My phone is acting up so hopefully it lets me post! Weeks : 12 today. In some ways it is flying and others it seems to be dragging iykwim! Symptoms : my sciatica is back. It is so so painful! Let's hope it goes away again or its gonna be a long 6 months with a bump and a one year old. Raves: I have a scan today. It's been a rocky 12 weeks so I am hoping all is ok with lo.
GTKY: having no energy and wanting to still give my toddler the attention she needs and deserves. I feel guilty because I feel like she is already having to make sacrifices for this baby and it is me who is at fault. Hoping to make it up to her in the 2nd tri when hopefully my energy comes back
@HighFive16- Best wishes for today. I totally hear you on the toddler care! I'm sure she doesn't notice as much as you do . Mine just wonders why I'm always tired.
Rants/Raves/Symptoms: Rant: BLOAT. Rave: I have been shopping online and getting some good deals on a few baby things, which I find quite satisfying! haha. Symptoms: BLOAT. All the bloat. Plus the exhaustion. Thankfully the MS is letting up, but that just leaves room for more bloat. I think I look 6 months right now.
What are you doing to get ready for baby? (Feel free to skip this question if you don't have anything): Just shopping online and asking lots of my mom friends tons of questions!
Questions? Just if I should be sucking it in for my bump photos or not!
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? Patience. And the bloat, obviously, haha.
@crdo I am a bit obsessed over training and behaviourism so I apologize in advance for the novel! I would recommend getting the best, stinkiest, treats ever (like salmon or liver something) and reserving them solely for whatever task you are working on at the time. So in this case, she'd only get the best, most highly valued reward only after peeing in the yard. Do you use a timing marker (same idea as clicker but you don't have to carry anything!)? Our is just "yes" and it's immediately followed by a treat (he's food obsessed). So when he does what we ask or he spontaneously does something we like, we immediately say "yes" and then give him the treat. He associates whatever he was doing at the exact moment we said "yes" with the reward.
In order for your association of "go potty" to really work, you need to pair it so that it comes in advance of when she's going to pee. Saying it over and over again with no result will make it less meaningful. Plus you may realize over time that instead of training her to pee on command, you have trained yourself to say "good potty" after she randomly pees, hahaha.
My dog is male, so I had a better lead up because he always does a good sniff of the area and then I can see his lead up to lift his leg. So in our case, I'd keep treats with me on walks and every time I'd see him wind up to lift his leg I'd say "go pee" then when he finished I'd say "yes" then give him the treat. This way he "got it right" every single time, even though he was going to pee anyway. You have to be really consistent with this for a while (at least several days) and then you can start using it when you want to, but I'd work your way back. So for us, I went from telling him to pee when he was lifting his leg, to tell him to pee when he was sniffing for a long time, etc. and working backwards from there. Now he does it pretty consistently if I say it in the right spot/time!
You can also keep an eye out for her cues and if she goes to certain places/things to pee. My boy likes to pee on tall things like trees and fire hydrants (so cliché, I know), so I'll try to lead him to those things when I want him to pee. I may have even resorted to keeping a tiny patch of grass in the yard unmowed so it's "tall" enough for him to want to pee on...
Hopefully this is helpful and I don't sound too crazy! Good luck!
Meg&Stev I am 13w5d and I dont feel pregnant for the most part. I am not liking this period between MS and kicks. The MS gave me reassurance everything was going well.
How far along are you: 13w 5d
Rants/Raves/Symptoms:I have been having horrible anxiety followed by irregular heartbeats for the last week now. I had anxiety before I got PG but for the most part unless it was the day of a doctor appointment I have been pretty chill so this is throwing me for a loop. I have also been having headaches and the tiredness has not left as of yet.
What
are you doing to get ready for baby? Nothing yet...DH and I are still waiting a little longer since we have had two previous first trimester losses. We have our next appointment next week after that we tell DH's family at their Christmas party next Saturday.
Questions? Has anyone else experienced irregular heart beats and if so did you need to get on medicine or anything? Did it affect the baby?
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? I have struggled with being excited and not cautious about this baby. I get every pregnancy is different and this pregnancy so far is going well but I always struggle with feeling like we will actually get to have this baby.
Rants/Raves/Symptoms: Last day of regular classes today! So that's fun. Other than that, I'm feeling much better the last few days so nothing to report.
What are you doing to get ready for baby? Nada. After I get the results of the NT scan I'm having done today, we'll probably start working on that.
Questions? Ooh! I have one, today. For you that have named a baby before, if you were stuck in between two names, how did you pick? Did you just leave them both on the table until birth or did one just click one day over the other? DH and I both like Lincoln and Oliver but we don't like them together. Both prospects have different middle names attached. Of course we don't know what we're having yet so it might be a non issue as we have our girl name solidified.
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? I think just being pregnant and exhausted on top of work and school. I usually try to give 100% in both areas but lately I've been lucky to give 75%. It's something that really bothers me, but I also have to take care of myself and this baby and pumping myself full of caffeine and staying up most of the night for a few days at a time to make sure the paper I'm turning in is the BEST I can do just can't happen anymore.
@ahernandez16- Oliver is on our list too!! I love it! With both our kids, we had narrowed it down to two or three names we loved and waited until birth to see what they "looked like." It's amazing how it all works out
@knw007: Anxiety can cause palpitations or what you may feel are irregular heart beats. Anxiety can also cause headaches, but I've also heard you can get more headaches while pregnant in general (?). I would suggest bringing it up to your PCP though just to make sure everything is fine (the irregular heart beats). The added stress of a pregnancy can definitely cause more anxiety.
From personal experience, I have had 'thumps' here and there that could be palpitations, but I'm not 100% sure and I'm not sure if it affects baby, but probably not? I'm honestly not sure but that is a good question for your doctor at your next appt. Your heart is working harder since you are pumping more blood so you may notice your resting heart rate increase by about 10-15 bpm. That's normal. But if you think your beats are irregular, definitely talk to your doctor.
Good luck at your next appointment and try not to worry more (I know easier said than done).
Me - 33, DH - 33 Married - May 2014 DH - Low Count/Motility/Morph - Varicocele vein x 2 - surgery (8/11) - success! BFP - 10/10/15, EDD - 6/20/16 - It's a BOY! Baby #1 - 6/29/16 - Lucas Christopher, 10 lbs 3 oz, 22.25 inches Baby #2 - TTC May 2017 BFP - 9/10/17, EDD - 5/26/18 - It's a GIRL! - RCS May 22nd
@candicek15: Wow, great tips! We did something similar with our dog. We kept repeating "Go pee pee" or "Go poopy" over and over when we took her out (much easier when they are puppies and have to go ALL THE TIME). Even now, while she is peeing or pooping we say "good pee pee" and "good poopy". Funny thing is she hates going out when it's raining or gross out so she'll pee as close to the door as possible, runs back in the covered porch to go inside and avoids pooping, but if it's been hours since she pooped, I know she probably has to so I turn her right around, give her a little push back into the yard and keep saying "Go poopy" and 80% of the time, she goes poop! It does take a while sometimes though since they have to find the 'right spot'. We also trained her to ring a bell that hangs from the back door (which is in the basement) when she wants to go out to pee/poop. Sometimes she just rings it when she wants to play though...but it sure helps so we can hear it through the rest of the house! You definitely need some patience when it comes to training them though, but they seem to get it eventually. Especially with sticky tasty treats! We also like to train her before breakfast and dinner with a few treats and that seems to work well.
Me - 33, DH - 33 Married - May 2014 DH - Low Count/Motility/Morph - Varicocele vein x 2 - surgery (8/11) - success! BFP - 10/10/15, EDD - 6/20/16 - It's a BOY! Baby #1 - 6/29/16 - Lucas Christopher, 10 lbs 3 oz, 22.25 inches Baby #2 - TTC May 2017 BFP - 9/10/17, EDD - 5/26/18 - It's a GIRL! - RCS May 22nd
Rants/Raves/Symptoms: Rant: BLOAT. Rave: I have been shopping online and getting some good deals on a few baby things, which I find quite satisfying! haha. Symptoms: BLOAT. All the bloat. Plus the exhaustion. Thankfully the MS is letting up, but that just leaves room for more bloat. I think I look 6 months right now.
What are you doing to get ready for baby? (Feel free to skip this question if you don't have anything): Just shopping online and asking lots of my mom friends tons of questions!
Questions? Just if I should be sucking it in for my bump photos or not!
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? Patience. And the bloat, obviously, haha.
@crdo I am a bit obsessed over training and behaviourism so I apologize in advance for the novel! I would recommend getting the best, stinkiest, treats ever (like salmon or liver something) and reserving them solely for whatever task you are working on at the time. So in this case, she'd only get the best, most highly valued reward only after peeing in the yard. Do you use a timing marker (same idea as clicker but you don't have to carry anything!)? Our is just "yes" and it's immediately followed by a treat (he's food obsessed). So when he does what we ask or he spontaneously does something we like, we immediately say "yes" and then give him the treat. He associates whatever he was doing at the exact moment we said "yes" with the reward.
In order for your association of "go potty" to really work, you need to pair it so that it comes in advance of when she's going to pee. Saying it over and over again with no result will make it less meaningful. Plus you may realize over time that instead of training her to pee on command, you have trained yourself to say "good potty" after she randomly pees, hahaha.
My dog is male, so I had a better lead up because he always does a good sniff of the area and then I can see his lead up to lift his leg. So in our case, I'd keep treats with me on walks and every time I'd see him wind up to lift his leg I'd say "go pee" then when he finished I'd say "yes" then give him the treat. This way he "got it right" every single time, even though he was going to pee anyway. You have to be really consistent with this for a while (at least several days) and then you can start using it when you want to, but I'd work your way back. So for us, I went from telling him to pee when he was lifting his leg, to tell him to pee when he was sniffing for a long time, etc. and working backwards from there. Now he does it pretty consistently if I say it in the right spot/time!
You can also keep an eye out for her cues and if she goes to certain places/things to pee. My boy likes to pee on tall things like trees and fire hydrants (so cliché, I know), so I'll try to lead him to those things when I want him to pee. I may have even resorted to keeping a tiny patch of grass in the yard unmowed so it's "tall" enough for him to want to pee on...
Hopefully this is helpful and I don't sound too crazy! Good luck!
Thanks for the info and all the details!
Interesting--I read quite a bit about training dogs to use a particular place to eliminate and/or eliminate on command, and I don't recall suggestions to say the command before they start peeing. So, that's something I haven't tried, and will give it a shot! It might be tough for my dog to predict as she likes to sniff a HELL of a lot and walk a good distance before she'll pee on the leash, then it's a quick squat, and off we go. So, it'll be tough to time it right to catch her in advance
I have some treats that she loves, that she only gets when we're specifically working on training. Haha, I'm sure she'd love salmon or liver, but with this MS I'll definitely barf!
She does seem particular about texture where she goes--best places for her are in dry crunchy leaves or pine straw. There's plenty of that in my yard thankfully!
I'll try the "working backwards" association method you described, and hopefully we'll have success!
FX I don't flip my shit one day and have a pregnant-lady crying fit in the yard if this isn't successful, haha.
@BakerBird525 - We have a bell too and our Golden Retriever LOVES to play outside and will ring it constantly just so that he can play. It annoys the crap out of me and I seriously considered taking it down (what if it wakes the currently non-existant baby!?); but I know that if we do, he will just scratch at the door and then we will have to re-paint and... at least he's cute. Patience is an understatement...
How far along are you: 11+ 5 Rants/Raves/Symptoms: RANT!!! My family and our Christmas schedule are driving me insane today!!! It's already bad enough I have an entire separate calendar just for Christmas events, but things keep getting added and changing! I do not like change when I have already scheduled things. Maybe I'm just being hormonal, but my cousin and his wife are complaining because they have so much to do on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day (and I quote "We have 14 different places to be in 2 days, that's just to much for us."). It's almost like they don't think anyone else does anything for Christmas. What are you doing to get ready for baby? Finally getting close to having the nursery room and closet cleaned up and out so we can put furniture in there! This is huge for me because it was full of consignment stuff and Christmas presents. Questions? GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? I would have to say getting enough rest and keeping my energy level up.
@crdo: Patience is definitely key when it comes to training...and treats and repetition. And I'm glad DH had that patience. lol.
@Kballew10: We have a goldie too! She is lucky she is so darn cute! They are the best! (but i'm a bit biased). I will just ignore her if she went out recently and just wants to play. She will eventually come back upstairs to play. She does it mostly to get daddy's attention since he works from home all day and she probably thinks "but daddy, you're home, let's play all day!".
Me - 33, DH - 33 Married - May 2014 DH - Low Count/Motility/Morph - Varicocele vein x 2 - surgery (8/11) - success! BFP - 10/10/15, EDD - 6/20/16 - It's a BOY! Baby #1 - 6/29/16 - Lucas Christopher, 10 lbs 3 oz, 22.25 inches Baby #2 - TTC May 2017 BFP - 9/10/17, EDD - 5/26/18 - It's a GIRL! - RCS May 22nd
Rants/Raves/Symptoms: Rant-I work with quite a few older women (not seriously old though) and they think I'm so cute (apparently) just because I'm pregnant and it's annoying me. Like the other day I was drinking a little carton of milk (school cafeteria) and this woman was like, "Oooh, look at you, you're drinking mmmiiiillllkkkk." WTF? Symptoms- not much going on. I've been more tired than in the last few weeks and having some RLP. Rave- I LOVE my fetal doppler. I probably use it too much but I just check on baby before I go to sleep and its awesome!
What are you doing to get ready for baby? Researching some books to start on.
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? Keeping my appetite in check!
@BakerBird525 thank you that helps. I spoke to my OB and they want me to go to a cardiologist. Hoping it turns out to be nothing and I am just overworking myself.
Re: WEDNESDAY CHECK-IN
Weeks : 12 today. In some ways it is flying and others it seems to be dragging iykwim!
Symptoms : my sciatica is back. It is so so painful! Let's hope it goes away again or its gonna be a long 6 months with a bump and a one year old.
Raves: I have a scan today. It's been a rocky 12 weeks so I am hoping all is ok with lo.
GTKY: having no energy and wanting to still give my toddler the attention she needs and deserves. I feel guilty because I feel like she is already having to make sacrifices for this baby and it is me who is at fault. Hoping to make it up to her in the 2nd tri when hopefully my energy comes back
Rants/Raves/Symptoms: Rant: BLOAT. Rave: I have been shopping online and getting some good deals on a few baby things, which I find quite satisfying! haha. Symptoms: BLOAT. All the bloat. Plus the exhaustion. Thankfully the MS is letting up, but that just leaves room for more bloat. I think I look 6 months right now.
How far along are you: 13w 5d
Rants/Raves/Symptoms:I have been having horrible anxiety followed by irregular heartbeats for the last week now. I had anxiety before I got PG but for the most part unless it was the day of a doctor appointment I have been pretty chill so this is throwing me for a loop. I have also been having headaches and the tiredness has not left as of yet.
What are you doing to get ready for baby? Nothing yet...DH and I are still waiting a little longer since we have had two previous first trimester losses. We have our next appointment next week after that we tell DH's family at their Christmas party next Saturday.
Questions? Has anyone else experienced irregular heart beats and if so did you need to get on medicine or anything? Did it affect the baby?
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? I have struggled with being excited and not cautious about this baby. I get every pregnancy is different and this pregnancy so far is going well but I always struggle with feeling like we will actually get to have this baby.
From personal experience, I have had 'thumps' here and there that could be palpitations, but I'm not 100% sure and I'm not sure if it affects baby, but probably not? I'm honestly not sure but that is a good question for your doctor at your next appt. Your heart is working harder since you are pumping more blood so you may notice your resting heart rate increase by about 10-15 bpm. That's normal. But if you think your beats are irregular, definitely talk to your doctor.
Good luck at your next appointment and try not to worry more (I know easier said than done).
Me - 33, DH - 33
Married - May 2014
DH - Low Count/Motility/Morph - Varicocele vein x 2 - surgery (8/11) - success!
BFP - 10/10/15, EDD - 6/20/16 - It's a BOY!
Baby #1 - 6/29/16 - Lucas Christopher, 10 lbs 3 oz, 22.25 inches
Baby #2 - TTC May 2017
BFP - 9/10/17, EDD - 5/26/18 - It's a GIRL! - RCS May 22nd
My Chart
Me - 33, DH - 33
Married - May 2014
DH - Low Count/Motility/Morph - Varicocele vein x 2 - surgery (8/11) - success!
BFP - 10/10/15, EDD - 6/20/16 - It's a BOY!
Baby #1 - 6/29/16 - Lucas Christopher, 10 lbs 3 oz, 22.25 inches
Baby #2 - TTC May 2017
BFP - 9/10/17, EDD - 5/26/18 - It's a GIRL! - RCS May 22nd
My Chart
Interesting--I read quite a bit about training dogs to use a particular place to eliminate and/or eliminate on command, and I don't recall suggestions to say the command before they start peeing. So, that's something I haven't tried, and will give it a shot! It might be tough for my dog to predict as she likes to sniff a HELL of a lot and walk a good distance before she'll pee on the leash, then it's a quick squat, and off we go. So, it'll be tough to time it right to catch her in advance
I have some treats that she loves, that she only gets when we're specifically working on training. Haha, I'm sure she'd love salmon or liver, but with this MS I'll definitely barf!
She does seem particular about texture where she goes--best places for her are in dry crunchy leaves or pine straw. There's plenty of that in my yard thankfully!
I'll try the "working backwards" association method you described, and hopefully we'll have success!
FX I don't flip my shit one day and have a pregnant-lady crying fit in the yard if this isn't successful, haha.
Rants/Raves/Symptoms: RANT!!! My family and our Christmas schedule are driving me insane today!!! It's already bad enough I have an entire separate calendar just for Christmas events, but things keep getting added and changing! I do not like change when I have already scheduled things. Maybe I'm just being hormonal, but my cousin and his wife are complaining because they have so much to do on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day (and I quote "We have 14 different places to be in 2 days, that's just to much for us."). It's almost like they don't think anyone else does anything for Christmas.
What are you doing to get ready for baby? Finally getting close to having the nursery room and closet cleaned up and out so we can put furniture in there! This is huge for me because it was full of consignment stuff and Christmas presents.
Questions?
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? I would have to say getting enough rest and keeping my energy level up.
@Kballew10: We have a goldie too! She is lucky she is so darn cute! They are the best! (but i'm a bit biased). I will just ignore her if she went out recently and just wants to play. She will eventually come back upstairs to play. She does it mostly to get daddy's attention since he works from home all day and she probably thinks "but daddy, you're home, let's play all day!".
Me - 33, DH - 33
Married - May 2014
DH - Low Count/Motility/Morph - Varicocele vein x 2 - surgery (8/11) - success!
BFP - 10/10/15, EDD - 6/20/16 - It's a BOY!
Baby #1 - 6/29/16 - Lucas Christopher, 10 lbs 3 oz, 22.25 inches
Baby #2 - TTC May 2017
BFP - 9/10/17, EDD - 5/26/18 - It's a GIRL! - RCS May 22nd
My Chart
Rants/Raves/Symptoms:
I cringe every time my mother reaches to touch my stomach and the sight of her makes my blood boil. Hormones are definitely in full swing now.
What are you doing to get ready for baby?
Nursery painted and general layout set up, now making registry and stocking up on diapers.
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far?
Definitely keeping cool around my less-than-supportive family and also keeping my now-insatiable appetite in check
Rants/Raves/Symptoms: Rant-I work with quite a few older women (not seriously old though) and they think I'm so cute (apparently) just because I'm pregnant and it's annoying me. Like the other day I was drinking a little carton of milk (school cafeteria) and this woman was like, "Oooh, look at you, you're drinking mmmiiiillllkkkk." WTF? Symptoms- not much going on. I've been more tired than in the last few weeks and having some RLP. Rave- I LOVE my fetal doppler. I probably use it too much but I just check on baby before I go to sleep and its awesome!
What are you doing to get ready for baby? Researching some books to start on.
GTKY: What has been your biggest struggle during your pregnancy so far? Keeping my appetite in check!