Pregnant Mommies and Mommies To Be

[AwesomeMommy]

Hey ladies! I am here... just busy! This is the week I start going though the process to renew my state day care licence...... so I have had loads of meetings, inspections, and appointments. I have been sneaking on to read post, just no time to reply. I will have this all wrapped up by Monday, so if I am not on by then I just wanted to say HELLO!!!!

Jacque

[Linda]

Alisha - Abri is so adorable!

[AwesomeMommy]

Kristina: I am so glad you checked it! Only 44 more days until your due date, I hope the next 44 days got by fast just think before you know it you will be holding your baby. -- How did your shower go? I think we all looked at our baby shower registries to see what we got, it is normal!! So, what all did you get??? What type of food did you have?? Who all was there?? Did you have a good time?? Fill us in, and post some photos!!! -- How are you feeling? Are you still taking it easy? When is your next appointment.... pretty soon they will start checking to see if you are dilating and starting to thin out! WooHoo! --- Mike and I took Lamaze... it helped me out alot, I did not have an epidural and the breathing helped me get though alot of it, the breathing.... and the focusing. Give it a try, the worse thing that will happen is that you decided not to go that route and then switch to a different technique.

Amanda: It sounds like your parents are a huge help. I hope Abbie enjoyed her weekend with them, and woohoo for them bringing you dinner that is awesome!!! --- I would totally love two showers!!! That is so awesome, you know how I am.... so take some photos, I want to see all of the cute baby gifts you got. I wouldn't feel guilty, they would not be doing it if they did not want to.... plus your right, everyone loves to host baby showers. --- WooHoo for the state of California, the fact that you have such a long paid leave almost makes up for the fact that it rains non stop! --- As for all of the sleep, you know it just as well as I do..... rest as much as you can, you will not get it after Lexi is born! I would be sleeping just as much (if not more) then you are!!!! --- 6 more days at work... I pray they go by fast, and that you are not to busy while you are there. Good luck, I will be thinking of you often over the next 43 days... just think, soon you will be posting photos of your baby. In fact, we need a plan... you will have to have Alex email me after the baby is born... would he do that???

Alisha: Holy Shit, you are just falling apart! I will post more about your medical adventure on our 2006 thread, this post is already getting to long for me to go on and on even more here. --- Like I said earlier, Abri is precious... I agree with Kristina, the girls look ALOT alike! -- How is your time off? How are things going? Have you had sex yet?

Linda: I Love your new siggy, it is almost time to post a new belly shot, isn't it?

Diane: Glad your appointment went well!!!

Well, it is 6am and I am once again at the computer..... though this time it is for fun. Mike is staying home today to help me prepare for our giant weekend, so I hope to be able to get caught up on posts since I have an extra set of hands.

I have thought of the most perfect analogy for TTC. Has anyone seen the movie "groundhog day" with Bill Murry? If not, here is a synopsisi..... A weather man is reluctantly sent to cover a story about a weather forecasting "rat" (as he calls it). This is his fourth year on the story, and he makes no effort to hide his frustration. On awaking the 'following' day he discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again. First he uses this to his advantage, then comes the realization that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same place, seeing the same people do the same thing EVERY day... that is, until he gets it right.

Well, that is how TTC is,(or at least how I was looking at it until recently) every cycle we go though the same thing all of the testing the meds the OPK's the temping the stress... over and over again, until everything falls in line and we "get it right" then one day we wake up and the cycle of TTC is broken when we finally get that BFP. Then all of a sudden this last cycle I did not want to do any of that anymore. I want a baby, but I do not want to lose my mind in the process. Anyway, as part of my state inspection I went in for my health exam yesterday. Well, my DR was excited about my weight loss and asked me why I decided to lose weight...... and I told her we were TTC (this is my "normal" DR not my OBGYN) she laughed and said it was about time. I told her about Trent and all of the crap we have been though with TTC and she listened like I was telling the most amazing story.... when I was finished she told me she was glad that I decided to pull my head out of my a$$. And yes, that is a direct quote.

She told me that I have normal 28 day cycles, that I ovulate on the same day, that my period is always the same and that I have done all of the at home testing that is possible..... and so far all of that points to everything being perfect. Now she said that she agrees it is time to stop POAS for ovulation and taking HPT like there is no tomorrow and to just have sex. That is it, sex and more sex. She told me to do it in a different room every night and if need be head out to the park. lol keep it fun and exciting....... so, it is official I have medical backing on not frantically trying to have a baby. My head is officially pulled from my ass.

Tuesday was my USDA inspection... basically then come to my house look though my pantry and my menus at what I am feeding the kids..... they watch the kids eat a meal (yes I am so serious) and then talk to me about the food pyramid and all of that jazz..... well, I passed with flying coloring. She even said she could not find anything wrong with my Day Care! WooHoo!!!

Wednesday was my CCCR&R inspection... they come to the house to check on what educational activities and crafts I have been doing with the kids and needless to say she was completely blow away with our lesson plans and even wrote down some of my ideas to share with other providers! WooHoo!

Then.... I had my phone consultation with DCFS yesterday... that is my prep for the "Big" inspection. DCFS comes to the house and checks for safety, checks to see that my paperwork and records are up to date for each child, and also makes sure I am in compliance with all of the silly (did I say silly, I mean frickin stupid a$$) rules we have to follow... I know I will do fine with that one also I really keep up on all of that stuff. That big inspection is on the 11th... so I even have a bit more time to prepare for it, that is if I really needed to.

The best part of the week (well at least so far) was our first Girl Scout meeting! I am now officially a Brownie Troop leader! It was so much fun!! My friend Marianne and I are the leaders and we have 8 awesome girls in our troop!!!! We had such a great time. It is nice to work with Kailey and her firends and watch them interact together!!

This weekend will be busy also.... tonight we are going to the Quad Cities Swing game with Kailey's class, then tomorrow we have a Food Drive, Special Olympics Practice, and then we are heading to Arlington Heights for Kailey's Big State Meet!!!!! My online friend Sheyla lives in the Arlington Heights area so she is going to meet us for dinner!!! She will be my first online friend that I meet..... then Diane and Linda (hopefully soon) then it would be awesome if I could hook up with Jennifer when we were in Ohio... but now with her moving chances are that is not going to happen..... To bad Torie and Aalissa live so far away... then again, we do vacation in Michigan once in a while.....

[momma2senya]

Hi girls,
Thank you to everyone for saying that my girls are cute...I think so too. Hee Hee! I'm not biased or anything though. I will have to post an updated picture sometime soon...it should only take me about a month or so...ha ha!

Amanda-
I'm so sorry that your Doc is being such a jerk. Yeah, it sucks when they tell you to hold out, especially when they've never been pg. I really feel for you sweety! It's almost over though!

Kris-
I can't believe how fast your pg is going! This thread is as old as your pg! It's amazing how fast time flies when you're having fun. Yeah, I know you want to punch me right now!Your baby will be here before you know it. What are you naming her?

Diane-
Hi there, when are you finding out the baby's gender?

Linda-
I'm so glad that all seems well with the baby after your scare. I was hoping the best for you. Your baby will be precious, no matter what, but I'm glad that it seems like you probably don't have anything to worry about. You are adorable in your picture btw.

Take care,
Alisha

[amandav]

Hi all!

Alisha-your girls are beautiful! You were right about all of Abri's hair-that is amazing-I hope it doesn't fall out! (as lots of babies' does) No problem with the advice about Reglan. You know what-I think breastfeeding isn't all that great either-we all do the best we can. I'm sorry to hear you're having so many probs. Hopefully they've got you on some good antibiotics and you'll feel better soon.

Jacque-Only 5 more shifts to go! Woo Hoo! My last day is May 12th. The only thing I worry about is that Lexi will come like a day or 2 after I go off and I won't have any rest-or anything ready. You sound like you are busy! I thought you were trying to simplify your life? I'm glad you had a good talk with your doc, it sounds as though she gave some good, practical advice-I hope you follow it! Alex will be no good at passing on the message after the baby is born-but since I am giving birth in his hospital I will have access to his laptop and the hospital's internet connection-so I will probably be sending out the email myself. I called all my friends like 4 hours after Abbie was born to tell them the news-so I think I'll be up for sending out emails. Although I don't intend on staying in the hospital too long after the birth anyway-I know that I'll just want to go home-besides, nurses are HORRIBLE patients and I will make the nurses' and my doc's lives very unpleasant if they don't release me quickly.

I keep telling Alex that I can't wait until 2 weeks after the baby is born so that I can feel like a normal person again (that's about how long it took after delivering Abbie). But then yesterday I had dinner at my neighbor's house and my other neighbor was there (the crazy one) who had her baby 4 weeks ago and she looked like sh*t. Apparently she got an episiotomy infection and mastitis and her baby isn't breastfeeding well and she just looked BAD. She was still walking like she had a bowling ball between her knees and her boobs were all engorged. She just looked so miserable. The thing is that this is the woman who has a live-in nanny-so she doesn't even take care of her baby 24 hours a day. It totally freaked me out that I could be like that for a month after the baby is born. I just want to get back to a somewhat normal life!!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!! I'm so scared. Actually for someone who felt so bad she was pretty social-I guess she hasn't been getting out too much, except to work. This girl went to work the day they released her from the hospital-she's a real estate agent and she had some deal closing so I guess she had to. But I can't imagine working and looking the way she looked. So last night I cried to Alex that I'll never feel better-but I know that eventually I will, I just hope it doesn't take that long!

Have a great weekend girls!

Amanda

[momma2senya]

Hi girls,
Amanda-
Is your husband a Doctor? Your message sounded like it. Thanks for the compliment about my girls. I'm sorry that you are feeling that you will never be the same again. I TOTALLY can relate and understand. You are so lucky that you felt normal again so quickly after your delivery. It took me more like 3 weeks with Yesi and I'm just now getting there (6 weeks) with Abri...however, I had a cesarean, and that's different. I cried my eyes out for many a night when I was at your stage in pregnancy, but I promise you will feel better again. I just can't wait to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but that will probably take me about a year. I gained 47 pounds after all... It took me 2 years to lose all of the weight I gained with Yesi, but I gained 61 pounds with her, and I didn't even try until after a year and a couple months. I'm going to start excercising and dieting in one more week. I would have liked to do it now, but my Doc wants me to wait one more week b/c of the infection of my uterus. Oh well...what's one more week anyways?

Jacque-
Off having sex, I hope. Ha Ha! I can't have any for one more week...Doctor's strict orders. It seems my uterus is still infected. SUCKY! It will hopefully be beter by next Friday.

So, I had my 6 week checkup and decided to go on the pill. I was going to do the I.U.D., but there is no way that I could lay there for 5 minutes while they insert it. I can't even barely tolerate a pap smear for 30 seconds. The Doctor told me that she would try and insert it, but with the way that I reacted with just a pap, she didn't think it would be possible, so she perscribed me the lowest dose birth control pill possible. I am just concerned about gaining weight, that's why she perscribed such a low dose. The incision looks good, and other than the fact that my uterus is still infected, all is well. I should be cleared for everything by Friday.

We went to WalMart and bought Yesi a play structure today. It is frickin' awesome. It is called the Durango. If any of you have a Walmart nearby, (probably everyone) then you can check it out when you're there next...they have pictures in the Customer Service part. It has 2 safety swings, a see saw swing, (called a glider) a rock wall to climb, a covered play area at top (vantage point) and a wave slide. Yesi is so excited! We were going to wait until after Serge was done teaching summer school, b/c we thought that it would cost about $1000-$1500, b/c that's how much they are in other stores, but I'm glad we didn't wait. Serge just happened to see the sign while he was taking Yesi to the bathroom, and can you believe they were only $398!!!!!!!!!!!! We were SO HAPPY! While we were there, they sold 3 within 5 minutes, and we got the last one!!!! They said that they wouldn't be getting anymore in until next Spring too. Aren't we so lucky?! We have wanted a play structure for Yesenia since last summer b/c we have a huge fenced in backyard, and nothing to do back there. Yeah! Abri, Yesi and I are going to spend a lot of time back there now while daddy is at work. The weather is getting perfect for it.
Take care girls,
Alisha

[amandav]

Hi girls!

Alisha-My husband is also a nurse, although he doesn't do patient care anymore, he's in management now. He was an ER nurse for like 10 years, so he's great under pressure. That's awesome about the play structure. We bought one for Abbie last year, but it's the kind where you have to buy the lumber for it seperately, so it's still sitting in our garage. We moved to this house a little under 2 years ago, and it was brand new, so the backyard isn't landscaped. We are S L O W L Y getting the backyard done and hope to have Abbie's play structure up before her 4th birthday-in September. Alex is taking a month off when Lexi is born and he plans to work on the backyard the whole time he's off. Slowly is the best way to lose weight they say-I wouldn't worry about having to wait another week.

Jacque-How was your busy weekend?

Kristina-How was your baby shower, did you get everything you needed? What about everything you wanted (cause often that's different, LOL)?

Only 4 more shifts to go-yay!!!! I'm annoyed (aren't I always?) b/c I invited my MIL to my shower b/c I had to-but I KNEW there was no way she could come cause my FIL just had back surgery and she is supposed to go in for surgery herself. But, of course, she calls and says she is trying her hardest to make it with my FIL. It's not a big deal if she came to the shower (although she annoys every living soul around her), but they stay with us when they visit-and they expect to be waited on and cooked for and all that-plus they're slobs and have to be cleaned up after. My in laws are like small children that have to be entertained-and I really don't have the energy for that. I PRAY that she doesn't come to visit, I may not live through it! Plus they have these 2 pomeranian rats that bark and yip and growl CONSTANTLY (they are forbidden in our house per Alex), but you can still hear them outside, and frankly I have come close several times to bashing their little fuzzy heads into the ground. Alex almost kicked one over the fence the last time they were here. Mean little un-house trained dogs. The in-laws think they are just ADORABLE. I wish I was allergic to dogs so they couldn't bring them at all. Obviously we have some issues with the in-laws, which I probably need to go to therapy about. Boundaries and all that (they have none). Sorry for the rant.

I hope everyone else is well and Linda and Diane are in that wonderful 2nd trimester glowing phase!!!

Amanda

[amandav]

PS-Alisha, couldn't your doc give you a little valium before putting your IUD in? I bet you'd hold still then!!! It's pretty common to prescribe it before in office procedures. I'd ask if you really wanted the IUD instead of having to take the pill everyday-it never hurts to ask.

Amanda

[kris3206]

Good Morning Ladies!!!!

My shower was so beautiful and everybody was so generous with there gifts. My husband still hasn't done anything yet with the babies room. i just hope I don't go early!!

The gifts I received were: Lots of cute baby clothes for the summer, bottles, pacifiers, swing, bouncy seat, pack & play, lots of toys & stuffed animals, my grandma made me a sweater set for the baby to come home in, a beautiful pink shawl handmade, the whole set that goes with the bedding I picked out for Sara's room and accessories, carriage.

I have doctor's tonight and I think they will be sending me for a sonogram soon to see the baby. I haven't been sleeping good at all lately and it stinks. I can't wait for Sara to come out so I can see her.

Kristina K

[AwesomeMommy]

Ok, I finally have a moment.... the kids are all sleeping and my house (well at least the downstairs) is clean. I really do not know where to start.... alot went on this weekend, it was all good.. well at least most of it.

Saturday morning we got up early and started getting ready for Special Olympics Practice and the can drive... I was supposed to have 16 AOH members show up, only 6 came. We had to come up with a new plan for the morning because of the kids that did not show up... but we managed. We finished the Can Drive in record time and even decided to take some cash from the AOH fund to use to buy even more canned goods for the Pantry.

As of this morning I am in the process of disbanding the AOH (yes, that is the same group that I was just talking about in the above listed paragraph). It was a hard decision but it has been a long time coming, we have 17 members but only about 5 of them really care any more... so those 5 and I will go to the different events just for fun... we will no longer have meetings or any of that. Just keep in contact via email. I am not really sad, it just seems like kids today have different priorities and sports and partys are more important then helping others. The thing is that I was not a good kid, I got in trouble and did things that I would just die if Kailey did. But you know I did not drink or do drugs or any of that crap. I just wish that these kids would pull their heads out of their butts.....

Anyway we left Kewanee at about noon and got to Arlington Heights at 3pm. We hung out watching the NFL draft (did anyone else watch this?) until I got up enough nerve to call Sheyla at work. You would have thought I was in high school, I was all giggly and nervous before I called..... I about died when I heard her voice, it was NOTHING like I though it would be. The funny thing was that she thought the same thing about mine.

We decided to meet at the place we were staying, she called when she got there.... and Mike, Kailey and I went down to the lobby to meet her. Ahhhh it was love at first site. lol No, really I recognized her right away and there was no awkwardness... it was like we have been meeting each other and talking in "real life" for years.

We went to this amazing pizza place, the decor was fricken awesome and the pizza was borderline orgasmic. We got these Spinach and Cheese sticks, mozzarella sticks, and a sausage supreme and a spinach pan pizza... we all ate a ton, but it was so worth it. I woke up the other night and could actually "small" the pizza... I cannot wait until next time we are in that area, it will be Sheyla's and my "regular place to meet.

Kailey's meet was HUGE, OMGOSH!!! It was crazy, there were so many kids there. I know it was the state meet, but HOLY COW! There were some groups that had 40 kids in them. Could you imagine? Kailey was so nervous, but she did great. She placed 15th and is an alternate for the National Competitions!!!! We talked it over with her and SHE decided that if she is bumped up to the top 10 she is going to pass on the opportunity to go to Nationals... this is her first year competing, and she feels that someone that has been in tumbling longer deserves the chances to go more then she does... how awesome is she!!!

Other then that we went shopping in Wood-field - stopped at the Lego Store and the Rain Forrest Cafe... then went to TGI Fridays. We got home late Sunday night and then Monday had a busy day at work followed by Kailey's Spring Program last night. The program was great!!! I have so many photos to post, some of me and Sheyla, Kailey's school program, her meet, and her first communion..... I also need to post our new family photos too!!!

Well, that is about it for me... how is everyone else doing? I really need to catch up, I am like three pages behind..... I think I will actually be able to post personals today!!!

[AwesomeMommy]

Amanda: Your last day is 10 days away! Let the countdown begin, I bet Lexi will be right on time so you will have about a month to relax and get things ready. I am glad you will have that time to prepare, that way you will be ready for the big day. --- Hee Hee I think it is funny that your psycho neighbor looked like shit.... you have told some awful stories about her and if she is half as bad as you make her out to be then she deserves to feel like that. You on the other hand will be looking and feeling normal within a few weeks, I just know it! --- I will be on the lookout for your email and/or post, hard to believe that we are already making arrangements for your big announcement!

Kristina: I am glad your shower went well, it sounds like you had a great time and had got alot of awesome gifts!

Alisha: Don't forget the new photos of the girls... I posted more to you on the 2006 mommas thread.

Jacque

[AwesomeMommy]

I have been promising photos for a LONG time..... I will start out with the ones from Kailey's first communion. She had a great time, the ceremony was perfect and she even did the second reading during mass. Mike and I are very proud of her and I think she was one of the most beautiful girls there.

[momma2senya]

Hi girls,
A quick note.
Amanda-
I didn't think to ask about the valium, but maybe I will. I just really don't think I can do it. It's not the pain, it's the embarassment. Without getting into too many details, I'll just say that I have issues when it comes to that. THanks for the suggestion though. That's cool that your husband is a nurse too. My DH and I are both teachers. IT's cool having the same profession.
Jacque-
Your DD looks beautiful.
Gotta' go, Abri is crying.

[kris3206]

Hello ladies!!!!


Question did any of you girls ever have cramps when they were going to there 9th month? Is this something normal or should I call the doctors. I don't have any contractions or anything like that just these cramps every once in a while. I have a sonogram on Monday to see how big the baby is then a pelvic exam in 2 weeks.

Kristina K

[Linda]

Okay, here ya go girls


and my fun shirt



and here's my belly progression