Beautiful Babies Due in 2011 (Combined Group)

[BlissfulCS]

One healthy baby with a strong heartbeat. Overjoyed! More later when I'm on a computer. Yay!

[riogirl71]

Blissful - congratulations on your bean!!!

Happy Bunny - love your belly bump, too cute on the no feet!!!

Lou - We went with the cheap one from target because of the weight,
http://www.target.com/Graco-Snugride-In ... B003EGEJM2 We borrowed a similar system for DS and while he was little and I was recovering from my c-sec, this frame and car seat were much easier to maneuver and to put in the car. For bigger outings we got a jogging stroller with larger wheels and one wheel in the front, it was much easier to go walking anywhere with that then it is with the 4 little wheels. We got the Zooper Buggy because our son could face us and not forward and he still uses it at 2.5 yo. I read about rear facing strollers being more beneficial since you can interact and talk to your child while taking them out. I understand your OB is being cautious about the offset chord but it still seems like if you monitor her growth and do non-stress tests to check on her that you should be able to go to 38 weeks. Chloe is gorgeous!

Ashley - cutest bump!!!

Karen vancouver - I am struggling with the part about giving DS enough attention after DD comes, I want to make sure he feels that he is getting what he needs too and not just the baby!

Amanda - glad you are home!

Karen scorpio - good to see you here! I am scheduled for the 26th but don't think I will last until then, seems you will be a bit earlier than me.

Rypell - great double bump, so cute! You are so tiny hard to believe there are two in there!!!

Margi - hope you are doing well my friend!

Last night I was getting some big contractions again, seems like they go all day long but only once it was 4 in an hour but I didn't call, this morning they are gone. I just wish there were flashing lights telling you false labor/real labor so you would no not to stress!

[HopeIsAllIHave]

Lou - 70% chance, huh? Based on the shape of the belly? Everyone in my family is guessing a boy for me except for my 4-year-old niece. But my brother-in-law says she guesses a girl for everyone, lol.

I was actually looking at strollers and other baby products myself last night and going by that lovely list that Rio put together. What helpful advice that thread has, thank God! I wouldn't know where to begin! But anyway, my sister swears by the Graco travel system. My niece is 4 and half years old, and she still uses that same stroller. http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Passage-Tra ... 164&sr=8-2 I may end up getting that myself.. actually, my mom wanted to buy us the stroller set, as she did for my sister 5 years ago.

Both the names are beautiful, but my vote goes for Chloe! Love, love that name!

Kat - thank you much! It feels good to actually look pregnant now instead of just fat! Although.. I still ask my DH everytime I change whether I look fat in this or pregnant? lol. It's still surreal for me! My sister handed me some of her maternity clothes last night, and omg, what a difference that makes! Heaven-sent!

Barbara - what a cute bump! Love the no feet pic!

Bliss - YAY, congrats!!!

Rio - yikes, I hope those contractions stop scaring you and that they stop altogether for the next few weeks! Hope you're able to get plenty of rest despite taking care of a toddler!

[rypell1985]

Rio...You have no idea how much a love hearing "tiny" when I feel like a whale! I really truly owe it to the oddly long torso, since my uterus really is measuring at 37 weeks! And you're right....a flashing light to tell us when it's time would be great!

Bliss....CONGRATS!!! You must be over the moon!

Barbara....Great belly shot!!!!

Kat...Thanks!

Lou...DH and I went with the EasyWalker Duo for our stroller. It is a side by side with 2 carrycots, so it's basically a double pram. The prams come off them and have regular seats for when they are bigger. It wasn't cheap and def takes up a lot of space, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! When we were deciding on a carseat we were originally going to go with the Maxi Cosi because you could attach 2 of those to the stroller. However when I did my research, it could only hold a baby from 5-20lbs. Since we have the prams we won't always hook the carseats to the strolle anyways. We went with Safety 1st Air35 because it can hold a baby from 4-35lbs. It also has an extra slot so the buckle fits comfortabley around a preemie. Since I'm a FTM who knows if I needed it to go up to the 35lbs, but I liked that it came highly recommended for preemies. I'm not going to lie, it's not light, but with all the safety reviews on it I was sold! My sister got their travel system for her singleton too. I want to say the travel system was close to $300. The carseat alone was $179. As for names....I am totally bias to Chloe. I got a puppy when I was 17 and loved the name Chloe so much that I named her that (Chloe Alexis). Well when I found out 1 baby was a girl I cried because I wanted to name her Chloe, but the dog Chloe is still around (thank goodness because I love her!). My mom said I still could because Chloe lives with my parents, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I also think Peyton is adorable...but my vote it for Chloe!

Ashley...What a cute little bump! My mom thinks I got the stretch marks so early because I was super bloated from the IVF drugs and I just didn't have a lot of skin to stretch. I'm suprised I haven't gotten any more (aside from the matching set on my other side).

Karen V...Thanks! I feel like they are quite purple, but I'm glad you didn't notice right away! I LOVE Delaney Grace...so beautifuL!

EOE...thinking of you alll!

AFM...My baby shower is tomorrow and I am so excited! I can't wait to have all these baby things around thehouse....I'm really going to kick into "I can't wait for them to be here" mode them! My godson is scheduled to be delivered on the 13th via c-section...he's a big boy and stuck breech! I keep telling my sister she is going to go into labor tonight because the night before my wedding shower my cousin went into labor. Although she doesn't want to miss my shower she is SOOO ready for Gavin to be here! This is the first time I have felt bummed that we are pregnant together because with me being on bedrest I feel like I won't get to enjoy him as much, or be much of a help to her...but it will only be for about 5-6 weeks and then we will have all 3 babies togehter!

[klinger13]

Ryann, Ashley, and Barbara - I love, love, love the belly shots!! Everyone is looking so fabulous, I just love all the pics!

Ryann - Enjoy your baby shower tomorrow! It will be so fun to go through everything and writing all of those thank you notes will help pass some bedrest time.

Lou - I was puzzled by your doc thinking you'd go early too. You're so fit and healthy, I don't know why she'd think you'd be out of work by 32 weeks and delivering 3-4 weeks early. Guess we'll just have to see what happens as you get closer to the end. We went with a Graco Alano travel system from Target. I don't think they still have the pattern that we got, but it was blues, greens, and yellows (wanted something a little more neutral.) And I vote for Chloe!

Blissful - Congrats on one healthy little one! Great news!

rio - Sorry you had a night of big contractions. I agree - it'd be great to get some flashing lights, etc when it was really labor. At this point, my # of contractions per hour means nothing since I now have way more than a dozen an hour so now I just have to watch for ones that strengthen. Just stinks that I can't even walk to the kitchen without them starting up and heading right back to my 2-3 minutes apart. (Still no stronger though so I guess I'll get used to the frequency soon.)

Leora - I'm glad your appointment went well and the cervix is holding steady. That's definitely scary how it decreased so quickly though so I'm glad you're planning on continuing to take it easy.

AFM - Today was my last day at work - woo-hoo!! So excited to be done. Now I wonder how long it will take my brain to realize I'm not just on vacation and that I've permanently left my job.

[karenvancouverisland]

blissful- congrats!!

and as for strollers/ travel systems, ugh, i did this all wrong with my son (and now have 3 strollers- none of which i particularly love or find 'multiuse')... so here's my 2cents: a graco or other brand travel system is nice if you will spend lots of time cruising the mall (it's not great on other terrains) AND if your peanut does not out grow the carseat too soon (my son didn't outgrow his til 1 year, but many babies do just after 6 months)...

the easy walker is AWESOME! (wish i had one!) .. or anything where you can snap on your infant car seat, AND it's all terrain (i never noticed so many gravelled patches on the road side til i was out in my travel system and found it difficult for walking out doors, even just road sides/side walks), it's nice to have a stroller that is rated for 0-6 months old, as many arent' (but if they're in their car seat, snapped onto the stroller- it doesn't matter)

i have a nice jogging stroller that's great for walks too, but is very bulky for the car trunk (in-step brand).. and i have a smaller stroller that's a step up from an umbrella, and it's nice for the mall, but not for other walks..

the infant car seats that go up to around 35 lbs are great, but check that it fits in your car first, i assumed ours would fit fine, as we have a 4 door mazda 3, but it didn't and i had to return it amongst all the frenzy of new motherhood.

have a great baby shower ryann! barb- loved the no feet. lol.. made me smile... rio- sorry the contractions are bugging you again.. yes, i'm really glad DS will still have some daycare til at least christmas, as it'll be a fun thing 'just for him''.... or at least i hope he feels that way about it .. hi to EOE, must run and enjoy my son's nap time, already did most of the chores, now to sit in the sun

[karin1]

lou......we got the britax b ready stroller. Its a single that converts to a double. I like it so far. I haven't gotten the infant car seats yet. Still waiting on them to come from amazon. It is a little heavier, but its made well. I looked at lots of strollers. I did see one at babysrus called mamas n papas and if we were having a singleton, I would get that one. I love both your names, but I think I like Chloe best. Mostly because DD had a friend named chloe that was the sweetest kid ever.

klinger.....so happy that you're home! What a relief!

karen....love love love the name delaney grace!

happybunny.....love the photo! You're almost there!

ryan......enjoy your shower!

rio....I know what you mean about the contractions. Its so scary when you feel like they won't stop. Take it easy. Rest as much as possible. I know how hard it must be with a toddler and dogs. You're a trooper!

afm.....nothing new. My Ob appt got cancelled because her nanny was hurt or something. I was wondering what I should pack for the hospital stay? For me? The babies? Any suggestions?

[qita71]

Ladies

I have just come back from a scan at what should be 8 weeks 6 days... the baby's heart has stopped beating. Our last scan at 8 weeks was great. I cannot believe this has happened again. I am in shock. I have to stop the meds now and then have the operation next week. My husband moves back to London tonight!!

I will, of course, not be coming on this board in the foreseeable future so just wanted to wish you all a heap of luck with your pregnancies and thank you for your help and support over the last few months.

Mairi Anne

x

[klinger13]

afm.....nothing new. My Ob appt got cancelled because her nanny was hurt or something. I was wondering what I should pack for the hospital stay? For me? The babies? Any suggestions?

Hi Karin - While this list may have more than you actually need, I think it's a pretty good checklist for the hospital bag. http://www.hospitalbag.org/

[klinger13]

Ladies

I have just come back from a scan at what should be 8 weeks 6 days... the baby's heart has stopped beating. Our last scan at 8 weeks was great. I cannot believe this has happened again. I am in shock. I have to stop the meds now and then have the operation next week. My husband moves back to London tonight!!

I will, of course, not be coming on this board in the foreseeable future so just wanted to wish you all a heap of luck with your pregnancies and thank you for your help and support over the last few months.

Mairi Anne

x

Mairi Anne - I'm so very sorry for your loss. You and your DH are in my thoughts.

[Happy Bunny]

afm.....nothing new. My Ob appt got cancelled because her nanny was hurt or something. I was wondering what I should pack for the hospital stay? For me? The babies? Any suggestions?

The list that Amanda posted was great... I'd add to it:

Sugar free candy
Slippers (our hospital won't let you cruise around in socks)
Small bill money (for Dad to use in snack machines)
Small notebook (for things you want to write down)
Underpants that you don't really like (in case you get them bloody)

Our bag is packed. I put a list of items that I can't pack until the last minute on top of the bag so that Dad or I can get them in at the last minute without forgetting anything.

[Happy Bunny]

Fun with preggo belly and temporary tattoos:

[BlissfulCS]

That is hilarious Happy Bunny! Love the tat!

Thanks for the lists Happy Bunny and Klinger. It is going to be a long time before I need it, but its good to have.

Thanks SD- I almost can't believe it! I also appreciate the stroller advice. Its a little early to be shopping, but I am at least scanning sites and getting ideas.

Mairi Anne- by now you probably know I sent you a PM. So sorry for your loss my friend.

Rypell- how was the shower? Thinking of you today as I begin to at least look at baby stuff.

Rio- glad the contractions subsided. Hope things are going well for you today.

AFM- I am stuck inside on a beautiful day working on a paper that isn't due until September. Its a lengthy one with a lot of statistical analysis and I want it pretty much done by the end of this month so I can enjoy my pregnancy. For those of you that didn't listen to me whine about it on another board, I am in a three year graduate school of banking program. I was away in South Carolina for two weeks to kick off my freshman year when I found out I was pregnant. I thought it would be a great distraction during the 2ww and it worked.

Thanks everyone for all the well wishes. Yesterday was quite possibly the best day of my life. Praying for many more to come!

[riogirl71]

Qita - my heart breaks for you, I am so very sorry.

Blissfull - you paper sounds painful!

Happy Bunny - you crack me up!!!

SDtrying/Lou - I second what SD trying about the snap and go, it is what we used and then the Radian which now is Radian 80 or 85, the car seat lady that trains CHP officers here said it was the best.

Karin - I posted a list of some thigns on best advice for new moms. THey told me depends.

SDtrying/Karenvancouver - I suggest taking Disney movies on your hospital bag for DSs!

On that subject for the c-sec girls, I found c-panty online and it has a scar care on it but they are pricey, I also heard boy short underwear from Target is good. I used those terrible hospital mesh underwear for a couple of months, so ugly but the only ones that did not hurt me. I heard to take depends that they don't hurt your scar, any suggestions?

My contractions come and go and kick my butt. Other than that I finally feel better!

[KatieG]

Hey Rio--I can't beleive how far along you are already. It sure is coming fast. As far as the panties I used the hospital belly band low enough to cover my scar and the bandages were between the band and the scar. Then I put my high cut panties from Motherhood maternity over it so that I didnt have to take the bandoff every time I needed to go to the bathroom. It worked well because I felt the scar was protected and helped hold in tummy right after surgery. Hope you have an uneventful pregnancy. THe boys are already 10 weeks old Time flys.