Beautiful Babies Due in 2011 (Combined Group)

[margi26]

Kelley: Thank you for the encouragement. Sometimes I feel as though they will never "get it", but I will continue to try. I don't think I will be able to pump enough BM to continue to not supplement for much longer as they are growing like weeds and so are their appetites. I really want that feeling of nursing them tandem, but for now I am concentrating on trying to get one to BF. Will hope that 6lb mark will help. OMG...your clogged duct got so scary--you poor thing! I think I had one earlier this week, and it is so like you said: you put yourself last. I was crying in pain for two nights, but thankfully the shower/warm compresses/extra pumping and pushing on it worked for me. I will definitely take more seriously if it reoccurs. What you had to go through sounds so awful--how on earth did you continue breastfeeding/pumping while in all that pain?! Hats off to you. You are supermom. Please take care of yourself. Can't wait to see photos of Ella and Hunter. Wow. They get big fast, huh?

[annashope]

Margi

so great hearing from you and so happy that Sofia and Levi are doing so well. As for breast feeding I know it is hard but I promise it will get better and they will eventually latch the trick is to keep your milk supply until they do. I have terrible flat nipples and Paul just could not latch. For the first MONTH I pumped every two hours...it was rough and my boobs hurt but then it just got easier and Paul started latching as his little mouth got bigger and now it is so easy. Best of luck honey

[lou71]

Anna-- I hope Paul is sleeping better. I felt so bad when I read that he hadn't slept for more than 2 hrs yet. That must be very tough. Loved his pictures... he really is such a cutiepie!

Amanda -- How was your rheumatologist appointment? Maribel is adorable! The monkey costume is hilarious! Don't you wish it was Halloween for a month so we can dress them up more than once?

Kat -- How are you feeling?

SD -- Sorry I got behind. Congrats on the birth of Darius James! Such a healthy big boy!

kjm -- Are the babies sleeping any better yet? Glad they are doing well. So sorry about the clogged milk duct. That sounds horribly painful.

Crissy -- Congrats! Sage is just gorgeous.

Ryann -- How much cereal did you feed them at 2 months? Did they then sleep through the night? I have a friend who gave her baby cereal &formula in a bottle at bedtime &swears he then slept 7+ hrs`at 2 monyhs old. Tempting to try! love the pics. I can't wait til Chloé starts smiling in amusement instead of just randomly, lol.

Steph -- I hope the boys colds are better. That must be rough for them, poor dears.

Blair -- Congratulations on the birth of Harper and Emory! Love the names. Glad they are both doing so well.

Gina -- I haven't tried the Similac for spit up with the green label, just the orange label one for gas and didn't see any difference between that and the plain blue label Similac Advance. I'll give the green label one a try though. I need to buy more soon anyway, I'm down to 3/4 of a can and we all know how fast that goes!

Chris -- 11/11/11 is a cool birthdate for sure! I wish I would have agreed to the c-section after my OB referred to my pelvis as "teeny" and said she didn't think even a 5 or 6 lb baby would fit. I refused to believe that and after 27 hours of labor and 2 hrs of pushing (epidural had looong wore off) I had a c-section anyway. If there ever is a next time, I'm going straight for the C. My friend had a due date of 11/11/11 and she went early and had her baby girl last Saturday. Hope you make the date!

Margi-- So glad to hear that Sofia and Levi are doing so well. You're right, this group sure did bring into this world some amazing beautiful babies! Love the pics of your little peanuts. They're sooo precious!

AFM -- Chloé had her 5 week appt last Wednesday and weighed in at 9 lb 4 oz. She's growing nicely! She is sleeping up to 5 hrs at a time at night and taking 4-5 oz of formula with each feed six times in 24 hrs. How does this compare to what your babies are doing? I have no idea! lol. I have my 6 week follow up with my OB on Monday. I'm hoping to get the OK to work out and to have sex again...lol. It's been too long. Poor hubby! I also took Chloé to see my RE and IVF nurse. They were soo happy to see her and each held her for almost a half hour. I called first and found out he had a light afternoon. He's got IVF twins who are going on 3 and they are taking their first family vacation to the Bahamas next week. Chloé was a Tiger for Halloween... I'll post a pic. I love how her hand is outstretched like a paw and she's going "RAWR". We only walked over to a few neighbors houses and took a few pics. It's a shame I can't dress her up every day for a while...lol. Too cute!

[rypell1985]

Lou-at 2 months we were told 1tsp for every 2oz. It ended up being a disaster and just made their spit up more like vomit. Their GI specialist said to try spoon feeding, but it really isn't working. We try a couple nights in a row every few weeks but they truly aren't ready. The GI wants us to keep trying though. It never helped with their sleeping though. When I was home with them I had them on a good schedule and they would sleep from 7pm-3am, with a dream feed when we went to bed. My MIL didn't stick with our schedule and nights have been a nightmare. We just told her that Monday she has to stick to OUR schedule because we can't handle this up 3-4 times a night and working full time. Sounds like Chloe is a great eater and sleeper!! She looks so stinking cute in her costume!!!!

[Sunshine1576]

I popped over to check on all the mamas tonight and wanted to give a shout-out to Blair! Congratuations on these TWINS, you did so good I know you cannot wait to get over there and hold them. Yes they are a miracle, it seems like yesterday we were all cycling together, You ladies keep bringing me hope and much joy!
Blessings,
Christy

[rypell1985]

November is prematurity awareness month...I'm posting this ribbon to celebrate all of our beautiful preemies and in memory of our angels.

[klinger13]

Lou - I LOVE Chloe's Halloween costume, she looks soooooo cute! And I agree, I want to put Maribel in her costume more. Maybe I'll put her in it the next cold day we have. It is super cozy so it would be fun to walk the dog with my "monkey" in tow. And YAY for Chloe sleeping 5 hours at a time at night, that's awesome! While Maribel eats cereal and even a couple vegetables now, she still does not sleep through the night on a regular basis so the "cereal will make them sleep all night" statement is a myth for me. She has done it a couple times but most of the time we still get up for a bottle anywhere between 2am and 430am. During the day she'll still have a bottle every 2-4 hours and she'll drink anywhere from 4-6oz at each feeding. If I think of how many shakers of formula I make each day, I'd say she goes through about 40oz a day, give or take.

As for my rheumy appt, thanks for thinking of me! I'll know more in a few weeks but from what she said, I had a few not so great blood test results from the tests my primary doc ordered - +ANA, elevated CRP, elevated liver function, and low vit D. So I have to go 2 weeks w/o alcohol or tylenol to see if that brings my liver function results back down to normal. The "no tylenol" sucks as my joints really hurt and given my history of crohns and peptic ulcers, I have to steer clear of most NSAIDs. Once the 2 weeks are over i'll have a slew of more blood tests to restest the liver function and look for antibodies for a bunch of autoimmune disorders, then I'll see her again 12/1 to discuss the results. And she referred me to an OT for a custom carpal tunnel splint & 2x a week visits. The fun never ends, huh?? At least I have my chunky monkey Maribel to keep my spirits up though. That gummy smile lights up my day even through the most painful times.

Margi - Love the latest pics of Sofia and Levi! They are just too cute for words!

Brand new mommies - keep those pictures coming!!

[gina55]

Hi Ladies! Love all the new pictures!! Here are a couple of the boys from today, the kids were finally able to go out today

[klinger13]

Gina - OMG, I LOVE your little Batman & Robin!! Sooooo adorable!!!

[BlissfulCS]

Gina- DH and I laughed so hard at Batman and Robin. How stinking cute is that?!!

More later today ladies... I am so behind on personals. I have spent so many nights in hotels and living out of a suitcase this last month. Today I am really enjoying our extra hour! I will spend it all on you gals as soon as we are done putting the nursery together.

[margi26]

Lou: Chloe is beautiful! And growing so nicely.

Gina: The boys are too cute in those costumes!! Love it!!

Alisa: Finish that nursery girl! And get yourself some needed rest.

[DALLAS]

Since i am now 30wks I am going to start working on my hospital bag. I have been keeping up with suggestions posted for items to include during my stay. The question I have is... what are some items I should include for DH. I was thinking of making him a daddy kit with toothbrush, deodorant..etc. Is there anything you ladies included or wish you had included for DH???

[BlissfulCS]

SD:Hope you and Darius are doing well. I think about you two often.

Chris: what an awesome day to be born for your little one! And safe is best so don't give that birth plan another thought. Can you believe it is already here? Next week you are going to bring that little guy home with you. Finally!!! Its about time Mama! So incredibly happy for you.

Ryann:Adorable outfits on your little ones for halloween.

Anna: Paul is a handsome little devil. And I agree with your earlier sentiments. My second cycle was with you ladies but I was pretty quiet at that time as I had never really done any type of chatting/blogging at all. Its amazing to see so many of us on the other side (albeit a few like me a few weeks behind). I hope and pray there are many from our 2011 groups that will be just a few weeks or months behind us now (like Leora). We are so truly blessed.


Rio: You have the worst luck of anyone I have ever known! Sheesh...sorry about all the trouble and the pet problems. I had a cat that freaked out once and we put her on kitty prozac. Too funny that "kitty prozac" even exists ...there are plenty of drugs like that for doggies to help and all are very affordable.

Kelley: OMG! I can't believe that happened from a clogged duct. You are one tough cookie continuing to feed through all the pain and the infection. Are you feeling any better? Did it stop you from BFing or was one enough to get you through for awhile? Take care of yourself lady. I can only imagine how tough it is, but they need you well and feeling good.

Stephanie: Bummer on the colds. Are the boys feeling any better yet? How is momma holding up?

Kat: You look FABULOUS! I think you can afford a few pieces of candy if you want. Are you getting nervous? Excited? I am at that point after putting the nursery together today that the reality of having our Evelyn here in less than three months is settling in and its wonderful and frightening all at the same time.

Amanda: Maribel is an absolute doll. Sorry you are dealing with all the rheumy issues. I know from family experience (Mom has advanced RA) its no fun. Hope it all works out and you get to feeling 100% soon.

Mamaboo: Won't be long now...

Crissylove- how is that gorgeous little girl of your doing?

Blair- I never did comment on your photos. The girls are perfect and oh so big for what they have been through. How are you holding up? Healing well? It was nice to see our Cats win yesterday. Yay!

Lou- Chloe's costume was to die for. Hope the doc gives you the okay to resume normal activity. TMI- last weekend was the first time that I really felt confident and good enough to enjoy my "normal" pregnancy fully if you know what I mean. It only took 7 months for me to feel like we are not hurting her when we spend "quality time together." It was pretty awesome. Sorry...but where else am I gonna share that? LOL. My next pregnancy is going to be so much easier and in some ways more fun...but nothing will be able to compare to this first special one!

Margi- you are too sweet! I am taking good care of myself. That is a big part of the reason I have so little time. Even with all the travel and stress I am making sure I am exercising pretty much daily, eating right, and sleeping at least 8 hours a night. Its not easy to do! I couldn't do it without DH who feeds me and puts me to bed when I am home. Your messages are so heartwarming and you do such a great job of keeping up with us all. I don't know how you do it and do such a great job with Sofia and Levi too.

AFM- Well, I failed the one hour test...and I officially DESPISE my old OB. Why? I was notified of my failure and my need to call to schedule a 3 hour test via the mail. Since I have been out of town I received this notice a full 2 weeks after the test. Sheesh...

I love my nursery! We have a bit more to do so I will share photos when its completely done. I am moved back home now from the inlaws. They came back from Cali early so we had our contractor hurry up to get one toilet and a shower hooked up so we could move back in and sleep on our enclosed porch. The house should be done by Thanksgiving, but even though we are so close almost all the rooms are still awaiting finishing touches. The only rooms that are done are the kitchen, the porch, and the nursery. But that is all we need! Just enough to keep from having to rent somewhere or live with the inlaws. It feels amazing to be home after 5 weeks.

Work is totally stressing me out. I have 14 reviews to write prior to going on a 2 week vacay at the end of the year. We are also in peak budget/planning season so I am working 12-14 hours a day. Plus my boss and all my product parters are being dweebs. So many people keep telling me how concerned they are about my leaving and how it will affect my team's performance (despite the fact I have a good plan and strong coverage in place). They all mean it as a compliment and are genuinely very supportive, but every time I hear it it causes a little pang of guilt. We do have a short week this week for Veteran's Day so I really can't complain. Plus all this craziness right now is going to be worth it for a peaceful 2 weeks off at year end. I plan to spend every moment on Evie, Evie, Evie!

Thanks for "listening". Lots of love to you and yours!

Attached is me and the big BUMP on Halloween. I wore it to our first child birthing class to embarrass DH. Oh...and I almost forgot...I chopped my hair off about a month ago. Its my official "mommy do". I have naturally curly hair that when long takes a LONG time to fix. The new do is wash, air dry with a little product, and GO!




Alisa

[rypell1985]

Alisa...LOVE your BUMPkin!

[klinger13]

Alisa - LOVE the bump in that pumpkin shirt!! You look FABULOUS!!