Moms to Be Part 3

[ORMom2Four]

Hi everyone! Hoping I can join you. I'm almost 15 weeks pregnant with our first child; I am due June 10th. We're hoping for a girl but planning (at least for now) on being surprised. I'm finally starting to feel better and a little more like myself, and enjoy being pregnant a bit. We were very lucky and got pregnant the first cycle trying.

However, I had sad news today and hope for some advice or commiseration. A good coworker of mine became pregnant the month before I did. When she announced she was pregnant with her first baby, she's the only one I told that we were trying because I had to tell someone but didn't want any pressure or questions. She just went in for her 20 week anatomy scan and learned they were having a boy! However, they saw that one of the arms/hands looked odd, like maybe it wasn't developing properly. She was scheduled the next day (today) for an appointment with a specialist an hour away, and I heard from another coworker today that she is losing the baby. I'm not sure if that means something went wrong and it's happening naturally or if they had to make a decision or what, but I feel so awful for her. And I feel guilty. Understandably she doesn't want anyone to talk to her about it when she comes back to work, and I just want to be able to melt into the wall so she doesn't have to see me. Our whole office, being a couple dozen people who are exclusively women, has been so excited and happy about having two pregnant ladies there at once, and now of course the whole atmosphere around it will change. Has anyone else dealt this situation with a family member, close friend or coworker while you were also pregnant? I know to give her space but I just don't know what to do and feel so bad for her. And of course, it makes me worried about my own baby also.

While she might not want anyone to bring it up, she would likely appreciate a card or note telling her how sorry you are. It's common for women to go through a period of not wanting to eat afterwards too, so maybe sending a home-cooked meal would be nice too. Since she is 20 weeks, she will likely be induced and deliver her baby. It's not going to be easy, and she might take some time off work to recouperate (physically and emotionally). Her body is going to react as if she were full term (her milk will come in, she will have the same hormonal changes).

I won't lie, it's going to be hard for her to see your pregnancy progressing. I lost my son to an umbilical cord accident just this past June, and a dear friend was pregnant and due only days apart from me. Even though we live a few states apart, I couldn't even respond when she sent me an e-mail that she learned she was having a boy too (I regret it now, but the pain is SO intense when you lose a baby that far along). Don't be hurt if she avoids you. She will come back on her own terms when she is ready. I got to a point that I could finally talk to my friend again, and called her the day she delivered her healthy son.

 

[BabyTigger99]

I just had my office baby shower over the lunch hour today. I work with such a great group of women...nothing like my previous office!!! We ordered out lunch, a beautiful (and yummy) cake was ordered, and of course, presents!! I got:

Slowly but surely we are getting everything we need....it is just getting so close!!!

 

[phragmipedium]

Thanks for the support and advice ladies. I also work with her sister and the word going around is that when she comes back, she would appreciate it if people just act normal around her and not bring it up - that she will talk about it when she is ready. I will definitely respect that and know exactly where she is coming from - sometimes when something like that happens you can hold it together until someone well-meaningly expresses sympathy, and then you just fall apart. From what I understand it was "just one of those things" and not something that there is any indication will be a recurring event, so that's good I suppose but surely doesn't make this any easier for her. I'm just trying to not feel guilty and am praying for her - I did research that she will likely have to go through physically at this point and I just feel for her so much. I cannot imagine.

I called my mom and commiserated with her a little bit - I learned that when she was pregnant with my brother, three other ladies in her work were pregnant at the same time and they all lost their babies besides my mom. So she knows what I mean when I say I feel some guilt - it's hard, and I don't want to be a bad reminder for her. I will just take it a day at a time and let her handle it how she feels comfortable, and be there for her when she is ready.

 

[hulagirl87]

I just had my office baby shower over the lunch hour today. I work with such a great group of women...nothing like my previous office!!! We ordered out lunch, a beautiful (and yummy) cake was ordered, and of course, presents!!

Slowly but surely we are getting everything we need....it is just getting so close!!!

I love all the Precious Planet stuff!!! I registered for a lot of that How exciting that you had your shower. It sounds like you had a great time!



Question for all the moms to be.... are you having the baby sleep in your room in a bassinette or putting them in the crib right away?

 

[WDWAurora]

Thanks for the support and advice ladies. I also work with her sister and the word going around is that when she comes back, she would appreciate it if people just act normal around her and not bring it up - that she will talk about it when she is ready. I will definitely respect that and know exactly where she is coming from - sometimes when something like that happens you can hold it together until someone well-meaningly expresses sympathy, and then you just fall apart. From what I understand it was "just one of those things" and not something that there is any indication will be a recurring event, so that's good I suppose but surely doesn't make this any easier for her. I'm just trying to not feel guilty and am praying for her - I did research that she will likely have to go through physically at this point and I just feel for her so much. I cannot imagine.

I called my mom and commiserated with her a little bit - I learned that when she was pregnant with my brother, three other ladies in her work were pregnant at the same time and they all lost their babies besides my mom. So she knows what I mean when I say I feel some guilt - it's hard, and I don't want to be a bad reminder for her. I will just take it a day at a time and let her handle it how she feels comfortable, and be there for her when she is ready.

I'm kind of in that situation right now, too. I work for a school system and serve about 15 schools. One of the principals was due in November. I talked to her in October, and she was excited and doing well. Then we hear that something's wrong...something happened with her liver. She started not feeling well, and went to the hospital. Whatever was wrong with her liver killed the baby and nearly killed her. She had to have a c-section. She's just now coming back to work a little bit, and I'm trying to hide and stay out of her school. She had that happen before we had announced we were expecting, so she doesn't even know I'm pregnant. I've seen her once, and she was just visiting to get out of the house. She gave me a hug, and I was trying to keep the belly hidden. I'll only be able to avoid her for so long....I just feel so terrible for her because it took them forever to get pregnant, and I completely know that feeling, so....I don't know. No good answer.

 

[justhat]

I had a reply typed and my internet went out, for like the 5th time in 2 days, so I lost it. And now I need to go to bed. But since I'm here, Hulagirl, my daughter will be sleeping in a cosleeper bassinet in our room and my other 2 did as well. My first was a nightmare baby when it came to sleep starting at 4 months old, so she never went into the crib. Well, we tried many times, but she would cry until she threw up, at which point the ped said to give up and throw her in our bed. So we put her back in the cosleeper (which is a bassinet that attaches to your bed if you're not familiar with it) till she was too big, then she just slept with us till we got her a toddler bed at 15 months.

I could go on about her sleep habits, but I won't. I'll just say that weeks before my son was born, so she was nearly 2.5yo, was when my daughter finally moved to her own bed and stayed in it all night without a sound. We basically didn't do anything different, just 1 day said "you have to stay in your own bed all night and go to sleep on your own" and she did. Now, we tried that many times previously without any luck, then one day, a miracle.

My son, otoh, also slept in that same cosleeper from birth till 5 months, then went into the crib in his room. From birth he was a different child and was sleeping through the night, totally on his own, from 6 weeks old. And I mean 6pm to 6am. He *hated* sleeping in our bed (as I would occasionally fall asleep nursing him and forget to put him back in the cosleeper and he would not go to sleep till I moved him back to his own space) and loved his sleep.

So I wouldn't say it makes a difference where they sleep in terms of instilling sleep habits. FWIW, from the time my daughter was 2.5yo and my son was 6 weeks, both kids have slept 11-12 hours a night without disturbance, and we did exactly the same thing with both of them from the beginning on. I use the cosleeper simply because it is just much easier for me to pull them into my bed, nurse them, put them back to bed. In the beginning there are the diaper changes too, but the cosleeper has pockets on the side so I just kept diapers/wipes in there and I didn't really have to get out of bed for the middle of the night feedings. I was much more rested that way, at least compared to when we went to visit family or on vacation and I had to actually get out of bed, feed the baby, then change the baby before getting back into bed.

Oh, and I had no objections to using the crib, other than my own convenience, and *never* intended to have our 1st sleep in the bed with us, but after many months of NO sleep I didn't care where she slept as long as I could sleep too!

 

[BabyTigger99]

Elliott will be in his crib, in his bedroom, across the hall from our room.

 

[DMickey28]

I am so sorry to hear about the loses of your friends and co-workers. I haven't really been in that situation so I don't have any advice. I had a M/C and at the time my BFF from childhood had found out she was pregnant ... she didn't tell me until 20 weeks. I don't know how I would have reacted if she had told me at the time.

As for sleeping ... I haven't made an definite arrangements. With DS, we tried a little of everything ... what eneded up working the best was me sleeping in his room on the queen bed with him in his crib. I would pull him into my bed to nurse and we would fall asleep like that for the rest of the night.

I would love to do a co-sleeper but DH's snores too much and I need ear plugs normally when sleeping with him so doing that with a newborn wouldn't work. I wouldn't sleep at all. I think I am going to toss a twin mattress on the floor of DS#2's room and use that for a while. I don't know ...

 

[EmALee]

Hi, I'd like to join!

Due May 22, 2010 It's a surprise...at least until January 6th!

 

[justhat]

I have a lot of catching up to do. 2 holiday sing-a-longs in my kids classes yesterday and gingerbread men Wednesday really ate up the week. Thursday I had to get the teacher Christmas gifts, which given that yesterday was the last day of school, well, clearly I planned well!

Here's an update on the list. Remember ladies, volunteers to take over within the next month will be greatly appreciated!!

POOHDRMR ... due December 28... It's a boy!
Jenny-momof3 ... due January 17... It's a surprise!
Cappygirl ... due January 20... It's a surprise!
apress ... due January 23... It's a surprise!
disneylovr1 ... due January 24... It's a surprise!
amandaluvsgoofy ... due January 25... It's a girl!
BabyTigger99 ... due January 30... It's a boy!
HerdEar ... due January 30... It's a surprise!
justhat ... due February 2... It's a girl!
casumners ... due February 2... It's a surprise!
Ciciwoowoo ... due February 9... It's a boy!
trmcguire ... due February 14... It's a girl!
hulagirl87 ... due March 5... It's a girl!
arubio0801 ... due March 8... It's a boy!
KikiMouse ... due March 14... It's a girl!
karenj2 ... due March 14... It's a surprise!
DMickey28 ... due March 30... It's a boy!
christym ... due April... It's a surprise!
ZPT1022 ... due April 10... It's a surprise!
MommaMouse411 ... due April 17... It's a surprise!
WDWAurora ... due May 4... It's a boy!
EmALee ... due May 22... It's a surprise!
Sherry7 ... due May 25... It's a surprise!
phragmipedium ... due June 10... It's a surprise!
LaurenLC ... due June 28... It's a surprise!
Nette ... due July 9... It's a surprise!
TarzanKat ... due August 3... It's a surprise!
​

phragmipedium and EmALee - Congrats and welcome aboard!! Great time of year to be due, IMO anyway.

DMickey - My husband used to snore all the time too so I totally empathize. Then when we moved 3 years ago we got a new mattress and it's one of those Tempurpedic types. He basically totally stopped snoring after we got that. The only time he really snores now is if he's worked overnight the night before (which I guess means extreme fatigue is causing it) or if we're on vacation on a regular bed. I never expected the snoring to stop, nor had I heard that was a side effect, but my mom snored too and she also got a Tempurpedic mattress and has stopped.

Your arrangement of the bed in the baby's room was my ideal situation, thinking they'd be used to sleeping in their room and such. But With our first that wasn't an option as there was simply no space, and with the 2nd, well, sort of forgot about it really, but we didn't have an extra bed then anyway. I guess in the long run it didn't matter, cause my daughter, at nearly 6yo, still will not sleep alone in a room. If her brother is not in there she freaks out. She already told me when we move she is not getting her own room, even though I said we'll have space for it. But my son has always been totally fine sleeping by himself and actually prefers it.

Tigger - I love the stuff you got at your shower! I am thinking about getting that playmat so let me know what you think. Of course without the baby it's hard to say, but do you think it looks fun? I lost our old playmat and have to get a new one and there are so many more out there than there were 6 years ago.

Hmm, interestingly, I just opened a Snapple and the 'fact' in there said the average person falls asleep in 7 minutes. With my son, literally every night we'd hear him babble or whatever in his crib for exactly 7 minutes as a baby and always found that timing so weird. Guess now I know why!

phragmipedium - I know 2 women who went through what your friend did, my cousin who technically miscarried at 20 weeks, but had to go through the whole delivery and such. The other is a good friend whose 2nd child was born via emergency c-section at 22 weeks because it was either that or the baby would die in utero. Well she didn't survive outside the womb either, was under 1lb at birth and just about a foot long. In the first case, my cousin didn't want to discuss anything at all and did much better that way. But my friend was the opposite, joined support groups, told everyone she knew about her story (part of the trouble was due to severe preeclampsia so she wanted to spread the word about that), and they had a funeral for their daughter as well. Both happened when my daughter was a baby, and I just felt terribly about bringing her along whenever we saw them, but they both insisted I take her with me. My cousin did skip my daughter's christening though, cause that was just too painful.

So I guess my point is I can't, unfortunately, give you any advice as both people handled it so, so differently that I have no idea what is best/appropriate.

Time to get the 2nd batch of muffins in the oven, then onto the chocolate marshmallow fudge. It's snowing like crazy here, we're supposed to get 12-18 inches by tomorrow. And that says a lot cause we don't usually get snow in DC, at least not more than say an inch a year. And my husband was backup call, but had to go into work for basically the entire day cause there are 12 scheduled surgeries today. 2 reasons why that is annoying: Already about 8" of snow on the ground and I have not seen a plow truck yet, so how he will get home tonight is beyond me. 2nd reason is that my kids are dying to go out and play and I can't fit into my winter coat or snowpants so I am totally trying to distract them with baking and it is so not working!

 

[BabyTigger99]

Justhat...Can't tell you if Elliott will like the activity mat....but my 10 year old wanted me to open it up (I think he wanted to play with it!). Both my kids are big fans of the crib toy. I had a similar one when DS was a baby and it was a lifesaver!!

 

[TarzansKat]

Tarzan - I hate to say it, but that exhaustion has not lifted for me yet with this pregnancy! How have you been feeling?

Uh oh!

I'm feeling alright. On my days off (I work part time, four days a week), I'm able to get lots of rest. I have a bit of mommy guilt for not being more active with my four year old. There's been some serious TV watching in my house, but I know that's not a permanent thing. I just need to come up with things that we can do so he's entertained and I'm not taxed. Like reading, or playing cards.

I do have a lot of nausea and that just comes and goes whenever it feels like. It's not consistent. And...well...I hesitate to put this down, but I figure you all can empathize. I'm having a hard time being regular, which I didn't have issues with last time at all! So I'm trying to eat a lot of fruit and drink more and hope that helps. So embarassing.

The one thing I am looking forward to about having a 6yo when this baby is born is that she might actually be helpful, unlike when my son was born and my daughter was 2.5yo. I swear she woke that baby up everytime he fell asleep just for the sake of doing it. This time around I am hoping she'll be able to follow basic directions, like staying away from the sleeping child to make things a bit easier. Then it's just my devil son I have to worry about....

I see what you mean. I'm not really sure how my son will react, even though he's said he wants a baby. I just want to make sure that no matter what's going on in our household, the transition to public school for him is pretty seamless and enjoyable.

So I think that lovely throat infection I had last week has something to do with the sinus pressure I am having today. I really think I'm filling the z-pack prescription tomorrow. My dr wanted me to hold out till I got sicker, but while my throat isn't that bad anymore, this sinus pain is killing me! It's not the normal sinus medication I'd take, but I guess it will do.

I hope you feel better soon! Sinus pressure is the worst.

Hi everyone! Hoping I can join you. I'm almost 15 weeks pregnant with our first child; I am due June 10th. We're hoping for a girl but planning (at least for now) on being surprised. I'm finally starting to feel better and a little more like myself, and enjoy being pregnant a bit. We were very lucky and got pregnant the first cycle trying.[/QOUTE]

Congratulations!

I am sorry to hear about your co-worker. Just from reading your comments, I can tell that you're very supportive, and empathetic, and that's what she needs right now, someone who will be understanding.

I just had my office baby shower over the lunch hour today. I work with such a great group of women...nothing like my previous office!!! We ordered out lunch, a beautiful (and yummy) cake was ordered, and of course, presents!! I got:

Slowly but surely we are getting everything we need....it is just getting so close!!!

Very cute stuff! I like it.

Question for all the moms to be.... are you having the baby sleep in your room in a bassinette or putting them in the crib right away?

Our choices are pretty limited since we live in a two bedroom apartment. In the beginning, the baby will definitely be in a bassinette in our room (I plan to nurse also, so proximity will be nice), and then we'll reassess when it comes time to move to a crib depending on whether or not baby is sleeping through the night. I would rather disturb my sleep than my son's, so until the baby is really going for solid stretches, I won't move them into a room together. I just don't think it would be fair to my son.

Hi, I'd like to join!

Due May 22, 2010 It's a surprise...at least until January 6th!

Congratulations!

 

[justhat]

TarzanKat - Not only is the lack of sleep not fair to your son, you do NOT want them both up overnight!! My kids share a room but it only works out because my son was 2nd. He is a wonderful sleeper and always has been. They basically shared a room from birth in that they were both in my room (rolleyes), my daughter in a toddler bed, my son in the bassinet. Since my son was next to me, I was able to nurse him before he ever cried cause I'd hear him start shifting (I am a very light sleeper so that helps too), so my daughter (who is a heavy sleeper) never woke up. Then we moved them to their own room when my son was 5 months or so but he was totally sleeping through the night by then, 6pm-6am. Even when he woke up at 6am, I'd get him before my daughter woke up.

However, had he been first, no way. He's a much lighter sleeper (though getting better now) and my daughter never slept overnight, so she would have woken him up every single time she got up. Plus she'd cry, whereas Henry was content to bed fed and put back to bed.

At their ages now, the only issue we have is that they'll play at bedtime and we hear a lot of little feet running around upstairs. But overall it works out fine.


And no, you never know how they'll react to the new baby. My daughter has been asking for a baby (specifically a baby sister) for years. But shortly after we told them about the new baby she said something that surprised me (and way laid on the mommy guilt!). My son asked me for help putting on his shoes and my daughter said "Henry, once the new baby comes no one will ever help you do anything so you better get used to doing it on your own." Totally blew me away and made me feel terrible cause she must have obviously felt that way when my son was born.

We're going to attempt to get into my car today and go to the mall to see Santa (as the line was insane last weekend when we tried), then I need to buy some food, and if I have time, I'd love to look at those carseat blanket-type cover things as I figure I will need one. The annoying part of the day is that the snowplow that came down our street plowed all the snow to the side of the street I am parked on (we only have street parking, no driveways). So in addition to the 20" that fell Saturday, there's now a huge mound of plowed snow on top of that. And like I'm in a position to lift my kids over that and into the car.

 

[BabyTigger99]

So.....Christmas is in 4 days. The kids' tree is still not decorated. No baking done at all. Not one single present wrapped. It should be an interesting week at my house!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

TarzanKat - Not only is the lack of sleep not fair to your son, you do NOT want them both up overnight!! My kids share a room but it only works out because my son was 2nd. He is a wonderful sleeper and always has been. They basically shared a room from birth in that they were both in my room (rolleyes), my daughter in a toddler bed, my son in the bassinet. Since my son was next to me, I was able to nurse him before he ever cried cause I'd hear him start shifting (I am a very light sleeper so that helps too), so my daughter (who is a heavy sleeper) never woke up. Then we moved them to their own room when my son was 5 months or so but he was totally sleeping through the night by then, 6pm-6am. Even when he woke up at 6am, I'd get him before my daughter woke up.

Well, I'm really pleased to hear your experience! Thank you. I initially felt badly that we live in this apartment (although it's very nice, don't get me wrong) and were thinking of having the kiddos share a room, so I'm always glad to hear from people who have done it, and it works.

I totally get you though, it all depends on what kind of a sleeper this little one is going to be.

And no, you never know how they'll react to the new baby. My daughter has been asking for a baby (specifically a baby sister) for years. But shortly after we told them about the new baby she said something that surprised me (and way laid on the mommy guilt!). My son asked me for help putting on his shoes and my daughter said "Henry, once the new baby comes no one will ever help you do anything so you better get used to doing it on your own." Totally blew me away and made me feel terrible cause she must have obviously felt that way when my son was born.

I had some serious mommy guilt myself today. I'm having a really rough day. My nausea is just kicking my butt, and I looked at my son and told him that sometimes, I won't feel good, and it may take me a little longer to do things because of the baby in my belly. I worderd it better than that, but you get the gist.

He looked me right in the eyes and said mournfully, "But who will take care of me???" Oh boy. I told him I'd always take care of him, it just may take longer for me to do things.

We're going to attempt to get into my car today and go to the mall to see Santa (as the line was insane last weekend when we tried), then I need to buy some food, and if I have time, I'd love to look at those carseat blanket-type cover things as I figure I will need one. The annoying part of the day is that the snowplow that came down our street plowed all the snow to the side of the street I am parked on (we only have street parking, no driveways). So in addition to the 20" that fell Saturday, there's now a huge mound of plowed snow on top of that. And like I'm in a position to lift my kids over that and into the car.

Good luck with venturing out! I have no ambition to go out today.

So.....Christmas is in 4 days. The kids' tree is still not decorated. No baking done at all. Not one single present wrapped. It should be an interesting week at my house!!!

OMG, I could have written that. Half my presents still need to be wrapped, and I haven't done any of the baking I wanted to. At this point, I don't know what baking will actually get done. Ah well! Growing a baby here.

 

[justhat]

I also haven't wrapped a thing, and we have friends visiting from out of town tomorrow and Wednesday morning. But I have my kids in full day gymnastics camp Wednesday and Thursday so I hope to wrap then. Only problem is that my son is technically too young, by a month, but they let his registration go through online and I haven't received a call or anything, so I am hoping they still take him.


Tarzan - Let me clarify what I said. The sharing a room would work now regardless of who was first. But when they were babies is really when it would have made a difference. So even if you have to bunk with the baby for the first 9-12 months (and gosh I hope your new one is sleeping well by then, NOT like my first!!), it will be fine after that. My daughter actually won't sleep alone at all, so she really *needs* her brother there. And once they were old enough to actually play together a bit, I guess when my son was about 18 months or so, they really enjoyed being in the same room as they'd have someone to talk to/play with before bed or when they woke up. My son used to go to bed earlier than my daughter, but now they go down at the same time and love having the other one there to talk to.

 

[mla973]

Hello! I just found this thread...

I am about 4 months along, with a due date of June 9. We find out the sex of the baby on February 3, which seems so far away!!!

I am looking forward to reading through here. This is our first, and we are in awe of all of the items and choices out there.

 

[TarzansKat]

Tarzan - Let me clarify what I said. The sharing a room would work now regardless of who was first. But when they were babies is really when it would have made a difference. So even if you have to bunk with the baby for the first 9-12 months (and gosh I hope your new one is sleeping well by then, NOT like my first!!), it will be fine after that. My daughter actually won't sleep alone at all, so she really *needs* her brother there. And once they were old enough to actually play together a bit, I guess when my son was about 18 months or so, they really enjoyed being in the same room as they'd have someone to talk to/play with before bed or when they woke up. My son used to go to bed earlier than my daughter, but now they go down at the same time and love having the other one there to talk to.

Thanks for the clarification! It's nice to know that they enjoy each other's company so much.

Hello! I just found this thread...

I am about 4 months along, with a due date of June 9. We find out the sex of the baby on February 3, which seems so far away!!!

I am looking forward to reading through here. This is our first, and we are in awe of all of the items and choices out there.

Hi! Don't worry, February will be here before you know it.

 

[cappygirl]

Hello! I just found this thread...

I am about 4 months along, with a due date of June 9. We find out the sex of the baby on February 3, which seems so far away!!!

I am looking forward to reading through here. This is our first, and we are in awe of all of the items and choices out there.

Congratulations!!

 

[justhat]

Congrats on expecting your first baby, mla973, and welcome to the thread! I'm on my 3rd kid, but am still in awe of all the new stuff out there compared to 6 years ago.

POOHDRMR ... due December 28... It's a boy!
Jenny-momof3 ... due January 17... It's a surprise!
Cappygirl ... due January 20... It's a surprise!
apress ... due January 23... It's a surprise!
disneylovr1 ... due January 24... It's a surprise!
amandaluvsgoofy ... due January 25... It's a girl!
BabyTigger99 ... due January 30... It's a boy!
HerdEar ... due January 30... It's a surprise!
justhat ... due February 2... It's a girl!
casumners ... due February 2... It's a surprise!
Ciciwoowoo ... due February 9... It's a boy!
trmcguire ... due February 14... It's a girl!
hulagirl87 ... due March 5... It's a girl!
arubio0801 ... due March 8... It's a boy!
KikiMouse ... due March 14... It's a girl!
karenj2 ... due March 14... It's a surprise!
DMickey28 ... due March 30... It's a boy!
christym ... due April... It's a surprise!
ZPT1022 ... due April 10... It's a surprise!
MommaMouse411 ... due April 17... It's a surprise!
WDWAurora ... due May 4... It's a boy!
EmALee ... due May 22... It's a surprise!
Sherry7 ... due May 25... It's a surprise!
mla973 ... due June 9... It's a surprise!
phragmipedium ... due June 10... It's a surprise!
LaurenLC ... due June 28... It's a surprise!
Nette ... due July 9... It's a surprise!
TarzanKat ... due August 3... It's a surprise!
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TarzanKat - I figured I made it sound like sharing would never have worked in my first post, which was not at all what I meant. I live in Washington, DC, where everyone's kids share rooms so ultimately yours will be fine. And the getting along at bedtime, let me say it's probably the only time of day that they never fight. They have some sort of secret bond in the "we're supposed to be asleep, but we're really up talking and playing" sense so there's no tattling or fighting. Makes it hard to yell up "Go to sleep!!"


Today was such a series of bad events, I couldn't have planned a worse day. It took me longer to leave my house than planned cause I had to shower, then got sidetracked in cleaning up and putting away clothes. But anyway, I leave at 2pm. I could barely get the door to my car open, I mean, it took a lot of effort and standing in knee-height snow. Then my 4 wheel drive Explorer could barely get out of the parking space cause there was literally feet of snow on all sides of it. My kids found that to be hysterical, unlike me. So I head to the mall, which is 7 miles away, and I arrive there 3 hours later. yes, 3 flipping hours!!! The roads were fine, there was just an insane amount of traffic. So much so that I started to run out of gas. So I have to stop at a gas station, only I get there, pull in, and see they are completely out of gas. No signs though, and tons of people in line. So I go on to the next gas station, about a mile down the road. They did have gas, so I fill up the car, then have to back track that mile (and another to the actual mall). We get there at 4:55 only to find out Santa *just* went on break till 6pm. I had to see the humor in that only to spare my sanity. My kids then started complaining that they were starving, which they likely were as it had been so long since they last ate, so I agree to eat at the mall and they vote on Johnny Rockets. Well, I have had a cheeseburger aversion since a bad experience this summer, so I was less than excited, but figured it was easier than the food court cause at least I wouldn't be carrying a tray, navigating the mobs, and watching that both kids were following. We sit down and my son decides he has to pee immediately. The nearest bathroom is on the complete other side of the mall. And I essentially had to carry him to get him there in time. And of course there was a line, that I didn't even notice and somehow cut. So we get back, order, and eat. I get back in the Santa line at 5:50pm, only to be the 25th or so family. We saw Santa at 6:50pm. Then the people in front of me couldn't decide what package they wanted, so they couldn't print mine till the other family picked theirs. I felt like screaming by this point. Finally they choose and it's my turn, and the stupid place only takes cash (though there is no sign). So I pay and the cashier says "I don't have any singles, you'll have to wait. I owe you $3.76." Seriously? How can you be out of money when that's all you accept!?! After that mess was finished, I still had to buy various groceries, which I hate doing with 1 kid along, let alone 2. Then finally, at 8pm, I get home, 6 whole hours after I left my house, and an hour past my kids normal bedtime!

Amazingly bad day! I would have scrapped the plan normally, but with my friend coming tomorrow and the kids in camp Wed and Thurs, today was pretty much the only day for Santa. The one perk was that since it took so long for the other people to decide on their photos, my kids got to sit with Santa quite a while, which they loved. The picture is less than great, but at least they had fun.

And now I am heading to bed cause I am so exhausted.