August-how you doing? Pre-labor?

[alwaysAJ]

Hello, congratulations, and welcome! Is this your first child? If so, I can't explain anything more exciting than a first-time pregnancy (or the first time you hold your little baby). Yes, we complain, but we complain out of love (haha). You'll definately understand once you get to the end, and it is always nice to have a sympathetic ear to talk to (because your significant other never really understands what you're going through, nor do your friends unless they have kids). And it is always nice to have someone who is going through it at the same time, because you forget after a while (like, weeks)--which is, I think, God's way of ensuring we continue to have children even after we find out how much it sucks at the end!

I think MyBoysMom is due (by all technical terms) a few weeks before I *should* be due, so she may go any day now (woohoo!). My husband and I are currently "disagreeing" on what day I want to ask to be induced. I want Friday the 8th (which puts me at just slightly 38 weeks, but puts his weight at about 9 pounds). He wants me to wait until the 15th, his father's birthday (which puts the baby at closer to 9.5 or more)... I could push him down the stairs, he isn't the one stuck struggling to push out a 9-10 pound bowling ball with the fear that after all of that pushing, I won't be able to get him out, and they'll have to do a c-section. So yeah, it is my way or the highway as far as this is concerned. I also have some really good reasons (regarding my oldest children and visitation schedules) that the 8th would work and the 15th wouldn't.

Anyway, I'm off that soapbox for now. I will say, they can usually determine the sex of your baby at the 20 week ultrasound. I've heard that they can detect it as early as 14 weeks, but most ultrasound techs refuse to even try before 20 weeks--too high a risk of an accidental mis-diagnosis. So not too much further for you . There is a blood test you can take, but it was expensive ($250+) and I'm not entirely sure how accurate it is. I did it with my last child when I was about 9 weeks, and it said I was having a girl. I did have a girl, but heck, that's a 50-50 guess for $250. We didn't do it this time along.

[alwaysAJ]

BTW, I'm able to post so quickly because I've been online uploading photos and trying to "scrapbook" albums for the past few years, and for family trips. It has been quite the undertaking, but is fun. So I can see when a new post has been made (for now).

[brittneeskidmore]

My goodness! That sure is an expensive guess. I can wait until the 20 weeks, I suppose. =) It is our first. We've been married for two years and there are two granddaughters among my husband's siblings and absolutely no grandchildren on my side. SO... that's why we're hoping for a boy, to have something new. =)

Did you get the 3D ultrasound? They told us that we could get that (for additional dollars, of course) but also didn't say when. The whole time issue is obsolete in my OB's office, apparently. They're really good about answering questions if you ask them, but they don't just tell you things. Most of the time I can't think of any questions the whole few weeks I'm thinking about them, and then think of plenty I should have asked later. =/

I have one friend who has children recently. The rest either had them five or more years ago or has none at all. My husband is in the Air Force, so we have a wide age range for friends, but none of them are close to the point I am. My mom (bless her heart) tells me NOTHING unless I prod it out of her. For instance, I was telling her about a girl I work with who gave birth 2 whole months early, but the boy was healthy and is 5 now. She said, "oh yeah, well you were two months early, too." Well, heck. Why are you just now telling me this? And about the whole water breaking thing... I didn't realize that there's a "plug" too. I'm very much a planner and self proclaimed 'researcher'. I have to know what everything is, what it means, where it came from, why it happens, and who it happens to... otherwise I flip out about everything. I'm pretty sure that's going to be what gets me. There is GOING to be SOMETHING that I hadn't heard about or read about, and I won't know what to do.

I have a formal event this weekend (husband's grandparents' 50 wedding anniversary) and absolutely nothing to wear. I'm going to go stress about that now.
Maybe myboysmom is having the baby this week!

[alwaysAJ]

LMAO, you sound JUST like me (my husband says he's not sure if that is a good thing... ). I have to know everything, at all times, so I read up on it all--which makes me a "self-proclaimed expert" at all that I have researched . And even after having 3 kids, like I said, you forget things. So here I am, constantly searching the internet for every last piece of information I can get about pregnancy and childbirth, as if I've never done this before. Because, whether you've had one or four, each birth is different. I obsess about these things, or I might just obsess about things in general. :P
My clinic doesn't tell us things either (I also think of great questions afterward, after freezing up when I'm in the office), but I read just about everything they have posted all over the walls (I'm a notorious for this, even in the bathrooms--I'll read the back of a cereal box if you leave it on your counter. I can't help it.) So I know that the best time for 3-D ultrasounds is between 28 and 32 weeks. They did one (without me asking) yesterday, so I don't think they're planning to charge me for it--I think the ultrasound tech might have been a little bored while waiting for the doctor. But she couldn't get a good view of his face because he was so low in my pelvis. It was neat, I suppose, but I don't think I had any attention span left at that point. After 20 minutes on the table, I started to loose interest (I ended up being on there for over an hour). All I really wanted to know was how big he was, when my new due date was, and what they planned to do about it. Other than that, my mind started to wander to the posters on the wall, lists of things I needed to do, did I tell the babysitter what time I'd be home, will I even be home on time.... stuff like that. The ultrasound tech talked for some time, and I'm sure I responded, but I wasn't "all there." When the doctor came in and said they would schedule me to be induced, I was afraid I might jump off the table and hug him. Scheduling this has got to be the best thing ever, because I do not deal well with surprises. They stress me out (surprises that I know are coming, anyways. Surprises that I don't know are coming, like gifts, are always welcomed ). I am that woman who agonizes over everything, and it has taken every ounce of self control to NOT agonize over every symptom (and get my hopes up) this time around.
I am hoping MyBoysMom does get to have her little one very soon. She sounds like she's gonna go any day! But then again, if it were me, I wouldn't go for several more weeks. Some Moms are SO lucky! They have "labor signs" and bam, they're in labor. Me? I have labor signs that go on and on and on and on and on... A lot like my posts :P.

[myboysmom]

I wish I could get a second ultrasound done right now. I'm getting so curious!!

Congrats, brittnee! And yes, one of the priveleges of being pregnant is being able to complain about the joys and pains that go with it! And it must a rule or something that dr's don't share any info with you unless you ask. ARGH! I always have to ask what the difference in my weight is, or what my blood pressure is. Oh, well.
As far as researching goes, I'm the same way. I go through phases. I get really stuck on something and read about it, look it up, watch it, or listen to it to death. And then once I'm done, I don't want to hear about it for a while.

AJ, I was laughing so hard reading about your hubby trying to tell you when to have the baby! That is so typically male. (shaking my head) This past week my dh was first on call at work which means he has a bit more responsibility than the rest of the month. So he keeps telling me everyday that this isn't a good week for him and that I can't go into labor. Yeah, he's joking to a point, but come on! And then tomorrow he's leaving first thing in the morning to head to Des Moines, which is about 90 minutes from where we live, to get some more supplies for our house we are redoing. I tried to express that I would rather he not go, but he doesn't seem too phased. So I just told him, all right, be ready to drop what ever you're doing/buying and get to the hospital in the next hour! We have a ton of family really close so I'm not worried about the kids or getting to the hospital, but if he's not there, I'm going to be livid!

I'm feeling pretty ready. I went grocery shopping today with my 2 yo and we had a good morning. I just need to do a bit more cleaning such as the bathroom for company and we'll be good. I've been making lists and worrying about silly things that aren't crucial. As far as labor signs, I've had more people tell me in the last 3 days that I've dropped really low. The pressure on my pelvis has been almost unbearable and I've been exhausted at the drop of a hat. My dh and I took the boys to the pool today, and I got in the water too. I'm sure I'll pay for that in the middle of the night. (Ab muscles and leg cramps)

Brittnee, that's funny that your mom didn't tell you that you were 2 months early till now. And I've never noticed what I would call a mucus plug with my first two, nor did my water break until I was on the table in labor at the hospital, so who knows. Good luck finding an outfit for this weekend! If we were close, I'd loan this outfit I have. It's the perfect dress-up outfit for being pregnant. I wore it last month, and my bff borrowed it while she was pregnant the month before that.

So, AJ, how much money you got riding on the 25th? I'm thinking possibly even before Monday, but I'll eat those words, I'm sure! LOL

[alwaysAJ]

I don't know, it just felt like that was the right time for you . I'm usually pretty good at guessing these things (for other people). So please be sure and let me know how "off" I was Or if I was correct?

I went and bounced on the trampoline, it was so much fun. Don't worry, I was super careful! :P

[brittneeskidmore]

I did find an outfit for this weekend. I'm in that weird stage where you look bigger, but not pregnant. I just look fatter than usual, so I needed an outfit to disguise that. =/ We're leaving today at noon.
My husband is in the AF, so we live in Mississippi, but none of our family lives here. AND we've only lived here about 6 month, so we don't have any close friends here. I told him that when it gets closer, he's not going ANYWHERE without me, except work. We bought a house kind of in the country, so we only have one neighbor. If they're not home, I'd be hosed. He's just as nervous as I am about me being alone when it happens, so he agreed! I drive 40 minutes to work everyday and the hospital where I'll deliver is between my house and work. So anyway--I know what you mean about your husband leaving town!!

Do you all have a changing table? I read in an article that they're a waste of space and money, so I'm not sure whether to get one or not. I'm sure y'all are just using what you already had since it's not your first, but I was wondering about your thoughts.

[alwaysAJ]

I guess changing tables are nice if you have the room, because you get "cargo space" to store diapers and diaper-changing things on below it... But no, I've never owned one. I just have a changing pad (It has the sheep on it?) that has tht backing so it doesn't slip around, and I put a soft cover on it (which fits on it like a sheet, so the bottom still sticks to the top of the dresser). Which, it is on top of the dresser, and I have a diaper depot plastic thing next to it with diapers in it, and the wipe warmer (not a necessity, but we got it as a gift) on top. The only down side to using the dresser for a changing table is you loose the ability to put neat knick-knacks on it--you can't have too much on the table or your baby will soon be grabbing it while you change her. I also use the top drawer of the dresser to store all the baby changing stuff like rash creams, balms, lotions, stuff like that. On the plus side, you have all their clothes right there for easy access, in case you get poop on an outfit (it will happen). Then you don't have to worry about fussing to get the old outfit off, put the new diaper on, collect your child (can't leave them alone, after all) and go find an outfit, then go back to the changing table... you get the idea.

[myboysmom]

The changing table is actually the one "big" item I wish that I would have invested in with my first son. Now that I'm on #3, I can't really justify getting one. But if I had it to do over, I would have asked for/bought one with my first.

I don't know how you military wives do it, seriously. I'm such an introvert in new/unfamiliar situations, it would be so scary for me to move away from family and have to just jump in there and make new friends. I applaud you who do it!

[alwaysAJ]

Amen to that (about the military wives bit). My father was in the Navy for 12 years before he got out, because it was so hard on my mom. She was pregnant with me at the time (they'd only been married for 3 years, but she had my brother at a military hospital in Mississippi 2 years prior). Every generation in my family, other than mine, have all enlisted and served (even the women). I did not enlist, as I got pregnant quite young and have been pregnant ever since...--otherwise, I probably would have. My older brother isn't the "active" type, but my younger brother enlisted in the airforce about a year ago; and my youngest brothers (who are 12 and 13 now) do Naval training for kids, complete with "boot camp." They love it. I have the utmost respect for all the men and women, and their spouses and family, who have or are serving in the military. It does not seem like an easy job, and you don't get the best pay for the wonderful services you/they provide. So, a big fat Thank You!

As for the changing table, why do you wish you had it now? I guess I've never put a lot of thought into it. We have space for it (with my first two, I didn't), I just didn't really think of it as something I needed... but now I'm really thinking about it! I may buy one, you can always use it later to stack stuff (like toys) on. I've been trying to figure out what to do about a changing system for the new baby because my husband and I intend to room with him for the first 6 months (I don't want him interrupting my almost 2 year old in the nursery in the night...ugh, two screaming babies....). But the changing "table" is in her room/the nursery, and I'm going to need to change him in the middle of the night but I don't want to wake her up. So what do I do? I don't want to put a pad on MY dresser, I have stuff up there, and I don't want a bunch of diaper clutter on it. Sigh. I guess a changing table really is worth the investment. My husband will probably thank you now . Just what he wanted, me to buy more stuff!