[hopefull79]

Yeah, my DH hates to shop, and isn't AT ALL into the whole baby shower thing. He's already said there's no way he's coming near either one of my showers. I wish he would come to at least one, but he's pretty firm on this. I think it's the whole macho thing, "showers are for women". So, for those of you whose DH's love to shop and are excited about the showers- consider yourself lucky!!!

[chantalTTC]

Hey, something to consider for those of you who would like your dh to be able to celebrate this child (and all he went through like you to get here) but do it in a more 'manly' way... We're having a shower for my dh. It's a guys only thing, later in the day on the same day as mine (so couples can swap kid duty). My bf's dh is hosting it for my dh. It's just a bbq with beer and brats and probably little focus on babies, but something to recognize this is a milestone for my dh, too. We're not expecting 'gifts' per se, though I know my friends will buy some gag gifts to make jokes about being a new dad, etc. I hosted a small get together (co-ed) for my bf's dh and another friend's dh when they were expecting. It was a lot of fun. Since most of our friends have babies, it was hysterical the advice the new dads received. And they both thanked me for making them feel special, too. Just a thought...

[infertilitynovice]

Marie ~ You know, I was just thinking today that I bet Marie would really like to see that chandelier! LOL! We're working on getting it up soon, I promise. It is so insanely over the top and I can't wait for you girls to get a look at it.

Kristen ~ I think it is great that you're having 3 showers. You can't have too much baby stuff, and da*mit, you worked really hard to get here!

I was just saying how much I wished that I could have kept working during the pregnancy b/c I'm a teacher and that's a built in shower right there. We teachers can't get enough of that stuff and, generally, elementary school has a mostly female staff. Instead, I'm counting on my wonderful neighbors and a few family members to help make my shower special. One of my GA friends (you all remember what a nightmare getting the shower venue settled was, right?) did ask me when things were still bad, "Why do you want a shower like this anyways? It seems very out of character for you. Are you trying to impress your new neighbors or something?" Clearly, not a nice thing to say, but we've moved past it now. I just explained that this is likely to be my one and only child (unless my DH is so blown away by my incredible mothering skills that he just insists on having a 4th child (for him, 2nd for me)) and I want to "do it up right", so to speak. If the resources are available, why not go all out? As it is now, I take care of everyone else all day long...why can't I have a day where I get to be treated special and taken care of? Of course we all should be able to do that. If there are enough people in your life that want to host something special like this, then you should have as many special days as you can. If it is only one day, then it should be just as you want it to be...or at least that's my take on the whole thing...umm, let me carefully climb down off my soapbox now...I'm a delicate flower, I have to be careful...LOL

As for shopping, DH was really happy to be there to register with me. I really don't think he minds shopping at all. If anything, I'm the one that's not so into it. He loves to spend money, which is in part why we're having the financial problems we're having now.

Eggy ~ I'm really looking forward to sharing Pippy Longstocking with my little girl too. But, I'm even more excited to get her into Anne of Green Gables!!! Anybody else?

[tamarie]

So today was supposed to be my GD test and my 3D ultrasound and the **** Fay (Tropical Storm) screwed it all up! My OB office closed for the day and I can't get back in until Sept 2. Now, I was not looking forward to drinking that awful drink again but I want to see my babies in 3D! I'm worried that 2 weeks from now they will be too crowded and I won't be able to see much. I'm going to the perinatologist on Thursday and I'm going to ask if he will do one.

I'm only having one shower, it's on Sept 13. I wanted co-ed but that was quickly vetoed! Unfortunately, I work with all men so that pretty much kills the work shower as well. I did send an evite to all of the guys inviting their spouses but I doubt many of them will actually go. It's times like this that I really, really hate that my family lives so far away.
DH doesn't like to shop either. Luckily his mom was willing to go do the registry with me.

You guys are so funny imagining extra/missing fingers and toes! All of the babies are going to be perfect!

[eggy]

Tammy- That sucks that you missed your appointment, but are you ok in the midst of Fay? If you want to get in before Sept. 2 (and I know you do), call them every day until you get in on someone else's cancellation. Or can't you just play the twins pregnancy card and beg your way in?

I just drank the carb juice about 10 minutes ago for my GF test. Going to go dry my hair and have my husband drive me over for my blood draw in 20. He offered to take me out to breakfast after, but I had to remind him about the heinousness of what I just drank. Blech. Meanwhile, I woke up today at 5:45 to eat two hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, with 4 oz. of non-fat milk to chase down my fistful of vitamins. I really, really hope I pass this test. If I don't, it won't be the end of the world -- I'll just watch what I eat, work out, and deal. But I'd love to avoid having to worrying about one more thing! As it is, I found out yesterday that the stuff for the room is slightly delayed, so I'm nursery-less until October!

[Sweetpea]

Tammy, youre hilarious. Sorry about Fay. I'd be mad too. In fact, I think Id be mad enough to have to nurse myself through it by going on an online spending stint in my storm proof basement (um, if I had a storm proof basement!) and by the way, If we could have a virtual, online baby shower for you, I would totally come, and I think everyone else would too!!

Melissa-Thats the first time telepathy has worked for me! yay! maybe I do have some mental pwr after all.

On Carb juice- you guys are so GOOD! I didnt do anything special the day of that test. They told me I didnt have to be fasting, and so I didnt fast, that was it. In hindsight, Im happy I didnt know that alot of people are so much more careful!! lucky I didnt have a positive result!!

Yeah, all the Charlie and the Chocolate factory stuff is totally great, I love Anne of Green Gables too. I dont think I ever read Pipi Longstocking. But I sure am excited to make homemade sockdolls with my son and daughter in a few years. My mom did that with me, just like her mom did with her. I also really look forward to making little kid snacks together, like Jello Jigglers, and pigs in a blanket, and frosted sugar cookies. (Also blanket tents are so much fun!!)

Here's my new crave:
Sourdough turkey sandwich
Toasted Sourdough bread,
Cream cheese on one or both sides
Turkey
Tomato
Sprouts (If you dare)

I really love this one. I always have my sandwiches dry, so DH is shocked that Ive gone from nothing to full fat cream cheese in a single bound. Have to say I haven't looked back!!!

[eggy]

Marie-- I love that you list your cravings from time to time! Do you eat fresh turkey or deli turkey? I ask because I was told by my doc that deli turkey is a no-no. That seems to be the only dietary rule I've followed. (I've eaten sushi, tried sips of wine, etc.) Meanwhile, I am all about the dairy products lately....

[SDlawyer30]

Eggy, my OB seems a little more daring than most of the pregnancy books, and she kind of laughed when I asked several months ago about eating cold cuts. She said that the whole listeria concern is blown way out of proportion, and that she only thinks you would get it by eating unpasteurized cheese in Mexico - or at least that was her example. She said if I felt more comfortable not eating the cold cuts out of a package on the deli aisle that was fine, but she saw no problem eating them if you watched them slice it fresh in the deli. I have been eating turkey and other meats (although pretty much just turkey) for months - I have been to Submarina a few times, although not trusting enough of Subway. I actually had a turkey panini tonight for dinner from a french restaurant, but I think it was not really deli turkey but sliced fresh off the bird - at least it didn't seem like pressed deli meat to me. Its funny, our whole conversation over the deli meat came up because I had a chicken breast sandwich at Subway ages ago and got a horrible stomachache after it - she laughed and said I had a better chance of getting salmonella from the chicken than I did of getting sick from deli meat.

But, Marie, I am curious as to what you have been eating for turkey too - I hope I am not alone in breaking the rules in the books! I haven't eaten any uncooked sushi, but I have eaten feta and blue cheese a few times without asking if they are pasteurized - since I am fairly certain most of it is these days, especially at chain restaurants.

[eggy]

Heather -- You definitely have the right attitude about this stuff. Most things are probably just fine. My understanding is that almost all feta you get in the U.S. is pasteurized, so no worries there. In fact, almost all cheese in the U.S. is pasteurized, unless you go to a high-end cheese shop and get the raw stuff. And the raw stuff is usually listed accordingly. I've mostly avoided blue cheese, but have snuck in the occasional taste. Incidentally, last week at Cowgirl Creamery in San Francisco, I ate a sample of cheese (I think it was a manchego) before the very panicked salesgirl looked down at me, realized I was pregnant, and informed me she'd accidentally given me the unpasteurized stuff. Obviously, it was fine (and delicious). I think she was more freaked than I was (because I wasn't).

I'm such a bad gravida -- the list of things I've eaten these past several months reads like the forbidden list from "What to Expect When You're Expecting." But everything has been in moderation (and I make sure to eat pretty healthfully). I figure if pregnant Japanese women eat sushi, pregnant Italian women eat prosciutto, and pregnant French women have some wine from time to time, it's not the end of the world for us to do it. I just make sure I'm at reputable places that sell fresh food. If anything, I'd think a small piece or two of tuna sushi (raw and mercury!) every once in a while is much less damaging than a highly processed fast food burger. Am I already such a bad mother?

[GEwifey]

I've also been craving turkey, my new fav is Subway's turkey breast & ham. I've eaten cold cuts throughout each pregnancy, and believe it or not, with my other pregnancies, sooo many years ago, I was never told anything about not eating cold cuts. I've moved on from watermelon to strawberries w/ sugar sprinkled on top.

[chantalTTC]

I must have a 'daring' OB, too. She's pretty lax on these things - like Eggy said, everything in moderation... I've been to Subway and for sushi (yes, some of the raw stuff) and not thought twice. I've stayed away from alcohol, though wouldn't think it'd be a big deal to have a few sips every once in awhile.

[GEwifey]

Has the tiredness that we all had in beginning come back for a visit yet? The past 2 days I can barely hold my head up, I don't have to sleep, I just want to lay down.

[chantalTTC]

Yes...I've been really tired lately, too. I find I'm super tired during the day, but then at night I'm not, so I've been getting to bed later than I should, I think. I have a lot going on these days in addition to growing a human inside me, so I think my body is rebelling...

[eggy]

I am tired all the time these days! Was on the phone with a friend early yesterday evening, and suddenly felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Had to go and take an hour nap. On my way to go work-out now, but I could just as easily go back to bed.

[tamarie]

Originally Posted by eggy

Tammy- That sucks that you missed your appointment, but are you ok in the midst of Fay? If you want to get in before Sept. 2 (and I know you do), call them every day until you get in on someone else's cancellation. Or can't you just play the twins pregnancy card and beg your way in?

I just drank the carb juice about 10 minutes ago for my GF test. Going to go dry my hair and have my husband drive me over for my blood draw in 20. He offered to take me out to breakfast after, but I had to remind him about the heinousness of what I just drank. Blech. Meanwhile, I woke up today at 5:45 to eat two hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, with 4 oz. of non-fat milk to chase down my fistful of vitamins. I really, really hope I pass this test. If I don't, it won't be the end of the world -- I'll just watch what I eat, work out, and deal. But I'd love to avoid having to worrying about one more thing! As it is, I found out yesterday that the stuff for the room is slightly delayed, so I'm nursery-less until October!

Everything is fine here. It's really just a minor storm - but thanks for asking.