancy issues!

AFM - Well, yesterday I hit 34 weeks (yay) and WOW, it's like everything just started to go downhill. I had bad reflux last night (had only had it a little bit before, and haven't for awhile) so I decided to break down and take some Tums...only to find out they had expired over FOUR YEARS ago!!! DH, OF COURSE, takes them anyway, but I didn't feel like risking it. My mom got me some more this morning, but thankfully it went away right as I was falling asleep last night. I've also been having more contractions, so I'll be curious to see if I've made any progress when I go in for my OB appt tomorrow. Hoping not. I'm hoping it will be like what Steph had and a lot of contractions that don't do anything, but I guess we'll see.

Oh, and my vajayjay REALLY itches, like a yeast infection. I'll need to bring that up tomorrow. Of course, lots of other areas itch also, so who knows?

In good news, the weather here could not be more perfect. My sis came over to clean the house and my mom and I took the kids to the park (no preschool today and I was able to just sit and hang out). It was nice to get out and do something with them, even if I was just sitting.

[Franca]

Nunu = Vagina

Girls i need help i can't seem to relax i'm constantly anxious heart races all the time. Did you or do you all go through bouts of this? I'm worried and scared all the time
xx

[PA_FA]

Franca- I was worried and scared a lot but now my days are so busy with little projects (baby shower, pedicures, dr apts, slowly getting nursery ready, searching for perfect anniversary gift) that I find I don't have time to worry. When I do flip out a little bit DH calms me down. I think it helps that I Have a Dr apt every 2 weeks. It gives me a goal to set my sights on.
You and your baby are going to be fine and I'm sure you are doing GREAT!!!!!!!! Much love from across the pond! XOXO

[rayofsunshine]

Good morning! My spirits are up this morning because I FINALLY got a final date If nothing crazy happens, they will measure the babies next Thursday and deliver next Friday, Oct. 29th. We are going to have Halloween babies I feel like I can do this now with an end goal-only 10 more days of bedrest!

Have a great day ladies-I'll check in with you again.

Sara

[wishfull27]

Girls i need help i can't seem to relax i'm constantly anxious heart races all the time. Did you or do you all go through bouts of this? I'm worried and scared all the time
xx

Franca have you tried pregnancy yoga or accupuncture both will help you relax - nothing will take away the anxiety think it goes with territory but should help

[katie99]

Steph - How are you doing twin mama? Just wanted you to know I'm thinking if you and hope that you & Andrew have managed to get some sort of rest or at least change shifts- lol. How is your incision healing? You two must be getting run ragged by the babies - but I'll bet you're loving every second of it!
Hope you get some rest busy mama- much love - xoxoxo

Angela - Yay for a boring OB appt! At this stage of the game boring is wonderful, isnt it? I had read that when you get to the 30's weeks that everything becomes uncomfy - but sheesh! This is no joke. How are you managing to get in & out of your car all day? Last year I got a Dodge Caliber and loved it up until being huge pregnant, it is soooo not fun getting in & out of that thing being so low to the ground anymore. Actually I'm getting a little nervous to leave the house by myself this past week - with my luck I'll go into labor in public and it will become a spectacle - eek! Just the thought of that... yikes.
Do you think you will go with your DH on his trip? i hope its not 3 hrs each way in the car! - xoxo

Babyluv - How are you feeling twin mama? You should definitely take some photography classes! Your pictures look like they were done by a profeesional to begin with! You are talented with that camera! Hope your OB appt went well today and that it was "boring". Ugh so you feel like a balloon too?
I went to the bank today and before I even got near the teller, she felt the need to call out to me "are you ok? you look like you're about to burst!" Ummm, is this really necessary? Is this what happens towards the end of a pregnancy? I dont see why women feel the need to say useless things to total strangers? Unless its like some payback for all of the dopey things that were said to them when they were pg? I just dont get it. Nope, no itching there, just my belly has gotten super itchy lately, oh and I cant feel the skin below my belly button at all - which is weird feeling. Yup, good times... - xoxo

Sara - Yipppeee for a date! Now you can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Its only 10 more days honey at the most - You can do this! Wow in just 10 days you'll have two babies in your arms!!!

Hazel- Thinking of you and little George! How is it being a Mum? Awesome I'll bet

Gi, Claudia, PA, - Where are you guys? miss you all...

AFM - So, ummm my OB appt was ok, I guess. Definitely "boring" but he didnt say anything that I wanted to hear. This was the HR OB and he is rapidly becoming my favorite Dr, he will answer your questions, even when its the wrong thing that you want to hear .
So apparently I've managed to go backwards? Today I'm just fingertip dilated and 50% effaced. How did that happen? I'm due on Sunday, now she's changing her little mind? Hmm. So I asked how long they will let me go if nothing happens by Sunday - and he said they'll only let you go 1 week, well that just so happens to be Halloween! UGH- Grrr! thats not exactly a good birthday in my world. I've only met 1 person in my life who has Halloween for a birthday, my neighbor across the road who has told me many times that she was tormented in school with things like " oh if your birthday is on Halloween that means you're a witch" I know kids say some dopey things - but Halloween? really?? So i asked the HR OB if he thinks I'll make it to next weeks appt and he said "oh yes, most likely, I see no signs of her going anywhere in the next few days" Hmmmphh. He said she is head down still, but not engaged and that he could still "push her back" whatever that means. Ummm, it isnt too much fun to have you stick what feels like your whole hand (gulp) up there, now you're pushing her head too? eek, dont do that you'll give me a brain damaged child - Ok so heres the worst part (not really) I asked how big he thinks she is now and he thinks that she is somewhere "in the eights" WTH? Ummmmm, ow! And my fantasy of getting through labor without an episiotomy is disappearing pretty darn fast.
They set me up a u/s for next Monday before my OB appt, so if she still doesnt feel like coming out at least monday we'll see just how big she really is. Now keep in mind she was from a donor embie and all we were told was that the couple is similar to us. Thanks to PA law, the RE cannot tell you anything about the couple at all, and has to decide on embie choosing based on phenotype. but if she's "in the 8lb range" now, what will she weigh by the time she feels like arriving? So you see my fears? All I can say is its a good thing that I'm 5'10' with wide hips because if I were like 5'2" I'd be getting really nervous about a vaginal birth. Ok, so I'm still nervous anyway - lol.
hugs & prayers to us all - xoxoxo

[angelaezra]

Babyluv – Yeah for hitting 34 weeks!!! I am sorry that you are now bothered with that nasty acid reflux! I had such a bad experience last night myself. After my DH and I met our new pediatrician yesterday we decided to go out to a nice steak house to enjoy ourselves around 6:00pm. So I didn’t eat anything spicy, I even had roasted chicken, etc. so I figured I wouldn’t have any acid reflux problems by the time I went to bed around 11:30pm … well I guessed wrong it hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t believe it because I ate my dinner almost 6 hours before I went to bed! Oh well, I keep saying only 8 weeks left until I am induced unless I go earlier! Hopefully, your OB can provide you some recommendations to get rid of the itching today.

Franca- I probably would worry myself to death if I didn’t have my job to keep me very occupied. So I love the idea of pregnancy yoga or maybe a mommy to be support group that you can participate in until your daughter arrives. I notice when I am at home all weekend I get restless and then my mind starts to wonder and I start to panic. So I definitely understand but I say keep busy because it will help the time go by so much faster!

PA_FA – I am so glad that you are keeping busy because it mentally helps you relax. If you start to stress too much it can’t be good for the baby! By the way, how is your baby shower coming along? I think it is scheduled for this weekend, right?

Sara – Yeah for getting a date! Now, the countdown starts until next Friday. I am sure that helps out so much, mentally!

Stephanie – If you are reading this, check your inbox because I sent you a message earlier.

Katie – Thanks for the message and I hope you are doing well! Your countdown has already started also. I just read your next message. So they think she is already 8 pounds ... would you have guessed that with how uncomfortable you are now? I feel like Gabriella weighs about 10 pounds right now ... lol. I will find out for sure next Monday as I will have another full scan. I am not sure if I will go to Toledo or not but the seats in my DH's Tahoe are pretty comfy so I will see.

Claudia – I hope you were able to get the ball rolling concerning reduced hours at work and you are able to relax a little now.

Natasha – I hope school isn’t stressing you out too much. Remember to take it easy!

Gi – I hope no news from you is good news and that you are doing well.

Hazel – If you are reading this, please look at your inbox also. I sent you a message earlier.

AFM – One more day down … lol. I think I am experiencing hemorrhoids now. I noticed a little bleeding when I go to the bathroom so I will start taking my stool softener again and see if it helps. Each week it seems like I have a new pregnancy problem that starts. Ok ladies, it time for me to say it again. I only have 8 weeks left until I am induced unless she arrives early! Oh and I forgot to tell you ladies that we scheduled a 4D u/s next Monday at 4pm. From what I hear it is best to schedule it between 28 and 32 weeks because any later they baby will not have too much room to move around, which makes it harder to see good images. I surely hope that she cooperates!

Angela

[babyluv3]

Sara - YES YES YES!! Finally an end date!!! You can make it, you are doing so well. Are you on meds for your BP? Mine was a little too close to the danger zone today and I'm afraid it's not going to get better. It's not like I'm under a lot of stress right now! Hopefully it will stay at bay until delivery time, but I was definitely thinking of your today. No meds for it.

Katie - WOW, I LOVE what some women say! In the past two weeks I've gone from people saying, "You're all baby!" to "Wow, you're huge!" Niiiiice. It's all people I know, not strangers (they still think I'm small so yay), but oh well. I figure I'm huge so that means the babies must be growing right? Oh, and I'm totally going backwards on dilating as well!!! LOL!!!

Angela - Oh my goodness, I can't believe your reflux is so bad. I am so sorry! I think I've figured out that I can't have ice cream at night...for some reason that makes it way worse. I'm ok at the moment and was last night, so I'm hoping to avoid it some more. And I have hemmroids too...a lot of days it feels like shards of glass come out! I think I'm going to get some flushable wipes, because that helps not irritate it so much. 8 more weeks for you girl...you can do it!

AFM - My OB appt went fine today. Like Katie, I'm also going backward it seems on the dilating! I went from 1cm to a fingertip, to zero today! The nurse doing my NST said that most likely the 1cm was the outside of the cervix, and now that it's softer he can feel the inside which is closed. So that's good news over here. My abs have separated I'm pretty sure (I can feel it's different and totally felt it ripping) and yes I DO have a yeast infection. Got a prescription for that (one pill) but it started feeling better before I even took it, so that's good. Today I've felt much better.

NST was good, but now I'm dealing with elevated BP. They had to take it twice at the OB's office (high when I got there, fine when I left), but it was high both times they took it at my NST. There it was 137/85, then it was 130/92. The nurse called my OB who said I was OK (no protein in urine when I was there at his office), but I have to keep an eye out for any symptoms. I'm hoping it's lower when I go in for my next NST on Friday. My bag is packed just in case they end up admitting me when I go in, but obviously I'm hoping to avoid it!

[Stephanieford78]

Babyluv - Glad to hear your appt went well. I wouldn't worry much about the high bp. Those numbers don't seem too alarming. I had numbers like that on hospital bedrest and was told I was great. The only time my bp was high enough to worry about was when Andrew's unit was pissing me off. lol The nurse came in right after I was told they were being dicks and my bp was 100 something over 90 something and was even higher the 2nd time. Once I calmed down it was back to normal. I also noticed that if I talked during the bp, I would get higher numbers... has that ever happened to you? Anyway... you are getting so close. Sorry about your abs and some pain. You are almost there though and all the pain goes away so fast after delivery. The c-section pain is a whole other story, but I am a big baby when it comes to that. I knew I wouldn't take the surgery well. I bet you will be a trooper though.

Angela - The countdown continues... 8 WEEKS! Hard to believe you are rounding the corner now when it just seems like yesterday you were so worried. I am reminded of that dream your DH had and boy was he right. Did you ever get those pics of the nursery posted? I have seen a few of those 4D u/s and they are amazing, especially if you can get good pics. It's almost like meeting your baby before it's born. I thought about doing it, they have a place here that gives you three tries for 80 bucks and if you bring a friend there is some kind of referal discount. In the end, as eager as I was, I decided to save the money and wait to meet them till birth. I hope you get some great pictures and maybe post them? No one has posted 4D's yet to my knowledge. I would love to see how they look.

Katie - So Savannah probably moved around a bit huh? Maybe she is just too cozy with the mama! I guess that's what you get for being such a good mom already. So I guess there is no way you can play the "age" card to get induced at due date time frame instead of waiting an extra week? If you are in a lot of pain, I would try that if that's something you are willing to do. Some docs will not allow a woman in her 40's to go over the EDD in fear of still birth, much like some docs don't like to allow twin moms to go over 38 weeks for the same reason. It all depends on who you talk to and I know better than anyone how big of a difference that can make. lol Being told 4 different things during my stay in the hospital. OMG I was so frustrated. So glad that is over and I am home enjoying these gorgeous babies. I just can't take my eyes off of them!

Sara - So glad you have a date!!! WOO HOO!! **Doing the happy dance** With a date in view, you will see just how fast time can fly. Keep yourself busy, make phone calls to friends, write in a journal, read, crosswords, anything that makes the time fly for you. Are you able to be wheeled around like I was? There was a garden that I was able to go to, a nurse or Andrew would take me. If Andrew took me, it was a bit more fun because we would just go everywhere. We went to eat at the cafeteria, he would whell me all over the hospital or around the hospital even. Stuff like that can be fun and get you a little sun which is always less depressing. lol

Franca - You might have some anxioty which is normal if you are fearing the worst. It can also be from the baby. It's normal to feel an increase in blood flow and this will make your heart feel like it is racing and even make you feel a little weird in the chest like you have to work a little harder to breathe. I had this, especially in the last trimester. It didn't get any better or worse. I hope you aren't in fear and therefore have anxioty. You are blessed with a true miracle baby and all is going perfect! I am so happy for you! Keep up the great work mama!
By the way, love the "nunu". lol
How about cooter pop = vagina

Sorry if I missed anyone, I use the scroll down below the text box and I can't see anymore posts from anyone else.

AFM - 6 days now and OMG am I so lucky. Andrew has proved to be a great dad. I never knew raising a child, let alone TWO would be this easy. I had a harder time with one when I was married to my ex. Having Andrew being so helpful, getting up for feedings in the middle of the night, changing diapers, getting things ready, etc.. is making twins a breeze. They also are really good babies. They hardly ever cry. We are so on top of their little whines that they don't get much of a chance to cry. They sleep so well that we have to wake them up sometimes to eat. The only issue we have had is Angelina's biliruben test on the 2 day check up was high so they wanted her back in another two days, which was today. She did great, she went back down, but she lost a 1/2 an ounce. Now we have to go back in another two days to make sure she gains weight. She is so little and so tired all the time, it's hard to get her to eat, but not sure how she lost any weight since her feedings have gone up in ounces. I am sure it was only because the appt was at a bad time and she didn't get a chance to eat before hand or it was all the pooing she was doing to get all the beliruben out of her system. lol The nurse said she shouldn't be losing anything, not even a half an ounce at this point so she made me feel bad. Otherwise she looks perfect and is more beautiful every day! Ethan just looks so much like his daddy! Who by the way was almaot making fun of me the other day for being so on top of every noise that the babies made... then today I catch him doing the same thing. I said... Looks like you are getting the mommy instinct. He is learning how to multi-task as we speak. He has Angelina in his arms on a bobby pillow feeding her while playing video games. LOL

Oh, the breastfeeding/pumping/formula feeding... I talked to the lactation specialist and she recommended a few different latching techniques which worked great while I was there, but not perfect at home. Either way, I had to figure out a way to pump or feed before I lost my milk. She wanted me to basically throw away my First Years pump saying it was crap and get a Medela. Ummm... no! I told her that I think I just went to hard too fast since I just went full throttle on the pump. lol When I got home I tried it again after 2 days of healing and just used the first setting and everything was great! I got 6 ounces of milk out and no sore nips!!! So no need to go out and buy a $300 pump. Katie... the pump is just fine, it was my fault I got tore up! lol So no worries. Now we are doing both the formula, some breast and of course bottle feeding the breast milk. We leave the formula for at night when we want them to go ahead and sleep a little longer. It works out great, is a nice combination and works well for us. I am glad I found a happy medium. Andrew is too because he actually likes being a part of feeding time.

Healing... I am doing well. Still being a bit of a baby from time to time. Andrew is a big help so I have no complaints there. The medal staples does look a bit frankensteinish though. I have one darvacet left and saving it for bedtime tonight. Tomorrow I am hoping to refil it since I think I could use a few more. Still hurts but I can get up and down by myself, just moving slow. I was really swollen and just yesterday and today I have noticed that I lost a lot of that! I weighed myself and I lost more than I gained which feels awesome. Unfortunately I don't really look it. I know I have more to lose so I am anxious to find out how much I will lose when it's all gone. Oh, lost 30lbs by the way. I would say that I look like I am a regular 6 month pregnant mom though. Still have some shrinkage to go through. I go tomorrow to get my staples out so excited about that.

I took a few pics on my cell phone, thought I would share.

Sleepy babies

Now they are awake! lol

[Franca]

Steph i spat out my Tea when i saw Cooter pop LMAO i love it
Your children are so perfect in everyway.

Thanks all for your response. I do go to accupunture and i start aquanatal soon so hopefully il meet new mammas too. I have a few more classes that im joining which i'm looking forward to. I also go to my husbands surgery and listen to heartbeat a few times a week which helps alot. I see friends and family too.

My anxiouties stems from my childhood. I was abused in more ways than one so anything that effects my cooter pop/nunu makes me feel sick . Thats where all my fears come from. I started having panic attacks when i was 12 years old but thankfully i can control them alot better now. I just worry that things might go wrong as my life now is so good. I'm married to the best man in the world (and hes a dr) i'm pregnant and happened natrually after a miscarriage with ivf, and i think is it all going to go pear shape?.. Can you understand? In my heart i do belive everything is going to be fine. I pray to god all the time and i talk to my parents in heaven to keep us all safe and i always feel there with me. But sometimes these demons come and haunt me and then i have a rough few hours. Most of the time i'm fine its just sometimes especially when i see my obs etc...i get sooooooo nervous and i'm a wreck in the waiting area. I do say to myself "hey Franca, Elizabeth is a miricle so she ain't going anywhere its ment to be" That keeps me going !!!

Thanks for listening (reading)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[hjw]

OMG, Steph, the twins are totally gorgeous! I bet you are all loving every second with them. I'm so happy to hear that you're healing well, and that you don't have the in-laws under your feet any more. OK, so you are putting me to shame, doing long personals for everyone twice since giving birth! If you keep that up once Andrew goes back to work, I'm going to feel soooo bad for not being able to do the same!!!

Katie - yay for being so close, 10 days at the most. I wouldn't worry about a Halloween birthday, I think it's pretty cool myself. A school friend of mine was born on the 31st October and always had the best birthday celebrations! Sorry to hear that you're so uncomfortable, I remember those final days - just when you think turning over in bed, moving around etc can't get any more difficult! Don't worry about an episiotomy, it really isn't so bad, and I promise you will get to a point where you just want the baby to be out and you won't care if it happens with the help of a cut. Oooh, so Savannah might be in the 8lb somethings? From someone who had a 9lb 4.5oz baby, I can say that the advantage of a bigger baby is that they are able to eat that little bit more and sleep that little bit longer. George did a six hour stretch the other night, which helps you feel a lot more human!

Right, he's screaming now so gotta go!

Hx