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HI ladies. I had my shower yesterday it was absolutely wonderful. I have waited so many years to have a baby shower and it was everything I have always dreamed of, great food, great friends and family and fun had by all. I got pretty much all I asked for minus a few odds and ends, but I recieved tons of gift cards so they should cover what I didn't get. Anyway as for Sammie, I am so confused. The nurses tell us different things. First, the breastmilk thing. The nurse last night said that because she's on breastmilk frotifier, they have to wean her off the breastmilk before she goes home because they won't send her home with fortifier, it's either breastmilk or formula. They never told me that before. Then I was feeding Sammie yesterday and she's up to 35 cc's so they said I have to burp her halfway through, I did that, tried to burp her, then she fell asleep and I couldn't get her to finish the rest of her bottle. The nurse last night told me don't burp her halfway through because she'll lose interest and fall asleep. I have no clue which one I am supposed to be doing cuz each nurse tells us something different and why am I pumping when they're gonna wean her off my milk anyway? ANy of you with babies have any ideas?

Hey Ladies-- Callie and Camryn are doing great, and Julie they were born on the 12th- same as Nicholas! They smile and coo all day long, I love it! They have their 4 month check up next week so I will let you know how much they have gained! Babywish-- in the NICU, my best advice is to ask questions. And they arent saying she cant have breastmilk, they are just saying the have to ween her off the fortifier- it only took my girls one day to do that and still gain weight. They will give you instructions on putting a 1/2 tsp neosure in her bottle per 2 oz of breastmilk. It may be a different oz amount, I am not sure. It will help fortify the breastmilk. Dont stop pumping! Thats the best thing you can do for her now. And how they are feeding her is called a gervage (sp?). Its not a feeding tube, dont worry- it doesnt stay in, they just put it in at each feeding. My girls ate like that for the first 2 weeks without a single bottle feeding- she will learn to stay awake dont worry. And about the burping thing- you do need to burp her even if she is falling asleep because if not she will spit up and get an upset stomach. Not too mention reflux is common in premies so burping is a must! - if she is falling asleep it just means she isnt ready for just bottle feeding yet. Be patient, I know that is the hardest thing to hear. I mean how many ppl know what it is like to leave your babies at the hospital everyday- sometimes twice a day. It breaks your heart. I am praying for her to come home soon. I know the NICU is the hardest thing EVER! Cindy- how are the twins? All I have to say is rest while you can! LOL :) Feeding two babies at once every 2 hours has made me more exhausted than I could imagine. Thankfully they have started to sleep through the night most of the time!! woohoo! Well hi to everyone else- dont have much time, the girls are waking up- pray for me to get some rest! LOL!

HI all. Samantha's finally home. We brought her home 2 days ago. The 1st night was pretty rough, we got initiated into parenthood quickly, she was constipated and was up crying every 20 minutes. She finally lry it loose yesterday morning and she's been calm ever since. The only time she cries is when she's hungry. She's up to 4.9 lbs as of yesterday according to the visiting nurse. We're so excited and happy to have her home. Thank you ladies for the advice.

BW - so glad baby sammie girl is home - (i am a huge nickname person - sorry - no offense!) -- how are you doing? ---- JENNY - how are you going? in the homestretch now huh? are you going ever 2 weeks yet? how's audrey? ---- CINDY - how are the twins doing? how are you feeling? - what was up at the latest doc appt? ---- MoNICA - i forgot they were born on the same day - that's super cool! -- we had our 4 month well ck today - nicholas is a chunk - he's 16lbs and 26 inches. no wonder my back aches! and i have a blocked mild duct that seems to be on teh verge of a breast infection (OW!) so i've been dealing with that for a few days - my OB says no antibiotics - then yes- but then no since i was getting nicholas his shots today - so we're playing it by ear thru the weekend. MONIE = what are the girls going to be for halloween? kayla is going to be ariel the little mermaid and nicholas will be sebastian her crab! i can't wait. BW are you going to try to dress sammie girl? JENNY what's clay going to be? or is he too big for costumes? heck i am too big for costumes - but doesn't stop me - i love halloween! -- ok have to get the house picked up - kiddos are napping. i hope you are all doing good - and have a great weekend (we're going on pony rides for my bday (ok well not WE so much as KAYLA)-- she got to give dad some party ideas for me - and that's what she picked! it'll be fun! -----------------************* OH *********** a year ago right now i was stimming - and having my IUI on my bday (oct8) so this year i will definitely be happy to be celebrating the day that nicholas came to be!

OMG Julie- i can't belive that was year ago already!! i remember your party and you hought you might have missed your window of opportunity with your IUI..amazing! We are chugging right along! I am 31 weeks tomorrow and have a Dr appt on Monday afternoon. I am going every 2 weeks now (since last visit) I am hoping that the Dr can tell me if she is head down yet. She wasn't on the last u/s at 28 weeks. Clay is going to be a cowboy for Halloween. He does not like masks or makeup so we have to figure out something around those stipulations every year. He will have an gun belt for his costume this year that was Patrick's when he was little. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!!

Poor Sammie has been constipated for like 2 days now. Last night she cried all night, today too off and on. I called the doc and he said Karo syrup in her bottle and to stop giving her the iron supplement in her bottle at least for a couple of days. I just feel like a horrible mommy cuz I can't help her. I've been giving her the karo syrup in her bottle but it hasn't worked yet. Doc also said to put vaseline on my pinky finger and put it up her doopa, did that too, still hasn't worked yet. I'm just so scared that something will happen like her bowels shutting down or something....are my fears justified or am I being overly paranoid?

babywish - my daugther was constipated for the first 7 days of her life. The doctor said it is common to not go #2 for almost a week. So when we took her in for her week check up I asked what we could do. He said karo syrup or Prune juice. I trued both and karo syrup doesn't do it like prune juice does. If I ran out of prune juice I would give her Karo syrup and the next day she was constipated. She is one now and I still have to give her prune juice.
Also to get her to go for her first time the doctor pushed his finger up her butt to get things moving. That didn't work, we did it later that night (glove and lube) and before I got my pinky out it was coming. My husband said it was enough to fill up a pop can, it was alot. After that we gave her just a little prune juice in her night bottle and things have worked since. Good luck.

Hi all...BW I'm so happy that Samantha's home. My bestfriends daughter had the same problem with constipation, she had to take her off any formula with iron, and also did the prune juice (just 1 oz per 6 ozs). Good luck, and remember your doing everything your being told to do, so try not to beat yourself up. I had my 12week u/s and appt on Thurs and both little critters are doing great, one measured 12w2d and the other was 12w5d. Both hb were strong at 150 and 158 and they were both squirming around in there. The dr appt was fine, my blood pressure up to this appointment was always very low and this time it was in the high/normal range so we're going to watch that. Other than that my edd is 4/15/09 but my dr said to expect a March delivery. All I know is my ms is almost gone (thank God!!!) and I'm starting to gain alittle energy yeah!! I can't believe we've all been chatting for over a year...times flys by doesn't it. Hello to everyone I didn't mention. Take care ladies. Cindy

Cindy I can't believe you are that far already!! So glad to hear the little ones are thriving :))... BW- when my son was constipated as an infant we would use the fleet suppositories to help move things along. they are just glycerin pyramid shaped things that masage that area and encourage them to push. Just another idea to consider....Had a regular OB visit yesterday and all was well. after my next one, i will start to get the cervical checks... I can't believe I am almost nearing the end already! I hope everyone is having a great week!!

Hi again. Thank you ladies SO much for recommending the prune juice thing. It worked and Sammie has been feeling great. She has been sleeping a lot better, only gets up when she's hungry now, eating a lot better and gaining weight. She was up to 5.2 lbs the other day and we have the nurse coming again today to check on her. Can't tell you all how relieved I was to be changing poopy diapers lol. Other than that, nothing new here. I still have to get my baby shower thank you cards out and with her not feeling good at all I haven't been able to go anywhere, but hopefully I'll get a chance to go tomorrow I'm hoping anyway.

Babywish...Glad to hear Sami's doing better. Who would have thought you'd enjoy dirty diapers!!! haha. Quick questions, do you guys know what kind of medications I can take for head aches? My head has been killing me, I'm calling the dr when he opens this morning, but I thought one of you could help. Thanks, Cindy

Cindy- extra strength tylenol is what my DR recommends.

hi girls - yes ciindy - i 2nd zen's suggestion - you can take extra strength (or regular) tylenol - and even tylenol PM - or benedryl if you have trouble sleeping. how are you feeling otherwise? i hope all is well. when is the next doc visit? -- BW - glad sammie is pooping up a storm! --- JENNY - is teh count down on? how many more weeks>? miss you guys!

Thank you ladies, you were both right on the money, my ob said Tylenol also. Besides the head ache (are they normal?) I'm doing good. I seem to be getting energy back, probably because I can eat again, and my ms is pretty much gone. My next ob appt is Oct 30 and we'll schedule my next u/s then. I think were doing that u/s at 19 or 20 weeks. They are sending me for a paranatal (sp) u/s at St. Peter's Hospital. My Dr said it's a more advanced u/s and an actually dr does it instead of a tech. I guess it's for two reasons, twins and my age (big 40). Anyway, I'm excited. What's happening with everyone else? Zen...what is your actual due date? I so excited for you and can't wait for your big day. Check in soon everyone. Take Care, Cindy

JULIE- yes ma'am the countdown is on... CINDY- my actual due date is December 7th but I have a feeling that Audrey may be making her appearance sometime around Thanksgiving. I am already planning to do most of Clay's Christmas shopping online. Not quite the same as the day after Thanksgiving fun but worth the exchange! I did have an eventful weekend this past weekend. I woke up at 2am on Saturday morning with contractions (I am 32 weeks now). They got progressively worse and by 7am i had to wake up my hubby and son and get to the hospital. They got me into triage right away and my contractions were 3 minutes apart. they ran all sorts of tests and determined that i had a UTI and that was the cause for the contractions. My cervix was still high, hard and closed and the FFN test came back negative...so that was good. They admited me overnight so that they could give me antibiotics by a IV and so they could monitor Audrey. They did a biophysical profile on her and she did well on everything except the movement of the diaphram for 30 seconds. they released me on Sunday at noon with more antibiotics to take for the next 7 days and a follow up with my OB. I visited my OB yesterday and the did another biophysical and she did perfect on everything. they were very pleased. last night was my first night of rest with no contractions so i am hoping the meds are kicking in and doing the trick! I did get a size estimate on her yesterday. she is measuring at 34 weeks, weighs approximately 4 lb 14 oz and is the 80th percentile for her size. AND!!! she finally turned!! on Saturday she was still breech and by yesterday's scan she was head down! i was getting a little worried about that...anyway, that was my weekend...hope everyone is having a great week so far!

Hello ladies!! How is everyone? Getting ready for Halloween? I am a bit over 34 weeks and getting so excited! I packed my hospital bag and have everything ready here at the house. I go to my next Dr appt next Wednesday and I will get checked then.... How is everyone else doing???