2016 May Miracles

[Ganton]

Sis4Us, congrats on the boy. I never normally know what in supposed to be looking at on gender scans, but even I can see on yours!

We have a Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix, that I've used for DS1 and DS2. Even though DS2 stayed on the 91st centile for height and weight, we managed to use it until he was nearly 15 months old. It was only for occasional use at that point as we moved him to a convertible in our main car from about 10 months, and he did look a bit snug in it, but he was still within the weight limit and his head wasn't too high up so it was all good. We don't seem to have the same rules in the UK about expiry. As long as you know the history of the seat and it still conforms to current regulations, I'm pretty sure it's considered safe to use.

Spiffy, my BP reading was on my dad's home monitor (he has to keep check on his own high BP) so it wasn't official but it has got close to that when the midwife had taken it in previous pregnancies and she's never been concerned at all. It's not like I'm passing out constantly, I just feel a bit light headed and weird when I first stand up or if I stand still for a while. Given my dad's history with BP, blood clot and stroke, I'm much happier seeing a low reading than a high, I just know I need to be a bit careful with standing. I also felt very faint after birth with my other two so the midwives monitored BP for a short while and I was much better after some toast and a good drink.

 

[hmtb16]

Sis4Us, congratulations on your baby boy!!

Ganton, I'm sorry you haven't been well. I hope your scan goes well next week and you feel better soon!

I've fallen a bit behind on the posts and have finally caught up. I hope everyone who celebrates had a good Thanksgiving last week. I had a lot of fun shopping for baby clothes over the weekend for Black Friday and Cyber Monday and got a ton of stuff with great deals. I haven't yet gotten any bigger items and feel a bit overwhelmed and lost with all that's out there. It's helpful reading the posts about car seats. For those of you who are moms, how did you go about deciding on the brands and products you got? Is there a good source you used that rates the safety and compares the different brands of cribs, strollers, and car seats? I feel like I have a million things to learn as a first-time mom.

 

[pinkpassion]

Hmtb, I read a lot of reviews on products. If I saw something I liked I researched it to see what other moms thought. My personal feeling is that I didn't research carseat safety probably at all. Which is why I've done away with the snug ride we had and going for the maxi cosi infant, then I'll do the convertible after baby grows out. We rear face our seats and will do so until they outgrow it because it's been shown to be 5 times safer. Dd has never known as different so she doesn't mind at all!!!
For cribs I think they are pretty standard as far as safety. For everything else just research!

 

[NZKiwi]

wow all these gender scans, I cannot wait for mine.

Has anyone started their Xmas shopping or put up their decorations? I have to wait until after this weekend (moving house - groan)

 

[Sis4Us]

I have most my shopping done and 3 trees up still gotta decorate outside but that is DHs job and my LO turns 9 on Saturday so finishing up w his party stuff!!

 

[Em260]

Thanks for the car seat input ladies! I've been doing a poll for myself and one of my friends who is expecting her first baby. I'm kind of torn on whether to get something different since the one we have is in perfect condition and we've only used it on the ride home from the hospital and when we traveled since we live in a city and never drive.

But we're planning to move to the suburbs when this baby will be around 6ish months old so it might be worth it to get something he would be more comfortable in The one we have is the Cybex Aton 2 so I definitely don't recommend that one to anyone who is reading this. It's just too small and narrow. We got it because we had to use it in taxis and those don't have much space for some of the larger car seats.


NZKiwi - I still need to get started on our decorations. I'm not sure if we will put up a tree this year since we're traveling to my inlaws for the holiday. But I will definitely hang stockings and put up the other stuff I have.

Htmb - I mostly read reviews on Amazon to narrow down each category to a few options and then went to the store and tried stuff out. There are so many options it's overwhelming! For car seat safety I read a website by thecarseatlady.com. She had a good break down of safety of different seats. She also has these great videos on youtube how to install any seat. We still rear face my daughter and will try to keep it up until she is at least 3yrs.

Pink - My IRL friend just told me she loved her Maxi Cosi infant seat.

Sis - congrats on the baby boy!

Busy - so good to hear from you! Thanks for the expiration info I didn't realize it was every 4 years.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Sis, how are you feeling about your boy? I know last time you checked in, you were struggling with it a little. Did having the confirmation of your second scan help you feel more at peace with it?

Ganton, you're right, better to have your blood pressure be little low, than too high.

Busy, I hadn't even thought about my infant seat expiring! (Probably because it's been in continuous use since we bought it almost 4 years ago ). I'll have to look up the date on it.

Hmtb, I definitely rely on Amazon reviews when I'm buying a product.

 

[KrissyB]

Sis - Congrats on !!

AFM - Had our anatomy scan today, everything went great! Her measurements (and they confirmed she is a girl) were "exemplary" and it looks like she'll have a big head just like her older sister did lol. And all my blood flow and everything was great, so all in all they were optimistic that issues I had with low PAPP-A may be resolving themselves. Heartbeat was 152, and she was measuring 2 days ahead

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Krissy, glad to hear everything went well at your anatomy scan! I can't wait for mine.

 

[Em260]

Krissy - such a cute little profile!! Glad that everything went well with your anatomy scan. I'm looking forward to mine in a few weeks.

 

[pinkpassion]

Awwww krissy, congrats. Beautiful baby girl!!!!!!

 

[hmtb16]

Pinkpassion, Em260, and Spiffynoodles: thank you for the advice! It helps to read about what you've all done and to read everyone's experiences with car seats.

Em260: carseatlady.com looks like a great site! Thanks! It is totally overwhelming seeing all the different options for baby gear. Maybe it'll get easier once I read more reviews as everyone suggests to narrow down items in each category.

KrissyB: glad your anatomy scan went well today!

 

[Sis4Us]

Spiffynoodles I'm still struggling most days seeing Him helped a Lil he looks identical to my Lil man and he was a sweet sweet baby and still is .... It's just hard to let go of the Lil Girl I've dreamed about for over 5yrs now that's all!!

I just cant really get on BNB anymore so I stay away!!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Spiffynoodles I'm still struggling most days seeing Him helped a Lil he looks identical to my Lil man and he was a sweet sweet baby and still is .... It's just hard to let go of the Lil Girl I've dreamed about for over 5yrs now that's all!!

I just cant really get on BNB anymore so I stay away!!

Lots and lots of hugs. Gender disappointment is a very real thing, and unless you've felt it, you'll never understand it. I still feel sad some days when I think about the fact that I'm having a third boy now. I've even had dreams that at my 20 week scan they realize it's a girl, and last night I had a dream I adopted a baby girl. I just really want my daughter to have a sister, since I never did and always wanted one!

 

[Em260]

Sis - I think everything you are feeling is completely normal. You're still grieving and that takes time. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for feeling that way. GD is a real thing, it's just most people don't talk about it. Similar to Spiffynoodles, I really want my daughter to have a sister but I don't know if we will be able to have a third child so I have been grieving that perceived loss as well. It doesn't mean you will love this baby any less, even if it doesn't seem that way.

 

[busytulip]

^^^What they said SIS...big huge

 

[pinkpassion]

Sis I'm so sorry!!

 

[Sis4Us]

Thank U ladies it means the world to me to hear I'm not alone!!!

We have already discussed trying again or adopting like we were already planning to do but realized how hard and expensive it is!!! It's crazy how many kids need homes but they make it impossible to open Ur door to them!!

 

[pinkpassion]

Sis I agree. It stinks so bad to not be able to financially afford adoption when there are so many that need it. I know my cousin adopted 2 kids and held fundraisers for each time she adopted to help with costs. Once she even held a 5k race. It would be worth investigating!!

I'm struggling with the idea that I may only be able to carry girls. If by chance all my miscarriages were boys, maybe that means I can't carry a boy.. I'm going to talk to the reproductive endocrinologist about it and see. Because we do want to try once more. And dh desperately wants a little boy!!!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Thank U ladies it means the world to me to hear I'm not alone!!!

We have already discussed trying again or adopting like we were already planning to do but realized how hard and expensive it is!!! It's crazy how many kids need homes but they make it impossible to open Ur door to them!!

I know! It blew my mind the first time I heard that adoption can cost upwards of $30,000! I understand all the background and home checks, but the ridiculous fees they tack on makes it impossible for so many good families to take in children.

Pink, I know that's a real thing, but I also think it's pretty rare. You should look up Padbrat on here, she was told she had that condition and couldn't carry boys, and then she finally had her miracle baby, and guess what? It was a boy!