Disco Derail! - TTCAL/PAL Discussion and Support!

[LucyJ]

Thanks girls I know your right wondeing whether its to early to test its thrown me a bit I dont feel prepared if that makes sense. Im out later today so I could pick up a frer and test wed. My bodys probably just messing with me

 

[Allie84]

Oooh, how exciting Lucy, I'm looking forward to you testing!!

Sassy, is he just fussing or is he crying? When Alistair fusses I usually leave him and he goes back to sleep within a minute or two. If he's all out crying I go get him. Hmmm I'm trying to think. Is he too hot or too cold? Does he have wind (like maybe prop the head of the crib up at a bit of incline to relieve gas)? Is he being woken up by other sounds (we have a noise machine that creates lots of white noise for Alistair). I just don't know. I hope he starts sleeping better for you soo, Sass!

 

[Round2]

Sassy, we're going through similar issues. For us I think it's a growth spurt. When hubby gives him a bottle of formula on the weekends, he sleeps like a champ. I'm not ready to give him more than 1-2 bottles a week, so I've been suffering with him waking up every 1-2 hours at night. You must be so exhausting having Poppy home too.

Lucy, I am so excited for you to test!!

 

[pregoinnorge]

Hi Everyone!

I've been skimming this thread for months now...i feel terrible being a silent stalker but I am still interested in how things are going for all of you!

So hard to remember and reply to everything though!

When do you think you're going to test Lucy? It seems everyone I talk to have wonky bodies and/or cycles for awhile so it could be anything. I sure hope you get your BFP though (if that's what you want of course).

Sorry Zac is sleeping badly these nights, Sassy. I have no other advice than what the girls said. Ella had long periods of really bad nights but I never really figured out what the key was to improving it. We co-slept until she was around 4 months (seriously the only thing that saved me) but she always had really bad nights around the normal sleep regression weeks we all dread. It's super frustrating, and I can't imagine dealing with a toddler and a baby on broken sleep. You always seem to have really good routines for the kiddos, which I think really help. But yeah, sadly I think you just have to wait it out. I posted so many complaining posts while I was dealing with it and I felt so depressed and helpless so I really feel for you.

Allie! You're going to organize a London meet up? that sounds really fun. I would like to join if I can (and if that's alright) because there are now direct flights from Trondheim to Gatwick this year. If you'll be there over a weekend, let me know It was nice chatting with you on fb the other day. Sounds like you are super busy!

Hoping - I love to hear about little P Hope she is feeling better. I'm excited to see pictures of her birthday! Did you say it was going to be Halloween-themed?

Round - how's it going with two little ones these days? You get a crazy amount of time off from work right? Is M enjoying being a big sister? Does she help out a lot?

Amanda - hope things are going well with D and you had a nice birthday celebration. I know things have been challenging but it sounds like things are at least slowly improving. It's exhausting to have a baby who only wants to sleep ON you. At least you found some relief with the magical swing! Even now sometimes Ella will only want to sleep on me for naps and because it happens so rarely I just let her so I get some more cuddles. Funny how things change because when she was a tiny baby all I could think of was putting her down somewhere and getting to use both hands.

Hi Mel! Excited to see your TTC again. You sound like quite the little baker over there! I could never be organized enough to have dinner for so many people And congrats on your weight loss - that's a big achievement!

Congrats Yogi! Loved your ultrasound picture. How are you feeling?

Hi Dazed - finally checked out your journal. It was nice catching up

Hi Vicki - sorry to hear about the economic problems in Greece - it's all over the news here It really sucks to work so hard to get a good education, work hard all these years, and then get trampled by the economy which is out of your control. Could be interesting to try to move to a different country for awhile, but I imagine things get exponentially more difficult with a child and moving away from family. Have you been applying anywhere? I hear Norway is nice I work for the energy research division of my company (even though my degree is also in chemistry) but we have a materials and chemistry division as well. If you're interested in switching fields, we are always looking for people. I thought it was actually a nice change from going from strictly chemistry (although I was doing reaction dynamics of gas-phase molecules, so maybe more physics-y?) to working with energy for awhile. Great benefits, good salaries, and a nice place to raise a family. The only downside is of course the weather, but every Norwegian I know goes to "the South" (as they call it) for like 6 weeks a year.

Hi Nato-long time! Hope all is well over there. I love all the pictures of E, she is simply scrumptious

And hello to everyone else that I've missed. Super long post!

 

[Sassy_TTC]

Another bad night
Bed at 8pm, woke at 9pm, 11pm, 1am, 1:45, 2:30, 3:15, 3:40 this is when I gave in and put him in with us then he slept until 5am, then until 7am! Exhausted!

Have a much needed night out last night though and I feel so much better for making to effort to go out!x

 

[LucyJ]

Amy its so lovely to see you how are you?

I think I'll test tomorrow although the bleeding has got heavier but not like how AF is normally what makes me wonder is ths how I was with benjamin heavy bleeding cramping a week early and not quite normal for me. Im not sure I am thinking more likely an odd period maybe the smear I had last week has triggered it off.

Oh sassy thats rough benjamin was up at half 4 and ended up in with us think hes got a cold so that might be why. Hope you have a good day and a better night tonight.

 

[pregoinnorge]

Ugh, hope you can get a nap in today

 

[pregoinnorge]

Thanks, Lucy! I'm doing alright. Been back to work since early August but I am only working 6 hours a day (because we get 2 hours for nursing, crazy). Ella started daycare in October and is loving it and I love them there so I think it will be good. She's learning all sorts of new stuff and is generally an incredibly happy and content little girl now - so different than the first six months! She can take one or two steps before crashing and walks all over with her little wagon. She now claps and waves and points and says mama She's my little munchkin!

I am not really enjoying work these days because I think it has been difficult to find work and projects after being away for so long. And the 6 hour days don't really help because I am still expected to get done what I would in a full day. But I am slowly adjusting..

DH mentioned that we should start TTC now, but I just can't decide. I really need to think about it, but I like that he actually has an opinion on something instead of just making me decide everything

Have you tested yet?? hehe

 

[vickyd]

Amy thanks for offering to help! I will be looking to move definately next year if theings carry on the way they do. I always wanted to live in the US! Dont ask me why since you all go on about how there isnt enough support for mothers ect. but it always really apealed to me. Norway sounds like a great place to bring up kids, yeah the weather is bad but it would not be as much as a deciding factor as language. I need to really think carefully about my next move. Id like to stay in Polyurethanes as i have 10 years really extensive experience and i know I would be very sought after in this buisness. Maybe could finally get a decent pay lol!!!

 

[pregoinnorge]

That makes sense. After working all these years in that field you would totally be a hot commodity. The support for mothers is crappy in the US, but it's still a nice place to live (for the most part). I would move back if I knew we could both get good jobs but I don't think that will happen for my husband with a degree in political science from a Norwegian university. The language thing isn't too bad, especially in science because we do all writing and presentation in English. It's just not that much fun in meetings and lunch, but eh, I've just gotten used to being the token foreigner with the bad accent.
What does your husband do?

 

[vickyd]

Alex is in real estate so he can pretty much do his job anywhere. However, he did invest alot of money when he left ReMax and opened up his own buisness. He opened it up in 2008 and is still only breaking even. We hope this year he will start to make a profit but if he doesnt we will definately move.

 

[hoping:)]

Lucy- it kinda does sound like a wonky period but then again you just never know. If you are not at least that gives you some time to get back on your vitamins

Sassy- Sorry Zach is not sleeping well these days. I can imagine it being a shock to your system especially since Poppy was always a good sleeper. Like the other girls we co-slept until 4 months and even now Penny still comes into our bed at 5 am/6:30 am after her morning bottle. I’m glad you got a night out to enjoy yourself. You deserve it! Sleep deprivation is tough!

Amy- Yep we are having a Halloween costume party for Penny’s birthday! Your job sounds very intriguing. That is so nice you get two hours for nursing. I had to use my 15 minute breaks to pump and it was stressful. Ella sounds like she is blossoming and on her way to toddler territory! And also very exciting that you are thinking of making her a big sister soon

Yogi- yay for a lovely scan and a healthy little bean! Thank you for sharing.

Vicky- I’ve always wanted to live over seas so I will switch you places! It sounds like you could move anywhere and make a decent living with your background.

Afm- I can’t believe Penny’s birthday is fast approaching. We are all set besides some bits and pieces of me and Tim’s costumes. I also just found out that my mother’s whole family will be joining us. I can’t wait to see them! They will be traveling with my dad, sister and my niece and nephew. This is how my mother would want it and I just know she will be there with us in spirit.

Last night I was a bad mommy and let Penny sit on the couch eating her eggs while we watched Mickey Mouse’s Club House. She looked so happy sitting there feeding her self and every so often she would pop a piece of egg in my mouth and smile as if to say “you’re welcome, mommy.” After that she ate her favorite food, yogurt. She ate a ton of it and every time she saw me scoop some up she would get on her knees squealing and clapping. Every time I tried to put it away she would protest and shake her head.

Today she is going to her 1st birthday party!

 

[Allie84]

if I knew we could both get good jobs but I don't think that will happen for my husband with a degree in political science

You're telling me!

Living in America isn't that great if you ask me. I think the quality of life is better in UK from my experience (if you can afford it). Even if you make a ton of money in the US, you never get any time to spend it and enjoy it.

Amy, yes, let's all meet up in London in December! Glad things are going well for you....how exciting about maybe TTC again? How's the weight loss going now?

Now that things are going much better with Alex I'm getting broody again. Original TTC time was going to be November but I've just gotten too fat to get pregnant! I can't seem to lose this weight. I can't seem to TRY to lose the weight, that's the problem. I am having huge problems committing to a diet or exercise program.

 

[hoping:)]

Allie- sorry you are not feeling the best about your body image. I know you have tried several things but it does seem to be a mental thing and plus you are always so busy. My suggestion is to pick up a book called The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. This book has dramatically changed my mentality and I think it could work wonders for you It is a great read!

 

[Round2]

I hear ya Allie! I'm having such a hard time getting motivated to loose these last few pounds. I need to start exercising again, but the idea of it makes my head spin! I think I'm just going to start writting down everything I eat. I've done that before it makes you feel more accountable.

Hoping, I'll have to pick up that book....I could use a little inspiration these days.

The sad thing is that I haven't had a single picture of myself with Bryce because I hate the way I look right now. Have to do something.

Amy, glad to hear things are going better now with Ella. That's awesome that you get 2 hours a day to pump at work, too bad you have to make up the time though.

Vicky, have you ever thought about returning to Canada...it's almost the U.S...but a lot more mommy friendly! Not to mention free health care. The weather stinks though!!

 

[pregoinnorge]

Allie it's tough to lose weight but the biggest barrier is just starting I think. I put it off for a long time but I've managed to get quite a bit below pre-Ella weight now. I don't have time to exercise like I used to so I just do what I can but focus on calories and limit bad carbs. It gave me enough encouragement to keep going. Dieting is hard work though and you just have to find a plan that works with your lifestyle. I also avoided the camera for a good chunk of the year- it just made me do depressed.

The cool thing about the two hour "break" is that I don't pump, I just go home two hours early I haven't pumped in months now and she only nurses 2 maybe 3 times a day but they don't have to know that, hehe.

 

[LucyJ]

Amy thats great that you and hubby are talking about ttc no. 2. Sounds like ela is doing really well. Wow at getting 2 hrs to nurse and I dont blame you going home early makes sense to me. No havent tested the bleeding has turned into a period not that heavy but more than just spotting/light bleeding and I am now doubled up in pain its horrific ended up calling nhs direct as the pain is so bad been told to get pills I cant get without seeing a pharmacist so have got iburopfen. Steves made me a hot water bottle.

I think your right hoping its a wonky period hate not knowing what my body is doing it worries me that its another period thats a week early and its so painful, Im used to painful periods mine have always been bad but this one is worse than normal.

Allie do you know when you are going to be in london?

On a plus side Benjamin has gone down again no problems hoping he sleeps through as he came in with us this morning. Thinks hes got a bit of a cold hes been very sneezy and snotty today with a slight temp. Last night he was so sweet at bedtime he has his milk downstairs then I take him upstairs, he was cuddeled up with me on the sofa he'd finished his milk slid of the sofa and crawled over to the bottom of the stairs and waited for me its like he knew it was time for bed.

 

[Sassy_TTC]

Allie,?? What?? You're going to be in London in december????

 

[Allie84]

LOL yes, I thought I told you Sassy!! We're going to Scotland for a few weeks and I convinced Alex to spend two nights in London. Disco meetup?!?! Hopefully I'm not so fat then LOL!

We don't have our tickets yet. I keep putting off buying them hoping they keept cheaper. I think we'll end up getting them this week.

Thanks for the encouragement girls. I just found that book on Amazon, Amber. I've also thought of writing down everything I eat to keep accountable. Maybe I'll write it in my journal on BnB so everyone can see lol! That would keep me accountable for sure. Good idea Round!! Amy, you have lost a lot in a small amount of time!! Did you keep track of your calories or just cut out crap?

Lucy, I'm so sorry you're in so much pain.

 

[Jaymes]

Umm... I've had about 6 contractions in the last hour or so, about 10-12 min apart. Not sure if I should call the dr or wake DH. Still timing them.