It's my FILs. They just had twins via surrogate, so they're now "experts" on infants. Add in regular in-law meddling, and you've got a real problem. The real issue, I think, is that they tried to have the surrogate pump and that didn't work out, and that they wanted to do cloth and then didn't end up doing it...with twins, I can totally understand how that'd happen (heck, we only are having one, and we wouldn't be doing cloth if my wife wasn't planning to stay home and we didn't have a good washer/dryer). The problem comes in when they feel the need to justify their choices (which I couldn't care less about...their babies, their choices!) as "better" so they can feel good about them. In their situation, formula and disposables were the options that worked...great! But to tell me that breast milk "stinks" and that MY baby will be happier on formula just rubs me the wrong way.

Edited to add: We are DEFINITELY taking a few days to get the meconium out before we start on cloth. We also are open to using disposables in some situations when we're out of the house, traveling, etc. It's just that at home, for the majority of the time, we plan to use cloth.

That really stinks that they are being so rude. I am glad that you're a strong and confident enough person to see it for what it is and blow it off if need be. I hope things get better as time goes on. I've mostly stopped sharing plans with people. If someone asks me a direct question (and I know they're looking to pick a fight about something) I just say something completely noncommittal like "we'll see when we get there."

Mandalinn - I used cloth from day 1 with DS, if you do use cloth in the first few days you can use a disposable liner to help with the meconium. We used a diaper service for the first few months so I didn't worry about the meconium but with this baby I will probably do the liner thing. I also used exclusively cloth with DS till he was 18 mons (we had some crazy rash thing happening too and went to disposables during the day) We even used the cloth while we camped (but only for long weekends at the most) Anyway just an example that you can do whatever you feel strongly in

Also I breastfed my DS till he weaned on his own at 3 years 3 mons. I had a c-section and we had a few challenges at first but overall it was wonderful. Oh and he was about 25lbs at 6mons 100% on breastmilk (I think i make cream ) Also he didn't get his first cold till he was almost a year. He never had a drop of formula. I did pump just to have a back-up supply in case of an emergency and I had so much milk I ended up donating some. I do recommend connecting with a Le Leche League group in your area. I went to a meeting a month before I had DS and I attended monthly meetings for the first 18 mons or so. They are a great resource.

Ok just my two cents on things I am pretty passionate about

So I had my mw apt today and met my back-up mw and we love her. Also got to her the baby's HB 150 bbm it took some searching around, the baby kept swimming away and hiding behind my pelvis but she finally got it and we had a good listen. The only bummer is she said my placenta was in the front Tomorrow is the 6th anniversary of my DD's birth/death day and so my anxiety has been pretty high this week, but hearing the HB has really helped. My DH is taking the day off tmrw and we will clebrate Sonja's breif time with us by releasing ballons and looking at her name in the book of life at the hospital then going out for dinner. My DS is insisting we need to have birthday cake for his big sister

So I thought we had a name picked out. After trying for a couple of weeks, DH finally got me to come around and really start liking his top choice for a girl: Lainey. I finally got excited about our little Lainey, and was literally looking here on the computer at middle name possibilities.

Then DH texts me...asks if a guy he knows also has a daughter with that name. He does...hers is Laney. But she's already in like fifth grade, and will be about to graduate high school by the time our kid enters kindergarten.

But I confirm his question, and he says nevermind. Doesn't want our daughter to have the name if this guy's also does.

Mandalin- Sucks that everybody is trying to tell you what to do. You're strong and you know what you want. You can do anything you put your mind to.

Butterfly- 3 years and 3 mon is impressive. I plan on breastfeeding but only for the first year at most, and i'm gonna pump but depending on how it works out- i'll be doing formula as well when baby is not at home or when i'm at school just as an easier route.

Mindi- Sorry to hear about the name. Lainey is cute! And like you said the other childs age difference wouldn't even effect your little girl. Hopefully you can get it figured out soon so it's some relief on you. Also, there's always going to be another child out there with your babys name unless its extra unique. Maybe reminding your hubby that would make it a bit easier?

I can't stop eating! I probably ate like 8 times yesterday and was still hungry. No matter how much or what I eat i'm always hungry anymore. And it frreaks me out because then the scale goes up and I know that it's because i'm eating so much. Baby A really kicks now, day and night. He's getting on a schedule now though so it's getting a bit easier to sleep at night.

I'm attaching a picture of the ultrasound. Little guy looks EXACTLY like his daddy. I see none of my features at all in the little we could see. He was butt up and wouldn't cooperate so all we could get was a profile but we've decided to pay to get a 3d and 4d ultrasound done around the end of feb or beginning of march.

Learned in my ultrasound yesterday that apparently, my placenta migrated over to the side! Yay! And this morning, I felt him kick from the outside. Now we just need to time it so my wife can feel it. She ran over and stuck her hand on, but our lazy little boy was already settled and asleep. He still is asleep when I am, meaning he isn't keeping me up. Let's hope that pattern sticks!

Every time we get an ultrasound, he is face down, legs spread wide, and refuses to move. So we BARELY got face shots yesterday as well (and yeah, just profiles). Apparently he uses the placenta as a pillow.

I don't get awakened at night either....hope that means her schedule will match mine! Wishful thinking, huh?

I'm hoping that, too!

Ugh, I just stubbed my toe so hard I'm about 95% sure I broke it. THAT HURTS. Nothing I can do about it, but wow, that's uncomfortable.

Amanda, I think we're both falling apart. I woke up with a horrible pain in my right hip this morning, and it hasn't ever gone away! I even had our brand new elliptical delivered yesterday and haven't been able to get on it to try it out yet...it's killing me! Hurts to even walk, much less do all the cleaning and organizing I've been doing all day long...

I had a horrible stomach flu yesterday. woke up at 2:00 am Sat morning and threw-up and then again every 15-30 mins for the next 3 hours and then every hour or so for over 12 hours. I couldn't keep anything down. Finally stopped throwing up last night and was able to keep some soup down. Ahh horrible. I was worried about dehydrating and about the baby so DH called our m/w and she said to just rest and take sips of water and gatorade every ten mins and call her back if it hadn't let up in 24-36 hours. I felt baby bumping around a few times yesterday but nothing so far today, but I am not feeling movement on a regular bases yet and m/w said my placenta is in the front so am not too concerned. Fell like I was run over by a train today.

10 days till our u/s.

Sarah got to feel him moving last night! So exciting. We were sort of snuggling, and he kicked her square in the leg. He was SUPER active yesterday, and I loved it (I can see how in a few months, it's gonna get old, but for now, bring it on!)

Negative - the toe is definitely broken. I can't even put shoes on.

Butterfly - How awful! I had a friend that happened to, and she ended up in the ER getting IV fluids. Take care of yourself!

Mindi - I had a couple days with really bad hip pain. Then it went away as quickly as it came. Weird. Go easy until it feels better, maybe do some stretching?

Here a week or so ago the baby was really active in the morning, and I laid in bed and told DH to put his hand on my belly. He felt the little kicks a few times and all he could say was "That's SO weird!" He has NO idea!!

This morning my hip is a lot better. Some pain every once in a while but nothing horrible like yesterday. Wish I could say the same for my back...just gets worse and worse!

My dad just got admitted to the hospital after waking up with horrible chest pains to the point it hurt to breathe. They have no idea whats wrong. It scares me horribly because my dad is already in such bad health now. His mom had a heart attack and went down hill and died from it and his dad had heart problems I believe so the thought just can't help run through my mind that something really bad could be happening and that he may never meet my son at the rate his health has gone down in the past year.

I won't be getting much sleep tonight. Praying for the best.
Good thing I have plenty of of homework to keep me busy til class at 730am.

Keller - keeping you and your dad in my thoughts and prayers tonight. Hang in there, and get some rest if you can.

Praying for your family, Keller...

I need to quit weighing myself. Up 7 pounds in 2 weeks. At the rate of 3 pounds a week, I'll weigh like 230 pounds at 40 weeks. That's more than I weighed BEFORE I lost weight in order to get in shape to get pregnant.

ETA: Now that I've had a major freak out and cried and ruined my makeup today over it, I'm MAD. I mean what's the freakin' point of eating right and working out five days a week, 45 minutes a day, if I'm packing on pounds like crazy? I've literally eaten fried food ONCE in the past 5 1/2 months, and fast food a grand total of MAYBE four times. The rest is lean proteins, veggies and whole grains. High fiber. I don't eat potato chips that often...I eat salads and peas and squash and carrots. And 7 pounds in 2 weeks is what I get? Seriously?

I've about reached the point of "Screw it, give me Texas Roadhouse." If I'm gonna gain like that, I might as well enjoy myself until May and then get back on the weight loss bandwagon.