Mid-August Testers

[snowflakes120]

Glad you are able to get a free moment to check in Hands. Sounds like Dex is feeding and sleeping like a champ.

Had a nice busy weekend and have a busy week ahead.

I got a copy of medical records from my current OBGYN to bring to the RE. I couldn't help but sneak around. I found that my lining last month was only 4.7 - it is supposed to be >8. I'm not even close. Clomid is known to thin the lining. Basically it means that even if an egg gets fertilized I have no plush cushy bed for my eggie to implant to. Since my m/c was due to not being implanted properly and I have super light periods - I think I figured out another clue to why we are not conceiving. I am pretty bummed because my Progesterone is finally under control but now I stumble upon this. I swear if it's not one thing it's another. Just another road block for us to overcome. From some research that I have done - Looks like they can put me on Estrogen supplements (yeahhh another stupid pill) and they can take me off Clomid and put me on Femara (which is basically like Clomid but doesn't have the same side effects) A friend told me it can be quite tricky to overcome a thin lining. So here's hoping for the best.

From all the stress and/or Clomid/Prometrium I have gained like 6 pds in a few short months. It doesn't seem like alot but I am just barely 5'1" tall. So a little bit does alot to me - my pants are less than comfy currently. I went to yoga last week and am going again tomorrow night. With the upcoming medical bills that I will be incurring - I cannot go and buy a new wardrobe!!

 

[Srbjbex]

Hello Ladies!!

Back from holiday and fully rested and relaxed. The weather was lovely, and it was great having our own pool at the villa for cooling off! Ate lots of gorgeous greek food, and hardly did anything at all - bliss!

What fab news to come back to..... CONGRATULATIONS Hands!! And little Dexter is an absolute cutie!! My husband was reading over my shoulder when I logged on last night and he said what a cute little baby! You must be very proud

Bea - so exciting to hear from you, and lovely to know that you are checking in on us. Sounds like you are settling into motherhood just fine. You're leading the way for all of us!

Snow - aw hun, I feel for you so much, but if nothing else then it sounds like you are learning lots about the way your body works and that can only be a good thing. I'm with Bea, I'm sure there is good news coming for you soon.

CH - have you got any updates for us??

Nic - how are you and little Finlay doing? I am trying to prepare myself for how much work it will be when baby comes along (less than 3 months to go now!) but I think no matter what I read or hear about it will come as a shock. OH will only have been in his new job for a couple of months by then, so I'm trying not to expect too much from him in the beginning.....I'm sure I wont be saying that in October!

Lisette - you are next!!

So know I have 7 weeks left at work, and cannot wait to finish!

 

[snowflakes120]

Bex - Sounds like you had a fab vaca in Greece! A private pool too - very posh!

Got a new fav tea bag saying today - this one I'm saving - it's so fitting for me to keep positive!! : When the mind is backed by will, miracles happen.

 

[Srbjbex]

Love the saying Snow - I will remember that one!!

Happy Independence Day for all the American mid-August Ladies!

 

[NotNic]

Snow - what a fabulous mantra! Definitely a keeper! I'm so pleased that you read that report. I know that it is another hurdle, but at least it's another thing that you can tackle head on and it explains why the clomid isn't doing exactly what it should do.

Bea - Great to hear from you. It seems like everything is going really well for you.

Bex - Glad you had a great holiday. I'm soo jealous! In terms of being prepared, I really don't think you can be! I would recommend that you book in some hair appointments and pedicures etc. before baby arrives. Get some pampering in while you can. I have to ask myself if I've brushed my teeth these days! If there is anything I can help you with - how tos / where to get stuff etc. let me know. I would completly recommend you buy a copy of The Wonder Weeks book for when baby is here. (You too Hands. It's a US book written by Dutch doctors). It really helps explain development milestones and it's fascinating. The day to day stuff just comes. You pick up the hints your baby makes and you know when it's hungry etc.

Hands - How are you finding Dexter's latch on? Is he still licking? I find that Finlay does that a lot and I've adapted the cradle hold (check you tube) and hold my breast and slightly squeeze it to make it a more pointed shape and that helps with the latch. Do get yourself some lanisol cream to help with the cracks. Mine took ages to heal.

I let Finlay sleep for as long as he wants. I don't fight the routine he's set himself! I write down what he does and use that to set my day out. I'm at the stage now when my nipples tingle when it's time for a feed. It's like my body knows! I never wake Finlay at night. We both wake at the time he needs to feed. Occasionally I will do a dream feed with a bottle if it's a big gap since he's fed. Dexter will strat cluster feeding around 3 weeks and you'll probbaly become engorged, so don't worry too much about your supply. As long as you are doing a reasonable amount of bf'ing your supply will be there. You could also express if you need too, and you can freeze your milk so someone else can do the feeds if you have friends or relatives staying. Cordwise Finlay's fell off at Day 4/5. It was a bit pink and weepy and I was told to keep it dry and let the air get to it and it cleared up nicely. If there is any smell then it definitely is infected. I would take him to the hospital and get them to dress it and give him some antiobiotics. Trust your gut instinct.

Lisette and CH - Hope you are both well girlies. xxx

Lisette - How are you feeling? xx

CH - Hello love xxx

 

[MrsBea23]

Hi girls,

Hands - I meant to say that I have a movement monitor so if it doesn't detect movement/breathing for 15 seconds it goes off (I often forget to turn it off when I pick her up so it goes off a lot lol). It is without a doubt my best buy and has given me total peace of mind about her sleeping and would totally reccomend them.
As for the cord Ariana's was super smelly as it rotted off but when it came off at day 8 or so it was perfect so I wouldn't worry about the stinky smell.

Snow - Loving the tea bag that is fab. That is such a shame about your lining can't you take progesterone to increase that? Or as I have mentioned before but wouldn't want to push it on anyone baby aspirin. You are being so strong hun I am so impressed by your positivity.
And I totally understand about putting on a couple of pounds when we are only 5 1 big

Bex - so pleased you had a good trip. I bet you can't wait for maternity.

Nic - Sounds like you have it all under control and loving it, so pleased for you.

Ch and Lisetre

 

[NotNic]

Hands - listen to Bea then, as I guess it sounds like it's normal but don't feel bad about checking with a dr if you're not happy. I also have the same / similar monitor as Bea. Mines the Angelcare movement sensor. I'm constantly forgetting to switch the monitor off too and having to leg it back to the bedroom to switch it off before it wakes hubby.

 

[InHisHands]

The rotten part came off and he doesnt stink... it is a little bit weepy but is trying to form a soft scab... it isnt red... he isnt acting any differently, so i think things will be okay with his cord.

As far as feeding on demand... ive decided to feed on demand at night.. which is allowing me to sleep 5 to 6 hours a night ... albiet 2 hours here, 3 hours there..... and keep feeding him 2 to 3 hours during the day.. often times waking him up. It seems to work for us, which is what is important.

Nic & Bea - Im not looking forward to cluster feeding.... what should i expect?

Bex - Thanks for your kind words. We love him. Im so glad that you got to go on vacation. I cant wait till my hubby gets back so we can go somewhere ... even if we have to drag all of dexter's stuff with us.

Lisette - How you getting along?

Snow - Ugh! Weight issues stink. Try to relax hon though i know it is so hard to. Your time will come... we just dont know when and that's the hard part.

Ch.. Vegas?!

 

[snowflakes120]

Y'all need to change your pregnancy statuses (sp?)!!! I do not know the grammatical way of writing that...

Bea - Happy to see you posting again! I am still taking the Progesterone in my LP and I started baby aspirin 2 months ago... I don't know what to think. I started drinking Pomegranate Juice which is especially nasty but will drink it if it helps. Thanks hun for the compliment - I really have more bad days then I let on on here truthfully. I like to think of myself as strong but in all honestly my hope and positive are fading quite fast at this point. I think you and Nic have convinced me that I will need a movement monitor when the time come for me the register.

Hands - That really is the hard part is not knowing! I am so impatient! Hooray for pretty belly button for Dex. When will hubby be back? Do you still have your company?

Nic - Sounds like Finlay has a good schedule down for you! Wonderful news!

Lisette - Hope all is well!!

CH - Wish you would check in!!

Hubs has his SA today. I hope it doesn't take long to get results. I'd like to have them for the RE/FS appt in about 2 weeks or so. I am reallllllly hoping for excellent outcome but am a bit nervous because we haven't been getting good news regarding my fertility in quite a while so... I guess I won't be too in shock if it comes back as bad.

We had a great 4th of July. Had friends over and went to fireworks at our Whitewater Rafting Center. It was really nice. But back at work for today and then off to Charleston for 4 days tomorrow. Will be nice!

 

[InHisHands]

I still have "company" until next week... and hubby will be back sometime between christmas and valentines.

Nic - I've been doing the cradle and cross cradle hold. He hates the football hold so that one has been crossed off the list... and im afraid of falling asleep while laying down with him and ending u smoothering him.. so i havent tried that one either. I have one nipple is that sore and cracked and im using that cream on it faithfully.... but the other nipple seems fine. Go figure. BTW - i hate it when dexter plays with his "food" it sometimes takes a good 10 o 15 minutes fighting him to latch on correctly because he just wants to play and so you pull him away and he screams... and so you try again and he just plays... argh.

 

[InHisHands]

Here are two more pics of dex. I promise not to flood the page with pics of him though...

 

[NotNic]

Snow I'm hoping that the appointment went well for you and hubby. Don't worry about being down. No one is expecting you to be positive all of the time. We're here for you rain or shine xx

Hands - cluster feeding is when they concentate feeds in a smallish period of time so it feels like you are constantly feeding. Evening cluster feeding appears to be most common but Finlay does his in the morning or late afternoon. The worse if it is over in a couple of days so if you do find that Dex does this then just bear that in mind. Feeding does settle down. Finlay fights me if I'm not quick enough he punches me and thrashes round. Just keep reattaching him. Eventually he will get the hang of it.

Keep those photos coming!

 

[Srbjbex]

Great pics Hands - I love seeing photos of little Dexter!

Snow -I hope the appointment went well and that you are managing to stay positive, but like Nic said, dont feel like you have to be positive all the time. let us know when you get the results.

Bea - you're right I cannot wait for mat leave to start. 17th August is my last day which means I have 6 weeks left at work. Definitely ready to finish!

Glad its the weekend tomorrow - despite Tuesday being my first day back at work since my hliday it has been an unexpectedly busy week! Have nothing at all planned for the weekend (beyond a mound of holiday ironing) but I dont think the weather is going to be up to much anyway. I think I will be watching a lot of Wimbledon!

 

[Srbjbex]

Oh and third trimester for me today!

 

[NotNic]

Yay Bex!!

 

[MrsBea23]

Bex - yay for third tri and yay for the weekend.

Hands - aw lovely pics Hun. For me cluster feeding lasted from about week 2 to week 11 and back to it now with the 3 month growth spurt. Ariana is a massive eater though and doubled her weight in 10 weeks going from 9th to 50th centile. She cluster fed at night from about 6 to 11 and sometimes later. I would just lie in bed and feed while watching telly.
Also my left nipple still gets a bit sore at times now, I think it is smaller than the right. Also be careful with the cream and cracked nipples it can cause thrush which trust me is something you really don't want to get.

Snow - I hope you hubby's SA went well. Hun I can imagine you have lots of down days but you are definitely coping well with it big

Nic - I have the angelcare as well it is awesome. My other fab things are the madela swing ( I have about 50oz of milk in the freezer lol) and the angelcare nappy bin. A's fab thing is her bear mobile she loves it and can watch it for hours.

 

[InHisHands]

Snow - we love you and are there for you through all the ups and downs.

Bea - How does the cream cause thrush? I've never heard of that before... makes me a little worried now. BTW it isnt so much that my nipple is cracked as much as it had a blister or two that popped... either way OUCH lol

Bex - Congrats hon!!! Can't wait till your little man is here.

 

[NotNic]

Hands I think it's because it keeps the area moist and that gives a good breeding ground from bacteria. I wear breast pads to keep my nipples dry and the avent shields (the plastic ones like big shells) helped drain excess milk away and kept my nipples protected and ventilated.

 

[MrsBea23]

As Nic said hands. I wouldn't stress about it but just be careful.
I had really bad cracking and scabs and things, even the midwives were a bit shocked lol but that might be why I got it.

 

[InHisHands]

thats good to know. i use nursing pads too. both nipples are now tender due to a two day growth spurt but the real gut wrenching pain from the popped blisters is finally gone.

Typically dex will let me sleep 3 hours, nurse, 2 hours, nurse, 1 hour, get ready for the day, nurse increments at night. So i dont think that's too bad. I will be happy for a time though when we could cut out one of those awakenings so i could get a longer stretch of sleep.

Today we are planning on taking him on a trip about an hour away from home. Its my birthday and i want to eat at a place that just isnt found here. I'm taking two people so i have 4 extra helping hands.... and so hopefully the trip will be a sucess.

It's amazing how fast they change and grow. My baby boy is growing up.... and momma isnt quite ready for it. He doesnt fit into newborn stuff anymore... spitting up more, learning to latch better, showing signs of wanting to scoot and turn over.... soon he'll be out the door leaving momma behind.

How is everyone else getting along? Vacations, doc appointments and results, nurseries, frustrations, complaints, tips, and etc?