[Leah00]

Well, I had a really long post but my power went out and I lost it. Grr...
Anyway, all it really said was that my mom's husband is just a controlling jerk. He controls everything that happens in that house. He's got a huge list of chores for my sister everyday and if she wants to do anything my mom says "Go ask him.." He's older than my mom and his kids are grown up and gone so I think maybe he tries too hard to be "tough". I can't know for sure if there's anything going on, but I have talked to my sister and told her that if anything were to happen to not be scared to talk to me. I get scared thinking about it, but after I talk to her I never get a bad feeling so hopefully nothing is happening. I know it would be hard having her live with us with a baby on the way, but there's no way I could say no.

Anyway, about the fertilityblend... Wow. I know that it wouldn't work for everyone and maybe we were just lucky, but it really worked. We were nervous about seeing a fertility specialist and so I bought the fertilityblend just to stall for a little while longer. They recommend that you both take the pills (men's and women's) for at least 3 months, so we bought the couple's 3 month supply for $130. I've always had really long cycles and irregular periods, but as soon as I started talking the pills my cycles became regular. I was really surprised. I honestly didn't expect it to work, I even kept telling my husband not to be mad at me for wasting the money... We took our last pills of the 3 month supply on Tuesday March 18 and the very next day I got my BFP!!!
Like I said, I know it wouldn't work for everyone but I'm so happy it worked for us. We had been trying with no help (like "normal" people!) for over 4 years. I would really recommend that people try it if they think it might help. You can't beat $130 to get pregnant!!!

[eggy]

Leah, hang in there. I'm sorry to hear what a jerk your mom's husband is. If it comes down to your sister needing to live with you, I'm sure you'd find a way to make it work. Whatever happens, it sounds like you're doing a wonderful job being there for your sister.

Meanwhile, just got back from picking up a copy of Baby Bargains -- so excited to read it! It's going to be my pregnancy porn for the next several days.

[infertilitynovice]

Originally Posted by eggy

Meanwhile, just got back from picking up a copy of Baby Bargains -- so excited to read it! It's going to be my pregnancy porn for the next several days.

Too funny Eggy! I'll have to go out this afternoon and buy myself a copy too.

Sorry to hear that some of you other ladies aren't sleeping well either, but I guess it is nice to have company at least. I read something on line that was talking about this stage of pregnancy. Apparently, it is normal that we start having an even more difficult time sleeping. It said that our system and our babies' system are trying to sync better and they tend to get more active when we're trying to rest, so it makes sense that we're now not sleeping so well. And, I guess, this is nature's way of getting us ready to pretty much live on no sleep later anyways. I would think that nature would let us sleep now, knowing it will be the end of sleep for us for quite sometime. Sure is annoying though!!

Leah, I am relieved to hear that you have opened the door for your little sis to talk to you about any additional abuse she might be experiencing at the hands of your stepfather. I am also happy to hear that you don't feel like that is going on at this time. Could you call family and children's services on this man? There is obvious emotional and verbal abuse going on here, and as Marie said, that is very serious too. They would open an investigation. If nothing else, it should help to put this man in check. Or do you know the phone numbers of any of his children? Could they be contacted and told what is happening? Though if he's doing this to your sister, he probably did it to them too. I am just so sorry that this is happening at all. I hope it works out soon.

I posted a question on the "we're pregnant" board (thanks Chandra for your response), but I'll ask it here too...anyone else experiencing rib pain yet? I'm going to call my doctor today for some pain I've been having for the last several days on my left side. It is worse with sitting and laying down helps ease it. It just seems too early for me to be having the regular pregnancy rib spread pain, but since I've got 30 extra lbs from pre-pregnancy weight, maybe there is more to push up in making room for my growing uterus, in addition to my organs, than more fit people. I am just wondering if any of you have had this pain yet? I am SOOO uncomfortable!!!! Perhaps, it is my body's way of saying I need to get more active during the day? Dunno.

[GEwifey]

I think I'm getting a cold, DS and my MIL have both been sick, and now they have infected me with their germs...LOL

[dherbert]

Leah,

As you may have read on previous posts of mine, I have my little Sister living with me. She is now 15, but was 8 when DH and I got custody of her. I was only 25 at the time and was in the middle of purchasing our first home, but nothing was more important to me, than her having a stable, and safe enviroment. Even if your Mother does not agree with your Sister moving with you, you could always go to family court and have your Sister talk to them. I think its at the age of 10 or 12 that they will actually take in consideration where your Sister wants to live. If you can prove her stepfather is verbally abusive and she is afraid of him, then you should be able to get custody. It could be pretty ugly between you and your Mother if she tries to fight it. Unfortunatley my Mother had many issues at the time and did not want my Sister to leave her. I had to take a stand against my Mom and tell her I would fight her in court and dredge up many things from her past that would prove her unfit, if she pushed me. She agreed she did not want her dirty laundry aired and she signed over all custody. I have always been 100% agreeable that my Sister could move back with my Mother when she was ready, as long as my Mom had a stable enviroment. My Mother has done much better for herself over the past few years, but Kayla chooses to stay with us because it's her home.

I hope everything works out with you and your sister for the best. You are absolutely doing the right thing by leaving the lines of communication open for her. she sounds like she needs someone to lean on, and that cant be your Mother if she's always siding with her husband. It's just to bad your Mom cant see that she is the main cause of this, by allowing him to dominate every situation in the home. She needs to put her foot down and take some control over the situation, before your sister leaves the home on her own. I think she would much rather know she is safe with you, than on the streets somewhere, because she would not allow you to help.

[GEwifey]

Marie-Your haflway through your pregnancy, only 20 more weeks to go...woo hoo...LOL

[Sweetpea]

Melissa-I dont have rib pain yet, but I think that that one just totally depends on your anatomy. tall or short, longwaisted or short. I think its different for everyone.

Chandra-Im getting a cold too!! Only Im gonna be the one spreading the fun. No one else has it yet....but they will!

[Sidekik]

I know a couple of the ladies on here had received a Mother's Day card from their unborn child. Does anyone know where I can locate a Father's Day card like that? I've looked everywhere.

[dherbert]

Originally Posted by Sidekik

I know a couple of the ladies on here had received a Mother's Day card from their unborn child. Does anyone know where I can locate a Father's Day card like that? I've looked everywhere.

I got a Dad to be card from Kmart. You shold def be able to find one at Hallmark.

[infertilitynovice]

Kim, I don't know for sure, but do you have a Hallmark store near you? They're almost always in malls. If they don't have one, I don't have a clue where to go. Good luck!

Eggy~ So, I've got my pregnancy porn now too. I just got back so I haven't gone through it yet, but I'm excited to get started!

Chandra ~ Sorry to hear that you're not feeling well.

I called my OB. She said she doesn't think my rib pain is pregnancy related. She suggested it is a pinched nerve or something. I don't think so...it feels more muscular to me. She told me to see my regular GP, but there isn't anything they can do. I can't take any meds they'll want to give me to relieve it. I'll just sit twisted to the right and take Tylenlol I guess. The good news is if this isn't pregnancy related then it should go away and I won't have to live with this for the next 4+ months.

[Daney]

Wow a lot has gone on....
Leah- sorry to hear about you family problems you are a great big sister,,, we had my little brother with us for 3 years and he moved out on his own when we moved to Ohio,, we still help him out some with finances.. I would never change that time we had with him!!
I cant sleep good either and it is leaving me with crazy headaches!!
I have no rib pain yet but I am starting to get the ligament pain that gets pretty bad!!
How is the heat treating everyone,, I hate it I cant seem to get the energy to do anything!!
I am starting to get a little overwhelmed with everything that has to get done,, espec cause i will be in Michigan for 3 weeks in August for family stuff and then I have to move there when I hit 34 weeks incase of labor so I have to get everything done before that
Oh yeah I really like the name sarina chloe,, but thats just me!!!
Have a good day

[infertilitynovice]

Daney ~ What do you and your husband do that requires that you live so far from civilization? There isn't a hospital closer, or is it just subpar?

Eggy, I don't know where you are in flipping through the Baby Bargins book, but I'm only on page 44 and IT ROCKS!!!!!! I've already learned all kinds of things. I'll share
1. Don't register at Target...total pain in the butt return policy. (though one lady on this site says you can "register" the gift you are returning and get credit that way...umm...still sounds like a total pain in the butt to me) Oh, and they limit the number of returns you can do in a year (WHAT?!?!?).
2. You don't have to buy the mattress that the baby store tells you to buy for your crib. I totally would have bit on that if a sales person gave me the, "only our mattress will fit with our crib" speech. As long as the dimensions are right, you're good to go. Look at the type of mattress support the crib you want has to offer. Some only provide vinyl straps. This book says it is best to buy a crib that provides a solid peice of wood or metal springs to support the mattress.
3. (Some of you might have already thought of this one...I didn't) I liked the idea of the drawer under the crib, but this book brought light the reality that whatever is there will be dust filled in no time, so you shouldn't store clothes, sheets, or other items that will touch baby.
4. Ask to see the crib assembly instructions if the store doesn't provide delivery and set-up. Make sure the instructions are easy to read and follow before you leave the store.
5. Open any boxed furniture before you leave the store to make sure it isn't munched in some way. A pain? Yes, but much easier than packing it all back up and driving it back to the store for a return, right?
6. Don't buy pine furniture unless you're okay with scratches, divots, and other wear and tear damage. Apparently pine is the softest wood and dings VERY easily.
7. When ordering furniture, buy with a credit card. They suggest this in the case of "mom and pop" stores that might not be there anymore when it is time for your furniture to come in. That way you can cancel the purchase through your card. If it is in stock, no worries. (They also say if you're buying furniture that will have to be ordered, do it around month 5 or 6...I would have waited longer if I hadn't read this)
8. Go to BabyCribCentral.com to compare crib prices (haven't done this yet, but it is good info).
9. BabyDepot (part of Burlington Coat Factory) has a terrible return policy too.

Pretty cool info right? And I didn't have to spend HOURS googling to figure this out. I HIGHLY recommend this book (even at only 44 pages into it).

[eggy]

Melissa, I agree that the book is filled with so much excellent advice. (I fully agree with its take on the unbelievably crappy return policy at certain maternity stores, among other things.) However, it is giving me total heart palpitations -- there's so much to know/buy/do. I don't even know where to begin!

[Sweetpea]

That sounds like a fantastic book! I hate the Target return policy so so much. Recently I got some maternity tops from my mom as a gift, and I wanted to return a few of them. But there wasnt a reciept. So, because you can only return items under 20$, and can only recieve store credit, and on top of that, can only return two items like that PER YEAR, I had to return 2 myself, and now my husband has to go in seperatley, w 2 more maternity shirts, and return them. Not how Id like to spend a free evening w him. we were just lucky that they were all under 20$ a pop, or we simply would have been stuck w them. Now I save all reciepts!

Yesterday it was about 100 degrees where I live and my feet got really swollen. Ive never experienced that in my life! They were all red and puffy, and it hurt to flex my foot, or point my toe. It went away when I elevated them last night, but I really hope that the hot california summer and this pregnancy arent a horrible combination. good thing we have incredible AC. I plan on using it. worth every penny.

PS just wanted to add that I'M HALF WAY!!! 20 weeks, finally! and our anniversary is next tuesday. So, when you add fathers day to that, we are having a pretty eventful seven days! This pregnancy is moving really fast for us.

[infertilitynovice]

Marie ~ Halfway there!! WooHoo!! Crazy how time flies!

Eggy ~ You are so right about how much to buy, but at least we'll do it the right way and for the best price.

I just told DH that I just saved us $100 reading this book (more, in the long run, but $100 for now) tonight. I was just in the section about mattresses. I've decided I'm not going to buy a coil mattress; I'm buying foam. The book says that retailers' profit margin on furniture isn't all that high so they try to "up-sell" in other ways. Apparently most retailers have done away with foam mattresses entirely in an attempt to increase their profits. At wholesale they get these coil mattresses for $40 and sell them in the store for around $200. I'm not falling for that one!!! (well, not now that I know it is a scam) So is hard to find foam mattresses in stores now, but we can buy their top pick for firmness and value can be found at Colgatekids.com for $100. Its their "Classica I" mattress. So...there ya go...$100 savings right off the bat!!!!! I love getting a deal!!!

Correction: I just went to the website for the mattress and they don't sell directly from the site, but you can enter your zip code or area code to find a retailer near you. Turns out the same place I'm planning to buy my furniture also carries these mattresses.