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Well. If we lived in the UK there is actually an approved and tested product that turns a 3 seater back seat into a 4 seater. (It's called the Multimac.) But as it's not yet approved for the US, no choice but to get a van, yeah.
And yeah, we live in a 3 bedroom house-- and one of the rooms is used as a playroom. Currently Emma and Bridey share a room; before the baby comes we're going to get Emma a loft bed and try to transition Maggie from our bed to Emma's old bed, so we'll have all 3 girls in one room. We figure we can fit 4 kids in the one room before we need to convert the playroom to a bedroom again. We've got SO much space here compared to the 2 bedroom apartments we were used to (we also have a small office, which helps), I can easily see us raising 6 or more kids in this house before we have to think about a bigger place.
Yes, many of our friends think we're insane for not getting a van when we had the third kid, and because we're happy to make do with "so little space." But you know what? I don't really think it's necessary for kids to have their own rooms-- and so far, at least, my kids don't WANT to. They like going to bed in the same room, it provides security and comfort. (We also have a "hideout" in the cupboard under the stairs, so if they need their own space they can go in there with the lantern and some books or coloring and do their own thing for a while.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I agree with the frustration over wants and needs. We live in a 3 bedroom house and we just had our 3rd baby. I can fit another kid in this house no problem. Sure, I WANT a bigger house, like all my friends have, but I don't NEED it. I think my kids NEED to learn how to share. (Besides, grandpa built them a really cool pirate ship bunk bed that just wouldn't be the same in two rooms!)
Until 2 weeks ago, we were driving our 3 kids around in our Carolla. It worked just fine. 2 weeks ago, we sold my husband's truck and paid cash for a used, but nice Buick Rendezvous. (The Carolla is now his commuter car.) I posted on facebook that we got it and one of my friends who has 2 kids said that they test drove one and decided it was "too small for (their) needs." The bought a Ford Exposition instead, because it was big enough for their 2 kids. I rolled my eyes.
Posts: 161 | Registered: Jul 2002
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Though I have to admit, today, when on the tollway, the little monster rolled down her window and wouldn't roll it back up (driving at 65 mph that is super noisy), my first thought was dang it, I need power windows so I don't have to pull over and roll the window back up. It didn't help that Bin was screaming about how much the noise upset her the whole time (she is super noise sensitive and hates most noises). Of course, I don't really need automatic windows, but for a moment, I thought I did. But I am working at keeping wants and needs separate. I have been much more content with life since then. I also realize just how many luxuries I do have- like bin going to preschool many of my friends would call a need, but it is a want, a good want maybe, but still a want and knowing I am getting all my needs plus a lot of wants, I am happier. Viewing things as needs made me feel entitled instead of grateful.
Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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For this pregnancy, my insurance covers unlimited physical therapy/chiropractor visits (with dr's note). so basically $15 copay for a massage. And the place watches kiddos while your in there, so free babysitting for like an hour. One session so far and my pelvic muscles feel so much better and headache much reduced. Back has less pain, but still hurts, though she said judging effectiveness on the first time isn't fair. But so worth the $15. I love having good insurance. Since it is technically physical therapy, I will be learning some exercises next time to start doing, which is just another perk. Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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The chiropractor claims that this makes for eaier births, less complications, I think more full terms- all those pros. I haven't looked into it- I just know I like things that make me feel better. Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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Gah, found out at my 31 week appointment that I had failed my 1 hour glucose test by 1 point. So frustrating! It will take me 2 weeks to get in to the dr and get the results for the 3 hour test. Then if I fail, he said I would be sent to a nutritionist which would probably be another week. Because I have a history of bigger babies the dr said he will probably want to induce by 39 weeks if I fail the 3 hour test. Which means I am going through all of this for a grand total of about 4 weeks of diet and exercise change. I am so not convinced it is worth it. Especially as the dr seemed pretty sure I would pass the 3 hour because I am only 1 point over and I have been doing great weight wise. I just don't want to do the test but am not willing to make a big stink over it. I like my dr. overall and know his hands are somewhat tied by the system too. Just needed to let that out and focus on the positives. I do get a bonus ultrasound to check babies size now which is good. I had great bp readings which makes me thrilled as I struggled with high readings with my first pregnancy.
Posts: 416 | Registered: May 2005
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Sucks you have to do the whole 3 hour test, but I'm sure it will be fine. And extra ultrasound- yeah!
Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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I know several women who have refused the 3 hour test, and instead asked to monitor their blood sugar daily (I hear it's more accurate anyway...) Some of them also just voluntarily went on the GD diet, which is really a pretty healthy one for many mommies and babies, though it can be hard to follow.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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The funny thing with the chiro is like all the pregnant people I know are like yeah, that is awesome, so helpful, wish I could do it. But non-pregnant people (well also my sister in law who is just barely pregnant 6 weeks) are like why are you seeing a chiropractor? I can't believe that would be any good. What a waste of $15. My husband can't believe how much difference it is making- he is like but chiro is a scam. How can this be making you feel so much better? But now he wants to go to one too. Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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Chiro is one of only 2 things (the other being massage therapy) that has ever helped the pain from permanent damage I sustained in a car crash as a child. Yeah, I wouldn't take a kid there for an ear infection. But a well-trained, experienced chiro can be wonderful for skeleto-muscular type stuff! And you get a lot of that in pregnancy, what with shifting center of gravity, loosening joints, added weight, squishing around of internalness, etc.
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I was a bit surprised when the chiro after rubbing my neck told me she will get rid of the headaches too. I thought she was full of it, but headaches have been so much better since then. Mine at least has been extremely accurate regarding what she could or couldn't do. She said headaches she would fix, pelvic she would fix, back she would help, but not as much (since I keep getting bigger, it is a constant battle). But she has been very accurate over her capabilities. Though I once saw a negative review of a dentist where they complained about the dentist not seeing little kids. The dr says he is not a pediatric dentist pretty clearly on his webpage, so why people expect something different amazes me. I wonder if that same mentality is there with chiropractors.
Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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There are chiropractors whose claims should set off your radar -- as kq said, claims about ear infections; I've seen claims about immune system function and all kinds of definitely NOT musculo-skeletal issues. But the good ones are very, very good at what they do. And I would never have made it through the horrible sciatica I had with kid #3 without the one I saw.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I think making people make decisions when they are 9 months pregnant is just cruel. I don't know how many tumbling classes I am going to be able to handle with Bin in November. Right now, she is in 2 hours and that works well, but after new baby, I am thinking that might be too hard. It is 10 weeks per session, and starts nov 1 (due date Oct 19) and I have to sign up next Monday. The coach wants her to stay in the Monday class, and switch wednesday to an advanced class instead of the one she is in now. I like the Wednesday time best, but the coach is right that bin is above that level- even if by age she is in the right class. So, right now I am thinking of just the monday class. We did 2 hours because bin kinda needs the energy release and with just 1 hour, I was going crazy (we did 2 hours, than 1 and then moved back to 2 because it was too much). I am thinking with new baby though having to get both dressed and ready and to the tumbling place will be more exhuasting than bin being crazy. Except maybe changing bin's routine right at the same time as bringing home a new baby will make adjusting worse. So, I don't know.
Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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Argh. I somehow have managed to become less dilated this week than I was last week. Seriously, what the heck baby! You are supposed to be trying to come out, not hole in deeper. This one has been trying to be as different from her big sister as possible from the start (and I did enjoy the morning sickness starting nice and early and the sore breasts from day of implantation) and that certainly was an innovative way to distinguish herself.
Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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Hang in there! These babies have to come out eventually. I am declining being checked this time around. It brought me nothing but frustration with my last pregnancy.
I am so tired of not being able to sleep. The earliest I have fallen asleep this week is 2am. I am so sleepy I can't stand myself but every time I lay down I get the worst upset stomach and the baby decides its time to karate chop my bladder until I get up for the 20th time. I am so ready to be done with this pregnancy and to move on to enjoying my baby.
Posts: 416 | Registered: May 2005
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I am also going to decline being checked this time. Baby will come when she is ready, and I don't need to go through the discomfort and anxiety-making experience of being checked to find that out.
I've been using auto-suggestion while practicing my state of deep hypnosis to keep aches away during the rest of the day. I bet that would help with the sleep issues too, if I wanted it to. Hmmmm...
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Sometimes I wonder if it is being pregnant that makes tired or just the inability to sleep. Like does my body need more than 8 hours and that is why the afternoon nap is so appealing or is it that I am never getting any quality sleep?
Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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Hi ladies. Some of you already know I'm expecting from Sakeriver. I'm about 15 weeks (well exactly going by my LMP). I feel so big today. I'm still needing to pee a lot, especially in the PM, though I'm sleeping a lot better at night since getting the UTI treated.
I also still haven't told my in laws. I feel like we should be at dinner or something when we tell them, not just call them on the phone, you know? But I guess it would be weirder if they hear some other way.
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And the place watches kiddos while your in there, so free babysitting for like an hour. One session so far and my pelvic muscles feel so much better and headache much reduced. Back has less pain, but still hurts, though she said judging effectiveness on the first time isn't fair. But so worth the $15. I love having good insurance. Since it is technically physical therapy, I will be learning some exercises next time to start doing, which is just another perk. 
