Rachelle E.

Awwww! your red-head w/ glasses pic!! I feel so nostalgic now. lol! And haven't you had a redish-blondish type color between these?

 

(is it weird that I know that?! lol!)

Ooh! You mean that something-or-other Holiday movie?! With Kate Winslet? And Cameron Diaz goes to her house in England and falls in love w/ Jude Law?

yeah, that's a good one! ;-)

oh lordy! Jaime I think you're right. Last summer was great! I think this summer intends to make up for that glorious break we had! lol!

 

We acutally got solar screens installed on our house a couple weeks ago...they are by far the best improvment we've made to that house!!!! It is already SOOOOO much cooler in there. Our house faces east/west and the setting sun shines right into our living room/kitchen. It's terrible! But those screens help so much.

 

Lol! I'm like solar screen advocate now. Everyone should get them...Stat!!! ;-)

Congrats!!!! Wishing you lots of health and happiness w/ your pregnancy!

 

The shirts are really cute, btw. :-)

Happy Anniversary friend!!! Hope you kids have fun livin' it up at Disney!

 

Congrats!!!

they are adorable!!! I love kittens SO much! My kitty is named after beer (Kirin - as in Kirin Ichiban)...so I was going to suggest alcohol names! lol! Looks like you picked some good ones though. :-)

haha! I think anytime there is a clit-pump laying around you should DEFINTEILY be drinking tequila! lol! It looks like you girls had a blast!! And I don't remember seeing a pic of you w/ your blonde hair before now. SO cute!!!!

I would say to definitely explore all your options. Personally, I'm a big fan of midwives. I also happen to know many people who have delivered with a midwife (and I know a couple people who are midwives) at home, birthing centers and in the hospital. In all those instances the babies and mom's were healthy and happy with what they did. Personally, I'm a "best of both world's" kind of gal along the lines Alyssa...I'm hoping to find an OB practice that also includes midwives and delivers in a hospital...'cause it's true you just never know what's going to happen in a labor/delivery.

Also, a lot of insurance companies DO cover midwife services. Even if the midwife isn't on a list of "preferred providers" you can typically ask them to cover it and most times they will because it is actually FAR less expensive than what an OB charges. I know a couple people who have gone that route, including my sister. (she had a hosptial birth w/ a midwife...a VABC incidentally.)

To me the most important thing is to know that you've done your homework and made the decision that is best for you and your baby. I think where the issues of regret, doubt and/or guilt creep in is when you aren't 100% sure of your decision. But I think that's normal in any situation where you're unsure. Doubt and questions will creep into your mind and you'll start to second guess yourself.

It really is interesting what a heated topic this can be. I think everyone just has such strong feelings about it, it's hard not to be pretty opinionated. I do want to get something off my chest here...I've often felt in the minority (here and other places) as someone who does want/hope to do things more "naturally". I realize I haven't been in labor before so I obviously don't know exactly what to expect. But it can be extremely frustrating to have people pretty much tell you that you cannot do it without meds, various interventions etc. And honestly, I get that a lot. (not just here) The second you tell someone that you hope to have a drug-free birth you are immediately told every horror story they've ever heard about people being in labor for hours and hours, the unbelievable pain etc. It's like, UMmmmm I KNOW labor is painful. You're not the first person to ever tell me this. But please don't try to tell me what I am, or am not capable of. That is just insulting quite frankly. And I know things are very different now, but obviously it IS possible to have a baby without meds and a zillion different interventions 'cause if it wasn't, it's a pretty safe bet that the human race would not have made it this far. That's not to say that I'm not going to listen to what my Dr has to say, or that I'm going to refuse every modern medical advancment because that simply is not the case. But I do think it's crappy that the overall message about modern childbirth is that it's impossible without an epidural (or whatever else)....that women cannot do it, they simply aren't strong enough. I think that's insulting to women and to me personally as well.

The bottom line of what I'm saying is that I think anyone who has a child should take the time to explore all their options and edcuate themselves as best as possible...that way no matter what their decision, they are certain it was the best one for them. Also, I think it would be nice if people had a little faith in a woman's ability to birth a child. Instead of telling women every terrible story you've ever heard, can't you just encourage them? Tell them that you're excited for them, sure they will have a great birth and a healthy baby. .. That yeah, it's going to be really hard, but you're sure they'll do just fine... We're always so positive when it comes to pregnancy - "you're doing great! You look wonderful! Your baby is going to be gorgeous and healthy!" etc. And when it comes to the actual birth experience this unbelievable negativity just comes rushing in and suddenly this woman who was "doing great!" and "having a beautiful baby!" is suddenly considered incapable of the next step and is told things like, "omg, it's going to be horrible!" "you're getting an epidural, right?!" "will your Dr just let you schedule a c-section?" blah blah blah...

Sorry for going on and on about all that. It's just really a pet peeve of mine. I feel like we (women in general) should be a lot more supportive about this stuff and do more to boost each other's confidence in our ability to become a mom and have a healthy delivery...and baby!

CUTIE!!!!!! I am in love with her all the way from over here in TX! I can only imagine how you feel! ;-) I LOVE that you're posting lots of pics!

 

Give her some extra kisses from me! And some hugs for yourself! Hope you girls are doing good over there in Cali.

 

Oh! And I'm so excited that Paul and your friends are getting her room ready! It's going to be so great bringing her home and having it all done.

Yay!!! Cabo and a baby!! :-) SO excited for you guys...and so jealous of all the Mexican fun you're going to have!

 

Have a great time - hope you start feeling better.

Just caught up on all the new pics and video...can I just say I freakin' love that little girl?!?! She's perfect Ann! I'm so happy she's doing well and really making progress.

 

I hope you are doing well - all camped out there in CA. There are definitely worse places to be stuck. ;-)

Carly - you look amazing!!!! can't wait to see more! gorgeous!

I'm a thousand years behind on this...but I LOVE your new hair style!!!! SO cute on you! Very sassy/sexy IMO. ;-)

awww! Looks like you guys had a great time Jaime!! Those necklaces are gorgeous!

 

Congrats doll!

Thanks for the update. I was hoping we'd do something along this line...it really does seem most practical and helpful in this situation. Good decision mods. :-)

Thanks for the happy bday thread ladies. Sorry it took me so long to respond to it! There were a couple posts in here that made me laugh...

 

I seriously lol'd at that. Thanks Jamy. :-)

 

 

 

 

And Jessica...I'm a sucker for an lol cat - that honestly put a big smile on my face. Thanks. :-)

That's quite an ordeal Ann! I'm just so happy you and Gwen (Nuggette!) are doing well. She is just perfect. Congrats to you guys.

Those are great!!!! You guys look perfect! So happy, relaxed and lovey! ;-) Great pics!!!

Well, I don't think either of you is really "right" or "wrong". You both just have different priorities. He is being really practical. Yeah, if you're needing/wanting more money for the wedding, an additional trip to Cancun doesn't make much sense. That being said, if part of it is already paid for, you're losing money (and a trip) by not going...which isn't particularly practical either.

 

To me that's what it boils down to...do you want to/need to be uber-practical and save every extra penny for the wedding? Or do you want to/can you afford to have a little fun also and enjoy a break from "wedding land" and do something else for a week?

 

Both sides have valid points IMO. You'll just have to come to an agreement at some point. Good luck! ;-)

omg Tami!! I just now saw this and I'm SO sorry it went missing!! I would have been in tears too!

 

I am VERy happy to hear that a) your man was suitably upset about it - even though he was trying to be the "tough guy" for you! ;-) and VERY happy to hear that the photog has the proofs and can make you a new one asap! YAY!

Yay!!!! Congrats and have FUN Carly!! Can't wait to hear all about it...you're going to be a gorgeous bride!!

 

hugs!

Nice!! Congrats! That's a big deal....means you have a LOT of happy clients! ;-)

Oh...I'm sad to hear about them losing your veil too! That really sucks...and I know it's just a detail and it feels like another should work, but it's completely understandable being bummed and really wanting "that one". Once your heart is set on something like that, it's hard to change gears.

 

That being said, I have no doubt you will find another veil and it will turn out to be perfect! You'll see wedding pics of yourself and not be able to imagine it any other way. :-)

 

Good luck w/ the veil hunt!!!! Can't wait to see pics of your newest option.

Heidi - you totally got me hooked on that guys EW review each week since the first time you posted about it on here! I've been reading it ever since. :-) Good find!

 

I had to avoid this thread for a few days 'til I could watch the episode. (damn hormones got me all sleepy! I fell asleep like 10 minutes into it! lol!) Anyway, I absolutely think Claire is dead. partly because that's the only way she'd let someone other than herself take care of Aaron. And because of that whole thing w/ Miles (the guy from the boat) being so weirded out/obsessed with her. Since he hears/sees dead people it kinda makes sense that way.

 

I'm still not sure what to make of Christian Shepherd's involvment in this whole thing. I can't decide if he's one of the "evil masterminds" a la Ben and Widmore or what!

 

This whole thing about moving the Island is nuts! I think that theory on the EW review is a good one though. About how the wreckage may actually be of the real plane if the Island moves not only locations but time as well. AND that would make sense that the Oceanic Six can't get back to it, why Jack keeps flying to AUS and back hoping to crash there again.. .why Jin and Sun are separated and can't get back together...why the Six would have to be carefully coached on what to say/not say about the Island...their guilt about the whole experience. . .Hurley's "craziness" thinking various people don't exist/are dead etc.

 

The whole thing is almost starting to play out like some freaky, cosmic, time travel chess game! lol! And now I'm wondering, are Ben and Widmore the only ones "in charge"? Who else knows about all this? And seriously what is the deal w/ the perma-young guy who is EVERYwhere!?! At Locke's birth, at his foster home, meeting Ben on the Island, recruiting Juliet blah blah blah. For being so nearly omniscient, they sure haven't made him seem very important - yet he's obviously VERY involved. Who's he working for? Are Widmore and Ben playing into HIS game and just think they're doing their own things?

 

omg...so many questions!!! loL! LOVE this show!

Drink two for me!
You know, since I'm drinking for two now and all....or is that not how this whole pregnancy thing works? Hmmm.... (lol! TOTALLY kiddding ladies! Except about the part where Jaime needs to have an extra drink. I NEVER kid about extra drinks.)