\\\ Grad Check-in: 7/25/16 ///

[sleepymonkey]

Hello GRADS!!!

Congratulations to our newest grad caer !

sonpetitlapin , Divefrog , winogirl , radiantly , theotherone , beckyp005 , flippinchica , colinsfebmommy , Maggie0424 , lucylulu , flyliceandcoffee , cml112 , sunni1 , b0710 , manderslvt , meredithcarole , aswedishbee , mdogan29 , lickwed , scorpioscuba , jess9802 , zombiesquad , mom2boxers , MissMusic , luvmyponies , URMySunshine77 , KirstenAlecia , rnmommy , bgkc4 , pittpurple , agpjt413 , lennonkdc , mamafesto , jwinct , ladystrat , bazinga , summergirl1211 , beachdreamer, tiresiastheblond , caer


How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)?

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc?

Upcoming milestones or appointments?

Do you need any thoughts or prayers?

And as always, bump/baby pics are encouraged!!

QOTW: How did you meet your SO?

[summergirl1211]

AHHH! Congrats caer! I must have missed this! FX for a happy and healthy 9 months!

How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable 17 weeks, 1 day. Turnip

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)? No complaints!

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc? I'm trying not to compare to last pregnancy but I'm getting bigger faster and am worried about how I'll end up in 5 months. I'm trying to love my body and the process but sometimes it's hard.

Upcoming milestones or appointments? a/s scheduled for 8/19! I can't wait.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers? No thanks.

And as always, bump/baby pics are encouraged!! my 17 week photo from yesterday:



QOTW: How did you meet your SO? We worked at the same law firm. He had just graduated law school and passed the bar and I was about to start my 2nd year. We worked in different departments in the firm but he still asked our mutual boss if it was okay to date me since he was recently hired as an attorney and not just a clerk. It was sweet.

[sonpetitlapin]

Congrats caer!!!

Lil D (or not so little) will be 9 months on the 1st. He is standing for about a minute and taking small steps. He mimics our words. He is an active little boy with sheer determination.

I am anxious to see his stats at his 9 month check up on Friday. He is huge!

Below is a picture of him with a baby 4 days older then him. Look at his bear claws!

QOTW: I meet him off of POF.

[caer]

Thanks summergirl1211 and sonpetitlapin!

How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable. I'm 4w3d

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)? I'm anxious. PGAL/PAIF continues to be a bitch.

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc? I had my third beta drawn this morning. I had a doubling time of 55 hours for the first two and I'm hoping for a better result today.

Upcoming milestones or appointments? Nothing yet until I get me beta result.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers? Just for a good beta, please.

And as always, bump/baby pics are encouraged!!

QOTW: How did you meet your SO?
We met in law school. We were in the same study group but we both had SOs. When those relationships ended, we started dating and the rest is history.

[flyliceandcoffee]

caer - congrats!
@summergirk1211 - you look great! I think I was way bigger at 17w

Not much going on here, I had his 9m appt on Fri, surprise surprise, he's zero percentile for height and weight, weighing in at just under 15 lbs and reaching a whopping 25.5 inches. He'll grow out of his 3-6m clothes soon hahaha!

QOTW: we blame our dogs for how we met. My crazy ass beagle saw his pug and refused to leave the park. So they played, we chatted and that was that.

I give you the opposite end of the spectrum from sonpetitlapin...

[agpjt413]

Hey ladies!!! So sorry I haven't checked in in forever, but I stalk y'all often!!

Mucho congrats, caer!!!

How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable 37w3d // winter melon

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)? Large, HOT, heartburn-y, tired - the usual late 3rd tri stuff I suppose

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc? Went out to BRU and Target to pick up last min newborn essentials and things for my go bag - which I told myself I'd pack TODAY!!!

Upcoming milestones or appointments? Started weekly appts w/ NST and cervical check a couple of weeks ago. Next appt is Friday 7/29. Last week I was 1cm dilated & 50% effaced.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers? Not at the time, thank you.

Here's a bump pic from last week...



QOTW: How did you meet your SO? We met thru work. I honesty don't know if I'd be married if we didn't meet thru work b/c I was so married to my job at the time.

[URMySunshine77]

Keeping all my fingers crossed for great betas caer!

It's good to see all of your updates. Things are OK here. DD is a chunk and gaining better neck strength daily. I love that I don't have to worry about that newborn frailty anymore. She thinks her big brother is the bee's knees and smiles and laughs when he's around her. All of her dark, berry colored hair fuzz is being replaced by a dirty blonde fuzz. She has been an easy baby and adaptable despite her brother's troublesome times recently.

DS at 3.5 is imaginative and tenacious. His vocabulary is great and he is quickly becoming a good little friend to me. We are still dealing with some defiance and anger issues, but they are fading out. I think he is getting used to our new life and routine. I'm looking into an occupational therapist for some sensory integration issues. Maybe if we get a plan he'll be more calm and level. Overall, we've found that the less angry and shouty we are, the less he lashes out at us. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers for the first few months!!

I am always lurking for reg and grad updates. love you all!

[flyliceandcoffee]

eeek! agpjt413, you're getting sooooo close!!!!!!

[beachdreamer]

Congrats, caer!!! I hope you get some good betas!

How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable 11 w 1 d, fig

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)? I still have my days where I wonder if this is real. Physically I have few symptoms and I mostly feel my usual self. I do notice my pants getting tighter and it's firmer under my csection scar, but my weight is basically the same. I'm already preferring stretchy clothes!

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc? We decided to keep DS in the smaller room for now in the new house. Then either closer to baby time, or more likely, a couple of months after sibling arrives, he can get a new big room and we will move the baby to the smaller room. It was really up in the air until moving day.

Upcoming milestones or appointments? Next OB appointment 8/5. They will do all the genetic bloodwork then (I still need to decided which test(s) I want done) as well as baselines for kidney, liver, etc so we have something to compare to later on if pre-e rears its ugly head again..hopefully won't be necessary but I'm glad we'll be prepared.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers? I'm good.

And as always, bump/baby pics are encouraged!!

QOTW: How did you meet your SO? We met at a local dive bar. My friend and I were out at our favorite place when he walked in with two of his friends. She starting talking to my (now) H when she realized she thought he and I would be a good match. We talked for a while that evening, then he broke the "rules" and called me the next day. We both said we'd never date anyone we met in a bar, yet here we are over 10 years later.

[caer]

Thanks for the good thoughts! My third beta came back at a 42 hour doubling time, which is great! Ultrasound next week.

[obscurereference]

I'm new around here and just wanted to pop in and say there are some cute babies and bumps in here! Looking good, ladies!

[agpjt413]

Jul 25, 2016 13:33:46 GMT -5 caer said:

Thanks for the good thoughts! My third beta came back at a 42 hour doubling time, which is great! Ultrasound next week.

So awesome!! GL for your u/s next week!

[agpjt413]

Jul 25, 2016 14:12:22 GMT -5 obscurereference said:

I'm new around here and just wanted to pop in and say there are some cute babies and bumps in here! Looking good, ladies!

Hi there! Thanks so much and hope you (and other members) get to join us grads soon! You're in excellent hands with the ladies on this board - love them!!

[sleepymonkey]

beachdreamer, I met MH at a bar as well! I never expected to marry a guy I met at a bar either but it's been 14 years (married almost 8) and going strong.

[tiresiastheblond]

So great to see so many familiar faces today!

beachdreamer, we're in the middle of a similar bedroom logistics challenge. Lots of moving, etc, ahead. FX for great results on the testing you have coming up!
URMySunshine77, So glad DS is starting to adjust to all the changes! I hope the OT is helpful as well!
agpjt413, You look great! And you're so close!
flyliceandcoffee, Aaaw, he's adorable!
caer, I missed this, too--congratulations! I know exactly how you feel with the PGAL brain, but I'm so glad your most recent beta was reassuring!
sonpetitlapin, He's so cute! And it looks like he's standing all on his own in the picture.
summergirl1211, You look amazing! You a/s is almost here--so exciting!
sleepymonkey, Thanks for the check-in, and good luck with your natural cycle!


How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable 12 weeks/lime

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)? Still really tired (I have a cold, which might be why.)

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc? The baby is forcing us to actually fix up the fixer-upper we moved into last year (for example, the prospect of dealing with baby bottles without a dishwasher was enough to finally get us going on renovating our kitchen. On the one hand, yay! On the other, so. much. work.

Upcoming milestones or appointments? Weekly u/s with RE is Thursday; first OB appointment scheduled for August 11.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers?

And as always, bump/baby pics are encouraged!!

QOTW: How did you meet your SO? Blind date. We went to the zoo.

[agpjt413]

Jul 25, 2016 12:37:22 GMT -5 flyliceandcoffee said:

eeek! agpjt413, you're getting sooooo close!!!!!!

I know it's so crazy!!! I'm in the process of packing my go bag - still need to get some snacks together and then I think I'm set!

Eta: words

[summergirl1211]

tiresiastheblond, yay for another great update! I'm so excited to see that you're getting really close to graduating from your RE. Constantly thinking of you lady.

agpjt413, ahhhh so close! Hang in there lady. Before you know it that baby will be here! Thinking of you during these last days/weeks.

URMySunshine77, I'm glad to hear that your DS is starting to calm down for you. I know you've been really struggling with him. I'm terrified of how my almost 4 year old will act once this baby gets here. The tantrums and defiance is pretty bad already and I'm expecting it to get worse.

[MissMusic]

caer -yay congrats!!

I'm exhausted but I'm making it a point to be on the boards more often. This will be a short post because I need sleep!

My little fatty is 3.5 months old. We are FINALLY going to the gastro specialist this week! Thats the big update. I'm hoping we get find out whats going on and how to fix it. I hope they don't think I'm nuts. I just want them to help my baby.

He's getting cute, though.

[beachdreamer]

URMySunshine77, my DS sees OT for feeding issues. I have seen more progress with him in a short amount of time with OT than I have with his PT and ST. Not that those haven't helped...I'm just thrilled with his OT. I see them do great work with other kids on sensory issues when I'm in the observation room. I hope you have success with OT and your son as well.

[URMySunshine77]

beachdreamer thanks for the encouragement. When the teachers recommended an OT, it seemed like the missing key that we needed for so long. I'll share any updates. Good luck with your son's treatment!

[lennonkdc]

Hello GRADS!!!

Congratulations caer! Happy and healthy 9m!


How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable 36&1, papaya

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)? Physically it's starting to get rough, emotionally I'm trying to stay up beat and getting some excited to meet this little girl.

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc? Just washing clothes, bottles and finishing the nursery, on the home front. On the work side, I have 2 more weeks of being in court before I unofficially start maternity leave!

Upcoming milestones or appointments? 36 wks check up tomorrow and GBS test.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers? Not at this time.

QOTW: How did you meet your SO? We worked at the same restaurant. He had just graduated culinary school and I was taking a year off to figure out what I wanted to do with my life lol.

And as always, bump/baby pics are encouraged!!

[sonpetitlapin]

caer, So glad your BETA come out well! FX

tiresiastheblond, Woohoo on graduating from the RE! I have been stalking you like a hawk. Lil D was standing by himself in that picture!From my angle you could see it very well. I wanted to get it on camera but I was afraid he was going to fall and hit his head since it was really his first time standing by himself for a good amount of time. Now he let's go and test his limits. He blows my mind.

[mom2boxers]

Hi Ladies! It's been awhile since I've checked in but I've been lurking.

How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable - LO is almost 5 months old. Just over 11 lbs. Not sure of length.

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)? - The toddler and the baby keep me on my toes.

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc? - She's rolling over, sleeping on her tummy, and reaching for objects. She's now on Alimentum due to an unconfirmed milk protein intolerance/allergy. The joys of documenting poop color and consistency. Exploring using ready-to-feed only for a few days to see if her congestion clears up and we have a possible corn intolerance/allergy or if it's just a run-of-the-mill dc cold that lasts forever.

Upcoming milestones or appointments? - 6 month appointment in August for well check. We've been hovering in the 1st/2nd percentiles for weight. Meeting with an allergist in August for a consult. I want to know what I'm dealing with or have somewhere I can go if things start happening when we begin to introduce purees.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers? I'm good right now.

______________

MissMusic - What kind of issues are you having with your LO? I saw you mentioned a GI doc.

It's been frustrating for me over the last month. I've been feeling like I have to be the doctor and figure out how to fix it. Dr. Google and I are tight right now.

[theotherone]

caer, congratulations and HH9 to you!! And FX for great betas!

tiresiastheblond, I am still so freaking excited for you I can hardly contain myself.

lennonkdc, agpjt413, you are both getting so close!!! And lennonkdc, I hear you on court at this stage. It was so hard the last few weeks before P was born. Hang in there!

summergirl1211, Love your little bump!

MissMusic, good luck with your GI visit.

URMySunshine77, glad things are calming down for you.

sonpetitlapin and flyliceandcoffee your moose and peanut babies are adorable!

:::waves at obscurereference :::


AFM: P is 13.5 months. Our daily routine consists of just trying to keep him from climbing onto things, diving off, and dying. If he's alive at the end of the day we are thrilled. And exhausted. He is SO much more active than DS1 ever was.

Anyone want/need a kiss?



QOTW: +1 for meeting at a bar. I went out with my roommate to play pool and drink beer but all the tables were full. We put quarters down on one to "get in line" to play and then sat down with a pitcher to wait. DH and his friend were the ones playing the table at the time and after about 10 minutes he came over to me and asked if we wanted to play doubles instead of waiting. That was 19 years ago next month. I feel old!

[radiantly]

Hey everyone
My little girl is 10.5 months! She's cruising and very clingy. So much fun. Starting to kiss me open mouth which is my favorite right now. Are we evolutionarily predisposed to want to French kiss our babies??

I am getting more clarity about moving out of NYC in the next year or so and pretty sure I know where we want to go. Excited! I plan to ask my boss eventually if I can work remotely. That would be ideal but o don't know if she will be okay with that.

Here's a pic

Currently on vacation

PS we met online!

[jwinct]

How far along are you? Week/fruit or vegetable I was 29 weeks on Monday; baby's the size of a butternut squash or a Barbie convertible (thought, he's measuring big according to my MFM doctor)

How are you feeling (physically and/or emotionally)? My legs swell while I'm at work and then are very sore by the end of the day, but otherwise I feel really good. I'm still a bit worried and confused about what is going on with my placenta, but I guess I have to wait until my next u/s in mid-August.

Other Updates? Thoughts, vents, baby preparations, etc? The nursery is 99% done, which makes me happy, and we really have everything we need. It's early, but we're all ready for his arrival.

Upcoming milestones or appointments? I just have my monthly check-up next week. I will be voicing my concerns (again) over the severe lack of communication between the MFM specialist and my OB's office.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers?

And as always, bump/baby pics are encouraged!!
Here's this week's ugly bathroom bump pic. Third time mom, baby boy.



QOTW: How did you meet your SO? We met on Match

[MissMusic]

mom2boxers
Its just the screaming. He's not a happy baby, ever. For the first 10 weeks he was screaming his face off 10+ hrs/day. It makes him not be able to sleep. There is no comforting him. So far they've said its severe reflux and colic, but since nothing--not even him getting older--is really fixing the problem, we're seeing the specialist.

They don't think its an aleergy, either.

I have to say he's better than he was on the meds, but again, its not cured. Not even close. He cries tears of pain and often cries until he's so exhausted that he passes out for 20min, then he's back to crying.

[mom2boxers]

Jul 27, 2016 14:14:20 GMT -5 MissMusic said:

mom2boxers
Its just the screaming. He's not a happy baby, ever. For the first 10 weeks he was screaming his face off 10+ hrs/day. It makes him not be able to sleep. There is no comforting him. So far they've said its severe reflux and colic, but since nothing--not even him getting older--is really fixing the problem, we're seeing the specialist.

They don't think its an aleergy, either.

I have to say he's better than he was on the meds, but again, its not cured. Not even close. He cries tears of pain and often cries until he's so exhausted that he passes out for 20min, then he's back to crying.

I'm so sorry to hear this. My LO didn't show blood in her diapers even though it can be microscopic and only exhibited a couple of the symptoms of allergy/intolerance so my pedi was reluctant to say milk protein allergy/intolerance. She switched us to soy but after reading about the lack of research on plant based proteins for babies I moved to the milk free/soy free formula and she has done much better and is gaining weight again and no more GI issues.

Have you tried any food eliminations if you're BFing or a non-milk based formula if you're formula feeding just to see what happens?

[zombiesquad]

Congrats to  all the new moms and moms to be. Thanks, sleepymonkey, for continuing to include me in the check ins. Life has been crazy with a preschooler, infant and juggling work and home, but my situation is definitely not unique as I know we're all juggling in some way. I'm currently having a big glass of wine to cope with it all.

DS is 5 months, but can easily pass for a 9 month old. He's a happy, smiley little chunk. His big sister loves him and it is so fun to see his face light up when she enters the room. 

I literally just stopped pumping--like yesterday. So I'm having mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, i feel bad because I pumped and nursed a lot longer with DD and I feel like I'm cheating DS. On the other hand, I am accepting the fact that breastfeeding isn't an all or nothing thing. DS is now getting formula at daycare and I'm nursing at home and hope to do that for as long as I can. Regardless, I have a happy baby no matter how he's fed and that makes me feel better. We plan to start him on some solids this weekend so we'll see how that goes. He looks like he wants to tackle us when we have food so I think he's more than ready.

As far as how H and I met, we actually met at work while I was dating someone else. We became friends and I eventually broke up with my boyfriend so I could start dating H. Scandalous, I know

[MissMusic]

Jul 27, 2016 14:23:12 GMT -5 mom2boxers said:

Jul 27, 2016 14:14:20 GMT -5 MissMusic said:

mom2boxers
Its just the screaming. He's not a happy baby, ever. For the first 10 weeks he was screaming his face off 10+ hrs/day. It makes him not be able to sleep. There is no comforting him. So far they've said its severe reflux and colic, but since nothing--not even him getting older--is really fixing the problem, we're seeing the specialist.

They don't think its an aleergy, either.

I have to say he's better than he was on the meds, but again, its not cured. Not even close. He cries tears of pain and often cries until he's so exhausted that he passes out for 20min, then he's back to crying.

I'm so sorry to hear this. My LO didn't show blood in her diapers even though it can be microscopic and only exhibited a couple of the symptoms of allergy/intolerance so my pedi was reluctant to say milk protein allergy/intolerance. She switched us to soy but after reading about the lack of research on plant based proteins for babies I moved to the milk free/soy free formula and she has done much better and is gaining weight again and no more GI issues.

Have you tried any food eliminations if you're BFing or a non-milk based formula if you're formula feeding just to see what happens?

I am BF'ing and did dairy elimination with little or no results. I don't do much dairy anyway since I am lactose intolerant and drink almond monk, don't really like ice cream, etc. I got a 2d opinion from a pedi who suggested eliminating wheat and a bunch of other things, but my kid is gaining weight like a fiend and I can't say he ONLY cries after eating because thats not true at all.

I'm confused, frustrated, etc. I'm hoping we get some ideas tomorrow.