Smitty

I'm scheduled for an induction tomorrow morning at 8:00AM. I saw the Dr. today and asked a ton of questions like I usually do, but forgot to ask once again about how NOT breastfeeding is going to work. You see, I'm carrying twins (37 1/2 weeks) and the ultrasounds are showing them at over 13lbs combined already - along with a handful of other complications - that had the team of Dr.s I'm seeing schedule an amniocentesis this morning to see if their lungs have matured. The results cam back positive for maturity, so this is it!

Here's the meat and gravy: I'm not taking the girls home with me; they aren't mine. I'm at the end of a surrogacy (think Phoebe on Friends) and the babies are going to be living out-of-state. I'll be going home and *obviously* not breastfeeding. The last time I stopped breastfeeding (I was prescribed medication I *needed* that was not safe for my daughter), it hurt like hell and I didn't have too much advice or support to go on.

PLEASE HELP!

My daughter just doesn't care. She's had her potty for 2 years & sits on it and easily goes potty *when she's told.* She'll ask to go potty in public or at someone else's house, but never at home; no rules are different here, though.

I've tried stickers, books, pull-ups, panties, praise out the wah-zoo, letting her call someone to tell them she's a big girl... EVERYTHING short of candy & bribing her - that just won't happen. The all-day potty party (How To... In 1 Day) hasn't worked any time I try it.

She just doesn't care if she's wet or has "ruined" her clothing. She doesn't care if she has to clean it up herself (as best as she can). She doesn't care if her friends - younger or older - aren't using diapers anymore.

I ask her to go at least every hour, whether she has to or not. She stays dry through naps, long car trips, and over night (sometime that can be 12+ hours). I know she can do this, but she's chosing not to.

I'd appreciate any thoughts short of punishing her.

I'm 29 weeks pregnant with twins. I don't remember what I brought last time for my own daughter's birth.

Here's the difference this time:

My fiance is in Iraq.

The babies aren't mine; this is a surrogacy and they're not coming home with me. The parents will be there.

I'll have no one to go home for me if I forget anything really. I could ask someone that might visit me, but that's probably going to be a crap shoot.

I don't have a birthing coach and I don't think I'll need one. I pretty much did it myself and with the help of the nurses the last time (boyfriend/daddy was almost never in the room). So I'm not too worried about my fiance not being in the country.

Bottom line: I need to know what to bring, but I don't need to pack all those baby things to bring them home with me. I'm not going to wear my own clothes while I'm there - that's just messy and stupid - but I'd still bring my own slippers, toothbrush, other toiletries. No make up... some games

There's one near my house by Dartmouth College called Hanover Hot Tubs and Tanning, where you can rent a room that has a shower, music, towels and a hot tub in it. (They also have typical tanning beds and packages there.) I'm going on vacation to Boston and thought that would be a really good, relaxing hour or two. Does any one know of any around there?? Thanks!

There's one near my house by Dartmouth College called Hanover Hot Tubs and Tanning, where you can rent a room that has a shower, music, towels and a hot tub in it. (They also have typical tanning beds and packages there.) I'm going on vacation to Boston and thought that would be a really good, relaxing hour or two. Does any one know of any around there?? Thanks!

My boyfriend will be on leave for the month of November and he'd like to rent a small house/apartment or stay at a B & B for a week. We liked Savannah last year as it was so quiet, historical and remote, yet there were so many things to do a mile away. We don't want to stay in the middle of a big city - we did Boston this Spring already. We're looking for a place where we can feel alone together, but still have something to do if we'd like. Also, are there any better weeks in November to go to any particular area? Thanks a bunch!