Beautiful Babies Due in 2011 (Combined Group)

[Sdtryingagain]

Ashley- your pics are gorgeous! I'll try to wait my turn in line My 1st pregnancy I had no signs of any contractions until about 2 days prior to delivery. I had a handful of mild uterine contractions then 2 days later woke up and lost my mucus plug and started with regular contractions. Cyrus was born 24 hrs later...it was amazing! I've heard from many women that the 2nd time around there is much more uterine activity throughout the pregnancy since your body has had some "practice." That seems to be true for me personally, I've had braxon-hicks since about 20 weeks and just yesterday started with some false labor contractions. I really thought I was going to start (even emailed my work saying if I don't show up in the AM I might be in labor, LOL!) I had contractions through the night q10mins but very weak and I was able to sleep so I knew it wasn't the real deal...I'm still contracting today but not as often...I still have a couple weeks so we'll see how long this goes on!

[lou71]

Chris -- better get moving on packing that hospital bag! You might not make it to 40 weeks. Remember, anything after 37 weeks is "full-term"!!! You look great btw.

Ashley -- Great pics! You guys look so happy. Can't wait for your news.

Steph -- Here's a pic of Chloé and I after a loooong day following a short night...lol.

Blair -- Hooray for 30 weeks! You're doing great! Awesome news that the babies are growing so well.

SD -- You're getting close as well my dear. One of these days those contractions are going to be the "real deal".

AFM -- Here's a pic of a tired but happy mommy and her princess.

[Meinemo]

Lou,
Sweet sweet sweet! You look so happy and Chloe looks adorable.
Thanks for the pic.

[yingz]

Hey Lou, Looking great mama! I mean both the precious Chloe and you.

I passed the glucose test. Yeah.

My company had a health seminar today and I was tested on cholestrol. I was surprised that my level is 228. My pre-pregnancy level was 160 always. I immediately called OB and my family doctor who both called back later telling the cholestrol level tends to be higher during pregnancy that's why they don't test it in pregnancy. I hope the level will go down back to normal after baby is born..... I blame my MIL because she asked me to eat one whole egg daily after I found out I was pregnant and that yolk has a lot of cholestrol in there.... I don't know if I should continue eating an egg a day or maybe an egg every other day?

Yingz

[baby_blu73]

Lou - Oh my goodness! You two are GORGEOUS! Little Chloe looks so content being snuggled up to her mama... So sweet!

[HopeIsAllIHave]

Stephanie - Thanks! How are your little boys doing? Looking forward to seeing more of their pictures! Hope work is treating you well!

Blair - Thank you! Congrats on reaching 30 weeks! I know their measurements can be off by a lb, but sounds like you have some healthy babies baking in there. Way to go!

Chris - Thank you! Gosh, I think I'm still in denial of going into labor before 40 weeks. I started packing my bag but nowhere close to finished packing. I'm such a big procrastinator! Make sure you spend some time picking out a pediatrician though. Do some meet and greets or set up appointments to interview the pediatricians. Make sure they're on board with your thinking about your newborn's care including immunizations and what not.

SD - Thanks! Wow, I hope I can follow your path for your first pregnancy. I've had absolutely no signs so far, and I'm 1 day shy of turning 39 weeks. I'm not even sure if what I'm feeling is braxton hicks or simply the baby moving. I have yet to lose my mucous plug. My sister went into labor 4 days before her due date each time with her 2 kids. Maybe I'll have the same fate? Who knows. I agree with Lou; those contractions will turn into the real deal any day now. How exciting!!

Lou - Thank you! Great picture of you and Chloe! She is absolutely adorable and looks so peaceful while sleeping

Yingz - Personally, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to cut down on the eggs. During the third trimester, your body needs close to 100g of protein for the baby's brain development. In our Bradley course, we were taught to eat 2 eggs per day. However, I've found that each large egg only contains about 6g of protein, and since I'm not such a big fan of eggs, I try to get my protein from elsewhere. Greek yogurt, for example, has about 22g of protein per serving! As it is, like your dr. said, high cholesterol is very common in pregnancy and is not a true indicator of what your normal levels are - something to do with high levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body. It should go back to its normal levels after pregnancy considering you follow the same diet and exercise plan as before. Breastfeeding is also supposed to help bring down the levels. Congrats on testing negative for GD!

[yingz]

Ashley, Thanks! That makes sense. I think I will just continue an egg a day and also add yogurt to my diet as it's a good source of calcium and protein which I was told. I was not a big yogurt lover but I am trying now... Love your pictures Ashley. I am sure you are more than ready to meet your little girl.

Yingz

[annashope]

Margi I just got on and saw that you had your babies and I am absolutely thrilled for you. I got teary eyed reading your birth story you did it girl!!! and you are my hero you overcame so many obstacles first with IVF and then with all of the bedrest and scares you have had to endure but you did it and I am in tears happy for you. Your babies are absolutely beautiful and I love the names you have chosen. I will keep your little ones in my prayers and look forward to updates....what an amazing story you have to share with them one day your story is an inspiration to everyone. big hugs dear I am celebrating with you

Lou your daughter is absolutely beautiful...how is the bf ing going....it was a challenge for me at first but now it is second nature. My milk came in on day 11 if you can believe that and until then I pumped and pumped and had to supplement Paul with formula but luckily once the milk supply was in full flow I was able to wean him off of formula and he has been a fully breast fed baby. (no offense to anyone my first baby was a formula baby but this time I wanted to try the breast

Ashley I am so impressed with your pictures they are stunning and you are such a beautiful and classy lady...just beautiful and I can't wait to hear how your birth story unfolds...good luck to you

Blair your belly pics are awesome you are literally all belly...way to go on making 30 weeks!!! I made it 9 weeks on procardia and it was tough at times with my blood pressure getting really low and dizzy spells but when that happened I had a small piece of chocolate and my bp bounced back up and I was able to tolerate the procardia better. In the end I think I was only able to make it to 37 1/2 weeks because of bedrest and procardia

SD you are getting close I too heard that second labor is faster and for me it was definitely the case. With my first son I had made 3 trips to L&D with false labor and carried to 41 weeks but this time around I had BH contractions since 20 weeks and as soon as the contractions became 6 minutes apart it was the real deal and by the time we got to the hospital I was fully effaced and dilating fast. I was in disbelief how much faster things progressed.

AFM working on the art of getting my baby to sleep through the night and he is getting better. Had his 2 month well visit today and he got 3 shots and a vaccine by mouth and wow is he miserable I have never seen him like this...poor thing he is on tylenol and cries non stop it breaks my heart. Otherwise he is a total sweetheart...when he smiles it lights up my life and I am so blessed to have him

[mellow4]

Oh I've missed so much! For some reason I wasn't getting the updates!! I've been so busy I didn't notice.

First of all, Congratulations to Lou, and Margi!!!! So very happy for you both. Margi, so glad your babies are doing well. What a blessing each one is. Lou, your little Chloe is beautiful and you look so happy. How wonderful!

Marlo is a lot of work. Having a preemie home is a little different than a full term baby. We are loving every sleepless minute. Will update more soon...she is calling my name. The bottomless pit wants to eat.

Love to you all.

[Sdtryingagain]

hey mellow- so glad that marlo is doing well at home, any new pics for us?

Lou- Your pic with chloe is just priceless, she is an angel!

AFM- still preggers! busy, busy day with my son trying to really give him some quality time before the babe comes. Went to the zoo in the AM, pumpkin patch in the PM and we just got back from a dinner party...I'm so, so done! I'm no longer contracting...so I guess it was just false labor a few days ago, bummer!

[yingz]

Hi Ladies

I have a question for breadfeed. My nipples are reversed inward. I think it'll cause problem for breadfeeding.

If I ice them they come out but not as big as I think they should be. Do you have any recommendations or should I make an appointment to see a pediatrician?

Thanks!

Yingz

[deftonesmo]

Hi Yingz =)

Check with your the hospital where you are delivering . . . many hospitals offer pre-natal/childbirth education classes and breastfeeding is usually one of the classes offered . . . also, check and see if your hospital will have a lactation consultant visit with you after delivery . . . if not, many hospitals have lactation consultants on hand to offer advice and some even make home visits . . . but if I remember correctly from my classses, it shouldn't be a problem . . . you can use breast shells . . . try "googling" it . . . lots of helpful sites will pop up . . .

http://www.whattoexpect.com/breastfeedi ... pples.aspx
http://www.babycenter.com/0_breastfeedi ... es_8689.bc

Good luck

[lou71]

Yingz- get this product.... It's awesome for correcting your problem.
http://www.lansinoh.com/products/latch- ... QAodUUlHGw

[Sdtryingagain]

yingz- many women have inverted nipples. I agree with what everyone said. Some people don't have any problems at all and babies latch on bringing the nipple out, others use the breast shields, and others do have some difficulty. The lactation specialists are awesome. I would suggest that you actual have a consult with one of them prior to your delivery for some extra support.

Ashley- How are ya? If you don't post each day, I'm always gonna wonder if you are in labor I'm so excited for you and hope you have a fantastic birthing experience!

[rypell1985]

Hi ladies! I wanted to share a couple 3 month pics!