On the road again graduates

[Topanga053]

Aww Starry!!!!! Congratulations!!!! Skye is right-- this IS the most girly rainbow thread ever!!!

Red- try to relax every once in awhile!!! I have the same tendancy to overdo it, so I totally get it. We'll miss you when you're too tired to chime in!!

Afm, 36+2 today and have definitely been feeling a lot more cramps and pains in the last few days. I'm starting to wonder if she's going to come early, but I guess we'll have to just wait and see! We had the baby shower last weekend and it went really, really well. It was so great to see all of our friends/family and everyone was so generous... we're still trying to sort through all of the stuff and find a place to put it!! Otherwise, just a LOT of stress from work and real estate issues and finances and getting stuff ready for her. I know it will all work itself out, but definitely feeling massively overwhelmed this week. Prayers would be much appreciated!!

 

[Left wonderin]

Hey bump buddy I'm with ya with the aches and pains , loads of very uncomfortable BH too !!! Heartburn at all time worst , doc says baby butt pushing up my diaphragm which is causing it ! Noting to be done about it but wait till becomes out lol.....

I'm finished up work tommrow dying to put my feet up . YEAH RIGHT I've sooooooo much to do , the complete nursery , pack my bags , wash clothes , buy a new car , do a major house clean ... The list is endless !!!

Topanga we are on labour watch from next Tuesday how exciting !!! I'm sorry your overwhelmed ill say a quick prayer for ya xxxx

 

[RedWylder]

Gosh you guys are hitting full term and I'm hitting 3rd tri on Tuesday! That's insane! How did I get so far along? lol Wait how did you guys get so far? Hahaha...on one hand it's gone by soooo slow and on the other it seems like yesterday I had my first miscarriage.

 

[Starry Night]

Red - wow, 3rd tri already! That's so exciting!

afm - my SiL is now over a week overdue. She switched to midwife care very last minute (long story) and now the midwife won't induce her until she's past 42 weeks. She's never been able to go into labour on her own before but she's had a bad experience with induction so it would be nice if that wouldn't be needed this time. And now, with her baby being so overdue, the birthday won't be anywhere close to my angel's so I am hoping its arrival won't be so painful. I'm actually kind of getting excited for it even though it will be several months before we can fly out to meet her. (I'm not flying pregnant unless I absolutely have to....it's not fun)

 

[Topanga053]

So I think I told you ladies that I had a little bit of protein in my urine at my last apt? I had another apt on Thursday and there was a little more protein in my urine and my BP was really high. So I got put on bed rest for Friday and then had to go back in the afternoon for more tests. The numbers were better on Friday, but still elevated. My doctor said if they hadn't gone down, I would have been going straight to the hospital. So anyway, I'm not on strict bed rest, but I'm supposed to keep it really easy (working minimally from home, fewer chores around the house, etc) until I deliever. And I'm on continued pre-eclampsia watch. I have two appointments next week (Monday and Thursday) to keep an eye on my numbers. I haven't asked her yet, but I got the impression my OB thinks I'll be delivering early. We'll see what happens!! In the meantime, just starting the transition out of work, resting a lot, and making sure my hospital bag is ready to go! Crazy that it might be here even sooner than I thought!

 

[Carybear]

Saying a prayer for you Topanga! Looks like we will have another little princess soon.

 

[Starry Night]

Topanga - I'm glad the numbers are better than they were. I know it will be hard, but take it easy and just relax. You can always get to the house chores after your baby is here. Not much longer until you meet her!

 

[Left wonderin]

Topanga it sure is a rollercoster at this stage anything can happen any day !! I am on day one of no work and its weird but just in time as I really am not sleeping at night at all !!! Its just dawned on me this weekend how close to the end I am so PANICED and packed my bags lol..... All done now ..... Hospital appointment for me today lets see how I get on .

As for you Topanga get as much rest as you can in the lead up to the big event any day now we will be mums

 

[anchor08]

Wow Starry, YAYYYYY!!!!!!!! for a girl! Such a blessing, especially after all you've been through. It's so great to hear you talking about buying clothes for her and scheduling third-trimester appointments. Did I miss your V-Day, or is it coming up? Either way, lots of celebrating on your behalf.

Topanga, I hope you're able to relax as you rest, even though it's not by choice and it might be a stressful situation. Numbers going down in response to rest is great, and also that they're keeping a close eye on you. I can't believe you and Left are so close, can't wait to hear all the updates!

Rayray, I hope you're doing well too. No pressure to update, just know that we're thinking of you and cheering you on. It really is boot camp, but I know you're doing great!

Photo: Evelyn and Nonnie (my mother-in-law)

 

[RedWylder]

Anchor she is such a cutie! I can definitely tell a little personality is blooming.

Left/Topanga it would be awesome if you guys delivered on the same day too!! Then you could be bump AND birthday buddies.

Starry...v-day must be coming up soon right? It's such a wonderful milestone to hit. I can tell how much it's eased my mind. Now I don't think so much about loosing my baby. I think more about "what if I had her now" but the scenarios always end with a living baby in my mind so that's wonderful.

 

[skyesmom]

wow, Topanga and Left, when did you get SO close???

Topanga - you always sounded like a hard working, very energetic and busy woman, no wonder some rest does you good you deserve it girl!! i keep my fingers crossed your protein levels drop even more...

...and yes sharing a birthday with Left would be just insane!

Red - the 3rd tri!!!

this end of the winter will be full of things to celebrate: two rainbows born and Starry hitting the V-day and another rainbow almost getting there... yay! and Cary, who knows, maybe we join them


and Anchor - Evelyn is gorgeous!

 

[Topanga053]

Hey ladies! Thanks for the thoughts! My 24 hour urine sample had protein, but not enough for pre-eclampsia so the official diagnosis for now is gestational hypertension (my BP was up again on Monday) and my doctor is watching to make sure it doesn't develop into pre-eclampsia. I feel fine (other than the obvious), but I'm on partial bed rest until delivery (can do some work from home, some chores, etc, but generally need to take it easy). They're going to monitor me and I get weekly ultrasounds now, yay!! If my numbers get worse or Lauren is in distress, they will induce me early. My doctor also said she won't let me go one day beyond my due date with these numbers, so if I'm not in natural labor by Feb. 11, they'll induce me. Our first ultrasound is tomorrow morning and I am so excited to see Lauren again!!!!

Starry- When IS V-day???

Anchor- awww she is adorable!!!!

Cary & Skye- your future LOs are just waiting for this batch of rainbows to be born so they don't have to share the limelight with any other babies! ;-)

 

[Starry Night]

Topanga - have fun seeing Lauren again! And try to enjoy taking it easier these last few weeks. And I'm glad you don't have pre-eclampsia.

afm - V day is in two weeks! Though I don't know our hospital's specific policy. I was going to ask last time but I forgot.

 

[RedWylder]

Hey ladies, what do you know about breast pumps? I want to get a professional grade one (covered by insurance) and any brand works so I can literally buy the best. I hear it's between Medela, Avent, and Ameda brands. Thoughts?

 

[Starry Night]

I have a Medela. It seemed to work pretty well but with DS I wasn't able to pump. Even the ones at the hospital only got a few drops out of me. I have heard some women aren't able to pump. But I was told that Medela is the best and it was the brand my hospital used.

 

[rayraykay]

LADIES!! HIII!!!! I am SO sorry I've been gone for a little while.

Starry you get your princess!!! YAHOOO!!! So thrilled for you & a healthy pregnancy. Wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL!!!

When did Red, Topanga & Left get so close?! Time freakin FLIES! Myyyyyyy goodness! Topanga- I am sorry abou tthe hypertension diagnosis but I am SO happy it's not pre-e. Take it easy girlfriend! Enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy.. even when they drag on. It's time you never get back!

Anchor your baby girl is GORGEOUS. I love her!

Hi Skye! Hi Cary! How are you ladies?

AFM- Sloane is 5 weeks old as of yesterday. Once again, wow...!!! Times flies. She and I are doing well. She is such a calm sweet baby. She has a "witching hour" in the evening.. where she is much more fussy. She eats so well tho, and takes bottles so my husband can feed her too. She sleeps for about three 3-4 hour periods at night so I am not too sleep deprived. My husband does night duty on the weekends, bless his heart. She sleeps in a rock n play next to our bed for now... when she is around 8 weeks old I am going to have her take naps in her crib in her room which is right next to ours to get her used to it. My goal is to have her sleeping in her crib at night around 12-15 weeks. Sleep training... not looking forward to it. Some nights like last night.. she is going thru a growth spurt.. she mostly slept in our bed. Something I said I would "never do" before she came. HAHA! So funny to think of that now. Sometimes when she is eating more often, it's easier just to nurse laying down, and I always fall asleep. Hey, she's only this young once.

I have a medela as well. I love it. It's been fabulous so far... really effective! I would highly recommend it.

 

[Starry Night]

I can't believe Sloane is 5 weeks already! And I don't know what it is about evenings but most little babies get fussy around then. DS was the same. Good luck with your sleep training. I forget the exact method we used with our son but he was eager to sleep at night so that helped. Sloane sounds like an easy-going gal so she should go along with it once you find something that works.

afm - my sweet DD (love being able to type that!) was kicking up a storm this morning. I could actually see them. It was the most obvious kicks I've gotten yet. She's normally just wiggly but I guess she was feeling enthusiastic today. She seems to respond to the voices of children and DS was being loud. DS was the same way and is now very social so I'm wondering if his sister will share that quality with him.

My SiL is getting induced tomorrow so by the end of the week I'll have a new little niece. I feel happy that I'm actually getting excited for her arrival. I also feel badly that my SiL has never been able to get into labour on her own. She'll be 2 full weeks overdue tomorrow. I hope everything goes smoothly. By the time I get to go out to visit her though my own LO will be 3 months old (not flying before first round of vaccinations)

 

[skyesmom]

awww Starry!!! it is a true gift from heavens, you talking about your DD! funny how some character traits can be spotted from the womb on and then kept later through the lifetime. i always found that impressive!

 

[Topanga053]

Ray- so exciting that Sloane is doing so well!! And 5 weeks... oh my goodness!!! How is that possible??

Starry- love hearing you say DD!!

Afm, ultrasound yesterday morning went very well. Lauren is measuring just over 7 pounds and everything looks good. At my apt in the afternoon though, my BP was in the 160s (my nurse was shocked I didn't feel any symptoms). My doctor did an exam and I'm 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. She sent me to the hospital so they could monitor my BP and run tests to keep checking for pre-e and she said she thought they would probably just induce me since I was already heading toward labor on my own. Anyway, after a few hours of observation, normal BP, and normal labs, the doctor there decided to discharge me to try to let me get just a little further along, since I just hit term a few days ago. The machine showed I am having some contractions, but they're still few and far in between. So for now, we're back home and totally on pins and needles!!!! I'm doing another 24 hour urine test (agh!!) and have an apt on Monday to check my BP and cervix, assuming I don't go into active labor before then! The up and down with my BP is getting frustrating and now we're totally on pins and needles, knowing I'm already partially dilated, mostly effaced, and feeling more and more cramps!!!

 

[skyesmom]

Topangaaaaaaaaaa!!!! that sounds like Lauren is gonna come ANY day now!!!!!!! if i were you i would avoid induction unless absolutely necessary because it sounds like Lauren is getting ready to meet you any day now on her own!!! and since it's baby that triggers the labor when she's ready (not the mother! baby's brain makes a hormone when she's ready and sends it to yours via bloodstream and then your brain receives it and starts off with the labor... amazing!!!)... i'm kinda against the induction unless it is necessary because of your BP and a possible pre-e... but to me it sounds like she is gonna meet you soon!

were you also an early-coming baby??

rayray - it is so great to hear from you again!! sloane is so precious on your avatar pic!! i can't imagine how perfect she must be in real life!! so glad she's not giving you too much trouble! ahhh the blondie head of hair!!

afm - looking forward to this year i already know i'm out this cycle but as i said, we decided not to strictly TTC for the sakes of our mental health no charting no temping and re-learning how to enjoy our private times again!