Ladies due in Sept/Oct/Nov 2012, gather here!

[purplepoet20]

I didn't take pictures of the hats (they match the outfit and pants), socks (mostly white), blankets (24 of them), my baby blanket that I have saved for a girl (made 34 years ago for my big sis who passed away), and soft girly toys! I did save about 12 of the boy/unisex bunties and sleepers as well but mostly 3-9mths.

There may be more but I don't know.

[purplepoet20]

911 I think... I just went to the bathroom and there was a small bright red spot of blood. I waited a minute and wiped again and there was another just as bright. Could it be something serious or just from going to the bathroom every 5-10mins? Should I call my Dr?

[Mochagirl]

I'd call your doctor, pp. I hope it's nothing serious! I know my midwives keep telling me it's perfectly normal to spot so not to freak out if I see a bit of blood, but I think you're always better safe than sorry.

[Bumblebee]

I just realized how much baby girl clothing I have... for just size NB I will upload a few picture.

I feel so ashamed for having so much for a girl already!

1. The purple dress is what DH bought last year for the babies first birthday!
2. A few outfits, Pullover Shirts, Bunty for the Carseat, and a few NB Shoes.
3. Sleeper Gowns, Onies with hand cover, and Winter Sleepers.
4. Light Cotton Sleepers, Short Sleeve Onies, and Pants.

wow I love your baby girl clothes!! almost makes me feel guilty I haven't brought a single thing yet, I do however need to rummage through my other two daughters baby clothes first to what I can reuse then, make a list of whats left to buy. Is your scan on the 7th? mines on the 9th of may, 3 weeks to go!

[Hobbermittens]

PP, call your doctor. I hope it is nothing--lots of people have spotting in pregnancy!--but I would get checked just to be safe.

[Hobbermittens]

Yeah, Mocha, I agree that you need a GIRL shower!!

[Mochagirl]

Yeah, Mocha, I agree that you need a GIRL shower!!

Well...I'd be surprised if there's an actual party, but we'll see. The sad part is that I know people will be more likely to give me gifts if it's a girl. It's like if it's a boy they think 'What's special about that? She already has three..."

Anyway, I know my Mom will be super generous as always, and I know my close friends and family will give me gifts after the baby's born. I will admit, though, that while browsing for cloth diapers I set up an online registry to help me remember what diapers I want and also because it would be useful to have a registry or two set up just in case people ask me for gift recommendations. I might set one up at BabiesRUs for the same reason.

One thing I do need to think about are a crib and a car seat. The car seats I used for my boys are expired now so it's a great reason to buy a new, prettier one. Our cribs are perfectly fine, but one is about 12 years old and the other is 6 years old - both are drop-side, which is now banned in Canada after several baby deaths. I know my boys were all fine in those cribs, but it's not one of those things I want to risk - especially when I can get a new crib at IKEA for only $100.

But first the biggest question: where is this baby going to sleep? I'm dying to hang some of these cute clothes up in a closet, but all the bedrooms (and closets) are occupied right now. Our house has 4 bedrooms, but one is being used as DH's home officer. Here are our 2 options for what to do with the baby, let me know what you think:

1) Put all 3 boys into the master bedroom - the big boys in a bunkbed and ds3 in a single bed. It's a huge room, so there will be room for the beds, a couple of dressers, and a wardrobe - we'd need to buy one since the closet will only hold enough clothes for two of them I think. DH and I would then move into the second biggest room - his office, and he would make the twins' room into his new office. The baby would sleep in ds3's room.

2) Put the baby into DH's office, and DH can either move to our non-winterized main floor sunroom/office that we currently use more as a mudroom, or he can put his desk and bookshelves into the master bedroom since it's a big room we barely use anyway. We'd still have to buy a wardrobe since my stuff already fills the bedroom closet - DH uses the closet in his office as his closet.

Obviously, the 2nd choice would be the easiest. Once the baby's big enough, maybe she and ds3 could share a room and dh could have his office back...until they got older, at least. The main floor office is quite lovely, but it's a later add-on to the house and is uninsulated. Since we live in Canada with long, cold winters, that means it's a veeeery chilly room for almost half the year. We could look into better insulating the room (we couldn't afford to get it done properly but could caulk the windows better, etc.) and would get him a space heater. I know he wouldn't be happy with this arrangement, but really - having a dedicated home office is a real luxury, though he does often work from home. He has a real office he can go to any time he likes.... Honestly, though, losing his office was one of the main reasons DH was hesitant about having a 4th baby.

OK enough of my novel. Sorry my post was so long!

[PeonyPrincess]

PP, I had spotting with DS1. Each time it happened I had to go and get the heart beat checked, make sure no contractions were happening and then the OB would do an u/s. Baby was always fine and they think it was caused by the placenta sitting a bit low. As my tummy got bigger, the placenta stretched up out the way of the cervix and the spotting stopped. So I would think everything will be fine with your baby, but it is best to get everything checked.
Those girl clothes are lovely. I don't dare buy any until I know what I am having. As much as I would love to have a girl, I just can't picture it happening.

Mocha, I would put it back onto DH and ask where he thinks it would be best for your baby girl to sleep. Once he has to think about it and all the juggling involved, maybe he will come to the conclusion himself that moving the study is the easiest. If you tell him you want him to move, then he is more likely to whinge!

[Mochagirl]

That's good advice, peony. I have tried to get him to talk about it, but he doesn't want to think about it yet. I know he's really not keen on having the 3 boys share a room - he feels it would be too much like a dorm. Maybe in the end he'll choose the easiest solution.

[Hobbermittens]

I think having all 3 boys share a room sounds fun, though they might stay up late playing! My DD1 and DS share a room, and they often don't go to sleep right away because they goof around... drives me nuts!