Disboutiquers Part 4ish Kids Disney Boutique / Customs Clothes psst..we sew

[Stephres]

Megan's hair looks so pretty! after you took the socks out that is! And, she is just too cute!!!

Stephanie, you look great!!! And, as always, I appreciate the alternate view of your house!

You guys really ARE too cute!!!! Look at little Megan and Jacob!!! Megan looks so much like you. Gorgeous! I had a shirt just like yours in white.
I had just started Weight Watchers after having Lyddy, and Corey told me, "Mom you should wear white more, because you look skinny!" Of course, he was nuts, I still had a good 30 pounds to lose, but I did appreciate the compliment!!!

1) Thanks! I hope Heather tries it too and shows us pictures!

2) Only for you, TJ!

3) That Corey is a sweetie. That sounds like something Jacob would say.

SHAMELESS PLUG: I updated my trip report!

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

Since we seem to wearing Miss Cammie down on the baby thing.....here's some more pics to keep the feeling alive!

This is Michael, he was just a couple of months old (pre-digital).

Your babies are soooo precious! I love looking at baby pictures.

Look how little they are!

Your hair cut looks great, and Megan looks so much like you!

What a beautiful family!

How cute! I downloaded it even though I have no idea how to use it yet!

Just wanted to share my newest dress! Thanks for letting me share! I just love this site and all of the awesome designs!

That is so cute! You find the cutest shower curtains!

 

[livndisney]

OH, the memories! It's very much like childbirth, you put it out of your mind, don't live the pain every day. BUT, all it takes is a simple conversation about childbirth, and WHAM, it's all there again! I don't think I'll ever forget the unbelievably long birth of my son, or the horrendous journey to my daughter. But the moment that I saw them both the first time, it all just didn't matter any more.

Shannon, you are so RIGHT!!!!!!! I would not trade a moment (well maybe 12 hours of it LOL). The first time I saw her little face in person........ EVERYTHING I went through was worth it. And I would do it again (but NO ONE is allowed to remind me I just said that LOL)

CampbellScot- My DD is from China. She has been home for almost 3 years (where did the time go?). Yes, after the first few days (LOL) we are very bonded. She is so much like me it is scary sometimes-we even have the same allergies!

As you can tell I am always willing to talk about adoption!

I will have to dig up the first picture taken at the airport here in the states, those that have seen pics of my DD will get a BIG kick out of the "transformation" LOL

 

[twob4him]

OH yeah I forgot to tell you all the most important thing....I ordered those cute pettiskirts from Disney shopping online. Oh and then they needed some tops and bathing suits etc etc Seriously good sales both days. Now I have no money left to buy myself spring clothes....oh well....it will go from 50 to 80 here next month. Although...today seems nice. I better get to cleaning and get out to enjoy it. Have a wonderful day!!!

PS. Quick baby story....I was sicker then an dog 24-7 with numerous trips to hospital to get rehydrated. And I failed every 1 hour glucose test and had to suffer thru the three hour (which I always passed). Fortunately the labors went well once I was induced. I had an epidural twice (they didnt work anyways...very spotty) and had natural cb twice. I was fortunate that the transition part lasted only 20 minute and I pushed for 3 or less times all four times.....read Wide Hips here!...and the little ones popped out healthy...Praise the Lord!

 

[revrob]

Isn't it strange how much our adopted children can be like their parents? I always say that it's just another confirmation that God had chosen us to be family. My DD is the same way! She walks like me, she has the same allergies, we even have the exact same birthmark. Now THAT is eery! I cried the first time I took off her socks and found her little brown speckle dot on her left heel. Isn't God amazing!


EDIT - Cindee, I meant to quote you here, but somehow it disappeared?

 

[UMTerp]

Here is the latest for DD.

Thanks for looking!

 

[teresajoy]

Thanks!!

I didn't think the glucose test was bad either. I wouldn't want to drink a whole bottle of it, but the little cup they give you is ok. Make sure it is ice cold though - makes it MUCH better. For me the ultrasounds were the worst!! Making a preggo woman drink tha much water, then pressing on her bladder - pure torture!! DD was breech and I had low amniotic fluid so at the end I was having ultrasounds weekly!! They finally told me that you didn't really need to drink that much water. It was a good thing I didn't go with a midwife (never would have anyway) My fluid level was so low that she had to be delivered 4 weeks early. Both of my kiddos were breech too. (Scheduled c-sections both times) I've been flirting with the idea of another baby...

The little cup isn't so bad, but when you have to drink the bottle, it gets pretty nasty!

I had planned c-sections with Arminda and Lydia, and I went to a midwife my entire pregnancy. She was Certified Nurse Midwife, and near the end of the pregnancy, I just met with the doctor that would do the surgery in addition to meeting with her. So, don't rule out the midwife option! I HIGHLY recommend them! I got so much more personal attention from my midwife. She actually viewed me as a real person, unlike the OB/gyn I went to with Corey. I seriously could NOT stand her, but they made you pay everything upfront, so when I realized about 3 months in that this was NOT who I wanted delivering my baby, there wasn't anything I could do about it!

1) Thanks! I hope Heather tries it too and shows us pictures!

2) Only for you, TJ!

3) That Corey is a sweetie. That sounds like something Jacob would say.

SHAMELESS PLUG: I updated my trip report!

My Mom put rag curls in our hair once when we were little, I'm thinking she would look pretty cute with the socks!!!

Corey is a very sweet boy!

I'm off to read your TR, unless one of these pesky kids needs somethin'!

Shannon, you are so RIGHT!!!!!!! I would not trade a moment (well maybe 12 hours of it LOL). The first time I saw her little face in person........ EVERYTHING I went through was worth it. And I would do it again (but NO ONE is allowed to remind me I just said that LOL)

CampbellScot- My DD is from China. She has been home for almost 3 years (where did the time go?). Yes, after the first few days (LOL) we are very bonded. She is so much like me it is scary sometimes-we even have the same allergies!

As you can tell I am always willing to talk about adoption!

I will have to dig up the first picture taken at the airport here in the states, those that have seen pics of my DD will get a BIG kick out of the "transformation" LOL

I'd love to see the picture!

 

[dean556]

Hi everyone just popping in to say I love what everyone has done the last couple of weeks y'all are great!!
things here have been crazy,first step-daughter and hubby came down for a week without telling anyone,they left Monday we had a great time.Then while they were here last Thurs.I had 5 teeth cut out (which is no fun at all) then Monday I woke up with the flu and have had it all week I still feel bad but better then a couple of days ago.And of course on top of all this we are moving suppose to be out of this place by Friday. At this point I don't see that happening,I am stressed to the point I just want to sit down and cry.
I HATE moving I hate change of any kind,so this is really rough on me.
We have so much stuff for a family of 3 its unbelievable(where did it come from)
anyways just wanted to say hi,I have been reading just not alot of time to post

 

[teresajoy]

Hi everyone just popping in to say I love what everyone has done the last couple of weeks y'all are great!!
things here have been crazy,first step-daughter and hubby came down for a week without telling anyone,they left Monday we had a great time.Then while they were here last Thurs.I had 5 teeth cut out (which is no fun at all) then Monday I woke up with the flu and have had it all week I still feel bad but better then a couple of days ago.And of course on top of all this we are moving suppose to be out of this place by Friday. At this point I don't see that happening,I am stressed to the point I just want to sit down and cry.
I HATE moving I hate change of any kind,so this is really rough on me.
We have so much stuff for a family of 3 its unbelievable(where did it come from)
anyways just wanted to say hi,I have been reading just not alot of time to post

Teeth, flu, unexpected guests, moving!!! No wonder you are stressed! I hope you start feeling better and everything calms down for you.

Here is the latest for DD.

Thanks for looking!

That is gorgeous!! I love the fabric! Your daughter is so pretty too!

 

[CampbellScot]

Shannon, you are so RIGHT!!!!!!! I would not trade a moment (well maybe 12 hours of it LOL). The first time I saw her little face in person........ EVERYTHING I went through was worth it. And I would do it again (but NO ONE is allowed to remind me I just said that LOL)

CampbellScot- My DD is from China. She has been home for almost 3 years (where did the time go?). Yes, after the first few days (LOL) we are very bonded. She is so much like me it is scary sometimes-we even have the same allergies!

As you can tell I am always willing to talk about adoption!

I will have to dig up the first picture taken at the airport here in the states, those that have seen pics of my DD will get a BIG kick out of the "transformation" LOL

I may have to pick your brain some on that! I've always thought I'd adopt a little girl from China. I have two adopted cousins. One from Korea and one from China. Both cousins were adopted around age 3. My Chinese cousin was "approximately" three b/c they weren't sure how old she was. She was found in a meat market in a box. They thought she was an infant but she was very malnourished and almost 2 when they found her but barely weighed 15 pounds.

I JUST got a DVD documenting the journey of American parents to adopt Chinese daughters. It was a National Geographic special with Lisa Ling. I cried through the whole thing! One mother was going back for her second daughter and she had made a poster of her first daughter, with the first picture they had of her and info about where she was left as well as current pictures. The poster said how well and happy the girl was and the mom posted it in the park where her daughter was found. She hoped the birth mother might see it and feel good knowing that her baby was okay and very loved. A lot of Chinese people in the park cried looking at that poster and a man actually said it was a "shame that so many of China's daughters would not know their country".

It was really neat to see it. I also ordered a book called "The Lost Daughters of China" by Karin Evans. She documents her journey to get her daughter as well as delving in to China's cultural belief that daughters are expendable.

very interesting read.

I'm glad your little one is happy. I would LOVE to see your "birth" picture!!

PS. Quick baby story....I was sicker then an dog 24-7 with numerous trips to hospital to get rehydrated. And I failed every 1 hour glucose test and had to suffer thru the three hour (which I always passed). Fortunately the labors went well once I was induced. I had an epidural twice (they didnt work anyways...very spotty) and had natural cb twice. I was fortunate that the transition part lasted only 20 minute and I pushed for 3 or less times all four times.....read Wide Hips here!...and the little ones popped out healthy...Praise the Lord! [/COLOR][/SIZE]

Were you just mad as a wet hen to have to go through the three hour test only to pass it?! See...I'd start throwing things. I don't think I could do it. I would be the WORST pregnant person EVER!

Was natural childbirth horrible? My mom had all three of us naturally and said it wasn't as bad as the woman in the next bed was "carrying on" about. Yeah...semi private birthrooms... My mommy is a tough Southern lady. She said she just prayed and kept reminding herself that "This too shall pass". She also thinks that b/c she had such horrible menstrual cramps growing up that giving birth was not that far of a stretch. As I inherited those cramps, I think I know what she means. Mom always said that she had cramps worse than when she had me.

Isn't it strange how much our adopted children can be like their parents? I always say that it's just another confirmation that God had chosen us to be family. My DD is the same way! She walks like me, she has the same allergies, we even have the exact same birthmark. Now THAT is eery! I cried the first time I took off her socks and found her little brown speckle dot on her left heel. Isn't God amazing!


EDIT - Cindee, I meant to quote you here, but somehow it disappeared?

God is Amazing. And I Know that no matter what I do...it will work out one way or another...even if I am a big whiny baby!

Here is the latest for DD.

Thanks for looking!

She looks beautiful! I love the fabric!! pretty windows too!!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Here is the latest for DD.

Thanks for looking!

I love the pretty fabric! And your windows too...Great job on the dress!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Great job! So cute!

Love the flowers with the plaid! Such a beautiful spring outfit!

I got the pink disney petti yesterday in the mail! It is adorable and fits great.

So So SOOOOOO cute!!! Wow! LOVE IT!! Your daughter looks SO pretty in that outfit!!! cute cute cute!!!

That is so stinkin cute!!!! You did a fantastic job! Your daughter is adorable!

Thanks for all the positive remarks! I think I may graduate myself from beginner to advanced beginner?

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Need your opinion- Ill be back tomorrow to chech for responses
I finished the A-line top and am working on the easy fit pants. Trying to decide if I should do rick rack or leave plain

I say no ric rac. It is such a pretty outfit, it doesn't need it!

 

[100AcrePrincess]

Just wanted to share my newest dress! Thanks for letting me share! I just love this site and all of the awesome designs!

This is also made from a shower curtain that I got on Clearence at Target a while back for $4.99! lol

Oh and I have had lots of ? About where I got the Winnie the pooh sheet. We have this store called Gabes, which is a discount store that sells seconds. I bought it there for $4.99. It included a pillowcase and the fitted sheet. I know you can find them on Ebay. I will be going back next week and if you would like for me to pick one up for you, just let me know!

Candice

I LOVE the monkey! I may have to give that a try just appliqueing the monkey & tree. Too cute!

I'll try to run check Tuesday Morning today. If they don't have the Pooh set, I'll be pm-ing you.

 

[LauraP22]

Just wanted to share my newest dress! Thanks for letting me share! I just love this site and all of the awesome designs!

This is also made from a shower curtain that I got on Clearence at Target a while back for $4.99! lol

Oh and I have had lots of ? About where I got the Winnie the pooh sheet. We have this store called Gabes, which is a discount store that sells seconds. I bought it there for $4.99. It included a pillowcase and the fitted sheet. I know you can find them on Ebay. I will be going back next week and if you would like for me to pick one up for you, just let me know!

Candice

That is too cute! I love Gabes! I grew up in Harford County Maryland and we have a Gabriel Brothers right near our house. I get to go there in a couple of weeks when I go home to visit my family I like the one in York PA too and often drive out there at least once during a trip home

your babies are so darling. I love the dress and ANYTHING with Pluto is a winner for me!!! Too bad about the bleeding fabric though...did it come out in a second wash? Hope so, cause that outfit is SO super cute!!!

Thanks, I think they're pretty cute, but hey, I'm partial The bleeding didn't stop when I washed it twice on "light soil" with "cool wash and rinse" water. I just decided to call it a wash and get rid of it. It bled when I prewashed it and then I hoped it would rinse clean afterwards but no such luck.

Ooooh gorgeous - what Ottobre Magazine?? I might have to see if I have that one in my stash. I love ottobre magazines too - great value for money

I love Ottobre too I did the recycled materials dress from 03/07 for the skirt in a size 92cm and the simply sweet jumper top in a size three and they went together very nicely

They all look great! I love the dresses. I have all that material left over from other dresses and I am thinking of using that new Simply Sweet pattern with them! I saw that mickey material but didn't get it, glad I didn't!

I wish I hadn't gotten it

All the hard work I did this week and I finally finished an outfit!

The pants were super easy. They were from the same pattern I did for my tinkerbell outfit. The top was a little more complex, but after sleeping on it for a night, I figured it out! The only help from momma was serging the ruffles! I loved this material. The eyelet was so pretty and easy to work with!

This is so cute, I love all the ruffles

So cute! That stinks about the fabric. Hope the kids are feeling better!

Thanks, they are much better

Sorry your kids have been sick. That's no fun! I love your slipper, that is so cool that you can do that! Thanks for sharing it.

What a bummer about the fabric bleeding! It was really cute too.

thanks

This makes me nervous, I cant remember if I prewashed the micey fabric- but I dont think I did. What cycle did you run it on?
Maybe Ill just try handwashing in cold....I suppose the good thing is that it fits her perfectly now, which means it wont fit her for long

Because of you ladies- I prewash everything now- and I have to say, I do like having clean fabric that smells nice- especially when I press it!
It does get harder to manage if I have say- 3yards of something

light soil with cool water

LOVE this! Thanks so much for sharing! What program are you using to learn to digitize? Have you taken classes? Online tutorials? I really want to learn to do this.

I am borrowing PEDesign 6.0 from a friend. I got a tutorial from secrets of embroidery and it was well written and easy to follow


I'll have to dig up some teeny pics of my little ones to share

 

[LisaZoe]

oooooooohhhh I wanna share my fabric shopping with you. I ordered this the other week (just waiting for it to arrive)

this is for a comforter set I'm doing for the girls new bedroom and I also think it's perfect for something for the hawaii part of our trip

what do you ladies think

I love the Ginger Blossom prints and the ones you picked are some of my favorite. What's cool is I kind of know the woman who designed that line. She previously sold custom boutique on eBay and said her designs were created with children's clothing design in mind. She also is creating a line of patterns (I think). Oh, I also heard rumors that at least some of the Ginger Blossom prints will be available as corduroy later this year, I'm guessing in time for fall.

Need your opinion- Ill be back tomorrow to chech for responses I finished the A-line top and am working on the easy fit pants. Trying to decide if I should do rick rack or leave plain

Is the top reversible? If so, I think the ric rac will really bring the colors of the multi-colored print to the pants. If it will only be worn with the blue paisley out, I don't think the extra color is as needed but I still like it.

 

[jham]

I could tell her my adoption story-NOTHING is as scary as that!
The "highlight" was the "delivery" 22 HOURS on a plane with a REALLLLLLLLY mad 4 year old who kicked the seat in front of her for 12 HOURS!!!!!! non-stop.

AND I had her picture for 2 YEARS before I could go get her. (How's THAT for a long "pregnancy"?

ohhhh the story I could tell :

Do tell! I love adoption stories!!!

And all the baby pictures are just making me clucky. No more babies in this house though I would love to be one of those ladies who have fantastic pregnancies but unfortunately I spend alot of time either in hospital or confined to the bed. Not really ready to do that again while my girls are so little.


oooooooohhhh I wanna share my fabric shopping with you. I ordered this the other week (just waiting for it to arrive)

this is for a comforter set I'm doing for the girls new bedroom and I also think it's perfect for something for the hawaii part of our trip

what do you ladies think

Love the fabrics!

All the hard work I did this week and I finally finished an outfit!

The pants were super easy. They were from the same pattern I did for my tinkerbell outfit. The top was a little more complex, but after sleeping on it for a night, I figured it out! The only help from momma was serging the ruffles! I loved this material. The eyelet was so pretty and easy to work with!

very cute!

Uh oh!!! Young love....

Khrystian and Jayden sittin' in a tree, K- I -S -S -I -N -G ......

You hush your mouth right now! Jayden told me the other day one of the boys in her class tried to hold her hand Fortunately she was horrified.

My mother was AGHAST when I told her that being pregnant was nothing more than having a parasite invade your body and you go from "Person with a life and interests and wants and needs"...to a "HOST". This bothered me immensely! So I hear you on that. I've softened my view a little...but still...that's technically what pregnancy IS! I have A LOT of issues with hospitals...male doctors...and having my body treated like a science experiment and having no say and/or people just *assuming* that I will go along with every test under the sun b/c "everyone else does" or "it's standard". It is part of the reason I am still so iffy on the pregnancy thing. Once I am pregnant I am well aware that at least some of my choices are going to disappear. My husband knows that I will be an insane pregnant person.

this is why I have a good therapist! I want to be the happy "Earth Mother" who loves being pregnant...but I know I'm going to be a nutcase who feels out of control of my body which will make me ever MORE controlling about everything else!

poor husband.

perhaps we sHOULD stick to dogs!




Seeing pictures of your babies weaken my resolve like nothing else! They are absolutely gorgeous!



Adoption is my list of possibilities too!!! From which country did you adopt? (if you don't mind my asking!)



sounds like an adventure! I salute you! I know that must have been ROUGH to say the least! Is she still mad or has she warmed up some?



One of my best friends in the world is pregnant and if you ask her how she is feeling she'll give you a death glare! Her dog just died rather suddenly and she is in serious mourning. We aren't allowed to ask her ANY pregnancy questions. At all. I have a whole "mommy to be" basket and I can't send it to her b/c I know it will just upset her. So I have to wait it out until she feels better. Poor girl. Of all of us, knew that being pregnant was NOT going to be her thing. Losing her dog was unexpected and she's not dealing well. I call her every day thought and we talk about work...and the weather!

AND if someone I do not know even DARES to touch my belly...I'll be forced to cause physical pain. I can't believe people would do that! If someone I do know dares to touch my belly...I may have to get violent as well!

I think all y'all would be my only friends during pregnancy...it wouldn't be safe for me to be around others!

oh hey, the Pope is at St.Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan right now!! Irish girl's dream to see!!! He looks so cheerful and friendly...he waves to everybody...My grandmother wanted to know if I was going to get to "see him" while he was here...no grandma...those tickets were gone ages ago. She then said "Well love, did you tell them you are Irish?" Yes Grandma...I told *them* I was Irish...I still didn't get a ticket to see him!

I love my grandma. She thinks Irish Catholics are closer to God than anyone else! We are the chosen ones after all....

She then asked me if I was planning on a baby before she went to meet the Heavenly Father personally...

*sigh*

thanks grandma!



So So SOOOOOO cute!!! Wow! LOVE IT!! Your daughter looks SO pretty in that outfit!!! cute cute cute!!!

I your grandma. She just makes me laugh every time you tell stories about her! And I'm all for adoption too, whatever works. I just think you are such a great mom, I want you to have a baby! And for all these stories, yes, pregnancy is filled with scary stuff and lots of tests and invasions of all kinds. My pregnancies were not easy. I think that My first pregnancy taught me a LOT and made me EXTREMELY grateful for every second of the 4 following pregnancies. I am blessed because of how much it changed me and my outlook on everything. I really did not take anything for granted. I relished being able to complain about the simple pregnancy complaints like swollen feet and stretched muscles and back pain and glucose tests and needle pokes. It made me feel so normal. In a way it was me being thankful for a "normal" pregnancy. I LOVED being pregnant. It wasn't easy, it was usually terrifying and uncomfortable but for me it was amazing. I did not take every test offered. With Jayden I took the AFP test (for spina biffida and Down's syndrome) and was told she was high risk for Down's. They suggested amnio but I refused and wondered why I took the test in the first place. It caused me some worry, but she was fine and healthy and I never took that test again. I did take the glucose test though and I'm glad. I ended up having gestational diabetes with Luke (after he was born I lost 70 lbs. before I got pregnant with Lily and did not have it with her--but of course now I've gained most of that weight back, but I digress...) and had to monitor my blood sugars and have weekly ultrasounds. He was BY FAR my biggest baby and was induced 2 weeks early. Lily was an emergency c-section because her heart rate kept dropping. I turns out it was a good thing, because she had a condition with the placenta that could have been tragic for both of us in a traditional non-csection (don't want to get edited here) birth. They had all the med students study her placenta (and the plates in her head because the were "perfect" "textbook" she got many comments on her beautiful (bald) head.) After my first DS Timothy was born (and died) I only ever saw a perinatologist and would only deliver at the hospital with the best NICU in the state. (yes, I was overboard paranoid, but it worked for me )

Here is the latest for DD.

Thanks for looking!

I love this. What pattern did you use?

 

[Stephres]

With Jayden I took the AFP test (for spina biffida and Down's syndrome) and was told she was high risk for Down's. They suggested amnio but I refused and wondered why I took the test in the first place. It caused me some worry, but she was fine and healthy and I never took that test again.

When I was pregnant with Megan the triple screen test came up wonky and they wanted to do an amnio to see if she had Down's. There was no way I would do a test that offered a 5% chance of miscarriage to see if she had Down's. We would have loved her the same so we didn't see the point to put her at risk.

They sent us to a hospital that had some fancy sonogram and measured all her limbs and told us it was unlikely she had Down's because all her measurements were normal. Unfortunately, the sonogram didn't reveal that she would have a bad attitude almost from birth!

I was pretty ambivalent about being pregnant. I did feel a little like being a host to a parasite but mostly I was excited about what waited for me at the end. I remembered the first time I was pregnant everyone treated me like a princess, don't lift that, let me help you, etc. The second time I was hauling an almost three year old to gymboree and preschool and no one offered to help with anything! I realized I was tougher than I thought!

 

[mytwotinks]

When I was pregnant with Megan the triple screen test came up wonky and they wanted to do an amnio to see if she had Down's. There was no way I would do a test that offered a 5% chance of miscarriage to see if she had Down's. We would have loved her the same so we didn't see the point to put her at risk.

They sent us to a hospital that had some fancy sonogram and measured all her limbs and told us it was unlikely she had Down's because all her measurements were normal. Unfortunately, the sonogram didn't reveal that she would have a bad attitude almost from birth!

I was pretty ambivalent about being pregnant. I did feel a little like being a host to a parasite but mostly I was excited about what waited for me at the end. I remembered the first time I was pregnant everyone treated me like a princess, don't lift that, let me help you, etc. The second time I was hauling an almost three year old to gymboree and preschool and no one offered to help with anything! I realized I was tougher than I thought!

I always tell first time preggos to enjoy it this time because no one cares quite as much the next time your pregnant! There is something magical about the first birth that is not quite there for the next. It has nothing to do with how excited you are about your baby, it's just that there isn't that "I just became a mom" vibe in the room.

I did not enjoy being pregnant. It seemed kind of gross to me. I mean when you think about the fact that there is a human being in there! It makes me think of the movie "Alien".

 

[CampbellScot]

I your grandma. She just makes me laugh every time you tell stories about her! And I'm all for adoption too, whatever works. I just think you are such a great mom, I want you to have a baby! And for all these stories, yes, pregnancy is filled with scary stuff and lots of tests and invasions of all kinds. My pregnancies were not easy. I think that My first pregnancy taught me a LOT and made me EXTREMELY grateful for every second of the 4 following pregnancies. I am blessed because of how much it changed me and my outlook on everything. I really did not take anything for granted. I relished being able to complain about the simple pregnancy complaints like swollen feet and stretched muscles and back pain and glucose tests and needle pokes. It made me feel so normal. In a way it was me being thankful for a "normal" pregnancy. I LOVED being pregnant. It wasn't easy, it was usually terrifying and uncomfortable but for me it was amazing. I did not take every test offered. With Jayden I took the AFP test (for spina biffida and Down's syndrome) and was told she was high risk for Down's. They suggested amnio but I refused and wondered why I took the test in the first place. It caused me some worry, but she was fine and healthy and I never took that test again. I did take the glucose test though and I'm glad. I ended up having gestational diabetes with Luke (after he was born I lost 70 lbs. before I got pregnant with Lily and did not have it with her--but of course now I've gained most of that weight back, but I digress...) and had to monitor my blood sugars and have weekly ultrasounds. He was BY FAR my biggest baby and was induced 2 weeks early. Lily was an emergency c-section because her heart rate kept dropping. I turns out it was a good thing, because she had a condition with the placenta that could have been tragic for both of us in a traditional non-csection (don't want to get edited here) birth. They had all the med students study her placenta (and the plates in her head because the were "perfect" "textbook" she got many comments on her beautiful (bald) head.) After my first DS Timothy was born (and died) I only ever saw a perinatologist and would only deliver at the hospital with the best NICU in the state. (yes, I was overboard paranoid, but it worked for me )

Thanks!! I love my grandma too!! She's a laugh a minute b/c she is so SERIOUS about being Irish and being Catholic and she is just so dang funny! She actually just called and wanted to make sure that I at least watched the Pope while he was being televised at St. Patrick's...and she said "And you were listening with your heart and not looking at the computer? There's a good girl. You've made the baby Jesus very happy!" Like I'm still 5... She's a doodle my grandma.

Can I ask why the doctors thought that oldest daughter was high risk for Down's? That must have been scary.

I would love my baby no matter what, but it would be scary knowing the challenges they would face.

When I was pregnant with Megan the triple screen test came up wonky and they wanted to do an amnio to see if she had Down's. There was no way I would do a test that offered a 5% chance of miscarriage to see if she had Down's. We would have loved her the same so we didn't see the point to put her at risk.

They sent us to a hospital that had some fancy sonogram and measured all her limbs and told us it was unlikely she had Down's because all her measurements were normal. Unfortunately, the sonogram didn't reveal that she would have a bad attitude almost from birth!

I was pretty ambivalent about being pregnant. I did feel a little like being a host to a parasite but mostly I was excited about what waited for me at the end. I remembered the first time I was pregnant everyone treated me like a princess, don't lift that, let me help you, etc. The second time I was hauling an almost three year old to gymboree and preschool and no one offered to help with anything! I realized I was tougher than I thought!

My husband's ex wife did amnios for both her kids to test for Down's. I didn't know it was such a risky test! I guess everybody has to make that decision for themselves.

see control goes right out the window!

Awww...poor Megan...she's just got an "artistic" temperment...like Scrappy.