:)

A smile because I'm oh so glad to be back in the DT community.

I had been getting so frustrated with the yo-yo effect I was getting from my diet and exercise. I was finally able to stabalize my weight and keep it at 184.5 for a little more then two months. Then I unexpectedly started to gain a pound here, a pound there and one morning looked down to see 188 staring at me.

To make a very long story short, the day after Mothers Day we learned that there was good reason behind it all. A tiny munchkin was hiding in the picture and throwing off my scale! No HONESTLY!

For those of you who followed my journal before, you'll know that DH and I have been trying for the last two years to have baby #2, and lo and behold when we stop actively trying - here comes baby!

Since then my weight has been constantly changing, anywhere from 185.5 to 188.5, never more, never less. The belly is growing bigger though, so with any luck I'm losing it from various other extremeties. I'm not dieting - but lucky for me I seem to crave lots of fruits and vegetables - and spicy food. So I've had a lot of salads, fresh fruit, and buffalo wings. Ha ha ha.

We find out Thursday if it will be a boy or a girl. Everyone is sure it's a boy - but I'm holding out for another girl. Not sure I'm ready for a boy. We finally have names picked out too. Micah Robert if it's a boy and Annaselle Olivia if it's a girl.

I'm also convinced that everything will happen the day after a holiday. The first D.O.L.P. was the day after Valentines Day, the day we found out about baby was the day after Mothers Day, my ultrasound is the day after the 4th of July, and my due date is on Thanksgiving day. Any predictions here people?

So glad to be back. I'm relying on DT support to keep me healthy and accountable during and after the pregnancy!!

MD

Congrats to you. With my fourth one i finally got smart and continued to walk and do the same things I always did before being pregnant, and i had a healthy pregnacy and also came out weighing less then when I got pregnant. So do what you can, with doctors permission of course and good luck to you.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! What a wonderful feeling. After two years you must be over the moon w/ the news!!!

Congratulations, MD! You sound ready and excited and that's awesome! I had 3 girls before I got my boy and I don't think you're ever ready for the change... they are really different from girls, but it's so nice to have a boy. I'm sure you'll be thrilled with whatever you see on Thursday. Hopefully, the baby will cooperate so you can be sure to tell what you are having.

My 2nd daughter is pregnant with her first and she's got 3 months to go and is having a hard time visualizing that she'll get so much bigger. lol

Good luck to you and congratulations again! Good for you for wanting to have a healthy pregnancy! It's so easy to just eat what you want because we feel like we have "an excuse". That's not the case and dr's are being better about trying to keep mom's from gaining too much. You'll be better for it and the better shape you're in, you'll get back in shape that much faster!

Take care and good luck on Thursday!! How exciting!

Thanks guys for the congratulations and the support! Mikey - over the moon doesn't even touch it! When I found out I stopped at Target to get hubby "surprise" package. When I went to check out I was sobbing uncontrollably, the lady even gave me a big hug.

Did good at lunch today. A friend and I went to this cute little Irish pub. I was very tempted between three things: fish & chips, a roast beef french dip, and a veggie sandwich. Nearly got the roast beef - but opted for the nutrition packed veggie sandwich (which is absolutely to die for). The sandwich has this really yum sauce on it, then sprouts, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, sharp cheddar cheese, and a slice of either provolone or swiss - not sure - it's just white. LOL. And it's all on whole grain bread. Absolutely delish.

Have to stop at the store to get DH a new keyboard for the computer. Could have killed him this morning. He opened an email yesterday with this awful program that reset our homepage and now we can't change it back. Grr.... I hate internet scam artists...

Anyhow, had better get to work.
MD

Hi, MD:

Congratulations and all that good stuff. What wonderful news for you and your DH. Keep up with that good attitude, and enjoy your pregnancy.

Great choice to lunch!!! way to go!!!

dh and I have been trying for 7 months w/ no luck and it's discouraging, especially since I got prego w/ my ds while on bc! but I have to remind myself that was 12 years ago and alot, alot of pounds ago..still hard. Can't imagine 2 years! Am so thrilled for you!!! So how did you tell your dh?

Hi Mommy! Love the new digs! So glad you decided to go ahead and journal again. It helps a lot to keep things healthy when you have to write it down and look at it. When I'm eating again, that's my plan too.

How cool that you are starting to show! I would think that would make it so much more 'real' feeling. Have you bought maternity clothes yet? I'm noticing that a lot of places are starting to clear out their summer stuff but still don't have any fall/winter things in yet. The ultrasound is tomorrow. Woohooooo! I go back the 17th for my 12 week so hopefully we will be able to hear the heartbeat and know the "risky" time is over. :up:

Great choice on the veg sammich! Keep up the great choices to make a strong healthy little bundle! Oh and be sure to post after your ultrasound, I will be dying to hear!!!!! :D

Congratulations on your wonderful and exciting news!!! :hug:

Good luck tomorrow!!

Mary

Congrats MD! Wishing you a happy healthy pregnancy and labor/delivery.
:D

Congratulations...it took us almost 2 years for baby #2 too. He's now 11 and I had a baby #3. I hope you have a healthy happy pregnancy!

AAAAH!!! I leave in 25 minutes for my ultrasound. I'm practically bouncing out of my skin! Not to mention I have to pee like mad, but can't go... Argh...

Yesterday I did SO GOOD. For breakfast I had a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of milk, lunch I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich - not much - but let's keep in mind we did the barbeque thing and I was planning ahead. So at the barbeque I had a big serving of fruit salad - it had strawberries, kiwi, watermelon, grapes, cherries and pineapple, then I had a very small handful of chips (less then 1/4 of my plate), some veggie pasta salad, and a grilled chicken sandwich with BBQ. And I limited myself to one cupcake.

I was amazed because I had probably 6 big bottles of water and only had to pee once, it was that hot out. Family was fun. All but one of Joe's family members is thrilled about the baby news (if they didn't know already they found out last night). The last family member I could have hung up by her toes after hearing all of the things she was saying to DH and other family members. But we don't talk to her that often and I'm not looking for her approval. Her own daughter is preggo also and she's angry about that pregnancy too. Apparently she thinks having more then one baby is absurd in this day and age and should be avoided at all possible costs. Whatever.

Thanks everyone for popping into me journal!! I enjoy the company and the well wishes.

Okay, so the story of finding out was outrageously funny. The friday before Mothers Day I went for a massage - I won a gift certificate from a company party for an hour long deep tissue massage. So I go in and they have a small heating pad under the blankets to keep the massage table warm. Well my boobs felt like they were on FIRE. Eventually got used to it (because I was SO relaxed) and felt a familiar little tickle. Thought that was a little strange. It put the question in the back of my head. So the next day I tell DH, "I think I might be pregnant" and he goes on about how I'd better not be joking, because that would just be wrong. I said "No, I really think I am".

By the way - this all takes place on our camping trip. So the next morning I've really got to go, but we hadn't bought a test yet, so I asked DH (still half asleep) to go and get one. He essentially rolled over and blew me off. The next morning same deal, so I got up on my own to go get a test. I had to go to four stores before I finally found one.

By this time I think I'm developing a hernia in my bladder I've got to go so bad. But I couldn't find an immediately available bathroom in the vacinity. So I drive across the parking lot to Panera Bread. As I'm telling my mom this story she says, "Diana, tell me you didn't" "Yeah Mom I did." She laughed hysterically and told me how funny it was that a grown woman, married and with a daughter already ran into a restaurant like some scared teenage girl to take a test. It was pretty funny.

So then I stopped at Target and bought some white baby booties with ducks on them, put them in a bag with a test, and gave it to DH (still sleeping) when I got back to the campsite. He drowsily says "Your pregnant" more statement then question. Of course I'm sitting there with this outrageous smile on my face and he starts spazzing out. Kaydence wakes up, she doesn't know what she's excited about - but she's excited too.

So all in all, a very happy and memorable moment.

Yay, 3 more minutes till I leave!!! I'll let you all know!!

MD

And the consensus is..... (drumroll please)

It is a perfectly proportioned 13 week old baby! "What!?" you're all saying - yes I know - but it's true. They have pushed my due date back. Waaaaaaay back. It is now January 10th.

Here are my thoughts on this:

1) It eases my fears about not feeling the baby move much lately. But puts questions into my mind wondering what it was that I had been feeling. I truly believe that it was God reassuring me there was a little bun in the oven. Between Mothers Day and now, I would have been a complete wreck if they'd told me I was having a baby but wasn't feeling anything.

2) Because I had originally thought that we found out "very late", I felt as though I'd missed the amazing first half of my pregnancy. Only to find I've been able to enjoy every moment of it. We found out right after what would have been one month. I now feel like I've gained some time to enjoy it. - an added bonus is that we have more time to prepare.

3) 13 weeks and showing? I'd think it was all in my head, but it is definately firm baby belly - and I've only gained one pound. And there is only one baby. I'm thinking I'll be big as a boat by the end of this... *sigh*

4) I loved watching this little baby stretch, do somersaults, flip, roll, move it's little mouth. I fell in love with every finger, every toe - and I can't wait for week 20, when I get another peek at my baby and can finally call him/her by name.

IVY! It looks like we'll be having babies together hun! Woo Hoo!

MD

Hey MD..... well, I guess there was probably some let down in not knowing if it was him/her yet, but better news that you didn't find out late about your pregnancy and have enjoyed it all. That's great news... and having a baby in January is better than being HUGE in the summer months... just my opinion. The heat always bothered me more when I was pregnant. I got lucky... I had 2 in February and 2 in May, so I missed all the BIG preggo months in late summer!

You're doing amazing only having gained 1 pound... and I showed right away so I'm sure it's not all in your mind. Maybe he/she's going to be a big baby.... mine were! lol And there are advantages to big babies, too.... they sleep through the night right away. That's a very good bonus!

Take care and keep up the great work! January will be here before you know it. I'm already working on Christmas music for my choir, so I know how quickly the 1st of the year will roll around. Have a good weekend!

Woohooooo!!!! Yaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!! :hug: I am so happy for your MD! A healthy bundle and you are past the worrysome part! Yes, we are only three weeks apart, how fun. I will be so relieved when I go back and they hear that heartbeat. As for showing, I have read that with the second you show much sooner. So you are right on track. Enjoy hun! So happy!

Feeling happy as a clam this afternoon. Thank goodness for that, because I was one Crabby-Abby this morning. Ugh. It doesn't help that I'm going through a very restless sleep period and haven't slept more then a few hours in the last few days. And last night it was more because DH kept waking me up (on purpose) and not because of baby. The first time the electricity briefly cut out, then he woke me up at five, because he didn't reset the clock the first time and was worried about the time, and finally because he was up and reading a very lame article on X-Box and I just absolutely HAD to read it. Bah Humbug!

But now - I'm getting SUPER excited. I'm driving down to see my family tonight - I haven't seen them since my sister's wedding over Thanksgiving. My mom doesn't know I'm coming - so it's exhilerating to know how surprised she will be. She emailed me this morning and said she was going to give me a call later this evening, so DH is going to tell her that I had plans and went out with friends to the movies. He's staying home because his Grandma just arrived in town (the grandparents are moving up here from Virginia) and he hasn't seen her in nearly 4 years - so he's very excited.

Didn't have much for dinner last night - was just wiped and went to bed. Had eggs & cheese, canadian bacon and an english muffin this morning. I had a turkey sandwich with all the veggie fixings for lunch. Bought some more prenatal vitamins the other day - so those go down with a glass of milk.

Hope everyone is doing well. Have a fun and safe weekend!!

MD

Congratulations on your big news MD, that is great. I am so happy for you.

Have a safe and fun time going to see your family, MD..... It'll be neat seeing your mom surprised! Take care!

What a great weekend! Long - but very good.

Finally got to my parents place at 1:30 in the morning. Kaydence had taken a late nap in the car, so was still wide awake. Walk in the door and tried to get Kaydence to walk into the house and find Grandma before I went in. So she walks around the corner and sees them all in the dining room playing cards and runs back to me before they see her. So we both walked in. My mom was in a state of shock I think. "What are you doing here" she squeals. I told her I was there to surprise her. My sarcastic brother in the background says "Her, what about the rest of us?" Dad and I just laughed - of course he knew I was coming - somebody had to save a bed for me.

We all stayed up until 3:00 AM. Yawn. Super tired - remember I haven't slept in days. Slept until 10:00 with Kaydence kicking me in the belly all night - she is awful to share a bed with, let alone a twin. Hung out with the family until they all wandered off to work and weddings. We had grilled chicken pita sandwiches - lots of lettuce, tomato, peppers, onion, cucumber, some slices of chicken breast, a squirt of ranch in pita bread pockets and WAH LAH, a gourmet sandwich. Yum.

Took Kaydence to the little wading pool in town. They remodeled it - so it is very nice now. They have a little umbrella fountain and fountains coming out the sides, and then little jets that bubble up as you enter from the slope leading into the water. And it's still free for the little kids. I was so excited. Went home after three hours and Kaydence took a nap while Dad and I talked. Then he left for work and it was me and the two dogs. Otto peed in the dining room (he's still a puppy) so I cleaned that up. Just as I finished, Kaydence walked out of the room crying - she had wet the bed in her sleep. Just my luck. Cleaned everything up, made dinner (leftover chicken breast, mandarin oranges, and a granola bar), then went to town to meet Mom. Stopped by the wedding reception, kissed the bride, danced a few dances, went grocery shopping, came home. Kaydence went straight to bed - Mom and I were up until 2:00. SO TIRED.

Sunday we did a yummy breakfast - french toast with fresh strawberries and bananas - with the whole family. Took some pictures and Kaydence and I were on the road by 1:30. Only to be set back because we got a flat tire two hours into the drive. Well DH and his dad were the last to take off the tires because they changed the brakes on the car. It took me 45 MINUTES to get ONE bolt off. Of course after I get all of them off, then the police officer shows up to help. Thank goodness too, because I was so hot and tired, I don't think I could have ever lifted that tire.

Today has been good. Had my midwife appointment - my REAL appointment - got a load of questions about why the due date was so far off. It took a lot of explaining before I think she understood my body, my period, and why we honestly had no clue. Heard baby's heartbeat. Mmmm... I could sleep to that. It leaves me peaceful and happy. Go in for my next appointment on the 16th of August, they'll do the ultrasound then.

My weight has dropped some more. Midwife was a little concerned - I told her that for the most part I was eating fine - it's just that I'm more interested in fruits, cold veggies, salads, and sandwiches then the hot heavy foods - and because it's summer I almost always tend to eat less. I also told her that I was trying to eat as much as I could as often as I could and she was okay with that then.

Feeling very sore today - head to toe pain from all the work of getting the tire off, a weekend of sleeping on an awful mattress, and 16 hours worth of car ride. Could take the whole day off tomorrow just to catch up on sleep. Ha ha ha.

Well, going to head home for the day! Have a good one!
MD

yea on hearing the heartbeat mommy!!! so glad you enjoyed your visit!! I'm no midwife but it sounds to me like you are doing just what you need to do to have a healthy baby!! although I might suggest not changing car tires in the future!! :laugh:

I have to second the not changing car tires comment. That probably wasn't the best idea. Not sure you really had much of a choice though. I'm just impressed you knew how, not many women do. For the record, I think I could if I had to.:)

Glad to hear that you got to hear the heartbeat, that is great. It is such a fantastic sound.

have a great day.

Yaaaaaaay! Glad your surprise went off so well! I'm sure everyone was thrilled to see you. As for tire changing...ick! I feel so bad for you being out there trying to get that done. You rest up ok and don't do any more hard work like that in the heat, ya hear! Glad the officer showed up to help. I bet DH got a "talking to" about that.:laugh: Your menus sound so yummy. I could never keep that down at this point so you are doing great! Glad you got to hear the heartbeat and had a good midwife visit. I am supposed to go next week and hear the heartbeat. I'll be 11 1/2 weeks at my visit so we should be able to hear it. I read that sometimes it doesn't work if mommy has some extra tummy flab...so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Did they count baby's heart rate? They are so fast aren't they? :) Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. :D

Take care!

Last few days have been crazy. Feeling a little down in the dumps really. Okay - maybe a lot.

Monday night after getting home DH, Kaydence, and I went to his parents to see his Grandma. Had a good time, lots of good laughs. On the way home though DH and I got into some very strong conversation about finances, his frivolous spending, etc. Instead of him bucking up and being the man of the house about things I ended up with even more responsibilities that I'm not sure I can cope with. And you know, the scariest thought crossed my mind, I finally understood why it was that moms leave their families without a word. Before I always looked at the situation and thought "How terrible that she didn't love her kids that much." It's not at all about loving your kids that much - it's just so hard to be everything to everyone and some days that animal instinct in all of us just says "run - run fast". The fight or flee reflex, and you can only be beat into the ground so long before you realize that you're losing a fight you just can't win.

No worries - I'm not planning on running anywhere - I just never thought the day would come where I fully understood that side of things.

Got a new tire this morning for the car. Too dang expensive if you ask me - but it's not as though I can go without it. DH even questioned my decision to buy a tire, ticked me off. Apparently he thinks things would be perfectly fine if I were to drive around on a dummy tire for the next month and a half. That man has lost his dang mind. He's really getting lower and lower on my list of favorites. Not sure what to do about that. I feel so much anger and resentment towards him at this point in our lives - not sure how to get a check on that. We're losing everything we've worked so hard for and I'm the only one dealing with all of the responsibilities that come with that. On top of it all I'm so worried about what we're going to do with this new baby when it gets here. I know our families will help out a ton, but I still worry all the time. Just wish I could enjoy life for a change.

Sorry - needed to vent - need to stop before I have a mental breakdown in the middle of work... Talk to you all soon!

MD

Gosh hun, I feel terrible that you are feeling so blue. Believe me, I know how the pregnancy hormones can make stress even WORSE...as if regular worrying isn't enough, right? :hug: First off, you TOTALLY did the right thing with the tire. You and your DD need a safe tire to drive around on and those do-nuts are made to get you to a gas station, not drive around forever. Second, on the money issue, have you had a serious (I mean REALLY serious) talk with DH and showed him on paper what kinds of expenses are coming up in the next 6 months? One of my girlfriend's husband spends them out of house and home and so now she keeps separate accounts to keep it under control. Some of the bills are automatically deducted from his account so he can't "forget" to pay them or run dry and then she takes care of the rest of the necessary expenditures out of her account. (Yes, he still blows what's left in his account but at least it's a little more controlled) They finally had to move to that or they were headed to serious problems. Dunno if that's a possibility for you, but perhaps it's worth considering? In any case, your little ones are very fortunate to have such a responsible mommy. Try to stay as calm as possible and know that things do work themselves out. :D I'll be thinking of you!

LOL, I think I scared everyone but Ivy away from my journal. Hee hee.

Feeling much better this week though. I've been having strange dreams again. Last week I had one where I was a mermaid and gave birth to a fish that looked like Dori from Finding Nemo. If only babies came so small full term...

Hormones are in check though and I'm nearly sunny. I'm slowly getting past all of the drowsiness during the day, although I could still go for the occasional nap. At least I no longer look like the living dead. Have had to keep rescheduling my next ultrasound appointment. It's not until the 23rd of August now. I know it's silly that I ended up so frustrated over that whole ordeal - I suppose I'm just anxious to see the little babe again - find out if it's a he or a she I'm talking to. It also helps with teaching DD to learn the right name for baby.

Speaking of - I think she is finally starting to understand the baby concept. This weekend she and I were talking about baby and she grabbed her new Cabbage Patch baby, pointing out that Mommy had one in her tummy too. I could have cried I was so excited that she is grasping this HUGE concept. It's a lot to ask of a nearly three year old. Then she kissed my belly and started "talking" to baby (her idea of talking is blowing raspberries on my belly - not funny).

Did good this weekend. Had grilled chicken, pineapple, raw broccoli, and potato salad on Friday night. That was about the healthiest it got. Did have some tuna with peas and pasta one night - yum. Had the migraine of a lifetime yesterday, so didn't eat much. Lots of water, some eggs and toast, a couple slices of thin crust pizza. Took seven tylenol between 9:00 and 7:00 - didn't even touch it. Owie. But DH and DD took good care of me.

Check back with ya'll soon!

MD

Hun, I am in right here with you in the 3rd ring of hormone hell...you can't scare me away! :rofl:

OMG I have been having the STRANGEST dreams too!!!!! Everything from weird having-babies dreams like yours, to one where I had a baby girl that wouldn't stop peeing EVERYWHERE CONSTANTLY. It was like a garden hose! And every few days I have a "chasing" dream. It's starting to get crazy! I was never much of a dreamer before, or at least I only rarely remember my dreams. Not any more, that's for sure!

Will reply more later, but have to get going because my good friend is coming by in a bit to "bring me some things" after my appointment today. (was great to hear the little heartbeat!!!!) So I'm excited for her to visit -- my first presents perhaps??? :dc

Not that I'd wish it on anyone - but I'm glad I'm not alone in my insanity. :laugh:

My preggo stepsister futher proved on Monday night that she's not fit to have the child she has, let alone another one. Her car broke down around 11:00 PM pretty far from home, in the middle of nowhere. And I do mean an hour outside of a small Nebraska town middle of nowhere. My neice was in the backseat and she actually told her that she had to stay awake until my mother got there to pick them up so she could make sure no bad people came along and stabbed her. Some days I just wonder what goes through her head.

Things here have been busy, but the same old day to day. Tired of turkey sandwiches - but wouldn't dream of touching anything hot in this heat & humidity. *Sigh* Talk to ya'll soon!

MD

Mommy, I know exactly what you mean about people having kids. How can some people seemingly make such dumb choices for their precious little cargo???? I was feeling that way all weekend when my demon nephew was at my house and I had to watch my dumb bil reinforce his terrible, destructive behavior. Well, note to self, your step-sis and my bil will never be babysitting!!!! :laugh:

god bless the turkey sammich...if it's staying down, eat woman, eat! :D Did I tell you that as of last night my new fave is a mozzarella and lettuce sandwich? Talk about bland...but hey, it tasted amazingly flavorful to me last night, it stayed down, so I'm keeping my head down and mouth shut. :laugh:

P.S. when is this HEAT going to end? Isn't that why we live up North...to avoid this????

Wow, break out the broom and dustpan, eh? What a crazy couple of weeks around here. Lay offs at the job, I've been on this huge emotional rollercoaster, my birthday was on the 20th, Kaydence's is on the 7th. DH's grandparents moved up - loving them. I got to look at his old baby pictures - too cute he was. His brother was a chub. LOL.

Belly is doing well. I'm still losing weight (was 180 this morning), and the belly is more trim - but also more defined. Still picky picky eating. Sick of barbeques right now. Had a very yummy Asiago Chicken Pannini sandwich for lunch with a peach and an iced tea. YUM! The peach was so juicy - it was fantastic - with the best smell. Mmmmmmmm....

Other then that - life is well. DH found some work. It's not much, but it gives him something to do and gets him out of the house, so he's excited.

Not much else for now. Have a great one!

MD

What an awful and tragic week. Let's see... start from the beginning eh? Two weeks ago my place of employment started doing some awful financial cutbacks and began laying people off pretty steadily. For the longest while we were all in fear of our jobs. A good friend of mine ended up being the last one to get the boot. The following day we received an email saying they were done. Then I got a phone call from my friend asking me to forward on some personal photos, notes, letters and things that she had on her computer. It all looked personal and nothing business related so I forwarded them on. Because of which I ended up losing my own job. I've been torn in my feelings on this. On the one hand it's a blessing because I didn't enjoy my job, but would have stayed for a long time because it was my job. I now have the opportunity to really search for something that I'm going to enjoy. DH and I have even started to entertain the thought of me going back to school. On the other I'm kicking myself again and again because it was the only income we had coming in and now my stomach is in knots of worry and panic.

The day that I lost my job was Wednesday, which as most of you will know is the day the bridge collapsed here in the Twin Cities. I can't tell you how much it puts my own tragedy in perspective. DH had the car that day and nearly took the bridge to come and get me. At the last second he decided that instead he would go and get Kaydence from his grandparents first, which is in the opposite direction. My mom's best friends son just moved here on Wednesday - he lives 2 blocks from the bridge, he drove over it 30 minutes earlier. We're counting our blessings. My mom also told me she saw a story on CNN where a man was frantic and wouldn't come out of the river. So they cornered him and pulled him out. Apparently he had watched his eight year old baby girl float down the river and he had been trying to find her. My losses weren't nearly so great - although they could have been - and I am so so thankful.

In the meantime, I am beginning to gain weight. Only two pounds so far, but I'm happy with that. Felt the baby move for the first time the other day. Was very exciting. Found our "bring home baby" outfit the other day. It was at the little second hand store, it's ivory, fuzzy, and the sweater/jacket has little teddy bear pockets, bear ears on the hood, and a little face. The pants have booties on them with little bear paw prints on the bottom. It still has the tags on it - the person who bought it paid $20, I got it for $6. I LOVE BARGAINS!!

Kaydence and I have had a good few days - lots of playing and time spent together. I enjoy that so much. Yesterday as we were doing some window shopping she kept counting "1, 2, 3" and then would reach out to pinch the boobulars. Gah. How long does this phase last? I keep trying to say that they're Mommies and they're private - but it doesn't seem to be working. And with her keen interest in them I'm a little paranoid about breastfeeding and how all of that will play out.

And that's about it in MD's world. Hope all is well with everyone. Talk soon.

MD

Things have been rocky here. Had an interview Monday, and she said they'd be giving return phone calls in the middle of this next week. Hopefully it works out. I've also submitted my resume to quite a few other positions that I would greatly enjoy but haven't heard anything yet. Got a phone call from a man who had seen my resume on the state site, but he wanted me to fill a position through February - and obviously with baby due in January I can't do that. He said he'd call me back in 7 - 8 months. Ha ha ha.

Find out what the baby is a week from today! Woo Hoo!! So excited.

Anywho - that's it for now!
MD

WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER GIRL - HOORAY!

:party:

Everything today went well. Ultrasound was great. Kaydence was so interested in the pictures of the baby on the screen. I think it sunk in a little further for her. They told us it was a girl, I looked at her and said "You're going to have a sister" and she started screaming and giggling "A SISTER! A SISTER!" Too cute she was. The baby is 6 1/2" crown to rump and is going to be another average (7 poundish) size baby.

They did say that they found something called an amniotic wall - which can indicate amniotic bands. This can sometimes cause the baby to become entangled in the amniotic sac which causes physical birth defects. The midwife told me not to be concerned, that the baby was fine and showed no signs of distress or being caught in anything, and the perinatal specialist she talked to said it was probably nothing - but they're doing another (my third) ultrasound in three weeks. If there is banding going on, I will probably have ultrasounds much more frequently to ensure the baby's safety and to act quickly if something goes wrong. For the time being I'm just going to take her advice and not worry about it.

Weighed in at 188, an overall two pound gain so far. Not bad, not bad at all.

More soon

MD

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby girls are awesome.

So today my faith in people as a whole was restored greatly!! I LOVE IT!

We went out for a family evening and stopped by the game store so DH could oogle over games that I won't let him buy (LOL - don't know why he even tortures himself). So we're standing in the store and Kaydence suddenly needs to "go" in a hurry. I ask the guy if he has a bathroom she can use, and alas no - well not a public one anyway (will explain that later).

Walmart is just across the parking lot, so I pick up Kaydence and take off in a run - or at least as much of a run you can manage at five months pregnant while toting a three year old. Get to the doors so I set her down, and there is slime all down my arm. Silly me, I smell to make sure it's urine - and no, it was #2. DH is still at the game store, and I can't take her around the store to grab a spare outfit, a) because eww... and b) because I notice it is now running down her legs. Oh, here's the kicker - she's in a bodysuit - silly me.

I'm stripping her clothes off thinking "Lord, please send an employee in here". And lo and behold in walks my prayer in shining glory. I waited for her to finish her own business and like a psychotic woman approached her at the sink. I told her I knew that I was going to sound like a crazy person, but I needed someone to run in back and grab be a 3T for my daughter. I then explained the whole story. She looked at me rather strange. I assured her that I'd pay for it, but that I couldn't just leave Kaydence buck naked in the bathroom. So I gave her my debit card, my drivers license, and all my trust and told her not to spend more then fifteen dollars.

This wonderful woman went and bought Kaydence two pieces that were on clearance (they didn't match - but at this point who cares) and brought them back. I wanted to cry and hug her all at the same time. I got Kaydence washed up and dressed, then walked back out to find her and thank her one more time (and also to find out her name). I also found the assistant manager and told him how wonderful she was (again - explained everything that happened) and to thank them for hiring such personal and caring employees. He assured me that he would personally tell the general manager in the morning.

Could have just cried!! Had to just tell you all because we all need a little affirmation of goodness!

MD

Hi Mommy! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! :dc :dn :cheer: I am thrilled for you having a girl! Do you have names in mind? Do you still have some of Kaydence's nursery stuff. (I'm finding that stuff is wicked expensive so I'm borrowing as much as possible.) There is so much cute stuff out there I have no idea how to choose.

I am sooooooo sorry I haven't been on here more. I had no idea all that was going on in your world. Wow, the Walmart story is amazing! Who knew that there will still people out there who will help you like that and not even steal your debit card! It's the good Minnesotans. Gah, I miss the cities sometimes. Anywho, how goes the job hunt? I am really sorry to hear that you lost your job on account of trying to help out a friend. Did she ask for stuff she shouldn't have been asking for? Or was management just being a hardass for sending her anything? In either case, that's pretty cold to do that to you when you are pregger especially.

As for the ultrasounds, I had never heard of that before. Of course, I know nothing about all of this, so that isn't saying much. I will definitly keep your little pumpkin in my prayers and send good thoughts your way. She is going to be perfect! After putting up with all the other stress, you totally deserve to sail through this pregnancy. Let me know how the next ultrasound goes.

Hey, I have a question for you...are you feeling baby a lot yet? I seem to get the occasional flutter that I think "hmmm, did I eat bean soup or is that my tadpole?" :laugh:

Congratulations, Dyanna!! I had 3 girls and then had my boy... honestly I think girls are so much easier, but there are those that have had all boys who disagree. lol That's so cute that your daughter is so excited! What a great idea taking her into your ultrasound to see the pictures. That was good thinking!

Something else I did for my kids each time I had a baby, I got them a special present and saved it for when I brought the baby home. That way because they were so little and I didn't want them to feel special, too, I had something to give them and they were SO excited! The last time around when I had my 3 girls that were 20 months, 4 & 6, I made them a really nice "baby bag" that I put doll clothes and a new baby doll in. And after they got big enough for over nighters, the bag worked well as an overnight bag. You could be creative and do something you know your little one would think is really special..... anyway, just a suggestion because it worked so well with me and mine....

What a great story about Wal-mart!! Isn't that great when you find someone honest? I lost my checkbook/wallet last month with all my credit cards and DL in it and someone found it outside on the ground right beside my car door and took it into customer service at Target. Everything was in it and I was so relieved, but so grateful!! They were very honest and that is a great feeling when you have that happen to you.

Take care and enjoy your pregnancy..... I hope things keep going well and I'm glad they are keeping a close eye on you!

By the way.... so sorry to read about your job situation. That's really in bad form. Isn't there some way to appeal it? And are you sure you don't have grounds for discrimination? Maybe they used that as an excuse to dismiss you because you are pregnant.... I don't know what the laws in your state are, but I thought legally they had to give people written and verbal warnings about things like that before they can give you the old heave ho..... I hate to see you out of work when you are pregnant and shouldn't have to worry so much.

Ivory... you just are too cute... your post made me smile....

Take care Dyanna....

HI Y'ALL! What a rollercoaster day. Kaydence was sick in the middle of the night last night. Fruit punch and corn dogs were all over the carpet this morning. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, same things went through my head this morning. A combination of "Oh no!" "Gross!" and "Poor honey!" Plus the diarrhea hadn't stopped for her in the middle of the night either, so I got a double dose of cleaning this morning. Then it got better, then I went through a bit of a sad slump, and by the end of the evening I'm on a good note again.

Kind of want to address everyones overall concern over the job search/firing ordeal. When I emailed my friend those things, they truly did look to me to be genuinely personal. The problem was that she was having some very deep issues with our HR department supervisor and had some notes amongst the personal documents that she had been using to correspond with Workman's Comp. I sent those along with her other documents - which is ultimately what got me fired. I didn't realize they were in there - but because they were it was a "Too bad for you" sort of ordeal. BTW DJ, in the state of MN they can fire you without reason - and if it were descrimination (which I don't think was the case) it would be very difficult to prove.

Anyhow, since then I have been approved for and started receiving unemployment benefits - which helps out IMMENSELY. We're recieving slightly less then what I was getting paid, and DH is working (though it's only a temp position) so we're starting to feel more stability. I've had a few things come up - one with a company that I really do think didn't hire me based on my pregnancy (which is illegal - but again, how do you prove it) and then I'm up for one of three positions through University of Minnesota Physicians. I'm really excited about two of the three possibilities - as they are in fields of interest of mine and my ultimate goals in my career would be greatly supported.

Ivy - We do have some of Kaydence's old stuff, the problem we've run into is it's mostly clothes - and that wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that Kaydence was a summer baby. Bummer. It is expensive, but my stepmother is a saint that also happens to be a garage sale guru. LOL. DH and I have worked out a budget for the next few months that we'll be sticking to. It gives us plenty to work with in order to prepare for baby. I do feel the baby a lot more often now. I do compare though to my pregnancy with Kaydence, and this baby doesn't kick nearly as hard yet. I attribute it to my extra padding in front - which I'm excited to say is now almost completely firm and not mushy! That, and she kicks more at night then during the day, which they told me is pretty normal, the rocking motions during the day as I walk tend to keep her relaxed and sleepy - then as things calm down at night she'll be more active.

DJ - I'm so excited we're having another girl! I had two sisters growing up - and I've always wanted to watch my "girls" grow up as close as my sisters and I did. Granted we depended on each other a lot because my mom was a single mother, but I truly feel they'll be great together! I also find myself thinking lately about my young daughters walking down the aisle someday and being there during the birth of my grandchildren. I couldn't be more thrilled.

So - we've got two names picked out that we love, and one name that we like the idea of, but can't find a middle name to pair with it that we'd like. So here they are:
Name 1: Olivia Madison
Name 2: Charly Adrianna
and Name 3: Harmony - now we like this one because it follows the "musical" theme that started with the name Kaydence - but like I said, can't find a middle name that we like with it.

Kaydence has officially turned into the cutest big sister ever! This weekend we went by Babies R Us to look around and so she could pick out her "Welcome Home Baby" present. Decided to get a blanket and a little bear that makes kissy noises - DH and I are letting her sleep with them so that they baby can have "Kaydence smell" with her. But anyhow, as we were going through the store she had to stop to look at absolutely EVERYTHING. When we went through the blankets she picked up each of them, rubbed them on her cheeks, and decided whether they were soft enough for baby.

Now she has not only stopped jumping on the belly, but she will lay her head on it to listen, give it kisses, and last week she felt the baby kick for the first time. She started giggling "She kicked me mom, she kicked my hand" Now she occasionally feels her kick, but even when she's not kicking her hand Kaydence will start giggling uncontrollably. DH is worried about how jealous she's going to be. I think she'll be fine. She's learning to share the spotlight now and she's always been good with babies. I think we'll probably go through a brief period of "Can we take the baby back now?" though.

DJ - I actually read in a few places the idea of bringing home a gift for the siblings. I think what I may do is buy her a "real" baby, the ones that make drinking noises, burp, etc. so that while I'm taking care of the new baby she can take care of hers. If not that then I'm on a mission to find a giant stuffed "Boots" from Dora the Explorer - she's has the backpack and is always pretending she's Dora on a mission.

Weighed in this morning at 190. Not sure how I feel about that. Up until now I was secretly hoping I'd go through the entire pregnancy not surpassing that mark. Silly I know, but it was such hard work to get to where I was that even with good reason I hate to gain the weight back. In fact, I'm completely terrified that after the baby my weight will go up past what it was when I started and I'll never come back down. I'm already formulating a game plan in my head... Can't seem to get myself to relax over this recently. I even watch the early morning infomercials with all the latest workout stuff thinking "After the baby..."

Well, off to do the mommy thing...
MD

Hi Mommy!

Awwww, that is way cute how Kaydence is being a great big sis already. I bet she will fall naturally into the role and with any luck the jealousy will be very minimal. It's cool that you are getting the kicking regularly. Mine is still sort of off and on...one day I'm pretty sure, then the next I'm like "hmmm, is that it?" and then some days nothing at all. I have plenty of padding myself. As for names, we are having an easier time with boy's names. For a girl I do love Olyvia, as well. I like the longer, melodic names like that, but DH loves shorter more cutey kind of names. You are way ahead of me, because you are actually coming up with great COMBINATIONS! Go you! I haven't tackled middle names yet.

I hope you are feeling great and enjoying your time with Kaydence. The job situ will work out eventally hon, so try to enjoy this home time for now because once the little pumpkin is here you will be an even busier mommy! Is there any way you can wait to start a new job until after the baby is born? That would be awesome if you could make it work.

I guess I better go attend to my messy house and all the food I need to get made up for our company this evening. TTYL!

Well, we had our final ultrasound on Friday and I am happy to report that baby is growing like a weed and that it doesn't appear to be bothered by the shelf or the bands. They did find some amniotic bands, but she doesn't appear to be tangled in them and she's so big at this point it would be very difficult for her to get caught up. She has all of her fingers and toes, no club feet, and her palate looks fine, which are all things that they would look for if something were wrong. She is a stubborn little thing though. She is curled in the tightest ball and refuses to move. We laughed about that being the reason that I don't feel her moving much. We've also decided she will either be one very calm baby, or one who is mad as heck that we made her leave her warm home in utero.

Once again Kaydence came along, this time accompanied by DH. He's still slightly disappointed that it's a girl. Kaydence was enthralled by the little fingers, feet, and nose that came on screen. I have to say that after this last US I can't wait to see her sweet little face. We managed to capture a big yawn in picture. Too cute.

Anyway, just thought I'd give you the update!

MD

Hi Dyanna! That is EXCELLENT AWESOME news!!!!! So glad to hear you got a good report. That must be a huge weight off your mind. I bet she is over a pound now, right? It sounds like your doc is very thorough. Shows what I know -- I didn't even know they were checking all of that stuff. Anyway, it's really good that Kaydence got to go with you. Seeing the ultrasound will help make it all "real" for her so it won't be as much of a shock when her new little sister gets home. Just think, you are 6 MONTHS NOW!!!! Wow! As for your DH, disappointed...pfffffft...no one can help but fall completely in love with a new BABY!

Thought of a middle name for Harmony yet?

Settled on any nursery stuff yet? In case you are interested, there are a ton of sets on ebay. I bid on one for $10, but was outbid by only a buck! I was mad because I really loved it -- boy and girl bears...so cute. They seem to have more girl stuff right now for some reason.

Hey, in case I forgot to mention it, I'm having fun going through being preggo together!!! :D

I'm so glad that there are so many people to share my pregnancy with this time around. Between our family and you Iv, I have so many people to talk to and relate to since you are all experiencing it with me.

The sonographer this time around was very thorough and explained absolutely everything to us as she was going through. I was so excited about that. Like, I had no idea that the umbilical cord had three different arteries that ran through it, and they check to make sure they are all present and working correctly. She pointed out the valves and arteries of the heart and how they check those, different areas of the brain, my ovaries, she even showed us the bands and the shelf that they had found. Then the doctor came in and confirmed it for us but assured us that the baby was fine.

I've got the girls room figured out. I'm so excited for it actually. DH has agreed to paint the room a raspberry color, then I found this absolutely gorgeous black and white crib bedding from Target and some nice twin bedding from Walmart that would look beautiful with it. Then I found some pictures of these beautiful butterflies and am going to order them from snapfish in a poster size print and hang them on the walls.

I'm a big Law & Order SVU fan, and I got to thinking that Mariska would be a pretty middle name for Harmony. Added plus is my sisters name is Marissa and it sounds similar. I haven't run it past DH yet, not sure he'd like it, but I think it's pretty. Harmony Mariska....

When is your next US?? Hopefully baby cooperates for you this time!

MD

Hi there. Just wanted to pop in and say howdy! I haven't posted lately but I have been reading and following along w/ the pregnancy gals! lol Hoping to join ya'll soon but no luck in that area yet. But I remember you waited 2 years for this blessing!!

Gah! It's 2:30 in the morning and I'm stressing out so much I can't sleep.

Had a midwife appointment yesterday. Midwife I met with was wonderful, very funny. We spent most of my visit laughing and visiting which was nice. Left my appointment and the car won't start. It won't even turn over - like when the battery dies - but the radio and everything else work fine and there was nothing left on. So I call DMIL and 45 minutes later she comes and picks me up. DH and I call everyone we know to find help getting the car home. We got five people to say "Oh, we'll give you a call back in a minute" only to never hear from them. When we did try to call back they ignored our phone call, which ticked me off to no end. I realize people are busy and have other lives to lead, but when someone is calling for help don't lead them on, chances are they're already in a desperate situation.

Get home and DH was offered a job that is temp to perm. We're exstatic to say the very least. But it doesn't do us much good if we don't have a running car (we have yet to check in on the bus possibility), however, he has to go to a meeting at 8:00 this morning in order to officially accept the position. FIL is coming to pick him up in the morning and then they're going to try and figure out the car situation after DH's meeting.

I'm praying now that the car didn't get towed overnight. :(

Okay, looking at the advertisement on the page now for these chocolate vita things that look really yummy. Muffins, brownies, and cake. Making me hungry...

Alright, well had better close. Will keep you all posted!

MD

Yay!! Good news! Everything on the car is fine. The corrosion that builds up on the battery cables had finally gotten so thick that it wouldn't conduct electricity. Gave them a good cleaning and all is well now.

Been a rough day. BIL's baby momma dropped off the three boys for the day. Well, it was only supposed to be for an hour or so... turns out they've been here since about 2:00 and they'll be staying the night now. Don't get me wrong, I love my little nephews - they're great - but they're loud, rowdy boys who I swear go looking for trouble. And considering what time I was up this morning I'm just exhausted and want to sleep soundly.

Found a great little exercise machine I want to get on an infomercial this morning. Something like Leg Magic or Magic Legs. It works inner and outer thighs and core muscles, but I was also thinking it would be great for the kegel exercises, which will help out tons for baby pushing time. Hmm... need to look that up on here....

Anyway, have a great day guys!!

MD

Just wanted to swing by since it'd been a while since I posted. Things are going well, baby is kicking like mad tonight. LOL. Not much to report really. DH and I went window shopping for a new dining room table this weekend. Found one that we love - it comes with four chairs and a bench. Big enough for our growing family and inevitable friends, family, and other guests. I'm just excited that it will give me extra counter space to cook on. I love cooking - but apartments just don't come equipped for the task.

DH's family is going through some drama right now, so we're trying to be as supportive as possible. Wish I could go into detail, but it's one of those things that I really can't. All I can say is that some people need to grow up and put their children and families first. There....

Well, that's about it. Oh, by the way, had the yummiest dinner tonight. It was an Asian Beef Stir Fry. I wish I remembered what I got the recipe from, but it was delicious! I'm having fun this week making all kinds of fun new recipes. The same old stuff just was getting boring and I needed to spice up my life and kitchen a bit. Tomorrow is Pork Medallions with Cranberry Stuffing. Yum!

Alright, more later... =D

MD

Didn't realize it had been so long since I'd written in my own journal...

Well, things are going well here. Getting nice and cool... finally! Don't get me wrong - I'm not anxiously awaiting snow, but fall is one of my absolute favorite seasons and I've been longing for it to poke it's head through red and gold leaves. It also means that the time for baby is getting closer and I'm getting very excited about that. My family now has ten boxes of clothing for the girls all ready to go - so I don't think we'll be needing anything anytime soon as far as that is concerned. LOL. My sister was on the phone with me yesterday swearing up and down that we'd never use them all. I let her know that even if that were the case, Joe's cousin is also having a girl and we're more then willing to share. Hee hee.

Other then that, life is good and things are looking brighter everyday. Next doctors appointment is a week from tomorrow. I've gone over the 200 mark again. Argh. I know it's supposed to happen - but I worked so hard to get below it. I'm thinking I'll probably end this pregnancy around 215-220. I'm formulating my plan of weight loss in my head now - all the while knowing the only way to do it is the long, hard and steady way that I was working at before. Some days I think I'll never again see the light of 150...

Alright, off to have a fun playdate with Kaydence today!! Have a great one everybody!

MD

Thanks again for stopping by my journal!

Sounds like things are getting exciting for you too! Just a couple months left until the little one arrives! How is Kaydence doing?
Did you decide on a middle name for Harmony, or decide on another name altogether? What about Harmony Grace? I love that name, Grace. Beautiful. Something I want to be, but I am not too graceful:)

HOpe all is well! Glad the car situation was figured out, and your hubby found a job! How's that coming along?

Keep us posted!

Glad to hear the car was nothing serious, I hate it when that stuff happens.

Enjoy your playdate, and have a great day.

Playdate was SO much fun today - but I am absolutely exhausted now. Kaydence is having some head bobbing moments but we have to go pick up DH from work in about 40 minutes so that is out of the question. Kaydence did meet a new friend today and they had the best time. They're about the same age and the little girl just had herself a new baby sister. She's mixed like Kaydence but you'd never be able to tell looking at her. I swear she's even darker then DH. And she was so built in comparison to Kaydence - made Kaydence look underfed and overworked really - LOL. She definately does not get those genes from her mommy.

Then we went to this Hotel Furniture Liquidator store in St. Paul. I LOVED that place. I was planning on spending about $200 on two chairs (from IKEA) but I found these chairs that will look great in our living room for about $40 each. They need to be painted and I need to sew new cushion covers for them, but they had gorgeous bones. I couldn't believe all of the great finds there. I also found a full length floor mirror for $35 which I couldn't believe and an awesome accent table that I loved but couldn't think of a single place I could put it!

DH loves the new job, and I'm so happy he does. They're going to be hiring him on directly as soon as the manager can get everything cleared through Human Resources. Apparently there are a few disgruntled employees who don't want them to offer DH the position they are - yet they refuse to learn how to operate the new machinery so that they themselves could take the position. DH says that the manager looks as though he could really care less what the others have to say about it though and that he is pushing hard to get this process done ASAP.

Oh - and just an update - we have officially decided on the name Olivia Quin. I love it. We still couldn't agree on the middle name, so I made a list of one syllable middle names and we let Kaydence pick!

Alright, blah blah blah... going to relax for half an hour.

MD

What a great weekend this is turning out to be. Friday night we dropped Kaydence off at grandma's and DH and I went on a date for the first time since Valentines Day. It was SO nice. We went out to dinner, saw a movie, and just spent the day together (Kaydence stayed at g-ma's until 4:00). We got to talk - finally, I feel some peace there - it has felt like we haven't been able to talk in ages. So it felt fantastic to have that adult conversation with my husband. We saw the movie "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married" and I have to say that I love that movie and will probably be buying it on DVD when it comes out. I laughed hysterically when we left though because you could tell we were in a room full of black women. Every few minutes there was an "Amen", "You go girl", or some sort of profanity toward some mans objectionable comment, shouted from some corner of the room. It gave me a giggle.

Olivia is still putting the pressure on the lower area of the uterus. It can be so uncomfortable sometimes. (CAUTION: ICK FACTOR) I noticed this morning that the hemrroids have started already. Bleck! I didn't get them until after labor with Kaydence and they were the most uncomfortable thing and took weeks to heal. I'm not looking forward to months of it. Any advice?

DH's cousin is feeling sick and dizzy again with her pregnancy. MIL and I were talking about it yesterday and I just feel so bad for her. This has been one tough pregnancy for her being in and out of the hospital for various complications. And here I am complaining of hemrroids - just doesn't measure up really. Overall I can't complain though. This has pregnancy has been enjoyable if not for a little dull. LOL.

And that's about it for me right now. Off to enjoy the rest of the weekend with my family!!

MD

Hi Mommy,

Oh the dreaded roids! How come no one has come up with a cure for those yet? Thankfully it hasn't started for me yet, but I know it happens to everyone eventually.8-| The lower belly pressure is a pain (literally) isn't it? It hits me every time I stand up after sitting for more than a half hour or when I have to be on my feet for a while. Doc says it's some sort of (round?) muscles that are stretching in ways they never had before and the weight makes it so everything isn't really supported they way it usually is. I dunno, something like that. Can you imaging how many situps we are going to have to do to get our tummies back? Mine was in lousy shape to begin with! :laugh:

Glad the girls had fun playing, and how cool that you got a DATE with DH?!!!! :dc So much fun! DH enjoying his job must be taking a load off your mind. That will give you some time to look for a job AFTER baby comes and not have to worry about it until then. We get 8 weeks for C-section, 6 weeks for regular delivery, but I told boss I'm taking 8 weeks either way even if I have to take a couple weeks unpaid. I may never get to do this again so 2 months seems like such a short time. Bargain shopping? Now you are talking my language. :D I'll have to look for the liquidator next time we are visiting MIL & FIL. I want to get a great comfy chair with an ottoman that can go in the family room. I decided I need a great "stretch out" chair for those long nursing sessions. They may not have something like that but it's worth a look at those prices!

Welp, take care and enjoy the rest of the week!

Okay, short update now - longer one later this evening. Feeling a little nauseous from the sugar drink followed by a flu shot. Turns out I will be having one chubby little baby. Umm... gained nine pounds this month. Blah. Will be more descriptive later.

MD

chubby babies are cute! :D And believe me, mommy will have a buddy named Ivy that will need to shed some serious poundage afterward too. Sounds like everything was well with baby though? I have to take the nasty drink next time at my appointment too. (3 weeks)....it looks sooooo icky and I hate needles that steal my blood. Looking forward to hearing about the visit. :wave:

Okay - now that I have time - here is the full report:

Went in and drank nasty sugar drink. Scale said 208.5. Honestly I think something is off. The scale at home and the scale at the hospital were completely in sync with each other in the beginning, now there's about a five pound difference. Not sure what's up with that. But they also said it's probably due to me wearing clothes, etc at the appointments and now that it's fall it's a little heavier clothing then my summer wear. Grr... who accounts for these things? So anyhow, the midwife said she would be concerned if my blood pressure had gone up, but it's well within the range of normal if not a little low and has remained about the same throughout my whole pregnancy. So they measured my fundal height and low and behold I'm nearly at the point where they would become concerned about the baby being too big. Apparently "normal" is how many weeks pregnant you are plus or minus three. I'm right at 31. They aren't concerned yet, but she said that it's something they'll keep their eye on.

While they were checking her heartrate you could hear her swishing around and being very busy. Too cute. Then the nurse offered to give me the flu shot. I've never had the flu shot before, but with DH's asthma, Kaydence, the pregnancy, and my BIL's 9 yr old cousin dying b/c of the flu last year, I wasn't taking any chances.

Ivy - The drink isn't so bad. I had to choke it down mostly because of my body's revolt against sugar lately. Last night though I think I threw off my body and hit a sugar low because I had this huge craving for hot chocolate fudge cake. YUM. Didn't get any though. Bummer. I hate needles too. I was glad to hear that I won't necessarily need to be hooked up to an IV this time around if my strep B test comes out negative (with Kaydence I tested positive and needed an IV whether or not I wanted one).

DH had an eye doctor appointment and after talking to the doctor decided we may need to get Kaydences eyes checked here very soon. The concern is that she always manages to run into things on her right side. Always her right side, despite having plenty of room to maneuver around it. So the doctor said that it may have something to do with her eyesight and that we should check it out. I have always thought that little kids with glasses are adorable, but I now think of the responsibility we'll share in taking care of her glasses if she needs them. Do they give out prescription goggles for kids for just daily use? LOL. I think that is almost the only way we'll be able to keep them on. Although she does love to wear glasses so maybe it wouldn't be a problem.

Anywho - take care everyone - have a great weekend!!

MD

Sheesh... again... ages since I've posted. Well, things are going well here. Busy bees! We're all prepared for Halloween - Kaydence is going as a butterfly this year. I'm so excited, she will be super cute. We're getting together with her 2nd cousin to do trick or treating. Should be fun. Yesterday the two of them had their first tea party together and that was a blast.

Baby is good. She's getting much bigger - so much so that I can literally see her moving. Last night I had my hand on my belly and could feel a limb (I'm guessing it was a knee) rubbing against my hand. So cool. This is the part of being pregnant I love love love.

Ivy - haven't seen you recently but I have to show you the bedding that we've decided to get for the baby - LOOOOVE IT! HERE (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5750797) Also found Kaydence a very pretty quilt with matching colors and some butterfly sheets (we're going through a whole "butterfly" phase).

Well, that's about it for now. Next doctors appointment is friday. I need to get to looking in on touring the midwife unit of the hospital and possibly a refresher lamaze class. I want to do it more to meet other moms then for learning purposes though. Anywho... promise it won't be another ten days before I post again. LOL

MD

Mommy, LOVE this set! I actually looked at that one too, because I love butterflies, but since my little one wouldn't let us see her stuff, I got anxious and went with the happy animals theme. Your girls' room is going to be sooooo cute! You could easily to a neutral color on the wall or one of several different colors from the quilt. Don't you just love this part??? :D

Enjoy trick-or-treating!

Doctor's appointments are getting to be slightly boring really... Although, funny thing is today they walked in and the midwife was sure that I was 37 weeks. It took me a minute and then I was like "Hang on, I'm only 30 weeks!" MIL and I were slightly panicky that maybe we really had to get the ball rolling. LOL. Heartbeat was fine and her growth spurt has slowed some, since my fundal height is only up one. And weight gain was pretty good too - only 3.5 pounds in the last two weeks. I still think that's mainly because of my heavy sweater and jeans today though. Brr it was cold this morning!

Kaydence got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. She thought that was very cool. She was the most amazing butterfly you have ever seen over Halloween! It really was a great time - cold - but fantastic. She ended up with nearly a gallon bucket full of candy. By the end it was so heavy that as she tried to run door to door she kept toppling over because it threw off her balance. She ended up walking slow as a turtle and dragging her basket on the ground she was so tired!! That's a good night! I said it was cold, let me emphasize: in the end she ended up wearing a pair of thermal pajama's beneath a turtleneck and black pants, her winter coat, and a black sweater over top that (I mean, who's heard of a pink bodied butterfly?), with her hat and gloves. It was chilly!

I'm going to do the walls of the girls room next week. I'm very excited. I'm stenciling a saying that I found onto the walls and I found some very cute bug and polk-a-dot wall stickers. I'm also going to paint my own custom border around the room in pink and green. The phrase I found was this:

You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold.
You're daddy's little girl to have and hold.
A precious gem is what you are.
You're mommy's bright and shining star.

The first two lines will be stenciled onto one wall, and the second will be on the opposite wall of that. I'm SO excited!!

Anyhow, that's all for now! Talk to you all soon!

MD

WHAT AN AMAZING WEEEND!! My mom and sister came up for a quick visit and brought along three boxes full of baby clothes. We brought them into the house, made lunch, and attempted to fit four months of not seeing one another into twenty hours. My mom and stepdad have signed up for this travelling nurse deal - he's been gone for the last couple months in California - and mom decided she's had enough time on her own and she's going to join him. I'm very happy for them, but going to miss them both terribly! So anyhow - we (Mom, sister, Kaydence & me) went to the zoo and went shopping at several different stores. It was such a busy day. We decided we'd all do the slumber party thing at the hotel and all managed to be fast asleep by 9:30. LOL. Got up and dressed, went out for breakfast (which was terrible - but so much fun with the four of us) and then Kaydence and I went home. Kaydence slept the rest of the morning (until 1:00) and I got about an hour nap in. I'm still so exhausted... DH is too - he didn't sleep all night b/c I wasn't in bed with him.

Went through all of the baby clothes they brought today. That was so much fun! To have my hands on all of the baby stuff, holding it up to the belly, and imagining how she'll look in it all. The funny thing is that everyone worries about not buying 0-3 month clothes because they think they'll end up with tons - so I only ended up with 6 outfits or so. I also only got one 9-12 month outfit. But I have a full box of 3-6, a full box of 6-9 month, and a full box of 12 month plus (up through a 2T). So I've got tons!

And that's about all that's new! LOL. Hope everyone is doing great!

MD

Congrats MD

Not a whole lot of "new" to report. The baby has been a wriggly little thing here recently and that has been so much fun. My one complaint is that she will sometimes sit right beneath my lungs so I can't breathe. It's the strangest feeling. Still having contractions irregularly. For a few days it was every morning when I woke up, now it's random again.

Got a haircut yesterday. I think I like it. It's really different from anything I've done with it before. She kept the front layers pretty long and shortened the back a lot. I really liked it yesterday - today I'm looking in the mirror saying, "mmmm, I don't know". I'll give it a few days to grow on me.

Found out just the other day that my grandmother who finally won the battle with breast cancer has been diagnosed with alzheimers disease. It makes me sad and a little scared to realize that she won't remember her greatgrandchildren one day, and there is a possibility that she won't remember me or any of the wonderful memories that we share. Her mother had alzheimers disease and babysat me when I was really little and had no recollection of who I was. One of Gram's friends just passed away from it, and she's scared that she'll become the woman with the blank expression who didn't seem to know life was happening around her. They've got her on medications to slow down it's progression though, so I'm hopeful.

And that's about all that's new. Have a great one!

MD

Boring Dr's appointment Monday. *Sigh* Peed in cup, answered same old questions, was measured, listened to heartbeat, went home. I'm getting so anxious for the end of this... I'm just ready to see her face, hold her, and reclaim my "normal" body. LOL. I'm now borrowing MIL's size 9 shoes and waddling like mad. I think if rain, snow, and ice kick in before this baby is due, I'm sure to fall in this very awkward body of mine.

How's it going for everyone else out there?

MD

So tomorrow is suppose to be the day. It is thansgiving there right. I really don't know how it works in the states. See had you been in Canada the baby would have been here a month ago. LOL. Take care hope all goes well.

Boblin - Oh how I wish tomorrow was the day. It was originally supposed to be. Unfortunately after my first doctors appointment they pushed the due date back to January 10th. This does mean however that I'm only four weeks away from full term now, so that is very exciting.

I had a dream last night that I was in labor, at the hospital, and all of the nurses were running around trying to get ahold of DH who was working or something. The baby started coming and nobody was there so I ended up having to "catch" her on my own. I was so sad when the door squeaked and Kaydence walked into the room to wake me up this morning. I just wanted to look at babies beautiful face a little longer.

Oops didn't read through all the post only from the first few then came and seen what else was going on. On well Jan. will come fast. We don't see dec. Such a busy busy month. Take care.

Hi Mommy!

Just checking in to see how you are doing. You had a good holiday with the family? Hope so! Did you decide to brave the crowds to Christmas shop?

I know *exactly* what you mean about the waddles. I had to get out an old pair of "wide tread" shoes that I hadn't worn for a couple of years. Slip-ons, thick sole, soooooo not sexy. Good call on borrowing shoes. No need to waste perfectly good shoe money on uggo preggo shoes. Will we EVER wear a cute shoe again? Never fear, I have decided that I officially banish snow and ice this year because unlike the weeble wobbles I look like, I'm pretty sure I don't pop back up. Can you believe you only have a few weeks to go? How exciting!

Have you figured out why they keep making us come back so often when the doc comes in but doesn't seem to do anything besides ask how things are going? I mean, yes the nurses take blood pressure, urine, heart beat, etc. but nothing happens with the actual doc. Couldn't she just read the test results during her office hours and let me leave a 1/2 hour earlier rather than waiting? Have they started internal exams or *anything* for you yet? Not a thing over here...makes me wonder why they are making me come every 2 weeks now. Not sure when it becomes an every week trip, but they sure as heck better be doing something by then.

Toured the hospital with DH last week. Makes it feel all that much more real! You probably don't need to do all that stuff since you are a pro from having a little one already. Most hilarious thing: the sitz bath trough!!! OMG what the heck???? I can't imagine how you even use that thing! And more importantly, how do you get OUT of it? (insert absurd mental picture here...)

You take care and keep us up on the progress! Try to rest and stay off those poor tootsies when you can!

Do they still use heat lamps after the sitz bath. I remember that part well but now if you have a good natural birth in the morning you can go home in the afternoon. that's what my niece did but she's tough as nails.
good luck to both of you Ivoryrose and Dyanna.

Holidays were fantastic. Love DH's family incredibly. His cousin (who is due about the same time you are Ivy) hosted Thanksgiving this year. I actually tasted the first greens that I've enjoyed. Apparently she adds a lot of vinegar to them, and I have to say that they were pretty yummy (I normally don't like them). I was so full by the end of the day that my tummy was stretched to the max. Along with having absolutely no room I think I was having a few contractions. FIL began to panic a little, but I reassured him nothing was wrong all was normal. It was announced though that Christmas will be on the 22nd this year - so we got to laughing about how absolutely big I will be by that point. I finally got my pumpkin pie, but have to admit that it didn't nearly satisfy my craving for it. Thinking I'm going to go out and buy one today with some whipped cream.

Funny you should mention braving the crowds on Friday. I did decide to go, but knew I only needed to go to one department store (thank God) - unfortunately it had to be ToysRUs. It took me ten minutes to find what I was looking for. Took my place in line at the very BEGINNING of the store where the staff person looked at me and my belly and announced that a woman had just checked out who had gone into labor while standing in line and still had to wait another 45 minutes. First let me say, why stay in line if you are in labor - it's not that important. Second let me ask, where the hell was the manager? That woman should have been moved to the front of the line if she were that intent on buying her gifts. Anyhow, I started having more contractions as we walked the winding line through the store, so I can see how someone very close to her due date would have gone into labor. I became convinced that they purposely set the line up to wind through the aisles so that you buy more stuff. I did pick up one more thing that I wasn't intending to buy, but the group of women in front of me (two mom's and grandma) collectively bought another full cart of stuff just walking through the aisles. We are getting Kaydence the Rose Petal Cottage this year for Christmas, so I started buying some of the stuff to go in it and then the extra thing I picked up was a tricycle that was on sale. After that I stopped at Family Dollar and the Dollar Tree to get some decorations for at home.

So, let's see. Friday night we all set up the tree and decorated. Yay! House looks so festive now.

Love the Weeble Wobble comment! LOL. Yes, I understand perfectly. I vaguely remember the sitz bath, but do recall just how funny it looked. I never used it though. They start doing the weekly visits once you're at 36-37 weeks. I've got two more two week appointments before I start my weekly ones.

Well, this is getting to be super long. I'll be back soon though!!

MD

Things in the pregnancy are getting big, uncomfortable and painful!! The baby is running out of room and has moved into "position" with her head down in my hips. I can literally feel my hip bones expanding to accomodate her and when my bladder is full it is almost unbearable pressure. I suppose when it comes time to push I'll be thankful - with Kaydence I had to push for a long time because her head got stuck. I am still finding though that there are still some fun experiences. For instance, the baby has been getting hiccups here lately. That's kind of funny. I can't reach or see most of my legs anymore, so DH has been helping me shave. LOL.

I have one more appointment in two weeks with the midwife and then I start going every week. Yay! I'll be full term in 2 weeks & 2 days!! That is Dec. 20th for anyone keeping track. Hee hee hee. I'm gaining about 1.5 lbs a week now. I think I'll be around 225-230 when this is all done. Ugh. Thank heavens I have DT to help me work back to where I was and then beyond!

How is everyones Christmas shopping going? I have three things left to get Kaydence, then I have to get my gift for my cousins girlfriend, and presents for the nephews. Oh it's neverending!! Ha ha ha. Tis the season!!

MD

Hi Dyanna.... you sound so pregnant and so happy. That's great that things are moving right along. I remember those days with my kids and how despite all the little aches and pains, I loved being pregnant.

I know what you mean about the toy store. We decided to stop into ToysRus on Black Friday to check out games and were told that the wait in line was almost 3 hours! No game is worth that!! So we turned around and left after a quick walk around.... and after we played with that life sized pony that seems so real. Did you happen to see that while you were there? I loved it, but it was also really expensive!

I still have Christmas shopping to do, but will get it done before Christmas like always. Thank goodness my mom lives with us and does the wrapping as I get things. I kind of hate wrapping.... but my husband and I have a tradition of going out on Christmas eve day to do the last minute stuff and then have lunch just the two of us, so I always leave a few things for that day. It's such fun!

Well, take care of yourself and I hope you got your pumpkin pie with whipped cream. My kids won't eat it without the cream. lol Have a great Tuesday!

Did the tour of the hospital/midwife unit on Tuesday. I feel much more confident now knowing where I will have to go. DH was complaining that it wasn't any different then when we had Kaydence (we had her in an entirely different hospital in a different state) and that the information wasn't anything new - except the information about the water birth. I told him it was so we could know where we were going and where everything was. For being one of the top 10 hospitals for labor and delivery in the U.S. though, I have to say I am SO disappointed in their "baby security". Not that you hear a lot about crazy people running off with babies, but when we delivered Kaydence they had it set up so that there was a magnetic something in her bracelet. If you got too close to the doors they automatically closed and locked. The hospital here has a "the nurses keep an eye on things" system - which makes me a little paranoid, but since baby is staying in room with us 24/7 and DH is going to be staying with me I'm not overly concerned. Just disappointed they don't have something a little more sophisticated.

On our way out of the hospital I had to stop to pee. When I was drying my hands though I felt a small trickle. I thought "Oh God, was that my water or just a little extra?" It was definately just a little extra - but it got me wondering how will I know when it really does break? I'm hoping it will just be painfully obvious - the last time I was induced and they broke my water for me - so I'm worried I won't realize I'm in labor until it's nearly too late. I've been dreaming of delivering this baby two blocks from the hospital in snowstorms...

Anyhow - thanks for coming by DJ - yes, I am definately one round and proud momma! As uncomfortable as this pregnancy has been in the end, I do love being pregnant and wish that every person around me could experience the same things I get to. DH feels like I'm just teasing him every time baby does something that he can see. He just can't wait to hold his new daughter.

Well, off to try and get warm this morning.

MD

Eeeks! I'm so excited for you! :) I loved reading your last couple entries, you are such a happy mommy! Good luck!!

Just a Happy Happy pregnant girl that's what you are. That is great won't be long before she's in your arms. Good luck.

Hi ya Mama! Oh I soooooooo sympathize! Very cool that you'll be full term in a couple of weeks. I read that over 90% of women deliver 2 weeks early or 2 weeks late, but only a very small percentage deliver on their due date. Glad you got to tour the hospital. We did the same thing and I was surprised how they do the alarm thing. Geesh the whole place shuts down! The only thing I don't get is why they let people in so long as they know the mom's full name. I asked if we could have an "approved" list of visitors, but they don't do that. Seems like a huge breach of security to me even if they have all the alarms, yet let pretty much anyone in based on little information. Anywho, keep that baby in your room and don't worry about any crazies. Besides, DH will be there to fend off unwanted visitors in any case. :rofl:

Do your kegals and try to get some rest babe!

p.s. OOOOOOH, we MUST talk about the water breaking thing! I was having the EXACT same experience/conversation in my head just yesterday!!!!! Gotta go now but will be back later...

Iv,

I don't get it - how do small town hospitals have better security then the ones in the city??!! LOL. How backwards. So I looked up our question and got the following really GREAT article. Here you go (http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,6128,00.html) Not that it helps us out much, but I think it's very informative and relieves a lot of the "water breaking" fears knowing that only 10% of women have their water break before they get to the hospital.

Wasn't feeling real great earlier today. Got in the shower and couldn't stand long enough to wash my hair. I ended up sitting in the tub while the water poured over me and opening the window as far as I could. Tried to lay down with Kaydence afterward, but she wasn't having it. Luckily she let us just lay together in bed singing songs - so I got about an hour and a half of just "rest time" to get the queasies together.

We're pretty convinced at this point that I probably won't make it to my due date - we've joked about me going into labor in the middle of our holiday party on the 22nd. But, babies have their own timing and we could very well be waiting until the middle/end of January. I guess we'll have a better idea on the 17th since the midwife said that she'll probably do a pelvic exam then so we can gauge the whole travelling ordeal.

Okay, going to relax for an hour before DH gets home!

MD

Alright, so it's not imminent yet - BUT - I lost my "plug" this morning and I'm so excited because it means a baby will soon be on her way! HOORAY! I'm ready to hold her in my arms, kiss her face, smell her sweet baby smell. Mmmm.....

I can hardly contain myself today! LOL. She should probably stay in there for at least another week to be on the safe side - but it's funny because we keep joking that I'll go into labor at the family Christmas party (which is also DH's grandparents anniversary party). That's next Saturday - so it's entirely possible.

Aaaah.... being able to touch my toes again....it's so close!!

MD

How exciting for you, dyanna!! I'm really happy for you and your family that this pregnancy has gone along without any complications or problems! Being pregnant is so wondeful, but like you said... by the end of it, you are more than ready to welcome that little one into the world!

Keep us posted! It's all so exciting!!

Awwwwwwwwww, a baby is coming, what an exciting time. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Take it easy though, so you are ready. Good luck.

It would be nearly impossible to break my chipper mood!! Yesterday after DH got home from work I went and bought some VERY gently used newborn & 0-3 month baby clothes. They are absolutely adorable. I ended up getting eight full outfits, four sleep & plays and two blanket sleepers all for $30!! Hooray for bargain shopping! Today my FIL is doing me a huge favor and picking up a carseat that I found for $45. The woman is including an extra base and a winter carseat cover. All together they retail for about $150 so I'm super excited about that.

Today I am in that cleaning mode. I've done four loads of laundry and am trying to go through the house and get rid of things we don't need anymore. I really need to go through Kaydence's toys *still*. I keep hoping I can find a time when she isn't in the house so we don't end it with all of the dramatics, but I don't think I'm going to have much choice. LOL. DH thinks we should save them in the closet for when the baby is a little older - but I forsee that she will collect her own share of miniature toys along the way and I don't want a surplus in the house.

Thanks DJ and Wendy for stopping by!! I'll be sure to keep everyone posted. LOL, I'm sure I'll be in labor and stop into DT to let you all know before leaving for the hospital. Ha ha ha. Sad but true!

Alrighty, off to find more chores!!

MD

WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooo excited for ya! Looks like you will be going a little early after all. :dc :dn Ok, take care and know I'll be thinking of you. :D

Today I am in that cleaning mode. I've done four loads of laundry and am trying to go through the house and get rid of things we don't need anymore.

Sounds like nesting to me..... lol Have a great weekend!

Baby is still hanging tight... *sigh*

Weekend has been pretty dull - went for long walks, another tire went flat yesterday (don't worry, DH fixed it this time), daydreamed about winning a few hundred thousand dollars today... LOL. Oh if only!!

That's about it really, like I say - very dull weekend. I did FINALLY go and buy myself a pumpkin pie today. I'm waiting for it to finish cooling right now so I can dig in! Yummo! Next midwife appointment is tomorrow morning. I'll let you all know what's up!

MD

**Long Heavy Sigh**

Baby really is still sitting strong. While she is definately in the head down position, locked and loaded, I'm not even a teeny weeny bit dilated. Dang it!! So now I'm confused, because I'm nearly certain that I lost my plug, but I don't think you can still be closed and lose it. Maybe with this pregancy I'm losing it... who knows.

Sleepy this morning, definately in need of a nap. Take care everyone!

MD

Just checking in hon! Hang in there...she is just putting the last finishing touches on her perfect little self. After all, you can't hurry perfection, right? :D Enjoy your last few moments with your family and your home.

Off to figure out what to do about my swollen tootsie. Ever have just one swell? Very strange...first of this I've had.

Thinking of you!

Hi Iv!

Thanks for the "perfection" quote. It really helps put things in perspective during this time that you just want to rush the last few weeks along. I do love being pregnant - truly - I'm just anxious to kiss her perfect face and hold her in my loving mommy arms.

Hmm... have never had just one swell - that truly is strange.

Not much going on here - just hanging out watching sappy Christmas movies on Lifetime. Currently an old man is handing out thousands of dollars to complete strangers. Where was I during this time?? LOL. I finish my Christmas shopping tomorrow. YAY! Hope I'll be able to find everything.

Good news from my appointment yesterday that I forgot to say: I still haven't broken the 220 barrier yet! I'm slowing down to about a .5 lb gain a week. Is it possible to lose 40 pounds right after delivery? LOL. Didn't think so...

Off to finish my movie....
MD

Hi mommy,

Hope you enjoyed your movie! Um, if you find that giving-away-money guy I could use him because I just made the last of the doctor's payments on the kiddo. Still hanging in there? I know exactly what you mean about being soooo excited to see her little face and hold her little hands. On the one hand I will miss her being right there but on the other it can't come fast enough. Just got back from the doc and she says next time we are doing a last ultrasound for size because she thinks I might go early. Measuring a bit ahead and she is still head down! Too bad we aren't just a wee bit closer...sounds like a good time for us both to indulge ourselves and go get our "pretty delivery-day toes" pedicure. :D

p.s. Coincidentally, I asked the doc about the weight thing...she said it takes a year to put it on and a year to take it all off. :tongue: Yeah, I really didn't want to hear that. I am really huge. She gave me hope though b/c she's had four ( four? :caf: ) and looks good.

YAY!! Today marks the day that I am officially FULL TERM!!

This morning I washed a bazillion dishes, have cleaned every room but Kaydences, and now have to get quarters so I can get some laundry done. I need to keep busy or I will be fast asleep by four. LOL. I slept so terribly last night. The baby is so low that laying down is super uncomfortable. About mid turn last night she reached her hand up as though to scratch her ear - PAINFUL - there is just not enough room in my pelvis for that.

Worked out my diet/workout regimine for after I get the all clear. So before I set my calories around the 1200-1300 range, but I'll be setting them around the 1600-1800 calorie mark this time as I will be breastfeeding. I'm going to use that myfreediet website again, I got such fantastic results with that the last time and it really was very balanced nutrition (not to mention foolproof to follow).

Quick question for anyone who may know: Is anyone here on or know someone who is on Mirena? What do you think of it? What are pros and cons that you've noticed? DH and I are constantly going back and forth on whether we'd like to have more kids someday (pretty sure it's a no - but you never know) and I'm thinking that it seems to be the best option so far. So any info would be great!!

Anyhow, that's about it for that...

IV - I remember feeling the same way you are with Kaydence. I cried the night before I went in for my induction because I was terribly sad that I wouldn't be pregnant anymore. After she was in my arms every thought of that went out of my head - but I truly love being the preggo mama. This time around I know what I have to look forward to and I'm anxious for it to begin! Strangely enough I'm not as nervous about the delivery as I thought I would be. I have this strong impression that everything is going to go really well.

Alrighty, enough for today!

MD

8 LOADS OF LAUNDRY! Wow... need to keep up with that a little better. That's just exhausting by the end of day!

Have a great one everybody!

MD

MD- Oh my! You are getting ready to pop! :) I love the little comments on your ticker..."No Mommy, that's not another baby up your butt..." haha!

I did check out that website you sent me about the decorations. I think that orange peel topiary is awesome! I am going to try to make one before I make a final decision. I don't want the whole place to smell like orange and cinnamon, that's my biggest concern:) Thank you for the link!

Good luck in the coming days! You are getting so close!
Take care, and Merry Christmas!

8 LOADS??? That's amazing! With this extended nesting period you are having, your house is going to be spotless by the time little Olivia comes. :D

How ya feeling? In case you haven't tried it, I found a slightly more comfortable position...zillions of pillows behind your back on the couch so you are basically sitting up, two pillows under your knees, lean back and it's not so bad for at least a 1/2 hour or so! :D

Well, Saturday was the Christmas party with DH's family. It went really well, although slightly crazy. DH's cousin (who was due Jan 30th) had to be emergency induced. She was suffering from really high blood pressure and preeclampsia and for her and the baby's safety they were forced to deliver. We all joked about how she stole my thunder - and honestly I'm a little envious that she's got her baby to hold already - but I don't think anybody ever wishes a preterm baby on any other mother. She was 4 pounds 3 ounces.

Because she couldn't make it to the party though, it was a last minute scramble to come up with the things that she was to be making for the Christmas party. The turkey, the ham, etc. Yeah... she had the big things. So by the end of the evening I was quite crabby and hormonal. I snapped at DH's stepdad after he walked away from me the fifth time I asked for his help. I'm not normally so angry, loud, or outspoken - so the whole family stopped in the middle of the kitchen and just stared. Suddenly I had three people helping me and trying to bring calm into my life. And of course I was teased more at dinner about taking everyone out. :o Not Diana's day.

Kaydence got to open her first few Christmas presents from the grandparents and great aunt. She got the Rose Petal Cottage (the big one we've been planning for ages), a tea party set (that incidentally matches the cottage), and a Preschool computer game to help with reading, counting, and alphabet. Her and the baby both got some cute socks and hair clips. DH and I are going to be getting a Virginia Ham from his parents. We won't get it until after the baby though, that way we know for sure I will be home when they deliver it to us. We also both got a set of pajamas from his grandparents. Mine I love because they are nice enough that I can wear them during the day and not look like I'm wearing jammies around - and they are SUPER comfortable.

Things are so slippery and dangerous out here the last few days. I've slipped more than enough times to know that I need to find some ice climbing cleats if I intend to stay on my feet when outdoors. I've been lucky enough not to fall yet though, so lets just keep praying. I would say "until after I have this baby" but that would mean I could later potentially be carrying baby and slip and fall and I just can't deal with that concept. So just a general "Diana doesn't fall" prayer would be grand. :laugh:

I'm feeling alright. Lots of pressure going on, some pretty strong contractions at night, and a few hours here and there where they will be pretty consistent every 20 minutes and then stop. Grr....that's annoying. Finally have my hospital bag packed and ready to go. My milk supply has started to come in. My back is killing me though - all the extra weight in the front is really causing some wear and tear.

So excited for Christmas tomorrow morning! Everyone enjoy themselves and have a great holiday!

MD

"My Mommy is bigger than a house, has hemorrhoids, & "the runs." She's threatening legal action if I don't come out soon. I'm 38 weeks old, only 14 days to go!"

For anyone who's wondering this statement could not be more accurate. LOL.

I have yet another midwife appointment today. In the last week and a half I've put on at least three pounds, so I have the feeling something will probably be said - and I will probably have to drop kick the midwife who says it clear to Mars. Baby is definately the one growing though - the stretch marks I have achieved in the last couple of weeks are insane!

Christmas was great. Kaydence has been having so much fun on her new tricycle. She's finally figured out how the pedaling thing works, although can't quite manage it on carpet. Took most of the morning yesterday to get that down, the rest of the afternoon was spent going back and forth across the kitchen floor.

We've both got the most disgusting cough you've heard in your life though. Yuck. I keep saying that is the one reason I'm glad I haven't gone into labor yet. A) I want to be able to kiss my baby and B) Can you imagine the pain and exhaustion after labor enhanced by persistent phlegm cough? Yeah, just sounds like a ball of fun. LOL.

Anyhow, will post later how the appointment goes. With any luck I'll be dilated to three and already in labor but not know it! Ha ha ha. Sure....

MD

Okay, well things went great!

I did gain 3.5 lbs over the last week and a half, and we laughed over my holiday excuses. LOL. My test results came back and I'm Group B negative this time so I don't have to have any antibiotics!! YAY! That means I will not have to have an IV at all during this labor and delivery. I'm THRILLED! I really really don't like needles... Iron levels were great and blood pressure fantastic.

Now for the great part. I'm a "stretchy 1 cm" dilated!! Finally! Progress! Baby is at a -3 station, but according to the midwife, she could be much higher up and -3 is definately progress. She said that I wasn't super effaced yet. She did do a sweep of my membranes to give baby some "encouragement". She said not to expect labor, but that women who get it done after their 37th week on a weekly basis are typically less likely to deliver more then a few days past their due date. I'm all for that. (Iv, just in case you're interested - you have to be at least a little dilated before they can begin doing it).

Since then I've been really crampy - which she said was pretty normal. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world - but no worse then labor I suppose. Hee hee hee.

Well, that's that. Will keep everyone posted!

MD

YAAAAAY! Progress! There may not have been a Christmas baby, but I will keep my fingers crossed for you to have a NEW YEARS BABY!!! Hey, it comes with fun free stuff and the whole world is in celebration mode so you might as well give them something really awesome to celebrate right? :D

EXCELLENT tip about the membrane. I hope my doc does that. We should know more about how big she is on the 3rd after the checkup and u/s. Are you still calling her little Olivia? I love that name, as you know. We are thinking about Madeline at the moment, but our list is still pretty long with names.

Keep us up on the progress -- so much fun! Just another month and we will be commiserating about our post-baby dieting. :up:

Not sure if my abs are killing me because of contractions, the baby pushing uncomfortably, or all of this darn coughing. Making for a miserable Friday morning.

Anyhow, I'm sorry to disappoint Iv, but Olivia kind of got tossed out. I still love the name, but after we decided that was it we started hearing it EVERYWHERE!! Then last week I saw an article that it was the 10th most popular name in the U.S. this year. I just don't want her to be one of six Olivia's in her graduating class, you know? SO - DH and I have spent the last several weeks deciding on ONE name, THE name - and we finally have decided on Cecelia D'Anne. DH has always wanted a daughter named Cecelia and he wanted her middle name to be Diana, but that was just too many "ah" sounds in a name for me. Besides, while I don't mind it being similar to my name, I didn't want an exact match. "Kaydence" came from my middle name (Kay) and D'Anne is sort of a combination of my first name, my sisters middle name (Ann) and DH's middle name (DeVon).

Madeline is beautiful! I also really liked your option of Hannah - although with the recent explosion of Hannah Montana that may not be the best option. The name thing is so incredibly difficult isn't it? Kaydence was so easy - this one has taken us nearly the whole nine months. LOL.

Alright, that's about all that's new today. Everyone have a great weekend!

MD

Another whole weekend and baby was a no-show. LOL. That's okay though. She's coming soon, Kaydence said so.

Last night had to babysit the neighbors little girls for a quick minute. That was kind of fun. They have a 6 month old baby girl - so it was nice to be able to hold A baby, even if it wasn't mine. Ha ha ha.

Other than that not much to tell. Little one is up finally. Have a great one!

MD

Just checking in...waiting stinks, my friend! But, um, it can't last forever right? :laugh: Besides, once Kaydence announced the coming, it's as good as here. :D

Love the name Cecelia! Feminine, yet smart, cool and slightly exotic, long enough to be interesting (I like names with lots of syllables), can be shortened into a cute nick-name when she's little, and not ridiculously popular. That's my concern about Hannah, the popularity. It's still DH's fave, has a wonderful meaning, family connection, but there are soooooo many. Although, if we like it I guess the popularity issue will have to take a back seat.

Happy New Year! If baby doesn't make her debut, enjoy this last one as a "trio." :party:

First of all, let me just say HAPPY NEW YEAR! :party:

Baby didn't make a New Years Eve appearance (obviously), and I don't particularly feel as though today is the day either. Maybe it will be - they say that a lot of times you aren't prepared for when labor will begin - but for the time being I don't feel exactly "baby primed". DH and I were laughing yesterday that maybe she will follow the "day after a holiday" routine. If you recall my last period (though it has nothing to do with conception time) was the day after Valentines Day, we found out we were pregnant the day after Mothers Day, our first ultrasound was the day after the 4th of July, and our original due date was Thanksgiving Day. So if she comes tomorrow she will fit right into the pattern. :rofl:

Iv, I don't think my faith was ever reaffirmed as much as it has been since I've had Kaydence. It was particularly obvious when she was a baby, less so now as a preschooler/toddler, but still apparent. It's a little hard to explain, but I imagine you'll discover it when your little one comes. For instance, before she could do anything more then gurgle, she would become fixated on certain points of the house and there was little you could do to get her attention. It was always either the corner of a ceiling or a ceiling fan. I swore to my mom that there were angels on the ceiling. Then after a few weeks after she started to gurgle and coo (and later babble away like crazy in that adorable way only a baby can do) I became even more convinced that she was having conversations with someone or something. Mom and I got to talking about it. In my heart I knew what was going on - and in my head it somehow became rationalized when it occured to me that for that first year (or two) there wasn't going to be much that she could conversate with me about and that obviously she needed to have someone to talk to, so God sent her angels to keep her company. My moms second husband had also recently passed away and I imagine he came to visit his new granddaughter on occasion. Secondly, my mother reminded me that heaven was much closer then we could possibly imagine. :angel:

SO, Kaydence saying that she's coming soon - for me - is like having angels themselves whisper in my ear. And it's the first time this whole pregnancy that she's ever said something like that. There you have it, MD's daily dose of faith. Ha ha ha.

And here I go getting all long winded again. LOL. If you will notice the time, no, I am not STILL up, rather just wide awake at 4:00 am. Probably wouldn't have been if I could have got my coughing fit under control - but obviously that didn't happen. I do feel less "pleghmy" though, so that's a good thing.

Alright, everyone enjoy their free day today. I've never totally understood the concept of having New Years Day off though. All the good stuff happens New Years Eve. About the only positive use I can think for