Due dec'14-jan/feb'15 part 2

Angie! I hope you feel better soon! I have definitely called in when I could have probably made it through a day at work. I have really changed my thought process when it comes to work/family balance and priorities because a job is not for the rest of your life (even if you do plan to stay there for a long time) but your family is. I have begun to choose family much more often when I began thinking this way, and that includes taking care of myself as I care for this new little family member I am carrying! It helps that I know that I might be able to stay home with my kids soon. I also might not work right up until the very last couple of weeks this time around bc I know I will still have to check in with work and get some things done here after the baby comes. My maternity leave might end up being intermittent leave or something.

I can also relate to the doubts you are having about how another baby will change the family dynamic! I was much more that way when I was pregnant with number two then I am now, but I have still struggled! With the second pregnancy I was just not sure that I could love them both the way they needed to be loved. I was nervous and a little sad about how it would change the love and attention I could give DS1 and I was afraid that I wouldn't feel the same amount of love for ds2 because I loved ds1 so much. It has all worked out, of course! I love them both equally even though I love them differently (if that makes sense). When I found out that we were indeed getting out DG, I got a little nervous about how adding a girl might change the dynamic and either take away some of the bond I have with both sons or that I won't be able to bond with her because of my love for them. This time I have more faith that it will all work out and it will work out for you too! I am sure you already know that. All the fears are normal.

Hi girls, sorry I haven't been very active here...I've been really busy and haven't had a lot of time to catch up. I'm doing good, and Micah is doing great. He's very active and his kicks are strong and can be painful. My other boys are very excited about him and I am too! Time is really flying and I know he and all our little ones will be in our arms shortly. I can't wait to see everyone's baby pictures!

I hope all of you are feeling and doing well :)

So glad to hear your doing well. Knicks are getting stronger here every day also.

I feel super restless...

Yup. Still a girl :pregnant:

The tech was careful to cover her butt saying mistakes happen, girls are easier to mistake than boys, etc. BUT she spent quite a bit of time in that area and said she did not see anything that looked like boy bits and she could see three lines (as could I) and used the words vaginal wall. So, whew!!!

Angie

Hey ladies :-) Sorry I've been MIA for quite a while...life has just been super busy, traveling for work, a short vacation, catching up at work, life, etc. I tried to read from where I left off, and want to comment on everything, but there's just so much!! Congrats to all the new confirmed genders! And I can't believe we have so many who are seriously almost done already...time flies!

I've actually been feeling pretty good lately, which is surprising because I don't remember ever feeling good with Lyra. This pregnancy seems to be easier overall in general, without all the sciatica and heartburn, plus I can actually eat! Of course, I'm gaining more than I wanted, but trying not to worry too much. Attached is the only belly pic I've taken to date, taken last week at 21 weeks with my little photo bomber :-) I am actually bigger than I look in this pic, I swear, but for whatever reason it doesn't seem to show that. I think I'm smaller in the mornings and grow exponentially throughout the day as I stuff my face, lol.

The nursery is coming along a bit. I've bought some boy clothes from the consignment shop, but nothing too exciting. And we finally ordered our bedding, which is on a 12 week wait list, so just in time! We are doing a musical themed nursery. Here's the bedding: https://www.etsy.com/transaction/236491119. And here's the wall decal we picked out: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1903629...f=favs_view_21.

Oh, and I *think* we decided on a name. I say think because DH is set, but I'm having a hard time committing. I like it, but I don't know if I love it, but honestly I don't love any boy name, and we've looked at a TON. For now, his name will be Coda Bruce. Bruce is DH's dad's name and my grandfather's name, who was like my dad, so that's a definite. And then Coda is a musical term for "the concluding passage of a piece or movement" and is also the end of a dance, usually the pas de duex, and since DH plays guitar and I danced my whole life, we thought it was cool. Not to mention, this little guy is the conclusion of our family :-) So yeah, I love the meaning behind it, but still trying to fall in love with the actual name. Anyone else having naming difficulties?

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Crazycat you look wonderful!!!
But I must confess that little Lyra ( did you know that Lyra is the name of a famous greek instrument?) is the center of attention in this picture!!!
Don't overstress over the name, I didn't like the name of my second DD but it was my DH's turn to choose the name for her, so I couldn't do much and ever since I saw her I've grown to love it since it is assosiated with her!!!
I love the bedding and wall stickers!!!

Mamato, thanks! And yes, that was one of the reasons we loved the name Lyra too - for it's musical ties :-)

I think I just need to start using the name in conversation and getting used to how it feels. You're right though, I think it will all come together once there's an actual little person. Lyra was definitely my name pick, so I suppose I should let DH have more of the deciding factor for this one, and technically Coda was actually one of the names I came up with, lol. It's just tough because I was so in love with the name Lyra and new from even before we got pregnant that that's what her name would be, so the fact that I don't feel quite like that is throwing me off, but I'm sure it will all come together. Thanks for the advice!

Oh, something else i wanted to ask you ladies about. Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) - I heard that it was just recently approved over here in the US to be used during labor. I feel like I've heard some of you ladies from other countries talking about using gas before. Has anyone had experience with it? Good, bad, side effects?, pain management, etc? I plan to ask my doctor about it at our next visit, but just thought I'd see if anyone had any first hand experience with using it and recommended trying it or not. Thanks ladies!

Crazycatcouple you are so tiny and sidenote- Coda and Lyra sound great together- a plus!!Everybody says I'm tiny too but I beg to differ. Below is me at 32 weeks- my shirt made me look even bigger hence the exposed skin- haha. I had a bit of a scare the other night and started bleeding quite a bit (after sex)- had a lot of contractions too. According to the midwife though all is well which is good because neither baby nor I are ready to do this yet!

I haven't heard anything about laughing gas but I'll be going drug-free again so maybe my hospital does it but I just don't know about it.

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Crazy cat & Lala- you two both look great! I love the names Coda& Lyra together also!
So glad your bleeding scare turned out ok, Lala! I always got nervous with any bleeding unless it was all the way after full term.
30 wks here and ran into a mom at my Dd's dance class last week that asked me, "So how many days do you have left?" DAYS.... So embarrassing! I just told her "a lot" and I think she got the point that I wasn't due any time soon, lol. I have 3 friends all due this week so hopefully can get a few baby snuggles- can't wait to hold this little one!
Glad to hear all the other updates too of confirmed genders and good test results!

Just quick, cause its late here.

I love coda! It reminds me off Dakota fanning. I know its very different. But its original and special (i think that way bout dakota too) I see a very adorable little boy with white hair and big blue eyes.
I think its perfect.

Glad the bleeding stopped lala

Love your bumbs!
Crazy your cuty tiny

Thanks ladies! I keep trying to remember to enjoy it but when you can't even get out of bed sometimes it's hard to remember- lol.

Crazy we use (and I did) laughing gas here in Canada. Honestly during labour you still feel everything but it takes the edge off but really not that noticible!
I used it when I was getting stitched up and then I really felt it. It is instant and as soon as you pull it from your face it goes away so you are in control of how much to use it. One thing I didn't like was while I was using it for the pain during stitches, I almost felt myself fading away...I might have been being dramatic but everything went quiet and it kinda scared me a bit. Luckily I was with it enough to pull it away from my face at that point.
I think the nurses use it to get you to focus on your breathing more than anything. My husband had to tell me that it in fact helped me as I said I didn't feel anything and he was like 'oh nooo, it was def helping! ' lol

Thanks ladies :-). I love hearing positive feedback about the name... It's definitely growing on me.

Lala, your bump is so cute! It's amazing how everything gets harder the further along you get. Getting out of bed, getting the little ones dressed, etc. And so glad the bleeding was nothing serious!

Coocoo, that sounds about like what I read on it... That it relaxes you so the pain is more manageable, but it doesn't actually take it away. I've heard it also helps with anxiety, and can help to speed up a stalled labor too. Interesting stuff! I'm definitely going to ask about it, but it's nice that even if you get it and don't like it, there's nothing lasting about it.

Crazycat you are tiny! U look fab! And Lala I love ur bump, just gorgeous!
Crazy the bedding and wall decal is so cute! I think the name you guys have chosen is so great as it has such a special meaning.
I have never used gas, but my sister did & she said it was good. At one point she felt a bit queasy, so they turned the dose down and that subsided after a few minutes, but overall she said it was useful, and helped her knowing there was something 'extra' incase she needed it.

I didn't realise how much the gas worked until i didn't use it properly with ds3's birth (my hand holding the gas kept jerking the mouthpiece away from my face taking it out my mouth) whereas with ds2's birth it was it my mouth the entire time. It was the only pain relief i had for ds2 & ds3's births. It just makes it a bit fuzzier and gives a focus for your breathing x

Crazycat- let me know if your docs say they are using it. I'm super curious!

I'm interested in using laughing gas too. And I love the name Coda!

http://i62.tinypic.com/2cwwpco.jpg

Abi u look absolutely gorgeous! Such a cute bump x

Your beautiful abi!

I'm not doing well.
Only 24 wks. I haven't had a moment yet were i felt ok. I have had severe pelvic pain. Just went to therapist. She can probebly help me. It's blocked and instable.
Its most likely the cause of my neck problems too.
I've cried a lot the past 2 days. I just need a break.
I can't handle any pain any more.
Hopefully this was the last til labor.

My mother is gonna help ,e with the household once a week. And hopefully DH can jump in some. But he's gotta work. (He's been home early and left late for three days now. )

I feel such a failure... I know i can't help it. But thats how i feel.
Enjoying babys movement a lot though.

Abi, you look so stinkin cute :-) And yes, I will report back once I talk to my doctor about the gas for sure! Our next apt is the 11th, so a couple more weeks.

Sweetdream, I am so sorry your having such difficulties!! That's great that your mom can help out a bit too, but don't let DH off too easy. I know he has to work, so he obviously can't do much while he's away at work, but let him step up when he's home. Men are capable of so much more than they think, lol. I hope this therapist can give you the relief you deserve. Sending hugs your way!

Dh already helps a lot. But he's chaotic and i have to ask everything. When i do he does want to do it, but forgets 80% of the time.

He always brings the boys to bedd. When hes home he walks the dog. He cooks half the time. He helps now with food for the boys to school. He does the dishwasher kitchen in the evening.

(But the kitchen is never completely empty and always just before turning in. He wouldn't vacuum or do the toilet/bathroom out of his own. And he leaves a trale if trash were hes been (we all do) but if i cant clean its harsh to keep it in order.

Abi you are so gorgeous!! Cuuttee bump!! How many weeks are you now?
Sweet dream im so sorry honey its not easy when something like this happens! Pelvic pain is really sore my friend had it really bad she was ln crutches for a month or two but it just relieved itself as baby grew. It was her first so she didn't have the worry of caring for three others!
What about looking into getting a cleaner? Even once a fortnight? I know its expensive but might be a saving grace, glad your mum can help out a bit and boss DH around!! Xxx
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My mom will do the cleaning.
I walked with crutches with ds 1 for short time.
Ds2 no problems at all.
Ds3 a bit but manageble.
This time is hard cause i,ve had a nerve blocked 3 times know. That hurts like hell.
It will be ok... But really need to take a step back.

Thx for your kind words both

Thank goodness your mum sounds like a saint, why don't you ask round school/ kindy if other mothers would help with pick ups and drop offs. I am so sorry you have to go through this again! Xx
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Thx kitkat your sweet.

My mom is my best friend.
We do everything together. Thats were part of my genderdesire comes from.
We are super tight.

I'm asking for help (wich is hard for me.... I akways want to do it alone)
A neighbour drops my eldest off at school today (we are close too. School so lucky with that.) but the middle one has a very bad cold and has been caughing like a seal all night... So 2 at home today.

I feel like i have been hit by a bus lol. I think with straighten my pelvic my back wasn't amused. But i was crooked so guess it helps in the long run and hopefully my neckpain will disapear too.

I see things more positive today. The pain is much less. I have hopes it will be better i just need to function a bit till the vacation end of december.
We'll see more after that.

Im so sorry sweet dream :( Glad youre able to ask for help and have your mom for aupport. Hope the pain gets better soon :fx:
My 30 week appt is tomorrow. Its getting harder for me to act like I dont know the gender around my friends. Only 1 knows we really found out but she doesnt even know its a boy. I told eveyone "we're haviing a surprise this time" so its not really a lie, but lately theyre asking me how hard it is for me not knowing and they dont know how I am so calm about not knowing and I have a hard time fibbing and pretending I dont know. Part of me feels like giving in and saying I know but part of the reason I didnt was because I like only dh and me knowing. But I guess I also feel a but guilty. I have 5 close friends that have 3 girls or more (one is having her 6th girl) and they have all said how much they want a boy. One of them is 8 wks with #4 and will find out gender around when Im due and she wants one the most. I dont want any of them to feel worse and just want to be sensitive to them if that makes sense. Trying to figure out if now or at birth would be easier for her and Im praying for her that #4 is a boy so by then maybe it wont matter as much. Sorry for rambling.

Kitkat, I'm 25 weeks! Thank you!! I love seeing everyone's bump pictures.

Abi wow time is flying for you honey! Im nearly 17 weeks its going fast too!
Yahmama, I wouldn't worry about not telling people its your decision and it sounds like you like it being a secret between you and DH. Sweet you are so considerate of your friends and their GD and I can tell you finding out at birth is easier than hearing all about boy clothes, boy names etc etc XX
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I am starting to get SO antsy for this little guys arrival- both apprehensive about labor and just super excited to meet him. I'm definitely nesting and having some serious OCD issues getting things ready and cleaned. I'm already a clean freak so I actually hate this part of being pregnant because I'm too big to get down on the floor and clean so nothing is ever clean enough- lol.

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Originally Posted by lala22

I am starting to get SO antsy for this little guys arrival- both apprehensive about labor and just super excited to meet him. I'm definitely nesting and having some serious OCD issues getting things ready and cleaned. I'm already a clean freak so I actually hate this part of being pregnant because I'm too big to get down on the floor and clean so nothing is ever clean enough- lol.

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Im so right there too...my kids cant stop making messes so I tell them- you drop it youre cleaning it! Mop and all for spills, lol

We have a few events on between now and this bub arriving so I'm hoping that with those, time flies by! I'm the same with just wanting to get to the end already haha!
Crazycat we were watching the cartoon Brother Bear today with the girls and I noticed the little bear is called Koda (spelt with a k instead of c). I looked it up to make sure I heard it right and apparently it's native meaning is 'friend or companion' I thought that made ur name even cuter, esp as he is the 'little' brother bear xo
Hope everyone is feeling well xo

Hi ladies!

I am back after a few weeks of vacations, trying to catch up a little in here but I am sure I am missing a lot of posts.

Sorry you are having a hard time Sweetdream - your mother sounds fantastic though! Hope you can get som good help from people around you! (When I was pg with DS2 I had bad back pain and DH was working a lot, so we decided to get cleaning service once a week. That was the best thing EVER, we love it and kept it since!)

Abi - you look great, what a cute bump!!

Last two weeks my bump has grown a lot! Now (at 25+) people are actually starting to notice and ask if we are having a baby, before I guess they weren't sure if I just had put some weight on.

I am doing ok but starting to feel heavy and I have some pelvic pain. Not as bad I thought it would be by now though, since I had some problems even before pg. The kids are excited about the baby and they can feel him moving and kicking inside all the time. Sharing the pregnancy with them is fantastic.

As for GD I feel much much MUCH better now! I still get moments when I can feel down, but mostly I am totally OK. DH is still saying he is open for a nr 4 and HT if I want to (his only concern is which car to have, he doesn't like any of the minivans on the market!), but we will see. Maybe this little guy will complete our family and I might not even have any desire for kids/daughters after him.

Haha, too cute Oncue :-) A girl I workout with was just telling me about that today. I'm going to have to get the movie for Lyra to watch before he arrives :-)

Marika, welcome back! I hope you had a nice vacation. And glad to hear the GD is getting better. Pretty cool that your DH is open to adding another and through HT too! We aren't minivan people either, but I have heard it does make life easier. But now a lot of the SUVs have insides that are set up like minivans which is nice. That's what we got - the new Toyota Highlander which has the 2 captain's chairs in the second row and 3 in the back row that's actually quite roomy. You could easily handle 4 kids with something like that!

Marika welcome back! Glad you had a nice vacation.
I hate minivans. We have station were we can add extra seats in the back.
(Though i think a minivan does make life easier lol)

Thx ladys for all your support. I'm doing a little bit better. But I really got to be carefull not doing to much.
The line is still very thin atm. And i feel a bit panic when i feel sore. Just can't handle anymore pain atm. I really need to get stronger before delivery.
I had 2 kids at home wich went very well. I hope to have this one at home too.

Do you guys feel emotional. I get overwelmed at times. Just the feeling i want to cry for no reason. I think i had that with the others too but projected it at GD. Now i don't have that feelings are the same.
Glad for that though. Glad nowing the love for my boys is the same.

Baby moves quite a lot and loving this feeling. Enjoying it too.
I'm really looking forward to meet this child. And want to enjoy last pg too (mixed emotions)

I'm so scared she comes early or something happens. But guess thats normal too.
I have no reason for this though.

Marika, I'm glad you're doing better! I feel like my little guy completes our family but who knows if I'll change my mind later on.
Sweet dream I'm sorry you're in so much pain. My pregnancies are very tough too, just remember the pain is gone when baby comes! I definitely have weepy days, just feeling emotional, but that comes with the pregnancy I guess.

I'm staring to feel Micah's individual body parts kicking now. I cannot wait to meet this boy!

I'm not so weepy this time around but have moments of extreme irritability. I would also say this pregnancy is rougher than the last- I have severe groin pain that makes walking difficult but really for the most part I still feel like I have it easy. I only have 4 more weeks until I'm full term- time sure does fly!

Wow, Lala, only 4 more weeks till full term? That's awesome :-) I feel like with the holidays, the next 2 months are going to fly by and then I'm going to get to January and time will stand still, lol. January and Feb are always two of the slowest months for me anyway, and will anticipating the arrival of this little guy is only going to make it seem more so.

I haven't really been more weepy than my usual self, lol. I still tear up at many movies and TV shows, but I do that even when not pregnant. I have definitely been more irritable at times though :-) Especially when I'm hungry! I now can officially refer to myself as hangry when I don't have enough in my belly, lol. Poor Brett gets the brunt of it usually, but once I'm fed I come to my senses.

How's everyone feeling? Doing anything fun and exciting for the holidays? We're heading to Disney for a long weekend next week. It's actually our 5 year anniversary too. I wanted to get away for that, plus we wanted to give Lyra a Disney trip before her brother comes, and seeing as how we couldn't afford both, we figured why not combine the two, lol. We are lucky in that Disney in only an hour away. My whole life, I've actually never had a "Disney vacation" - only just driven over for the day. This will be nice since we'll be staying on property for a few nights. I'm looking forward to it more than I should be, lol.

And then we have a decent amount of family coming in town for Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday I think because of all the awesome food! I can't wait!! Then of course Christmas is just a few weeks after that, which the entire family is coming in town for, so it should be a very eventful next couple of months for us! How about you?

On an entirely different note, I threw up twice in the last few days - randomly. I thought I was over that stuff! Strange.

How weird about throwing up crazycat- though I have had some random bouts of nausea past the 1st trimester too- this boy definitely does that to me whereas my daughter didn't. And it also may be partially due to diet. I'm normally EXTREMELY healthy and don't eat dairy, many grains or any red meat and very little sugar. THAT has all gone out the window this pregnancy (except red meat).

I have a "baby shower" coming up next weekend that's really just more of a party though I can tell you girls I'm really hoping for some cash to help offset some upcoming expenditures (we've asked for that in place of baby stuff as we already have everything). This upcoming weekend is our anniversary and we're going to Tahoe. Then we have our family photo shoot (plus maternity pics) Crazycat- I'm super jealous of your Disney trip- DYING to take Diella. Then Thanksgiving and by then baby is right around the corner- such a trip- I actually feel like it's all gone by pretty slow up until now and now things are flying. I have no idea what Christmas stuff we'll be attending as I'm due right then and my LO has a ballet rehearsal ON my due date (great) so December gets decided by this baby. Speaking of "baby" we've pretty much decided on a name- Hendrix. We didn't decide last time until we saw her so it's super weird already having one picked out- though we do have a list still just in case he comes out not looking like a Hendrix at all.

Let's hear what everyone else is up to!

What's everyone else up to for the holidays?

Oh, I LOVE the name Hendrix and am slightly jealous, lol. It was on our top 10 list, but hubby vetoed it because he had a weird thing about using a famous person's name. I love it though :-). Congrats on coming up with one early!

It sounds like you're basically done, lol. The holidays will take you right through to the end! I'm sure it must be hard though with planning and such. Oh, and have fun in Tahoe and at your shower :-). When is your actually anniversary? It sounds close to ours - 11/14. This will be 5 years for us :-). Love this time of year!

PS - I know what you mean about eating healthy being out the door! I feel like such a pig with this little guy, but I have been able to continue working out, so I'm hoping it's helping to offset that a bit, lol. Still, I'm already up 18lbs, so I'm sure I'll be gaining a lot overall!