Pregnant riders support group? :)

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

CRTXlaw and Forward Ride- any updates?

I’m coming up on 35 weeks this weekend. Doing OK- trying to find a balance between wanting baby out but wanting him to stay inside to finish developing! :lol: A few more weeks…I’ll get through it. JLC, I’ve found this website to be very helpful- not sure if I saw it linked here in this thread somewhere or someplace else but it has a lot of pregnancy and post-partum info http://www.lucieslist.com/.

Overohunter, welcome to the club! I definitely know what you mean about that weird early stage- I hated having this big ‘secret’, and you feel crummy but can’t tell people and have nothing exciting to feel yet like the baby moving or an ultrasound. Hang in there, as you’ve probably already read it gets much better in the 2nd trimester!

KingoftheRoad, while I can’t relate to the feeling of being surprised by the pregnancy or uncertain if it is wanted, I think most of us can relate to the early fatigue and certainly hormones which can make you feel all over the place. You have time to figure this out, and I think there are others from this thread who may better be able to relate to the uncertain feelings. Hang in there, do a lot of reading. Do you have a support network you can lean on (friends, family, other new moms)?

[jhg140]

Hey KingoftheRoad,

I completely feel you. On all of it. Sending you a PM!

[OveroHunter]

KingoftheRoad - I’ve been working out with a personal trainer twice a week which has been a great mood booster. Workouts in general release endorphins and it’s nice to know I’m at least combating pregnancy weight gain and it will make both labor and post pregnancy weight loss easier. Have you thought about just changing how you exercise?

Some days I am more tired than others, but I hear that it gets better after the first trimester. Usually I can stay on the stair master forever, but I was huffing and puffing yesterday before I finished my 5 minute warm up. I think some days are just worse than others.

I hope you start to feel better soon!

[jhg140]

So I almost made it out of my doctors appointment today without the horse coming up… And then my dumb husband opened his big mouth. I got her to go from NO to 12 weeks, to maybe 14 weeks. I am pretty sure I looked like you had just killed my puppy when she first said no. 12 weeks conveniently gets me exactly through Showing the first two weeks of February, so I’ll roll with it. I plan on letting trainer use him for flat lessons 1-2x per week in exchange for rides from her, so that gets him done up to 4x a week, which is what he’s doing currently. I also invested in a Pessoa rig so I can go lunge him myself. And we told the parents yesterday… And then I promptly requested my mom come down here in november to play nanny while I horse show for two weeks. PRIORITIES!

I am still kind of bummed, and maybe I’ll feel differently when I get bigger, but I’m going to try to really enjoy these last two weeks of shows - I’m taking off most of the week to play ground crew while trainer shows him, he’s going to do the little derby with her the first week, and the little derby with me the second week. After that, I’ll deal with my freak out over not riding. It’s just hard to imagine not even wanting to ride, because I’m pretty much the same size right now, just massively larger boobs.

Anyone else due late August?

[Hunterkid]

I know that people say the second trimester you are less tired, but it’s not always true ! I’m nearly in my third and I’m just as tired as I was at the beginning. I’m also bigger now and have a busy, fast paced, on your feet with no breaks job, so that doesn’t help !

[OveroHunter]

I’m due early August and I just didn’t ask my doctor about it because she had already handed me a pamphlet saying I should avoid any activities where I could fall and listed horseback riding as one of them. Luckily DH is a horseman so we agreed that I would only ride my steady eddie trail horse for as long as I was comfortable and always with a saddle and never bareback. Working on getting my nice show horse leased out so she has a job… DH is trying to talk me into breeding her instead :lol:

[JLC]

She’s pure gold - oh yes, Lucy’s List. I forgot about that website. I used it while making my registry! Great stuff…

KingoftheRoad - I had very mixed emotions when I got pregnant, so I can relate in some way to you… Hang in there!

[jhg140]

Speaking of registry stuff… I swear I saw it earlier in this thread, but can’t seem to find it… Didn’t someone say that Babies R Us will also honor the Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons? I just ask because BRU is closer to me than Buy Buy Baby, and I’m lazy. Thanks!

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=Nickelodian;8485287]
AND WE HAVE THE SAME NAME!!! lol[/QUOTE]

And were due at the same time! And had/have many of the same experiences/emotions surrounding getting pregnant, being pregnant, and motherhood, ect…

Kingoftheroad - several of us on this thread weren’t all sunshine and rainbows over our pregnancies… even those of us who had difficulties getting or staying pregnant. So I totally understand and remember all those feelings. YOu are not alone. But, you can get back to enjoying the things you did before pregnancy. Chin up. Feel free to PM if you need an ear to whine to. I’ve been there and came out the other side mostly still sane.

I second, (third? fourth?) Lucie’s list. Lots of good information there.

[JLC]

Jhg140 - yes babies r us takes non expired bed bath and beyond coupons. At least my local one does. I kind of like the quality and selection better a buy buy baby though. I did register at babies r us for the 10% back (gift card) on all bought registry items. After that I will probably exclusively shop at buy buy baby. It is just more convenient for my daily travels.

[Nickelodian]

[QUOTE=jhg140;8499714]
Speaking of registry stuff… I swear I saw it earlier in this thread, but can’t seem to find it… Didn’t someone say that Babies R Us will also honor the Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons? I just ask because BRU is closer to me than Buy Buy Baby, and I’m lazy. Thanks![/QUOTE]

Yes - 1 coupon per transaction per day is their official stance. If you sign up for BBB text they send you a 20% text about once a month that you can just show the BRU people.

Another note - BRU has rewards program where you get 5% back of all purchases forever.

[drmgncolor]

I wish I could take advantage of in-store coupons for BRU/BBB, but there isn’t a store less than 30 minutes from me one way… on a good day with no traffic.

[JLC]

Nickelodian - tell me more about the 5% back at BRU for all purchases? I have the rewards card… Is that it, or is it a credit card or something. This is the first I am hearing of this???

[forward_ride]

Sadly no update here. Waiting game now. I am hoping 1 more week, but EDD is a week and a half. I understand logically and rationally that LO will eventually be here, but it still seems surreal and I have a hard time imagining it actually happening. But it will, in no more than 3.5 weeks. Eeek!

For those of you asking about the Buy Buy Baby vs. Babies R Us, my only suggestion would be to check for stuff on Amazon as well. I found that most items (if not all) are significantly less on Amazon than in these stores, and even having the 20% coupon might only bring it to within a few bucks of the Amazon price (with free shipping). Bottom line, if you have the 20% off coupon, to me that was the only time it made sense to buy things from BBB or BRU. Of course, I’m still on the preg side, so I don’t have experience with whatever it is I will need on the other side (besides diapers). Clothes are probably better from a brick and mortar store, but Amazon does have those too.

And as to diapers, Amazon Family has discounts and free shipping on that too. You pay $99 for Amazon Prime for the year, and Amazon Family is free. Right now we are in the free 30 day trial period and I kinda love it - I even get my dogs’ 33 lb bag of food delivered to my door (for free) with it - and they apply an online coupon to it. Seems like stuff arriving at my door will be helpful once LO arrives. Just my 2 cents.

[LoveJubal]

27 weeks here. I’m due at the end of April. I’m still riding when weather permits! Haven’t jumped in a little while, but I still feel okay to do it. I’ve been lucky to feel good the whole pregnancy thus far. I’ve had some back pain recently, but nothing that a bi-weekly trip to the chiropractor doesn’t cure. I did have to get the body pillow to start sleeping with so I can have good support.

Anyway, hope to be riding and showing soon after baby. He’s coming right in the middle of show season! I hope he’ll come a little early, like 37 weeks. I don’t want to have an almost 10 pounder like my husband!

I have gained 8-9 pounds and hope to keep it that way. My Pinnell half chaps will be here in a week or two… Way more excited about those then any upcoming shower!! I don’t care if my husband has to remove skin on my legs to help me get those on, I’m wearing them! Truthfully, I think I’ll be fine. I have no swelling and my weight gain is all in the stomach as far as I can tell.

Good Luck everyone!!

[Nickelodian]

[QUOTE=JLC;8501610]
Nickelodian - tell me more about the 5% back at BRU for all purchases? I have the rewards card… Is that it, or is it a credit card or something. This is the first I am hearing of this???[/QUOTE]

https://rewardsrus.toysrus.com/?ab=BRU_Header:Utility1:Rewards''R''Us:Home-Page

For every 125 you spend you get 5 dollars in rewards back. So really it’s short of the 5%, but close.

Also - everyone make sure you go sign up for Gerber, Similac, and Enfamil clubs. They will send you free samples of formula. Don’t want formula? Fine, donate it. It’s a great way to easily give back to food banks who are always in desperate need of formula. I have a TON of it that I’ve given away.

[Nickelodian]

[QUOTE=forward ride;8505802]
Sadly no update here. Waiting game now. I am hoping 1 more week, but EDD is a week and a half. I understand logically and rationally that LO will eventually be here, but it still seems surreal and I have a hard time imagining it actually happening. But it will, in no more than 3.5 weeks. Eeek!

For those of you asking about the Buy Buy Baby vs. Babies R Us, my only suggestion would be to check for stuff on Amazon as well. I found that most items (if not all) are significantly less on Amazon than in these stores, and even having the 20% coupon might only bring it to within a few bucks of the Amazon price (with free shipping). Bottom line, if you have the 20% off coupon, to me that was the only time it made sense to buy things from BBB or BRU. Of course, I’m still on the preg side, so I don’t have experience with whatever it is I will need on the other side (besides diapers). Clothes are probably better from a brick and mortar store, but Amazon does have those too.

And as to diapers, Amazon Family has discounts and free shipping on that too. You pay $99 for Amazon Prime for the year, and Amazon Family is free. Right now we are in the free 30 day trial period and I kinda love it - I even get my dogs’ 33 lb bag of food delivered to my door (for free) with it - and they apply an online coupon to it. Seems like stuff arriving at my door will be helpful once LO arrives. Just my 2 cents.[/QUOTE]

I have found the opposite for the things I need…amazon always being slightly higher when I factor in the 20% off and rewards from babies r us. But we could be buying different things!

For diapers, Costco has the best deal on huggies little snugglers when they have coupons running, hands down. Not everyone loves huggies, but they work great for my little dude.

[pinkpony321]

For the ladies that have been mommies a while:

Sterilizing breast pump parts? Do you do it? I am finding different recommendations on what is necessary; some say yes to boiling, others claim dishwasher is sufficient.

Also, storage of milk- is in the fridge in close proximity to normal groceries prior to freezing ok?

[Heineken]

Checking in 5 months with my baby boy. Life isn’t perfect but it’s wonderful. Except the riding part. I’m lucky if I make it to ride once a week…and we are talking baby 2 asap (I’ll be 40 in April) so I’m rethinking paying expensive board since I haven’t found a lease or 1/2 lease. Hard decisions…

[drmgncolor]

[QUOTE=pinkpony321;8507758]
For the ladies that have been mommies a while:

Sterilizing breast pump parts? Do you do it? I am finding different recommendations on what is necessary; some say yes to boiling, others claim dishwasher is sufficient.

Also, storage of milk- is in the fridge in close proximity to normal groceries prior to freezing ok?[/QUOTE]

I hand wash and sterilize using the Medela quick clean bags a couple times a week. I tried the dishwasher, but got some water spots and my OCD kicked in… So back to hand washing. I use a soap free and clear of dyes and scents. I’ve also used the pricey Medela (no scrub) breastmilk soap. No scrub, my ass. Not worth the extra cost. I know you don’t have to sanitize, but I do. Makes me feel better.

Milk storage in fridge prior to freezing is fine for a couple of days according to the chart my hospital gave me. I usually fridge it until I have 4 oz and then bag and freeze. I also freeze 1 ounce portions in trays to add to the 4oz for daycare.