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Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

Breastfeeding: I tried to breastfeed but my milk never fully came in. I didn''t even produce visible colustrum until about a week or so after I gave birth. I felt so guilty the whole time while I was trying to feed him and pump and pump and pump. I finally thought---I''m spending more time pumping then being with my baby! I would pump so much and only get about an ounce after like 3 days! It was ridiculous. I still feel guilty to this day (Evan is 8 weeks) that I only attempted breast feeding for about 2 weeks or so. Also, he''s done really well on formula and isn''t overweight or having any issues. He had lost a lot of weight early on while I was trying to breastfeed---so I figured I''d rather he ate then try to keep up the breastfeeding because mommy didn''t want to fail at something.
 
I''ve just been lurking a bit, and wanted to weigh in on two topics.
Monitors--highly recommend a video monitor! My ds has to be in his crib with a white noise machine on and the door shut or else things like the dog barking will wake him up. When we transitioned to the crib, I borrowed a friend''s video monitor, and I''m about to give it back this week, and I don''t know what I''m going to do without it. Never thought I needed one, but now I really want one but dh doesn''t want to spend the money (ds is 5 months old now).

And bfing - I still don''t know what my "advice" is, but wanted to share my experience. Ds had trouble sucking (he latched fine but wouldn''t suck) and the nurses/lc all tried different things and gave different advice. Only one nurse was able to help me to get him to nurse once the whole 4 days we were in the hospital, so we supplemented with formula and I started pumping. By the time we left, he still wasn''t nursing, and I got SO ENGORGED when my milk came in that the pain of that WAY overshadowed the pain of my c-section (didn''t know to expect that) and I couldn''t even try to nurse at that point and pumping didn''t help relieve the pain. By the time the pain subsided, ds wanted nothing to do with the boob, and dh had gone back to work so he needed to get some sleep (I was supposed to pump every 2 hours around the clock for 30 minutes at a time to keep my supply up). I have a feeling that if I had contacted other lc''s we would have been able to get ds to nurse eventually, but I was so exhausted and emotional that I didn''t have it in me to try anymore. I''m still a little bummed it didn''t work out, and even though I had taken classes and done research on bfing, I still felt really unprepared for how difficult it would be and that ds still wouldn''t nurse even with lc''s helping. I guess the only advice that I feel comfortable giving is that if you really want to bf and are having trouble and the help you have isn''t helping, try to get different help right away.
 
re: video monitors - any recommendations on which one to register for? we currently have a non-video on our register, but now you guys got me reconsidering...
 
oh after reading sabine's post... one more thing re: bf'ing...the nazis at the hospital were like 'boob only for 6 weeks'..no paci, no bottle, nothing but boob or else your kid will turn out as a mutant (not really but you know).

but as i have read many times on PS..sometimes boob doesn't work right for the first 1-2 weeks. since taking our bf class, i have talked to at least 10 moms who said they did paci/boob/bottle interchangeably just fine when boob doesn't always work right at first(latch). so i plan to just play it by ear and see what happens. one of my friends pumped only for the first week until her little girl could figure out a latch. she had no problem doing the paci/bottle/boob.

also two more of my friends swear by the medela nipple shields for helping a latch and also protecting your nipple while you are figuring things out. apparently LC's don't like them and will get on you for using them (what they told me anyway) but both of these moms said it helped immensely with the latch and the kid seemed fine without if after a while. she sent me two so i have them in just in case.

again not like i have DONE any of this just yet but i figure that i am not going to be totally one way or the other, if i can get some breast milk into the kid one way or another it's good right? hehe.

Jcrow re monitor, we did the mobicam video one ($109) on target since it had a lot of good reviews.
 
Hey, girls....went to my ultrasound today. The baby was moving great, hb was good and he had gained almost a pound since 2 weeks ago to put him at 4lbs, 10oz. I asked the tech about his stomach and she didn''t tell me much other than my doc would call with the results, but my husband was there and saw the screen. He said everything else measured on time (35 weeks) but his tummy measured 32 weeks..so 3 weeks behind schedule. So, now I am just waiting to hear from the doctor to see what the next step is. I don''t know if they''ll just continue to monitor him, if I''ll be on bedrest, or if they''ll take him earlier. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks for the sweet messages and hope everyone is doing well.
 
If he''s gaining he''s probably fine Steph-it''s mostly a concern if he isn''t growing or if the abdominal measurement starts lagging further and further behind. Don''t worry just yet!
 
Re: nipple confusion. I don''t know of anyone who has really experienced it (although i am sure it is a possibility) but all babies that i have known can go b/w paci, boob and sometimes bottle. I think it should be re-coined "nipple preference". They aren''t confused over anything, the opposite in fact, they simply know what they like.
Co was exclusively BF from day one but he took a paci no problem. Finding a bottle nipple he liked was more of an issue. He wanted milk from mom first and foremost. He could distinguish b/w sucking for food and sucking for comfort (as most babies to i think) However, when i did pump, he would grudgingly take a bottle & happily go back to boob when i returned home.

Mara--LC''s try to get moms to hold off on bottles etc. for a while b/c many women give up on BFing when they start alternating (at least this is what i was told while getting my home visit from an LC ). When you are tired, sore and frustrated with nursing and then begin to alternate b/w bottle and boob, all of a sudden bottle gets used more, bottle becomes the nipple preference, perfecting the latch becomes more difficult and supply dwindles b/c of lack of use in those critical early days/weeks . Then before you know it, moms think they have failed with BF and switch b/c nothing is going well. It''s not really the mom''s fault, it can be very tough at first & we all look for some relief so think the advice is to based on the principle of stick ing with one until it is well established. It does make sense, it''s just not always that cut and dry when you are living it.
....


Hi to the rest of the gang. Hope you all had a good holiday!
 
Glad to hear things are looking good Steph. If he''s still gaining well, I doubt they''ll do anything about it. I would expect you to end up with a follow-up scan to recheck in a week or two so they can plan the best time for delivery.
 
just dropping by for quick hello!
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haven't had a chance to catch up. work has been kicking my preggo bee-hind recently and i'm exhausted
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the past 3 nights i've got pulled in the midle of the night for emergencies...i need a good night's sleep. like asap
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.

i've got my doc's appt tomorrow, so i can officially ask if it's just a change in position or if i've dropped. i have people coming up to me and just saying, oh! you've dropped. and today i def had some pelvic pressure, but only with walking. also noticed it's more comfy to sit with legs apart cuz the belly is all in the way. hadn't happened before because i was carrying really high. we'll see. i'm more curious than anything.
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lots of first timers carry dropped for 4 weeks, which i hope is me as i'm only 34 this week, so at least 4 more weeks would be perfect.

funny story! hubbs and i were at a diner and the hostess (young, highschoolish age) seating us looks at me and exclaims "you've got just the cutest belly ever!" i smile and thank her. she then looks at my hubby and says hesitatingly, " is this...your...babydaddy?"
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i start cracking up and said, yes, this is my HUSBAND. what on earth possesed her to 1) even ask -- what if he WASN'T the babydaddy. and 2) why use the term babydaddy at all?

that made my day
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we were dressed really casually and i guess we were looking younger than usual (hubby later got carded at the grocery store when he was trying to sample some wine -- i was LMAO) and neither of us had our rings on so i can't blame her too much i guess. that was almost as nice as when the lady in sephora asked me if i was shopping for makeup to go to the prom
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hope everyone is doing well! will try to catch up once work lets up a bit!!
 
Date: 12/29/2009 8:38:15 PM
Author: gingerB

funny story! hubbs and i were at a diner and the hostess (young, highschoolish age) seating us looks at me and exclaims ''you''ve got just the cutest belly ever!'' i smile and thank her. she then looks at my hubby and says hesitatingly, '' is this...your...babydaddy?''
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i start cracking up and said, yes, this is my HUSBAND. what on earth possesed her to 1) even ask -- what if he WASN''T the babydaddy. and 2) why use the term babydaddy at all?

that made my day
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we were dressed really casually and i guess we were looking younger than usual (hubby later got carded at the grocery store when he was trying to sample some wine -- i was LMAO) and neither of us had our rings on so i can''t blame her too much i guess. that was almost as nice as when the lady in sephora asked me if i was shopping for makeup to go to the prom
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Click to expand...

LOL LOL LOL! Oh that gave me a good giggle gingerB - people can be so funny.
 

Steph: great to hear that he''s growing -- particularly a full pound in two weeks -- my understanding is that is exactly consistent with the "target weight gain" at this point.


fwiw, my doctor said that he was monitoring me for the "1 in 100" chance of an issue -- even with the size issues, he was just being overly cautious. and my numbers were even lower than yours are (Allie was measuring 4 lbs 9 oz at 35 1/2 weeks and her abdomen was measuring even a bit smaller -- I think almost 4 weeks behind).

so fingers crossed that you hear quickly from your doctor with good news...


 
Hello, hot mamas!

I wanted to ask a question but I am very embarrased! Do you ladies drool during the night? I feel like I have been doing this alot and it bothers me and think it''s very gross and embarrasing!
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I heard somewhere that your saliva increases but I wanted to know if any of you ladies have experienced this... Thanks
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I did!!! lol.
 
Steph
Glad baby is gaining weights. That’s a good sign. Hope the doc calls soon to let you know what’s next.
GingerB
LOL. Baby Daddy.
My doc hired a new nurse in the office a month ago. She looks like she just got out of nursing school. When she was measuring my blood pressure and weights, she asked me how old I am and started saying I look too young to have a baby. Then I told her this is my second, and she was so shocked. I thought it was hilarious.
Mtjoya
Oh yes I did or actually I am. Like I wasn’t enough of a drooler before. LOL.
“Nipple Confusion”
I agree with Jas, and think it’s more a preference. The nurse gave M a soothie in the hospital, and she wasn’t very interested at all. In fact, she didn’t really take a paci until she was older at 3 – 4 months. M also took a bottle fine at 4 weeks, then stopped taking it a month or so later, but eventually took it again when I went back to work at 4 months.
Nipple shields
I didn’t hear/know about them until after I gave birth and BFing already when I read other people’s BFing stories and cracked and bleeding nipples. I didn’t have that problem, never needed lanolin (I gave the tube I bought to our friend when she gave birth two months after me). Not that I am against the shields, I just wanted to say that not everyone’s nipples get beat up from BFing since that’s the stories you hear most often.
Video Monitor
We don’t have one, but we have a nanny cam set up in M’s room that is hooked up to our network and a regular monitor. So I can just check on her on my laptop. I don’t know why DH wanted to go this route. Maybe he was thinking that we could see her even when we are out of the house. I had never check on her during the day when I am at work.
 
jas i could definitely see the LC's wanting to push that Moms stick with it as much as possible. this gal was really stressing 'confusion' and that you don't want to intro anything else BUT boob for at least 4-6 weeks. but i know so many people who have made it work just however they need to. i don't plan to give up easily anyway, but we'll see how it goes...i just like knowing there are options to get the kid my breast milk without having to maim myself.
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steph, great news that the baby is still growing!! i am not sure if they gave you any additional info in general, but how does it even happen that only a part of the baby would lag behind? this is the first i have heard of it, and i am sure i could google, but then i'd probably just freak myself out the same way you did. again i feel like they wouldn't keep just monitoring and sending you home if it was an 'issue' but i hope you get true peace of mind soon from your dr!!

ginger that story is hilarious! greg, who is like one of the most conservative guys ever, has started calling himself babydaddy which i am like REALLY?? hahaa. men!

mtj... no i don't drool but sometimes i breathe in really deeply, and end up snorting really loudly. thankfully no snoring (yet), but i did have a lot of excess saliva in the beginning which was horrible.

so my update is that last nite about 9pm i was hit with the worst 'gas' pain in the history of man. my stomach hurt, i had this weird pain in my left side. laying down did not feel better, my lower back was in excruciating pain. i slept really intermittently til about 4pm (and got up to pee and fart (TMI) practically every 30 minutes) and then got up and called advise nurse and spoke to L&D. they agreed 'gas' probably wouldn't be present in such a painful way about 7 hours later. while i didn't want to go in and be seen (checked in and monitored) since the baby is still as active as ever (i swear he was even gleefully kicking the painful area) and i have had no leaking or bleeding or anything, they said to put a hot compress on the area and monitor it. i managed to eke out a few hours of sleep and am WFH today. they think it might be particularly strong ligament pain but holy crap none of my ligament pain felt ANYTHING like this. it is basically a dull ache all along left lower pelvis wrapping around to back and sometimes gets sharper and makes me grit my teeth.

anyway now i am like is that a taste of labor? i am a wee bit scared now. hahaa.
 
Mara- That sucks. I had something similar, but it didn''t go to my back. About twice in the last month of being preggo I had this excrutiating pinching pain in my lower left abdomen. I couldn''t breathe it hurt so badly. I would have thought it was my appendix or something if it was on the other side. It kinda just went away both times and the dr wasn''t concerned but also never really figured out what it was. Anyways, I remember thinking if this is what labor is like, no way will I get through it! Labor is different- harder in lots of ways but mentally you are in such a different place that you can handle it better for some reason. Also, generally, it lets up in b/w the painful parts which helps a great deal.

Nipple shields- Just wanted to say that I have always used a shield while nursing O. I have a flat nipple (who knew???) and the shield helps him nurse correctly. I never had bleeding or cracked nipples so that''s not why I used it. I did try without it a few times but it doesn''t work so just easier for him. And we''ve had NO issues with nipple confusion, nursing, bottles, anything. One LC told me to stop but couldn''t give me a good reason. The other one said if it works, use it. So I do. The only thing is if I were to be caught out without it, but that''s never happened. I figure the important thing is feeding my kid.
 
Mara - sorry to hear about your pain! I was in horrible pain the last 3 weeks of pregnancy (starting at 35, delievered just shy of 38 weeks). The pain was similar to what you described in the sense that it wrapped around my lower back and lower belly area. It was like a belt of pain. Closer to 36-37 weeks the pain spread to my hips as well. The only thing that helped temporarily was prenatal massages. But honestly it helped for that day only (I went once a week those last 4 weeks though). The one thing I wanted to mention, was that when I started having contraction that "belt" of pain is where I felt them. And I honestly didn't know that I was starting labor because I had the pain for so long. My only clue, was the pain was getting worse and coming in waves, and when I decided to time it, it was every 5 min on the dot, then 4, then 3....then I went to the hospital and had our little man 12 hours later
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So basically I had back labor...not tightening of the stomach at all......when the contractions got worse the belt of pain intensify and then the pain would radiate down the sides of my legs...but again, nothing in my belly really.

I REALLY hope that your pain was only last night, because the end of my pregnancy was NOT fun and I was so so so so happy I ended up going early, because at the time I couldn't take much more (but, I also had a stint because of kidney stones and was on bedrest, so that also contributed to my feelings
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)

ETA - my other clue I was in labor...I couldn't stop peeing
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By the time I got to the hospital I was practically peeing my pants...OK, who am I kidding...I was peeing my pants!!! And no, my water did not break, they had to do it for me later on
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thanks for the info gals... my pregnancy has been fairly uncomplicated so last nite really surprised me. i was thinking what if i have appendicitis (wrong side) or pancreatitis or placental abruption or something. that is why i called the advice nurse. and also because it didn't get ANY better in the 8 hours since it had started.

the 'belt' of pain is kind of how it feels but like a half belt, only left side of back and the lower left pelvis under uterus. last nite it also was accompanied by a lot of rectal pressure like feeling like i had to go really urgently (which i know is kind of 'labory' feeling).

it feels better when i am sitting up or standing, and almost worse when laying down. my friend said she had something similar one night and it was just really bad gas. but mine feels more chronic. anyway my sister brought over their heating pad so i am putting that on.

i also am hoping it is just some weird fluke or a ligament pain because then it should not last too long... but yeah 3 more weeks of this (or 5) would be horrible, i am hobbling around like an old lady.

ETA CDT i just saw your add about peeing, one of the Q's L&D asked me is if i was having to pee really frequently. and last nite it was like every 30 min if not more. so i wonder if they thought i was having early labor. i guess we'll see.
 
Oh yeah! I also used a heating pad to help w/ pain. Mine was mainly on my right side though....it definitely sounds similiar to what I went thru. I''ll be keeping my fingers crossed you deliver at 38 weeks
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Mara, so sorry to hear about the pain! I had a tremendously painful flare-up at one point during pregnancy, although I think I was more like around 24 weeks. I''m talking can barely walk, can barely breathe type pain. It was in the right place for the appendix and so I ended up going into the hospital to be checked out. It ended up being RLP, and died away a few hours later on its own. No clue what that was about. I didn''t find it to be like labor pain at all, but I''m wondering how much of that is mental - like, I wasn''t scared during labor but was scared during that episode, and fear can intensify pain. Labor also builds and you get time to get used to it and adapt as you go, whereas that was sudden onset. I really hope that you feel better.
 
just a quick check in from me...

Had my 1st appt with my new OB today. It was an in-depth consult and then a brief check with the doppler to monitor bebe''s heartbeat. All is on track for 15 weeks (tomorrow). She gave me a script for prenatals so that I wouldn''t have to continue taking 3 separate pills: TJ''s prenatals, folic acid supplement & fish oil (i sometimes forget to take the last two) Taking only one pill daily will be great!

Got the fantastic news that my pee FINALLY tested bacteria-free, so no more antibiotics for me!! You may recall that the first batch resulted in a killer rash and this second dose did a number on my belly. Anyway, I''m strep-B free for now- will have the followup test at 35 weeks to double-check.

I also had to undergo the 1hr gluclose screening, due to my AMA (advanced maternal age
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). I guess "older" moms-to-be are at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes so my doc wanted me to test early. Luckily, I had not had breakfast yet (very early appt) so I was able to down the liquid and then trekked over to the lab for a blood draw an hour later. I hope all comes up OK!

I''ll be back later to catch up. Take care!
 
Mara, from what I''ve gathered through my doctor, the baby''s tummy could be smaller than the rest of him for a few reasons: He is just skinny (hopefully) or it could be something more complicated like not getting enough oxygen/nutrients from the cord, therefore all that he is getting is going to more important parts of him like the brain and heart. I called into my doc a while ago to see if they have heard anything, and the nurse called back and said she would try to see if the results were back in yet and what the doc said and would call me at the end of the day.

Hope everyone is having a great day...off to rest with Andrew while he''s watching a movie, we''ve been on the go all day!
 
Steph, I hope they get back to you soon, and that your little man is just skinny! I''ll be thinking about you today.

Has anyone seen Quads With Two Moms? I''m watching it now - it seems SO overwhelming to have two moms with twins and basically no one to pick up the slack like most moms get when their husbands/SO help!

I have been watching baby shows all day, and I think Micah likes it, or it''s making me anxious and he can tell - he''s been kicking up a storm!
 
No word from Anchor, wonder if she''s had the baby?
 
OMG MP i was watching 'twin surprise' and then 'paralyzed and pregnant' this afternoon. Quads with 2 moms was on after and Greg was with me by that point and was like we are not watching any more weird baby stuff. HAHAA. watching the shows sure made me feel like a whiner though lol. i am like my little side pain is nothing compared to what some people go through!!

I managed to sleep for a few hours this afternoon and feel better, the left side is sore but not as sharp and aching anymore, I hope it's on the mend--whatever it is! Heating pad is wonderful but just trying to keep it away from the belly so it doesn't sauna-fy the amniotic fluid or anything hahaa.

Steph, hope you hear from them soon. It's probably that he is just skinny..!!

Charger...yeah due to my AMA I was also supposed to do the 1 hour test at week 12 or whatever but when I went in I forgot my paper and they didn't even have my down so I said eh nevermind. I asked my Dr at 15 weeks and she said nevermind it..that my urine was fine for proteins so she wasn't worried. So I was able to do the 1 hour at 26 weeks and I passed with flying colors. Thankfully! I know there is a slightly elevated risk for it when you are 'older' but JEEZ I was 34.5, not some archaic dino at 110. Anyway hope you passed so you don't have to do the 3 hour.

ETA... re: the weird sharp pains that a few of us seem to have had. Greg was saying that at this point in the pregnancy so much is prob squished up under the uterus and also it's prob putting crazy pressure on nerves, nodes, etc. Totally makes sense to me hehe.
 
Date: 12/30/2009 7:49:50 PM
Author: Mara
OMG MP i was watching ''twin surprise'' and then ''paralyzed and pregnant'' this afternoon. Quads with 2 moms was on after and Greg was with me by that point and was like we are not watching any more weird baby stuff. HAHAA. watching the shows sure made me feel like a whiner though lol. i am like my little side pain is nothing compared to what some people go through!!

ETA... re: the weird sharp pains that a few of us seem to have had. Greg was saying that at this point in the pregnancy so much is prob squished up under the uterus and also it''s prob putting crazy pressure on nerves, nodes, etc. Totally makes sense to me hehe.
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I watched both of those, too! Gah, people are so much braver than me - I could never have a home birth without any doctor assistance, or have a baby when I knew I couldn''t so much as pick up my child. I''m glad they all got lucky and had healthy babies, though. The lady that had two breech twins made my heart skip a beat!

Speaking of stuff getting squished up, I have to agree with that statement - I am starting to get some crazy pressure at the top of my belly in certain positions, like sitting in the recliner, which makes me super sad because I love that darn chair. I kept trying to push at Micah to get him to move and he just refused. Naughty baby!
 
Yeah - I''ve had an achy mid-back and weird feeling ribs for half the day today. I think things are starting to get really squished/stretched, and I''m sitting funny cause it''s getting harder to find a comfy position. Great fun to go along with my little cold. Hope I feel better tomorrow for New Year''s Eve!
 
Thanks ladies for the feedback! I get so grouchy when I wake up in the morning cuz it''s so gross, my husband teases me!
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MP-I was watching the quad mommies and took a look at their feet and went
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But, their story is pretty interesting and crazy all at the same time!

Mara-I know what u are going thru. I had something similar and it happens right after I eat that I feel like I want to go poo and can''t! I don''t think we went thru the same level of pain but I feel you on this! Hope it gets better!
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Steph - hope that you heard some great news!!

mara - ouch. hope that the pain has subsided and stays away for the rest of your pregnancy!

charger - good news about your new ob and that everything is going swimmingly. i wish, wish, wish that my prenatal was but a tiny little pill. hate taking it every night.

I''m avoiding all labor shows - far to far in the future for me to be thinking about that
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All is well with me - in the middle of 15wks and since switching over to my *very* stylish maternity pants life has become grand. I feel great and have lots of energy. Unfortuantely, it''s all being sucked up by work. Had to work over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and it looks like New Years as well seeing as I''m stuck here in a near-empty office
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I do like my job, but sometimes a gal just needs a vacation!
 
Re: Labor- I had a dream that my labor was only 5 minutes... I don''t know what you ladies are so worried about
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Happy New Years Eve Ladies!
I hope you all have a great night, and can you believe that this time next year, we will all have a little one to ring in 2011 with! Wishing everyone a wonderful start to 2010 and may it bring you everything you could hope for!

Anchor- I hope your absence means that you already have your lovely bundle with you to ring in 2010! Come back with an update!
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