British Bun in the Oven

[Alex & Rachel 78]

She's almost giving a thumbs up there! She really does have so much hair! And her outfit is so cute.

Ugh - they have shrubs planted outside my work that always smell vaguely of over-boiled cabbage. Yesterday they were cut, and now they smell REALLY strongly. Headache/vomit time!

[TracyTN 237]

Actually - she kind of does look 'thumbs up' a little! LOL I didn't notice that the first time. Still just - cute!

You'd think landscapers would keep PG lady sensibilities in mind.

[Jewel-8 21]

Ugh - they have shrubs planted outside my work that always smell vaguely of over-boiled cabbage. Yesterday they were cut, and now they smell REALLY strongly. Headache/vomit time!

That's horrible!

I had one super annoying co-worker that kept heating up her frozen fish dinners in the microwave close to my cube when I was in my 1st trimester. She also just got on my nerves continously. I about smacked her, but I wasn't ready to announce the pregnancy. My boss ended up pulling me in a conference room to ask what I had against her and I couldn't say. hehehehe

[TracyTN 237]

Well Emily had her 15 month appt yesterday. Same weight she was at 12 months (23 lbs, 8 oz) and an inch taller (31). 4 shots including the flu shot but she was such a good girl. We took her for a milkshake afterwards.

I'm off to Chicago tomorrow through Sunday to see one of my best friends for a girls weekend. I will miss her but I know she and her daddy will have a good time, so I can go up there worry free and have a good time with my friend.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

Firstly congrats on all your babies abd Alex and Rachel congrats on your little bean, i had bad nausea throughout and zofran was a life saver. Secondly Sorry to but in to your conversation girls but I was wondering if any of you have got your babies a UK passport and citizenship? And what you have to do? Our baby is 2 and half weeks old now and I'd like her to have duel citizenship but not sure what I have to do? Is it report of birth abroad? Do I do that at any embassy? Or is it like the passport renewal and has to be done through washington? And do I have to wait for the birth certificate here to come through or do I need another document?

Thanks in advance.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Thanks! I haven't been quite so bad yet that I've had to take anything, but it sure does suck. I at least managed to survive the car ride this morning before climbing out and throwing up in the parking lot. Couldn't even say good-bye to Alex.

Also, welcome to the thread!

I've already looked into getting future-baby a British passport as it'd make travel back to the UK a bit easier.

All you HAVE to do is apply for a passport, since your daughter automatically has British citizenship by birth. You can find the forms and current fees here. For babies the passport photos requirements are relaxed - the baby can have his/her eyes closed, and doesn't have to have a neutral expression.

(At question 1A you would check 'no', and then 'no', and then fill in the details in section 2).

However, I'm probably also going to officially register the baby's birth with the UK government - it costs a little extra, but it'll mean he/she will have an official record and also won't have to keep their passport current. The form can be found here.

[TracyTN 237]

I agree with Rachel. We plan to register her birth but I believe we have until she is 13 to do it for the lesser cost. I haven't gotten her any sort of a passport yet (US or UK) but we definitely plan to get her both.

[Jewel-8 21]

We need to get on this already. Our first trip back as a family is September of next year. ARGH!

BTW, kids in halloween costumes are so freaking cute!! Last night we put Rozzie in hers and couldn't stop laughing. I have never seen my husband laugh until he cried before - it was the best thing ever!!!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Haha, awesome! What costume is she wearing?

I'm hoping to travel with the baby next year in around October, all things being well.

[Fandango 1,439]

Hi all, glad to read everyone's doing well! Tracy, how was your girlie weekend?

[TracyTN 237]

It was great, Lisa - thanks for asking! Much needed!! Though I think it took that for Chas to realize how much he actually depends on me when I am home. He was wore out!

Will be happy to see everyone's tots in their Halloween costumes. Chas is being a stick in the mud. He thinks she's too young to even care yet (I see some logic in that, but it'd sure be cute!!).

[Fandango 1,439]

That's awesome! my BFF Shele (tmma here) just came in for a girlie weekend. It was awesome!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

15 week check-up yesterday. I've lost 4 lbs since my last check-up! I think pregnancy is the most successful diet yet.

Everything looks fine, though! Didn't have a scan but did hear the baby's heartbeat, and I am measuring at a good size. Also, all the blood tests and smear test came back negative for pretty much everything under the sun, which was great to hear. Blood pressure is fine and I am not anaemic.

My only concern is that my doctor is VERY pro elective c-sections. I'm not anti-c-sections, and I'd be willing to do whatever it takes to deliver the baby safely, but I'd still prefer to avoid having one, if possible. The speech he gave us was along the lines of 'I have been through hundreds of deliveries, and I have seen a lot of babies come out very traumatised from a vaginal delivery. Often they have injuries and sometimes even bleeding on the brain. With c-sections, there is no damage to the baby, and we lift the baby out very gently, supporting the head. I have never seen a baby traumatised from a c-section. But... whatever you choose, we do support you.'

He's a delightful doctor otherwise, though; very personable and friendly, and his nurses and reception staff are AMAZING, so I don't wish to switch, but man, talk about a guilt-tripping speech!

[Fandango 1,439]

15 week check-up yesterday. I've lost 4 lbs since my last check-up! I think pregnancy is the most successful diet yet.

Everything looks fine, though! Didn't have a scan but did hear the baby's heartbeat, and I am measuring at a good size. Also, all the blood tests and smear test came back negative for pretty much everything under the sun, which was great to hear. Blood pressure is fine and I am not anaemic.

My only concern is that my doctor is VERY pro elective c-sections. I'm not anti-c-sections, and I'd be willing to do whatever it takes to deliver the baby safely, but I'd still prefer to avoid having one, if possible. The speech he gave us was along the lines of 'I have been through hundreds of deliveries, and I have seen a lot of babies come out very traumatised from a vaginal delivery. Often they have injuries and sometimes even bleeding on the brain. With c-sections, there is no damage to the baby, and we lift the baby out very gently, supporting the head. I have never seen a baby traumatised from a c-section. But... whatever you choose, we do support you.'

He's a delightful doctor otherwise, though; very personable and friendly, and his nurses and reception staff are AMAZING, so I don't wish to switch, but man, talk about a guilt-tripping speech!

I mean I'm no expert, but I think that c-sections get a bad rap. Theres no gold medal for having a vaginal delivery, and sometimes c-sections are necessary, and the most healthy option for the child.in my case, I was in labor for about 36 hours before the c section became an option...at that point, Nick's hb was in distress, and it became clear that a natural birth wasn't going to happen.

My recovery was fine too, btw...I was up walking the halls as soon as they removed my catheter the same day he was born. The incision is also so ridiculously small, it's a wonder they were able to get him out of there, lol.

Just see how it goes, and do a lot of research for your birth plan. You are the one in charge...actually, your ins is as well, as many won't pay for a csection for a first child before at least trying to delivery naturally. If we have another child, I would most definitely opt for a scheduled c-section, and now that I've already had one via c, the ins won't be a proble.

Edited November 1, 2011 by Anita Cocktail

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Interesting to know that about the insurance!

And yes... if a c-section is necessary or recommended, I'm not going to resist. But I did think he could've given a little more of a balanced speech!