Ten Things Tuesday!

KH826 · April 2014

Today is Tuesday - so you know what that means!

Please share with us any 10 things that are on your mind today (can be TTC, Pregnancy or Parenting related... but we also strongly encourage random thoughts!) Of course, PIPs (Pictures in Post) are always welcome. So, come on, tell us what your thinkin!

Amber&Reva · April 2014

1. I made my coffee way to weak the morning and went a little heavy on the cream so I am currently drinking a glass of cream with a dash of coffee.

2. I am bummed that R keeps working at 5 am by the time she gets home she is exhausted and falls right to sleep so when I get home she is already out cold and I don't get to spend any time with her.

3. April showers bring may flowers or so I hope cause it is a muggy gloomy day out there today although they are calling for temps near the 70s!!!

4. I am excited for this weekend I am taking R to Kathy Griffin which she has no idea. She is going to be so pumped.

5. On that note I am going to have to call out of work on Sunday so that I can take R to the show. I was out of work when I bought the tickets and my time off request got denied.

6. We got a great deal on a Mamas & Papas sola stroller. We have been buying good deals all along so when we do get our take home baby we should be ready.

7. I need a vacation and there is a commercial on the tv right now showing all these tropical vacation destinations.

8. R still doesn't believe me but I swear I saw peacocks on the side of the road in a decent size MA town/city. I need to get a pic of them to prove it.

9. I am really happy about all the new pregnancy announcements and all the good beta numbers!

10. Going to drink my of my glass of warm coffee flavored cream now.

mrs&mrsk · April 2014

1. Excited for appointments coming up and to get GOING

2. Nervous for same reasons

3. Hoping DW gets a new job in same company (just applied today)

4. I need to stop waiting to get gas until my range is 1 mile... cold is no excuse, because the next day it could be POURING. (FML)

5. I finished reading all 4 of the books we got from the library about pregnancy, and DW hasn't read one! So, we renewed them- so easy you can do it online these days!

6. This is my first TTT post and it's actually pretty hard... which is weird because I am always full of random thoughts!!

7. Today is going to be a long day because it's quiet at work.... tomorrow's going to be a long day because I will be travelling for work.

8. We have been going to open houses in better neighborhoods off & on the last few months because we need to upgrade school districts in the next 10? years LOL. but we are still upside down so we can't actually DO anything yet.

9. I need to get back to the gym/classes.... but every day talk myself out of it.

10. I sneak to read things online at work because I dont want anyone to know we are planning yet. But, I read allll day. (off & on)

KH826 · April 2014

1. 32 weeks today! 56 days til EDD according to my ticker. Eeeeek!

2. I was in a cranky mood at home this morning for no reason, and my wife uncharacteristically proclaims "Smile. It is going to be a beautiful day!" ... I must have looked at her like she had 2 heads (that isn't something she would typically just say). So she followed it up with "You have a wife and puppy who love you and a little person growing in your ute - it is going to be a beautful day, so you should smile." HAHA - ok, then. I am certainly going to try!

3. I am soooooo very excited for @firstcomeslove2013 & @doodah1013! I can't wait for the next update from them on their little squinter!

4. I am very pleased with myself for actually cooking dinner last night. It was healthy and yummy, and I didn't want to cook, but I did it anyway. Let's see if I can go 2 for 2 tonight. Now I just have to figure out what to make...

5. After taking my wife's little pep talk to heart this morning, I decided to sing in the car on the way to work. This will probably sound silly, but there are few things in life that make me feel as instantly happy as belting out a song at the top of my lungs. I used to sing a lot (it was kind of a passion of mine), but I just haven't really had an outlet for it in my grown-up life, so now I usually just sing in the car or in the shower, but not that often. Well, today I put on the Rent soundtrack in the car on the way to work and sang my heart out for 3 songs. Baby girl immediately started kicking while I was singing. It was actually really cool. I hope she loves music. I need to work on that!

6. Sooo... my middle sister (who I have had an up-and-down relationship with historically, but it has been on the up swing for a solid year) is apparently not coming to our baby shower. My mother mentioned this to me very nonchalantly over the phone as though I should have already known and shouldn't be bothered by it. When I told my mom that it made me sad (that was all I said, I didn't try to put my mom in the middle, I didn't yell or cry or have any kind of "big" reaction - I just said it made me sad) my mom immediately got defensive of my sister and starting listing umpteen reasons why my sister couldn't make it, and that it doesn't mean she doesn't love me, etc.... ugh! I so didn't even take it there, Mom! BUT, I must say I am sad and disappointed... she could come if she really wanted to, and if it was our other sister's shower, she would not only never miss it, but she would be the one planning it. Oh well, nothing I can do about it. Family dynamics just stink sometimes.

7. The 10 day forecast tells me that it is going to be 71 degrees and sunny here on Sunday! Oh.My.Goodness! I literally cannot wait. Spring has officially sprung!

8. Baby girl is moving around like crazy this morning! I had watermelon with my breakfast, and I think she liked it (I know that is not actually how it works, but let me pretend )!

9. I am trying to find a good place to go for Mother's Day Brunch with my wife and my mother-in-law that is close to home (b/c I will be 37.5 wks pregnant) and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I haven't found anything yet. So far everything is either too far or too pricey (I don't want to spend $150 for brunch for 3 people right now!)... I shall keep looking...

10. We have started getting gifts in the mail from people who can't make it to our shower. My wife has also been ordering a bunch of stuff online for the nursery. Yesterday when I got home we had 4 packages! It felt like Christmas!

trisholio · April 2014

1. I am excited we have our anatomy scan today! And I am 19 weeks pregnant, craziness!

2. We had my sisters baby shower this weekend and it was a lot of fun! We had plans for someone to watch the girls, but my sister and mom both asked that they be there. They were the only kids and were spoiled rotten by our family.

3. I know my sisters pregnancy has been really stressful and it was nice to see her excited and happy about the upcoming arrival of her little one.

4. I am having second thoughts about cloth diapering. We have two little ones in diapers/pull ups right now. We are hoping to have M potty trained soon, but I wouldn't count on it. We also have so much laundry and stuff to do around the house I can't imagine adding loads of dirty diapers.

5. I love watching baby K army crawl all over the place, but she is now getting into EVERYTHING! I am considering purchasing a baby yard again!

6. I was thrilled waking up at 2am and realizing I got 4 solid hours of sleep, well baby K must have known that because she woke up a few minutes later and then didn't go back to bed until 430. We have got to get her to sleep thru the night before baby Adalyn gets here. I cannot be up all night with two babies.

7. We need to register, but then I realize we need to make decisions before we register. Like choose a breast pump, so that we can register for accessories. Or decide on diapers. There are many more decisions to make that I can't even think of right now.

8.I went to the dentist yesterday and all was good except a small cavity. I was having some pain in the area, so I am not surprised by the cavity. I hate going to the dentist and I am not looking forward to getting the cavity filled.

9. My computer settings are all jacked up and the cursor moves all around the page when I type, its super annoying!!!

10. I am already looking forward to the girls naps coming up in a few hours.

Have a good day everyone!

Here is a PIP of my sister at her shower. We painted our hands and 'laid' then on her and then we said a prayer over her and the baby. It was a very neat moment, most everyone cried.

StacyLH24 · April 2014

1. I'm home sick today. C has had a nasty upper respiratory infection. For now, I think mine is just sinus related stuff.

2. We are getting lots of rain. My Spring flowers are popping up. My crocuses have been up...see PIP.

3. We went for our first motorcycle ride on Sunday night. It felt so good to be out on it again.

4. I was really hoping for my IUI to be on Sunday. I'm not sure that is going to happen now. I'm anxious to see what the u/s shows tomorrow.

5. I will be 30 on the 24th. For a while, I was really letting turning 30 bother me. As it gets closer, I'm really not that bothered by it any more. The other night I was thinking that it means that I have to be an adult now. The truth is, I've been an adult for some time now.

6. We got to see our friends in Rochester over the weekend. It is so nice to be with others who just get it

.

7. I am trying to convince C to do shared maternity if we end up going the IVF route. I've thought about it a lot, and I would like to. Even if this IUI works and we get a take home baby, we still have one vial left. My plan from the beginning was to have one baby that is biologically mine and one that is biologically hers, knowing that I would carry both. The egg retrieval process is what she's worried about. If I can get her past that, I think we're good to go.

8. On Friday I was feeling down still and wanted to watch a funny movie. We ended up watching Delivery Man. While it was funny, I also cried. It probably wasn't the best choice.

9. I'm not sure what is going on with me. I am easily annoyed by almost everything. I'm not sure if it is from being depressed/down, being sick or the Gonal-F or a combination. Poor C. I can at least recognize it and then I joke with her about the things that she is doing that are bothering me. Mostly it is noises/sounds. She was getting a cough drop out of the bag on Sunday and I wanted to scream at her to stop because it was too much noise. Good lord! I didn't say a word because I knew it wasn't rational. I did tell her about it yesterday though and we laughed about it. I'm a bit worried what this progesterone is gonna do...

10. Speaking of progesterone, I am going to be on 100 mg of Endometrin twice a day. Sounds like a blast (sarcasm)! I'll do whatever it takes though.

Time for a nap as the meds are kicking in. Here are my crocuses...

mrs&mrsk · April 2014

we saw delivery man this weekend too - scary stuff but funny for a movie

mrs&mrsk · April 2014

@kleigh1 your #3 reminds me of when i called the RE for the first time and i said "we are a same sex couple" but the woman didnt hear me and kept insisting that we had to "try" for 6 months before coming there. And I kept saying "what do you mean by try....?" and she was skirting the issue but basically saying sex... then I said "you did hear me when i said we are a same sex couple, right?" and she was a little flustered then said "no sorry!" Needless to say the next representative from the facility made a point to mention that she knew we were a same sex couple. LMAO!

pauljl · April 2014

1. Eventful weekend at our house. Poor Ollie (our tiny furbaby) had an emergency procedure at the Vet Friday night. Expensive, but treatable. The PIP was right after she had the procedure. She's much perkier now, thank goodness.

2. Our big furbaby, Luka, is just now winding down after his initial panic when she was rushed to the vet. He spent all the time she was gone looking for her.

3. Ten weeks this week! It's starting to feel real- maybe that's because my blump is filling out maternity pants nicely

4. Get to hang out with a my favorite baby and toddler for a little bit tonight while their parents go looking at a house (near mine!). I'm too excited for Little Einsteins, blocks, and baby laughs

5. Got C a grill for her birthday next week! She got it early and put it together this weekend. I can't wait for burgers and grilled pineapple on Thursday!

6. C doesn't know I ordered her a shirt she liked (I can't keep calm, my wife's having a baby!) and she's going to wear it to announce the pregnancy on her Bday- instead of our original Easter plan. (As long as she's comfortable with that, of course). I think she'll be thrilled

7. I can't tell if my students are extra loud and talkative today or if I am extra irritable. Guess I'll find out when I pick them up after my planning period.

8. Speaking of planning- I should wrap this up and go...plan. Oops.

9. I am dying to buy baby things. I promised I wouldn't until 2nd tri- but I've been looking. I haven't found a great selection on gender neutral items, however, so that's made it easier to refrain. C and I aren't into the whole blue for boys pink for girls thing, but I was surprised at myself when I started looking at how much I want to wait until we know the sex to purchase things. Interesting....maybe I have more bias than I thought I did.

10. @firstcomeslove2013 and @doodah1013 I'm so excited for your next update! You certainly have a cheering section here!

2MamazInSeattle · April 2014

@amber&reva - I think about you a lot and can't wait for your next try. The limbo between a later loss and trying again felt like forever, but I'm FX for you it's soon!

@mrs&mrsk - Welcome to TTT! It's supposed to be random, yours was great!

@KH826 - I'm so sorry about your sister. My (normally) BFF sister and I are struggling right now, and I already thought of how sad I'll be if she doesn't come to our shower. Family stuff is so hard, especially when this is supposed to be a free and clear happy time!

@trisholio - the ONLY way I am getting J to cloth diaper is to use a diaper service b/c she fears the laundry and we don't even have other kids!! Also, your sister looks great, and I love the hands to the belly!

@staceyLH24 - FX for your IUI!!! And, as the old lady on the board, let me tell you your 30s are an amazing, awesome time.

@kleigh1 - We play music every night for our baby! Check out this awesome TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/annie_murphy_paul_what_we_learn_before_we_re_born - she references music specifically, totally worth the 15 minutes.

@crazyaunt84 - TB just had an ad for freezer meals - I did a search here. Check it out!
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AFM...

1. Yesterday it was over 70 in Seattle and sunny. I worked from home and could barely focus!! Back to 60 and gray today, but it was lovely.

2. A new mom brought her 4-month old daughter to our prenatal yoga class yesterday (teacher made an exception as this woman really wanted a yoga class badly). That baby was SO cute. Anyhow, the mom said "I had an amazing labor and I very much attribute it to this class" which was reassuring, but we all know how unpredictable labor is. Also, it was also super cool to see the yoga WITH baby - my studio has post-partum yoga w/baby classes, and also "baby gym" (yoga for baby to increase blood flow, brain activity, etc). I totally plan to do these classes while on mat leave, and J will continue as she is going to stay home 2 days a week. It was cool seeing it in action with a live baby!

3. I made a great new recipe last night and thought of you @KH826 as I too have been struggling to enjoy cooking at all. I'm going to post all about it in What's for Dinner Wednesday. Teaser: It's a chicken dish that took 15 minutes to prep, and was a HUGE hit with J and our dinner guest (and me)! Mostly it just felt so good to make a proper meal and enjoy it.

4. My swelling seems better!! I wonder if it was due to a week of travel, hence eating out, coupled with cross-country airplane trips, etc. Hands are still falling asleep a little, but it's better. Same with the heartburn, definitely better than it was!

5. We found a cool handmade dollhouse along the side of the road this weekend. I came and got J to help me bring it home. It's ugly now, but we will have fun with it! And, if Simon isn't into dollhousing, well, it's got 6 compartments she could use for storing or organizing other toys or things. Meanwhile, J and I are psyched to trick it out (not now, but someday). And the cat has already made himself comfy in it a few times.

6. We leave a week from tomorrow for Maui! Not that I'm counting! I've hit several consignment shops and goodwill and amassed a decent batch of summery/vacation mat clothes for cheap!

7. Fetal echo today at 2 p.m. I'm not worrying, and excited to see baby girl again so soon!

8. I am going to make a real pre-baby to do list. I keep reading things people here are doing and thinking "crap! I have to do that too" and then I forget again. Not good.

9. I've been sleeping so great lately, I even had an 11 hour night this weekend with only one pee wake-up.

10. Ok, this is embarrassing but the worst think lately is the sneeze/pee-a-little thing that's been happening. I'm like a 4-sneeze minimum person, and they aren't dainty sneezes either. I can kegal through the first two or three, but... well...four or more? Not good. So, more kegals for me, and of course in yoga we do loads of pelvic floor exercises. But seriously. Not cool.

PIP of the dollhouse we found!! Super ugly/rustic but we will make it awesome. Probably yellow to match our house!

Manada · April 2014

1. I am on a fresh fruit kick like no other. I LOVE FRUIT! It's so awesome and tasty!

2. H. laughs at my fruit enthusiasm.

3. I am also on a Chocolate Milk kick, and surprisingly, in pregnancy am having no issues with processing a half litre of dairy at a time.

4. We had the first in-clinic visit with the midwife this morning, which means we're out in public now (I used to work for the clinic and know a lot of people who are currently on staff there) - that feels strange, we're trying to keep it off facebook for a bit longer, but we'll see. I'm not super into telling a ton of people, mostly because I feel like I want to tell people in a normal way and don't want it to be a gossipy topic - even if it's a happy one.

5. Based on the above, there have been a few people who have told others, or are really not discrete, and I'm trying to let it go, but I'm still bothered by it. This thing just feels really private, and I want H. and I to choose how and when we let people know.   I also feel sort of intruded upon in absorbing people's reactions and thoughts about our pregnancy when I or H. didn't choose to let them know.

6. I'm eating fruit again. I love fruit.

7. Apparently there's a new study that is researching doing anatomy scans earlier for people who have higher BMIs at 15 weeks instead of the 18-20 week mark.   So based on that, and the fact that we're having twins and need lots of ultrasounds anyways, we're going for our first A/S at 15 weeks.

8. I was up again last night for an hour and a half with insomnia and hunger.   I ate a peanut butter and banana wrap and a grapefruit and watched some TV, but am exhausted today.

9. We are off to Chicago this weekend!   Visiting H's parents.

10. My uterus is now officially just over my pubic bone by about an inch (confirmed at the MW this morning).   I take this to mean that there will probably be a bit of a real bump that shows up within the next few weeks.....

CageyMack · April 2014

I can't even keep up with all the awesome news! By the time I get here (5:50 in the morning, my time!) all you people have been typing for hours. Bah! Ha!

Yay for everyone!

1. Baby W is in a screaming phase. Like, blood-curdling. DW and I were both lying in bed contemplating how we can break him of it.

2. Went shopping last night with the big kid, M. We were looking for shoes for her and at Ross we found some neon yellow high-top Vans. She is so freaking happy with them. Makes me pleased that I have a kid that is happy with things that aren't quite like everyone else's.

3. It is SO windy and cold here. DW and I fake argued over who got to wear the flannel pants and who got the sweat pants last night. All night all the doors were rattling and the tin roofs were shuddering.

4. Everyone in my house wakes up too early.

5. I am finally starting to lose weight after baby. This might seem petty, but I have not had enough clothes and I'm too thrifty to buy many more. So I quit drinking, started eating right and have been going to the YMCA (with their RAD two hours of free childcare every day!) and, what-what?!? I am down about 10 pounds. So pleased.

6. Not to counter #5, but I got two free packages of Oreos yesterday. I have not eaten one yet, but the Big Kid did.

7. We are going to get either a minivan or Honda Pilot. We are all wedged in a Subaru Impreza, which was DW's, and she has now realized it is too little for our lives. Thank goodness! I've been driving it for the last few years (she has a company car), and it is really small. Super fun, but little. I'm ready for a people hauler! I'm pleased because I didn't say anything or bug her about it and she has come to it in her own time.

8. My neighbor had her little baby and yesterday I got to hold him for the first time! So lovely.

9. My church reading went well. It was a children's book and kind of sad, but it worked well. Several people complimented the story choice.

10. Last weekend we went to a beach day with our church. Here's a pic:

Jazibel · April 2014

@2mamazinseattle - I hear you on the sneeze thing. I now get all tense before sneezing just in case - lol!!

1. It's supposed to be 86 today and sunny, so our plan is to meet EV after work at our gym to go swimming and maybe let Kaden play in their kiddie pool. We also bought an umbrella from Ikea last night that I'm hoping to install in the backyard this morning before it gets too hot.

2. My BFF growing up is coming to town tonight, we'll probably get together first thing tomorrow morning. I'm super excited to see her, and I'm over the stress of "preparing" for a guest. Life is hectic going through last minute home birth prep and trying to stay current/ahead on my Capstone project for school, so I don't really have the time to dedicate to formality. Luckily I've known N since we were 5, so I'm sure she'll forgive me if I don't cook great meals, or finish putting away the laundry. ;-)

3. 37 weeks today!!!! Full-term. Woohoo!!!!

4. We met with our midwives yesterday, everything is looking great with Owen. Our midwife R (whom we worked with last time) said baby is measuring similar to Kaden. So my hopes for a little baby may be out the window. Oh well :-)

5. h tryty (this is Kaden's contribution....I walked away to grab my glasses - ooops)

6. Enjoying a cup of black tea my favorite.

7. I've been more tired lately. Not that it gets me to bed earlier, or napping. I'm struggling to find a balance. I feel like in 3-5 weeks I'll be wishing I had taken a few naps.

8. I wish I could meet all of you IRL, and of course your current or future kiddos!!

9. N offered to give EV and I a date night while she visits. YAY - that's two date nights in a month or so!! We went to the movies last time so maybe a quiet (don't remember that anymore) dinner out.

10. My biggest enemy is my own mind. I am working on letting go of expectations, focusing on reality and being in the moment. My body is helping me to remember my limitations right now, and I think that's helpful in preparing for Owen's arrival. I'm trying to get ready to take it easy, enjoy our new addition and not worry about what next month, next year, or five years from now will look like. It's a challenge since I realize I think a lot about what the future will hold.

redrockmama · April 2014

I wish I had time to respond to everyone, but I don't. I did read everyone's TTT though.

1. We have an appt with our midwife tonight. I hope she has a better idea if she will for sure be here when our baby is born or not. The thought of finding a new midwife is kind of daunting and uncomfortable feeling.

2. My wife has an interview next week for an awesome job. I really hope she gets it. They emailed her to let her know she was on their "highly qualified list" She will be spending most of the rest of the week and weekend studying. Fingers crossed.

3. I have been spending a lot of time trying to decide what to do with the rest of my life. I like my job fine, but don't love it. I don't know if I just want to work my way up in the non profit world, go get my Ph.D or something completely different. decisions...

4. My dad told me last night that he wants us to meet the woman he is dating. I'm not really ready for this and neither is my wife (we got into a little unhappy conversation about it) but I feel like I should put my feelings aside and be supportive and open-minded.

5. We finally have a date set for the wake for my stepmom. I still don't understand why my dad and her kids wanted to put it off for so long. It's like losing her all over again.

6. On a happier note, our house is getting closer to being ready for baby. I'm going to start on the mural this weekend (hopefully)

7. My wife is in denial that we are having a boy. It shouldn't bother me but it does. I just want her to be happy and over the moon about our baby and not be wishing he was different.

8. It's going to be so warm this week and I love it! We took the dogs for a walk after work last night and didn't even need a jacket. Next up is garden planting!

9. I wonder what the dogs will think of the baby and if they will love or hate it. Last night one of our pups was sleeping with her face on my bump and baby kept kicking her. She didn't seem fazed at all by it.

10. I'm hungry and it's not even close to lunch time yet. My appetite is so confusing. Some days I eat all day and others I can barely eat at all. Weird.

ATXmommas · April 2014

1. We've had a rough week. LO is totally happy during the day, but cranky during the night. We're exhausted, which has led to some bickering between me and Z until we step back and just acknowledge how tired we both are.

2. At 4.5 months old, LO has officially grown out of his 3M clothing (except for some pants). I hear some parents say they get sad putting away the outgrown clothes. I'm the opposite - I love getting out a new batch of clothes. And maybe because I was a little sensitive to his size early on, I love reminders of how big he's getting.

3. I didn't leave LO's pacifier at daycare yesterday because he never uses it at home anymore, but they requested we bring it today. I don't mind - I just think it's interesting that he may be using it at daycare, but not at home.

4. Our pediatrician told us to go ahead and start introducing water, but we haven't done it yet. I think we'll start with letting him chew on a wet washcloth. Maybe this weekend.

5. Speaking of this weekend, my sister is coming to visit! She hadn't seen LO since he was 3 weeks old. She's going to fall in love all over again!

6. And, we're supposed to finally have our home study visit on Saturday. Fingers crossed it isn't postponed for a third time.

7. We really enjoyed my mom and steodad's visit this past weekend. I'm so happy that my mom is so over the moon in love with our little boy. Not that I thought she wouldn't be, but it's nice that she has such excitement even though she has 5 other grandchildren. I thought the novelty might have worn off a bit, but nope. She was especially thrilled when LO fell asleep on her.

8. Z and I have yet to have a date night alone. I still need to pump or nurse every 3 hours between 5am and 8pm, so it seems like a lot of trouble to schedule around. Plus, I like being with our son on the weekend since my (awake) time with him during the week is so limited. And the biggie - LO nurses to sleep so I feel like I need/want to be home at his bedtime. Not to mention I'm ready for bed at 8pm too! I think we could use some alone time, though.

9. @2MamazInSeattle‌ - I totally agree that regular prenatal yoga helped enable an "easy" labor for me. Of course, I really hit the jackpot with a very short labor, which was probably the biggest contributor to my easy labor. Not sure that I can contribute that to yoga. Chiropractic adjustments, walking a ton, and acupuncture during the last few weeks also helped a ton, I think. Also, cool dollhouse. And cats love baby sized stuff! Our cats almost exclusively sleep in the baby's things. We're too tired to run them off usually!

10. Speaking of cats, I can't tell if our mean cat, Lucy, is annoyed with or protective of LO. When he's been fussy at night, she has been coming to my side of the bed and scratching at me. I lean towards bring protective because she has never acted this least bit aggressive towards him even though she is mildly aggressive towards adults. Anyway, it's kinda sweet - the protective part, not the trying to scratch my face part.

2momsinCA · April 2014

1. Its a beautiful, hot day here which makes me excited for summer. But summer means the babies are almost here so that is extra excitment.

2. We went to the wedding of some old friends on Saturday and it was so wonderful to see people. Its great when you can see friends who you don't see regularly and just fall back into the friendship like you never missed a beat.

3. A co-worker gave me a very nice used video baby monitor today. This is actually the second monitor we've been given and it feels great to know we are thoroughly covered in the monitor department without really trying.

4. I called my insurance late last week to check out our coverage for a breast pump and we are indeed covered. Its looks like we will be coming home from the hospital with, if not a hospital grade, then a medela pump in style that the LC at the hospital will be helping us get use to. It felt good to delete that stuff right off the registry. @trisholio- if you haven't tried already, check out your insurance coverage before registering for one.

5. Cloth diapering. We intended from the beginning of ttc to do this and even started to build our stash before we got our sticky BFP. @trisholio and @2mamazinseattle, I'm beginning to think we are/were crazy. We've also started to build our stash of disposables and will pick up a pack whenever we get a coupon/discount code. We also will have a diaper raffle at the shower. I guess my dream is to use both and recognize our limitations as moms and laundresses. We may go with a diaper service, but we have a ton of cute AIO's and with the diaper service its all prefolds and covers, not our preferred route... Who knows. We will do our best. I do think about this a lot though.

6. I just got a jury duty summons for when I will be about 28 weeks pregnant. Lovely.

7. I have a big meeting at work tomorrow that I have to lead. Since I got pregnant I've had a harder and harder time with public speaking. It seems my emotion hormones will rise when I get nervous and I start to feel like I'm randomly going to cry for no reason and I easily get out of breath. Not a good feeling!

8. I have my second anatomy scan next week and we are so looking forward to it. @Manada I'm a fan of having an early and a later anatomy scan and not necessarily for BMI reasons. I just love the detailed ultrasounds.

9. I stopped this morning at Target to get my friend at work a gift for her baby who just turned 1. I had to get my boys a gift too... 2 little nautical rompers, too cute to pass up.

10. K and I are both off work next week and while we ought to be going on a fun, tropical babymoon we are taking that week to do doctor's/dentist appointments and begin the lengthy conversion of our guest/junk room into a nursery. This will involve a visit from the salvation army truck who will be carting away old furniture, clothes, etc. I'm actually really looking forward to this purge and the creation of a sweet little space for our boys.

newmompeanut · April 2014

2MamazInSeattle - I remember the sneeze/pees! I would try so hard to hold them in and make little sneezes so I wouldn't pee, but it never seemed to work. Even worse than the sneeze/pees was later on N kept kicking my bladder and I'd pee a little. With no warning. It was terrible.

ATXmommas - I'm so jealous that all of your family has been coming/is coming to visit Ash. Seems like you have a great family!

redrockmama - I can't wait to see the photos of your mural. What an amazing personal touch!

1. B and I have been talking about getting a dog together for the last year. I'd really like to adopt one if possible and if it fits all our criteria, but am open to a breeder if needed. I found a brother sister pair that's at a Humane Association about 1.5 hours away. Now B is refusing to go meet them. I'm more than a little annoyed, but have the time to text her (since we are at work) to figure it out right now.

2. N has another ear infection. That's 4 in the past 5 months. Looks like we are getting a referral to an ENT.

3. I have a doctor's appointment today that I've been dreading making. For the past 7 months or so I've been losing weight (even though I'm eating about 3500 calories a day), I have bruises showing up on my legs when I know I didn't do anything to cause them, and I haven't been able to sleep well at all. I'm hoping it's just stress or something. Good thoughts would be great because I'm pretty nervous about going in case it is a bigger deal.

4. It feels like everyone in my life is fighting. B is fighting with my parents - my mom called B's family Trash so it's definitely warranted, I'm fighting with my parents because I can't even believe that they are being like this, B and I are fighting, and I'm fighting with my best friend.

5. My best friend has officially kicked me out of her wedding for the second time. This time because I asked her if there was anyway that the photos she wants N in were as close to the ceremony as possible. Her original plan was that N and I would need to be to the ceremony location 3 hours before the ceremony. I explained that I was afraid that N would have a meltdown during the ceremony and I didn't want to mess up her day.

6. I have leftover chicken pasta bake. It's actually really good, but was just something we threw together with N's favorite foods.

7. It's finally getting nice outside. Thank goodness. We still have snow though! A couple more nice days like we've been having and it should all be melted.

8. My accountant is having trouble submitting my tax returns because of N's SSN. It's coming back invalid... I'm not sure what the next step is, but I hope we can get it all straightened out.

9. My birthday is coming up next month and I really hope that my parents and B can put everything aside for one weekend so my parents could actually come visit. It would mean a lot to me.

10. I just looked at the calendar for May and saw that the Bachelorette is starting mid May. I can't wait. I'm a huge Andi fan

ball.and.chain · April 2014

@trisholio, I also crapped out (ha ha) on the idea of cloth diapers. I really wanted to do it, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I might be getting in over my head. I currently spend about 3 hours a day commuting, on top of the time I am actually at work. It's a long day and I'm not going to get a lot of time with my son once I get home...and I would rather that time NOT be spent washing diapers. It's going to be enough to get everyone fed and clean and regular laundry done and dishes washed. My sister, who is an environmental analyst, told me that she wasn't convinced the environmental impact is that significant when you factor in the energy for washing them, so that was kind of the nail in the coffin for me. They do save money overall and are adorable, but I have made my peace with it.

Also, regarding breast pumps -- have you talked to your insurance company? They should cover all or most of the cost and may only cover certain pumps, so I'd check with them before you decide on a make and model.

@Manada -- I also especially LOVE fruit and chocolate milk while pregnant.

1. My BFF bought me my diaper bag. Woo hoo! I'm excited about it. Not that I need to use it anytime soon.

And although it is supposed to arrive at our house on Thursday, she made me promise to keep it in the box until June so she could wrap it when she gets here for the shower (she is coming from out of town and didn't want to fly with a gift).

2. Our new stove arrives tomorrow...and I hope the plumber can come not too long after that to hook it up to the gas line! We have been without a stove since last Wednesday and have mostly been making it work but I just want a damn stove (and oven) already thankyouverymuch.

3. Finally signed up for infant CPR and bfing classes! (We were already signed up for childbirth). So glad to have that done, especially since they were filling up fast.

4. Now we just need to do some serious work on the nursery before we both have panic attacks.

5. I have been having SUPER weird dreams lately...everything from fireballs shooting out of the sky to getting in a big fight with my dad to renting a hotel room with my wife and finding that another family was already staying there. Between this and the cat (who thinks 2 am is a good time to play with her mouse in the bedroom -- it has a rattle in it), I have not been getting very restful sleep.

6. BUT I get to sleep in tomorrow because I am working from home due to my OB appointment.

7. Glucose test tomorrow...here's hoping I pass! We also have an u/s and I am just looking forward to seeing Mr. Baby. He's going to be so big!

8. Lunch made me sleepy.

9. I saw someone on the street by my office whom I recognized as the wife of someone who used to spend a lot of time on this board. I never met either of them IRL but recognized her from pictures. Weird!

10. I think I am in need of more tea.

mrs&mrsk · April 2014

2momsinCA i thought part of obamacare made breast pump coverage required? I guess it may be part of the 2 year extensions or even may not be covered due to policy renewal dates. i freakin hate insurance companies

ATXmommas · April 2014

ball.and.chain said:
@trisholio, I also crapped out (ha ha) on the idea of cloth diapers. I really wanted to do it, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I might be getting in over my head. I currently spend about 3 hours a day commuting, on top of the time I am actually at work. It's a long day and I'm not going to get a lot of time with my son once I get home...and I would rather that time NOT be spent washing diapers. It's going to be enough to get everyone fed and clean and regular laundry done and dishes washed. My sister, who is an environmental analyst, told me that she wasn't convinced the environmental impact is that significant when you factor in the energy for washing them, so that was kind of the nail in the coffin for me. They do save money overall and are adorable, but I have made my peace with it.

Exactly why we ended up not CD. That and Z said hell no. Also, TX is almost a constant state of drought, so I especially wasn't convinced of the environmental benefits considering where I live. And, FWIW, I laughed out loud at your pun!

trisholio · April 2014

Manada I went thru a fruit phase. I went to the store one night and bought oranges, apples, pears and strawberries and ate it for dinner. I also LOVE chocolate milk, well its regular milk with a little squirt of chocolate syrup.

CageyMack Can I please come to your church? You are in Hawaii, right? Oh that is my dream to visit there one day!

Jazibel I am so excited for you, you can pop that baby out anyday!!

2momsinCA Our insurance company does cover a breast pump. We just have to pick out the one we want to use. I was referring more towards the extra stuff, like storage bags we want to register for. Isn't there more stuff than just the pump? I obviously need to look into it some more.

ball.and.chain It's good to know that some people are realistic about using cloth diapers. I am a stay at home mom, but I rarely get laundry or cleaning done during the day. So I know that my wife will just have more stuff to do when she gets home. I wouldn't get a diapering service unless my mom paid for it, that would negate the cost difference for us and be pointless.

2momsinCA · April 2014

@mrs&mrsk- I had heard that they may only cover a manual and not an electric pump. I was just put at ease to hear not only electric but hospital grade would be covered.

@trisholio- yes, there is so much extra stuff with the pump! When we had originally registered for a medela there are also the adaptors and the membranes and various little bits and parts. But since we don't know what brand we will come home with we just deleted all that stuff and we are sticking with the milk storage bags/sets for the freezer and a variety of bottles/nipples to see what the babies will take.

ATXmommas · April 2014

2momsinCA said:
@mrs&mrsk- I had heard that they may only cover a manual and not an electric pump. I was just put at ease to hear not only electric but hospital grade would be covered.
@trisholio- yes, there is so much extra stuff with the pump! When we had originally registered for a medela there are also the adaptors and the membranes and various little bits and parts. But since we don't know what brand we will come home with we just deleted all that stuff and we are sticking with the milk storage bags/sets for the freezer and a variety of bottles/nipples to see what the babies will take.

Smart move waiting to register for/buy specific pump accessories. The pump I received through my insurance (Ameda Purely Yours) didn't work for me and I ended up switching brands. Thankfully I was still able to return some things. My insurance company only covered the pump, so you may also need to look into getting a bag, cooler, and collection bottles (unless you plan to pump directly into the bottles you plan to give LO) ahead of time. Stuff you may buy, but can love without, are the microwave sterilizing bags (I stopped sterilizing after he was about 10 weeks old) and the quick clean wipes.

Jazibel · April 2014

@trisholio‌ & @2momsinCA‌

We use cloth (variety of AIO, etc. with Kaden & love them). But we also use a natural diaper called Naty for overnights, road trips, running multiple errands, etc. (Since he turned 1 we were having more accidents with cloth if we needed him to wear them for an extended period of time).

While I love cloth I think regular diapers (especially the Eco- friendly ones) probably have similar environmental impacts. Especially if I'm using a hot wash and then an extra rinse cycle, which I do on occasion.

We'll see how it goes once I'm working regularly again and keeping up with cloth diapers. Being home it's been easy. But since they're cute I'll probably still use them and just also use more disposables. My research has shown some daycares/playcares won't do cloth, though I think more and more are transition over.

On the plus side Kaden has never had a diaper rash :-) which may be attributed to the "breathability" of cloth dipes.

Good luck deciding :-)

ATXmommas · April 2014

@newmompeanut‌ - my family is awesome! Except I too have some family drama. In my case with my SIL. It's a very sad situation for me and I can never bring myself to discuss it here.

newmompeanut · April 2014

ATXmommas said:

@mrs&mrsk- I had heard that they may only cover a manual and not an electric pump. I was just put at ease to hear not only electric but hospital grade would be covered.
@trisholio- yes, there is so much extra stuff with the pump! When we had originally registered for a medela there are also the adaptors and the membranes and various little bits and parts. But since we don't know what brand we will come home with we just deleted all that stuff and we are sticking with the milk storage bags/sets for the freezer and a variety of bottles/nipples to see what the babies will take.
Smart move waiting to register for/buy specific pump accessories. The pump I received through my insurance (Ameda Purely Yours) didn't work for me and I ended up switching brands. Thankfully I was still able to return some things. My insurance company only covered the pump, so you may also need to look into getting a bag, cooler, and collection bottles (unless you plan to pump directly into the bottles you plan to give LO) ahead of time. Stuff you may buy, but can love without, are the microwave sterilizing bags (I stopped sterilizing after he was about 10 weeks old) and the quick clean wipes.

I agree it's a smart move to wait

My insurance covered everything: pump, extra tubing, a cooler, a special ice pack that fit around the bottles, and extra pumping bottles and caps. The only limitation to what they covered was it had to be on one receipt.

2MamazInSeattle · April 2014

@trisholio, @ball.and.chain - For us, J's gym pals are all doing the cloth diaper service for us as a baby gift, which helped made the decision quite easy

- it's like $25/week, which seems reasonable for 100 diapers, and between them I think we're ending up with 4 or 5 months worth for 'free' - we'll see what happens after that for sure. @jazibel if we do use disposables I was definitely interested in the best eco-brands, and not the bright-white bleached mainstream brands if avoidable...anyhow, we'll see how it goes. Avoiding the diaper rash is a big incentive for me too! We were all cloth diapered growing up, and I did loads of diaper duty on my youngest sister so it just feels like "what you do" to me - but we'll see how things unfold IRL!!

@axtmommas - Your mom is so cute! And sorry you and SIL struggle, family is so hard sometimes.

And I am doing chiropractor visits every 2 weeks for second tri, and weekly in 3rd tri as a proactive measure and I think that + yoga + 3-mile walks is keeping me comfy, for now still a long way to go tho - I will also think about acupuncture again (hadn't thought of that!) closer to EDD. Despite my efforts, I am pretty anxious about being induced and ending up with an unnecessary c-section. My MFM clinic will only let you go 1 week late

.

@manada, I think Simone will come out as a piece of citrus! I definitely eat WAY more fruit pregnant, esp. grapfruits and oranges. My naturopath said berries increase placental blood flow, so I try for 1 cup a day. Plus, yum. I don't really drink dairy milk (I reserve my dairy intake for cheese

and yogurt for the protein) but chocolate milk sounds delicious now that you bring it up!! Rutrow.

@KLeigh1 - That Ted Talk is awesome, and I loved her book!!

healz413 · April 2014

StacyLH24 said:
7. I am trying to convince C to do shared maternity if we end up going the IVF route. I've thought about it a lot, and I would like to. Even if this IUI works and we get a take home baby, we still have one vial left. My plan from the beginning was to have one baby that is biologically mine and one that is biologically hers, knowing that I would carry both. The egg retrieval process is what she's worried about. If I can get her past that, I think we're good to go.

I'm not sure if this is reassuring, but I, for one, found the egg retrieval to be the easiest part of my process of producing eggs for our partner IVF. The discomfort from bloating with the drugs, the agonizing over whether or not you're producing enough eggs, the feeling like your body is not your own, the never ending clinic appointments, the waiting for the call about fertilization, the waiting for the call about day 3 embryos--all of those things were hard for me than the retrieval itself. I was under conscious sedation (some clinics doing general) and don't remember pain (intellectually I am aware of the fact that I felt pain at the time but I have no emotional relationship to that pain) and the part that freaked me out (needles through the vagina) turned out to be no big deal at all.
Good luck talking her into it! I hope for your sake that the IUI works and this will be a second baby process. But either way, partner IVF (shared maternity as some call it) is a pretty awesome adventure.

healz413 · April 2014

1. Bodies and minds (not that they're separate; just trying to acknowledge the whole package) are weird and amazing things. I swear that my increased "emotionalness" since we got pregnant is not pure a psychological reaction this adventure we're on (although I'm sure it's also that); I believe that it is also a physical reaction (as in, hormonal), even though I am not the person who actually has two Rockies growing inside of me.

2. As soon as I typed that, my mind went to the fact that maybe we'll discover that there's something wrong with me as a result of the IVF stimming that is causing a hormonal imbalance and it won't end up being a beautiful queer/dyke urge-to-merge melding of our bodies/lives and will instead be an actual health problem that needs addressing.

3. But back to the whole bodies are amazing thing: I am totally fascinated by epigenetics and want to read the book @2mamazinseattle previously recommended. Overly simply, epigenetics refer to the fact that the environment in which the embryo/fetus grows (the particular body it is in) affects the genes that are activated in the embryo/fetus and, as a result, affect who that baby will be.

4. So, while I'm having all this uber-queer experiences and thoughts and journeys with @Manada in the making of our family, I have to remind myself that I am not phsyically carrying a twin pregnancy, and, as a result, I should not be eating the 3500 calories a day that she is supposed to be aiming for as we approach second trimester. This is a struggle. (Well, I don't think I'm eating 3500 calories a day-- no 2 am meals for me--but I do think I'm eating more calories a day than my body needs to be healthy and happy and this has been an ongoing struggle from infertility and IVF).

5. It was rainy and cool and overcast this morning, but this afternoon is superb!

6. I need to finish up this bumping so I can take the dog out and then go to an appointment I have this afternoon.

7. I enjoyed our midwife appointment this morning although I was sad we didn't get to hear the heartbeats. I'm so glad we saw them yesterday, though, so that we didn't have to worry when they couldn't find them with the doppler. It's just too early.

8. I'm rushing through because the stove timer is going off and I want to finish before I get up to deal with that.

9. I love how active this board is these days. I think that starting the Parenting check-in has been great for keeping folks involved after they give birth or adopt.

10. I'm excited to go to Chicago for a few days!

StacyLH24 · April 2014

@healz413 - Thank you for sharing your experience. I will surely share it with C to help persuade her.

Jazibel · April 2014

@healz413 - I think you may be onto something with the mind/body connection. I have no scientific or spiritual evidence, but I think it's also really neat that it is your genetic material that is developing in harmony with/and help from your wife's body. The whole shared maternity process just blows my mind.

Ok - I worked for a non-profit organization that studied Human Consciousness, utilizing a scientific approach. I worked in the Retreat and Conference center doing event management, etc. but I participated in various studies, one of which was even documented and aired on the Discovery channel.

Anyway lots of cool articles published by the organization, or in partnership with this organization. One experiment studied the effects of related atoms. They had one atom located in the US (NYC I believe) and another in China. When they changed the rate that one turned the other changed to that same rate. Anyway my non-science educated brain can't quite put this into convincing worlds but truly it raised my awareness to many things, including that space as we perceive it doesn't necessarily reflect true reality.

Anyway what you wrote made me think of the interconnectedness of cells.

Another crazy thing I read once (ok and I'll stop since I'm supposed to be doing homework).

Is that some of a baby's cells stay within the body of the birthing mother. Those cells can then subsequently be found in the body of any siblings born of the same womb. Totally crazy. Pieced of Kaden will be alive in Owen. (And for us, pieces of the baby we lost and never knew).

ATXmommas · April 2014

2MamazInSeattle said:
@axtmommas - Your mom is so cute! And sorry you and SIL struggle, family is so hard sometimes. And I am doing chiropractor visits every 2 weeks for second tri, and weekly in 3rd tri as a proactive measure and I think that + yoga + 3-mile walks is keeping me comfy, for now still a long way to go tho - I will also think about acupuncture again (hadn't thought of that!) closer to EDD. Despite my efforts, I am pretty anxious about being induced and ending up with an unnecessary c-section. My MFM clinic will only let you go 1 week late .

Besides the other benefits, I swear acupuncture is what put me into labor. Started labor prep protocol around 37 or 38 weeks and induction protocol in my 39th week. I hear many women have success with labor induction this way. I had three total induction protocols and labor cx started within an hour after the last one. Much better than a medicated induction if it works, IMO!

ball.and.chain · April 2014

ATXmommas said:

Exactly why we ended up not CD. That and Z said hell no. Also, TX is almost a constant state of drought, so I especially wasn't convinced of the environmental benefits considering where I live. And, FWIW, I laughed out loud at your pun!

These were my wife's sentiments exactly! And if you're going to have to do a hell of a lot more laundry, you don't want to be doing it by yourself.

I am glad you laughed at the pun...I was going to write "no pun intended" but then I had to admit to myself that it was totally intentional.

firstcomeslove2013 · April 2014

C is asleep on the couch so I am going to try and get my TTT in before I wake everyone up (dogs included) and head to bed. :-)

1. I have really enjoyed reading everyone's TTT today...I love reading everyone's stories! I had been stock piling comments but accidentally deleted them so I just wanted to send a little shout out that said thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!

2. We are still in shock over our great beta....so excited/nervous to see where we are tomorrow.

3. This week has been so busy!!!! I watch two kids during the week and one kid is only part time. Well he is here every day this week and MAN am I exhausted...I know its good practice for when we have multiple kids but the change in routine is hard to get used to.

4. I lost my job (well...opted out of my job when our company closed...long story...they wanted me to stay and C and I talked about it and respectfully declined...not the job for me) about a year and a 1/2 ago and it was the best career decision for C and I. I miss being the boss but I get to be involved in so much more now!!! I love it.

5. Now that we are pregnant we are trying to fit in all those things that we won't be able to do as freely when we have our little squinter. We LOVE to go to the movies so we are already planning lots of movie dates...I know its sort of silly but we are excited and it makes me so excited to do so much planning.

6. Speaking of planning...I have already started a to do list...we have about 1,756,297 things to do and I know we still have a while but I am sure that time will fly by...we are TOTAL procrastinators and I don't want everything to be put off until the last minute.

7. My house looks like it threw up...I am excited to take some much needed cleaning time this weekend.

8. I am a little frustrated that we told my brother we had some things to tell him and he was supposed to call us yesterday and we still have not heard from him...he can be really selfish sometimes...

9. I have been working with a trainer at the gym and he made me do these really terrible and hard workouts tonight...I am sure I will thank him for it later but for today I am in pain and grumpy about it...

10. I have official run out of thoughts...off to bed! :-)

doodah1013 · April 2014

1. I still can't believe we are pregnant (at least for the moment). We have just tried for song long it is hard for my brain to really grasp the fact that it may have worked...

2. I wanna let go and just be 100% excited, but it is hard and scary. I just don't want to be heartbroken again... But I also don't want to miss the happiness that should come along with one of the best things that has ever happened to us.

3. Because of these two things, and a lots of crazy work things, I have been spending a lot of time awake at 3:00am and sometimes don't get back to sleep.

4. I went for a very slow jog/wall yesterday and made sure to watch my heart rate very closely. My legs and heart and lungs felt great. But it felt like a perpetual purple nurple! Ouch! Anyone else jogging during pregnancy have suggestions?

5. My Dad and I are going on a geocaching adventure today. Sometimes we meet in the middle. (They are in Louisville, ky and we are in Columbus, oh.). It is fun to meet him and explore remote small towns. Today we are going to Ripley, Oh which apparently has some great Underground Railroad history.

6. We started home brewing water Kefir. It's delicious, and healthy and had almost replaced my need for soda. I also really enjoy brewing it! It takes two days, but I love to see my little grains doing their job!

7. I joined a "Homesteading Support Group" in an attempt to eat more naturally. A days she is going to need a "Homesteading Support Group Suppport Group" because I keep wanting to try everything!

8. I love my new job! But it sure is a lot of responsibility. This weekend we taught over 100 girls geocaching on Saturday and then I taught another 40 girls for 7 hours straight (by myself) on Sunday. I was painfully exhausted.

9. @healz413‌ I loved your queer observations and feelings of your experience thus far. I love that you are so hyper aware of all that is happening and the cool ways it had made you connected!

10. Thanks to everyone for their hopes and thoughts for us. It really does mean a lot. We have or last beta today and I am, again, terrified. I just don't want this joy taken away again...

Bonus PIP: In all my non sleeping hours I have been starting to sew kid's clothes. Our best friends here in Columbus have 3 boys... So I keep making the oldest one clothes, knowing that they will get passed all the way down and eventually end up with out kiddos! Here is the product of Saturday morning's insomnia!

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