Winter Cycle Friends 2009/2010 - Everyone Welcome!

[gi]

Hi ladies,

PA hows the back pain??? Maybe something is happening is dh home yet??

Angela thats great news Gabriella is sleeping in her crib, and what a little napper she is!!!! About the mobile can you turn the sound off and play a soothing cd instead it would last much longer and she gets the best of both worlds.

Katie i hope Ryan isnt getting colic, do you have some meds just in case? My mam gave me a huge hamper containing all sorts of over the counter meds for different things for "just in case", its great to have so you dont have to run out.

So did the tv interview... i was soooo nervous but it went ok, jason and Kayla came on at the end and she behaved beautifully little minx was asleep during her tv debut!!! Anyway i thing its availble to watch on line as of tomorrow, it only aired today, you should be able to view it on: www.tv3.ie/themorningshow if ye want to have a look, our interview is about 10 min long. Thankfully no more interviews and my nerves can calm down!!!!
Kayla doing really well, still on gaviscon for acid reflux but its working! Some nights she sleeps till about 6:30 am others she wakes up starving at 3am but hopefully will start to sleep thro. soon! Still loving her swing and could sleep up to 90min in it, she is not that crazy about sleeping in her crib during the day but i make her and she finally dozes off after about 20min of arm flapping! but put her in her buggy and lights out for up to 4 hrs hmmmm guess where i put her most days!! She doesnt really like tummy time but loves pulling herself up and standing up and she just loves when you coo and baa at her she yells right back .... speaking of blowouts i hear jason gagging from the nursery sure glad it wasnt my turn to change her

gi xx

[Stephanieford78]

Gi - I can't wait to see your interview. What a celebrity you are. I watched a few other stories... that little girl only weighing less than a pound at birth, only 10 cm in length? What a miracle! Glad Kayla is doing well! Doesn't seem any of our babies really like tummy time. So Jason got the nasty nappy huh? lol Small favors sometimes huh?

Katie - YAY for Ryan keeping entertained a little more! More noises coming from his little self huh? Ethan is doing the same, the little chunk master always has something to say it seems. lol We started calling him a little attention whore now. He wants all eyes on him at all times while awake. He literally yells at you if you aren't looking at him or talking to him. Once you do then it's all smiles of course. Lina amuses herself with her fist nowadays but gets in her little moods just like Ethan when it comes to attention. They both let you know when just looking and talking isn't enough and you MUST pick them up. lol So how about that news today? FINALLY huh? lol

Angela - Good news that Gabriella is sleeping well at night. That must be a good break for you huh? We ordered the video monitor so the twins can sleep in their crib but it isn't here yet. Any day now though. We attempted to use my friend Amy's regular monitor, but they weren't cooperating on going to bed so Andrew ended up sleeping downstairs with them while I got some sleep. That was nice! We are going to attempt again today since last night they did well, but it was in the pack n play in our room. I hope they go to sleep at a decent time and sleep at least 8 hours with no binky assistance.

Ronda - Working out huh? I wish I could get motivated. I am going to have to here soon though. I need a swift kick in the arse and get started getting myself in shape. I don't like the shape I am right now, round is not attractive. lol I told Andrew that when he comes back from this next deployment, don't be surprised if I am completely different. I plan to lose weight and suck up the pain and get some plastic surgery done. I want a tummy tuck and a boob job. I have so much extra skin it isn't funny. Worth it, but the surgery will be worth it too. lol

PA - Sorry you had a scare! I know it is tough, I even went to L&D at 18 weeks because I never thought I could feel Lina move. She kept me worried the whole time really. After that 18 week scare, I got the doppler. That's when I felt better. I couldn't always get the HB with two in there, but I could hear them moving with the doppler. We never stop worrying though. It's just our nature being through everything we have been through. Just know deep down that your baby girl is fine... just hope she doesn't decide it's time while daddy is away!!

Sorry if I missed anyone, but I am beat and hungry!!! The babies didn't get to sleep last night till 3am, but after that they slept great! Of course they did... on a night that I got sick in the middle of the night (must have been something I ate) and had to get up early for an appt. BLAH! Oh well, hopefully tonight they will sleep the same way but go to bed sooner!! Ok, num num time. lol It's starting already... talking baby talk, even when you are talking to adults. Which makes me want to copy and paste this... so many versions but this one will do.

You know you're a mom if you've ever crawled under a crib at 2 a.m. searching for a pacifier like your life depended on it.

You know you're a mom if you've ever stuck a pacifier in your mouth just to clean it off!

You know you're a mom if you never call a pacifier "a pacifier."

You know you are a mom if you find yourself singing Old MacDonald in the car...alone!

You know you are a mom when you start looking at diaper bags the same as you did those awesome leather purses currently hanging in your closet.

You know you're a mom if you have more children than dollars in your purse.

You know you're a mom if you can take a shower, do hair and makeup in less than 10 minutes (with an audience)

You know you're a mom if you don't even shut the door to go to the bathroom.

You know you're a mom if you taste baby food along with the evening meal.

You know you're a mom when you wake up with extra people in bed with you.

You really know you're a mom when you stop caring if people think your house is nice and you just wish they'd think your kids were nice.

You know you're a mom when baby wipes are more valuable than money at any given time of day in any given location.

You know you're a mom if everything you ever need is on the floor of your car.

[PA_FA]

Hello ladies! I'm so glad everyone is doing well. I wonder if my little one will hate tummy time too? I hope she sleeps as well as all of yours! If I could be so lucky.
Yes DH got home yesterday. We went out with friends last night and I got to be the DD. We stayed out till around 1am. By that time it started snowing again. Soon after that it started sleeting. Katie...it's headed your way and it sucks!

Tomorrow we have another OB appt and (more importantly) our LAST peri appt. It's the last time we get to see our daughter before we get to hold her. God, even typing that makes me all teary eyed and crying. I'm just excited to see how big they think she is. I want to know if things are progressing more. DH flies again on Friday. This time to Amsterdam or Paris...I can't remember. After that though he is off for the rest of the month. So if I can just make it through this weekend.

Back pain is still really bad. I take a warm bubble bath every night before bed. I have a friend going to the UK this week so she can bring home more of my fizzy bath bombs from my favorite store, LUSH. Gina, Franca, Hazel...you all should be very familiar with that place, huh? I know we have LUSH in the states but the scent lasts so much longer from the UK.

I'll update you all tomorrow after the Dr apts. Much love to you all!

[PA_FA]

Here is the first pic of our nursery. We put in a new closet for her! Lots more storage!!!

And a pic of me at 35.2w. Sorry for the size...I am still trying to figure this out.

[PA_FA]

DR UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I AM FREAKING OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok baby girl is 8lb9oz right now. She has 4 weeks to grow. In the last 4w she gained 3lb6oz. They are already talking about a c-section because she is too big. She has a LOT of amniotic fluid around her. Too much almost. They are worried I may have late gestational diabetes. They want me to go get another glucose test. Just the one hour one. This is all coming from the peri appt. Um let's see, what else. They can't schedule a c-section earlier than 39w so that would be Feb 8 at the earliest. I'm afraid she will be WELL over 10lbs by then. They are starting me on NST (non stress test) twice a week. Today was fine. I go back on Friday...right when we are supposed to be getting another winter storm. SIGH....

I know a lot of you had to do a C. Can you give me some sort of idea on how long recovery was? How do you all feel now that it has been a few months? I want her out whatever way is safest for us all but I know it will make it tougher when DH leaves for 5w in the end of March.

On a happy note...my glider is in. We have to go pick it up later. Right now I need a nap. This is information overload. Love you all bunches!

[PA_FA]

product recall for summer slim video monitors.

http://www.toysrusinc.com/safety/recall ... su=1271513

[natasha10]

so i went to my appt today. egh it hurt im still hurting. But my OB just realized why my cervix isnt opening. but she says it felt like its thinning. I had a cryo procedure on my cervix like 7 yrs ago and she said what happened is it developed scar tissue and they didnt know that back then so they werent suppose to do it but thats what they no now. i think thats crap. but what can I do. Cuz I said they never told me I would have problems in the long run from that cervix surgery. so she said what usually happens is it rips under the scar tissue. if you ask me that just sounds awful. then what I develop more scar tissue from the ripping from this pregnancy. then what happens the next pregnancy. it just never gets better i swear theres always something. darn it. =( but we have an u/s fri the 21st for checking her weight.

thanks ladies monkee is adorable along with the Dh. you are all sweethearts. its funny that some people say we look a like in ways. hmmm.

I think all babies never like what they need thats why they have you wonderful mommas to keep them on their toes. i hope you all are doing well.

PAFA- are you dilating? i hope you feel better poor momma.

[natasha10]

pafa- I was worried about having a c. section too. I hope not. but thts why we have to make sure she's not too big for me or i'll probably be induced ealier than the 1st if she's at a good weight now other wise im dreading that too who wants surgery no one. It'll all be ok dont worry too much. so then you'd be a week early for delivery. sounds right if she's going to be a bigger baby

[angelaezra]

PA_FA – First, I want to say don’t panic … easy for me to say right? No, seriously I am saying that because their measurements are guesses and only give us an idea how big our babies are at the moment. I have always known that but it was hard to believe anything but the sizes they told while I was pregnant.

Anyway, you know during my pregnancy they were always concerned about Gabriella’s size because she was way too small. Well, they were tracking her size every four weeks with a complete u/s and twice a week NSTs. During my very last complete u/s they thought she weighed 5 pounds 8 ounces … well guess what? She only weighed 4 pounds 12.5 ounces at delivery, which was not even 12 hours later! I have heard this from sooo many mommies also. So they are predicting her size now but she might not weigh that much at birth and even I she does, she will be delivered via c-section and you will not be in any discomfort.

As far as the C-section, they will prep you for surgery by providing some type of anesthesia. I just had an epidural put in and then they will prep you by shaving your private area for the incision. You DH will be in the operating room right by your head. He will be able to take pictures so remind him to bring a camera so he can capture them bringing your daughter out. After the C-section you will then be transferred to recovery with your baby and your DH, just to make sure you are doing fine for about 2 hours. If you are going to breast feed, they will help you to try to breast feed while you are in recovery. I was then transferred to my room after that with my DH and daughter. I stayed in the bed the first day until about 11pm but you can stay in there the first entire day if you want. But, it is sooo important that you get up and start moving when you can to help you heal. But, make sure you take your pain meds every 4 hours or whenever you can even if you don’t think you need them because it will be difficult to get up and walk around the first few days. My feet started to swell big time about day 2 or 3 so try to elevate them whenever you can. Most C-sections will be hospitalized for 4 or 5 days so plan on that when you pack your bag. As far as they recovery, please make sure you have help from your DH for at least 2 weeks because you will feel ok to move around but there will be times when you become too sore or exhausted to get up with her. And your hormones start to go hay wire during the second week so you will need a little extra assistance. After about week 3, I started to feel so much better where my incision didn’t hurt as bad and my feet finally started to go down enough where I could fit my shoes again. Like I said before, the biggest thing is to remember to take your pain meds as much as possible! I hope this helps! We will be here cheering you on all the way!

Angela

[angelaezra]

Katie – I am so sorry that Ryan hasn’t been feeling his best lately, especially with the colic. It is so easy for us to become upset when our little ones aren’t feeling good because we are frustrated that we can’t take their hurt away. I feel the same way because she has been having these episodes of constipation and crying and straining to go and I feel just awful. But, the positive thing is that you realized later that yelling at him probably made him feel bad so bad so I would apologize and just explain that you were feeling overwhelmed with Ryan not feeling well. It is sooo understandable! I have experienced the same thing and just explained that I am learning as I go as a first time mom and he understood because he is learning too.

As far as the books, I have been reading everything on-line. I keep saying I will purchase some books but it is so convenient just to look up everything on my computer. I know it’s lazy but when I go to the store, I have my list and I am on a mission because I normally have her with me. I guess I could order on on-line …

Gina – I would love to use the CD also but she likes the light and pictures of the animals that the mobile produces. I have tried the night light but that didn’t work either. But, she is doing better and finally falling asleep and staying there longer. I can’t wait to see the interview!!!

Stephanie – I love the “you know you are a mom if…” it was funny and true.

Hopefully, the video monitor is in and they babies can sleep in their room. The video monitor is a god sent because I can finally relax and sleep knowing that I will hear her. On my monitor if they volume is turned down, the monitor vibrates if she cries and if the light is turn on or if she is out of her crib.

Natasha – sorry to hear about the scar tissue issue on your cervix but at least they know what the problem is now. I am sure it will all work out for you. I can’t wait to hear about your u/s to see how much they think she weighs now.

AFM – Well, last night was not as restful as the previous nights because I think she is constipated again. She has been straining and crying and just so uncomfortable. So I gave her another suppository and it helped her and she went to sleep. So I gave her pediatrician a call and just waiting for their call back on their suggestions because I don’t want to keep giving her the suppositories every 4 or 5 days when she can’t go again. I know it is this formula because it is high in iron. Hopefully, they will change it. Have a great night everyone … we are expecting 4 to 5 inches of snow here tonight, so I will be an inside day for us tomorrow!

Angela

[karenthescorpio]

Hi ladies. I wondering how many of you new mommies find the process of changing crib sheets a pain in the butt. Meaning, they are hard to get on and off? I was referred to this one crib that has a door on the side to make this process easier. I'm just wondering how much of a pain this really is?

xo
Karen

[angelaezra]

Karen – Oh yes it is a pain because I have the bumper pad around it. I had to have my DH do it while I finished giving her a bath. He just lifted the pad out of the crib to finish it. Just make sure the door is safe and will not come open when pushed on it from the baby. I say that because of the older cribs that have the dropped down side that has proven to be dangerous because it has fallen on babies.

OMG - I can't believe your ticker says 12 weeks along. Your baby will be here before we know it!!

Angela

[Stephanieford78]

Karen - If you are using bumper pads, then yes it is a pain. Most say that they are dangerous and can suffocate the baby, but so can blankets and anything else they say don't use. As long as you have a sleep positioner and tuck the blanket under them, they can't get near the bumper pad and the blanket isn't going anywhere except maybe down, not over their head. Anyway... IF you are liking the bumper pad idea, then changing the sheets with or without a door isn't going to make it that much more convenient. Without pads, the mattress can come in and out easily no matter what. Getting an adjustable front might help. I always had one of those before until now. I am short so I am finding that I have issues with a crib that doesn't have the front move up and down. The best way to change she sheets is to grab the sheet on the mattress and pull the whole darn thing up. Put the new sheet on the mattress then shove it back in the crib. Hope this helps?

Angela - The video monitor got here today! I can't wait to set it up! I hope Gabriella starts having a better time with her poor little belly issues. Not being able to poo must be so frustrating for a new baby. Does her high cal formula have a lot of iron in it? Maybe that is why she is straining? Might have to keep her on a baby stool softener for a little while? Snow tomorrow huh? Uh oh! It is a nice day here today. It's nice since for a while it was not passing the 30's. It's 66 right now. Doesn't feel like winter, but that can change.

Natasha - Oh wow, I hope that procedure doesn't cause issues, not with the remainder of this pregnancy or any subsequent ones either. Was it a LEEP procedure? My cousin had that does and I know that involves freezing cells. I hope everything is ok though and you feel better soon. The pain doesn't sound fun at all. You, DH and Monkee are so cute! Once little girl gets here, you all will make the perfect gorgeous family!

PA - Thanks for the recall info. I got worried when I saw it since that is the type I bought, but not that model so WHEW! As for you though... what a big little girl you have! I wonder if it might have been a big of a mistake on the measurements? Or did they check and recheck it a few times? They always measured the twins 3 times each to make sure that it was the most accurate. However, they were off a bit. It is just an estimate. I saw on Discovery Health before that they went through a c-section for a girl when she was told her baby was over 9lbs, maybe even 10. She went through the surgery and they baby was taken early and all... just to be weighed at 7lbs. Quite normal! I would not worry too much. Though I hope they have you checked one more time to make sure her weight estimate is the same. As for the surgery, it's different. Being awake knowing they are cutting in to you can be a little freaky. I was nervous and uncomfortable the whole time. It's what needed to be done though. The recovery was no fun, vaginal is definitely better... After Alex I was walking around right afterwards with no issues. With the section I couldn't walk till the next day and boy did it hurt. Some people do better though. My friend had one and she was way more mobile than I was. I didn't feel really normal till about 4 weeks after. Though I felt good enough within the first two weeks. But again, my friend... it was like nothing for her. I was surprised how well she did. I suggest that if that is how it goes for you... get up and walk the same day! They were being lazy and not taking my cath out till the next day. I was told it wouldn't have hurt so bad if I would have walked the same day. The end result no matter how it happens is worth every ounce of pain and torture we go through. lol Good luck! By the way... you look great!! Nothing but belly on you girl!

AFM - Well, the twins slept through the night... all 10 hours in their crib last night! I used Amy's monitor since the video one wasn't here. It came today though! Can't wait to use it!! I was getting up when it sounded like one was starting to cry, then I would get there and nope... fast asleep. That monitor picks up every little noise. I need to turn it down I guess. I thought I would be ok putting the monitor on the opposite side of the room but nope. It's a lot easier to fall back to sleep after taking a quick peek at a screen then to get up, walk out the room in to another one and come back. I am sure I still won't sleep very soundly... maybe I will when they are a year old. lol We shall see.

Quick note... not a fun topic but because my brother was diagnosed with colon cancer (he is all better now) I have to get my butt checked out. So I go meet the GI doc Feb 3rd and have the colonoscopy about a week later. I won't get a date till I meet the doc though. Not looking forward to it, but it must be done. BLAH!!

[rayofsunshine]

Hello all! MIA-story of my life

Gi-I am so excited to see your interview. When I went on the website it showed the 17th and the 19th, but no 18th-did you find the video clip there yet? I'm sure you were a rockstar and you will reach so many with your story-how awesome!! Kayla sounds like she is doing great, funny how babies love the motion of the buggy and knock out so quickly.

Katie-Ahhhh....I have lived moments like your crazy night and completely sympathize with you. My DD Madi had colic and would cry for hours every night. I can't even tell you how many times I exploded on DH and sat in my room crying because I felt so helpless. Good news is that DD is now a sweet 7 year old with no memory of the trauma and DH and I can look back and laugh about those crazy times-we feel like we "survived" it together. I still have times with the twins where I wish I could read their little minds and help out when they are upset. I also wish that we could just freeze time and not have our babies grow so fast. I bought my daughter a book at Christmas called "If I Could Keep You Little". It makes me bawl but it is a wonderful book.

Angela-I am so sorry Gabriella is still having poo issues-I hope she can change formulas soon and skip the suppositories (NO FUN for anyone!). Yeah for good sleepy time in the crib. It is so hard when you get little to no sleep-it feels like you'll never get a good night's sleep but it will speed by and you'll wonder how your tiny baby got so big. I haven't read too many baby books but I started reading "Eat Sleep Poop" and kind of like that a pediatrician wrote the book from the perspective of being a doctor and also as a father. He gives advice but tells how it really was doing it with his children. Very reassuring! Your daycare sounds awesome-I wish I had that luck with the pricing!

Steph-Your pics are so adorable! I love the faces they give and the video was fun to watch. I wrote a comment under the video and realized that it is my DH's account...so that would explain the "slaphappynuns" name under it-he is such a goof

PA-The back pain sounds awful! I am so sorry you are in pain-good thing it is temporary. You had quite a lot of info last appt. but I hope you are not too stressed out. Did you already do the glucose test? My fingers are crossed that you don't have GD. As for the c-section, it took 2-3 weeks before I felt "better"-it was hard to do things right away because your stomach muscles are shot. I really struggled getting in and out of bed, which was tough with newborns. But, it gets better each day and is totally manageable with pain meds and a little help. I have a little closet envy-I love it! You look beautiful in your pic too!

Natasha-I think we all complained toward the end-don't worry, it isn't much fun and can be very painful. Your puppy is so cute. Is he doing better with the biting?

Ronda-You are going to be one buff lady! I need you to ship some motivation my way! Hopefully when the weather gets nice I will get off the couch and get going.

AFM-Well, I am trying to enjoy this week because I go back to work on Monday. I set up daycare with a stay-at-home mom from my school. I love her so I feel good that the babies will be with her. I am going to pay $350 a week for the babies. I feel like I will be working to pay for daycare. We will have to decide this summer if it makes sense for me to keep working next year. I am already so sad about all that I will miss. Today was awful-we are getting about 10 inches of snow and I had to go get my DD at school. I was so frazzled and didn't pay attention and ran my van into the garage door. I busted out the back window. Great, a $295 boo boo from being an idiot. Then I went out to get the mail and fell on the ice. My wrist and butt still hurt but I think I will survive. On a good note-the babies are smiling and making faces more-such fun!! I just love watching them grow and change each day. I am thinking of you all and hope everyone is doing great!

Love to you all!
Sara

[natasha10]

omg you all made me nervous about a c section. I didnt pay attention that so many of you had one. it sounds painful or worse. Pa it'll be ok like angela said I'd make them check again thru u/s to make sure they feel its the right decision.

Karen- wow you been gone and now look the time have flown by fast your already 12 weeks wow.I was thinking that about the sheets myself when i put the first ones on with the bumper. or even the comforter. its just not going to be together for me i can see it already. I know that babies cant sleep with blankets anyways so im thinking if just puting the comforter away it'll just be in the way for now but to find a way to deal with the sheet changing its just going to have to be a pain. let me know how that sheet changing goes with that crib that has a door sounds interesting. im curious

sara-so far nothing is working with the biting. Dh still wants to smack him int the butt and i tell him not to and just say no and put him on the floor. but he just jumps right back up and bites. what really worries me is while we're walking he attacks our feet. its unsafe. he just thinks he's boss and im just giving it time i guess. it seems he's worse when dh gets home from work. maybe cuz im so melow and lounge around right now that he sleeps all day and once dh gets home he's hyper and wants to play and run like crazy. im trying thought so we'll see.

steph- Im not sure what leep is but my dr did ask me if i had a leep or cryo so maybe they are the same but different names. but yea it killed the cells i didnt know it would cause a problem now. i guess no one did until now. but what can i do nothing and it sucks, jut have to deal with it and do as they say.

angela- yea im just curious i guess more now to what is going to happen. Im assuming i'll be in the hospital longer now. and i dont want that but i cant change it. im curious to how much the think she weighs. they never told me that at all through the pregnancy

afm- i feel awful and pain everywhere. im so swollen today more than usual. I couldnt out my wedding ring on and i had it sized bigger for the pregnancy. i couldnt put my boots on either i thought they were going to rip. I wonder why im swelling more today than usual. did that happen to any of you ladies? I still have about 2 weeks hmm. so i've been also whinning in my sleep that scares me and wakes me up and biting my tongue every nite, i cant sleep at nite so i sleep during the day and is bad its changing my sleep pattern.