BUMPIN' 08 - Fall Mommies

[TwinMommy]

Our schedule: (they just changed it a bit on me)

7AM bottle (4-5 oz)
8AM nap for 45 minutes or so
9AM walk around the neighborhood for 45 minutes
10AM bottle (4-5 oz)
10:30 am nap for 2 hours
12:30 play time
1PM bottle
1:30 nap (2 hours)
3:30 play time
4:00 bottle
play after that a bit
Usually a little 30 minute nap sometime after 5PM
6:00 make sure they are awake and play with them
6:20 baths
6:40 dinner (bottle and solids)
7:15 bed time
10:15ish dream feed
2:30-3am sometime...they wake up and eat

Anywhoo, I started Weight Watchers today...with me luck! South Beach and I did not get along! hehe.

[loopie]

Hi all!
all the photos are terrific!!! what gorgeous babies!! I wish we had a pool, but I may just see how he does in the bathtub with me sometime soon.
Corny- really thinking about you and Abby-I know she'll do great!

Rio- here's the rough schedule -it's a bit tricky as I pump when i can- usually 4xs per day for about 15 minutes each side (with a lot of breast compression) about 9am, 1pm, 4-5pm, 8-9pm

5-6am nurse for 15 minutes ( doc says no more than that b/c he uses up too much energy and burns off any calories he takes in- it's like eating celery! and pretty much why i decided to pump and then feed him- so i know what he's getting)
8-9am 5oz (we just went from 4 to 5 this week!!)
noon 5oz
3pm 5oz
6pm 5oz
8-10pm 5oz
and for the last 4 nights. he's not woken up for a 3am-ish feeding- I nurse him for 15-20 minutes at this one as well
my bottles are bmilk and topped off with formula, so about 50/50 throughout the day as my supply dwindles
I don't really put him down for a nap at any specific time, he just tells me

Suga It's so great that the girls are sitting up- I am sure you'll be thrilled when they sleep through the night and wake at the same time - I am pretty sure my mom must be a saint for taking care of twins after hearing what you're going through!

Tammy- what a lovely photo montage - it made me cry, and get a bit pouty that we didn't have such wonderful photos taken

Mellie- come on AF!!!!! it's so exciting that you are on your way

it is completely wild that a year ago our little dude was conceived!

kbear- i'm glad you're letting your little one sleep! i was told by 1 source to set an alarm to wake him up to feed him, i did that 2xs and forget it- he was mad and i was mad- they know when they are hungry. 10lbs! that's awesome- yes- let's get together in spring!!! it's snowing here today- how about out your way? oh and the dog has been an angel since we brought the little guy home- i really believe he'd been waiting for him to come.

Pulman went to the doc for a 3month weight check- he's 9lbs 8oz!!!! he gained 2lbs this month-I was a bit concerned as there was a big baby in the office born the same day as Pulman, and he weighted 13lbs 5oz- he was huge!!! but the doc said Pullie's doing great and that his motor skills, communication skills and eye contact are ahead of the game by at least a month- and not to worry about how much he weighs, just that he is gaining well -so there's that! and he's 23" long- he keeps getting longer and longer, but not wider

How are all of you with tummy time? Pulman doesn't like it so much- and he fusses for a few minutes, then just falls asleep.
well off to pump while the little man is asleep on his tummy
so much for tummy time today again....

lots of good wishes!
xxloopie

[riogirl71]

Seems like we are all feeding about 6 to 8 times a day and the schedules seem pretty similar I have a really hard time figuring out how much bub is getting since I only bfeed him. I know that when I pump I do not empty my breasts like he does (he is more efficient I sometimes pump if he is too tired to eat or too full just so that I don't get engorged and have pain. He seems to be gaining weight and pooping and peeing so I think he is ok but again I wish I knew how many oz he is eating (maybe it is an IVF thing where we need to know all numbers!!!). He gets very gassy once or twice a day, to the point where it breaks my heat, I give him Mylicon for the gas. Any of you having issues with gas? He is now only pooping once a day, soft but it seems to bother him.
At what age did you or are you going to start some solids?

Loopie - Pullman is doing great - 2 lbs in one month - congratulations! Bean hates tummy time and throws up and cries but if I lean back and put him on me, he loves and it is almost tummy time!

Suga- good job going on weight watchers and on 45 min walks! I lost my pregnancy weight and thought that I could lose the extra 30 I want to lose before the next baby but I hit a plateau and don't seem to lose any eventhough I am bfeeding I need toexercise more. Especially since my GD I have a higher risk of diabetes if I don't exercise and lose weight. But with work and bean it is just really hard - I am pooped!

CT- 7oz per feeding, wow, hungry little girl! What kind of tests did you have to take? I thought that they just used stuff from last cycle since it was such a short time ago? Wow - first week of March, I am so excited for you! Keep us posted every step!

Mellie- 3 blasts, wow. I just am nervous about the whole numbers game again! Plus I had a lot of pain on my left ovary last time even though I did not have OHSS (ended up with 2 follies that turned into cysts but went away). I am so excited for you and CT and also keep us posted on everything!

[Mellie_1233]

Corny - I'm thinking about you and Abby, and DH today. Hope all is going wel.

Rio - I think you and I have a similar mindset in some ways. I always see posts from you where you want details about numbers and cells and such and I am EXACTLY like that. I want to know all the details! I was practically obsessed w/the "stats" of other IVF'ers when I was going through it. I even read journal articles in medical journals. My friends started calling me "webmd" b/c I blabbered so much about studies and findings and such.

I, too, have plateaued on the weight thing. I still have 5 pounds of baby weight (all in the middle!) and 10 pounds from fertility treatment. I am hoping to gradually lose the 5 pounds but will probably be stuck w/the 10 from treatment b/c I'm afraid to start running again until we finish treatment for this second child. Someday, maybe, I'll have my old figure back (sigh). But it's not the most important thing.

Gorgeous pics, btw, everyone! Rio, he's a little movie star! Suga, can't believe they're sitting up so pretty! Darling girls! We sure did make a cute crops of kids, didn't we October team?

[riogirl71]

Mellie- that's funny! My DH sometimes used to ask if I had any "internet" symptoms since I look up everything I tried to see how many people transferred how many embies and quality and etc. I think that our mindset does not accept that we have very little control over this whole thing sometimes girls transferred one and got one! Others transferred 3 and got 4! I was reading another post where she transferred 3 and got a BFN then transferred 4 next time and all 4 took, one didn't have a hb so now she has triplets! I would love to have the magic formula to have another singleton since for us, 2 is perfect. Have you thought of doing assisted hatching? I was curious on how that improves your odds with less embryos... I am so gald I can obssess about this all with you!!!!!!!

[TwinMommy]

Hello experts on statistics! Well as you know, we have 2 frozen. What is the likelihood that they will thaw out all right and be able to survive and then be put in me? Does it matter on how old/young the egg is? Just curious. I really only want one baby next time but if both thaw and both take I guess I will deal with that then! Just curious....plus it would be a bummer if both did not thaw out...

[Mellie_1233]

Corny - Hope all is well with you and that Abby is making a fast recovery.

Kris - Is Katie smiling in that pic? So cute. She's so young for such a nice smile!

CT_Michele - What a cute little snow bunny.

Loopie - I love the santa suit! That's a great pic.

Rio - Yes I agree. It is the lack of control that is so maddening! I think I am particularly dangerous w/the internet b/c I have a background in research and statistics so I *think* I understand what I'm reading but who knows what I'm missing between the lines.

We did both Assisted Hatching and ICSI on our last IVF round. CCRM does them on nearly everyone. I believe AH is thought to be beneficial for us "older" Moms. We didn't have a sperm problem but still did ICSI as CCRM tries to not leave anything to chance.

Suga - My RE gave my one frostie a 25% chance of success. As I understand (here I go, webmd again!) this is based on the grade of the embryo (he gave it a B+) as well as the skill of the lab. CCRM has a great lab so that probably helps. Also, I don't have any lining issues or a history of miscarriage. You can look up your lab's stats for FET here:

http://www.sart.org/find_frm.html#

What's great about this sart site is that you can look up your clinic's success rates and then cut the data by diagnosis. So you can see how other women your age and with your diagnosis fared.

Still no AF but I kind of feel like she may be coming. I start teaching a new class tonight. It's a research methods course for adults getting their masters degrees in social service administration. I really like teaching but I don't like missing an evening with my little Evie.

[geckogirl]

Corny - I am thinking positive thoughts for you little Abby. I just know that tomorrow will be a big success! Hang in there. It can't be easy to go through all of this. Just know we are all here thinking of you. Keep us posted when you can.

Rio - I wish I could tell you Declan's "schedule" but he really doesn't have one AND I haven't been home to know what he is doing during the day. Isn't that sad? I miss him when I am at work but I know his daddy is taking excellent care of him. I do know he eats about 7-8 times a day about 6 oz per feeding. Lately he has been ravenous at night too, so I think he is hitting a growth spurt - AGAIN.

Suga- I have a friend who had a FET last year and now has twins. Both of her frosties thawed out beautifully and bot took. She still has some too but I don't know if they will use them. I think if they thaw, they have a good chance. I know younger eggs have better results too so you should have a marvelous chance. Have you thought about only putting in one at a time?

loopie - Yippee for Pulman! I am so glad he is putting on weight and ahead of the game with motor skills. Declan doesn't like tummy time either. He will do it for a little while then get tired and cry......

Jomae - Where are you girl!?!?!

Declan had a restless night last night and finally we just got up at 4:30am. Sigh....but I have had 3 cups of coffee, a red bull, and a dr. pepper so I am doing ok!!! DH goes back to work on Feb. 8th and I am dreading doing the single parent thing again especially now that I am back to work full time. I hope having him in daycare helps. He starts next Monday. I will let you know how it goes.

Take care!

[TwinMommy]

I have thought about putting one in at a time but they freeze them in pairs thus would have to thaw both of them. I was reading the site Rio sent me and with fresh transfers at my age the clinic was 42% success rate with 31% being twins....with frozen it was 33% success rate...so really does not go down THAT much...I need to put just one in haha

[KatieG]

Hi everyone!! I started putting rice in Parkers night bottle. Just one tablespoon and he is sleeping really good. I also put 1/2 a tablespoon in the morning because he is really hunry after sleep until 8am. I didnt get the ok from the doc but he is doing great. He goes in on the 15th for his 4 month shots. Parker is only eating like 5 bottles a day and they are 5-6 oz each. But with him having a cold and the rice he isnt wanting more. I think he will do really well with solids. I am still pumping and he gets 3 bottles of BM and 2-3 formula. I will stop my april so that I can get my AF back a few months.

Good luck with upcoming cycles CT and Mellie. I am thinking about going this summer. I still have about 7 pounds to loose to be pre ivf weight. I am going to the gym 3 days and doing spin class. So I am working really hard b/c I know it will be really hard to loose after #2. I also gained almost 50lbs with parker so I will try and do better with my next one. I think I will b/c I am not working so I hardly eat out. Lots of PBJ and soup for lunch.

Parker LOVES his Jumperoo. I put him in it and he goes to town. I was all worried b/c up until last week he was not intersted in toys but now he loves it. Its amazing how much in one week things change.

Love all the pics on photo. Take care and we are thinkging of Corny.

[riogirl71]

Corny- we are here thinkng of Abby!
Suga- you are brave going for a third one or maybe another set of twins
Mellie- that was a great site, but I saw that my clinic does not do well with frosties. I was thinking of transfering only 2 with assisted hatching and freezing the rest but I didn't like the odds... the average number of embies transfered for women over 38 was 5!!! I don't know that I could be that aggressive again... I am so silly I am not even going for mycycle anytime soon and I am here obssessing about numbers with you lol!
Katie I hear ya on wanting to lose weight before #2, I have hit a plateau now and really need to get moving... stupid question, when you say rice in the bottle do you mush up regular rice or is this a special baby rice? Our bean loves his jumperoo also, it is so cute like he is dancing! Which one do you have? We have the rainforest one. It is amazing what one week does!
Gecko- wow that's a lot of caffeine! are you nervous about putting him in daycare?

Jomae? where are you girl?

[TwinMommy]

I can not wait till my girls can fit into their exerciser or a jumper. We did tummy time for a bit yesterday and there was spit up everywhere! lol. Mackenzie can go from her back to her side though...so almost rolling that way...probably not too far!!! Brooke comes close in going over when she is on her tummy but not yet.

Well Rio, I just want one! lol. The stats were only 2006, 05, 04 so no new ones. I will ask the clinic when we go. We do not want more until 2011. By the time the baby is born the girls will be almost 4 years so I can put them in preschool if I have to.

[CT_Michele]

Hey girls- just some quick updates before i go to class... semester starts for me tonight.

Wednesday we went for consult with TESE dr. He said he is pretty confident we will get some again and he wants to do it fresh this time, so dh's TESE will be coordinated with my cycle. We didn't do this last time because we weren';t sure dh even had anything and didn;t want to waste stimming and a cycle, but this time we are pretty sure he has it, and even if he doesn;t we have a vial frozen for backup and will proceed with the cycle anyway. Tese doc says nationally that success rates are higher with fresh sperm.

On wednesday, I also got my big ol' box of meds. It was crazy to see all that stuff again, the needles and all the meds. It is going to creep up on me fast.

Today I went for a physical to get an all clear to cycle again. They just want to monitor my blood pressure and check my heart. I will be going for bloodwork and an echocardiogram, just to get checked. I have been having some headaches, I had some high blood pressure during pregnancy, and I have a family history of heart stuff. I am sure it will all check out.

Rio- I do have to repeat all of my pre-ivf tests because it has been over a year and because I had a baby. They said my uterus can change after pregnancy. As far as the feedings- her ounces keep increasing and the number of bottles are decreasing. I think she is having 5, maybe 6 bottles a day, each with 6-7 oz. She has really upped the solids too, I am giving her atleast 1/4 cup of oatmeal and a half jar of food per day.

Loopie- Ella is not a big fan of tummy time, I think she might skip crawling all together. She is doing great in her jumper, and she loves to stand with assistance. Her legs are really strong.

Mellie- I am still above my pre-ivf weight, but I don;t want to wait. My clinic doesn';t seem to care. I am a little concerned about continuing on low carb while pregnant though. I have to talk to ob about that.

Ok, gotta run, much love to all the mommies I missed, I will catch you later!

[KatieG]

Rio--Its for babys its above the babyfood. My doc said no rice until 4 months and thats still 3 weeks away but I could tell he would do just fine. It helps him sleep better. We will see if I get in trouble---i give him just a little bit.

As far as the Jumperoo Im not sure which it is my SIL gave it to me. I didnt get one. Instead I got him the stationary one. Im about to get that one out and cleaned up. All these toys and My house is up for sale so I need to take one to my parents. They live about10 min away and we are over there alot.

[riogirl71]

Katie- we go to the doc next week and I have a laundry list of things to ask him, I will ask about rice. I keep hearing only bmilk for 6 mos if possible.

CT- I was on a strict diet because of my GD and I never went hungry, I can try to share some of it with you, if you would like, I actually lost weight while pregnant and lost baby weight in 3 weeks! But now that I don't have the GD I am being a little pig and don't lose any more one thing you need to be very careful with is that if you don't have enough carbs in your system, your body breaks up fat and releases ketones in your blood which can harm (poison) the baby. So they made me eat all the time, never let my blood sugar drop. They do sell some ketone strips so you can test your urine to make sure you are ok. I really should go back to the GD diet, not self control right now!

Suga- my boy spits up a lot on tummy time also! I will love having them on the jumper, it is fun for him and me!