Baby Corner

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Stef, I love the name Evan I like Eli too! My favorite name for a boy though is Blake!

My legs are friggin tree trunks out of nowhere. I worked then got home and cleaned and cooked and looked down at my feet and freaked out. im sitting down now with my feet up. hoping they look better in the morning, otherwise Im afraid the OB will want me to come in (i was just there today and everything was fine)

[Autumnchik 6]

Hey ,

When did you guys think it was a good idea to start expanding your family? Before, or after your Green card was issued? And were there any issues with work (i.e maternity leave)?

Thanks!

After my husband and I got married, we decided to try for a child right away. He got his green card in June, I got pregnant in August/Sept. I was working full time at a small nonprofit. We planned that I would take 3 months maternity leave (unpaid unfortunately). My husband took a week off his work after the baby came. We didn't have any issues as far as being allowed to take leave ... it was just unpaid (from what hubby tells me, Canada is SO much better for maternity/paternity benefits).

@ MissBollinger - Congrats, she is beautiful!

@ Stef - Do you like Evan or Eli? I like both of those names a lot. Some other name favorites of mine are Sawyer, Jacob, Braeden, Griffin.

Sooooo ..... hubby and I made the decision that this is the last month I am taking birth control pills. We probably won't be actively trying for the first few months, but not preventing ... and then actively trying when Declan turns 3.

Edited January 22, 2011 by Autumnchik

[TheFantastics09 19]

After my husband and I got married, we decided to try for a child right away. He got his green card in June, I got pregnant in August/Sept. I was working full time at a small nonprofit. We planned that I would take 3 months maternity leave (unpaid unfortunately). My husband took a week off his work after the baby came. We didn't have any issues as far as being allowed to take leave ... it was just unpaid (from what hubby tells me, Canada is SO much better for maternity/paternity benefits).

@ MissBollinger - Congrats, she is beautiful!

@ Stef - Do you like Evan or Eli? I like both of those names a lot. Some other name favorites of mine are Sawyer, Jacob, Braeden, Griffin.

Sooooo ..... hubby and I made the decision that this is the last month I am taking birth control pills. We probably won't be actively trying for the first few months, but not preventing ... and then actively trying when Declan turns 3.

Lol, yes, the maternity/paternity benefits here are pretty awesome . Too bad I will never get to use them . Ah well..

Thank-you >.<

[tnh9479 1]

We wanted some time as a couple first. We agreed to wait until we were married about three years -- which is just about when we conceived.

[TheFantastics09 19]

We wanted some time as a couple first. We agreed to wait until we were married about three years -- which is just about when we conceived.

Yeah, I was thinking that as well, but my Fiancé is kinda on a timeline *scratches head*. As well, I have a 4 year old whom I would like to have some company. I don't want to wait until he is ten or something to bring home his first sibling. But I also want us to be settled in the states first and with each other (as a family) before we start expanding. *sigh. In our next life, I really hope we live in the same country right off the bat, lol.

Edited January 22, 2011 by TheFantastics09

[Missbollinger 1]

Hey ,

When did you guys think it was a good idea to start expanding your family? Before, or after your Green card was issued? And were there any issues with work (i.e maternity leave)?

Thanks!

We started TTC as soon as we were married but it took almost 6 years for DS2 to arrive.

[TheFantastics09 19]

We started TTC as soon as we were married but it took almost 6 years for DS2 to arrive.

Congrats!!

[MARM 7]

@TheFantastics09: Our journey for the K-1 was verrrrrrrrry long and then once hubby got here, his GC came in almost no time and we TTCed and it took us 9 months of TTC to conceive our first. If you have the "basics of stability" so to speak: one spouse with a full-time job, decent budget after expenses paid, babies find a way to fit in to any given situation . I am in school right now finishing my masters but have taken off this semester (and the next) for the baby. Also, if you have the support of family members and friends you can count on, that is a HUGE blessing!

@Missbollinger: Your baby girl is so cute! And I SO ENVY your 6 hour labor

@Stef, Anna, Kelly: Hope the short time left ahead is not rough for either of you. Can't wait to see all your baby pics soon!

My bp is pretty much on the dot: 120/82 and there are no issues with bradychardia or a drop in pulse or fainting spells. I am so glad that I and the baby are tolerating the Labetalol well (Thank God!). I begin Feb with the glucose 1 hour test (I hope I pass!) and I hope that I can at least carry to full term and deliver a healthy baby (not too big either!). With regards to breastfeeding, my mother didn't bf me for longer than 2 weeks or so and same with my siblings because she developed an infection and it was too painful (at that time I think lactation consultants didn't exist and it was the fact that she wasn't properly guided). My MIL STRONGLY advocates bfing, but whether she does or not, my plan is to bf for at least 6 months minimum, I hope I can keep it up longer than that.

I had a question for all of you: I was thinking of investing in an electric breast pump solely for the purpose of increasing my supply if the need arises or occasional pumping for trips out later on. I am confused about what type of pump I should buy, I want an electric one, but with regards to the price ranges and features, I am completely clueless as to what I should look for and when I should buy one. Before or after the baby arrives? And also, those of you who used lactation consultants, were they covered under your insurance?

Edited January 22, 2011 by MARM

[Missbollinger 1]

@Missbollinger: Your baby girl is so cute! And I SO ENVY your 6 hour labor

I did my time previously believe me 36hrs with DS1 and 18hrs with DS2, it was about time I got my short labor

I had a question for all of you: I was thinking of investing in an electric breast pump solely for the purpose of increasing my supply if the need arises or occasional pumping for trips out later on. I am confused about what type of pump I should buy, I want an electric one, but with regards to the price ranges and features, I am completely clueless as to what I should look for and when I should buy one. Before or after the baby arrives? And also, those of you who used lactation consultants, were they covered under your insurance?

For occasional pumping I loved my Medela Swing. When I needed to build a stash for cereal because of allergies I switched to the Medela PISA. The Medela's last longer than other cheaper pumps, Ameda Purely Yours is comparable but it won't last as long.

[Anna C. 4]

@ Marm: I purchased a pump in anticipation of the occasional pumping so daddy can give some milk to our son... I decided for an electric pump, cause manual takes longer and is a pain to use and I'm lazy (my sister has a manual one and her hands hurt she said from the squeezing)... I didn't want to spend a fortune, so I went with the Medela Swing. I bought it at 35 weeks or so, it was completely wrapped still and kept the receipt and did not open it up until after Jona was born and my milk was in (it came in in the hospital, so well I knew then I'd keep it)... After reading more stuff about pumps, I wouldn't buy Medela again cause they are overpriced (the Swing is a one sided electric pump for $150!) and the pumps use an open system vs. closed system (moldfreee, multi-user pumps like hospital grade ones). So I'd go for the Lansinoh double one or Ameda one.... Prolly the Ameda purely yours, basic model, since you just want it for home use and don't need to extra stuff for working....

As for planning a family - we knew we wanted kids and we got pregnant after 18 months of marriage... We wanted them as early as possible, sort of before we hit 30 so once we are in our 30ies no more infants in our house .... the year we got married I finished my MA and DH his BA, so we worked for a while and saved money and once he started is officer career we knew we had a stable, decent income that would allow for me to stay at home with the kids for a couple years without financial woes. We timed it right and Jona was born 2 months after hubbie's commission. It's not perfect, but it's very reliable financially, allowed us to buy a nice house and have the cars we want and all other things we need. I can't complain, I mean we'll be better off once I start working again too, but for now I don't need luxuries like beach vacations anyways (unless I can bring a nanny, cause otherwise with babies and toddlers it's just extra work in my eyes!!!!). DH is getting his MA right now that's the only rough thing, work and MA - no time for us at all.

Oh man I had contractions last night for 3 hours every 2 minutes, but not too bad, just a 4/10 I'd say, and then it went away. I knew it wasn't getting worse so no reason to call the midwives yet. Now I'm just really, really tired....

[Eveline 9]

Anna: So exciting to hear that you're laboring around . It's exciting for me, probably not so much fun for you though.

We were married for 9 months when we got pregnant. Actually I didn't want to have children back then (thought it was too early) but Eric was already close to his 30s and he wanted children so bad. WEll, him begging, my EAD being MIA somewhere and GC months away I gave in and we just tried. Sure enough, a month later I was knocked up. It's easier to have children while the hubster is active duty. You have less to worry about, won't be laid off, have insurance, steady income etc.

[TheFantastics09 19]

Anna: So exciting to hear that you're laboring around . It's exciting for me, probably not so much fun for you though.

We were married for 9 months when we got pregnant. Actually I didn't want to have children back then (thought it was too early) but Eric was already close to his 30s and he wanted children so bad. WEll, him begging, my EAD being MIA somewhere and GC months away I gave in and we just tried. Sure enough, a month later I was knocked up. It's easier to have children while the hubster is active duty. You have less to worry about, won't be laid off, have insurance, steady income etc.

Awesome! . Did you go through the K-1 visa, or were you married first?

[Eveline 9]

I went the K1 route.

[chnst 6]

the fantastics: I got pregnant "by surprise" when we were only 4 months married. We wanted to wait a few years and spend some time together, but oh well. I can't imagine life without Ben now but sometimes I wish we could have had some more couple time and travel. But on the other hand having a baby has really helped us get our act together, like finishing school, having careers and buying a house, saving money etc. By the time we are in our 30ies the kids will be big enough for us to go out on dates again or travel, so in the end it worked out fine. If I didn't get pregnant by accident then I guess I would never know when the time is right.

Anna: take it easy you still have a few weeks!

Kelly: wow did you call your OB? If your legs are that swollen they may wanna do a 24hr urine test, especially with your history.

I am totally exhausted but no more contractions. I am trying to get all my ducks in a row and finish up edcuational stuff at work. I am doing acls this weekend and just almost accidently shocked myself with the defibrillator today bc the belly was still touching the dummy. lol. My february schedule is insane so I am really hoping this baby will come 1 week earlier than anticipated.

Ben is getting so excited for his baby "brovver" I think he believes he is getting a new toy. haha. I am trying to do extra special things with him before he is no longer an only child...

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Sorry I haven't been on but after a very fast 6 hour labor Miss Serena Jade was born 1/13/2011 11:46pm weighing 6lb 6oz and 19in.

Here she is

Congratulations! She's beau-tee-ful!