Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[neatfreak]

Ebree He''s precious!!!! Enjoy it-time flies with the little ones! If you have any questions about BFing a small baby let me know...I have plenty of experience!

Mandarine Don''t bother with the diaper pail thing. Waste of $. Get a trash can with a tight sealing lid (we have a simple human one that is pedal operated and is great)-works so much better and you can reuse it afterwards.

As for other stuff it can be overwhelming. I mostly read reviews on amazon.com for baby stuff in addition to asking my friends who are moms. We did not get a video monitor because we thought it was pointless b/c the babies will be in different cribs soon meaning you''d need two monitors. Sound is really all you need IMO.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Congrats EBRee he is lovely!!

 

[qtiekiki]

Ebree
Henry is so precious.
Good luck with BFing. It''ll get easier.

 

[steph72276]

Congrat Ebree!!! He is adorable!!

 

[Sabine]

Awe, look at little Henry! Congrats on that little precious guy Ebree!

Mandarine, I found Baby Bargains super helpful! I didn''t even buy it though, I just took it out of the library, read through it and took notes on stuff I found helpful.

I''m so excited, we''re officially going to buy the rest of the stuff on our registry today!

 

[janinegirly]

Ebree: congrats, and gorgeous photo!

Mandarine: I second the baby bargains book. Read a bit each night and make a list of what you are leaning towards as you read it--it''s a big help as an educational too otherwise it''s too overwhelming (especially with strollers,etc). In terms of your questions, for cribs I went with Baby Italia which I think they recommended..not sure, but I liked that it converted to a bed eventually. Mattresses I have to say I don''t think it makes much difference..so long as it''s a snug fit, which pretty much all of them are required to be these days. But the Baby Bargains book can educate you on all the things like coil count if you''re interested. Bottles..I say just get a few of each to start and then wait and see. I picked up one Born Free glass one (didn''t work out for me), a Playtex drop in set (convenient and cheap..but again, didn''t really use it). Ended up just using the Medela ones..and I didn''t even end up bf''ing past a month! I liked them for size and practicality...so just see how it goes with a few to start. The Playtex set has a few different nipples in case there''s nipple confusion, but again my LO was not picky..so I was a little overprepared in that area. Now I''m thinkig of giving "Green to Grow" bottles a shot..just for something different.

Robbie: you still here?

Blushing: how are u doing?

 

[fieryred33143]

China-I forgot to answer your question. The car ride itself wasn''t bad at all. We stopped every hour because the OB told Mr. Fiery to, not because I really needed it. When we stopped, I walked around, stretched my legs, drank some water, used the restroom, and was good to go. I''ve had a very "normal" pregnancy so if you have had any complications then I would see how your OB feels about it first. As for names, we''re still going with Sophia as of now but don''t know a middle name. I don''t have a middle name so I don''t see the point in having one but we''ll see if we come up with something

******

Breastfeeding class:

I found this class to be very helpful. I have never seen a woman breastfeed besides catching a glimpse so there were a lot of things that I just did not know. For example, I would not have known to align the nipple to the baby''s nose so that she can get in as much of the breast as possible instead of just giving her the nipple. The whole technique was so fascinating to me and I actually took notes. So if anyone is as green as I am and planning on bf''ing, then I suggest taking a course. Of course it''s all theory and it''ll be different once we go through it but its good to know at least the basics.

And if your class is anything like mine, be prepared to see lots and lots of nipples

 

[robbie3982]

Date: 6/23/2009 8:58:12 AM
Author: janinegirly
Ebree: congrats, and gorgeous photo!


Mattresses I have to say I don''t think it makes much difference..so long as it''s a snug fit, which pretty much all of them are required to be these days.


Robbie: you still here?

Still here! Not much going on

. I''m slightly crampy, but nothing more than normal. In fact, perhaps a bit less. I did have an overwhelming urge to clean this morning before work, though all I managed to do was load the dishwasher.

As far as mattresses and cribs, I was actually shocked to find that there''s enough variance in the allowable dimensions that finding a crib mattress that fits your crib well is not as easy as you''d think it would be.

Mandarine, from the reviews I''ve read, our crib is a bit on the smaller side so some mattresses might actually be too tight of a fit. There were some recommendations in the reviews on Wal-Mart''s site. I don''t think the one I got was one of them, but it fits nicely.

Ebree, what a cutie!!! I''m jealous that your LO is here already!

 

[blushingbride]

I''m doing well! Just biding my time waiting for my 1st ultra sound next week. It seems soooo far away and taking forever to get here! This past weekend was hard for me because it was my sister and brother-in-law''s joint birthday celebration. They were the only two at the dinner/party that knew we were expecting.

My girlfriends and I love to drink wine and one of them was definitely questioned when my drink of choice was a "gin and tonic" minus the gin. I never order that! I also had to pull our waitress aside and tell her what I wanted so that she wouldn''t bring me a drink with gin in it. The whole thing was so awkard - I did not enjoy it. Plus, DH and I were the first ones to leave around 11:30pm - I felt so bad because it wasn''t it like it was my friend''s birthday, it was my sister and brother-in-law!

To make things worse, all my girlfriends want to get together for drinks this week and are trying to pick a night. I had to come up with excuses for each night they were considering. I want to avoid seeing them because if I don''t order wine, they''ll know something''s up and it will just be awkward.

One of my girlfriends invited all of us to her house in Jersey next Friday. That will be the day after my ultrasound and DH and I were thinking of telling people then. Any ideas on how to break the news to good friend in person? I don''t know how we would even bring the subject up. Maybe I''m overanalyzing everything, but I''m actually kind of nervous to tell everyone. Any advice or stories on how you told your close friends would be greatly appreciated!

 

[janinegirly]

aw blushing, it''s all good. I avoided get togethers for months (not saying you should do that)-I just was constantly busy at work as far as they knew! It was easier than asking for no alcohol which is a dead giveaway. Also, I was super cautious and didn''t tell any friends till 4-5 months. I told most by email and good friends in person. There''s no secret to how to do it, just "oh I have some news--we''re pregnant!" I was more sensitive to those who I knew were trying, but all in all everyone is supportive (at least they semeed to be) and everyone ended up getting pregnant the next year anyway!

hang in there...the 2 week wait for 1st ultrasound is so much worse than TTC 2 week wait in my opinion! did you ever get HCG numbers--that usually is reassuring for moments during the wait. And don''t do what I did which was to constantly take pregnancy tests...I just drove myself nuts and spent $100 in the process!

robbie: good point on tight mattresses, maybe that''s why ours is so snug, makes changing sheets annoying! But i''d rather that than any gaps..since my LO is such a tosser and turner and ends up on opposite ends and upside down in the morning.

 

[Mandarine]

Thank you Neat, Robbie, Sabine, Jas and Janine!

Thanks guys re: monitors and diaper pails. I thought those diaper pails did help the odor? (I''m concerned mostly because of my dog...he sort of likes nasty smells

). On the monitors I agree and sound only is probably better!. Thanks again

Robbie I can''t find the Sealy one you purchased...was that through BRUs? or through walmart?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/23/2009 10:50:07 AM
Author: Mandarine

[/b]Thanks guys re: monitors and diaper pails. I thought those diaper pails did help the odor? (I''m concerned mostly because of my dog...he sort of likes nasty smells

). On the monitors I agree and sound only is probably better!. Thanks again

Personally I don''t think they help except masking it with the cloyingly gross smell of fake baby powder scent.

 

[fieryred33143]

Date: 6/23/2009 10:50:07 AM
Author: Mandarine
Thank you Neat, Robbie, Sabine, Jas and Janine!

Thanks guys re: monitors and diaper pails. I thought those diaper pails did help the odor? (I''m concerned mostly because of my dog...he sort of likes nasty smells

). On the monitors I agree and sound only is probably better!. Thanks again

Robbie I can''t find the Sealy one you purchased...was that through BRUs? or through walmart?

The Sealy mattress is being discontinued so you won''t be able to find it easily online.

 

[Mandarine]

NF...hahaha. i thought the diaper champ used regular trash bags! but that''s good to know

Fiery Thanks!...maybe I can still find it so I can read the dimensions on that one and make sure I find one with the same ones...

 

[radiantgirl]

I haven't been on here in such a long time, but just wanted to pop in and say...CONGRATS TO EBREE!!! Henry is absolultely adorable! Can't wait to read about your birth story! Enjoy this precious time with your little man and hopefully breastfeeding isn't too hard for you.

Qtiekiki - Congrats on BFP#2!

Steph - Congrats on your BFP as well! Hope you have an uneventful pregnancy and so glad to hear that things are okay with you after your scare!

peonygirl - Congrats on your twins!

Mandarine - Congrats on your twin boys! I loved my Baby Bargains book and it helped a lot when it came to registering. It is very overwhelming when you have so many options, etc, but the book really helps with reviews, suggestions. I did not go with a video monitor because the technology for that isn't up to par right now. We ended up registering and getting the Philips Avent DECT Technology because it has zero interferance. We haven't had the baby yet, but tested it out and love it! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001COPE86/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=304485901&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000I1Z04C&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=15Q8DRV6C29JS1S7Q22S

As far as mattress goes, we got the Colgate Classica III, which is a foam mattress. It fits our crib very snug, but it is really light, which will make the sheet changing much easier. I did not register for a diaper champ or genie because I think they are kind of pointless. We just bought a Simple Human stainless trash can and will be taking out the trash daily. We went with Born Free and Dr. Brown's bottles and will see what our little one will prefer. Hope that helps!

Blushingbride - Congrats on making it over here. So happy for your BFP!

As for me, I am 36w2d today and am getting tired. I had my first internal during my last appointment on Friday, and my dr. told me my cervix is still closed, but I am 20% effaced, which is some progress, I guess. I am so ready to have this baby soon though. My aunt, who was due exactly 2 weeks before me on July 5th, had her baby boy at 36w5d in Paris. Baby is healthy and adorable, but he only weighed 4 lbs 9 oz. Dr. said he is healthy, but just needs to gain weight. After seeing pictures of him, it makes me so excited to have this little guy. Can't wait to see what he looks like. We picked out his American first name last year, but took us a while to agree on his Vietnamese name (first and middle), but I think we have come up with his official name.

NYCsparkle - Hang in there! Hopefully you will have your baby really soon!

Robbie and Fiery...we are getting so close!!!!

Robbie - I am guessing a boy for you. You look so cute pregnant!

 

[Mandarine]

Thank you Radiant and nice to "see" you...you''re almost there!!! it really does help to see what everyone is doing!!

 

[phoenixgirl]

OK, so I've been completely obsessed with ordering stuff for the baby ever since school got out.

We ordered our crib (Graco Sarah in espresso) and changing dresser (Graco Kimberly combo unit) last week. I am having some second thoughts -- for some reasons the pictures look cheaper to me than when I ordered them -- but a visit to an expensive baby store and the Baby Bargains book convinced me that I probably wouldn't get my money's worth spending a lot more. Plus I hadn't talked to my mom yet (she would have been willing to get some furniture, but now she's ordering all the decor and the rug) so I was trying to save money. So I'll have to see if I like them when they come in next week.

So this week I've concentrated on the decor. The nursery will painted a neutral color (tan/light beige) with white trim, so I need to bring color in through the accessories. And for some crazy reason, I MUST have a pink nursery! If it had been a boy, I definitely would have wanted blue. Weird, I know, since there are so many cute other colors. I'm not even a terribly girly person; my mother couldn't get me to wear dresses when I was little. But for some reason, I must make my baby's room pink. So here's what I've come up with:

(Remember, the walls will not be pink and I won't be getting the bumper or the quilt, so I don't think the pink and brown will be overwhelming, but let me know if you think it's too much!)

 

[sunkist]

Well, we''re off to the big ultrasound!!

Hopefully all is well and I''ll let you know what it is when we get back. Any last minute guesses??

Boy or Girl!?!?

 

[fieryred33143]

Yay Radiant for some progress!

NYCSparkle-I hope you aren''t out there lurking and instead having your baby!!

Mandarine-I was able to find it but when I try to link it for you, it disappears. Here are the dimensions I found:
Specifications:
• 51.625" L x 27.25" W

 

[Mandarine]

Fiery you are so good!

thank you!!!

Phoenix I think it''s going to look great!!!!!!!! Love the rug and decor!!!

Sunkist Did I guess already?...I can''t remember, but I guess girl for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck! tell the little one hello from the Mandarine boys!

 

[phoenixgirl]

Sunkist, how exciting! Yay! I''ll be checking in to see your news! And I''m guessing girl.

 

[AmberWaves]

Sunkist, I''m guessing boy!!!

 

[fieryred33143]

Sunkist I see pink for you! GL today!!

 

[blushingbride]

Janine - thanks for the advice. We''ll be at 8 weeks when we tell our friends. I just can''t take the sneaking around and lying much longer (even though I know it''s best to wait right now). Therese are our very close and dear friends from the city. DH and I are very fortunate in the sense that this girls have been my friends since we all first moved here 8 years ago and luckily all our husbands are good friends too. It''s definitely a win, win! We''ll wait to tell our other friends after the first trimester.

BTW - I had like 25 dollar store tests that I''ve collected over the year we were trying. When I bought preseed or sticks for my fertility monitor, I''d always get like 5 or 6. I use those once in a while just to make sure things are still OK down there - I know - crazy right!?

I had my HCG levels tested two weeks ago and everything was normal. I haven''t gone back because to be honest, I am soooo sick of needles already and I know it''s just the beginning, but I was poked and prodded PLENTY of times over the past two months so, I''m going to refrain.

Thanks for checking in!

Sunkist - I''m guessing a GIRL!!!!!

 

[anchor31]

Ebree - Henry is GORGEOUS!!

Congrats again!

Sunkist - It''s that time already? I''m guessing girl! Just because I like to guess girl.

As for me, 13 weeks tomorrow and still puking twice a week.

I saw a physiotherapist last week (seeing her again today) and the back pain is going from bad to worse, so

. Let''s hope I won''t blow up in her face this afternoon.

 

[indypitty]

Congrats, Ebree! Henry is a doll and I LOVE the name!!!

Sunkist ~ How exciting! I''m guessing girl!!! How far along are you? I go for an ultrasound in two weeks, and I''ll be 17w4d. I hope they can tell us the sex!

Phoenix ~ I love the pink and brown together, and I REALLY love the damask print. I am pretty much obsessed with black and white damask myself, but DH vetoed that for our nursery already (doesn''t think the black and white is "baby" enough"

)

Speaking of that...

I''ve had my eye on this bedding set for quite a while and I broke down and bought it today, even though we don''t know if we''re having a girl or a boy yet! It was 75% off ~ retails for $355 and I got it for $90!!! It is pink (mauve?) and gray, which is a nearly impossible combo to find. I really wanted to use gray in the nursery (if we have a boy I want yellow and gray). I figure is this baby is a boy, I can save it in case a future baby is a girl, or I can sell it on Ebay. I really think this baby is a girl, though!

 

[fieryred33143]

I wonder what happened to SapphireCutie (something like that) and if she and baby are doing well. If you are lurking, say hello

 

[Circe]

Aaaaaaaaah, all of your nursery ideas are so cute! It looks like my husband and I will be moving back to NY, where if we''re lucky we miiiiiiiight be able to afford a two-bedroom in the neighborhood we like, but might possibly have to resign ourselves to a one-bedroom for the first year or two. Bah to that! Not only do I hate moving, but all of these nursery ideas are so adorable!

In other news ... fitness question. Everybody keeps telling me that I''m not supposed to lift heavy things. As far as I can tell, groceries are fine, and if I had a toddler, toddler-weight (what is that, anyway - 30 lbs? 40 lbs?) would be fine, but I should probably avoid doing my own move in the near future. So, okay, fine, but where does lifting 130+ to an eventual 160+ lbs fit into this?

See, one of my main forms of exercise involves my chin-up bar. I''m pretty sure I''ll stop wanting to do upside-down chair-lifts once the belly sprouts, but should I lay off of them now? How about normal chin-ups?

... Bueller?

 

[vizsla]

circe - are you using an assisted chin up machine? my trainer still has me doing those (i''m 23 weeks). my dr. and trainer are more concerned with my heart rate over anything else. but i''m still doing abs (on a ball) seated bench presses, lunges, free weights etc. i think you just need to get the OK from your dr.
and, to be honest, i''m still lugging around the laundry, washing the floor, all that good ''normal'' house stuff and haven''t even thought about if i should be doing it or not.... sometimes ignorance is bliss

hello - ebree.. GAH!!! henry is adorable! good job mama!

fiery - sorry to hear about your ''situation'' i''m fully expecting to get those as i have been bound up since day one! thanks for the tucks recommendation... drugstore.com here i come.

nothing much new to report here.... just wishing everyday i could go to the pool instead of work

it''s so nice outside today

i just want to play!

DH and i sat down and had our first ''official'' name conversation. we went thru and narrowed down our (*cough* my) list considerably. and here is where we are...
in no particular order: thoughts?

wesley (wes) joseph
charles (charlie) joseph (his gpa''s name and my gpa''s name ... although he doesn''t love charlie)
elliot ''roadway'' - not really ''roadway'' but it''s similar to my dh middle name - his mother''s maiden name
isaac ''roadway''
nolan ''roadway''

 

[ChinaCat]

Phxgirl- I think it will look great. If you were painting the walls pink, I think it would be pink overkill, but I think the way you've described it will be tasteful and adorable.

Sunkist- I am guessing GIRL for you. No reason!

Blushing- The not drinking thing was honestly one of the worst parts about my 1st trimester. First of all, it's just exhausting trying to hide it/come up with excuses. I am not a girl that ever turns down wine, so it was hard coming up with reasons. I did have a root canal so I blamed that for awhile. What ended up working pretty well for me was just to order wine or whatever and then "pretend" to sip it. DH would eventually switch glasses with me. Surprisingly no one really noticed when I did it that way- in fact when I told one of my BF's at dinner, she didn't believe me cause she said "But you've been drinking all night!" Of course, finally one night DH told me he had to stop "drinking for two" cause he was getting so buzzed drinking my wine.

Another thought for you- do these friends know you've been trying/just went to the RE at the new place? You could always tell them that the RE asked you to cut out alcohol on this next cycle. I had a friend that did cut out alcohol when she was TTC, so it's believeable. Good luck, 8 weeks isn't too far!!!! How are you feeling, btw? I didn't feel a single thing till about 6 weeks.

Anchor- Sorry about the back pain. Maybe Pandora or Courtneylub can chime in, I think they both had pretty bad back issues.

Indy- LOVE the gray and pink- if we were having a girl, that is what I was planning on doing. Great price too. When do you find out?

Circe- Weights- Hmmm, not sure about lifting your body weight. I kept lifting light weights with a trainer until about 2 or 3 weeks ago, so well into my 3rd trimester. But they were 5-10-12 lbs. I think for the most part you can do what you were doing pre-preggo, with modifications- but just don't exert yourself as much. I probably wouldn't do those past your 1st trimester b/c sounds like it involves abs plus heavy lifting. Of course, ask your doctor. I kind of just trusted my instincts and was always pretty close to what doctor recommended.

Fiery- I think SapphireCutie is behind me, due date wise, but maybe I'm thinking of someone else???? I remember her cute belly/stomach tattoo. If you're out there, check in!!!

ETA- V, great names. I think my fave for you is Wesley Joseph.

OH, and on the "stoppage" convo- those iron pills I just started taking really did a number on me this week. I have been stopped up for a week and was really starting to get nervous about it. Plus last night my stomach was killing me, and I had nightmares about things getting so swollen and backed up in there that they strangled my baby.

Yes, makes no sense but it was a dream. Anyways, FINALLY today things started flowing again. Sweet sweet relief. I have never been so happy sitting on a toilet in my life. Seriously, FIERY, I was thinking of you and thinking I would gladly take the hemis if it meant all would come out. I really am tempted to stop taking the iron pills but won't b/c I remember Pandora mentioning to definitely take them. Blergh and yuck.