Baby Corner

[Anna C. 4]

I had it notarized too. Nobody asked for it, but I didn't want to risk it. Doing the same this time. My wife blablabla is on vacation with my son, blablaa I know and approve or whatever, blabla signed and notarized. We called it a travel consent letter.

[chnst 6]

ok thanks Vi & Anna. That's weird they ask for it when you come back! I guess I never needed it because hubby always drops me off at the airport and picks me up right before I have to go thru imigration (he has a special ID to get in). But I guess it can't hurt to have that document.

Kelly: wow that's a pretty good deal for what you get. I probably wouldn't care much for the bear or the dvd, but a 20 minute sonogram for $70 is great!!

[Nizzy 1]

Kelly:

That is a very awesome deal. And just to let you know, if I ever have another baby and it were a boy I am stealing Zaid's name...lol...the more I hear it the more in love I am with it. Plus, I have such an enormous family and names are bound to repeated but no one had the name Eman and that's why I went for it and the same is true for Zaid...it would def be unique in our family.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Nizzy, no problem! I think Zaid is such a simple, unique name. And easy enough for americans. I wish I would have spelled it Zade though because alot of people pronounce it Zai-eed and it drives me nuts.

I love that we have picked out Laith. Theres no screwing up that one! lol

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Hi, ladies

I'm succumbing to pressure to start a baby registry. What are people's thoughts on baby monitors? Our place isn't all that big. We live in a 2-bedroom condo, and the plan is to have the baby sleep in our room for the first couple of months, and then moving her to a crib in the second bedroom (also my office), which is on the other side of the apartment. My mother's friend thinks monitors are like, the best thing evah (everyone has an opinion!) and that we should put one on our registry. So...as long as someone else might get it for us--perhaps even my mother's aforementioned friend--why not? I've just been reading about them and am thinking a digital one might make the most sense to avoid interference from neighbors' wireless gadgets. Any brands or types that we should avoid?

Also...baby carriers. Help? The husband has taken a solemn vow that he'll never wear a frontal-type baby carrier. I don't have such strong feelings. I think he might consider a back one. I'm willing to try a sling thingy. Any thoughts?

In other news, I'm having a growth scan Aug. 20, recommended because of my "advanced maternal age." At that point, I'll be 31 weeks. My belly is measuring fine as of my last appointment, so I think it's just a precaution.

I hope everyone is well.

[chnst 6]

Hi, ladies

I'm succumbing to pressure to start a baby registry. What are people's thoughts on baby monitors? Our place isn't all that big. We live in a 2-bedroom condo, and the plan is to have the baby sleep in our room for the first couple of months, and then moving her to a crib in the second bedroom (also my office), which is on the other side of the apartment. My mother's friend thinks monitors are like, the best thing evah (everyone has an opinion!) and that we should put one on our registry. So...as long as someone else might get it for us--perhaps even my mother's aforementioned friend--why not? I've just been reading about them and am thinking a digital one might make the most sense to avoid interference from neighbors' wireless gadgets. Any brands or types that we should avoid?

Also...baby carriers. Help? The husband has taken a solemn vow that he'll never wear a frontal-type baby carrier. I don't have such strong feelings. I think he might consider a back one. I'm willing to try a sling thingy. Any thoughts?

In other news, I'm having a growth scan Aug. 20, recommended because of my "advanced maternal age." At that point, I'll be 31 weeks. My belly is measuring fine as of my last appointment, so I think it's just a precaution.

I hope everyone is well.

I recommend a baby monitor. We got a fisher price and we love it. Nothing fancy. For the baby carrier- go fancy. After trying out slings, wraps, baby bjoern, my favorite is the Ergo Carrier, it's lightweight, great on your back, can be worn front or back, even larger/heavier toddlers fit in it. It's perfect!!

Kel: yeah I used to think it was Za-eeed like the guy from the Lost show. haha. sorry... I like the way you pronounce it better!

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

I second the monitors, I liked them because I could hear him breathe when he was a baby (paranoid mama here! lol) and If I was sitting in the backyard or something while he napped I was able to keep an eye on him. We have fisher price as well. Think they were about 40$ and have lasted us 2.5. years so far.

I didnt use a carrier, but I have a Chico. Zaid didnt love to be held at all as in infant. He was in his swing a lot and on the floor on an activity mat.

[Anna C. 4]

@ Joyce: I second the Ergo. However, newborns even with the newborn insert won't fit into it well. A moby wrap or MaiTei (e.g. Babyhawk brand) will work better with them. I wouldn't wear a child under 12 months on my back, in fact I haven't worn Jona on my back at all yet. Ever since he could walk he isn't all that interested in being carried unless there is a scary dog or something around. From what I have read and talked with my MD sister about, it is not good for hip development to put baby forward facing into a baby carrier, we never did it and Jona never complained.

We have a monitor which we used mostly ever since he moved into his own room (at 13 months). Before that, he was in our room and I used the monitor during naps so I can run as fast as I can as soon as I hear him waking up. We didn't have one on the registry, we initially lived in a 2 BR apartment and I heard him from everywhere anyways. so I bought one at Walmart for like $30, it has two receiving units which can be battery operated as well. Whenever I visit my MIL I bring it and my parents have Siemens phones that work as baby monitors, so no trouble there.

I have my birthing center appointment on Thursday. I won't have another appointment in weeks since I will spend the entire month of September in Germany, but that's fine. It's not like anything happens before 20 weeks anyways if you opt out of genetic screenings (aka 12 week ultrasound for down syndrome or AFP testing). I can check my blood pressure and weight gain myself back home and my sister can tell me fundus height. When I come back we will have our 20 week scan if Tricare pays for it, if not, then not. I'm anxious to learn how everything works, and see if they offer an alternative GD testing since the artificially flavored and colored drink at the lab makes me throw up big time. I know friends whose midwives instead offered a slice of bread with jelly and a glass of orange juice which equates the same amount of sugar, yet is much more palatable and not vomit-inducing (I puked twice with Jona after that horrid drink). Or maybe they can do it like in Germany, just water with 50mg glucose sugar, no flavors added, cause that is what makes me sick. We will see! I get to tour the birthing rooms with the different style birthing tubs, birthing stools and all the other shenanigans.

[Anna C. 4]

Update: it was awesome! I feel great about the place and instead of the glucola drink I can have grapejuice, which is wonderful, so I won't be throwing up, yeah! I totally like the midwives, not only do I trust their professionalism, but their personalities sit well with me. I was also totally excited to learn that my uterus is measuring two weeks ahead, so maybe this baby will be a little bigger and then average sized at birth (Jona was 5lb 10oz at 37 weeks, and that's small for that gestational age, not too small, but not average). I won't have another appointment until October 1st when I will be back from Europe. We will see if in the next days the obgyn office they work with will be able to get a 20 week ultrasound approved for me. It would be right the day after I come back from Europe. The nurse or administrative person on the phone already knew the deal with Tricare and promised her best billing code tricks to get it done.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

My uterus feels like its being ripped in half. Doctor says its round ligament pain. I didnt have this with Zaid til the very end..anyone else go thru it?

[Empress of Groovy 373]

My uterus feels like its being ripped in half. Doctor says its round ligament pain. I didnt have this with Zaid til the very end..anyone else go thru it?

Why, yes. For me, the pain was sharp and on the sides. It's not so bad now, but earlier on, I'd get sharp pains when coughing or sneezing, or changing position too quickly, like rolling over in bed or getting up from the couch. I learned rather quickly to lean forward when I felt a sneeze or cough coming on. Fortunately, the pain, although intense, would only last for about 10 seconds. I understand that there's a dull ache type, but haven't had that.

[Anna C. 4]

@ Kelly; I had it with Jona early on and this time only for a week or so. I'm. Just super sensitive to touch on my belly, even more so this time. Just bumping slightly into it causes deep pain. Normal for many women... I'm still waiting for my energy and appetite to return. Much tougher this time around!

[tnh9479 1]

@Kelly Oh...round ligament pain...one of the things I don't miss. Having twins your uterus has to expand a lot so I experienced quite a bit of it. If it's any consolation, it is better than having a baby press on your sciatic nerve. There were about two weeks that I was in AGONY. I talked to my ob about it at one appointment and she thought Zak because he was curled up in a little ball down low was pressing on it. OMG...oh so don't miss that. I remember crying for a few minutes before getting into the shower and then crying for a few before attempting to get out.

@Anna Glad you found a place that fits with your philosophy! I hope they pull the strings with Tricare so you can have the anatomy scan. Your trip to Germany is coming up soon, right? Hope you have a great time with family!

@Joyce I live in a two bedroom condo and I still find the baby monitors soooooo useful. My two don't cry when they wake up. They will lay in their crib on their back and talk to themselves until either my husband or I go in. We would never hear them if not for the monitors. They are such light sleepers that we hate to open their door to check because if they are sleeping that will wake them up.

AFM: I went back to work on Wednesday after summer vacation. The babies started with a new in-home daycare. The first two days were good. Then on Wednesday they decided to start testing her. Hana turned into hell child and refused to nap, jumped on a bed where two other kids were sleeping, and proceeded to have a full-blown tantrum. Yesterday was a little better, but she didn't nap. Today...they both napped! Yay! And...they ate lunch too (which they haven't done much of this week). So...crossing my fingers that we have turned a corner.

Twila

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

So not only do I have the pain but Im urinating like 5 times an hour

[chnst 6]

@Kelly Oh...round ligament pain...one of the things I don't miss. Having twins your uterus has to expand a lot so I experienced quite a bit of it. If it's any consolation, it is better than having a baby press on your sciatic nerve. There were about two weeks that I was in AGONY. I talked to my ob about it at one appointment and she thought Zak because he was curled up in a little ball down low was pressing on it. OMG...oh so don't miss that. I remember crying for a few minutes before getting into the shower and then crying for a few before attempting to get out.

@Anna Glad you found a place that fits with your philosophy! I hope they pull the strings with Tricare so you can have the anatomy scan. Your trip to Germany is coming up soon, right? Hope you have a great time with family!

@Joyce I live in a two bedroom condo and I still find the baby monitors soooooo useful. My two don't cry when they wake up. They will lay in their crib on their back and talk to themselves until either my husband or I go in. We would never hear them if not for the monitors. They are such light sleepers that we hate to open their door to check because if they are sleeping that will wake them up.

AFM: I went back to work on Wednesday after summer vacation. The babies started with a new in-home daycare. The first two days were good. Then on Wednesday they decided to start testing her. Hana turned into hell child and refused to nap, jumped on a bed where two other kids were sleeping, and proceeded to have a full-blown tantrum. Yesterday was a little better, but she didn't nap. Today...they both napped! Yay! And...they ate lunch too (which they haven't done much of this week). So...crossing my fingers that we have turned a corner.

Twila

wow Twila it will probably take a few days for the twins to adjust to daycare. Ben was always crying when I left him there the first week and then he loved it. Oh that reminds me of a conversation we had in the car yesterday. He said "Mommy I want to go to daycare" Me "do you miss playing with the children?" He: "yeah... and Ellie (his "girlfriend")" then he didn't say anything for a while and all of a sudden he said "I kiss Ellie" then I said "do you like Ellie?" and he says "NO MOM (note no more Mommy) I LOVE HER.

Kelly: wow I had the ligament pain with Ben too, it was bad but I guess sciatic pain is worse... It stopped after a while. You are really going through a lot this time!! Hang in there!