Silas and Amelia are 3.5 years apart.

WARNING WORDS:

The upside is that Silas is old enough to help somewhat with his little sister -- fetch diapers, hand her dropped toys, teach her how to do some things, keep her entertained, lead her away from minor trouble. He's also pretty independent, so I don't have two helpless little ones at the same time. It'll probably be nice when they're older and not driving at the same time or in college at the same time.

The downside is that as soon as you've got one independent, along comes another one. It's been pretty much 5 straight years of diapers, bottles, and sippy cups. Being old enough to help also means being old enough to hurt. I cannot turn my back on them. Ever. They're not close enough in age to practically share toys b/c half of his toys are a choking hazard and I don't have enough room to store all of his old toys until she's old enough for them.

I would have had them closer together, but I'm biased because my brother and I are 17 months apart and we did everything pretty much together. He potty trained early b/c my mom trained us both at the same time, we shared toys, we played ball on the same teams as kids, we learned to ride bikes. . .etc. All together.

1/26/2013 5:38:50 PM

My wife is pregnant right now and her due date is Friday.

- 3 weeks ago, she was 2 cm dilated
- 2 weeks ago, she was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced
- last week, 3 cm and "more thinned out"
- yesterday, 4 cm and "very thin"

anyone else have it take this long? we were expecting an early baby because our first was two weeks early. i'm soooooooo anxious (and so is she). she hasn't had any contractions, just stomach tightening at random times but not hard enough to make her think it was a contraction.

1/29/2013 8:28:30 AM

i was 3cm & 90% for several weeks iirc. then one day my water broke & the baby was here 12 hours later. i didn't feel any different just prior to it breaking.

1/29/2013 10:51:27 AM

Similar to ^ but my labor was 7 hours and he was 5 days late.

1/29/2013 11:00:42 AM

haven't posted in a while but my wife will be 30 weeks on Monday.

Passed the glucose test, had the 3d/4d ultrasound (which was amazing), and the nursery is just about ready.

We are naming our daughter Sadie Lee. Sadie is her great grandmother's name and Lee is my grandmother's name. Will probably just call her Sadie.

2/2/2013 9:32:43 PM

I am returning to this thread. 8 weeks as of today. Hoping for the best this time.

3/5/2013 5:29:58 AM

checking in here...we found out we were pregnant the day after christmas. we're at about 14 weeks now and also found out during testing that they believe with 80% accuracy that we'll be having a girl. we tried not to get too attached to their guess, but during a big baby consignment sale last week, my wife came home with a huge pile of girl's clothes. so either we're set for a while or have a stockpile for any future girls.

3/5/2013 11:30:02 AM

Yay!! Congrats to all of the expecting moms and dads.

3/5/2013 10:38:03 PM

Quote :

"we tried not to get too attached to their guess"

futile.

Just don't name him Stacy or something.

3/7/2013 1:37:17 PM

35 weeks for us! It is getting closer...

3/10/2013 10:34:38 AM

We are at 38 weeks now!

Last week, my wife developed "PUPPPS" which is basically a rash that you get all over your body. 1 in 200 women get it and usually with their first child. Basically, large welps form all over belly, arms, and legs and it is extremely itchy. They aren't exactly sure what causes it and it doesn't harm anything...just very uncomfortable. After soaking all week in aveeno baths and putting on soothing creams, it is starting to go away..
However, now she has a sinus infection from hell and her OB prescribed her some amoxicillin for it.

At least we don't have far to go!

3/30/2013 7:18:01 PM

Quote :

"large welps"

3/31/2013 11:06:11 PM

^I had no clue what that was in reference to until I google'd it. I've always said welps and had no clue it was really welts..
upon googling, looks like i'm not the only one...oh well, you get the point

4/1/2013 10:56:56 PM

Our due date is tomorrow!!! 4/15!

She lost the mucus plug on Friday, which I know doesn't necessarily mean anything is imminent.

She has also had a bunch of braxton-hicks contractions... plus a couple other contractions that were accompanied by low back pain... but nothing regular and consistent yet...

we'll see.

4/14/2013 8:49:38 AM

I seem to be the only one posting lately. But my wife's water broke at 130pm Thursday. It had some meconium (sp?) in it so they told us to come on in. It is 410am Friday morning and we are still at it. She is about 5cm dilated and contractions are consistently 2 minutes apart. 14 hours and counting....

4/19/2013 4:13:30 AM

Good luck!!! We'll all be looking forward to pictures of your new arrival.

4/19/2013 7:54:56 AM

Well after arriving at the hospital at 3:30PM on April 18, Sadie Lee was born at 10:35 AM on April 19. 7lb 4oz, 20.75 inches long...

My wife started pushing at 630AM... after 3 hours of pushing, Sadie was barely crowning.. Doctor said we could do a vacuum-assisted deliery or a Ceasarean.
We pushed a little longer and it was determined that Sadie was "sunny side up", ie. face up...Head was down, but facing upwards...

Doc said he felt like a vacuum-assisted delivery would work out so we went for that one. After the episiotomy to help things out, it was go time. The vacuum worked great. She had some battle wounds, mainly bruising on the head from the suction and a smushed nose/cuts from where her nose was grinding against the pelvic bone from being face up.
The bruising is gone on the head, but she still has scabs on her nose/under her nose that are slowly healing...

Now we are slowly mastering how much to feed, when to feed, etc... My wife has had to use nipple shields to help with the breast feeding, but it seems to be working great.

4/25/2013 6:03:11 PM

^ Congrats bro!

4/25/2013 10:27:56 PM

^^ I'm a little belated! Congratulations!!!!

5/11/2013 4:21:34 PM

did anyone use a pregnancy pillow?

Wife says she needs one. I'm trying to justify spending 75 bucks on a pillow.

5/19/2013 7:04:46 PM

^ as one who's been through it. That's not a fight you want spend your capital on.

Compromise by looking for on at a consignment store or recycle store.

5/19/2013 7:10:15 PM

you're having a baby and you're worried about $75

lol

5/19/2013 7:31:15 PM

My wife used a pregnancy pillow. Her mother got it for her at a yard sale. It was pretty clean and barely used....my wife, of course, cleaned it more when we got it home..
She loved it.

I admit that I even tried to hog it on more than a few occasions.

[Edited on May 19, 2013 at 8:58 PM. Reason : ya]

5/19/2013 8:58:37 PM

Quote :

"you're having a baby and you're worried about $75"

I'm not worried about it. I am trying to figure out if they are useful to pregnant women.

75 bucks is a lot for a pillow that she might not use because they arent helpful

5/19/2013 9:16:52 PM

that 75 dollar pillow is worth every penny and then some.

With both kids, I was miserable by my 3rd trimester and found it painful and impossible to sleep. My pregnancy pillow was the only way that I could get remotely comfortable enough to doze -- not sleep, but doze. My pregnancy pillow is the only thing that I loaned to a friend for her pregnancy and demanded it back when I got pregnant with my second baby.

Some people are fine using a million artfully placed bed pillows, but I could never get any more comfortable than I got with my pregnancy pillow. Mine was also useful during recovery.

[Edited on May 19, 2013 at 9:45 PM. Reason : .]

5/19/2013 9:44:39 PM

thanks!

I always get the..."Well the baby needs it" speech.

Just wanted to see if they were useful before i went and got her one.

5/20/2013 2:08:08 AM

Quote :

"^ as one who's been through it. That's not a fight you want spend your capital on. Compromise by looking for on at a consignment store or recycle store."

It is worth every penny. Take it from someone that is going through it now. You really have two better options than spending $75. You can pick up a body pillow from Target, or shop on Amazon for a pregnancy pillow some starting about $20-30. Several of my girlfriends just use the wedges too. Hope that helps!

5/21/2013 7:42:15 PM

She works at Motherhood Maternity and gets a 40% discount and they have the one she wants apparently, so I will just get it there.

5/23/2013 1:56:55 AM

^ Awesome deal!

5/23/2013 8:19:51 PM

Pillow is amazing. She seems to be sleeping better.

6/2/2013 2:08:38 PM

Found out its a boy today.

The kid is upset and cried because she wanted a baby sister.

Woman is upset because she doesn't know how to raise a boy and wanted another girl.

I guess I'll celebrate alone.

6/4/2013 9:53:42 PM

Well I will say congrats!

As a female I worry about ever having a little girl.

6/4/2013 10:14:23 PM

I went to my in-laws house and celebrated with them.

Sucks being so far from home.

6/5/2013 1:01:31 AM

Quote :

"Found out its a boy today. The kid is upset and cried because she wanted a baby sister. Woman is upset because she doesn't know how to raise a boy and wanted another girl. I guess I'll celebrate alone. "

They'll get over it. Boys rule and one of each will keep you on your toes. (though the lack of hand-me-downs has sucked)

6/5/2013 1:10:50 PM

I hope so. I would really love to celebrate this moment with the family instead of everyone being upset all the time.

So glad its a boy, I would really hate another irrational female in my house.

6/5/2013 7:04:59 PM

Quote :

"Found out its a boy today. The kid is upset and cried because she wanted a baby sister. Woman is upset because she doesn't know how to raise a boy and wanted another girl. I guess I'll celebrate alone. "

jesus christ. is this the same girl demanding laptops, ipads, and playstations (oh my) for her 7th birthday?

6/5/2013 10:50:21 PM

yes. spoiled-brat.

6/6/2013 12:44:52 AM

Quote :

"Woman is upset because she doesn't know how to raise a boy and wanted another girl"

Not to sound like a bitch but with all the problems that your girlfriend had getting pregnant, shouldn't she be happy to have a healthy baby regardless of gender?

6/8/2013 4:55:58 PM

That's what I told her!

It was kind of a punch in the dick really, but she is coming around.

I think the reality is setting in and the fact I am putting the nursery together is making it easier. I think a lot of it is she was hoping for a girl and everyone is so happy she is having a boy just threw her off.

She'll get over it. Probably just hormones!

Her due date was moved up to October 1st. We also decided on the name Lincoln Johnny. I'm ecstatic!

6/10/2013 10:12:43 PM

Quote :

"So glad its a boy, I would really hate another irrational female in my house."

Maybe if you didn't think of them as simply "irrational females" it would be a little easier for you...

6/21/2013 10:32:12 PM

o.O? What would be easier?

6/22/2013 12:31:54 AM

like thinking of them as people with emotions who are entirely capable of rational thought

instead of automatically assuming that they're completely irrational and their thoughts have no basis in reality

6/23/2013 12:55:43 PM

My wife is stopping birth control next week.
Hoping to be preggers by Xmas.

I'm freaking out a little bit.

6/23/2013 7:05:06 PM

in all seriousness, freaking out is perfectly natural. I did the same thing because there are so many unknowns and possibilities. Once my girl was born... I don't know if it is instinct, but that's how it felt. Everything was as it should be.

6/23/2013 8:23:52 PM

Quote :

"My wife is stopping birth control next week. Hoping to be preggers by Xmas. "

Awesome! I stopped birth control in August 2011 and got pregnant in February 2012.

6/27/2013 6:04:30 PM

Any old wives tales or voodoo on how to have a girl?

6/27/2013 6:36:16 PM

My mother claims if the woman doesn't have an orgasm that it'll be more likely to be a girl because of the differences between girl and boy sperm.

6/27/2013 7:29:33 PM

Quote :

"Maybe if you didn't think of them as simply "irrational females" it would be a little easier for you..."

Quote :

"like thinking of them as people with emotions who are entirely capable of rational thought instead of automatically assuming that they're completely irrational and their thoughts have no basis in reality"

not a feminist, so this does not compute.

she has come around. putting the nursery together helped a lot. thank goodness. can't wait for my lil pal to arrive!

[Edited on June 27, 2013 at 8:54 PM. Reason : yay]

6/27/2013 8:54:05 PM

it will be awesome

6/27/2013 9:05:25 PM

Quote :

"not a feminist"

I guess I'm glad you're having a boy, then

[Edited on June 28, 2013 at 8:03 PM. Reason : since treating a woman equal to a man is something you don't do]

6/28/2013 8:02:53 PM