I have to admit, even though we''re not "officially trying,"

[fisherofmengirly]

Our future baby just about stays on my mind. I bet every day either I or he make a comment about the baby, our family growing, how life will be different, how pregnancy could go, etc.

I was just reading though the TTC thread and saw Tacori''s post about going to Babies-R-Us, and I got to thinking about that store, and how I love to shop there, but only allow myself to go when someone I know is pregnant. But, that doesn''t mean I can''t hit the website, now does it? Of course not!

I just ordered the "My Pregnancy Record Book." What a precious idea! I''m sure I''ll scrapbook the entire experience, but this will be just one more way to express love to our child before we get to see him or her. I think that it is so sweet! Even better, it''s on clearance! I adore a sale.

So, if anyone''s interested in a baby book, pre-baby, check it out!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I just had another thought!! This would be a really cute way to tell your spouse about being pregnant. I''ve always tried to dream up really cute ways of letting Paul know (and I already have the plan, but can''t post it here, in case he''s ever got the inkling to visit this thread--although I doubt it!!), but I''m sure one of the first pages says something about how you found out, when, etc. It''d be cute to put in that book about the way you presented the book to your husband and that was his first introduction to the baby they were about to have in their lives. And, it''d probably baffle a few guys for a minute or two (mine included. He''d say, ''Um, Jen, why are you showing this to me? We''re not pregnant." Then he''d be like, "Wait. What? Are you serious?" once he read the part that''d been filled out.

Hmm... that''d be so cute!!

 

[Jas12]

Fisher--geez girl, get tryin would ya''! You sound more ready now, than I do at 32 weeks preggo

So cute that you''re already thinking about how to document the event--the best I''ve done is take a few random belly shots along the way and scribble some notes about how i am feeling in a note-pad. Pathetic, I know.

I often think about how I wish I had made the pregnancy announcement to DH in a cuter way. I was just so shocked and excited after peeing on that stick that I yelled at DH from upstairs and just blurted out "It''s positive".
Maybe for the second one I''ll come up with something better...Make sure you post your story after it happen so we can steal the idea from you

When are you thinking about TTC? (sorry if you post about this regularly--i only really read the Pregnancy thread these days)

 

[Independent Gal]

We''re the same way, Fisher! We talk about our future family all the time.

 

[blushingbride]

Ditto! We are getting very close to start trying. It''s exciting to think of what this year will bring us!

Just the other week, DH and I finally picked out our baby names which has taken us forever to agree upon. So, we have a name ready to go for either a girl or a boy! And just yesterday my boss hooked me up with a laptop which gives me access to our network from home - hmmmmm, I think she''s planning ahead too! I guess she figures that I''ll probably want to work from home if I have a baby and she knows that''s coming soon. Anyway, all these little things leading up to TTC are exciting and I look forward to having a baby more and more with each passing day!

 

[Independent Gal]

We''ve picked baby names too.

 

[somethingshiny]

Another cute book is called "Love Letters to My Baby". It''s kind of a topic starter for journaling. It goes through pregnancy and babyhood. I actually just finished writing in it last night. Our son will be two next month, so babyhood is definitely gone now.

I always dreamed up ways to tell DH when I was pregnant. My girlfriend ended up taking me to get a test one night while DH was working. I hadn''t had a period for a while, but we had tried for 6 years, so I didn''t think I was. But, she insisted because we had a boating trip planned and I wouldn''t be able to go if I was pregnant (high risk). So, I took the test, she was the first one to know I was pregnant. I actually didn''t believe the test (because we had tried for so long), and she called the hotline on the EPT box. DH and I both like our tattoos, so I had my friend draw on my belly with pink and blue markers. I knew I''d be asleep when DH got home. I wrapped up the test stick and put it in a gift bag (I know it sounds gross, but it was in plastic) I set the bag by his side of the bed. He came home from work and showered. Then he came into the bedroom and saw the bag. I heard him opening it, but I knew he wouldn''t be sure what it meant, so I rolled over (belly exposed) and then he knew. Then, because his parents hate our tattoos and my belly was drawn on with permanent marker, that''s how we told his parents. DH said, "oh, did you hear about Somethingshiny''s new artwork?" *groans* I raised my shirt (nothing inappropriate) and it took them a minute to realize what it meant. Then we were all laughing and talking, and my MIL said, "it''s not really a tattoo, is it?" Too funny. The drawing stayed for over a week before it finally started to fade. The doctor thought it was clever, though...

Sorry, didn''t mean to thread jack!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Fisher I used "The Belly Book" I bought it from babycenterstore.com it is REALLY cute! I''ll get another one next time we have a baby (YEARS from now. Don''t get any ideas

) I am impressed you like BRU. I found it so overwhelming *before* I had Tessa. Now, I know what I need/want and can get in and out fast. Before I was just wandering around. I think we might go back today. I really want to try one of those baby videos for her. I think she would like it since she seems to stare at the TV anyways.

It IS exciting when you start to TTC! Whenever it DOES happen we''ll all be here to help you along

Enjoy this time with your DH. Sleep A LOT! Go out have fun! Enjoy your waist! Haha!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Date: 2/1/2008 9:34:37 AM
Author: Jas12
Fisher--geez girl, get tryin would ya''! You sound more ready now, than I do at 32 weeks preggo

So cute that you''re already thinking about how to document the event--the best I''ve done is take a few random belly shots along the way and scribble some notes about how i am feeling in a note-pad. Pathetic, I know.

I often think about how I wish I had made the pregnancy announcement to DH in a cuter way. I was just so shocked and excited after peeing on that stick that I yelled at DH from upstairs and just blurted out ''It''s positive''.
Maybe for the second one I''ll come up with something better...Make sure you post your story after it happen so we can steal the idea from you

When are you thinking about TTC? (sorry if you post about this regularly--i only really read the Pregnancy thread these days)

Jas,

In the excitement of the moment, I''ll probably do the same thing, out of sheer happiness and nervousness and the whole "wow, my life just changed, I need Paul to know right now!!" thing, too.

Originally, our plan was to TTC in January, because we ever so niavely thought we''d find a home in three months time, and would be in our new home by Christmas. Now that we have no idea when we''ll find the right home for us, I''m not sure when we''ll begin. Probably about a month to two months after we get the house and kind of settle in. Of course, babies sometimes have their own timing.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Date: 2/1/2008 2:31:40 PM
Author: somethingshiny
Another cute book is called ''Love Letters to My Baby''. It''s kind of a topic starter for journaling. It goes through pregnancy and babyhood. I actually just finished writing in it last night. Our son will be two next month, so babyhood is definitely gone now.

I always dreamed up ways to tell DH when I was pregnant. My girlfriend ended up taking me to get a test one night while DH was working. I hadn''t had a period for a while, but we had tried for 6 years, so I didn''t think I was. But, she insisted because we had a boating trip planned and I wouldn''t be able to go if I was pregnant (high risk). So, I took the test, she was the first one to know I was pregnant. I actually didn''t believe the test (because we had tried for so long), and she called the hotline on the EPT box. DH and I both like our tattoos, so I had my friend draw on my belly with pink and blue markers. I knew I''d be asleep when DH got home. I wrapped up the test stick and put it in a gift bag (I know it sounds gross, but it was in plastic) I set the bag by his side of the bed. He came home from work and showered. Then he came into the bedroom and saw the bag. I heard him opening it, but I knew he wouldn''t be sure what it meant, so I rolled over (belly exposed) and then he knew. Then, because his parents hate our tattoos and my belly was drawn on with permanent marker, that''s how we told his parents. DH said, ''oh, did you hear about Somethingshiny''s new artwork?'' *groans* I raised my shirt (nothing inappropriate) and it took them a minute to realize what it meant. Then we were all laughing and talking, and my MIL said, ''it''s not really a tattoo, is it?'' Too funny. The drawing stayed for over a week before it finally started to fade. The doctor thought it was clever, though...

Sorry, didn''t mean to thread jack!

I''ve never seen Love letters to my baby, but Paul and I have talked about how on the day that we find out (because he''ll *so* know within 30 minutes of my knowing; I can''t keep something like that in!!), we''ll write a letter to our baby together, when we''re the only ones who know anything about the miracle we''ve been given. I asked Paul if we could write to the baby along the way, and he said he''d be up for it, as long as he can address the baby as "he" each time. We don''t plan to find out the sex of our baby, and he''s just set on whatever first spawn he creates will be male. Boys!!

I''ll have to look for that book. I may just be writing full time during pregnancy, it seems!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Date: 2/1/2008 2:38:36 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Fisher I used ''The Belly Book'' I bought it from babycenterstore.com it is REALLY cute! I''ll get another one next time we have a baby (YEARS from now. Don''t get any ideas

) I am impressed you like BRU. I found it so overwhelming *before* I had Tessa. Now, I know what I need/want and can get in and out fast. Before I was just wandering around. I think we might go back today. I really want to try one of those baby videos for her. I think she would like it since she seems to stare at the TV anyways.

It IS exciting when you start to TTC! Whenever it DOES happen we''ll all be here to help you along

Enjoy this time with your DH. Sleep A LOT! Go out have fun! Enjoy your waist! Haha!

I often have a very difficult time sleeping and Paul tells me these are the best years of our lives for sleep, so I better take advantage of them.

I was considering starting on melatonin, but then I thought that would be dumb when I''ve already given up just about everything "bad that tastes so flippin good" to make my body a healthy place for the baby to grow up in. I don''t know if it harms babies or not, but I don''t like to think of taking anything right now, just in case.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 2/1/2008 7:05:29 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly

Date: 2/1/2008 2:38:36 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

Fisher I used ''The Belly Book'' I bought it from babycenterstore.com it is REALLY cute! I''ll get another one next time we have a baby (YEARS from now. Don''t get any ideas

) I am impressed you like BRU. I found it so overwhelming *before* I had Tessa. Now, I know what I need/want and can get in and out fast. Before I was just wandering around. I think we might go back today. I really want to try one of those baby videos for her. I think she would like it since she seems to stare at the TV anyways.


It IS exciting when you start to TTC! Whenever it DOES happen we''ll all be here to help you along

Enjoy this time with your DH. Sleep A LOT! Go out have fun! Enjoy your waist! Haha!

I often have a very difficult time sleeping and Paul tells me these are the best years of our lives for sleep, so I better take advantage of them.


I was considering starting on melatonin, but then I thought that would be dumb when I''ve already given up just about everything ''bad that tastes so flippin good'' to make my body a healthy place for the baby to grow up in. I don''t know if it harms babies or not, but I don''t like to think of taking anything right now, just in case.

safefetus.com is a great resource. You can look up different medications and it tells you if it is bad for the baby or breast milk. I haven''t slept longer than 6 hours straight in a LONG, LONG time but she''s worth it.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

DH suddently said one morning, "you look pregnant." Sure honey, thanks.

Later that day, I had to phone him at work to tell him about the huge scandal of the faulty batch of pregnancy test kits that were obviously on sale. Six of them. from four different manufacturers. All of them read positive. Had to be a mistake, right?

(We were trying, but we''d only made the decision to try on the day that it actually happened.)

Fisher, you sound totally ready to start TTC! Wish you all the best with it.

Jen

 

[Independent Gal]

Congrats Jen! I hope that happens to us too!

 

[Blenheim]

I can definitely identify. I''ve had a couple of weeks off between school and starting my new job tomorrow, and with all the spare time babies have just been on my mind constantly. I went to see The Business of Being Born last weekend (good movie) and picked up a couple of pregnancy/baby books and books of short stories about parenting that I''ve been leafing through. I''ve also started, um, decorating the "nursery", I mean, the dogs'' room. The dogs really needed a cute coat of Tiffany blue paint on the walls and some newly painted trim.

(We''re not planning on learning the sex until birth and think that the shade of blue would work well for either gender.)

I don''t think that I''d actually use any cute way of telling hubby when I''m pregnant. We had a scare last month (I thought we were careful, but when my luteal phase looked like it was 18 days I was almost hoping that we somehow messed up and DH said he was happy either way) and I kept asking him to verify that there was just one line. I''m sure that I''m just gonna tell him, "Hey, look at this one!" when the time comes.

Hubby''s not helping -- he keeps talking about "our daughter". I was trying to declutter last night and wanted him to be the voice of reason about whether we really should hang onto some items that we rarely use, and he kept pointing out that we could give it to our daughter. He''s convinced that our first is going to be a girl, since he wants a boy to carry on the family name

and so fate''s going to spite him somehow.

Scrapbooking and love letters just sound so sweet. I keep meaning to scrapbook things and have never really gotten around to it, but that seems like such a good time to do it.

 

[lumpkin]

Fisher, what a cute, cute idea of how to tell your husband. I hope you get settled into a new house very soon. You sound so ready for a baby.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Date: 2/3/2008 4:27:43 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Congrats Jen! I hope that happens to us too!

Thank you! I hope it does too.

Jen

 

[Sha]

I can identify too. We won''t be officially trying until October (first year anniversary) but I hope to be off of BC by July. I can''t wait! TTC seems so exciting.... I can''t wait tiill it''s officially our turn to try. Everyday I''m on babycenter.com reading people''s stories. That kind of keeps me occupied for now.

AF was supposed to come at noon on Saturday, and didn''t. For a few hours I was almost hopeful, thinking... "what If I am?" Up to 11:00 pm I still hadn''t gotten it. But she showed up just before midnight and dashed my hopes.

We weren''t officially trying anyway, but still... it would''ve been nice.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Blenheim, we didn''t find out the sex and painted our nursery blue. I think it works for both genders too. Though I do think it is better to pick out your bedding *first* and then decide on a paint color.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

We''re going to be surprised about the gender of our baby, too. I think that these days, there are far too few surprises in life, so why not have the moment where we know our baby''s gender to be the moment we see him or her and first fall truly madly in love with the little thing? That''s the plan, although I''m horrible and being patient, so I''ll probably want to know really, really bad...

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 2/5/2008 7:01:36 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
We''re going to be surprised about the gender of our baby, too. I think that these days, there are far too few surprises in life, so why not have the moment where we know our baby''s gender to be the moment we see him or her and first fall truly madly in love with the little thing? That''s the plan, although I''m horrible and being patient, so I''ll probably want to know really, really bad...

It is a long, hard wait and many cave in but I am really glad we waited (though I was pretty sure it was a girl in my gut).

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I think we''ll be able to wait. I just don''t want to be disapointed by the sex, if it''s not what we''d (read: I''d) been dreaming about for years and years.

My mom had my brother back in the day when they used "twlight sleep" for birthing; when she came to her senses, she asked for her little girl. Dad told her they''d had a beautiful baby boy. She looked him dead in the eye and said that she had a little girl, and that she had all the pretty dresses for a girl, and who''d taken her baby off?

Her little girl didn''t arrive until 7 years later.

Good thing they don''t do the twlight sleep these days; Lord only knows what I''d be saying!!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I got my "Pregnancy Record Book" in the mail yesterday. It was delivered to the neighbor''s door accidentally.

I''ve not yet shown it to Paul. After I looked through it, I got so excited. I think I might add it to part of my surprise in the way I tell him about the little bundle (you know, once there is a little bundle) after all.

I''m taking it to work today because there is another girl at work who''s been trying to have a baby for two years and she''s really, really thinking she is pregnant now (and if mood swings are a sign at the EARLY stages, she HAS to be!!), and she was talking about wanting a way to document everything. Every Thing! Yesterday was her birthday and I think she was going to find out last night; if she''s pregnant, I may give her the book and order another one.

It''s an adorable book!!

I cried looking at the pages and the blank lines, thinking about the experiences me and my baby will experience before anyone else gets to; selfish maybe, but so precious, just the same.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 2/5/2008 7:01:36 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
We''re going to be surprised about the gender of our baby, too. I think that these days, there are far too few surprises in life, so why not have the moment where we know our baby''s gender to be the moment we see him or her and first fall truly madly in love with the little thing? That''s the plan, although I''m horrible and being patient, so I''ll probably want to know really, really bad...

I found out the sex of my baby before he was born - it made him more "real" to me.

It always makes me giggle when people say they want a "surprise". Trust me, there will be plenty of surprises that day - LIKE A HUMAN BEING COMING OUT OF YOUR BODY!!!!

 

[somethingshiny]

LC~ I feel the same way!!

Surprises that day included, but are not limited to:

a) 39 hours of induced labor (obviously not just "that" day..)
b) epidural (which I did not plan, but gave into at about hour 26)
c) DH almost passing out during epidural
d) c-section
e) complete, perfect, living being that was exactly like that living inside of me
f) the feeling when I first saw him
g) the smell of him
h) his beautiful blue eyes that pierced mine
i) a love that I would never have thought possible


And, the upside to knowing was that the nursery was all ready for him. And, he had a great wardrobe!

Fisher~ I''m glad you love your book. It would be a very thoughtful gift to give your friend if she is pregnant.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 2/8/2008 11:41:34 AM
Author: somethingshiny
LC~ I feel the same way!!

Surprises that day included, but are not limited to:

a) 39 hours of induced labor (obviously not just 'that' day..)
b) epidural (which I did not plan, but gave into at about hour 26)
c) DH almost passing out during epidural
d) c-section
e) complete, perfect, living being that was exactly like that living inside of me
f) the feeling when I first saw him
g) the smell of him
h) his beautiful blue eyes that pierced mine
i) a love that I would never have thought possible


And, the upside to knowing was that the nursery was all ready for him. And, he had a great wardrobe!

Fisher~ I'm glad you love your book. It would be a very thoughtful gift to give your friend if she is pregnant.

The best part, Somethingshiny! Our boys were not in drab green and yellow, but sweet little boy chothes. My favorite was his "Ladies' Man" t-shirt!!!

 

[Independent Gal]

I have no idea if we will want to know the sex, although I''m pretty sure that at least I will want to know. I have never really cared for surprises, actually.

It''s so weird being in baby-limbo. We think about it and talk about it so much. FI is so raring to go and wants a baby yesterday. And I''m really, really excited too. I''ve wanted a baby for a long time. But I still can''t stop thinking things like "OMG that is SO GROSS!" when I read about how a human being is going to come out of my body. I think I''ll be a great mom, but I think I might be a grumpy pregnant lady. I like my body. Juuuuust as it is. How many people can say that? So I''m still freaked out by the idea of a kid growing in there, tearing up my muscle walls, pressing on my organs, taking my nutrients, and then, well, emerging dangerously and agonizingly through my... you know.

I reeeeeeally hope that the mommy feeling comes on fast, and that I don''t feel like I''m being invaded. I know. I''m weird. But I seem to recall a thread where I wasn''t the only weirdo around here in this regard.

Bottom line is, I''m nervous and weirded out, sure. But I''m WAY excited too and I know it will all be ooooh so worth it.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Independent Gal - I hated being pregnant - HATED IT! I was "fat" - I liked my body and nice clothes and I felt gross.

Child birth is not the most fun I have every had - it is kind of "gross", but the reality is that you are in such immense pain that you do not care. I had a natural birth, and the second he was born, the pain was gone and you experience a love like you have never known. My mom says that she loves us girls more than dad, and I thought she was on crack. She is not on crack (about that, anyway). My son is everything. I love my husband, but not like my son. When a person says they would do anything for their child, it is different.

Long story short. It all sucks - pregnancy, birth, leaky boobs. That is why I got my body back (minus 20 pounds), bought a kicken'' wardrobe and am not doing it again. But I would not change it for the world.

 

[Anastasia]

Date: 2/8/2008 2:21:24 PM
Author: Independent Gal
I have no idea if we will want to know the sex, although I''m pretty sure that at least I will want to know. I have never really cared for surprises, actually.

It''s so weird being in baby-limbo. We think about it and talk about it so much. FI is so raring to go and wants a baby yesterday. And I''m really, really excited too. I''ve wanted a baby for a long time. But I still can''t stop thinking things like ''OMG that is SO GROSS!'' when I read about how a human being is going to come out of my body. I think I''ll be a great mom, but I think I might be a grumpy pregnant lady. I like my body. Juuuuust as it is. How many people can say that? So I''m still freaked out by the idea of a kid growing in there, tearing up my muscle walls, pressing on my organs, taking my nutrients, and then, well, emerging dangerously and agonizingly through my... you know.

I reeeeeeally hope that the mommy feeling comes on fast, and that I don''t feel like I''m being invaded. I know. I''m weird. But I seem to recall a thread where I wasn''t the only weirdo around here in this regard.

Bottom line is, I''m nervous and weirded out, sure. But I''m WAY excited too and I know it will all be ooooh so worth it.

Independent Gal - I loved my body just as it was too when I got pregnant. I LOVED being pregnant. I had three very easy pregnancies. I never had morning sickness, and until I was showing, I didn''t have any real symptoms. I felt great. Childbirth is gross, and it hurts. a lot. But it is the most amazing experience ever. To experience it with your husband is amazing. I didn''t have epidurals (I couldn''t have one due to prior back surgery, but I absolutely would have had one if it was possible). Like Litigator Chick said, the moment you give birth, the pain stops - immediately, and you have this wonderful little gift. Your life will never be the same, in a good way.

I also lost all of the baby weight within two months of delivering. Having a baby does not mean that you will never look the same. Well, alright, you''ll probably never look exactly the same, but I felt great about myself after having babies. (Turning 40 however HAS changed my body - and I''m not too happy about it!)

I understand your apprehension, but it truly is the most amazing thing ever. I remember feeling like I had joined a silent sorority - made up of women who had had children. I know that is a wierd explanation, but I felt like I had joined some kind of unspoken sisterhood.

You have such an interesting perspective on everything - I''m sure you will handle it beautifully!

 

[LitigatorChick]

Anastasia - love your avatar pic!

But here is my question - what did you love about being pregnant? I had no morning sickness, a completely sickness and pain free pregnancy. I gained only 25 pounds, was active throughout. I had a decent labour - drug free and no tearing. So although I had nothing to complain about, what was there to love????