Winter Cycle Friends 2009/2010 - Everyone Welcome!

[gi]

Hey ladies,

Hope everyone had a great xmas. Ours was just wonderful and quiet and spent xmas day with my family while jason spent it with his, we shared Kayla ha ha. Kayla is doing much better while she still has reflux the gaviscon really helps and she continues to sleep well. We had our 1st night out last nite my parents had her for the night, it was great to go out as a couple again and i didnt mind her been away for the night as she was in safe hands though it was weird not having to get up for a night feed!!!

Franca oh be prepared for lots of aches and pains and braxton hicks over the next few wks, i got up to 30 bh a day towards the end all normal!!! I know how scary it is but your little one will get here safely, hopefully the next few wks will fly by.

PA you have a little bruiser cooking in there!!!

Katie your pics are gorgous ye look like such a happy family, hopefully it wont be long till Ryan can hold his head up properly and entertain himself for a bit so you can get things done.

Steph oh i hope Andrew gets paid for the job it must have been so tough and disappointing for ye.

Lou great to hear from you, please God 2011 will be your year xxx

Angela hopefully Gabriellas meds work its hard listening to them cry and be in pain, Kaylas reflux is bit better but only if she gets her meds she still spits up a bit. Will send you my details for facebook as i havent a clue how to request a friend i only know how to accept!!!

gi xx

[katie99]

Hi everyone -

Well our snow storm turned into 20" of snow Thankfully our neighbor across the road plowed our driveway out,(or we'd still be shoveling right now) but we still had to shovel out the porch, steps, and around the cars and upper driveway - and did I mention that its freezing out there? Wheee, who likes winter? not me! Gracie does though, and its up to her chest so when a big dog is trying to hop through snow up to her chest - thats too much darn snow! I could easily never see it again and be happy with that.
Ok, so I learned my lesson, you cant skip the resizing part on photobucket or it ends up cutting off half your pictures I feel like I have a camera in Ryan's face half the day - and I STILL dont have a smiley picture, jeez this boy is a tough one to ambush! Thanks for your input on the baby carrier, I ordered one today ( thanks Steph) so maybe soon I'll be more mobile? Its like he only wants to be on you all day long - we've been calling him walla walla since he acts like a koala bear. Its just getting really hard to keep him full too, It seems like he wants to eat all day, if we were to wait the 3-4 hrs between, he'd be screaming his heasd off. I know he's gaining weight ( he's heavy) but he doesnt have any chub on him - at the Peds appt wed I'm going to ask him what he thinks about formula (he's on enfamil lipil) and we're going through about 30oz per day, so you'd figure he'd be full, but this boy will cry his heart out if you dont have that bottle ready right quick. I cant wait until its time to try him on cereal - maybe then we wont be feeding him all day long lol.

Steph - I did repost the pics, can you tell we finally figured out the self timer feature? Chris thinks he takes good pictures, but um, no not really. Not that I'm any better at it though. As soon as I get done cooking dinner I'll post the semi smiley pic I got today ( poor Ryan is in ducky pjs and I've been making quacking sounds to him, at 8 wks old this baby must think I'm nuts already lol) But, hey, it made him laugh, right?

Grrrr! Who would ask Andrew to do a job and then not have the $ to pay for it??? Thats so not right. I hope she comes up with something tomorrow, does she already have the car back? Are you sure he'll get paid at all? Some people, hmmph! I'm sorry that you're having a rough visit with your bro due to dollars, its like you want to give everyone what they really want, but it just gets sooo expensive sometimes, but at her age, she wants what her friends all have and she's such a good girl she deserves to have a special Christmas. At least you made it happen for her.I had to remind Chris over & over that a small Christmas is fine, especially when I'm growing to hate the commercial day its become. And besides its really all about the kids, its their day. IDK, there has to be low cost things to do on post, maybe a military museum? memorials? training sites? He cant expect for you to entertain them all day with twin babies at home, can he? Hopefully just spending time together is enough, he came to see you and the babies not TX, right? I'm sure its just that you feel that you should entertain him, thats your nature Wow, it sounds like you lived in the kitchen - but wish I was there - yum! To make stuffing by hand isnt easy, I did it for turkey day and it was pretty blah. You must have inherited your Mom's touch in the kitchen.

Aw, I feel so bad for poor Lina! This poor girl is uncomfy every day. What will it take before they figure it out? can you nag/whine/ complain until you get an actual Dr to see her? It seems like just seeing a NP isnt cutting it, and I cant imagine seeing her unhappy at every feeding Ethan's ears dont seem to be sticking out at all? I dont see why you think they are? Now Ryan's ears? they are totally sticking out, well just on the right side really, no matter which way you put him, he will always turn his head to the right side and then his ear folds over and I keep laying it flat again, but in 2 minutes it back to being folded backwards again - sigh. I wonder when their cartilage hardens? Not that it matters, I think he is beyond cute 9but I do feel a little weird when people compliment me on his looks and I thank them, but think to myself that I had nothing to do with it. Ahhh...

Oh honey, I'm holding out hope that he's still at home with you & the super cuties this summer, I know its a part of military life, and alot of other families have it worse ( like being gone when you deliver and not meeting your baby til they're 6 months old) but I think this may be a long one and it upsets to think that he'll miss their first steps and maybe first words - sigh. Sorry, but I love ya like a sister and what bugs you, bugs me too. eeeek, I'm writing a book again - much love and give the cuties a kiss from me - xoxo

Angela - Aw honey, the first few weeks everything is magnified by feeling like you havent slept in forever, it will get easier, as soon as you get past this part and she's sleeping more it wont feel so overwhelming. She's gaining weight well and that helps, when she gets a little bigger she should be able to last longer without a feeding and thats when you'll get more rest. I wish you had the option of your night, my night - it really helped to get through the first weeks that way. I feel for Gabriella's reflux too, remember how bad the heartburn was for us towards the end of pregnancy? Poor little girl to have that awful feeling so young.Has the zantac seemed to be helping any? Hold on mama, you're doing a great job, just make it through the rough weeks and then you'll get to the more fun parts. - xoxo

Ronda - Thanks honey. How are you doing? I'm all over that carrier so as soon as it comes I'll be back to mobile again - whew! Should I dare ask what you and your DH are thinking? Have you made any decisions yet? miss you- xoxo

Lou - Hi honey! I have been checking in when I can on your winter thread (its just that lately ryan plus holidays equals = zero free time for me!) And I'm so crossed that I'm getting cramps for your upcoming cycle!! I want sooo badly for this to be your lucky number 7 like it was for Gi and myself! I did and EPP/Antagonist in Sept 09 it was my last decent cycle, and had the best quality embies (well at least until day 3 when they were graded as "rock stars" what happened to them after the 3dt, I dont know, it was BFN. But, my egg reserve is really low, we got 3 eggs on the EPP and 2 fert (for me this was the best cycle )
The only difference was that I did 6mg/day estrace for 2 or 3 weeks with no BCPs. And keep in mind that my FSH was no where near as good as yours is, i've heard once that it was 12 point something and once that it was 20 You're in a good spot to have 6.6 and Whoo hoo for DHEA!!! I never tried it because my RE said he doesnt believe in it, but alot of Res do, so go with what works, and it sure seems to. Good job on that! I'll keep checking on you and miss you lots too - I really want this to be your time Lou, you've given this your all - i'm pulling for you as always - xoxoxo

Gi - Aw honey i'm glad you had a good holiday and a date night too? Oooh, how fun does that sound? I'm surprised that Jason was able to put Kayla down for a minute so you all could have a night out, lol. He sounds like such a good Da. I cant believe that she's a month old already! Where does the time go?
Hi to your mam too - xoxo

[katie99]

Ok girls, my obsession with the elusive smiley pic is getting out of control - now when I'm trying to sneak up on him I'm thinking of the theme from "Jaws"
But I'm getting closer...

I must have a fat camera cause they'res no way I look this fat in person

He insists on squishing his ear the wrong way - sigh

[natasha10]

hi mommas!! Am i so glad to be done for a few weeks from school. =) So i was reading some of your recent posts to catch up a bit on you all. i hope you all are doing great and all the new babies. Your babies are all so adorable. I hope you all had a great christmas and will have a great new years this weekend.

So are any of you knew mommies planning to have a drink at all? I heard so many things on being able to drink and breastfeed. I heard you have to check your milk and dump alot of it until its cleared out your system i also heard that you just have to wait 24 hrs for the alcohol to go out the system and you dont use any of the milk til the 24 hrs is up. thats sounds risky to me. i dont know how'd i feel about doing that. thats not true is it?

so how were all of your stretch marks? did any of you not get them? so did the palmers actually work for you all? Im actually getting three small red marks on my thigh. but i also wasnt putting my butter on in that spot too. but now i am lol =). I've been working out too a bit about 30 mins a day mon - fri im trying. I've gained alot of weight. no one believes it and thinks im small but i've already gained 39 lbs. I started gaining weight since day one of being prego.so im just walking and trying to eat right i dont want to gain too much more no more than 10 more lbs for the baby. thats alot of weight. my dr doesnt seem to be too worried because im measuring right on track but she does want me to watch my carbs and sugar. the nutritionist i see also thinks im gaining alot of weight too fast.

so I have a few weeks left its getting exciting. I cant wait. Im a bit nervous for the labor and the pain. you know they havent told me how much nataliah weighs or anything right now. I have my next appt on the 6th and then weekly therefore after. so what so you ladies recommend me to bring in my hospital bag? i remember someone else asking about that but i'd have to go too far back to find that post.

Franca i saw you mentioned you were having abdominal pains. i get them too and it makes me nervous. but i lay down until the go away. some times im not sure if its the real thing or if i just sleep it off. it seems to get me in the evening everytime. but it hurts. Im thinking i shoud definetly get my bags packed for just in case. hang in there momma a few weeks to go.

I hope all of you have a great week!!

[Stephanieford78]

Katie - Oh my goodness look at that face! lol Such a little cutie with them smiles and duckie jammies! Ethan and Lina had four newborn ones that they don't fit into anymore of course. lol So that lady didn't pay and no we are not giving her jeep back. Man I am so mad at this woman! Now she wants to "maybe" pay some today and get her car back.... um NO!! She wants a contract so sure enough I made one, saying she isn't getting it back until payment is made in full and that she is aware that it's at our house and a whole bunch of other things to protect us. I made it sound professional of course. lol It looks very legal, even has a place for a notary on it. I told him not to just have her sign it, have her sign it in front of a notary. I don't trust that woman at all now. Lina went to the doctor Monday (well, NP again), they had an opening the same day so of course I took it. She has been referred to a GI specialist so lets see how long the wait is to have them call us is. In the meantime we have to keep experimenting with her formula. WIC is going to help. The NP said that spitting up isn't an issue, but the amounts that she spits up is more than an oz so that is considered vomit from what WIC said. She spits up I am sure at least 2oz until she eats again. We are also giving her cereal with every feeding now. By the way, try that with Ryan. Try one scoop in his bottle at night to start off with and see how he does. If he does well, maybe every feeding. Lina has to have one scoop for every two, just like the formula. Both babies are at 5oz now. Oh, if you try cereal, switch to the fast flowing nipple, it helps. It might be a bit messy at first until he gets the hang of it, just try a bib or a burp rag around his chin. The slow ones don't let the cereal through well at all so it takes forever to feed them. Lina also has had her meds hiked up. She is at .5ml 3 times a day now of Zantac. I really hope we can find out what might be wrong with her. I am thinking maybe an ulcer? I am hoping not a hernia.

Natasha - Stretch marks are hard to keep at bay, but possible. The palmers works in my opinion. It just has to be used everywhere all the time. lol Once a day is fine at first then twice a day is best when you get bigger. I stopped with my first thinking that I couldn't get any bigger, sure enough I did and I got some, but they were last minute and not bad at all. With the twins I didn't get any new ones and the nurses at the hospital were like, that's all you have?? lol Mine are flesh colored so it isn't that noticeable. As far as drinks, maybe one malt liquor, nothing more. As for your bag... an outfit for baby to go home in, use hospital clothes during your stay, some babies poop out their outfits. This happened to my one friend and she through away a brand new cute outfit because it was so pooped and wet, she didn't want to take it home. lol An outfit for you, one that fits you while still pregnant because you will still be belly big for a while. Pack your shampoo and conditioner and all toiletries. Pads aren't needed till you get home, the hospital has them for you. Don't worry about panties, use thiers... don't want to mess yours all up! Camera and/or video camera. Focal point is good if you are going natural. Like a picture of you and hubby on a beach or baby's sono pic or even a stuffed animal. Something calming anyway. lol There is more but I am having twin brain at the moment. lol Babies are crying so I have to go, but I am sure that others can help fill you in!

[PA_FA]

Natasha and Franca- have you guys dropped yet?
Everyone else- how many weeks were you when you dropped? Then how many more until you delivered?

I was just at the mall with dh and when I got back in the car I could breathe and the top of my stomach felt squishy. Before it has felt very hard like you could bounce a quarter off it. Kind of freaking out here. I'm not ready! We still have furniture to buy. Wedding in NY tomorrow. I'm going to try to rock some 3" heels. Wish me luck. I'll try to do personals later. I'm typing on my phone. Much love mommies!!!

[gi]

Hi girls,

Katie looks like you finally got that smiley shot!!! such a cutie, has he improved on his naps during the day????

Natasha thankfully i never got any stretch marks not sure if it has anything to do with the baby oil i put on religiously twice daily (onto wet skin soaks in better). As for hospital bag our hosptials dont provide anything so had to bring pads, underwear, bedwear. For baby during our 3 day stay needed at least 10 babygros and 10 bodysuits i learned my lesson and found the babygros which have fasteners all the way down the front the easiest and bodysuits without sleeves best as much easier to change baby into. 4 blankets, 4 cot sheets, lots of bibs (do you call them burp cloths?). I bought miniture size toiliteries and found dry shampoo great esp. if you not up to washing your hair. Everyday i gave jason dirty clothes to bring home and he brought fresh ones in next day. I am not breast feeding so can drink as much as i like well within reason or will never get up for night feed!!!

PA i never dropped at all she stayed so high up thats why i needed section but sounds like your little one is dropping. Enjoy the wedding!!!! have to admit i found them exhausting when pg.


AFM both jason and I have been sick for last 2 days esp. j some sort of cold/bug now i think Kayla may be getting it shes bit unsettled today not crying or anything but finding it hard to breath/sleep when lying down as her nose is a bit stuffy, she hasnt been feeding great either today just grazing so if doesnt improve will bring to doc tomorrow.

gi xx

[katie99]

Hi girls -

We had our Peds appt today and now I see why my back & shoulders are hurting more lately - Ryan is now 12lbs even! and he was measured at 22.5" I knew he was putting on weight but I didnt think would be that much already,I was guessing like 11 lbs, jeez no wonder all I do all day is feed him. He's 8 wks today (not sure why my ticker is running 2 days late ) It was pretty awful to see his little face scrunch up before the wailing began when they gave him his first vaccines, does that get any easier the next time? I was thrilled to see that the Dr himself gave the shots though, so far I'm pretty unimpressed with his nurse who seems to act like she hates her job, nice, right? So far so good as far as reactions go, he's just seems tired but no sign of a fever. I think the shots were worse for me than they were for him, God help me if he ever gets really sick (ah, first time moms - what? we're suppossed to be neurotic about our babies, arent we? lol.

Natasha - Wow you dont have too much longer now. How are you feeling lately mama? the last month is uncomfy, but as soon as you start counting the days you'll just focus on the prize on Nataliah's birthday. Dont stress your weight if your OB says you're right on track- the last month the baby is kinda fattening up, thats when I put on the most weight of the whole pregnancy. It will fall right off afterwards, Just keep that in mind and try to not get upset at what the scale says. We used formula, so cant help you there. I was lucky and didnt get any stretch marks (probably because my belly wasnt flat when i got pg)
For your hospital bag Steph is right, dont use your own pads (the hosp ones are better) and the disposable hospital panties are super comfy and why destroy your own? Sorry but there will be lots of leakage after dont forget cozy socks, camera & video & chargers and extra batteries and lip balm - you'll just be allowed ice chips and your lips will get really dry - I cant think of anything else that the girls didnt alreay say, hope that helps - xoxo

Steph - Thanks honey - I'm a total dork, but I love them ducky jammies! Though I'm sure that Ryan wishes I'd stop making all the quacking sounds when he wears them - what? I cant help it, and besides he only laughs when Chris does the "beep beep" to his nose when I do it he just looks at me, so at least when I quack at him he's all smiley and giggly. he was "talking " up a storm last night - I heard ah, ha, la? oh, ooh, and some kind of grunting noise - it was hysterical
Now what the hell is wrong with this woman???? What flippin nerve to have someone work on your car and then expect to get the car back without paying for it?? Is she serious? Never mind the shock collar for this one, I think its more from trying to get over than it is from stupidity - Grrr! I have no patience for that type at all. I'm so glad that you were quick to get something written up so you guys are protected, she knows she's in the wrong so I'm thinking that she wouldnt dare try to get the MPs to get her jeep back, but get that paper signed & notarized asap. You can go to most large banks and get it notarized, almost all of them have a notary on staff and it shouldnt cost much if anything. And um, would a car dealer release the jeep before its paid in full? hell, no! So why should Andrew take a chance like that? I cant believe she thought that "some" of the money would do it. Sure, lady we'll just trust you for the rest, right? Hmmmph!
Aw my poor girl! I didnt know that she was spitting up that much each time, she must be miserable, and never full either. At least they've refered you to a GI spc but I hope they can get you in soon, just keep calling them. It must be so heart wrenching to see her like this each day, poor Lina. In the meantime are you supposed to keep changing formulas? until you find one that has her spitting up less? I'm praying that its nothing serious, I didnt know that a hernia could have that reaction. Hopefully the higher zantac dose and the cereal is giving her some relief. I asked the Ped today about when Ryan can have some cereal since he eats all day long and he said that 30-32 oz/day is just fine and that we should wait on giving him cereal, but I dont think I can wait until 4months, by that point I'll be sitting feeding him from morning until nightime ( oh wait it feels like that now lol) the ped said that cereal in the bottle helps w/ reflux but giving them "solids" too early can lead to food allergies later on because their digestive system is still immature. Well I understand that but, theres no way in the world that ryan is going to be full from just formula for another 2 whole months?? Its certainly not like he's getting heavy, so he;s using all those calories and still looking for more. I think he just has the metabolism of a hummingbird or something And wow, can he scream loud when he has to wait all of 3 minutes for a warm bottle! Whew! yeah, this kid's lungs are great!
How has it been going with your brother? Are they being a little more social? Actually I forget how long they are staying so I'll just shut up now
Much love twin mama - X'd that Lina gets her appt like yesteray - xoxoxo

PA - Oooh, girl you be careful in those heels, your whole sense of balance is off now. Enjoy the wedding tomorrow and dont worry about dropping, it happens a few weeks before. Hee hee mine was so uneven it was like football shaped - real funny looking - xoxo

Gi - Ack! It stinks to have both of you sick at the same time! I hope that Kayla doesnt get it too, she's too young to have to go through that. Do they sell saline nose drops there? They're suppossed to help with stuffy noses and personally I'd rather try that first before having to use the nasal aspirator - I havent had to use it yet, and I'm kinda nervous to Feel better, all of you - much love - xoxo

Eek, I wrote a book again - but I'm thinking about all of you and hoping that you busy new mommies will have time to stop in and let us know how its going - hugs & prayers to us all - xoxo

[Stephanieford78]

Katie - My brother and sil are gone, they left Monday. They stayed an extra day to try and do more with us but of course we couldn't do much at all. Not like I can expect him to pay for anything. lol I already owe him like 200 bucks from Christmas. They got home yesterday... home being Arizona. I forgot to mention the ear thing with Ethan. It's funny... his right side sticks out more because it always gets bent from feeding time. I feed with my right hand so he is always in my left arm and that ear always gets bent. Lina's does too and they are both starting to stick out. Andrew's does too though, so maybe they are just coming out? Not sure how that works. Of course it's more predominate right after laying on it, but who knows if it will stick or not? So it's interesting that Ryan has the same issue bending his back. lol He is so blonde too, he will be a little toe head... as they say. Andrew talked to that chick again today. She wants her husband to sign the contract now, she doesn't want to be responsible for owing the renaming money. Andrew told her, contract or not, she doesn't get the jeep back unless he is paid in full. She said she understands, just hoped he'd let it go cause she needs it. She didn't have any money today since she has been sick so hasn't been at work. Worst case scenario (she claims) is hubby pays some Friday and the rest next Friday. I won't count on it though. Eventually if she doesn't pay, I don't mind getting the title to that 06 Jeep Cherokee spitfire hemi engine. lol I'll sell that sucker in a heartbeat. I know it runs great... now at least. lol Trying Ryan a little cereal right now at least once a day won't hurt him. If it doesn't hurt Lina, how could it hurt him? 8 weeks is when we started both on cereal at night to help them sleep and they have been doing GREAT!! They suggest more for Lina, but that's NP's orders. They sleep 8 hours a night now and fall asleep within 30 minutes of their first feeding in the morning and sleep right till the next feeding. So if I want to nap or be lazy, I can. I am loving it. It's a lot better than the way it use to be. We still haven't put them in their cribs. We were planning to as soon as we got the monitor, but of course that lady never paid and payday is tomorrow. So soon! I just can't get a good night's sleep even when they sleep 8 hours. Every move or sound, I'm up looking over at them. Even if I just turn to a new position, I wake up to look at them. I'm sure it won't be much different with the monitor, but maybe? lol My neighbor wanted to play babies and offered to take them for the night Monday. A chance for me to get a good night's sleep and maybe some play time with Andrew. So I let her... oh boy was I a soggy mess! I was crying long crocodile tears. The good thing is that she is literally right next door, we share a wall. (duplex) lol Once we got home, Andrew gave me two Valium and I was out. I think it was the only way I was going to get any sleep without them here. It worked. I couldn't take meds like that with them here. lol Anyway, so Ryan is as big as my chunky butt! Wow! Ethan looks so much chubbier than Ryan. lol Ethan was 22in long at his last appt. They are just about the same size. How cute! I hope he doesn't react to those first shots. They are usually the worst. Ethan reacted the worst I think. You know how you are suppose to massage the area? Yeah, if you touched his injection site, he would wine or cry if you kept it up. He also had a fever that wouldn't really go away for two days. It wasn't a big fever, but enough to notice without having to use a thermometer. Well, I hope you find a way to keep little emperor's tummy satisfied. I've written a book. lol

Gi - Oh no! Both of you have a cold and now Kayla might? Hope that she can stay clear!! It's no sad when they have problems breathing. Using a little bulp syringe is never fun... they don't like it one bit. I needed to use it for Lina when she was spitting up that nasty thick formula they made her switch to. ick!

Pa - Girl, I never dropped with the twins. lol Ethan's little noggin was down, but not in the right position. However, with my last one, I'd say it was about 38 weeks when I dropped. If that helps? Seems like you might be having contractions, but remember, those are normal at this time. BH are a way for your body to practice. Just keep track of them. Normally hospitals want you to come in if they are every 5 minutes, lasting a minute each time for 2 hours. That's what happened to my friend the say before she was to be induced. Her little girl decided, um... no, you aren't telling me when I'm coming. lol It's like she said the due date and the induce date are so out of the question.

I hope everyone else is doing well. MIss all of you! I said a lot of stuff that probably should have been in the AFM section in Katie's last two personals. lol Maybe I am just getting lazy? You know my friend with the 6 kids who's man beats her? Well she had a dr appt today for her skull so she needed someone to watch her kids. All 6 of them! Of course I have twins and Alex.... but I did it anyway. lol My neighbor came over to help, but that meant her two kids coming too, but they are older like Alex so they could help. Boy, that was interesting, I had 11 kids all at once in my house. I don't know how she does it. lol It wasn't that bad though, it was just 2 hours and it went fast.

[angelaezra]

Natasha – yeah for being done with school for awhile! It feels good doesn’t it?

I used the Palmer stretch mark cream twice daily and I still got a few stretch marks towards the end. It definitely did help ease the itching that drove me crazy though.

I have had a few drinks already for the holidays. I asked the lactation nurse about it first though and I was told that if I feel the drink then I should pump and dump and maybe wait 24 hours before breast feeding again. She said if you are going to a party then you should pump and refrigerate the milk for future use that day so you can have drinks and not worry about it. She said that refrigerated milk is good for 5 days and frozen milk for 3 months. Unfortunately, breast feeding didn’t work out with Gabriella but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on my part. I even tried pumping and my milk never really flowed well. I was really disappointed at first, but I have learned that you just have to let some things go or you will drive yourself crazy!

Oh the hospital bag … I only took my hygiene items, clothes to go home in, camera, charger for I-pod, phone, computer, etc, and an outfit or two for Gabriella because they took pictures, etc. The hospital provides formula, clothes for her for the hospital stay and diapers and pads for me. Of course, bring the car seat and have it installed prior to going to the hospital. The books recommend installing it around week 36 in case you go into labor unexpectedly.

Stephanie – Oh my, that lady still hasn’t paid that money yet??? She should be ashamed because you guys have been depending on that money! I surely hope everything works out for you very soon! So, Angelina is being referred to a GI specialist huh? I surely hope they can figure out what is going on with her. I was hoping the change in formula would have done the trick! I think I will try the cereal at 8 weeks too. I was just talking with one of my high school girlfriends about that very thing on facebook!

PA_FA – I dropped right around 34 weeks while I was at work and boy was it very uncomfortable. I didn’t think I could walk to my car because menstrual cramping accompanied it too. You might be able to pull of the 3 inch heals as I wore heals until I delivered. Everyone kept saying I can’t believe you are still wearing heals but my feet and back didn’t bother me at all. Have fun at the wedding!

Katie – I just love the pictures! I promise I will take more pictures of Gabriella and post them. I feel so bad because Christmas came and went and we didn’t even take any Christmas day pictures! I told my DH that we should be ashamed of ourselves! But, I have a plan … my mom bought her an outfit that says my first Christmas, so I am going to put her it and take some pictures sometime this week … lol.

Gi – I am so sorry that you, Jason, and Kayla are all sick. I started to get a sore throat yesterday and I became so nervous because I didn’t want Gabriella to get sick but you can buy some masks that you and Jason can wear so that you will not continue to pass your cold onto Kayla. I bought some before I delivered on the advice from my dad. He said they used to do that with us. I hope that you feel better soon!

AFM – I have lost 17 pounds since I delivered, which I am thrilled about! I have to keep losing though. I put on almost 20 pounds from the injections prior to getting pregnant.

I sent an arrival picture of Gabriella to my RE and thanked him for making our dreams come true and guess what? Within 3 or 4 days later, I received a letter that stated my RE wasn’t accepting Aetna (our insurance) anymore and then 3 days later I received another letter that said he left the practice. I immediately panicked and thought oh no, what if we want a sibling for Gabriella! It is so strange because he was at this hospital for 15 years or more! Well, they did provide a new address for him but my frozen embryos are at his previous hospital … now I have to price having them transferred to the new hospital. Do you ladies have an idea how much that costs? We would like to try for a sibling in two years with the frozen embryos (I have 6 embryos left) but if it doesn’t work out, we are perfectly happy with Gabriella!

Angela

[natasha10]

katie- i definitely can forget the cozy socks, hospitals are always so cold. im trying not to worry too much about the weight either i just dont want to gain more than i should or need to. so im just keeping it in the back of my head to have better habits than bad right now.

gi- I completely forgot burp cloths what am i thinking? =) I hope you all get better soon. im thinking my hospital provides so things at least the pads. I was thinking bringing like a long pj shirt top and a comfortable pair of pjs with loose bottoms to go home in. my sister just had her baby about 2 weeks ago and she was there one day and they sent her home the next. i couldnt believe how short it was.

PA- good luck with those heels. I cant even dream of wearing them right now, it hurts just thinking of them =) Im dropping i can feel it the last week or two. i can feel her real low pushing and it hurts in my lower abdomen. sometimes i think she may jump out lol. im only a week from you i believe. my appt is on the 6th next thursday. The ob hasnt really told me our birth plan she says she wants us to go natural as long as the baby isnt too big for me so she's watching my weight and measurments lately and has me watching my diet.

steph- im not too worries i only have three little lines. i just didnt want them to get bigger. Im having a moment where men have it so easy. i cant remember who said it but i just read it how she bit her dh to feel her pain and thats about where i stand right now. im not one for pain at all i cant even imagine labor. I bet those twins have you busy busy busy.

I noticed a few of you decided not to breastfed is that by choice or it just didnt work out?

[Franca]

PA yes iv dropped a bit my dh checked me the other day. He said its about the right time so don't worry as it doesnt mean your going to go into labour. She sits on my bladder more now and boy do i need the loo more her heads down so hopefully she will stay there. Shes a wriggler
xxx

[hjw]

Hey ladies, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your babies or bumps!

Just wanted to post a quick message to Katie on the subject of big babies and formula intake! Like you, Katie, at about 8 weeks I was convinced that George wouldn't make it to 17 weeks on milk alone, which is the earliest time in the UK when you can introduce baby rice, as you say because their digestive system can supposedly get damaged for the future from trying to cope with solids before they are ready for them. I've just checked my diary and at 8 weeks George weighed 13lbs and was eating 35oz a day, and seemed to be constantly hungry for more! The good news is that around 9/10 weeks he really calmed down with the feeding, and has been a lot less frantic since. He is now almost 15 weeks, weighing about 16lbs 7oz but still only on 40oz a day (5 feeds of 8oz). The health visitor told me that once they hit a certain weight, they don't need to increase their intake as much, so it's just a case of feeding them as little as keeps them full and happy. I'm now pretty confident that we'll get to 17 weeks before needing baby rice, and probably even a little big longer. Hope that helps you worry less about where Ryan is going to be with his formula intake - I remember I was stressing about it all at 8 weeks having visions of needing to feed him 50oz of formula every day just to stop him from screaming with hunger!

H x

[Riley baby maybe]

Hi girls!

I have been absolutely ABSENT for the last 12 weeks. I had no idea how hard it would be to be a MOMMA!! I love it, but wow, I had no idea. We have had allergies to several formulas, a stomach bug and a cold. Pedi says it's all part of being a baby...no immune system ato speak of and no meds at this age. She is still a happy baby even with all of this. Reagan is sitting in her Bumbo, holding her head up, grabbing toys, loving the mirror, hating tummy time (anyone else?), loves a bath in the big tub with Momma, still wakes once a night for food, only eating 2-4 ounces at a time. Barely weighs 11 pounds (at 12 weeks, yep she's a tiny girl in the 25th percentile)! Please forgive me for being MIA, it is so hard to make time most days. We get up at 5:00 am (she usually stays asleep) leave at 6:45 or so head to my parents house, drop her, head to work, get off at 5:00, get home at 6:30 or so, feed 3 dogs & the Princess, try to remember to feed myself, wash bottles or do laundry or vaccuum or dust or clean toilets or bathtubs well, you get it. Then it's bath time, nice lotion rub down (for her not me) , bottle and bed! I do try and read on my BB during the wee hours of the morning, but it's impossible to post from that stupid phone.

Katie, Steph, Hazel, Gi, Angela, Claudia...I think of you girls often and miss sharing so I will try to do better. I love the baby pics, so I'll try to post one. I don't have the Christmas ones on the computer yet, so this is from Thanksgiving. I'll put some new ones up hopefully this weekend. Also, I'm on FB more so PM me if you want to be friends!

Franca, Natasha, PA...enjoy the sleep!

[angelaezra]

Natasha – I think we were posting around the same time. I answered some of your other questions on the post right before yours.

Franca – yeah, I remember when Gabriella dropped, I couldn’t stay out of the bathroom because I felt like I had to go all the time with the extra pressure on my bladder!

Hazel – it is great to hear from you as always. Thanks for providing that info about the rice as I am debating that very thing also!

Riley baby maybe – I know exactly what you mean about all the extra work being a mom. It is one of the hardest jobs we will ever have … I am convinced of that. Your schedule sounds so very hectic! But, the good news is that I hear from so many other moms that it does get easier. I am holding onto hope for it to get better … lol. It is hard to believe that a person that is so little needs so much of our time but they do!

My daughter Gabriella is so little also. She was measuring in the 25th percentile while I was pregnant with her. She is on a high calorie formula to help her gain weight as she only weighed 4 pounds 12.5 ounces at birth and I can tell by looking at her that it is working. We will switch to the regular formula in two weeks.

AFM – I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! What a way to start our new year with our lovely babies with us (in our arms and in our bellies)! I am so hopeful and excited to see what the New Year will bring for all of us!

Angela