Well, I'm sure you feel reassured by now, but I'll add my voice to the mix: deliberately TTC my third at age 40 and he was born a month after I turned 41. I did have gestational diabetes for the first time ever, but that is a risk as you grow older. (I'm heavy, and have PCOS, too.) I wish more than anything I could have one more...yes, try for that little girl, but welcome a boy gladly if that's what God gave me. DH is convinced we should stop, though, so...anyway... Congratulations!!!! I am sure you will be just fine!

Thanks, ladies. I will call the ped on Monday and meanwhile, try cutting out the juice and dairy. He will revolt if I take away the soy formula bottles, though--:lol: But I didn't realize soy and milk allergies could go hand-in-hand. Hmmm. (And yes, I'm one of those mamas who still lets a toddler have a bottle. LOL)

Just put up the disclaimer so as to not gross anyone out. LOL You have been warned! He is 20 months, and for almost two weeks, has had really runny diapers. He hasn't acted sick, no one we know has been sick and he hasn't been in any group-kid situations to catch anything. He's not having more than four or so a day (though his normal pooping habit is one big one in the morning), so I don't know if it even counts as clinical diarrhea. When he goes, there is almost always mucus and undigested fruit/veggies in it. In between times, he passes mucus with his gas. So now he has a nasty red rash, too. He nurses 2 to 4 short times a day, and drinks about 10 oz. a day of toddler soy formula because he's always had tummy trouble from milk. He was always able to eat cheese and yogurt fine, though...but now I'm wondering if he could be getting sensitive to those, too? I Googled it and one medical site said something about "Toddler Diarrhea" of no specific cause. Has anyone heard of that, or had kids with it? Just wondering if you'd take yours in for this, or wait to see if it passes since he's otherwise acting and eating normally? Thanks!

That sounds really good! A nice frugal combination I'd have never thought of. Thanks! Tonight, we're having General Tso's chicken over rice, with broccoli and carrot stir-fry on the side.

Just curious as to where you are in Georgia? (You don't have to answer publicly if you don't want to! LOL) We're in the metro ATL area and I often hear how "great" our county's schools are, but I fail to see it on SO many levels! It's like someone else posted, "great" compared to what? We do have lots of friend who homeschool, but none in our church or neighborhood.

I understand what you are saying. I've been a Christian most of my life and even I don't like heavily-preachy funeral services. Mention their beliefs, sure...it honors the deceased. But I'm talking one brief paragraph, a minute at most. DH's family in another state attends a conservative Baptist church and every funeral we've been to talks about the deceased maybe five minutes, then preaches a regular conversion sermon for another twenty or so. I am so glad they won't be in charge of any of our funerals. I think funerals should be a place to share memories of the deceased, to talk about their life, sing songs they loved, read meaningful poetry. Not an evangelism crusade.

I'll be watching this with much interest, as my 9 y.o. is the same way! He has the oddest way of forming his letters and numbers, but it's neater than his older brother, who holds his pencil and writes everything the "correct" way!

I've always just used an empty pocket diaper with strong elastic around the openings, but I might have to look for one of those iPlay ones.

Wow--I had no idea so many families were against sleepovers. No judgement meant by that comment--I'm just surprised. My kids love them, and I don't mind hosting them, either. But to each her own! :001_smile:

It's been hit-or-miss for me. However, Purex is usually pretty cheap and I've had good luck with it.

And this? This is totally my new answer for Mom. Who is going to be here for three weeks....staying in my grandmother's old house across the street.

LOL! I love this!! It's also my theory about being fat...it's so that my other friends will get to be the "skinny" one when we're together. :lol: Thanks SOOOO much for all the replies! I feel human again!

My parents are visiting and my mom, especially, notices every little thing that's been damaged since her last visit (which was just a few weeks ago)... "Oh, HOW did this big scratch get on your table?" (I don't even know...I just went to wipe up a wet spot and whatever the mystery liquid was stripped off a streak of stain. On a dark cherry table. That has countless tiny dings and scratches...) "Wow, that baby gate has REALLY dinged up this doorframe. Tsk-Tsk..." (Yeah, but it's preferable to having the toddler pull knives out of the dishwasher, don't you think?) "Make him stop yanking the cabinet doors! The whole cabinet is shaking!" (Yeah, he may be under 2, but he's strong. And this house is so old and shoddily-built that the cabinets wiggle when anyone opens the doors.) She says everything in this overly dramatic, horrified voice like she's wondering HOW I can allow these boys to wreck my house like this? Well...she had three little girls who were terrified to touch anything or even LIVE in their own home growing up for fear of breaking something, so my family and I are the opposite. We live in ours. We use our stuff. We don't fret if it gets scratched. It adds character! Plus, there are THREE BOYS here. And they don't go away to school eight hours a day. I don't let them run wild, by any means, but I am not about to be so obsessed with stuff that they feel they can't enjoy themselves in their own house. But she acts like we're the only ones who have a house like this. It can't be true, can it???

Oooh, I really like Mirabella. How pretty!

I've scanned over the other replies, and absolutely would not use Isabella. Mainly because I know 834 Isabelles, Isabellas, Bellas, Belles, and an Izzy. OK, not THAT many but close! :lol: It's like the new Jessica...just too many of them around. The upside? She would never, ever have problems finding personalized pencils, keychains and Christmas ornaments. We named our children based on meaning, too. Maybe if your husband absolutely insists, use it as a middle name, but I wouldn't call her that if it were me.

I do equal amounts of marshmallow creme and sour cream (full-fat preferred!) LOL It tastes kind of cheesecake-y and good enough to eat with a spoon. Now I want some... :D

Hugs...I understand what you are saying. Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with lupus. After a few years, I switched doctors, and the new doctor didn't feel I fully fit a lupus diagnosis. Now, another doctor later, she agrees with the second doctor. Something is wrong with me, autoimmune-wise, but I don't fit neatly into any one diagnosis. (I've since learned that's very common with autoimmune diseases.) How long has it been since you were diagnosed? It took me a while to come to grips with the fact that I was broken, that my body didn't work right, and that I'd have to live with this stupid disease --whatever IT was-- the rest of my life. There have been many times that I've had to not do things because of my illness. And I've definitely encountered those who don't understand, or who seem put-out because I'm sick and can't do what they want me to do. It used to really bother me, to make me sad because I was letting them down. But you know what? To use an overused phrase, it is what it is. Lupus is your reality; something similar is mine. If people can't accept it and accommodate it when needed, then that is their problem. And I pray for God to heighten their sense of compassion. Maybe God put me into their lives to teach them compassion? Who knows? Having my third child was the best thing I've ever done, because I went into remission during my pregnancy and only over the past few months have my symptoms started creeping back. Remission was so amazing--I had forgotten what it was like to live without pain and sometimes crippling fatigue. I have hope that remission will return--I have a 55-year-old friend who has been in remission for almost 10 years. It happens. Always hold out hope that it will happen to you! People without chronic illnesses don't understand, and I've had to stop being upset with those who don't get it, because really, unless they've been there, they CAN'T. Kind of like how no matter how much you babysat, or how many books you read before becoming a mom, you find that NOTHING really could prepare you for the total reality of it, know what I mean? It's just so much more than you could imagine, and you find it easier to forgive those who are clueless because you know that you used to be, too. I'm sorry you're struggling, but really, I do understand. I understand hating this THING that's come upon you, that you know has no real cure, that could turn ugly overnight with no choice involved on your part. It's hard. I'm sorry that you are dealing with it, too. Hang in there. :grouphug:

You mean Casey, not Caylee, right? :) Very sad, awful case...

That was my reasoning with finally trying cloth with baby #3. And we've loved it! I just wanted to say that the used receiving blankets make GREAT inserts for pocket diapers. I got a stack of cotton receiving blankets for a dime apiece at a yard sale! I also use sposies for overnight and when we are out and about, unless it's just a quick trip to the store or something. Ditto the snap pockets! I preferred prefolds and covers when baby was little, but now that he's so hard to keep still for diaper changes--and likes to strip naked!--I'm buying more of the snap-close pockets (to stuff with my receiving blankets. LOL Never did like those microfiber inserts.) I also agree with using Tide--no stink issues since we switched. And that is with some nasty toddler poo! LOL This, too...my youngest has the same fair, rash-prone skin that my second child has. DS2 had HORRIBLE diaper rashes in disposables, but poor kid--I never thought about switching to cloth. But DS3 has never had a truly bad diaper rash, and hardly any rash issues at all. So to sum up, yes, in my experience, it's worth it. (Most of our stash was bought used, so obviously I don't have issues with that. But then again, I shop at Goodwill, too! LOL)

Ugh...what an icky weekend! Hope your little one is better soon and no one else gets sick. The nursing is good for her. I'd probably try to limit her to just that and clear liquids for a good 24 hours and see if it clears up; maybe a cracker or toast if she gets unbearable in asking for food. Sounds like her tummy just isn't getting enough rest to totally heal itself.

Awww! These stories are SO sweet! My 19 month old still asks to nurse many times a day...DH calls him an addict. :lol: What's ironic is that he never wanted to nurse as a newborn--it was such a struggle to get him to nurse at all! But by six months or so, he was finally into it. Sometimes I still can't believe I kept trying that long, but I'm glad I did. He calls it "bee" and if I've been away for a while, he'll ask for "bee" as soon as he sees me. When he sees me uncover, he starts laughing in glee. Then he'll pop off after a minute, say "Mama!" then latch right back on, smiling. OH it is so sweet! I never nursed my other two this long, but I'm glad I'm enjoying it with my third. I just wish I could get him to stop pinching...he pinches the teensiest bit of my skin between two of his fingers and it hurts. It's like he doesn't realize he does it, though, like he's just fidgeting.

LOL about the Kegels! Count UP the elevator....and DOWN.... :lol: Unfortunately, it has affected me in the bathroom (too TMI to talk about how) and has for years, but it just feels different now...which makes me wonder if it's getting worse. My OB basically said the same thing yours did, Blsdmama... Decisions, decisions!

That's great! I have an older friend who used to babysit my boys when they were little, and she used to be quite vocal about how worried she was about our plans to homeschool. (All of hers went to PS.) But now that she's seen the fruit of it--in my kids and other mutual friends of ours--all she talks about is how wonderful homeschooling is. :)

Thanks for the info! Glad to hear recovery wasn't bad. I am checking out that Whole Woman website now. Thanks!

When my second DS was delivered, I had to have a huge episiotomy due to shoulder dystocia and his failing heart rate. I've had a minor rectocele and cystocele since then, though it's not really very minor anymore. Anyway, I know I need to make a consultation to arrange for surgical repair, but I've been putting it off because really, when do moms ever have time for something like that? But really...the issues stemming from it are getting old and I really think it's time to fix it. Of course, as soon as I decide this, I start seeing lawyer commercials on TV about faulty mesh being used in these types of surgeries and I'm thinking...great! Anyway, if anyone has any BTDT experience to share, I would love to hear it. (i.e. recovery time, post-surgical pain, what TEA time is like afterward...) Thanks in advance!