First Time Mommies Due February 2016 - Anyone Want to Join Me?

[PriandRafa]

Hi Panda!!
so cool your pics!!!! Loved you took with the same shirt and same place!!!!
we are really getting there!!!
Glad you did not get sore with the shots!
Did you finally pack?? I havent started yet... I was hoping to start this weekend, but weekend flew by and I didn't do it...

Daisy:
The C-Section will be scheduled for Feb 10. This Wed on my dr appt I guess we will get everything ready with the hospital and everything.

Jules:
how did the first class go? This will for you will fly by!! so busy!!! Good luck with all that And I hear you with the maternity leave! Can't wait to stop working!!!! waking up in the morning is just a drag....

Duster:
you are almost there!! how are you feeling??

AFM:
I dont think I ever leaked. I see some tiny little white things in my nipples, but I think is the stretch marks lotion I've been putting all over my body..
But breast are definitely huge, so I hope there is milk in there
My cold is a lot better and going away.
the weather here on Saturday was PERFECT! Perfect temperature, sunny, not a single cloud in the sky, so I think the pics came out great! Now is the waiting time!
As far as my appetite goes, I'm eating like a whale. Hungry all the time and eating all I can LOL.
Saturday after we took the pics, we went to lunch. From lunch we went to Babies R Us to buy the things we needed. We left Babies R Us I was starving again ...
Cant believe I only have 3 more weeks!!!!!!

 

[Jules8]

Panda- That is a great pic progression! Those little feet hurt don't they! I didn't think something could be so awesome, but painful at the same time. lol I hope you were able to get your bag packed. You will have to share what you put in. I am def. making a playlist. I have a lot of random stuff that just puts me in a happy place. For example, we are big Disney World geeks so I have the soundtrack they play for the fireworks in the magic kingdom.

Pri- I'm glad your feeling better. Sounds like the maternity pics went great! I can't wait to see how they turned out. I am right there with you with feeling hungry all the time. I don't know what happened, I can't stop! lol

AFM- The class was long (8 hours), but we learned a lot. I learned that hubby is an expert swaddler. lol We also got to do a tour and it made me feel a lot better about a natural birth. They have a jacuzzi, birthing ball, a bar, and the bed goes in a million different positions. They also offer massage and aroma therapy.

I am pretty excited about our pictures.I may have to re-think what I am going to wear though. Last week it said it would be 40's and sunny so I got a long dress w/ a cardigan. Now they are calling for a snow storm! Def. not dress appropriate weather. lol I think I might just bring a cozy winter outfit w/gloves and a cute scarf and the dress too just in case she can do some indoors. I can always return whichever outfit we don't use.

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Pri, wow that is so soon! GL that everything goes well and baby stays in there until the 10th! Glad your pictures went well too. The next nice bout we have I think I will get out there in a pretty dress.

Jules, that does sound like a very long class! Probably lots of useful info for you though which is always good to have. Wish I was delivering at your birthing center, a Jacuzzi sounds great!!

AFM: Been having some cramps but not contractions. Zodi is pretty low in my pelvis ROA and I can feel their head engaging quite often. A lot of the times it feels like a sharp shooting pain. My feet have been getting so sore at the end of the day, some times in the middle of my day! Definitely don't feel like I'm getting enough rest for how much work is being done.

 

[dustergrl]

Daisy: how is moving going? I know it can be stressful to move; hope the fighting with OH isn't too bad or that at least you'll get through it. When DH and I sold our house and moved, we were ready to kill each other but we knew we would get through it. I also feel you with baby's head being so far down. Some days I feel like it's to my knees!

Pri: glad you're feeling better! I also didn't think I was leaking- then I saw the inside of my bras. Clearly I was mistaken, haha!

Jules: how is your busy schedule going? I had off work today and it was such a blessing. I feel like I'm so underwater with household chores and don't want to leave my house a wreck for my mother, who will be housesitting when I go into labor. You'll have to share the maternity photos when you get them!

Panda: I have my bag mostly packed too. I just had to do laundry to get to the point where I had enough clean clothes to pack, lol! I went to Goodwill and also bought some button down pajama tops to wear to make breastfeeding easier in the hospital, so those are washed and packed as well. I don't think I'm going to do a playlist, but I have my music on my phone so that's plenty. Good luck with the weekly appointments!

AFM: I am definitely nesting. I have a cold but once I got started today I didn't stop! I was also supposed to have my 37-week appointment today but got a call (was almost to the clinic) that my OB got called to do a delivery- so it is now Wednesday night instead. At my last appointment they said Bip is head down, and I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. Not much, but still progressing! Some days I feel like Bip's head is hanging to my knees.

I feel so unprepared for baby's arrival. What started out as "we want new carpet in the baby's room and hallways" turned into ripping out the carpet in half the upstairs AND one set of stairs, cutting new stair treads and replacing them because the ones there are 100+ years old and cracked/worn, installing a new railing to code, stripping terribly done caulk work, and plaster work over cracks- all before carpet is installed. So it's pretty likely the nursery won't be done on time, but we have a mini crib in our room so we are pretty well set up. I give DH and his parents TONS of credit; they have been doing all the work and it's going to look beautuful when it's finished At least I can clean the rest of the house while they work on that!

 

[panda fan]

Pri: That is so exciting! Feb 10 is coming up so soon. What a strange and wonderful things to know we've been at this for months and now it's finally coming to the best part!!! Glad you had a lovely day for your photo shoot and can't wait to see the pics! We did get our bags packed this weekend. I made hubby pack his at the same time. We just need to still install the car seat and make music playlists.

Jules: I love that you have the Magic Kingdom fireworks soundtrack! That sounds like such a fun soundtrack for labor Both of your outfits sound adorable for your pictures, so I think they will look awesome either way. 8 hour class! That is a marathon. We did our long class online so it was nice to be able to do it over several nights even though it probably wasn't as hands on. Cool you and hubs got to practice swaddling!!!

Daisy: I have the cramps, too. Very low and not often, but I don't think they are contractions either. More like light period cramps around bottom of the uterus near cervix. Have lots of wiggling down there and a few sharp pains like you described. It's getting weird to sit now because of all the movement down low! Hope the move and unpacking is going smoothly!

Duster: Sorry you have a cold, too. That's 3 of us so I'm wondering if we are more sensitive to sinus issues at this time. Very excited that you found out you are starting to dilate and cervix is effacing!!!!! It might seem slow, but also nice to have a head start I can't believe all the house projects you have going on! I can relate as we also started with the nursery and now husband is tearing down walls in the basement to add another bathroom, lol. Glad your hubs and in-laws are helping get it done!

AFM: Mostly as described above. Lots of movement down low. I'm also having trouble sleeping now as baby is more active at night and it's harder to get comfortable plus I always seem to have to pee.

I have appt on Thurs so I'm hoping she does the first cervix check. Wondering if cramping is effacing or just general baby movement. Not sure if she will do that this week or next week. Did anyone get a Group B strep test yet? I was reading in my pregnancy app that they often do those around now. Going to ask my doc as she hasn't mentioned it yet.

 

[dustergrl]

Panda: I had it done at 36 weeks. It was a vaginal and near-rectal swab. I don't know the results yet; I'm hoping I find out tonight at my appointment.

 

[PriandRafa]

hi ladies!!!!

Little Ben is so low that it hurts to walk sometimes!!

Panda: I'm with you with trouble sleeping, but only after I get up to pee. When I go to bed, I pass out in minutes, but after I go pee I cannot get comfortable, he doesnt stop moving, and sometimes it takes forever for me to fall back asleep.
I'm glad you have your bags packed already!!! Now let us know what you have in there haha. I've seen so many lists online, that I dont even know where to start.
Doing the test next week. LEt us know how your appt goes!

Duster:
oh wow, you have a lot going on at home!!! Hope all can be done soon!!!! Hope you feel better from the cold soon!!!
I feel unprepared too, but when time comes our instincts will kick in, and as for the house, baby will not notice a thing!

Jules:
even though I'm having a C-Section, I wanted to have a jacuzzi hahaha, you made all of us jealous!!!
Hope the weather turns out nice for your pics!!! Please dont hate me, but I took mine in a 80 degrees weather!! It got a little chilly here this week and the next, so we are on low 50's in the morning, mid 60's in the afternoon!
It sounded like a great class! Long, but great!!

Daisy:
I hear you with the pelvis pain! the other night I got one so sharp and it lasted about 15 minutes! we are almost there!!!! scary but true!

Fading:
How are you doing??? Talking about pics, did you ever send us your wedding pics? I dont remember seeing them!!!

Here are some pics the lady sent me already!!!

 

[PriandRafa]

Forgot to mention:

So, I had my appointment this morning!
All well, Ben already in position, weighing 6 lbs.
Crazy that I have my next appt next Wed, then the other Wed and on the 3rd Wed is the C-Section!!

Freaking out a bit here
It is really becoming real!!!!!

he is moving a LOT!!!

 

[DaisyDreamer]

duster, it's going well, we are really close to being done! We didn't have too much stuff to begin with, as when we moved out of our old place we sold most of our stuff. The stress of the move and stress of pregnancy is not doing us well, but we seem to be able to communicate EVENTUALLY on some level. Which is better than none. We know we love each other, we just have to make it through these times. Have not gotten my bag packed, need to do laundry too!!! Washer in new house doesn't drain so that's just lovely. At least things are moving along, slowly but surely. Better than nothing at this point, that's for sure.

Panda, I don't think I complimented you on your pics! They look cool especially with the same shirt in the same place Wish I thought of that. Thanks for the well wishes on the move. We are so close to being settled, the stress is slowly melting away. Glad I am not the only one feeling these cramps. Not often but definitely different. I have been wondering about my cervix too because of this sudden onset of pelvic sensations. MW told me they don't check cervix until 36 weeks. Also was told the strep test is around 36 weeks too.

Pri-- you look great! Jealous of your warm weather from up here in WA..... Our beaches are just frihgtful this time of year. I am feeling really unprepared to! Just have to keep reminding myself that I won't know what Zodi will need until they get here. It's a shame how much money can be spent on a baby for something it hardly or never used! Glad to hear your appointment went well and Ben is in position there. But you are having a c-section so if he moves it's ok right? Wow 6 lbs. You're right, it is getting so real!

AFM: Feel like I have lost my appetite? Maybe my tummy is just running out of room and I need to get more rest. Hips are on fire most nights I really like being able to feel Zodi's kicks and position. Helps me stay relaxed during those sleepless nights

 

[thexfadingpat]

Hi all. Sorry I haven't posted in the last little while, I've been reading the board but there's so much to catch up on.

I've been doing good. My appointment last week was good- everything is still perfect. Blood pressure, movements, heartbeat. He is still head down (and better stay that way). I'm set to give birth at the birth center (more than likely a water birth) since everything is good. And next Tuesday my weekly appointments will start.
Yesterday was my last day of work, so I am now officially on maternity leave for a year. It feels weird, but I am so excited. And last night my husband and I got massages which were awesome. On Saturday I'm also going to get a pedicure done. Time to spoil myself a little bit before baby comes.


How is everybody doing with baby items?
I think we have pretty much everything we need now... Minus our crib and a rocking chair. But my Dad has both at his place, we just need to get them over here and then set up the crib.


I think I put up some wedding pictures? I can add a few though. It's crazy thinking that we've almost been married for 4 months now.

 

[Jules8]

Daisy- I have been getting those shooting pains as well. It hurts and makes me walk funny! lol I hope the move is going well. It is super stressful without being pregnant so I feel for you having to do it this late in your pregnancy. Things will settle down once your all moved in and baby is here.

Duster- That's some serious nesting! lol At least the bulk of the work will be before. As hard as I think things are hard to get done now, I know it will be even harder when she is here. I hope your cold is getting better.

Panda- I had my group B strep test this past week. It wasn't bad at all, just a swab. I should find out in the next few days. I think she said they usually do it at the 36 week appt, but every doctor is different.

Pri- Your pics are so cute!!! Of course I am mad you got to do them in 8- degree weather! lol It has been miserably cold here and this weekend we are supposed to get a 12-16 inches of snow. I can't believe how close you are to having him! Pretty soon our board will go from pregnancy woes to mommy woes. lol

Fading- Your wedding pics are beautiful! So jealous your done work already. lol It's great you are getting some time to relax and spoil yourself.

AFM: I def underestimated how exhausted I would be when I planned all of this stuff. I feel like I am losing my mind! lol I totally forgot about my breastfeeding class, I worked late and was so tired I just went home then an hour later remembered I was supposed to be there. I also lost a gift card for $75..ughh. Our maternity pictures got moved to next week because of the snowstorm this weekend. She had to switch her weekend newborn pictures, which I understand. I took full advantage of taking the day off and just slept. lol

Some good stuff was that I got to get my hair cut and highlighted. It felt so good, I wish I had someone to wash and play with my hair every day. lol I also started my weekly appts. My doctor asked if I wanted to be checked and I said sure because I have been having some shooting pains and pressure. She said I am 1 cm and her head is right there.

 

[PriandRafa]

Daisy:
I hope you can finish the moving this weekend! and remember to be patient with each other. I know it is hard sometimes, specially us with our hormones, but remember that everything we say, we cannot take it back. We can apologize, but never take it back. Breath in and breath out and think about the positive, the new place and of course, little Zodi that is arriving soon!
Also try to sleep on top of a pillow that way it gives more cushion to your hips, it might help

Fading:
No, I have not seen the wedding pics before!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! loved them!! the place is beautiful, so romantic
Good that everything is perfect and fine!!! Water birth sounds good, much more relaxed! You will be just fine!!
I think we are also good with what we have. I still have some un-opened bags at home from the baby shower. Will organize and wash everything this weekend, so hopefully the room will look like a room! right now it is looking like a zoo!
So nice that you are off and pampering yourself!!!! So jealous right now!
Go ahead and treat yourselves because we are running out of time!

Jules:
same to you, try to relax and take care of yourself!!!
Good all is well and dr appointment was good! It sucks your picture got rescheduled, but with the weather this weekend, maybe it was better that way!

AFM: dr didnt check anything, as I'm having a C-Section, but I'm pretty sure I'm dilating, because it just feels weird down there..... It seems bigger LOL Keep telling Ben, he doesnt need to go that low, because he is not coming out from there!

So we had decided on Feb 10th for the longest time. This morning the lady at the dr's office called me to confirm if it was the 10th or the 11th, because she had both dates on my chart.
Then, the only spot available on the 10th was at 12:30pm. I told her to go ahead and put me on that, because I didn't want to be on the 11th. Would prefer earlier, but whatever!

Anyone feels that their belly will "rip apart" at the belly button? Sometimes I feel the belly stretch sooo much that feels like it will open up!
I bought only today a postpartum belly wrap that is supposed to help with the C-Section and also put belly and stomach back into its place.
Hope it works

Well, I hope you all keep safe for the ones being hit by the snow storm this weekend!!
here will be raining and cold (Miami standards) so the plan is to really get that room ready and bags packed!

 

[CRWx]

I've only just found this thread after looking for one for ages

Hi! I'm Char and I'm due 24th Feb with my first baby, a little girl! Hope it's ok to join! xxx

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Greetings Char, have seen you on the Third Tri page How are you feeling??

Pri, thank you for the kind words. We both are able to talk calmly about what the two of us need to do so we both can grow. So it helps, and yes moving can be stressful but we are so close to being done! At this point I just want my washer and dryer to be fixed. The pillow thing is working, I've done it the past few nights and feel GREAT. Definitely getting that ripping sensation at the belly. Not sure if it's from my appendectomy scar that's right there though? But it could be mild separation of the muscles which is normal

jules, thank you, we both know that! It can be really hard to remember that in the midst of it all but things are settling pretty fast so no complaints really. Sounds like preggo brain is getting the better of you it's alright try not to beat yourself too much about it. I'm feeling super distracted all the time but OH says I've been pretty normal. But definitely feeling that exhaustion. Stay safe in that snowstorm lady

AFM Really hurt my arm crocheting Zodi's blanket. It's blue and white and brown. Yes it's more "boyish" but I really liked the colors on the yarn, didn't really think too much about it. Have been sleeping a lot better now which is feeling really good. Had 34 week appt and Zodi's HB was 130 again, measuring perfect for 34 weeks. Will start weekly appointments after my 36 week appt. I know all of you are ahead of me because I'm due March 2nd but I just can't believe how real it's getting

 

[CRWx]

Hey, DD!

I'm ok thank you, aching all over the place but it's to be expected at nearly 36 weeks pregnant. The novelty of my bump is starting to wear off, it's in the way constantly! Little miss must have had a growth spurt (find out on Wednesday!) because it was measuring small but now I feel like a whale not long now though, hopefully! How are you?

Your blanket sounds gorgeous, oh well about the colours being 'boyish' they're lovely colours for both. Although, I have gone pink mad completely accidentally for little miss... I don't even like pink but it's completely cute in babies clothes though

 

[panda fan]

Hi girls! Welcome Char!

Glad everyone's appts are going well. I did talk to my doc and she is doing the Group B strep this Thurs as well as my first cervix check.

I have such CRAZY cramping down low today, like having bad period cramps. I had prenatal yoga this morning and felt great, but got home and the cramping started. Google says it's possibly just thinning of cervix and baby settling low. Could mean dilation but sometimes happens and no dilation so I'm curious to see what doc says this week. My belly looks lower today than even a few days ago. Hubby even noticed.

Pri: Your photos are GORGEOUS! So jealous of the beach weather Definitely feeling the belly about to rip open when my little guy gets moving. I joke with hubby that he wants to come out "Alien" style

fading: love the wedding photos. The red really pops and contrasts so nicely with the white dress! Glad everything is going well.

Daisy: I'm glad the moving is almost done! That was fast!

Jules: Sounds like a blessing to have pics postponed. Glad you got a rest day! Looking forward to seeing the pics soon though! Not totally surprised you forgot the class. I can't believe how forgetful I am! That pregnancy brain thing is no joke! It was snowing when I left yoga today and there was no one on the road. I stopped at a T intersection and checked for traffic then turned left . . . only to realize I had just gone through a red light. YIKES!!!!

duster: hope you are feeling better and work is progressing on the house!

Snowing hard here but only supposed to get around 4-5". One friend's wife is went to the hospital in labor today and another is due in 2 days so I was texting her joking to beware of the snowstorm bringing on labor!!

 

[dustergrl]

xfading: love the wedding photos! The two of you look so happy. Before you know it, it will have been years instead of months. DH and I will have been together for 10 years this year, married for 4. After all my baby showers (I can't believe how fortunate I have been), I had plenty of duplicates/unwanteds I needed to return. Between those and the gift cards I received, I had enough to order the rest of the items I needed, and now we're set! MIL gave us a dresser- and while it isn't great, it's a start. We also have a narrow hallway entry table we will be using as our changing table.

Jules: how nice that you got a day off with nothing to do! It's nice that you got to relax because soon, things will definitely get busy! Sorry you lost your gift card, though. I thought I lost a $240 store credit from returns the other day but luckily found it! I feel like my brain is turning to mush lately.

Pri: yes, I am getting some of those sensations. I do believe they say it can be the abdominal muscles separating- which can heal itself after birth. My belly button has been annoyingly painful lately; it was really deep pre-pregnancy and I believe I have eczema in there- which is becoming more irritated and bleeding as the deepest parts surface. I'm also dealing with endo laparoscopy scars stretching, and they definitely look and feel weird right now. Did you get done what you wanted to get done this weekend?

Char- welcome! Glad you found us! I am not super talkative on here, but definitely read the posts and keep updated! I understand the being uncomfortable thing- at 38 weeks tomorrow, this child can come any time. My husband wants me to wait another week to have Bip, though, lol! Like I have a choice.

Daisy: glad the move is almost done! Was it a far move? If you said already, my pregnancy brain made me forget. Zodi's blanket sounds gorgeous! I don't know Bip's gender and I have mostly boy clothes because I personally like them better, and at this age they don't really care.

Panda: how are you holding up with the snow?

AFM: Most is above, but I'm going crazy with the nesting! DH and I got an antique mini crib from when DH was born- and before that it was an 80-year-old man's from when he was born! So it's over 100 years old. Of course it's not standard size, so we had a custom foam mattress made for it, and I had to cut some absorbent mattress pads and fitted crib sheets down to size, and stitch the edges/sew them back together. I have one fitted crib sheet done but have yet to do the other; they are a PITA with all that elastic and cutting and measuring. Oh well; once they're done: NEVER AGAIN. I also got a couple random sewing projects done, like putting buttons back on pants and adding buttonholes to my over-the-shoulder bag (purse). I clip things like my keys and hand sanitizer on there so I don't have to go digging to the bottom of my purse.

Today my in-laws are coming back to help with the house; I think my mother might show up as well. I have plenty to do too; I want to put my rabbits back outside (they were in during our extreme cold spell), and put Bip's linens in the dresser the in-laws gave us. Then it will be cleaning and organizing for the rest of the day!

38 weeks tomorrow, which was my original prediction for labor. DH thinks Feb. 1, and I am now thinking the 5th. Do any of you ladies have a guess for yourselves (for natural labor)- early, late, or on time? Those with C-sections kind of have it good- you know exactly when the time is coming!

How are you ladies in the snow holding up?

 

[panda fan]

Update: having what I'm pretty sure is false labor. Started last night then went away and started again this afternoon. Making me nervous that it's happening this early. Haven't called doc yet because nothing that feels like a real labor contraction yet. Just low pelvic and back pressure and very occasional tightening across middle that has no obvious start or peak so nothing I'd be able to time. Hoping it goes away again and will call doc tomorrow either way to let her know what's been going on.

 

[dustergrl]

Panda: how are you doing? What did the doctor have to say?

Daisy: how's your arm?

AFM: forgot to mention that my Group B Strep test came back negative!

 

[Jules8]

CRW- Welcome! I have gone pink mad as well. I always said I wouldn't if I had a little girl, but everything is just so darn cute! lol We can only get away with it for such a short time so why not.

Daisy- I hope your arm is feeling better. Your blanket sound beautiful though! You will have to post a pic when its finished.

Panda- I hope you found out what the cramping was or it at least went away. As exciting as it is to have signs that things are close, pain and false labor suck!

Pri- How exciting you know the date and time. Little Ben's arrival will be here before we know it. I can't believe we are all about to start the baby arrivals! I don't have the stretching belly button feeling, but I do feel like it gets really heavy at the bottom of my belly and she's going to fall out. It seems to be mostly if I am walking or leaning forward for a while...gravity I guess. lol

Duster- Yay for a negative Strep B result! BTW: Your crib sounds amazing! I know custom is a little bit more of a pain, but it sounds worth it. I always wished I could sew or crochet. I go back and forth with guessing when she will come. I have this nagging, panicked feeling she will be early because right on time would be perfect. I guess only time will tell. I am going to guess Feb. 6th for you. lol

AFM: Shewwww! What a snowy mess here. The official total of snow was 31 inches! Funny it was unusually warm up til about 3 weeks ago..then our first snow is a huge storm. lol We are very fortunate to have a landlord who is amazing and hires a cleanup crew that does the whole lot then digs out our cars. My husband dug ours out anyway because he was so tired of being inside. Good thing is we got a few things organized and starting to wrap things up as far as getting things ready.