August-how you doing? Pre-labor?

[lou]

My god there's alot of posts on here to catch up with!!! Don''t worry I haven't popped I've just been busy and sleeping, or trying to, when I'm not. love the names you've picked out jacob alexander and nicholas (middle name?). for our son we deceided on Lucien John Paul, but now I can't decide if he should have two middle names or if we should combine them Johnpaul, opinions? John is after my father and paul my grandfather.
myboysmom- glad to hear things are progressing on your housing. except for packing and moving unneccessary items we've pretty much put things on hold. my fiance is still trying to paint the outside of the town house, he works all the time so it's taking a long time to complete and he hasn't worked on it for a couple weeks now. then we still have painting to do on the inside of that house before we put it on the market. I think we're (ha, I use the term we loosely!!!) going to start on the inside this week as it's just to darn hot to work outside and we want to have that done before the baby gets here. luckily my dad is helping us take care of things at the country house, like the roof and the ceiling repairs. INS. is taking care of the costs and my dad is basically supervisor out there, thank god for that! we still have alot we'd like to do out there like new floors but I think we're just going to do a room at a time after we get moved, which could take some time now. I'd really like to get moved out there but with the amount of work still needed on the town house and the time it will sit on the market (hopefully not long, but I'm a realist) I don't think it will happen anytime soon. the market sucks right now.
I'll be checking back in to see if myboysmom has went!

I have a dr's app. tomorrow. I should be 35 weeks according to the dates, 36 weeks plus a day or two according to the last sonogram. I was told at my last appointment I may be induced at 38 weeks which would be like aug.12th as it seems I'll be having a large baby. It would be cool to have him on the 5th as that was (deceased) my grandfathers birthday and my son will carry his name. My grandfather was buried on my birthday 7 years ago so I think it would be cool for my first to be born on his birthday. My grandfather and I were very close. god I hope I get induced cause I'm just miserable right now. my hip, lower back, knees, and feet are killing me, and if they don't I'll likely die of fatigue!
I don't think he's dropped quite yet as it's still hard to breath and I get winded so easily. I read it gets easier to breath when they drop? My mom seems to think I'm definately in early labor as I've been having lower back pains, not just the normal achy feeling, and contractions though sporadically. last night I dreamed I lost my mucus plug and my water broke, wishful thinking that I incorporated into sleep I'm sure. anybody else have these dreams?

[myboysmom]

*sigh* I'm still here. LOL I told you I'd be eating my words about going before Monday, AJ! This morning was the first morning that I woke up and was disappointed that nothing happened to cause me to go to the hospital. I don't know why I'm in such a hurry; I technically have 2 1/2 weeks left. Nothing in my body feels different, but it didn't with the first 2, either. But I think I'm "over ready" mentally. My house is all picked up, ready for whoever is coming to stay with the boys when we go, ready for company, etc. I've got all the baby blankets washed and folded, all the diapers and other baby necessities ready to go. And, for a warning this may be TMI: My dh and I haven't had sex for 2 weeks b/c the last time we did, I had contractions pretty regular later in the night. Now I'm thinking, bring it on, baby!!
lou, we (my hubby) decided Nicholas Raymond. Nick is the other name his parents had picked out for him, and Raymond is his stepgrandpa who passed away last October. He was an awesome guy, and even though my hubby was like 13 yo when his mom got remarried, he and his sg did quite a bit together. As far as your little boy's name, I wrote it out a few different ways to see how it would look, and I kind of like it hyphenated: Lucien John-Paul. Had you thought of doing it that way?
God, firebabe, don't feel guilty about how much weight you've gained or haven't gained! After reading some posts by other women, if your dr. says you're doing good I'd say that's amazing! My friend (who also happens to be my nurse) stopped by tonite and told me that since I look smaller than I did with my first 2 this one is probably going to be a 9# baby. WTH?? LOL I told her to be quiet!
brittnee, as far as being a SAHM, AJ's right, it's one of the hardest, underrated jobs you will ever do, yet I wouldn't change it. I agree with the having kids close together so that after a few years you can get back into the workplace. I'm thinking the same thing. Yet, my oldest son is starting at "the big school" this year and I am so not ready for that!! I've been ready to kill both boys when they've fought constantly for an entire day this summer, but I am NOT ready to let him go into the "big kid" world. My mom stayed home with us also, and I'm grateful for that.
I have my next dr. appt. on Wed; I'll be 37 1/2 weeks, and hopefully more dialated! But, now I'm getting bummed out. My due date is the earliest in the month, I think, and all you August moms will probably go before me! You better not, or I'm not coming back to these forums. Ah, who am I kidding; I'm addicted to them! LOL
Well, I suppose, that's enough for now. I'll check back in sometime tomorrow. Oh, and if I do have the baby soon, don't worry. I'll let you know within a few days of his birth, so you won't have to wonder.

[brittneeskidmore]

I felt the baby move for the first time last night. It's weird and amazing at the same time. I can't wait until my husband can feel it from the outside!

So, I'm a little confused about something. The due date is at 40 weeks? But "full term" is 38 weeks? Why do they make the due date later? Is it because most women don't actually go into labor as early as 38 weeks?

Did any of you try the old wives tales to see if it was a boy or girl? We tried some last night. haha. They're totally not reliable!

[lou]

Myboysmom, I do like it hyphenated, great idea! I'll run it by my fiancee. I like the name you've picked! wow it really sounds like you're ready to go. I'm such a procrastinator. I still haven't packed my hospital bag. I also still have stuff to put together like the playpen and swing. I also have to get the carseats inspected and disinfect the used Items I have. I did manage to wash the baby clothes, towels, blankets, etc. Gosh, just writing this post is making me realize all the things that need to be done. it's so overwhelming. I still have so much to do at work too before I take off. I'm exhausted just thinking of it.

Well I had a Dr appointment yesterday and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. That explains the weight gain (40lbs so far). so it looks like i'll probably be induced at 38 weeks, which will be aug.12 though I won't know for sure for a couple weeks. it seems unbelievable that our son will be here in three weeks. How weird would it be if the three of us went on the same day!

brittneeskidmore- the two week difference is because they go from the first day of your last period, so you're technically not even pregnant yet. the only wives tale that worked for me is the ring over the belly one. Just wait till your getting kicked in the ribs, kinda takes teh amazing right out of the equation!!!

[alwaysAJ]

I also like the hyphenated idea! It sounds so sophisticated.... John-Paul... .

Lou, I'm sorry to hear about the GD diagnosis. I've always gained a lot, and they've checked me, but I've shown normal on the tests every time. What do they recommend for mothers who have GD? Perhaps I should follow some of those guidelines, just so I feel better and maybe don't gain so much weight? Oh, what am I talking about--there's only a few more weeks left, and I don't intend to have any more.

That would be funny if we all went on the same day! I won't know until next Wed when they will induce me. I'm so excited, I can barely wait. I just want to know a date, so I can stop this dreadful waiting game. I'm not sure what I hate more, the unbearable discomfort of being pregnant, or the whole "not knowing" when it will end. Like I'm on pins and needles with anticipation all the time, and then dissappointed because nothing happened, then excited, then mad... If I have a "sell-by" date, I think I will feel so much better about things. Then I don't have to worry about counting contractions and all that jazz (so long as fetal movements are ok and my water doesn't break...yeah, like it would...).

I have a feeling that MyBoysMom would like to pop a little sooner than the 12th, though--am I right? :P I don't blame you, it's almost a blast to the ego when other moms who are due later than you go before you. Or maybe I'm the only one who feels that way.

Brittneeskidmore, as you already heard, the due date discrepancy is because of the 2 week difference (in a normal 28 day cycle). It does not mean you'll go at 38 weeks, or even 40 . Some women ovulate much sooner during their cycle than others, so their turkey timers pop a little sooner. Then there is the flip side, and you go over 40 weeks. I do think they induce after 40 weeks (typically no later than 42) because the placenta starts to break down at about 42 weeks. 4 weeks is a pretty big window, eh? That is why I dislike the end of my pregnancy, I don't like sitting around wondering for 4 weeks (or however many).

With your first child, doctors typically won't induce or push things along before your 40 week mark (provided everything is healthy about your pregnancy) because they don't want to put the baby in harm's way in case you're one of those moms who ovulates later. Once you've had one healthy full-term pregnancy, they're a little more easy going. At least that is how it was in my experience (yours may be way different!). They wouldn't let me go early with my first, but they let me go 2 weeks early with my second. They tried to push me to 39 weeks with my 3rd, but I flipped out at the hospital and made a big scene. So I had #3 ten days early. I had been to the hospital SEVERAL times already...

Anyway, I need to go shower or bathe or something. Get my butt up out of this chair before I get too comfortable and sit here all day stalking the forums.

[brittneeskidmore]

I've heard from other people that the only one that works is the ring, too. We'll see. Patience is a virtue, right?
I got you. I'm actually not hoping (as of right now!) to go early, because I don't want to have a baby on a holiday (Christmas, New Years). I think children like to have their own day to celebrate their birth! I was just wondering how likely it is. I guess it depends on the person.

[lou]

well aj, they just reccomended to cut out sugar and complex carbs, which sucks because I love pasta. so you just try to eat alot of protein and eat meat, dairy, fruits, and veggies. Doesn't sound hard right? WRONG!!! everthing has sugar and carbs. I went shopping to stock up on good food and OMG it was depressing. No canned foods, sugar is a natural preservative so canned food tends to have a lot and so do boxed foods. I don't usually cook breakfast or lunch I just grab something fast like cereal so it was difficult trying to work around that. I thought frozen dinners like lean cuisine would be okay and they're not too bad as far as sugar and carbs go but they are lacking in the taste department. I'm not entirely sure how many sugars and carbs I'm allowed to have and my appointment with the nutritionist isn't until aug. 4th. so that's just great. I'll finally be eating as I should and will likely be induced a week later. Boy doesn't my Dr office have their **** together!!! until then I just try my best not to eat any but obviously that's just impossible. I figure if I go this drastic of a route I and our baby should be okay.

myboysmom- you previously asked about the boys schedule. Well lets just say bio mom's not happy!!!! my fiance finally told her we'd only be taking them every other weekend like the court papers say. she flipped!!! I don't know if you knew but she took my fiancée back to court to tack on extra expenses (daycare, back dr. bills that we never received but have asked for, and back daycare expenses) and cut back the visitation so she could get the child tax deduction (she claimed one and he the other as they had joint custody) and raise the amount of child support and because my fiancée was really sick he didn't show. Not a smart move but it couldn't be avoided. He then took her back to modify the agreement to get back his rights but to no avail. The judge took no pity despite notes from work and the Dr. anyway the agreement now states we're to have them every other weekend, pay for half of daycare which of course he gets no say in where they go so she sends them to the most expensive one in town and is retroactive starting in 2006, he's lost the child tax deduction, they raised the monthly amount of child support also retroactively from 2006. If we could have afforded a lawyer this probably wouldn't have happened but since we're now paying for her lawyer we can't afford one. We decided to give her EVERYTHING she asked for in court including us only having the boys every other weekend and as I said she flipped! I knew she would. She didn’t want the boys more she wants them less. She just wants the money that comes with having them. Well she dumps the boys on her sister all the time and her friends so she and her boyfriend can vacation together and they are getting damn sick of having her kids all the time. I’m certain this won’t be happening much longer. We told her that if she wants us to take the boys more that’s fine but she’s going to have to modify the agreement herself. This way we aren’t stuck with her lawyer bills and it should be no problem getting the original decree back. It does suck though that our marriage is on hold indefinitely, at least until the youngest turns 18, as they’ll take my income and assets into account and raise the support on that basis regardless of the fact that I’m having my own child. We simply can’t afford that and she only uses the money for vacations, 5 so far this year. Must be nice. doesn't matter to us though. in our minds we're already married,we don't need a peice of paper to tell us that. We did talk about maybe just having the ceremony and not signing the legal forms but I'd much rather spend the money on a nice getaway for the two of us. the ceremony and party is really for everyone else anyway and I never have liked being the center of attention.

[brittneeskidmore]

lou, I think a nice getaway is a good idea. Why waste/spend the money on a ceremony to show everyone else that you're committed? You (and partner)know you are! Who else needs to know? A vacation will be much more fun!!

[alwaysAJ]

Holy cow, Lou! Geeze, that is a lot to deal with . It sounds similar to my own situation, but reversed: I'm the biological mom who missed court while my ex did show up--told the judge I abandoned my kids, but in reality he took them from me and refused me any visitation, so we applied for a court date. I never got any notice of a court date until 2 days AFTER court had been held. I fought it, too, but the law sucks here. They treated me as if I were this horrible person. In reality, my kids live in a palace here and a shack at their dad's (with no ac, and windows that are broken and boarded up, no yard). Nothing I can do, he won't give them up because he knows it is the only way to get me back for leaving him. He also doesn't want to loose the support I have to pay him. Yeah, I'm unemployed and have (almost) 2 *additional* kids, and I still pay for daycare, hospital/medical/dental, and regular support costs in addition to what I provide them outside of that (they're here so much, I still have to provide things as if they were living with me full time). Nevermind that my husband has a great income, his income can't be factored into the equation (by Michigan law). Thank God for some things... But my husband does pay out the teeth for them, and I thank him so much. He pays for me to be able to drive them back and forth...gas is expensive, I drive an SUV, and they live half an hour away (at their Dad's), one way. I have to take them back and forth to school, too (Dad's school district). 3 times a day, every day I have them--one was in half day Kind., the other in first grade. Then throw a small infant in the mix (stuck in a car for 3 plus hours a day). And now I have another baby to stick in the car. Oh, yes, they're now in full-day school. But because of budget cuts, they're now in 2 different schools!!! WTH? K-1st in one school, 2-4th in another. Miles away from each other... I'm so upset, but there's nothing I can do. In the meantime, I live in an amazing school district (the one they're in is in such disrepair, and nobody will support the taxes because they're all retired or second home Chicago people). I am 2 overnights away from being joint physical (we share legal custody), but he won't give me those 2 days--I technically have them more days than that, but they don't count unless they're overnight. He made it impossible for me to take my children on vacation this year, out of spite (I took them to Disney last year, he was so jealous of his own children). And my husband and I provide all of my children's extraccuricular activities and bible camps, take them to church, etc. They don't do anything at their dad's except go to school and daycare, come home and eat and go to bed at 7:30--I'm not joking. When there is no school, they're in daycare from 7am to 5:30pm. I stay at home with my children, and when my older 2 are here (and I'm mobile) we go places like aquariums, zoos, children's museums, petting zoos, fairs, etc. And they have siblings here, they don't at their father's. They dress my daughter in long boy shorts (can we say Huck Finn?) and tell her the shorts I buy her are too short... I buy the same style shorts that are her size in the girl's dept. Nothing inappropriate! They cut all of her hair off and give her pixie bangs. My poor, beautiful daughter. I took my son to get his hair done at the barber, he came back with a whack-job buzz cut. I have my daughter's hair cut at a salon to try and style it, she comes back looking like she got in a fight with the lawn mower. The day I picked them up before taking them to Disney (it was the evening before), they had shaved half my son's head and dyed it "Electric Banana Blue." My daughter's hair was pinkish. Uh, he was 5 and she was 6. I was so horrified, but there wasn't much I could do. People gave me the strangest looks, and even his parents questioned what was going on (they live in Orlando and visited us while we were there). And the pictures looked awful. I'm sure that's why they did it. They tell my children stupid lies (I mean, they're really ignorant things to tell a child), and I am stuck trying to find the appropriate way to correct my kids without causing more confusion or making their Dad look bad. And every time their father comes to pick them up, he has some negative comment to make about their time with me... I am so sick of it. And my hands are completely tied. I have spent so much energy being angry, crying over it, depressed, getting angry again.

Can you believe he told my kids they couldn't go to Disney two Xmas' ago because they were spending Christmas with me? He knew months in advance what the schedule was, and he did that to my kids. They were heartbroken, and I looked like the bad guy because they thought it was somehow my fault. So, my husband and I took them to Disney that summer. Why I had to make up for something my ex told them is beyond me, but we all had fun. Next summer, its the US Virgin Islands. :P Doesn't require a passport, nothing he can do about it. I didn't know how badly he would screw me over this summer regarding my visitation time with them, but I now know how to beat him at his own game for next summer. He found a loophole, yes, but he played his cards too soon and now he can't surprise me again. I can't really travel this summer anyway, so I'm saving the fun for next summer .

Ugh, I write too much. Sorry!

[alwaysAJ]

OMG, by all means! Do go on vacation, don't worry about the wedding, just do a civil ceremony. Or, you could do an all-inclusive wedding package from Sandals or something like that if you want to do something nice. I know a lot of people tell me that the Sandals destinations are super nice, and great for the money you spend (not too expensive). I had looked into their all-inclusive family resorts (beaches.com), but they require passports .

If I could do it all over again, I would have foregon the wedding. We had a civil ceremony first, and then a wedding a year later (I just HAD to wear that stupid dress). We didn't go on our honeymoon until after the "wedding" and suddenly I understood why people always say they'd wished they'd eloped after going through a wedding. It is a huge pain in the rear, expensive, and nobody really remembers it--you spend all that money trying to impress people, and they couldn't care less what favors you got them, and they won't remember your dress or the beloved vows you wrote for each other. They're just there for the food and drink (exluding mothers, they sometimes actually want to be there).

Take that money and go somewhere nice!