Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 9/16/2008 10:23:02 PM
Author: neatfreak

Random question about coats for those who have done the winter baby thing before WHAT did you wear??? It gets very very cold here, for now I am doing the open coat thing, but that won''t work once it gets really cold. BUT I don''t want to buy a coat for just a few months unless it''s super cheap OR it''s something I can wear while not preggo. Anyone find any great wraps or anything?

I will be ginormous in the winter months too and my plan is to go the consignment shops for a preggo coat. If you do''t mind second hand, this may be the way to go and it will probably be inexpensive.

 

[snlee]

jen, yay for big and healthy baby girls!

blen, that is so exciting about hearing your baby''s heartbeat! The first time is so amazing! It''s the best sound!

Kay, yay for 36 weeks! I hope you have a good appointment and u/s tomorrow. I wish we could get another u/s but I don''t think I will be getting one. Sounds like you had an awesome shower and shopping spree. Have you started packing your hospital bag yet?

LIA, how are you doing?

Everyone else, hi! How you''re doing well!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 9/16/2008 9:44:06 PM
Author: Blenheim
We just heard the heartbeat! The little monster was trying to hide behind my pubic bone, so it was a little hard to find, but my mw finally got it.
Sorry to not respond to anyone, but we just got home and I''m already ready for bed. I''ll try to check in tomorrow.

10w5d

That''s early, but you are little so I am not surprised. My mw told me I probably had to much padding to hear it at 10 weeks and she was right

We heard it at the 13 week appointment. I felt like I was eavesdropping on a little knome or fairy in his or her little cave. Strange I know, but that''s what I thought of!

 

[Kay]

I’ve been meaning to post about our trip to France for a while, but keep getting distracted with stupid stuff like my job. I’m going to post about the first couple of days now, and will try to come back with more later.

We spent a total of 16 nights in France. Our traveling companions had done a house exchange with a family in Paris, so we had a base there to leave some of our stuff for the whole trip. We spent the first afternoon getting settled in, then took an evening stroll from Opera Garnier to St. Marie Madeleine, then down Rue Royal (through the high-end shopping district in the 8th arrondissement) to Place de la Concorde, past the Louvre to the banks of the Seine, to Ile de la Cite to view Notre Dame at night, then into the 6th arrondissement for simple first dinner of crepes.

The next day, we spent the morning and afternoon wandering the Marais neighborhood, looking at the buildings and gardens and shopping. I found great baby clothes on sale at Natalys for 50-70% off (the French only have sales twice a year, and we happened to hit the summer sales). I found several really cute outfits for $10-25. We had lunch at L’As du Falafel, which has the best swarma and falafel I have ever tasted. Later we had dinner at Au Trou Gascon (in the 12th), which specializes in cuisine from the Gascony region of France. It ended up being our only real dress-up meal of the trip. The food was amazing and I highly recommend dining here if you are in Paris. We started with the house cocktail: champagne aux pruneaux – a prune soaked in Armangac in a glass filled with champagne. Three of us had the special multi-course menu of the evening, which was excellent and a great deal, but DH’s meal was the best: a starter of aged, cured ham from Gascony, the best cassoulet any of us had ever tasted, and warm Gascony "strudel" with salted toffee ice cream. We tried to go back later in the trip, but the restaurant was closed for the owners’ summer vacation. I’m still wishing I had gotten another crack at that cassoulet.

I can’t resist posting pics of a few of my favorite French baby outfits. DH spotted this one – embroidered turquoise jacket that is reversible to the same print as the matching top, print top, and embroidered pants with a belt that matches the top. I love it!

 

[Kay]

Close up of the jacket:

 

[Kay]

Pic with jacket reversed -- DH got major points for spotting this outfit. I can''t wait to play dress up with my little "doll."

 

[Kay]

I love this sweater with the bunny appliqué, and it looks great with the next 2 dresses.

 

[Kay]

Smocked floral dress:

 

[Kay]

Embroidered jumper (this came from Jacardi, not Natalys):

 

[Kay]

Play clothes – orange top with 2 matching pants:

 

[Kay]

Ok, last picture – we couldn’t resist this adorable donkey hand puppet. It is so, so soft, plus we have to start indoctrinating her early.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 9/16/2008 10:28:13 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 9/16/2008 10:23:02 PM

Author: neatfreak


Random question about coats for those who have done the winter baby thing before WHAT did you wear??? It gets very very cold here, for now I am doing the open coat thing, but that won''t work once it gets really cold. BUT I don''t want to buy a coat for just a few months unless it''s super cheap OR it''s something I can wear while not preggo. Anyone find any great wraps or anything?

I will be ginormous in the winter months too and my plan is to go the consignment shops for a preggo coat. If you do''t mind second hand, this may be the way to go and it will probably be inexpensive.

Do you have secondhand maternity stores there? Lucky! None of my local consignment stores (with the exception of one local baby store that has ONE MEASLY RACK) carry maternity clothes...

I am really small otherwise so I know I could just buy a XXL coat or something, but I will SWIM in it everywhere else and it''ll go down to my knees.

 

[snlee]

Kay, what adorable baby clothes! I LOVE the floral dress! Your baby girl (can''t remember did you name her yet?) will look so cute wearing that dress and sweater!

 

[lili]

Blenheim
Yay for the heartbeat.
Isn''t that the sweetest thing you''ve heard?

Kay
Sounds like you had an awesome time with your shower.
Love your french outfits, especially the reversible set.
I didn''t know French outfit is so similiar to Chinese outfit.
Can''t wait to see your little girl in them (how old is that outfit for btw?)

Wow, you are pretty close too.
It won''t be long before we get to meet your little girl.

I''d love to post my LO on here, but I feel like this is more for those lovely preggo bellies

I''ve got some updated pix of her over in the mommies thread if you want to see.

 

[Independent Gal]

NF, re coats, I feel ya! My boys are due at the end of February, so I''ll have a couple of crazy winter months at least. My plan: I have a wool wrap coat (you know, like with a belt tie around the middle) that extends out pretty far. That''s something you can wear again. I got mine at Maxstudio (but, like, 5 years ago). It''s on the light side, but has a big fox collar. Soooooo, I''m just going to layer a warm wool wrap sweater and a humongoid fleece vest underneath. No one will see the XXL fleece vest so I''ll still look elegant on the outside. For really cold days, I''ll add an underlayer... Old Navy maternity tank top?

It''s all about layers, as I''m sure you know!

Here''s an example of what I mean by a wrap sweater. You can throw the long bits over your shoulders to cover your tummy. I have an old one in black, and a new one in gray from Saks. The one in the picture is from Nordstrom. Secure with an elegant brooch!

Kay, thanks for the feedback, I''m up about 12 lbs already, so I''ll definitely be at least 15 by the time I would go. I''ll see what the doctors say. I''ll ask them "Would you go or let your wife go?" And those clothes are ADORABLE!!! GAH. So. cute.

Blen, that''s awesome about hearing hte heartbeat! We still haven''t heard them... only seen them.

DD, little gnome. teeeheeee! I could only think of the cubs as little aliens for the first while. Gnomes is much nicer.

 

[Kay]

Date: 9/16/2008 10:23:02 PM
Author: neatfreak
Check in from me, the boys are behaving well, kicking up a storm which is fun. We''re at the point already where I can see them kicking from the outside which is completely creepy but very cool at the same time.

We painted the boys cribs (well, my mom did when she was visiting this last week, she insisted!) a lovely color called Admiral Blue (courtesy of the Fall 2008 Pottery Barn swatch book) and my MIL just bought us mattresses which arrived today. So I am hoping DH can put the cribs together this weekend and paint the nursery. VERY excited that she bought us the mattresses, such a big expense out of the way. She said she wants to buy their car seats too, wahoo! I''m not going to complain here.

Ha ha, isn''t that the craziest thing? It is so cool to see, and yet totally bizarre -- like something from "Alien."

That''s very cool that your cribs are done and your mom wants to buy your car seats too.

 

[Kay]

Date: 9/16/2008 10:26:25 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 9/16/2008 10:19:55 PM
Author: Kay
We are thinking of having her sleep in the bassinet attachment for our stroller since it is pretty big. We will have to rig a waterproof pad and sheet to fit it. Has anyone else tried this?

Our friends'' babies both spent the first weeks/months of their lives like this and it worked fine for them! Should be okay for you too, I''d imagine.

That''s good to hear. The bassinet is oval, and not a standard size for bedding. I think I will buy a cheap waterproof pad for a twin or kids bed, cut it down, and then pin it to the underside of the bassinet mattress so it is very snug. I think I might be able to use a well-tucked old pillow case as a sheet.

 

[Kay]

Date: 9/16/2008 11:01:26 PM
Author: snlee
Kay, what adorable baby clothes! I LOVE the floral dress! Your baby girl (can''t remember did you name her yet?) will look so cute wearing that dress and sweater!

Thanks! Her name will be Alexis.

I have not started packing a hospital bag yet, but know I need to get on that. I have to go buy a nursing nightgown or PJs. I usually just sleep in one of DH''s T-shirts, so I have no PJs to take. I''m guessing a gown might make it easier for doctors and nurses to do any necessary checks, but stores seem to have a lot more in top and pant PJs. I''m not sure how many outfits to take for Alexis -- I assume I should take both newborn and 0-3 month sizes for her because we don''t know how big she will be. I wonder if they will dress her in clothes we provide each day we are in the hospital, or only for going home?

 

[Kay]

Date: 9/16/2008 11:17:39 PM
Author: lili
Blenheim
Yay for the heartbeat.
Isn''t that the sweetest thing you''ve heard?

Kay
Sounds like you had an awesome time with your shower.
Love your french outfits, especially the reversible set.
I didn''t know French outfit is so similiar to Chinese outfit.
Can''t wait to see your little girl in them (how old is that outfit for btw?)

Wow, you are pretty close too.
It won''t be long before we get to meet your little girl.

I''d love to post my LO on here, but I feel like this is more for those lovely preggo bellies

I''ve got some updated pix of her over in the mommies thread if you want to see.

Yes, the first outfit is definitely inspired by Chinese fashion -- I just llove the style. It is a 12 month size. Most of the clothes we bought in France were in 9 to 24 month sizes because we figure she will mostly be in onesies and sleepers for the first year and dressing her up in cute little outfits will work better when she is a little older (plus, most of the outfits we received as gifts were for 0-3 months or 3-6 months).

I miss having just one thread. I rarely make it to the mommies thread because I have enough trouble keeping up with this one. I''ll have to pop over for a peek.

 

[Kay]

Date: 9/17/2008 8:13:55 AM
Author: Independent Gal
NF, re coats, I feel ya! My boys are due at the end of February, so I''ll have a couple of crazy winter months at least. My plan: I have a wool wrap coat (you know, like with a belt tie around the middle) that extends out pretty far. That''s something you can wear again. I got mine at Maxstudio (but, like, 5 years ago). It''s on the light side, but has a big fox collar. Soooooo, I''m just going to layer a warm wool wrap sweater and a humongoid fleece vest underneath. No one will see the XXL fleece vest so I''ll still look elegant on the outside. For really cold days, I''ll add an underlayer... Old Navy maternity tank top?

It''s all about layers, as I''m sure you know!

Here''s an example of what I mean by a wrap sweater. You can throw the long bits over your shoulders to cover your tummy. I have an old one in black, and a new one in gray from Saks. The one in the picture is from Nordstrom. Secure with an elegant brooch!

Kay, thanks for the feedback, I''m up about 12 lbs already, so I''ll definitely be at least 15 by the time I would go. I''ll see what the doctors say. I''ll ask them ''Would you go or let your wife go?'' And those clothes are ADORABLE!!! GAH. So. cute.

Blen, that''s awesome about hearing hte heartbeat! We still haven''t heard them... only seen them.

DD, little gnome. teeeheeee! I could only think of the cubs as little aliens for the first while. Gnomes is much nicer.

Good luck with your decision -- it is a tough one.

I am afraid I have become a compulsive baby clothes shopper. Buying clothes for myself is no longer fun, so I think I have focused all my shopping energy on her.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Date: 9/12/2008 7:35:27 PM
Author: Pandora II
I''m just under 5 weeks.

No chance of a US until about 12 weeks here in the UK.

Definitely only on one side - and doesn''t feel like menstrual cramps at all - much sharper and more tuggy than crampy.

Geez, incredible how much you can start to worry! If they get a lot worse or more frequent I''ll call NHS Direct tomorrow. I''m 4 hours out of London for a Conference for the next 5 days. DH is here too for his work though so that is something.

Jen, please don''t joke - I''m 35+, tall with a maternal line history of fraternal twins.

Pandora, I don''t know which health area you are in, but I had about a million US scans (in Scotland). Every twinge after my positive test merited a scan, because I had a M/C a few years ago. Your GP should refer you to the nearest early pregnancy unit, regardless of where you plan to deliver / receive pregnancy care, if you would like an early scan. I had a lot of cramping and spotting up to about 12 weeks, everything was fine. Hope you''re doing well.

Jen

 

[Jas12]

Hi preggies--still lurking once in a while, getting excited to see the new additions

Kay--that smock dress is beautiful--good purchases. I will be in france next month so i must keep my eyes open for some items. Isn't baby clothes shopping so much fun! It gets so much worse once the kid arrives. I was in baby Mex over the weekend and i wanted to buy up the store (and usually i only find one or two cute boy things, but mexx has gooorgeous stuff!)

Nearfreak: I was in my 3rd trimester in the dead of winter (and i live in northern canada so it doesn't get much colder) --i hated winter jacket shopping but luckily the styles are on our side right now. My solution: buy a jacket in the 'flare' style with only top buttons. They are all over the place. I was able to wear both my coats from Nov. to March (when i was due). I'll find some pics....

here's one of my black coat (around 30 weeks preggo)

 

[Jas12]

and my white coat (38 weeks preggo)

 

[robbie3982]

It''s still really early, but I wanted to pop in and say hi since DH and I found out yesterday that we''re expecting! EDD is May 28th, making me 3 weeks and 6 days. We''re so happy, but everything feels really surreal at the moment. Only symptoms so far are that my boobs have grown a cup size since last week and I''m starting to be able to see some veins on them as well (definitely not road mappy, but visible where there were none before). I thought it was way too early for that, but apparently not. I kind of feel like a faker since I''m not even pregnant enough to get a BFP on a digital yet.

 

[Independent Gal]

Pishposh Miss Robbie, you're pregnoid and that's that!

I remember how I felt moving over here though, since I felt like an interloper and worried about whether it would stick, etc. I'm sure most of us remember that feeling! So don't worry about joining in as soon or as late as you want. Plus, aren't there, like, 25 of you fresh new jerkstores around here? So you will have lots of company.

Just a note. When I got knocked up, the first thing my midwife (the one back in my old city whom I lerved) said was "Spotting and cramping are normal." I went "Uh-huh." and immediately freaked out because I was spotting and cramping. Just about all of us have spotting and cramping and they ARE normal. I remember "knowing" this but that not helping me relax. Anyway, maybe some of you newbies will actually manage to actually believe it to be true! If you spot, it's OK! If you cramp, it's normal! Don't panic! Don't panic!

The only thing to panic about is spotting that is bright red and gets heavier (turns into a flow) or cramping that is REALLY painful. Stretchy cramps or achy cramps are normal (on one side, though, might indicate and ectopic and should be reported!).

Welcome to the 12ww all you newbies!

 

[robbie3982]

Thanks, Indy, that was a really timely post. I''ve had slight spotting off and on for the last few days. I wasn''t panicking or anything, but I did quickly google when to call the doctor after I saw it this morning.

Does anyone have any fun ideas of how to tell friends? Two of my besties are going to be in town tomorrow. I haven''t seen them since my wedding last year and I have no idea when I''ll see them in person again. We''re holding off on telling anyone other than close friends until after we at least hear a heartbeat.

 

[snlee]

NF, I was thinking lots of layers and wrap sweaters for the winder month too. However, you''ll still need a heavy jacket (even if it doesn''t cover your whole belly). You can try looking at Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls or Ross for some sweaters and jackets. I was able to find a nice wrap sweater at Nordstrom Rack.

Kay, at our hospital, they provide the baby''s clothes during the stay (tshirt, cap, blanket). They don''t provide socks so we''re bringing a pair. We''re only going to bring the going home outfit. I see you posted your list in the Mommies thread so I will go take a look.

robbie, congratulations and welcome!

 

[neatfreak]

Indy,Jas, and Snlee Thanks for the coat recs! Jas I LOVE your coats!!!! I need to find something cute like that...there is a pretty adorable peacoat that just came out from Gap Maternity and it's only $150, so I might just suck it up with a coupon code and give it a try.

And Indy I have been totally LIVING in sweaters like you posted already. I big puffy heart them, but unfortunately they won't get me through Wisconsin winters! If you see anything like the belted coat you describe please do send me the link. That sounds like a great idea.

I just feel so BLAH in my clothes lately, I am sure all you fashion lovers can understand. I hate buying cheap quality clothes, but at the same time I WILL NOT buy expensive clothes that I can only wear for a few months ya know? So instead I have been buying some fabulous flats and bags to make my all black and denim maternity wardrobe more interesting.

This coat thing is really driving me crazy because I want something cute, but at the same time I won't spend a lot of $ on it at all unless I can wear it after...

Robbie WELCOME!!!!!!!! So exciting, lots and lots of sticky dust coming your way girl! Can't wait to see you around here more often.

 

[mela lu]

Hiya! Just bloated and hungry and nauseous here

. 4wks 4days. HA!

Blein - YEY on the heartbeat. You''ve hit the big milestone. Congrats. you must be so relieved!

Kay - cute clothes! Love Euro clothes. They are just a bit different from what we get here and I''m a huge fan! Good luck on your u/s. I hope Alexis is doing well. Ps. love the name. I have a good friend with that name and it''s great.

Speaking of names, Jen?! I''m all about babynames - what are you looking for in the way of middle names?

All you preggies are so cute with your bellies and clothes. Can''t wait to be there with you!

 

[lili]

robbie
a big congrats and welcome to you.
lots of sticky dust coming your way.

mela
bloat, nausea, and hunger are all good signs

sticky dust sprinkled on you too.

jas12
you looked so cute in your jackets.
i can hardly tell that you were preggo in your black jacket.