Ok so the nursery is almost done.. we are modifying a couple things and haven't gotten anything on the walls just yet but I kinda dig it and I wanted to share.

We have white letters that spell out "nico" that I am going to pinstripe and polka-dot and I have some frames to put up with some family black & whites.



I still have to get the vinyl saying made to go under the tree but for the most part, this is it.

( Pics this way )

I put the stroller and car seat in the car yesterday ~ making sure I knew how to use everything and to make sure the car seat was in correctly. Kinda insane he could be here any day now or in a month. Either way I am pretty prepared I think.. :o)

I'll put up finished pics in a few weeks ~ my mom lives in Georgia so we will complete everything when she comes down mid-December! :oP

I have a really important question to ask. I'm 23 years old, I have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and I'm pregnant. It was a surprise. I talked to my neurologist and he says he doesn't want to alter my medicine because I'm so well controlled he doesn't want to risk me having a seizure.
Unfortunately I am on the worst epileptic medicine-depakote. I also take lamictal but I think that one isn't as bad. When I was just taking lamictal I was always having seizures so there's no going off depakote :o(. I'm so scared because I read it can cause birth defects. However I was taking prenatal vitamins for at least 2 months before I got pregnant (for supplements). I also take extra folic acid. I'm hoping that those two factors will give me a good defense against depakote's effects.
Every day I worry about how the baby is because all I want is a healthy baby. I hear most women with epilepsy can have healthy babies and taking extra folic acid helps out a lot especially in the beginning of the pregnancy. So the reason I'm writing to you all is to ask all the mothers with epilepsy how their pregnancies went. Were any of you also taking depakote throughout the pregnancy because you had to to stay seizure-free? How likely is it that birth defects can occur? I'm so scared, I really need some support so please if you have any advice or information you could give me it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

I have never had heartburn in my life until today and it's awful. I feel like I'm going to throw up and I am incredibly bloated and it feels like my son is lighting matches in my stomach. I'm on fire. I ate hot wings, chicken strips, and baked beans and I'm sorry. I just came here for someone to laugh at me and say "I told you so" then feed me rolaids and rub my belly. :(


Edit: My son is apparently uncomfortable too. He keeps moving from one side completely to the other. My belly button keeps switching from being pushed over to the left to pushed over to the right.

Am I the only one here who feels you're much more comfortable with an Ob/Gyn than you would be with a midwife? Haha,and am I the only one here who WANTS an epidural when the big day comes?

Please don't take those questions offensively; I'm really not meaning any criticism of anyones choices! I think it's fantastic that mamas-to-be have a choice in the type of care they get & respect that not everyone is necessarily looking for the type of care an Ob/Gyn & hospital birth offers so like I said, I don't mean it as a slight against any woman who chooses a midwife or natural or home birth for herself and baby.

I guess it's just more of a general curiosity (and because I am so very bored at work this afternoon) as to whether or not I am as in the minority with that stuff as I sometimes feel. Heck, at first even my boyfriend wanted me to do this home birth style....

Xposted to baby stuff for sale. I just thought it might be more appropriate here.

I have a few items from my baby shower that I do not need to keep.

http://www.partycity.com/product/baby+showers/hanging+decorations/carter%27s+baby+boy+hanging+36in+glitter+decoration+5ct.do?sortby=ourPicks&page=2

http://www.partycity.com/product/baby+showers/banners%2C+signs/precious+bear+blue+6+3-4ft+banner.do?sortby=ourPicks

Also have thank you notes from the Dollar Store

Some blue wire ribbon, and a "spinner" (like on a life game), that says Mom, Dad, Grandma, Nanny, and you spin it. Usually ends up on mom, though ;)

I can put it in a bubble mailer, and it will be sent out for shipping. I am guestimating about $3. Comment here or email caitlin.west@gmail.com

I am now 34 weeks and took pictures yesterday, pre-turkey feast for comparison. I added it to my collage of photos from previous weeks. The doc told me its possible the baby dropped because I was measuring 31 weeks at my 33 week appointment and when I looked at my pictures I am pretty sure she was right.

...
( BELLY BELLY BELLY )

When was everybody's first belly growth spurt?

I've just gone a week, from 13 weeks, where I had a tiny little bulge, to 14 weeks where I full on look pregnant. It's lovely and I've been so impatient about wanting the belly, but it's kinda scaring the shit out of me now that it's growing so fast!

My mum doesn't help either. She says that when she was pregnant with both me and my brother she was so big that she was a complete 'monster'. She even avoided the camera and has hid all evidence that she was ever pregnant she says it was that bad.

:D

<3 Andrea


P.S. I'm 14w1d today and would love some more mums to be on my friends list!

When is a baby head down? Googleeee says 35 weeks, but I am curious when all you ladies knew baby was engaged.

I KNOW hes head up. When he hiccups (almost every day) I feel where its coming from. I feel the kicks, they are going 'down'. So I know where hes at, I also know he goes transverse sometimes too... how in the hell does he have room for this still? Its really scary to me that he is able to move around all this much. I am pretty small myself, started out at 90lbs, and now I am around 130.

Father in law did say "You havent gained ANY weight yet!"... I scoffed and told him thank you :P

Other news, I have been trying to switch clinics to a midwife. I just realized about a month ago that I had only seen a PCP my whole pregnancy. I didnt know what was available to me. I wish I knew. To the best of my knowlege I am healthy, and so is Israel. I dont feel guilty, just mad I didnt try to switch earlier. Anyway, I guess it can take *weeks* to have my info faxed over there....

WHAT?! Weeks?!.... Holy crap. I am calling them tomorrow and asking if I can make an appointment for the midwife and having them call and ask my clinic about my most recent history..

I love having state insurance. I get the best healthcare ;)

So I was researching this online and found some helpful info. But I still wanted some advice or tips from you gals. I'm a little bit worried about having a dog around a newborn. She's a 3 year old pitbull, definitely friendly and sweet. She was actually used for breeding before we got her. She's never shown aggressive tendencies at all, she's just extremely spoiled. It's my boyfriends dog haha. But for example- if there isn't room for her to sit on the couch, she sits and whines and whines... The past few days I've been trying to make the bedroom off limits to prepare for baby- same story, she sits at the door and whines. I'm sure things will be okay once the baby's here but I guess I'm more just worried about her getting jealous and reacting badly. I don't want to take any risks and any advice/personal experiences on the situation would be appreciated. We're already getting rid of my boyfriend's 2 cats so I really really want to try to make things work with the dog so he can at least keep her around.

Also...

Does anyone know if stretch marks fade after baby's born? I've had very minor marks this pregnancy up until the past few weeks and I'm freaking out just a bit haha. Doesn't help I've gained 34 pounds so far so my self esteem is all over the place. And I'm sure the hormones don't help ;)

30 weeks...*

38w3d

Ive noticed a definite decrease in movement. its more than 6 "movements" and hour so Im not worried. but its not much and its, I guess you can say, softer movements? my mom said before she went into labor with me I stopped moving as much. maybe she is ready? we'll have to see...

First of Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!!!

I have a question and before I ask it i know it may sound a litrle ridiculous but im asking in all seriousness. I'm trying to stay as strict as i can with my diet including drinks. I know that coffee, unpastuerized milk & juice, sodas, etc are not good for you. But Its Thanksgiving so I'm trying to get a little more flavor :) ... I 've been drinking a ton of water, a few glasses of milk a day and some orange juice mixed in here and there... my question is, is it okay for me to drink carbonated flavored water? I feel as though its a little way to treat myself. I know its water but it does have aspartame in it. and ive read in quite a few places artificial sugars arent great? just thought i'd ask, hope it doesnt sound too ridiculous.

Happy Thanksgiving first off.
Today I am 34 weeks.
I have had some SHARP pain deep in my vaginal area.
I guess the closest relative feeling is when being penetrated and the end of the vaginal wall is hit hard.
I get this pain several times a day, sometimes causing a loud yelp or shrek at random moments.
I did goto L/D for the first time yesterday because of decreased fetal movement and my paranoia... of course everything is fine and London (my son) is healthy but I did mention to both the nurse and doctor the sharp pain in my vagina area and neither told me anything, both shrugged it off like its normal.
I'm not super concerned but I'm curious if anyone else has these often and if anything helps, etc.

So im like a few days shy of 29 weeks and just noted in the mirror my stomach seems lower.. Both by look and feel. Ive been having false contractions for the past few days and will be monitoring them... So far irregular... Until friday to call in.

Im curious as to when yall dropped?

Cross-posted to pregnant and homebirth

Unnamed baby girl M
11/22/09, 12:39 AM
8 lbs. 14 oz., 21 inches
First baby
4 and 1/2 hour labor
Unintentionally unassisted

( Birth story and several photos )

What do you all do to pass the time? I am currently 28w2d and I am losing my mind. It's gone by pretty fast, but when I mention how close I am getting, people are very quick to remind me I still have a long ways to go. I am working, but I am constantly in baby mode and ready to meet her! What have you all done to pass time?

Also, my sex drive is insane, and I am not sure if there is anything you ladies do to try to increase yours. I want to, bad. But when it comes down to it, I decide I am far too tired and shrug it off. I do not feel pretty, at all. Any tips? And maybe any tips of what position you find comfortable? The larger my belly gets, to more harder it makes it!

I talked to my aunt last night about the possibility of me having PPD. I also talked to my fiance. Tonight I talked to my mom. She's helping me find someone to see about it. I have gotten to the point several times over the last month when I have to put him in his crib & walk away cause I'm so frustrated which I know is normal but freaking out, bawling my eyes out, slapping/punching/banging my head on the wall...not so much.

Good evening all!

Just writing to vent and maybe get some reassurance..

I was pregnant over the summer, but I had a ton of problems right off the bat (cramping, spotting, bleeding) and eventually found out at around 10 weeks that the baby had stopped growing at 6 and had no heart beat (a "missed" miscarriage). I had a D & C in July and was told I could try again after a few cycles.

I still want a baby, but we weren't really "trying", but not doing anything to prevent pregnancy.

Now.....I really, really think I'm pregnant again. I've missed my period, sore breasts, nausea, bloating......exactly like the first time.

I'm scared to take a pregnancy test though, because I'm absolutely freaked that what happened the first time will happen again. If I am pregnant now, I'd only be around 4-5 weeks....I feel like at 6 weeks it's all going to go bad again :-(

Anyone want to offer some happy stories & reassurance?

(x-posted to pregnant and my due date comm.)


So I took my 1hr glucose test this morning. It really wasn't as bad as I anticipated it to be, so that was good... but the drink was this funky tasting lemon-lime water. It wasn't carbonated even a little bit, and it was NOT thick (thank god). It was like those off-brand flavored waters... i'm just glad it wasnt like raspberry or something. It was like that fake sweet taste that just wasn't right. At first i was like "oh hey, not so bad" then about halfway done, my throat didnt want to assist in the drinking process, it was too sweet, haha. so it hurt my throat (may have been that heartburn has decided to finally kick in full force over the last week), but i just chugged it out of the way. After being done for about 5 minutes, i got a wonderful headache right in the front where my "third eye" is. ya know, between and above my eyebrows... that wasnt fun at all. and about 5 mins after that, the bebe wasn't enjoying the sugar-rush. i felt bad because i had to fast, so when i woke up, i was STARVING but i couldnt eat, so we decided to go to Quest Diagnostics earlier than my appt. it got it out of the way about 10 minutes faster.. but i knew the baby was hungry because i was so starving, and i had to wait and wait. the headache stayed through most of the hour, turned into what appeared to be a tiny migraine. it didnt hurt as bad as a migraine does, but i was sensitive to the fluorescent lights and i just wanted to close my eyes and sleep... so instead i closed my eyes and rested on the hubs. (yea i made him go with, just in case.) i'm really glad he went, because the hour went by in what seemed like 20 minutes, so that was good. after the hour passed, i got two vials of blood drawn, then i went home and friggin ATE. haha i was so hungry!!

and here i am 4.5 hours later doin pretty good!!

just thought i'd throw out my experience with it all!! i really really hope i pass, i dont want to do a 3 hour test! doesnt sound fun in the slightest.

♥

So I had my 13/14 week appt. today..Baby's heart rate looks great, but my blood pressure was 117/98....Anyone else have this problem? I have to now take my blood pressure twice a day and go back in two weeks to see if I have to go on any type of medication...BLA

I am 33w 3d and I keep feeling fluttery feelings low down in my.. uh, *cookie*. I literally feel like he can reach his hand out and wave. It almost feels like an intense need to pee with a flutter.

I know for a fact he moves around is in spins from head down to head on the right but does the low-down fluttery feeling mean anything?

jc... thx!

Please tell me that I'm not the only one declining cervical checks. Bueller? Oh, and this is a great time to dust off those stories that go something like, "I was 5 cm dilated and my baby was born 15 minutes later." I love those stories, and then I won't feel like such a radical for declining an uncomfortable procedure that I'm pretty confident means absolutely nothing.

36w5d

38weeks
I had a DR appointment yesterday. She did an internal exam which was actually a bit painful. Last time it wasn't at all. any who, I am still at 1cm and a bit of bad news. I tested positive for Beta-Strep. It's not bad for me but if I don't get treated the baby can get really sick. The only thing they can do is give me antibiotics while Im in labor so it gets in the babies system. That way if she bacteria gets the bacteria in her system she will have a head start on it with the antibiotics. Im not worried. Im sure everything will be fine.

other than this fun news, nothing out of the norm. a few back pains here and there and few spurts of nausea. We just cant wait to meet her!

Hey guys! First post. : )

This is my situation: I am 17 weeks pregnant, have had 2 ultraounds- one at 6w, one at 9w, both showed only 1 sac and 1 baby. Of course, at those ages, the wee one was teeny tiny. *I* thought I saw a shadow (hubby says I'm crazy) behind the baby on the 9w ultrasound, but the OB never mentioned anything odd.

We rented a doppler online (belly beats) and have been listening since 10 weeks to our baby. The heartbeat has been progressively getting higher, from down really low by my crotch (10 weeks) to all the way up to right at the belly button (now). The last week we have started noticing something odd- we can hear the heartbeat really loud and clear at the belly button.... and then AGAIN loud and clear about three inches lower and an inch or two off to the side... nowhere else. Like, we have to HUNT to find it in those spots, but its almost always in those two spots. TWO spots.

Is it possible that we may have a 2nd baby in there?! I have heard of women who had early ultrasounds at 6 or 8 weeks and then been shocked to find TWO babies at their gender scans. Mine is scheduled for December 16th (which actually happens to be my 30th birthday- happy birthday to me!). Does anyone have any idea if this could actually be twins, or if its likely just some kind of strange echo or sound effect?

*edited to add*- its definitely not my heart beat or the placenta- its too fast. Its the same tempo as the baby heartbeat, its just in TWO different spots.

Hey! I've just joined the community and am very very excited that I have found it. I'm 21 years old and have just recently found out I'm pregnant with my first baby (YAY!!)I'm naturally a huge hypochondriac so you can only imagine how I must feel being so early and so nervous about pregnancy. I got a HCG Quant test on the 18th and it came back with a very low number of 39, this test was done during what was actually supposed to be just a regular checkup, but since I felt really weird I had them run a urine test. The nurse popped in shortly after and said it came back negative, I was put to ease, but decided to ask my doctor to run a blood test, i knew they were more accurate and wanted to know 100% what was going on. So she ran it.. and to my surprise the next day i found out the test had come back positive. Scared out of my mind, but still more excited than I could possibly explain! Since the numbers were so low they wanted me to go back for another blood test just to be sure that the numbers were going up. I was very very early pregnant as my last period was around the 18th of October. They sent me for another blood test on the 23rd. I just got off the phone with the doctor and the numbers have gone up to 349. Of course the numbers have gone up but I have read everywhere that the numbers are supposed to be doubling. fast. They asked me if i had bled at all or if anything else was going on. I said no, because I haven't, but just by them asking me that has gotten me nervous. Why would they wonder if I had bled at all? I have my first pregnancy appointment next Friday (the 4th), and the nurse said that they may ask for one more test. Just to make sure that they numbers are still going up significantly. Im just nervous because Ive been on the computer practically 24/7 since i found out looking things up and doing research research research ( i know this can be both beneficial and nerve racking at the same time) but a lot of sites say that most doctors will only do more than one test if they suspect something wrong. I wanted to get some opinions. Do you think they're just doing it to be percautious? I am very early in pregnancy.

Can hiccups be really close together? I know when I personally have the hiccups, they're sometimes nearly a minute apart. I think my little guy has the hiccups, but they're only 3 seconds apart. It's this rhythmic jump deep in my pelvis. Is this what I'm feeling or could it be something else? He's wiggling around and kicking and hitting, but I continue to feel what I can only assume are hiccups. Also, can someone describe what contractions feel like? I feel like my stomach is tightening deep inside then letting loose, but my son remains pretty active. Nothing is really worrying me, per se, but I would like to know what it is that I'm feeling.

Can you tell if it's a boy or girl by the heartbeat?
The nurse said it sounded like a boy..
I don't know what the baby is.
The foot is in the way..
and I don't think I'm getting another ultrasound.
:-(
I was just curius if that was somewhat effective or not.

Thanks to all who replied to my post about my son's mystery rash.

As he began to run a temperature, developed a cough, a snotty nose, has gone off his solids and is sleepy today, as wekk as the rash spreading, I marched down to the doctors with him. Said rash is all part of a viral infection that is causing everything else, and is nothing seriously nasty, he's just got a winter virus that is presenting this way. I need to find a karvol inhalator now....

Back once again with my usual paranoia and it's once again in reference to wetting oneself. I've read and read the differences between urine and amniotic fluid, but there is still that part of me that is paranoid. I've been doing the Kegel exercises and emptying my bladder every 45 minutes to an hour, yet my undies and pantyliner are still wet. Yesterday the pantyliner was urine tinged and smelled of urine. Today, it doesn't smell like anything and is wet. Yesterday I had hardly anything on my panties, today I'm wet after a few hours.

Basically, for the ladies that did leak amniotic fluid, could you really tell the difference between that and urine? My next appointment is Monday, but all the info on this says to call your doctor right away. I'm just confused and everyone I talk to says I'm overreacting and that there's nothing to worry about.

Updated: Just got off the phone with NP. She said that if I'm not dripping anything or if there isn't an abnormal increase in the amount that everything sounds fine. She basically said I'd feel like it were dripping down my leg or soaking my underwear, both of which are not the case. She said it sounds like urine and normal vaginal discharge. Just in case, I'm glad I have my appointment on Monday, this way I can talk to the doctor about it.

Here is a link to a massive crib recall. This is article is from today, the crib recall is from sales of cribs from Jan 1993-2009. Also buried in the article is the new guidlelines from ASTM International which is an organization that sets voluntary industry safety standards has approved a standard last week, that full-sized cribs should have four immovable fixed sides, basically eliminating drop side cribs.
http://news.aol.com/article/21-million-stork-craft-dropside-cribs/455863


x-posted to naturalbirth

After your 20-week anatomy scan, when did you have another ultrasound? I know it depends on insurance and all that, but I'm just wondering. I'm in my 30th week and I haven't had an ultrasound since my 18th. I am hoping I get at least one more peek at my son before the big day!

Just saw this on my homepage and thought you ladies would like to see it.
I'll paste the text and then a link to my local news site, where I found it.

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- Government safety regulators say more than 2.1 million dropside cribs by Stork Craft Manufacturing are being recalled, the biggest crib recall in U.S history.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the recall involves 1.2 million cribs in the United States and almost 1 million in Canada, where Stork Craft is based.

Nearly 150,000 of the cribs on recall carry the Fisher-Price logo. The agency is aware of four deaths of young children who suffocated in the cribs, which have a side that moves up and down to allow parents to lift children from the cribs more easily.

The Stork Craft cribs have had problems with their hardware, which can break, or with assembly mistakes by the crib owner.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved."

source
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Government-Recalls-2-1M-Cribs/yO6iPe9aCk-l46sga_eykw.cspx

also the recall information:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10046.html

okay this isn't a rant at all, and i dont want any 'derogatory' feedback. That being said, here's my problem.

My sister is a working mom. She had a baby June 2, 2008, and had to go back to work that october. She really doesn't make enough for daycare or anything like that, so my mom and I offered to watch him while she worked. (we all live very close to each other) She drops him off at my house in the mornings, around 9:20a and I watch him through his first nap, usually til around 2 or 3. Then my mom will come pick him up (my husband and I share 1 car, and he *usually* has it, the days I have it, I will take him to my moms) and keep him til my sister is off work, around 7, 7:30. This was all fine and wonderful until I got pregnant, which kind of threw a wrench in all our plans. The reason my mom doesn't just watch him all day is because we have a 10 year old brother with Aspberger's and my mom home-schools him. So, me watching the baby in the morning-afternoon helps her and gives her time to do school with him, then she can watch the baby after. I've been ok for most of the pregnancy. I'm 26 weeks today and I'm just getting outstandingly tired and run down. He's a year and a half now and has so much energy, i can't keep up! i'm trying, i really am. I LOVE spending time with the little guy, I love him sooo much, and he's hilarious, but i just dont have the energy to give him now. My mom/sister both know that i cannot and will not watch him once my baby is born, i'll be a SAHM, and that's my job, so I need to focus on my baby #1. I *KNOW* it's going to be different when i get pregnant again and already have a baby, but i dont think this is the same situation. I don't want them to think that i'm just giving up already... i mean, i do have a little ways to go yet, and i dont know if it's going to get any harder than it is now or if it'll be easier. I don't feel like i'm being taken advantage of whatsoever, so i'm not concerned about that. No, i'm not getting paid for taking care of my nephew, and i dont mind. like i said, i love him, and i love hanging out with him and getting a chance to bond... and personally i feel it's better to have me and my mom watch him than someone we dont know. i think it's better to be with family than a stranger.

so now, what do i do? how do i 'break it' to my mom/sister that i dont think i can do this anymore? every time i try to talk to people nicely and civilly about things, somehow it always comes out that they feel attacked or something, which kills me, but i cant do it any better than how i do it. any suggestions? how would you do it? i was thinking of talking to them on thanksgiving, but i dont wanna 'ruin' the holiday or family time, ya know??

aaaaack, i'm at a loss...

has anyone had any experiences with Your Baby Can Read or Baby Einstein? what are your thoughts on them? im curios, but ive heard people say its not really teaching the kid how to read, just memorize. i just wanted to get you guys' thoughts :)




ETA: dont worry, guys, i plan on reading to my kid. in fact, i already am! im just curious if all these things actually DO anything. i plan on mine to be reading baby sitters club books by the time hes five just like i was lol. or, you know, whatever it is little boys read :P

Okay ladies, where did you buy your pregnancy pillow? I'm on the hunt and want some feedback before I head out to the stores. Thanks.

Okay, so I just turned 21 a couple of months ago, still a university undergraduate, still dependent on my parents.
I am currently in my 3rd month and a couple of weeks. ( And my dad still does not know. )

I can't believe it, but it's 6 a.m. and I've spent the whole night up, give or take an hour's worth of sleep, because of heartburn. It has never been this bad. Usually all I need is a Tums and an extra pillow to get things under control. This time, however, it's like I'm being choked by my own esophagus. Yeesh.

I very much hope this is a fluke and not my life for the last few weeks of my pregnancy (I'm 36w6d). And I'm definitely not eating French fries again as long as I live. :)

How do you guys deal with this? And at what point should I consider medical help?

How far along are you and what is left on your to-do list before baby arrives?
If you're already PP, any advice to those of us doing our best to be prepared for when baby arrives? What did you forget to do or wish you'd done?


- I'm 26 weeks and 2 days today and I still have SO much to do. I need to get insurance papers to add baby, the nursery isn't even started (although I did order his bedding today which won't be in until late January), I need to make a final decision on a pediatrician, and the list goes on.

I am currently 38 weeks (well, tomorrow I will be) and feeling pretty well. aside from a few annoying back pains. out little girl's room is so not even close to being finished. the only thing we have done is the painting. we haven't picked up the crib yet because we dont have the funds for it right now. Im sure we wont need it for a while and we have a bassinet so Im not too worried about it. but I just cant seem to get the room "together" you know? where do I begin? I guess not having the crib is what is blocking me from seeing a finished product. I don't know. i feel like Im not nesting and the room is just sitting there not finished.

This ultrasound is the first decent one of my daughter's face. She's 33 weeks here, so almost a week ago this was done. :3 She was blowing bubbles and making kissy faces at us in the ultrasound. Hehe.

I'm 17w 1d.

My boobs which were annoyingly in the way before (DD) are a pain in the ass now. I finally found a bra over the summer I loved and it fit and kept my boobs up off the floor... And now they're bigger.

BUT. It's only the left one! LoL. It's driving me nuts, because I can barely fit my left boob into my bra but my right one is fine. Wtf?

Also, I'm TOTALLY loving the fact that my nose is never dry. It's always running, stuffy, etc. Fantastic! :-)

/end random pregnancy rant

Okay okay, this is about my son not me. This is going out to those mums who have children already. I've never needed to be part of a parenting comm so have not joined any so have come back here, so thanks for your patience.

My son is 7 months old, he's never been prone to acne or anything like that. Yet he has come out in a mass of timy pinprick like lumps/pimples all over his face, absolutely nowhere else. He is not unwell and the only reason I am bothered is the rash of cases of hand foot and mouth at his daycare. It isn't that, of that I am 100% certain. And I can't say I am overly worried as he is otherwise well and himself, but I do want to know what it is just in case I need to think about alternative childcare if he has something I can't take him to nursery with, or I need to be planning a day off work.

Ladies, any ideas?

So Xmas is 15 days before my due date.

We live in Vancouver, WA. My mother in law wants to know if we can make it up to Seattle for Xmas. Its almost a 3 hour drive, and Im assuming it will take longer because of the holidays.

Would you do it?

Only 50 days left til my EDD..

Seems surreal that I am that close already when it seems like just yesterday I had 228 days (or whichever) to go..

Seems like just yesterday, I was fast-forwarding through all these thoughts of "How will I do ___? How can I afford ___? How will I provide___? Am I able to do this? Why was I trusted to carry life?"

Today its "Will he have his fathers mouth? His brothers personality? Will he be a quiet, introspective Capricorn or will he go against the grain and be an extrovert like me?"

But no more fears about how I will provide for him - I have become quite resourceful and gotten him tons of clothes (up through 2T!), necessities, safety things and his nursery is still coming along just fine..

I look forward to bathing him, counting his toes & introducing my big brother/little brother duo. I will approach labor and the uncertainties like I approach everything else.. with deep breaths and a listening ear. Hopefully it will work for me..

Hopefully I will be a great mom and a *fun* mom.. hopefully he will like the books I picked for him and giggle and laugh at his brother.. Hopefully he will love us even half as much as we love him...

Why do I feel like the baby is trying to pinch open my cervix from the inside, or kick it in? it's actually quite uncomfortable and ongoing since last night. At time it'll make me shoot forward b/c it's quite sharp feeling. Bleck.

28 weeks on Monday, woah. Time flys :O