Winter Cycle Friends 2009/2010 - Everyone Welcome!

[angelaezra]

PA_FA – I am glad that the nursery is coming along. It will take time get it all completed … well it did for me at least. But the funny thing is that she hasn’t slept in her room yet. My parents bought her a basinet when we came home from the hospital and it has been easier for me to tend to her being in our room. So maybe in the next few weeks she will finally sleep in her crib. She is so little that it looks like she can get lost in her crib … lol.

Sorry that you aren’t looking forward to Christmas with the in-laws but you have a great excuse now not to want to do anything but sleep because you have a precious cargo on board. I felt the same way that you did after everyone that I knew already gave birth but your time will quickly be here, you will see!

Angela

[katie99]

Hi everyone -

Can I get any more tired? Whew! Ryan is like a tornado these past few days, how can someone so small turn the whole house upside down? I dont get it. It seems like the whole day is a whirlwind of bottles, changes, cuddle time and of course some screaming thrown in to keep me on my toes. I feel like by the time I get to put him down, quick wash bottles, pee, if I'm lucky, quick take out Gracie, and maybe start the never ending laundry - hey, it starts all over again. You all will see what i'm talking about in a few more weeks when the babies decide to stay awake most of the day. Ryan is now just taking these little 15-30 minute catnaps a few times a day and for the rest of his day he wants to be held, fed, or entretained. Hazel I now get what you said about having to get him out of the house to get though the day- seems like its the only way to keep them entertained. Now it only it werent FREEZING outside! I had my 6wk post partum appt yesterday and boy what a day! First my car doors were frozen shut when I went to warm up the car, then Ryan didnt fit in his car seat harness because I had him in this giant fleecy snowsuit type thing, then the car seat latch refused to release when we got there - grr! Then I had to wait about 45 minutes since my OB was running late, the appt was good, all is fine and we're clear to go back to intimacy ( as if anyone has any energy for that?) then when we get home the car seat latch wont release again and by this time I was so agitated and its 12 degrees outside with crazy wind gusts, so I unhooked the whole damn thing and lugged the car seat in with tyhe base still attached! Ok, maybe not too smart, but it was soooo annoying! Then I figure I can finally relax? Umm, no, since Ryan slept through most of the morning and the whole appt, he was wide awake for the rest of the day until night time. He was up from 3pm until he finally knocked out at 11pm! Isnt 6 wks too early for him to be up for so long? It wouldnt be a big deal except if he's up, he wants to be on my shoulder and as soon as I put him in his swing? the wailing begins, if I put him in his crib, he'll stay occupied for a little longer, but not long enough to get anything done. I dont know how single parents do this - all I can think of is tomorrow is Friday and that means Chris will be off on the weekend and I'll have another pair of hands! Come on girls, I cant be the only one patiently waiting for the weekend, can I?

Steph - I know that you're outnumbered - have they decided to gang up and take over the house yet? lol. I've been thinking of you.. xoxo

Angela - 1 more day by ourselves then help arrives! Glad to hear that your Peds appt went well. How is it going mama? Its hard sometimes, and feels worse when you dont get any sleep either. Give her a few weeks and once she starts sleeping through the night, it will get easier, well, at least until she's up all day long Altogether it was about 3 weeks for me to not be bothered by the c section incision, but I made it take longer by not listening to their instructions of NOT bending, lifting, squatting or being on my feet all day - who takes home a newborn and actually gets to rest I wonder?

Gi Kayla sounds a lot like Ryan, and Jason reminds me of how Chris is also. but after all the time we spent trying to get here, whatever makes the baby happy is alright with me, you too? I cant wait to hear what Kayla is weighing at her next appt. Ryan's next one is on the 29th, he is seriously hurting my shoulders so I know he's gained weight, I'll guess that he's around 10.5 - 11 lbs now. So is Kayla sleeping through the night now? Hi to your Mam! - xoxo

Babyluv - Yay for a date night for you & Darren! How are the girls sleeping now? I hope they're letting yo get some more sleep lately. How is their schedules going? You must be so wiped out with 2 babies and Alex & Scarlett too! Whew, I'm tired just thinking of that! Aw, what a cute idea to put the girls in their stockings! I'd like to do that for Ryan but I'd need a really big stocking, hmmm, maybe if I swaddle him I can get him at least halfway in it? You know I'm going to swipe your idea, right? - rest up mama! xoxo

Claudia - hee hee, you need a new ticker! This one says you're 42 wks pregnant! I'm glad that Mady is happy healthy and home with you two, the way it should be! We did it! its still hard to belive sometimes, isnt it?

Hazel - Has George decided that you should never have a moment to yourself again? lol I'll bet you and George are doing just great and having your Mum there must be such a treat. miss you and thinking of you.. xoxo

PA - You'll see in about 8 wks how much your day to day routine will fly out the window and you'll wonder what happened? You'll finf that all the waiting while you were pregnant was nature's idea of rest before the whirlwind - so trust me, sleep as much as you can now! Have a safe trip and try to not let dopey comments get to you. Umm, pregnancy equals tired! Who would poke fun at a lady with a baby inside napping? Ah, in laws. think of it this way, you'll get away from these awful artic temps for a few days at least, ok? And yum, southern food, what I wouldnt do for some authentic biscuits & gravy. Umm, great, now I'm drooling like Homer Simpson too! - xoxo

I've been thinking of you all and hope we can still find time to post here, even when the babies have taken over every waking moment - love to you all- xoxo

[katie99]

Hazel - It's a boy! George Thomas Alexander arrived on Sept 18 weighing in at 9lbs 4.5oz - CONGRATULATIONS MUM & DAD!
Emerald - Baby girl arrived at 26 weeks - Both Mom & baby are doing well - CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Riley -Baby Girl Reagan arrived on Oct 8 weighing 6lbs 10oz and 19 1/4 " long! CONGRATULATIONS!
Steph - Ethan AND Angelina arrived on Oct 13 - Ethan at 6.5 lbs & 19 3/4" and Angelina at 5.8 lbs & 18 1/2" - CONGRATULATIONS!!! TIMES TWO!
Sara - Delaney arrived on Nov 2 weighing 5lbs6oz and Jake arrived on Nov 2 weighing 5lbs 2oz CONGRATULATIONS Times 2 !!!!
Babyluv - Amelia Francesca weighing 5.3 lbs & Juliette Lana weighing 5.2 lbs were born on Nov 3. CONGRATULATIONS Times two!!!
Katie -- Ryan Christopher weighing 8lbs 12oz and 21" was born on Nov 3 finally!
Gi - Kayla G Carter was born on Nov 24 weighing 9 lbs 6oz! CONGRATULTIONS Mam!!
Claudia - It's a girl!! - Madelyn Eve weighing 7lbs 9oz at 19" length was born on November 27 - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Angela - Gabriella weighing 4 lbs 7oz was born on Dec 7 - CONGRATULATIONS Mama!!!!!

http://registryforwintercyclethread.webs.com/





Hope Scheduled c section on Nov 3 - - waiting for new baby update! -
Natasha - EDD is on Feb 7
PA -FA -OB appts every 2 weeks - EDD is on Feb 15 2011 a Valentine's baby!
Franca- EDD is on Feb 19 2011
Karen - BFP! first beta was 111! YAY! HB heard & strong!






Bei - EDD is Feb 15 - Valentine's Day babies AND





Tammy - m/c - 1 angel looking over her -
DrBoots (Ryan) - m/c - 1 angel watching over her -
Lou - m/c 11wks - We all grieve with you.. -
Malya - premature labor @ 20wks - 1 angel watching over you -
Ronda - m/c 17wks - we all grieve with you -
Karen- premature labor @ 23.5 wks -We all grieve with you -

[angelaezra]

Katie – OMG! You summed up how I feel in a nut shell. I was practically in tears this afternoon when my DH finally arrived home at 9pm … yes, 9pm! So the entire day was gone and it’s almost time to go back to bed again (not that I can sleep anyway). I am feeling so overwhelmed right now! It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t feel so physically bad all day long from the surgery. My feet are swollen to the point that I feel like I can’t walk around, my hands w/ the carpal tunnel is so bad that I feel like I can’t take care of her, not to mention the terrible incision pain that never seems to want to heal. Don’t get me wrong, I feel so blessed but I feel so overwhelmed right now. Friday can’t get here fast enough!

Angela

[katie99]

Angela - Aw honey, it will get better, I promise you. The first week was definitely alot to learn - and quick! I never had the carpal tunnel, so I cant help you with that, but my feet and ankle swelling finally went away about 2 weeks after, and the incision pain, well it was much better by 3 weeks and by 4weeks it wasnt even bothering me, but the numbness/rubbery, tingling feeling took until last week to finally stop. Have you been checking your incision to make sure its all closed? I was sort of obsessed with mine, it always felt like it had a weak spot, but everytime I checked or had Chris look at it, it was closed tight and clean. It may take a while, remember it was major abdominal surgery. As for feelimg overwhelmed, this all new to us, of course it'll take quite a bit of adjustment time. Plus I think that alot of these feelings are coming from your hormone levels going back to normal and a huge lack of sleep. Gabriella is just a week and half old, in a few more weeks especially when you feel more like yourself physically, then you'll get to the more fun stuff, like sleeping through the night and seeing her whole face light up when she smiles at you. You hang in there honey, its just the rough period - its going to get easier soon. Try to get some rest this weekend. And tomorrow is Friday!!! - xoxoxo

[jamila20]

Angela I am so sorry about the post surgery pain, it will get better soon it's not easy but believe me you will be fine in few days or weeks. I remenber on my last surgery which was a laparotomy it's like a c-section my belly was so swollen it looked like i was 9 months pregnant, but luckly not my feets, it took about 2 weeks for me to heal. Take it easy i know it's overwelming to deal with pain and a new born, but you are a strong woman you will be just fine, and the good thing is it's friday today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[angelaezra]

Katie – thank you for listening! Yesterday was a really bad day as the 30 minute sleep time all night really got to me. Also the slow healing process but I do feel better today! My incision is just now starting to feel better and my stomach is starting to go down finally! I am going to cherish this weekend!

Jamila – Thank you also for lending an ear! I too have had a laparoscopic surgery after my ectopic pregnancy but this time the incision is all the way across the lower part of my stomach not just on both sides. I think the fact that the rest after surgery is almost impossible has made the healing time longer also. But, I will make it through this with the bags under my eyes and all … lol.

AFM – Today is a much better day. These darn hormones were playing a big trick on me. I think cabin fever has set in too. It was 8 degrees outside with a windshield of zero all week not to mention the snow. I can’t wait until we can go for walks through our neighborhood! My DH saw how upset I was yesterday and has gone out of his way to be helpful, which is great! Have a great night everyone!

Angela

[gi]

Hi girls,

Angela i hope you are feeling better now its sat and dh can help with Gabriella. Oh you must have been wreaked tried thurs with only 30min sleep you poor divil, was she just fussy or crying all the time???? It is amazing how demanding a small little bundle can be, Kayla had such a fantastic week just eating sleeping and cuddling a little but today her reflux is bothering her a bit but thankfully jason is at home and as he was working all week he is only too delighted to vedge out on the couch with her...any excuse to watch the rugby matches! I was able to get a nice long nap this evening just me and me little dog Kayla is also in her crib in our room i will keep her there till she is sleeping thro. the night then she can go to her nursery.

Katie goodness i didnt realise that babies only take very short naps at 6 wks i will miss the 3 hr breaks during the day Thats great all went well for your 6 wk checkup, but what an ordeal getting to and from!!!

PA didnt realise you can still fly at 32 wks??? How are you feeling??? You must be getting so excited now.

Right may go Kayla is crying poor divil not a happy camper today

gi xx

[PA_FA]

Hey ladies! Yes Gi you can fly until 36 or 37w. It depends on the airline and you need a Dr note when you are that far along. I'm not working of course but just going as a passenger. Not a long flight...just 2 hrs. How's the snow in Ireland? A lot of my friends keep getting snowed in over there! We have hardly had anything in PA where I live. It's like it's skipping me and going straight to you.

Not much new here. I washed all of the baby clothes yesterday and put them away. I washed all the crib bedding. I got a flu shot...OUCH! My arm is still sore. Oh and I went shopping for some new skinny jeans. OK so I have to share this part. You know how they say you buy the same size as you were pre-maternity? Well since I still have not gained any weight in 8 months I figured that if there was no baby right now I'd be the same size I was 7 years ago when I met DH. So...... I ended up buying jeans 3 sizes smaller than I was before baby!!!!!!!! OMG I was so happy. It totally made up for the fact that DH got stuck on a delayed flight and now will not be home until MOnday instead of Sunday. Oh and did I mention that he is stuck in Hawaii?????? And I'm freezing!!!!!!! What a brat!

OK well, time to eat gelato and watch chick flicks on tv. I guess there are perks to having DH out of town.

[angelaezra]

Gi – Yes, this weekend was a little better but I am quickly realizing that he sleeps through most of the cries at night. So I am the one that continues to get up with her. Oh well, I will just do the best I can and hope for the best. I can’t believe Kayla is already 25 days old!

PA_FA – You are getting so much done with her clothes, crib, etc already, which is great! Yes, I got that flu shot also and I had an allergic reaction and my arm was so swollen that I couldn’t sleep on my arm for almost two weeks! I can’t believe you are already 32 weeks!

AFM – Well, ladies I have done a little more research to find out some more tips of how to get Gabriella to sleep through the night. And, from what I have read … by the time she is two weeks old, I can start to try to teach her the difference between day and night by making sure the window shades are up during the day, only singing lullabies at night at bedtime but not during the day. Also, when I check on her, not to talk to her at night so she will know that it is nighttime. It also said that by the time she is 6 to 8 weeks old she should be going to sleep by herself without us rocking her. So tomorrow my nephew will be with me all day because his mom, who is my sister, is working all week. And Gabriella has her two pediatrician appointment so I will give it a try maybe on Tuesday.

Angela

[Stephanieford78]

Sorry I have been MIA I know, bad Steph, bad! I need spankin's. lol I have been dealing with so much you wouldn't even believe it. My brother just told me yesterday that he was going to be here TODAY! I have been running around with my head cut off all day trying to prepare. Then recently a friend of mine who was pg had her baby. I was coach and OMG what an amazing thing to be on the other end of. I am not a bawler, but I admit, I started up the water works. IF you ever have the chance to be on the other side, do it! Anyway, she has been having some issues so on top of twins, winter break for Alex, dealing with Andrew's work and ptsd, brother and SIL coming in, I have been trying to help her the best I can. She has no baby daddy and no help from anyone I feel so horrible for her. Her living arrangements suck too and that isn't helping . UGH babies are BOTH crying, I will have to catch up tomorrow if I get the chance. I just took the window I had now while Andrew was gone to go help them get a post pass. lol Love and miss ALL of you!!!!

[hjw]

OK, so I'm back to needing to apologise again for being so crap and not posting for AGES! Yet again, I can't believe that one little (or not so little!) baby can take up so much time and attention. George is now 13 weeks old and weighing in at 15 lbs 5 oz (yikes, no wonder my shoulders and back are killing me from carting him round the house - good for the arm muscles though!). He might be only 3 months, but he has been in 3-6 month clothes for a while and is also wearing some 6-9 stuff. He is still sleeping through the night but try as I might, I cannot get him to nap during the day at home. So I still go out every day, as George will snooze in the car and is generally pretty well entertained by the sights and sounds of being anywhere other than our house so doesn't scream with boredom as much!

DH and I went to Zurich last weekend to see friends, which was just fantastic and really Christmassy. The flights were great, George didn't seem at all affected by the air pressure, but getting through the airport, security and customs was much more of a logistical challenge! I can't believe it's Christmas in 5 days. The UK has had lots of snow this week and travel is horrendously disrupted, so Mum has come back to stay today, we have got some food in and if needs be we can be snowed in for the next week, other than needing to travel to collect DH's father at some point.

Steph - wow, you've been so busy. As always, I view you with awe when I see how much you have going on and still manage to look after those precious babies! What an amazing thing to be someone's birthing partner, I would love to do that for a close friend.

Angela - ah, those first few weeks are a real killer, both joyous and exhausting at the same time, all at the time when your hormones are doing somersaults! I was exactly the same, almost in tears with tiredness and frustration by the time DH got home and feeling overwhelmed by it all. The good news is that it does get easier, and you get a lot better at coping with hearing them cry. In fact, if I know that George is fed, clean and not in desperate need of anything, I'm now an expert at tuning out the crying if there is something I need to do, so if I need to go to the toilet, make a drink, answer the door etc, I just let him cry.

Katie - so you now realise the importance of a trip out every day in order to retain your sanity!! George is exactly like Ryan and fights sleep during the day, which means he gets overtired and fractious. Joy! I'l let you know if George ever starts napping, but at 13 weeks there's still no sign if it I think you and I may just have wakeful babies!

PA - have a great trip!

Everyone I've missed, take care and I'm following your news as always.

Hazel x

[Stephanieford78]

Hello baby mamas! I am back to finish (hopefully) my post. It's been crazy and still getting crazier. So my brother and SIL came in last night. My friend who just had a baby is thinking about adoption now. She is so afraid that she won't be a good mom that it has crossed her mind. Her roommate and her agreed to live together because they were both having babies and they could be there for each other. Well, roommate had her baby first and everything changed. When my friend came home, her roommate literally told her not to ask her for help because she is busy with her baby. WHAT? They live in the same house! This poor girl doesn't know a thing about babies and is so scared to do something wrong. She is calling me all the time because no one is helping her. I finally told her that she can stay with us for a little while. We will see what happens there. She just needs some reassurance and a little assistance. Not like baby daddy is in the picture. How men can just deny a child is beyond me. Then just a few hours ago I get a call from another friend. Her husband decided that her face would be a good punching bag. So I forced her to make a police report and report him to his unit (aka work). Andrew is using his rank to get a hold of his command and have her escorted back to the house to make him leave. She has 6 kids at home with this jackass. She needs to be home and HE needs to go. So yeah, that's been what's going on with me. I am spreading myself thin, but these are two girls that really need the help.

On to what's going on with babies. Ethan and Angelina had their 2 month check up today. They got a low grade fever and very sore from the shots. Poor babies! The NP finally agrees that Angelina (who I have started to call Lina) shouldn't be spitting up like she is. She pooped and spit up (big) while there and the NP looked at her poo and spit up and said it was an allergic reaction and she needs a prescription formula. Seriously? You couldn't have suggested this last time? So now we have new formula which she is doing great with. It's so nice to not see her spitting up over everything and everyone. Even ore of a plus, she won't hurt as much as she use to. This should mean less crying. She is still on zantac too. Ethan's penis was looked at again and she said it looks normal. Not too sure. I think I want a third opinion. lol The skin under the head to the end of the cut still looks paper thin and swollen. I had a friend of mine who has a little boy look at it and she said it doesn't look normal, but she did say he was a "well endowed little boy". LOL Really? Well, I guess he was blessed then huh? Anyway, I need at least one more doctor to say it looks ok. Right now one says no and an NP says yes. As far as weight, Ethan is almost 12 pounds now and Lina is almost 11. Such little chunky butts! Now that Lina won't be spitting up as much I am hoping she will gain a little more. Oh and they are both 22 inches long.

Sorry I can't even attempt personals. Though I have been trying to keep up and read, I am drawing a blank right now on most of what everyone is going through. I don't think think pregnancy brain goes away after the babies are born. lol Katie, I know you have had this issue too! I think I have actually gotten worse. I am thinking it has to do with the lack of sleep? Andrew is always having to remind me of things and it was normally the other way around. I forget where I put things, I can't add or subtract anymore all of a sudden. lol I feel like a big dunce! You would think I am on some kind of drugs the way I act at times. The babies sleep ok, but once I am not such a worry wart and put them in their cribs I will sleep better. This way not every little noise they make will keep me up. I am hoping now with no spit up issues with Lina, I can rest easily and start doing that with a week? It will be nice to get a good solid 5,6, or more hours of sleep!!

Ok you awesome ladies, have a great holiday season, I am always thinking of you! Many of you are celebrating the season with your little miracles for the first time so it will be extra special! For those who haven't popped yet, by this time next year, you will be experiencing your first holidays with your bundles of joy! Amazing isn't it? So rub those bellies and smooch on them babies for me! Love love love love!

[claud662]

Hey Everyone!

I have a few minutes now that Mady just fell asleep for her morning nap!!! Things are SOOO crazy!! I never expected to live around her schedule!!! She seems now to have to large time frames where she is awake/alert/somewhat fussy/and wants to e in my arms all the time!! This is usually for a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening! Other than that she is a great napper and eater and has been sleeping for 3-4 hours during the night and goes right back down to sleep after her feeding and changing!

I have been pumping to get her the breast milk but it seems as though one breast doesn't want to produce milk I literally get three times the amount from the other breast so it hasn't been enough to solely feed her breast milk so I supplement in formula. She has also gone from pooping EVERY feeding to only 1-2 a day which I was worried about but the pediatrician said was perfectly normal unless her BM's become hard instead of soft!!!

I have been trying to get her out every day to do something....whether meet a friend for lunch, go to the mall, or just do some errands it helps a lot!! I also have the great fortune of having my family so close and my mom is OBSESSED with her and so she stops by a lot to let me get out of the house!!!

I have a pediatrician apt tomorrow and am excited to see how much my chunker weighs!!!

I read up every day and hope you ladies are all enjoying your little blessings and happy holidays to everyone! I know I don't post often on here due to lack of time, but if you want to be friends on FB...PM me for my full name and I am better at posting pictures/updates on there!!

xoxo

[gi]

Hi girls,

Claud ah she is such a cutie pie!!! I will pm you my full name so i can see some pics plus my BIL put up a pic video of jason and Kayla if you want to have a peek at her as you know i am such a disaster at putting a pic up here. Kayla only poops 1-2 times a day as well

Angela hmmmm jason sleeps thro. the cries too sometimes i have to give him a belt to wake up though even that didnt work last night!!! Interesting tips about sleeping thro. the night may give it a go though she is sleeping longer now sometimes up to 5 hrs at night thankfully she still goes straight back to sleep after a feed.

Hazel George is getting so big! It must be great getting a full night sleep pity about no day time naps oh i will miss them if she stops as thats when i really get all the house work done!!

PA thankfully we are not snowed in again but some areas are. Do you remember the Ray Darcy show on the radio??? Well jason entered us (without telling me) in a thank you for xmas competiton and i got a phone call last thurs as that days winner, the read out our full ivf journey on the radio and gave us a wkend away and shopping voucher. I was shocked as i knew nothing about it, well our local paper published a story today with pics about us and this afternoon the Irish Independent rang and want to publish a story this wk about us...little Kayla is gonna be famous for a day ha ha.

Katie how are you doing??

Steph your poor friends my goodness life is never dull is it!!! Glad to hear the twins are doing well.

AFM as i mentioned to PA Kayla is making the local and now national papers ha ha theres a pic of me too and a gorgous one of kayla lying accross jasons arm. Kayla is doing well still gets upset sometimes with the acid reflux but gaviscon is keeping it at bay, she is still napping and eating well and has already grown out of 0-3mth babygros so i may invest in 3-6mth ones in the xmas sales her poor little feet are getting squished!
Can you imagaine but jason and I were supposed to get married tomorrow (we cancelled it early in yr to fund for ivf) and instead of spending the happiest day of my life becoming jasons wife i will be spending it as the happiest mum alive as my precious little girl is here, who needs a piece of paper right???

Hope everyone has a happy and peaceful xmas, can you believe it girls this time last yr we were all preparing for another round of ivf now we have or still cooking our precious miracles. Life is finally good.

gi xx