Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[anchor31]

Everyone looks so great! Mara, those pics are to die for.

Cello - I''m glad to hear you''re trying to keep busy. I''ve been put on pelvic rest too, because on cervix softness, and I sympathize with you... I''m 36 weeks 2 days now, and I wouldn''t mind if s/he came out a bit early... My hips are killing me! Can''t wait to see your belly shot!

jcrow - I totally hear you on the early not-much-weight-gaining-but-showing. I''m 5''1", so baby has nowhere to go but out. Now I get asked pretty frequently if I''m sure I''m not having twins... Oi.

This is kind of OT, but I have a question... My mom just called me to ask what I want for Christmas. With the baby coming this month and the house we just bought, DH and I have been spending quite a bit of money on baby stuff and we have the house inspection to pay for, etc. When we''ll move in next May, we''ll need to have curtains put in and I''d eventually like to have a freezer and replace the old falling-apart dining room and living room sets we currently have... Otherwise, I can''t think of anything that I personally need just for myself. Since our gift-giving budget is pretty much zero, I''ll be giving cookie-mix-in-a-jar types of gifts to everyone, and I''m tempted to tell people we don''t want gifts? I dunno, the only thing we need right now is pretty much money, and I''m not comfortable asking for that... So, WWYD?

 

[puffy]

mara BEAUTIFUL pics!!!

burk you are all belly and you look great!!!

i''ll try to get a pic up today but not too sure if i will just cause i am HUGE!!

 

[MonkeyPie]

burk and mere, you guys look so cute! I love Fridays hehe.

Mara, your pictures came out amazing! I love the first one, your friend has a really great eye. I thought about doing these, but I hate exposing my belly - stretch marks, galore!

I was going to take a pic this morning - I''ve gotten way bigger the last week - but haven''t had time so I will have my DH take a real one with the Nikon tonight. My supervisor at work saw me this morning, and was like, "Awww, the belly, it''s really getting out there!" And I feel like in the last few days it has really grown. Maybe because Micah won''t stop kicking like a soccer star lol.

 

[qtiekiki]

Dr. appt went well. I am 133.5lbs, which is 25.5lbs gain so far. Heartbeats sounded good. I barely passed the glucose screening with 127. So happy that I don''t need the 3 hrs one. Yay!

Here''s my belly pic. 32w1d today.

 

[drk]

Date: 12/4/2009 1:29:19 PM
Author: anchor31
Everyone looks so great! Mara, those pics are to die for.

Cello - I'm glad to hear you're trying to keep busy. I've been put on pelvic rest too, because on cervix softness, and I sympathize with you... I'm 36 weeks 2 days now, and I wouldn't mind if s/he came out a bit early... My hips are killing me! Can't wait to see your belly shot!

jcrow - I totally hear you on the early not-much-weight-gaining-but-showing. I'm 5'1', so baby has nowhere to go but out. Now I get asked pretty frequently if I'm sure I'm not having twins... Oi.

This is kind of OT, but I have a question... My mom just called me to ask what I want for Christmas. With the baby coming this month and the house we just bought, DH and I have been spending quite a bit of money on baby stuff and we have the house inspection to pay for, etc. When we'll move in next May, we'll need to have curtains put in and I'd eventually like to have a freezer and replace the old falling-apart dining room and living room sets we currently have... Otherwise, I can't think of anything that I personally need just for myself. Since our gift-giving budget is pretty much zero, I'll be giving cookie-mix-in-a-jar types of gifts to everyone, and I'm tempted to tell people we don't want gifts? I dunno, the only thing we need right now is pretty much money, and I'm not comfortable asking for that... So, WWYD?

My Dad offered to buy our stroller, as did Mum (until she found out how expensive that one was, then she said she'd get something else, likely the car seat). I ended up asking for some of the stroller accessories that are only easily available (and cheaper) in the States from Mom and my brother for Xmas, but said that I'd be happy to have him order them in the States and pay him back when we go visit for Christmas if they had something else in mind. There's really nothing much that DH and I want for ourselves this year. Dad asked for more suggestions, and I said we'd like a video camera before baby, but hadn't figured out just what kind would be best, so if he wanted to contribute to that, we'd appreciate it. He said that would be fine.

I wouldn't actually feel bad about asking people to contribute to some house stuff down the road. It wouldn't matter to me if they gave $25 or $50 or $100 - any amount of money would be more helpful than something you don't want or need that you'll just have to move into the new place when you get it. People generally know the approx value of other gifts they request for themselves anyhow, so it's not that much different. If you're going to get together with family, and you don't want anyone to feel bad about how much they give as money, could you say you'll bring along a piggy bank and would really appreciate a little contribution towards stuff for the house and/or baby?

I feel like people will understand that you don't have much in the way of money this year, between baby and house stuff. You could always say that you can't afford anything fancy this year, and would rather not receive gifts, but if they still wanted to help out, a piggy bank deposit would be the most appreciated. It's all kind of awkward, isn't it.

I'm wondering what to do about my stepsisters, who are both searching for work and waitressing in the meantime. They're usually very generous with gifts, and my stepmother and Dad are telling them to not get anyone anything this year (they obviously can't afford it) and telling us all to not get them anything in return. I'd still like to get them something at least, just not sure what. I'll probably keep it small so they don't feel guilty - maybe an interesting looking new book?

What's worse is that my brother often goes all out on gifts, spending over $100 on each person. My husband's family always gets small token gifts, and I was used to giving more in the $50 range. Now that I have a better job, I feel like I should bump up what I spend. I figure this year each kid (whose b-days I missed with all the exam stress earlier in the year) will get a small present ($20ish) plus maybe $100 to put in their bank accounts towards education or something else for later on. They always have more toys and clothes than they know what to do with. Not sure if that's crazy, given the rest of our finances this year. I'd rather spend more on them than on the adults who usually buy themselves what they want and need anyhow.

Sorry for the ramble!


ETA: QT - you look great! All belly, for sure. Hope the rest of me stays as slender as you have as I get farther along.

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/4/2009 1:29:19 PM
Author: anchor31
Everyone looks so great! Mara, those pics are to die for.

Cello - I''m glad to hear you''re trying to keep busy. I''ve been put on pelvic rest too, because on cervix softness, and I sympathize with you... I''m 36 weeks 2 days now, and I wouldn''t mind if s/he came out a bit early... My hips are killing me! Can''t wait to see your belly shot!


jcrow - I totally hear you on the early not-much-weight-gaining-but-showing. I''m 5''1'', so baby has nowhere to go but out. Now I get asked pretty frequently if I''m sure I''m not having twins... Oi.


This is kind of OT, but I have a question... My mom just called me to ask what I want for Christmas. With the baby coming this month and the house we just bought, DH and I have been spending quite a bit of money on baby stuff and we have the house inspection to pay for, etc. When we''ll move in next May, we''ll need to have curtains put in and I''d eventually like to have a freezer and replace the old falling-apart dining room and living room sets we currently have... Otherwise, I can''t think of anything that I personally need just for myself. Since our gift-giving budget is pretty much zero, I''ll be giving cookie-mix-in-a-jar types of gifts to everyone, and I''m tempted to tell people we don''t want gifts? I dunno, the only thing we need right now is pretty much money, and I''m not comfortable asking for that... So, WWYD?

re: christmas gifts.. how about asking for things off the baby registry? that''s what we''re doing for our immediate family. i felt a little so-so about saying that after they asked what we wanted, but they LOVED the idea. i think they''re all a little lost as to what to get and to know that it''ll be something we picked out and need + for the baby, well they loved the idea.

 

[steph72276]

Hey, girls. I am late with my picture b/c I had Andrew at a play date this morning. Everyone looks so great!

DRK, I can tell a slight difference, but you are still so tiny and cute!

Mara, your pregnancy photos are gorgeous! I love them all

Mere, cute bump!

Burk, you look fab!

QT, you have the cutest bump! Yea on passing your screening!

Anchor, what about gift cards to home improvement stores or to where you are registered?

Hello to everyone else! I hope you all are having a GREAT Friday!

Ok, here''s my 32 week shot, I feel HUGE now. Haha, couldn''t get in a good shot alone, I had a "helper" jump into every shot so I just gave up!

 

[drk]

Steph - well, you''re bigger than a couple weeks ago, but still not huge by any stretch of the imagination! I think your "helper" kind of steals the show for cuteness this week though. He looks like such a sweetie. How old is he now?

 

[anchor31]

Thanks for the input on Christmas presents everyone. Baby registry stuff would be a good idea if it wasn''t for the fact that Christmas is so close to my due date that we''ll have bought everything we didn''t get from the showers already (doing that this weekend, in fact). I know my mom doesn''t like it when I ask for something that''s not "just for me", but I guess that best thing would be to just tell her what I just told you! No matter what her preferences are, I''m sure she''ll understand.

QT - I love your outie belly button!! Mine never popped.

 

[E B]

anchor,

What about a piece of jewelry for you with the baby's birthstone? Like this? (Or the garnet version if you go into January). If you have the baby after Christmas, it can be a late x-mas gift.

(ETA: Mara, those photos are beautiful!)

 

[vespergirl]

Great belly pics everyone!

Mara, I really love the pro pics you had done - so beautiful!

 

[steph72276]

Date: 12/4/2009 3:40:49 PM
Author: drk
Steph - well, you''re bigger than a couple weeks ago, but still not huge by any stretch of the imagination! I think your ''helper'' kind of steals the show for cuteness this week though. He looks like such a sweetie. How old is he now?

Aww, thank you...he is a sweetie. He just turned 5 last month

 

[rockpaperscissors67]

Ok, all you teeny tiny things...I''m finally adding a pic. I usually miss BPF because Fridays are low key work days and a lot of times I don''t bother getting out of my jammies. I feel huge these days and I think the baby has actually moved down because it feels like he''s hanging out between my knees when I sit.

Mara, your pictures are absolutely beautiful and so are you! Pregnancy obviously agrees with you very much. Even if you don''t show the pics around, I''m sure that you will be glad to have them because as odd as it sounds, once you''re not pregnant, you may find yourself missing it.

Anchor, about the Christmas present...have you thought about asking for something for pampering yourself after the baby is born? Maybe a gift certificate for a massage or a pedicure? I usually feel kind of blah post-partum when I''m still looking several months pregnant and don''t seem to have time to do the things that make me feel good about myself. I''m kind of weird, too, about Christmas presents because I think they should be something that the recipient probably wouldn''t buy for him/herself. No practical presents are allowed in this house, which is something I''ve had to drill into SO''s head after hearing year after year that he''s happy with underwear as a gift. If I would buy it for you on a trip to Target, it does not qualify as a Christmas present.

Steph, your little guy is way too cute!! I bet he''s anxious to be a big brother, huh? I think you''ll enjoy the age difference because he''s old enough to really help with the baby.

 

[KimberlyH]

Great pictures, everyone!

Meresal, I''m so glad your sister is doing well.

Anchor, if she really wants to know what you want, I''d tell her.

 

[Mara]

aw thanks everyone... it's the makeup and photographer that maks those photos look fab, haha. trust me i do not look like that 'every day'. my preggo coworker was like 'WOW i need this girl's number'. i feel like a hag at work lately, esp now that i am resorting to wearing the same clothes week after week because they are comfy. and bliss you are the sweetest darling but i am defintely not the best looking pregnant woman out there. did you SEE heidi klum? LOL! i hope you are feeling a little bit better these days btw.

but yeah i am glad i got the photos done and they did come out nicely. there are a few kinda sexy ones that greg appreciated too. haha. and re: missing being pregnant, i was thinking about that in the shower today (where i do all my quality thinking) and i thought...you know i will miss feeling all this constant movement in my belly and knowing it's him. i won't miss feeling big, unwieldy, growing hair in strange places or peeing every hour, but i could see being 'wistful' about a few things too.

i had my 32 week appt today, no cervix check today, she said i am measuring just a little smaller than 32 weeks, but overall it's fine. strong HB as usual and i got my pre-admission forms and turned in my birth plan. wow it's so funny to say i am 32 weeks but i am THIRTY TWO WEEKS. or just about. it's crazy because i remember being 6 and then 8 and then 10 and 12, and 15, and 18 and 20 and it seemed like it would be forever til i was even remotely close and OMG i am getting close.

i thought it was hilarious she said i was a little bit small after i told her i felt like a gargantuan hippo this week.

and we talked about when they would induce if i was late and the diff options etc. i love my doctor, i ask her the weirdest Q's and she is so accommodating.

oh and i feel like my boobs got bigger again this week. it is definitely national geopgrahic time around here.

rps...your belly looks great!! i imagine that is what mine looks like from the side now too.
qt i love your belly and that your button popped. you are so slim everywhere else.
steph...ha ha i can see the belly pop! you are still smaller than me though!
burk you had a bit of a pop too but you still look svelte. it must be the sweater.

mp... as a photographer you know that magic can be worked with photoshop! i had my gal blur out some knarly nails in a few of my shots, surely you could have the same done with stretch marks, esp in b/w?

oh and re: gift this year we are not doing any at all really for anyone. everyone knows we are getting ready for baby and i'd rather focus anything there we HAVE to buy than just giving gifts for the sake of it like sometimes we can. also i told our parents and families no gifts but if they absolutely cannot help themselves, then please buy something from the registry or for the baby that we NEED. normally i am really into gift shopping etc but with things at work so busy and everything else i just can't focus nor do i want to stress myself out. i will be lucky to get holiday cards out this year!

 

[lili]

You ladies are funny when you guys say that you are huge, especially Steph.

Steph--
Man, I look at that belly and have to wonder if you''ve mistakenly put a first trimester photo on there.
You definitely have a bump, but it is by no means HUGE.

Puffy--
Forgive me if I don''t buy your "HUGE" assessment
Can''t wait to see your belly too.
You are getting pretty close.

QT--
Your belly is too cute.
I was wondering if that was your belly button sticking out.
I''ve noticed it in your photos since around a month ago.
How cute that it is so prominent ^.^

Mara--
Haha, if you think you are huge now.
Come back in 8 weeks and tell me how you feel.
I thought I was huge when I was 32 wks.
But looking back, you''d be amazed how much bigger your belly can get.
I was literally 3-4x larger 8 wks later.

 

[lili]

rps--
your belly is cute...and you are so slim very else too.
how many weeks are you again?

 

[puffy]

ok ladies..here we go 36w4d.... i know i am BIG!! i was measuring right at 35 weeks at my 36 week appt, which is pretty weird since i feel like i am carrying around a basketball.

steph- you are still a tiny little one!! such a cute wee little bump you have. and that little boy of yours...too cute!!

have a great weekend everyone. DH''s bday is today and B''s bday is monday...super busy weekend.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

YAHOO for BPF!
Gorgeous pics, ladies.

Popping over here with some Q''s. I have 3 appointments next week- whew!

NT scan on Monday- any tips, suggestions, etc... on what to expect? I''ve read up on the procedure but would luv to hear from PS mommies on this.

My last appointment with my current Doc on is Tuesday- she''s strictly a GYN and "hands off" her preggos once they''ve gotten to 12 weeks (which I''ll be next Thurs). Feeling kinda sad about this.

But thrilled that I have a meet and greet with my 1st choice OB on Wed. This Doc comes very well-recommended, and I got a good vibe from the phone convo I had with the front-office staff. Did anyone else have to switch Docs to secure an OB? I know it''s not the norm, but would love to know if you did!

THANKS, gals

 

[Logan Sapphire]

This is probably an awful question, and I''m ashamed to even feel like this, but does anyone NOT really love their baby yet? I feel protective and would be upset if something happened to him, but I don''t love him, or at least I don''t love him in the same way I love my daughter. My husband says we need to meet him first, which is probably true. I''ve felt him move a lot, so it''s not that he''s an inanimate object still.

Anyone?

 

[rockpaperscissors67]

Date: 12/4/2009 7:07:46 PM
Author: lili
rps--
your belly is cute...and you are so slim very else too.
how many weeks are you again?

Aw, thanks, Lili! I''m just about at 33 weeks. It''s hard to say exactly because I have different due dates, depending on whether you figure from LMP or from date of conception. We laugh at my belly all the time because I have gained 32 lbs. or so and it seems to be ALL belly. I always carry like this and look like I''m smuggling a basketball.

Mara, please. Do you think we''re really going to believe that it was just the makeup and photographer?

ChargerGrrl, the NT scans I''ve had have been a bit later, like around 18 weeks, but basically, they were just really indepth ultrasounds. The tech measured the nuchal fold and then went on to do the other measurements as well (like the spine and legs, etc.). These were really good for me because I was assured that the baby was looking good.

 

[sunkist]

Date: 12/4/2009 8:03:50 PM
Author: ChargerGrrl
YAHOO for BPF!

Gorgeous pics, ladies.


Popping over here with some Q''s. I have 3 appointments next week- whew!


NT scan on Monday- any tips, suggestions, etc... on what to expect? I''ve read up on the procedure but would luv to hear from PS mommies on this.


My last appointment with my current Doc on is Tuesday- she''s strictly a GYN and ''hands off'' her preggos once they''ve gotten to 12 weeks (which I''ll be next Thurs). Feeling kinda sad about this.


But thrilled that I have a meet and greet with my 1st choice OB on Wed. This Doc comes very well-recommended, and I got a good vibe from the phone convo I had with the front-office staff. Did anyone else have to switch Docs to secure an OB? I know it''s not the norm, but would love to know if you did!


THANKS, gals

Wow Charger, I missed your anouncement that you''re pregnant! Congratulations!!

I hope you like your new OB

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Hiya Sunkist

Yep, i''m at 11 weeks- i can''t believe it!

I mostly post on the BARELY PREGGO thread, and I really just only "came out" last week, before the TG Holiday. I''m waiting until my 2nd trimester to make to leap to this thread- I think I only have about 2 more weeks to go.

How''s mommyhood treating you? Your LO is just precious!

RPS67- THANKS for chiming in on your NT scan experience. I appreciate it!

 

[steph72276]

RPS, you look great...all belly! Andrew is VERY excited to be a big brother!

Mara, I know I can''t believe I''m 32 weeks too! Time seemed to drag on in the beginning, but now it''s moving pretty quickly!

Lili, Thank you! Your little girl is adorable in the new pic!

Puffy, Thank you! And I love your bump...it is all belly and you are tiny everywhere else. Wow, you are getting really close!

Charger, don''t think I ever told you congrats, that is great news!

Logan, I can kind of relate to what you''re feeling. I was talking to my husband the other night and said I didn''t know how it is going to be possible to love another child like we love our first. I mean, I know in my head as soon as he comes out I will be head over heals in love with him, but right now I can''t see how I can love another one like I love my first. I have talked to other friends that have more than one baby and they said they felt the same way, but as soon as you see him/her, those thoughts go away...everything you''re feeling is perfectly normal

 

[curlygirl]

Date: 12/4/2009 8:36:58 PM
Author: Logan Sapphire
This is probably an awful question, and I'm ashamed to even feel like this, but does anyone NOT really love their baby yet? I feel protective and would be upset if something happened to him, but I don't love him, or at least I don't love him in the same way I love my daughter. My husband says we need to meet him first, which is probably true. I've felt him move a lot, so it's not that he's an inanimate object still.

Anyone?

LS, I'm not pregnant right now but I remember feeling that way with #2. She was totally unplanned and unexpected and I was completely mentally freaked out for the majority of my pregnancy. I felt physically great and had an easy time, loved feeling her move and going through all the pregnancy stuff but I wasn't in love. And even after she was born, it took me a while to fall in love with her. But I did. Now when I look at her, I melt!

I think it's really hard when you already have one child and have such strong feelings for that one. I think it's totally understandable considering you went through the whole process of adopting your daughter and that bond is so meaningful. There is something special there and it's hard to imagine having it with another child. I didn't think I could love another child as much as I loved the first one. I'm now amazed at how huge my heart is and how much I can love both of these children equally. So I agree with your husband. Wait till you meet him. It will change--I can almost guarantee it. It may not be instantaneous but it will happen. I know it feels like it's taboo to talk about this stuff but you are not alone in feeling this way. I'm sure other BTDT moms can relate so you are not alone. Just give it time and once you see your little man and get to know him, I think you'll find that it's going to be really easy to love him.

 

[drk]

Puffy - for 36.5 weeks you''re not that big! Looking great, actually.

Charger - my NT scan was just fun. Fully bladder to start with, lots of waiting for the kid to bounce itself off the membrane to make sure they weren''t getting the wrong measurement. Basically we just measured the baby from crown to rump, watched it bounce around, checked the heartbeat, saw the major bits (arms/legs, head, heart, belly), and I can''t remember any more if they had me go pee and then had another look transvaginally or not. External or internal is all pretty much the same to me at this point after years of infertility treatments, so I just don''t remember. DH had a lot of fun really seeing something very babylike for the first time. 9wks was kind of babylike, but it was so different by 11.5.

Logan - I can''t speak from experience, but I would bet you won''t love him like you do your daughter until after he''s born and you have a chance to really bond, and learn his personality, and have a chance to care for him and play with him. I kind of think it''d be odd if you loved him as much as her, when you''ve had so many shared experiences with her, and apart from feeling movements, nothing really with him. There''s a big difference to me.

 

[Mara]

charger, my NT was about 45 min...they looked at the baby... it's usually good quality picture, much better than my dr's office. my tech was really matter of fact, pointing things out here and there...then she made notes on numbers for the NT. and then the dr comes in to look at her measurements and the baby. the dr took her own measurements. then they compared and re measured to be sure they were close/accurate etc and to figure out what the 'official' # was. i liked it because it was 45 min of looking at the nugget, but it was a little nerve wracking because they are so matter of fact plus you don't really know what they are looking at..well i didn't anyway haha.

lol lili...don't tell me that now!! i like being in denial.

puffy you look great and NOT huge hhaha.

LS...it took me a while to bond. in the beginning it was almost surreal. it happened so quickly for us and then at first i was like is this even happening. and then i just wanted to get to the 2nd tri so i was afraid to get attached at all. and then through all the testing we were going through. so it wasn't until around 16 weeks when we got our amnio results back that i could START to appreciate what was happening. and i didnt feel him moving that much until almost 20 weeks. but once i felt him moving around i felt more bonded.

don't put pressure on yourself, i think it'll come with time.

 

[qtiekiki]

drk
I think it''s just the angle that I took the pic b/c I don''t look as slim IRL. You are much smaller than me when I was your stage; I blame it on my height.

Anchor
Ditto on asking for gift card to home improvement stores or to somewhere where you cam buy diapers.
My belly button didn''t pop with my first pregnancy. I think it popped this time b/c it didn''t get a chance to go back to "normal" before I got pregnant again (I got pregnant when Meena was 9 months old).

Steph
You did pop a little, but I am still way ahead of you.
I forgot your DS''s name; is it Andrew? He is adorable.

RPS
You look great. All belly. Can''t believe it''s your 6th pregnancy, or is it the 5th?

Meresal
Great news about your sister.

Mara
oh you will miss the kicks and movements. I know I did last time.
Like I said to anchor, the belly button pop is due to having 2 under 2 or that what I think. Everyone except me thinks it''s cute.

lili
yeah the belly button is sticking out quite a bit. M likes to poke at it, and sometimes she''ll kiss my belly and try to bite on the belly button. She thinks it''s funny. I am like "ouch".

 

[qtiekiki]

Puffy
You are not huge for 36 weeks. You look great.

LS
I think it''s normal what you are feeling especially when you already have a LO at home. I am sure you will love the baby once he is born.

 

[KimberlyH]

Charger, my NT scan was pretty basic, check out the kiddo, measure from crown to rump (dating the pregnancy again, checking for growth), check for a nose bone, measure the neck, listen to the heartbeat and get a few pictures. It took about 30 minutes. The radiologist is in a different location than my OB, so the results get sent back to the OB for review, but our tech told us everything he could (measurements and what is considered normal, etc.) on the spot. After the ultrasound I went to the lab and had blood drawn to complete the test. You won''t get the results for a bit as in CA the blood tests are run through the state (they take the measurements and results of the blood work and enter them into some sort of formula that calculates risk). At about 16 weeks you have another blood test that comes back with another set of risk numbers for other potential genetic defects.

RPS mentioned measuring the kiddo''s body parts such as spine and legs but I think she may be referring to the anatomy scan between 18 and 20 weeks, which is different from the NT scan when they are specifically looking for the neck measurement and nose bone to rule out down''s syndrome (and perhaps one other thing, I can''t quite recall).