Beautiful Babies Due in 2011 (Combined Group)

[klinger13]

Stephanie - Awww...I love your new belly pics!! You are ALL baby (well, babies), that's for sure!! And you're so close to the end now!!

[Happy Bunny]

Stephanie: Awesome pic! I bet the babies moving is getting intense now. What's it like with two moving around?

[Sweetpea614]

Love the baby belly pics!!

I just had my first vomitting session;) My kids are 13 and 19 and they are with me all weekend too. Kind of hoping it was a one time thing. Really want to hold off telling them till at least after the 8 week ultrasound. Preferably after the first trimester but I know that might be impossible. Does anyone else have older children and if so when did you tell them?

How is everyone else it seems the board is quiet.

Kat

[blairwh58]

Stephanie- What a great belly pic. You are definitely all babies. Your stomach looks great though and you look like you dont have many stretch marks at all. Im scared that I will end up covered in stretch marks by the end of this...all part of the process though. Did you or do you use anything on your stomach to help with stretch marks? Im thinking maybe the sooner I try the better.

Dallas- I guess it could be RLP but I thought that normally started in the 2nd trimester. As long as its not constant and isnt horrible pain Im sure its normal. But if you ever have questions I would just call the RE and ask. As annoying as you think you are you are paying them to help you and they know that you could have a million questions- thats what they are there for. Good luck.

annashope- Sorry you are starting to feel the aches and pains- the good news is that you are getting closer and closer to meeting baby Paul. Dont forget to post pics once you get his nursery finished.

Leora- Dont chicken out on the belly pic. Im sure you look great. Ive tried taking my own belly pics- just starting last wk. But I felt like I looked gross last wk so I deleted it off the camera. I took a 9 wk pic last night and geez I feel like I am going to be huge. I really hope you can work out the Zofran- it sucks that you have to jump through so many hoops. Whats sad is I work for the pharmacy section of a large insurance company and everytime I needed a prior authorization I still had to jump through the hoops too. Youll have to let us know about the water aerobics- sounds fun.

Gina- Your boys are too cute!!! They look so much bigger than the last pictures you posted. Sounds like they are getting healthier and stronger and will hopefully be joining you at home very soon.

kjm- I am so glad to hear that energy starts to come back in the 2nd trimester. Sounds like your twins are doing well- cant wait to see the pics from the level2 scan.

sweetpea- Wow - sounds like quite a mess with the first one so Im glad you are starting the MFM early this time and can hopefully avoid anything like that again. I couldnt imagine everything you went through and am glad it all turned out ok. As for the Lovenox- heads up it sucks. Ive been on it for awhile now and you would think you get used to it but it still burns/stings every time. Ive heard the brand is better than the generic with the burning but obviously whatever gets us healthy babies.

AFM- Sorry if I left anyone out but didnt have too much time to post. I finally got my expecting twins, triplets, and quads book in the mail and started reading yday. Im not going to lie though- Im a little scared and intimidated. The doctor who wrote the book has been studying multiples for theyears and has found that the healthiest babies are born when the right amount of weight is gained earlier in the pregnancy. After looking through it recommends that I gain 45+ lbs by 20 wks. Im supposed to gain an extra 13 right away because I was considered on the verge of underweight, an extra 5 because we did infertility, and then the recommended weight on top of that. Just thinking about all that weight makes me scared. Not sure how I can pack on that many lbs in the next 11 wks. Still feeling sick all the time, but I did stop and get a milkshake for breakfast this morning...gotta start somewhere I guess.

[klinger13]

Love the baby belly pics!!

I just had my first vomitting session;) My kids are 13 and 19 and they are with me all weekend too. Kind of hoping it was a one time thing. Really want to hold off telling them till at least after the 8 week ultrasound. Preferably after the first trimester but I know that might be impossible. Does anyone else have older children and if so when did you tell them?

How is everyone else it seems the board is quiet.

Kat

Hi Kat - My kids are older (22 and almost 19) and they were excited. We blogged about our struggles to conceive so everyone we know knew about our losses, IVF, HPTs, betas, etc at the times they were happening. No waiting to announce here.

[baby_blu73]

Amanda - I like your list of post baby must haves. I have a Jimmy John's roast beef sub on my list. If all goes according to plan, it will be one of (if not THE) first meals I have after I deliver. As for my BHs, I have the most after I've been on my feet excessively. Like after a grocery shopping trip or after making dinner. They get pretty intense later in the evening around 10.

Barbara - I'm with you on needing to slow down before the pain starts! It's so tough when there's so much to be done. Both of my boys moving around at this point just hurts. I know it's a good thing that they're so active, but I seriously feel like a hand or foot is going to come through my stomach at times. They are so strong. Again, good... but painful.

Leora - Congrats on your 15 week milestone! So sorry to hear about DH's grandpa. If I can find one of those Snap n Go frames for a decent price, I definitely want one. They look genius! How are the aquacise classes?

Rio - Stay strong! It certainly can get overwhelming towards the end, apparently. I don't remember it being so stressful with my other two pregnancies, but then again, I was just a kid. Oh, and the pool... that darn thing is a nightmare right now! The people that lived here before us didn't take care of it, so we're pouring tons of money and time into it.

Kat and Addy - WELCOME and CONGRATS!!! Kat, my kids are only 10 and 12, but they've been in the know about this entire process. I hope you're one of the fortunate mommas that doesn't end up with m/s!

Ashley - I'm sorry to hear you have to leave your family. I couldn't image! Is it at all a possibility for your parents to move to Texas as well? I hope it all works out for the best for you.

Blair - So happy to hear your u/s went well and that the three musketeers are all doing great. I've been keeping lotioned up with Cocoa Butter and Palmer's Tummy Butter and massage lotion. I have this one HUGE stretch mark that runs straight down from my belly button that's literally blown out. (TMI ALERT) The only way I can describe it is that it's similar to the way the tissue is with hemorrhoids. Sooooo icky and painful!

kjm - It's definitely getting tougher day by day. Some days are better than others, but I do spend a lot of time lying down. I've gained 35 lbs and it's all in my belly. So the less time spent up with gravity working against me, the better. As for peeing nonstop, anticipate on your toilet paper expense increasing! LOL I go all.the.time it seems!

Gina - Thanks for the update on Will and Wyatt! You sure have a couple of cutie pies there!

Anna and Karen - Sorry to hear about the discomfort kicking in. Hang in there! Babies will be here before you know it and all the pain and agony will be a distant memory. That's what I keep telling myself, at least...

Dallas - Agreed about the ligament pain. Have you tried Tylenol or a heating pad? Also agreed about calling the doc, that's what they're paid A LOT of money for. Besides, specializing in reproductive medicine, I'm sure they're used to a gazillion questions!

[kjm1824]

Happy Week-End All!! I hope all of you have some great plans. We are buying a SUV this weekend. I have been against them but our VW jetta sportswagen will not hold 2 car seats and allow my husband to fit in the front seat. Twins were not in the plan when we bought it 1 1/2 years ago. Also going golfing - I'm going to try and walk a par 3 course. Sunday me and my couch have a date.

Klinger - yes, I am expecting my sleep to disappear soon too. I am very thankful for the let up right now though!!! Hope you are able to get s ome good nights before the big day!

Leora - I know I need to post a belly picture too. Early on it was just so hard for me to adjust to the growing belly. Now I just have to figure out how to post them... I wouldn't worry about asking for what you need from the doctor - you can't help it - you need it - he should know that. Water aerobics will be great - helps with the swelling too. Just remember to take it easy to start to see how you do afterwards. It wears you out faster than you think!!

Anna - I'm glad all is going well for you. Sorry that you are starting to have some pains but you are really starting to get close.

Karen - Glad to hear you are well. Wow 29 weeks...

Dallas - Welcome to the board and good luck on your ultrasound. I would call and ask your doctor about any of your concerns - he gets paid a lot for that, and it will prevent you from worrying which will not help matters.

Kat - sorry to hear about the MS - hopefully it was a one time thing. Have fun with your kids - I can't help you there.

Stephanie - you sure are all belly. So far that is how I am. I have gained 12# and it seems to be all in my belly as well. I have been amazed by my ever changing belly button. It has been through about 3 different stages and now it is about to pop. The little thing get me. Are you using a belly brace or band to help support (not sure of correct name)? One of my co-workers keeps talking about it. I wonder if it works - she said it did for her singletons. I love your input because I can see myself progressing like you. I always say I want a crystal ball so I will know how long I can work, will I need bedrest, when will I start having pain, etc.... Just one day at a time a guess but your input helps.

Blair - WOW, it recommended 45# by 20 weeks!!! That is more than I have read, but I have not read any of the specific multiple books. I wonder why you need 5 extra for IVF? All you can do is the best you can. If you are sick and can't keep it down, I wouldn't worry. You will gain. I gained ab out 5# in first trimester, which one book said was good for twins, but I was not sick. Now 2nd trimester I have been gaining more and it seems to be picking up to about a pound a week. So I'm sure you can pick it up quickly once you start feeling better. And remember, the books say that the babies will get what they need first - you just get to suffer!!!

[karenthescorpio]

Steph- love the belly pic!

[rypell1985]

Hi ladies! Man this board moves quickly!

kjm...good luck car hunting! DH and a bought a Mazda cx-9 last May in anticipation of our IVF working! Good this we did! It has 3 rows of seating, but when the third row is down the trunk is HUGE, so plently of room for their big ole double stroller and other stuff! I love it. DH wanted to buy be a Tahoe or Suburban but when I test drove them they were just toooooo big!

Stephanie...I can't believe you will be hitting 34 weeks! I can't wait to get there! I am so jealous of your belly! It's so perfectly round! I can totally see the dividing line between the twins in my belly, so I don't quite have that cute roundness!

Blair...Don't be scared about the weight gain. I was supposed to have gained something like 25-30 lbs by 20 weeks and I LOST 20 pounds by 16 weeks. Even now, at almost 27 weeks I have only gained 15. I wasn't heavy before, not a pencil either and my babies are fine and big and healthy. My OB had told me that twin mom's can look 40 weeks preggo by 24 weeks....I totally don't and I'm 3 weeks past that. As long as you are taking your vitamins they are going to suck whatever they need out of you. Try drinking Pedia-Sure. That always made me feel good to know that I was at least getting those calories and nutrients in to them when I couldn't eat anything else. Now that I'm bigger they are smushing my stomach so bad that I can't eat again. So now I'm doing Pedia Sure and drinking V-8. And lots of Tums!!!! Good luck....you will be ok! By the way...I totally want belly pics from you so I can see how a triplet belly grows!!

Kat...I'm still so happy to see you over here on this side!!!! Sorry you had a little run in with MS, but hopefully i won't get too bad! I know I don't have any older kids, but I told my entire side of the family (aunts, uncles, cousins, corworkers) RIGHT away! I figured if something happened to the pregnancy it would be better that everyone knew what was wrong with me, rather than thinking I was just a nut case.

DALLAS...congrats on your BFP...if you ever have to wonder, I say call RE!

Karen (scorpio)....Good to hear from you, glad all is going well.

Anna...It's always interesting to read your posts since we are just days apart...I'm still seeing my OB every 4 weeks. Are you more frequent now because of the TAC? I would think with twins I would start going more often too. When is normal to move to every 2 weeks? Maybe I'll mention it at my appt next week if he says 4 weeks again.

Leora...No chickening out on belly pics! We wanna watch those babies grow!!!

Gina...Thanks for checking in! They are so darn cute I just stared at their picture!!!

Addy...Welcome and congrats!

Barbara...Congrats on being perfectly healthy!

Cherry...Congrats!!!!

AShley...That's tough. I could never leave my parents so I understand. I told DH before we got married that I wouldn't leave Illinois. He agreed. Obviously if we had to I would have to reconsider, but I could understand the conflict there. Hopefully your parents will come visit all the time to see your baby!!!!

I really need to get on here more often so my posts are novels, sorry!

AFM...So, so, so, so uncomfortable. I have found the only position I can be in without getting really dizzy is my left side, so I am stuck most of the day. Bella has taken up the area inside my rib cage, which is extremely painful at times! And Dylan loves to bounce of my bladder. ALLLLLLLLL day long. I am convinced that my son does not nap!!!!!!!!

DH is laying down the hardwood floors in the nursery today which means hopefully he will start building furniture during the week!!!!! I am so excited to see it come together. I will probably be staying at my parents for a few days so I'm not breathing in the fumes of the floors and stain. My mom will love that! Oh-and my wonderful 9 month old puppy broke his toe somehow and is now is a cast...do you have any clue how hard it is to keep a puppy from eating a cast!!!!!! I duct taped a sock over it to try and save it! Poor little man! I'll attach a pic of him soaking in the sympathy!

[riogirl71]

Ryann - the puppy pic is adorable! We also have two dogs and will now have two kiddos plus skid occasionally so we ended up buying a Yukon XL same size as Suburban. We like to take trips so it was the only way to get everything in one car. My big suggestion is to make sure you have kennels for the dogs. Those wire separators don't stop the dogs from flying through and hitting the windshield and you or DH or babies. When I was single I always had my German Shepherd loose in the car but after having the kiddo I decided we should go to a secure kennel that is tied up to the cargo area. One friend of mine was driving and got in a small accident 25 mph, her separator wire grate which she thought was sturdy fell apart even though her dogs were not in the car, the police officer told her if she had the dogs in there they would be dead and she could have been too. That scared me. So I would suggest a side by side kennel for them if you always take them in the car!

Kjm - Like I told Ryann above we got a Yukon XL, we got it from a dealer and it had been a rental for 5 months, it was brand new looking and all the warranties but we got it for soooo much chepaer than anything out there! About $10,000 cheaper than comparables. It is a 2010. We love it can we can fit everything!

Stephanie - I was so looking forwrad to your pool pics! Sorry that it is taking lots of money and time to fix. Your belly is adorable!!!!

Blair - Don't worry about the weight as long as your OB is happy with it, try to eat small meals many times a day if that helps. Craigslist has some great deals on barely used baby stuff like swings and where we live we go to a huge military sal where there are tons of baby stuff. I only buy the stuff I feel I can wash and desinfect enough but that has saved us a lot of $$ on things that babies use for such a short time like swings etc...

Annas- I am with you that I don't feel like I am getting enough done argh I try but when I come back from work I am pooped and then I want to spend time with DS and get nothing done!

Amanda - I think I was a little scared finding out it was a girl because of the teenage years, I am glad I read your post! Teenagers can be such a handful - I will take a 3 year old over a teenager anytime!!!!

SD/Karen vancouver - We got a sit and stand stroller that I think will work great for toddler/baby! Are you using a booster seat for DS? If so which one?

AFM - I can't believe I am 30 weeks today, wow! I have a question, I am in between getting a travel swing and a little rocker for my office since I will be able to take her for a couple of hours each day after she is 8 weeks. I was in between these two below, I want something she can swing but also sit up a bit more so she can see me. Any ideas?
https://www.target.com/gp/detail.html?a ... ckreg=baby

http://www.target.com/Bright-Starts-InG ... B0032B500O

[karenvancouverisland]

hi to everyone.. i hardly ever post on here, as was said a few pages ago, it's hard to keep up with personals for me too

my pregnancy is going well... 23 wks today. and life is definately busy for me with an almost 2year old and working part time.. RIO- i don't think we're in the throes of the terrible twos- i think we're at the beginning, but DS is teething his 2 yr molars , and it SUCKS. night waking- ugh... that's all i can say about that!! and mixed in are some definate temper tantrums and just what seems to be 'testing out his emotions'.... *sigh* and lol, he was trying to get one of his shoes off in the car and was getting quite mad he couldn't, so i reached back and pulled it off for him,.... well he completely freaked out! like, for a really really long time... lol, guess he didn't want that shoe off afterall..

and RIO/SD, as for double strollers ect, i'm having a hard time deciding which way to go, at first i thought in-line style would be the best, but some moms are telling me their kids happened to hate them.. and other moms didn't get much use out of any double stroller as their older child wanted to walk... so.. hmm.. and the price - wth! they are expensive.. my son isn't muchof a stroller kid anyways, so i'm thinking he'll want to walk and that maybe i'll get more use out of the snugli with the baby.. there are some side by side double strollers that are made for under 6 months, can have a car seat clip in, and are 29 inches wide to get through most doorways ect, and they're all terrain... i'd love to have one of those but the price is my deterent right now. and on a tangent for those already blessed with a toddler, i'm now on the 'other side' of my fear of 'omigod, how am i gonna handle a toddler and a newborn'.. and it feels really good

we're going to look into buying a minivan, after much discussion. we were going to get something like a mazda5 or station wagon, but my DH said 'we'd probably just want to trade that in in a couple years, so let's just get a van'... and much to my surprise, i agreed with him! we'll look for one better on gas though.

special hi to mellow- i'm tracking your updates of your little marlo and so glad she's coming along...
and hi to chris, anna, leora, blair, dallas (great to see you here), baby blu- your belly looks amazing! and hi to EE, so many names to remember!! i wish you all the best

[MamaBoo]

I just thought I'd let you know what I think of a Mazda5 since I own one. I LOVE it. I leave the third row seat down and we have tons of room in the back. I don't think we'll be moving up to a full size minivan any time soon. I don't see a reason for it. Also, it doesn't lack for power although it's a four cyclinder. I've driven it through WV without any trouble, and that isn't called the Mountain State for nothing. I used to have trouble with my six cylinder Taurus in WV, but none with my Mazda5. It fits my family great. If you have more than 2 children and needed to use the third row seat, it would be short on cargo room, however.

[karenvancouverisland]

thanks mamaboo!! yea, we're still gonna check it out.. previous to today, i was dead-set that was what we're gonna buy, so i'm glad to broaden my options to include bigger vehicles. who knows what we'll decide actually.. so you don't have any older children right? just curious what other kind of 'cargo' you're luggin around in your M5 lol..

[HopeIsAllIHave]

Kat - thanks for the suggestion on joining a mother's support group. I think I may have to rely on that afterall. I'm just scared and anxious how the two of us will be able to handle everything on our own with a newborn. We're both very accident prone people ourselves. Our officiant (my brother-in-law) even made it a point to mention during the ceremony that in the last 2 years that he has known us together as a couple, he has had the liberty of taking us to the ER 4 times.. 2 for me, 2 for DH. Now with the family living so far away, I am not sure how we will adjust, but I guess we will learn. Sorry that you came down with a cold. I hope you have a speedy recovery and that the MS is not treating you too badly.

Barbara - thank you SO much for giving me such helpful tips! Being from California, conservatism is something that I would REALLY need to get used to and hopefully I won't have a difficult time adjusting to that. DH LOVES heat, so he's excited about the HOT weather in Dallas. Me, not so much, but I'll come to terms with it eventually (I hope!). I don't think the traffic in Dallas could possibly be worse than the bay area traffic. If I could deal with the traffic here despite my seldom road rage, I think I will be able to manage it out there. But yeah, it may be a helpful pointer to remember when purchasing a home, especially with a baby. I will NOT miss the horrible road conditions in CA, that's for sure! Yay for being healthy and the fetal movements! I can't believe you're 34 and half weeks! Only a matter of a few weeks/days now! I think my sister is only about a week ahead of you.. I can't wait to meet my little nephew in a short few weeks!! Hopefully she goes into labor before we move or I'd be super bummed!

Blair - thanks. I sure hope I like the state. More than anything, I hope my family would be able to visit often or vice versa. DH is against us flying before the child turns 1 because of radiation. I'm not sure how we'll be able to drive halfway across country with a newborn, but I'm sure we'll figure something out. I just love reading about your triplets and how well they're doing! Can't believe you're already 9 weeks; seems like you JUST joined this thread not too long ago. Time really does fly!

Addy - Big congratulations and welcome! My M/S started during week 7 and progressively got worse. It finally left around week 15-16, which I was so happy about! Every now and then, I feel nauseous and sick, but I haven't thrown up for the past 2 weeks, so it's a major accomplishment!

Amanda - thanks for the encouragement! I don't think my parents would be willing to move.. they have 3 other kids back here, plus majority of their family and friends, not to mention a secure job. I would hate to be selfish and ask them to consider moving to TX because of me. My mom is planning to come out there once I deliver and stay with me for at least a couple weeks. My dad may also accompany her for a few days.

KJM - thanks, dear. If I could, I would live with my parents forever. I did so till the age of 25 while I was still attending school. They do not annoy me one bit. I'm such a momma's/daddy's girl and the most emotional one in my family when it comes to my parents. I hope that one day, DH and I have a big enough house where my parents could also live during their old age. I will be honored to take care of them. Yay for your upcoming level 2 scan! I bet you're stoked to find out the babies' gender! I don't have mine even scheduled yet, but I do have my OB appt next Thursday, so maybe she can schedule me for my level 2 scan soon after!

Gina - oh, your boys are just so precious!!! So hard to take my eyes off of them! Bless their tiny little hearts!

Leora - Looking forward to seeing your belly shot! I've taken 3 belly shots so far.. I believe week 13, 16, and 17. Ugh, I can't even remember, but I still need to upload those pics off the camera onto my computer. And soon, too, before I forget which week I was on. I don't have the date feature set up on my camera, so I need to do it sooner than later. But I keep forgetting! Didn't even take a shot this week and my belly is really starting to pop out now. How was the aquacise experience? sounds fun!

Anna - sorry to hear about the increasing aches and pains, but glad you're doing well and that the nursery is coming along. We won't even be able to start thinking about our nursery and buying stuff until we move to TX, which is still over a month away, I believe. I'm so anxious about everything that needs to be done in the next five months before the baby's arrival. I went to the store today to buy a belly band and got so overwhelmed looking at all the stuff that we would potentially need to purchase for the baby's arrival.

Dallas - I hope you were able to call your RE and able to get some reassurance on your pain. I had sharp twinges on and off in my lower right side of my abdomen, too, earlier on in my pregnancy, but luckily, it didn't last for long. Looking forward to hearing the good news after your first U/S on Thursday!!

Stephanie - LOVE your belly shot! Amazing! Unfortunately, I don't think I can ask my parents to move to TX with us. They'll have to leave too much behind and I could not possibly ask them to do that for me. I'm hoping for the best though!

Ryann - darn, that's one thing we did not talk about before our marriage! lol. But nah, I know in the longrun, this will be good for my family (DH and kids), so we have to make sacrifices somewhere. Heck, my parents made sacrifices when they moved from India to here to give their children an opportunity to make something of themselves. They struggled for years for our happiness, so I guess I can learn to do the same. So sorry to hear all the discomfort you're going through. Must be difficult being on bedrest for so long, too. Your poor puppy!! Awww, hope he has a speedy recovery!!

Rio - Congrats on reaching 30 weeks!! That's incredible! Sorry I have no insight whatsoever on the swings as I have no idea myself. I need to do lots of research before hitting babies r us to start shopping for our nursery.

Karen - I could never imagine buying a minivan for myself! DH brought up the idea of purchasing a station wagon last week, and I was almost in tears. All I could picture was one of those old-ass hoopties; I was like, no way, dude! It's not fair that he gets to drive his sporty ass corvette around town and I get to drive a dull-ass station wagon. But after looking at the pictures of the "newer" designs and the cargo space they have to offer, I reconsidered. I'm not sure if we're ready to take out a loan to purchase a car at this time since we want to buy a house next year. My parents are offering us their RAV4 to take to TX with us in the meantime and ditch my 8-year-old Celica in CA. That would probably help us out until we are ready to purchase our next vehicle. Good luck on your search!

AFM - omg, looks like I've written a book here! Sorry, had some major catching up to do! I finally got my blood drawn this morning for my second trimester screening. Also bought a belly band today as it was getting really difficult to button up my pre-pregnancy jeans. I have not looked into getting maternity pants yet, and don't know when I'll require it for sure. For now, the belly band should help me for at least the next couple weeks, I think. Has/is anyone had/having tailbone bone? I've found that my coccyx hurts for quite some time after I get done driving or after prolonged sitting. Also, I've had a few new red moles pop up on my skin in the last couple weeks. I've read that can be normal as long as they're not irregularly shaped or raised. I just thought that was unusual. Looking forward to finding out the sex of the baby in the next couple weeks!

Hope everyone is having a splendid weekend so far! No end of the world, as suspected!

[leorira11]

more personals later - but Karen - I *ALSO* have a Mazda 5 and love it! I think it's the perfect small family car (1-3 kids). I love the fold flat seats, and the fact that my gas mileage is really comparable to my friends' sedans.

(Here in Israel, that is huge. Gas costs about $7-8/gallon. That's right.... the joke is that God took the Jews wandering in the desert for 40 years and brought us to the ONLY place in the Middle East without oil! And none of our neighbors sell to us, so we have to import from Venezuela!)

- I'm off to an amusement park today - free tickets because my FIL's company rented it out for the day. I'm stuck on only the stupid rides (Carousel, Ferris Wheel, etc) - which is annoying since I *love* rides. Oh well - maybe next year!