The Hand That Rocked the Hell Out of the Cradle

I seem to have pissed off a number of folk with my last post, and I assure you that wasn't my intention.  I'm not in to writing controversial blog posts, I leave that to people with thicker skin and less manners than I have.  My life tends to be stressful enough, adding altercations to the fray isn't my kick in life, I like my masochism in more boudoir terms.

Lemme' try to be clear: I think bad things happen to me for a reason.  I don't know what that reason is, but I tell myself there is a reason for the bad in my life because if I don't, I won't get up again when I get knocked down (there's a song in that somewhere), I'll just stay down for the count.

I don't know why bad things happen to other people.  If you are infertile, have had miscarriages, have suffered serious medical issues, have never won the lottery, or have yet to find those magical Cheese Doodles you have been searching for in your kitchen cupboard, then I'm very sorry.  I don't know why bad things happen to you and to other nice people (although I can be a bitch and I lean to thinking that it's karma that's kicking the ass of one of my exes' ex-girlfriends, the one who belongs to the Abortion of the Month Club.)  I couldn't begin to speculate and I won't even try because I know I hate it when people try to tell me what's up with my life, I'm sure you might hate it if some blogger tries to tell you about yours.

Doubt if that cleared anything up but, you know, a final try before ditching into the sea.

Anyway, as to how the Lemonheads are doing-they're ok I think.  I am 19 weeks today, and still have only gained my original 7 kilos (15 pounds) that I gained in the first trimester to ward off morning sickness.  In general I eat pretty healthy stuff, and the only cravings I tend to have are for fruit.  My shape has definitely changed though, as I had a black tie do last night but had to buy a dress as none of my other formalwear I already have fit anymore.  I have no stretchmarks so far and am religious about applying this stretchmark cream, which I love.

And I feel one of them move often now (the other one, my anterior baby, is not in a position yet which I can feel it).  It's usually in the evening but it's unmistakable as I feel the Lemonhead attend its own personal rave.  I don't sit there and bask in the amazing glory of being able to feel my unborn wiggle and feel one with Mother Earth or anything, but I do like knowing that the disco ball has been raised and the twins are having a good time in there.  It's hard to feel all crunchy granola about it all when you have to spend time discerning if what you're feeling is gas or baby.  Kinda' takes the emotional element out of the equation.

So without too much more controversy, Aidan and I are off to Scotland for a long weekend now.  See you next week.

UPDATED - forgot to mention, we took our first plunge.  Nervously, Aidan and I went ahead and bought a baby item.  Aidan's a big stickler for not buying too much, especially not before they're born as he's worried it'll jinx things, but we are no longer baby items virgins.  We bought this pram.   It's in blue, not red, and we bought it off of ebay as there's a whole lot of things we'll be needing and there are an abundance of auctions for double prams that were barely used (seems a lot of people buy double prams for their newborn and toddler but wind up barely using them, much to our advantage).  And we paid half of the retail cost by buying one "gently used" (a new one retails for £300).  So yes, it's used.  Yes, it will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.  And yes, when we're done with it it'll be going back on ebay.  Circle of life and all that.

I won't be buying things like cots and bedding off of ebay, those will all be new, but I do see the business case for buying the bigger ticket items off of ebay, especially since in some cases we will need two of things.  I don't mean to sound cheap, but we have two infants to buy for, an extension to build, and nursery care to start saving up for.  So it won't be the last of us ebay will be seeing.  We now must be on some kind of roll as I won one of these yesterday, too.

Comments

[BeachGirl]

May you stumble upon a beautiful field of Fig Newtons.

Enjoy!

[Jen(aside)]

I have that stroller in red.

[caltechgirl]

I've seen MANY of those strollers out and about here in uber-trendy Pasadena, and I know a couple people who have them. Great reviews on it , too! I think you made a great choice. And I agree that saving $$ where you can is a good thing. I mean, even if you and A were SUPER WEALTHY, it makes sense to save what $$ you can. There's no reason to waste, especially $$.

[Cheryl]

Good for you I also dont see a need to buy everything brand spanking new when it was barely used previously, you are beautiful and smart! which I already knew :)

[AmandaD]

I have the Fisher Price Aquarium cradle swing. We received it as a gift during our baby shower when Brandon was born, loaned it to a few friends as they bore children, and now Matthew is using it. There will be times when you will be thanking the powers that be for this fabulous invention!

[Donna]

It's called a Nipper?? Who was the advertising wiz who came up with that? It is cute though. Now you just need a second swing for that other Lemonhead.

[Bea]

I wasn't actually pissed off, you understand? I wouldn't have smacked if you hadn't invited.

Those baby items, too. It starts with just one, you know, just socially...

Bea

[Nilla]

Well, I didn't comment on your last post, although I did read it. I had kind of forgotten about it, until I popped back onto your site today after a bit of an absence (I'm struggling with reading a lot pregnancy blogs, not just yours, so don't take it personally!) ;) .....But reading this post reminded me of it.

And well, while I didn't *quite* get the urge to smack you, I do wholeheartedly but respectfully disagree with you.

Nothing on this earth happens to ANYONE for a reason -- and the reason for *that* stems from the time that humankind was granted Free Will. From that moment on, life changed for all of humankind.

Free Will means there is no "great puppetmaster in the sky" or whatever one would like to believe in, controlling our collective destinies here on earth. The role between God/Higher Spirit/WhateverPeopleBelieveIn and humans changed once Free Will was involved.

And, because I've seen too many horrible things happen to me, my family, my friends, aquaintances, online friends, and the general WORLD via the news, the internet, etc., THAT combined with my knowledge of Free Will means that no matter how it is sliced or diced, there is no rhyme or reason for anything.

And I know that it is difficult for some to understand....I think it takes away a certain "comfort level" when people realize that bad things are happening to good people....for no damn good reason at all!

It's frustrating...but that's just how things are. We can certainly learn from things that happen to ourselves and others, but there is no great plan or reason behind why the event occurred in the first place.

Anyway....

Since I'm here, commenting away about Free Will and all that....I thought I might as well throw in 2 or 3 more cents regarding stretchmarks.

Umm....there's no "cure" or preventative ANYTHING, for stretchmarks. Nothing. It's just not possible that putting ANY kind of cream or lotion on to the topical layer of the skin can prevent stretchmarks, which happen at an inter-cellular level.

Stretchmarks occur when the elastin and collagen layers inside the skin actually snap and break, forming scars. Since these are on the INSIDE of the skin, no amount of moisturization or creams applied topically will prevent OR "heal" stretchmarks.

Whether one gets stretchmarks during pregnancy (or from a growth spurt as a child, or due to sudden weight gain at any time in life) is STRICTLY due to genetics only, and probably luck.

Either one person will naturally have more collagen, elastin, and other important factors that lead to more "elastic" skin....or one doesn't. And unfortunately, there's not much one can do about genetics!

Certainly, keeping the skin moisturized and smooth will be beneficial, but NOT for the avoidance of stretchmarks....it will certainly help to keep the skin feeling smoother and softer, and prevent dryness/itchiness -- but if one is going to get stretchmarks, they'll get them no matter what they have slathered on their skin.

Just some food for thought -- as I followed that link you had, and while they don't have their full ingredient lists posted (which is a bad sign), I was somewhat concerned by the inclusion of essential oils....Most essential oils (including lavender) should be be avoided during pregnancy.

I would say you could save your money and by a less expensive moisturizer (with cocoa butter or any kind of nut butter that you enjoy) and that will do just as well for a fraction of the cost.

Of course, I'd like to see the FULL ingredient listing for that cream before I completely write it off (as since I can't see the ingredients, I can't judge just how much essential oils are really in it...) ....but still, "stretchmark" creams, "cellulite" creams, etc., etc., are just another fabulous way for cosmetic and skin care companies to make some extra cash....

The cause and formation of stretchmarks are still be studied, but thus far, there is no cream or lotion on the market that will help prevent them. There is *SOME* small evidance that Tretinoin (a Vitamin A derivative) *could* possibly be beneficial -- but that doesn't help a pregnant woman as pregnant women CANNOT ever use Vitamn A products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Just be wary, and if you want more information on ingredients or anything like that, I'll be happy to pull up some research for you (which is all based on scientifically run Double-Blind Studies).

Congrats on the eBay finds, and good luck with everything else, and the rest of your pregnancy, of course!

xx
Nilla

[Nilla]

Oh, and here is link to an article on stretchmarks... This article is written based on all scientific date from double blind studies and other well-researched information.

There are also a few more links for more reference inside the article:

"The Skinny on Stretchmarks"

http://paulaschoice.com/learn/art.asp?ID=369

[Tracey]

Just been thinking of you and the babes and wondering how you are doing.. I am back to reading and posting in blogland :-)

Ebay is wonderfully addictive.. I honestly yell when I win a bid.. as if I won a prize... that I have to pay for of course :-)

[Andria]

Uh oh... you are starting to scare me. :( Where are you???

[Cathy]

Scaring me too...I want so desperately to live through you...this really is like crack. You OK?

[Victoria]

Knock Knock...anybody home?

Come on Vanessa...check in please :)