[sunny72]

Josee, I don't even think about finances or costs of raising a child because it would send me into a fit of depression (it doesn't take much to do that). I am coming to the realisation that my current job is more of a financial burden than a benefit right now. I don't know what I have been thinking. I have never worked for so little money since I was a teenager. I dont' have any secondary education and can't get the motivation to pursue it because I'm an only focus on one thing at a time type person and before having children, it was saving money to travel the world. However, I've always made a good living at what I do (no I'm not an exotic dancer) but thought I'd go into non-profit so that despite being at the lower end of the totem poll, (is that a saying in the US?, I hope so because I've been using it a lot) I would get a sense of making the world a better place. That being said, after my train fare and health insurance, I don't even have enough money to contribute to our condo fees or car payment. I am just hanging in there at this job to use this IVF insurance I just picked up (hopefully we get approved or I'll shoot myself).

Last time I saw my parents I regressed into being a bratty child and told them that if they hadn't of taken me out of school of could have been somebody or something. DH tells me I can't blame my parents at this age and that I have no excuse for not going to college. Crap.

Okay girlies, sorry for the heavy emo-trips today. I'll catch up later. I get a tad emotional when I'm tired and we were up at 5AM so I decided to give DH a lift to work and now I'm cranky. At least DD got to go to the to the playground at 6AM. We're going out to run some errandds, buy some treats and hit another playground.

Tomorrow I have b/w and ultrasound. I just put two and two together and realised that I have the heaviest AF and I have to do an u/s. Bummer.

[sunny72]

Kris, Simon totally looks like you.

[hopeful2bmom]

Heidi- Are you doing a FET or a fresh cycle?

Are you still taking the RJ/BP?
ALso, I think for some reason a probitic helped me to stabilize my GI tract which my acupuncturist said was getting too much attention from my body and leaving little for my uterus. It also helped to keep me very regular.

Now that I know we are fellow anorexic buddies we can go eat chocolate together until we are sick
I know a good place.
Today the whole state of RI smells like Roger Williams PArk Zoo. Heidi you will know what that smells like.

[JustPeachy]

Missed everyone this morning! I got to sleep in while dh woke up with Aiden and I just went to the grocery store wiht Aiden to buy all this organic food to make him another batch of homemade baby food this afternoon. Yes, I am crazy. And, I'm about to have another picky gourmet eater on my hands. Aiden will eat veggies when I make them but refuses to eat any of the premade canned ones. He would live on fruit if it was up to him right now!

All of the anorexia stories are truly inspiring. It seems my dh had the opposite affect on my weight. I was in a 27 inch wasit jeans when I met him and all we do is eat and drink these days! I know it is a sickness. We have all tried repeatively to talk to SIL about it and I've had several confrontations with my dr. db about it. He doesn't think she has an eating disorder but he does think she is obsessive about exercise. No one can get through to her and db has just given up. I know she has to make the change herself. I think the only thing that would motivate her would be if my db would tell her that she isn't attractive that skinny. I know her problem is all self image. I dated her brother and still see her parents all the time. Her parents raised her to believe her brother was the brilliant one (md/phd) and she was the pretty one. She just has no self worth other than her looks. I've even printed out articles for her and db about how severely excessive exercise can affect fertility. And, I'm worried too for her daughter. I wish they had a son instead. She made her daughter eat on a very strict schedule even as a baby. So, now she is obsessive about always having food as a backup b/c she literally doesn't get food unless it is an assigned eating time. My niece constantly tries to hide snacks in her pockets and won't eat a cookie/snack/anything unless she has one in each hand as a backup. You can just see the writing on the wall.

Yesterday, I know she was frustrated with me b/c I was making fun of her nonstop for not having the good sense to not exercise in the middle of the day during the summer here. She literally said "Yay I know only dumb me would go out in this heat." I just don't think there is any way to get through her. I wish my db would try harder. He has tried to get her to stop exercising and refuses to exercise with her when it is hot outside but she'll just go on her own.

Thank you all for sharing your stories. We have many wonderful strong women around here. I am sad so many of us have struggled with this terrible disease but it seems everyone has made it through to the other side a more wonderful woman with self confidence to understand that.

Josee - We are all praying to all the different g-ds up there for this to be your month! The expenses are crazy. Most of my friends pay around $1200 a month for full time daycare. Aiden's formula alone is $10 a day and then diapers, etc. Somehow it works itself out. We don't make huge money. I'll try to think of some specifics on $$ later. Oh, and I love your idea of SIL and PIL!! I really liked that show Tell Me You Love Me but it really is porn!

Shawna - I am so sorry to hear about your Grandpa. You will find a way to see him. Try not to overanalyze it just yet. It is so hard when the ones we love get older. I am struggling with my grandpa aging too.

Jen - Yummm Chilis!! I love salsa too and I need a fun SIL. Maybe I can talk my parents into adopting Walt! The doppler is very hit or miss at the beginning. The only advice I have is to start WAY low like below your bikini line and point the wand down toward your toes and use lots of the gel.

Amy - I'm glad everything was ok after your fall. I know it is scary. And, you are the absolute perfect pregnant size! It's hard not to compare but you will be so happy when you see how healthy lily is. It really does make a difference.

Tia - Too funny about forcing McD's down my SIL's throat. I sign up for the fries! Have fun watching snow white.

Alana - I thought there were other options for iron supplements. I guess you've tried all the various veggies already. I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you everyone for all the words of support here. I love sharing with all of you. I have to run and make some baby food but I'll be back later!

[Angelwithhope]

I've really lucked out that day care is not in our future. It is crazy expensive.

Josee- this is totally your time!!!

Rach- You pro! I'm going to be hitting you up for baby food recipes for sure! I want to do the same for our babies!!!! You're awesome! Some day hopefully something will get through to your SIL. She reminds me of Nicole kid.man. So sad, gave birth and I swear if they had not told the public, no one would have known she was pregnant.

[Shellyhume]

BTW - I started this post yesterday...

Amy you are so freakin' cute I cant stand it! I especially love the picture of you and hubby dancing... it's just so sweet!

Jen, your 12 week photos look great... that little bun will be bigger than can be before you know it!

I miss you guys... it's been a long week... REALLY long nights... I'm looking forward to longer spans of time in between feedings... *sigh*

Kris, Simon looks like he could be Daniel's cousin! Haha... I guess all caucasian newborns look similar... I know I didn't get back to your question from a few days ago... you can see photos of Baby Daniel at Little Hume... or on myspace - user name: Koshveily.

For those who are feeling a little lazier...

[hopeful2bmom]

Hi Shelly! Are you hanging in there?
I love your pics! Daniel looks more like you everytime I see a pic!

DH and I and a neighbor just tried intalling our car seat and it dod not work out so well. I finally called the boutique where I got it and she will do it for me tomorrow.
Darn European products!

I am off to eat some yummy flunder that I stuffed with crabmeat, panko, butter and fresh parmesean and baked for 20 mins. It smells delish!
With some rice and broccolini!
Can't wait. Got an early appointment with a lawyer tomorrow to do our wills and trusts for the baby, then breast feeding class tomorrow night! I have such a busy week. Three doctor's appointment Tuesday.
Wed. and Thurs I have to relax and Friday my mom is driving me to my hair appointment (it is an hour away). I hope I make it until then! My hair looks terrible!

tah, tah!

[designdiva32]

Shelly hes beautiful, and you're right...he looks like Simon! I enjoy keeping up with your blog Little Hume too, the photos are just precious.

Shawna, a BFP?!! I know you aren't singing yet but I'm getting pretty excited over here. When do you piac next??

Heidi and Susan, you girls are very strong ladies to fight and beat that horrible disease. My youngest sister struggled with an eating disorder for years too, and to be honest its still with her in a milder form to this day, she still is obsessive over exercise etc, so I know how hard it is to beat. You are truly amazing women.

Josee, the financial side of raising kids freaks the heck out of me too. Its very scary, and DH and I are on only one income for a wee bit. Until we move and I can go back to continue school and work part-time again. To keep costs down we will probably just live further out from whatever city we live and will only use daycare occasionally until I'm finally working fulltime again. But its going to be tough I know that. The plan is for things to be better in the future when I'm finally qualified with a degree and DH's career is going better...meanwhile we scrimp and scrape to make ends meet.

Jen, tell Walt I said hes being a poophead and will come over the throw something at him on your behalf. I'm hormonal too!

Amy, Kris, I have tried iron supplements but they aren't working still, so I guess the OB will decide what to do with my on Thursday. Its a tough one though as iron makes me sick and kills my appetite which can be even worse for Reed, so they don't really know what to do with me. Just another reason hes probably better off out of me than in soon, I just hope the next few weeks go by fast!

Oh, and speaking of finances etc, is anyone else living in an old house that is falling apart? Seriously, our place is killing us but we just can't afford to sell right now. But our basement flooded last night! I've started to really hate basements as they are always damp and leaking....and we really don't need this cost right now!! Its very annoying.

[JustPeachy]

Shelly - baby daniel looks adorable!! Those first few weeks are definitely the hardest. Looks like he enjoys napping on you! My mom used to come over a few days a week and she would watch Oprah while Aiden took a nap on her chest. Maybe someone can help you a few afternoons too so you can get some naps in?

Alana - I love old houses but they do have their challenges. I know down here there are several companies that will professionally waterproof your house with a lifetime warranty. I had to do it to my renovation house. It was as expensive as it sounds and the basement was so dry that when we finished it out we laid down hardwood floors!

Jen - I forgot to say how much I enjoyed seeing your 12 week bump pictures!

I'm frustrated with dh right now. What else is new?? I've taken Aiden with me to the grocery store and then to the mall this afternoon just so he would get out a little but stay cool in the heat. DH had no interest in joining us on either errand. I know neither is super exciting but sometimes it's just nice to do something as a family unit instead of on my own. To top off the frustration, I just had to have a "talk" with him about the AC in Aiden's room. He keeps turning it up and moving the unit!! After we've repeatedly talked about it. I went up there to put Aiden down for his nap and the thing is turned up to 73. That is way too hot for a baby. I came down furious and told dh very clearly that he does not always know best and do not under any circumstances touch the AC again!!

[hannah01]

omg shelly he DOES look like simon!! especially in the third picture. wow. does that sound bad now if i say he is gorgeous? he is! congrats chica, i am so thrilled for you. how is he eating? sleeping? i hope you're holding up okay - the first few weeks are so overwhelming and amazing at the same time.

[Shellyhume]

He's sleeping about 2 hours at a time... sometimes... other times he would rather use me as a pacifier to sleep... I am struggling a little bit with breastfeeding for and hour and a half at a time with only a half hour break in between (because, yes, babies eat every two hours starting from the start of the last feeding) but I have had a lot of support to power through... and that's just what I'm gonna do. I really had no idea what to expect these first few weeks... none whatsoever. Tomorrow is my first day alone with the little guy... I'm interested to see how it goes.

[hannah01]

shelly, simon was like that probably for the first 4-5 weeks (i know that sounds like a long time, but it's really not) - he just wanted to use me as a pacifier, and it took him SO long to get a full feeding. the good news is they get much faster and more efficient at it. simon still wakes up 2-3 times per night to eat, but instead of taking 30 minutes he is done in under 10. every time he is chewing on you, remember that you are burning upwards of 500 calories a day thanks to him! i told myself that today as i was trying to squeeze into my pre-preg jeans. you'll do great on your own tomorrow!

[MissBish]

Hey Ladies!
DH and I just got back from the weekend in Marshfield. We had a lovely time. Spent Saturday all day at the beach and outside of the trailers. My friend's father has 2 of them in this park right on the ocean. We grilled out, made a fire, the guys played guitars, etc. Lots of eating and having fun! No beers for me Still on the 40 of prednisone). Hoping another few days...its def. rearing it's ugly side effects...I am BLOWING UP!

Kris & Shelly - thank you for sharing your pictures. Sooo cute. It just makes my heart crumble for both of you.

I am alittle exhausted for personals....I need to find a good nutrionist this week and get back to exercising. At least back to yoga.

Susan - so no plug...but no changes w. Phoebe?! You have a busy week ...just hold on a little longer

Shawna - i will wait till you post your POAS results tomorrow morning..sounds promising.

Amy - your pics were cute. We had a Sullivan's in Raleigh, NC. DH's friend is still head chef there. Good steak.

Josee - how are you sweetie. Friday night was lame. We went, saw our friends play and then left. I was home by 11pm. I was so down and depressed...I am glad I got out of the house....
HOW ARE YOU?

Gonna make some soup...
MISSED YOU ALL!
K

[jencat215]

bout to walk out the door to go to the gym (we just rejoined today). I got a maternity bathing suit and I am so embarrassed!

Anyway, on the 3rd attempted, we got the hb and Dh just cried Stupid boy. So he was feeling much better and we went out and ran some errands.

Shelly-Danny is so darling!

[hopeful2bmom]

Alana- I know all about old houses and falling apart. Our house was built in 1902. Yep, that's pretty old as far as I am concerend. Our basement floods as well. We have tried waterproofing it to no avail. DH does not do it properly. Come Sept I am going to hire someone to do that and insulate the attic. Try to keep some heat in this winter.

Rach- I know what you mean about being a family until DH prefers to do everything alone. He does not come with me anywhere and I have a feeling this baby will be "mostly mine" when she comes. I hope I am wrong and he will just want to be with her all of the time.
We'll see. He is stating to get a little more into the baby gear. I think it's becoming more real.
Oh and tonight we were both taking turns talking to his college roomate who just had a baby and I heard him say to her "Susan will stay home for the first year but then she has to go back to work"... I really hope he meant back to school, because there is no way I am going to try to complete my PhD and work and take care of a baby, two dogs and either adopt or do DE. He is smoking the same crap that Walt must be smoking (, that's for you Jen)
BTW Tell Walt to get some Midol if he is feeling bloated and anxious
You can tell him I said that too