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Mumsnet Discussions:
Conception
: In the Company of Pregnant Ladies (No1 Babies Detective Agency pt6)
(688 messages)
Thought it was time we had a new home, seeing as we've almost outgrown the old one. So in honour to Scorpio,Sybil,BB and toomuch (hope I didn't forget anyone ) here we are - in the company of pregnant (and cheerful) ladies
Lovely title Nomore . I keep meaning to run down a list of the books as I am sure there are a few I haven't read yet. Did you watch the TV film on Sunday? I've taped it. Gotta go - DH has made a yummy chicken and saffron risotto, back later.
I saw it, wasn't it good? I was making Millie's boots while I watched it The books are: 1. The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998) 2. Tears Of The Giraffe (2000) 3. Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001) 4. The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002) 5. The Full Cupboard of Life (2003) 6. In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2004) 7. Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006) 8. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007) 9. The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008) So far we've 'spoofed' 1,4,5,6,7 and 8.
...of course by the time we are into our next thread we will all be up the duff and the title will be 'The Miracle of Speedy Labours'
Rattling following on from your pram question there is nothing wrong with second hand prams, as MT suggested there are some people who get rid of them after only a couple of months. If I ever get pg and manage to decide on a buggy I will look at Gumtree.com. There are some bargins to be had and not just on buggies but on cots, high chairs etc.. So long as the photo is good and they are within travelling distance to be able to check the item out I see no harm, and you are doing your bit for the environment
Slow conception, speedy labour - I never thought of that!
That's thrown down the gauntlet to our reproductive systems - come them start doing what you are blooming supposed to!! And those swimmers over there, you lazy lay abouts - there is work to do and an egg to get jiggy with!! Hop to it! On the double!!
Ready, Gumtree is fab. All my virtual baby shopping will probably become real Gumtree shopping if the time ever comes!
It's also worth looking out for the local NCT sales when you're pregnant - you can get some great things - cots, chairs, highchairs, grobags, toys, clothes etc. I now go along and help as it means I get 10mins before the general public gets let in to have a quick look round before manning the tills. I've picked up lots of wooden railway track there; puzzles; the odd book and dvd; a rocking crocodile and turtle sandpit for the garden; a rocking horse etc. And I'm even managing to sell some of the things that I know we definitely will not want even if we do have dc2. I saw someone getting a really nice double buggy last sale.
I definitely like the idea of getting some things second hand (sorry if I come across as snobby, but I would want some things brand new )... and/or donating things after use - so much better for the environment. Reuse and recycle
Ready, I must admit that I'm a bit of a charity shop ds clothes hunter . I've got him some lovely things. Best find I think was a Barbar Tshirt with elephants apliqued on the front on a lovely navy and white stripe - for £1 !!!! I'm sure I would never have bought it for him if I'd had to pay full price. I'm also a bit of a sale monster, and go round buying things for the following year - so I've already got this year's short trousers sorted by buying last September (lovely, soft 3/4 length orange ones!) - got some lovely stuff at Pumpkin patch sale for next autumn... I also get lots of puzzles from charity shops - have got some really cracking ones - and it means that we can get rid of the ones he doesn't really like and have a big selection as they've cost so little.
Wow Millie's booties are just the cutest thing I have ever seen!!! Well done nomore!! I'm going to have to get my knitting needles back out and give them a go
I hope I will Scorpio! Everything I've got is boy biased (although we did try to steer clear of pale blue, and can envisage a major pink dying session for vest tops and blue things so lots of pink and mauve!)
Lovely title, although it did take me a while a figure out where you had all gone! blame pregnancy brain!
I wouldn't bother dyeing blue things for a girl, my dd wore her older brothers blue baby things and pink accessories (hats socks and gloves which I never manage to keep) so that people would know she was a girl. She looked adorable in them, and I couldn't bear to not use all the adorable things I bought for ds!
While I think I probably had quite a speedy conception (only 2 months, although we did wait for 6 moths after mc before trying to conceive as really quite traumatised by it), could I also have a speedy labour pleeeeeeese.
The last two have been 30 hours and 8.5 and a nice 2/3 hour one would be lovely. Please, please please!!!!!
MT I got lots of puzzles, crayons and games from the local charity shop when my god daughter came to stay last summer. I spent next to nothing and kept her occupied for a week! I agree that people tend to give away almost new stuff. If you keep your eyes peeled you can save a lot of money.
Ready, Gumtree is very established in London but it is increasingly so in other areas too. I think that along the right hand side of the site there are other cities you can click on to. As for getting a Bug as a present I can understand if grandparents decided to contribute/buy it but how can it be a duplicate gift? Did someone just turn up with the most expensive pram around? Not going to happen to me I can tell you!
Nomore, don't know what you are into but I would recommend the No1 ladies detective agency books whilst doing IVF. They are very gentle and chilled and there is a whole series to get through. Pity all of mine are in storage or I would have posted them to you. I can offer others - Northern Lights trilogy? Can be a bit controversial but its a fine read if you get hooked on it and would make the 2ww whiz by. Anne of Green Gables? – again very gentle stuff and my utter favourite since a young girl. Got the whole series of 6 books with me if you want it
Hey Toomuch how is that pram review going? Did we suggest anything you liked?
Sybil how far along are you then? All this talk of speedy labours is making be realise several of you are about to drop
Nearly finishing baby hat No.2 to match mittens. I also have to finish off the blanket and then I can post them to South Africa . Then I have to start on my square. Does anyone have a VERY VERY easy bootee pattern? And I mean basic – I still find reading patterns a challenge
Sybil - took me 5+ years to conceive ds - and 34 labour was ended with emergency section, so I certain kick the 'long wait, short labour' suggestion into touch. Mind you, he was 10.5 and just got stuck, poor thing. I could tell if it was him crying on the ward from about 30' from the main doorway - there were 5 babies with 'little tiny new baby' cries, and one that went WAAAAAHHHHH! I wonder which one he was . Things haven't changed much!
Right - tell me what this is lacking that the more expensive ones have? Would like red trim rather than blue, but could cope. I know it’s a bit heavy, but all the 3 wheelers are. I’ve seen that some of you don’t like 3-wheelers – is that why? I’d happily buy a second hand stroller – but you’ve got to be organized and lucky to get the decent bargains ahead of everyone else that’s looking, and I'd want a new car seat anyway.
Rattling, that is missing a fourth wheel chick ... in all honesty, I am not sure why I don't like the 3-wheelers so much... they don't look as secure perhaps? Daft I am sure.
Gilly, I still find garter stitch a challenge... what hope is there for me
I think it is a good idea to get some things second hand... especially things that have not been used all that much, and then you can pass them on again.
Rattling It's got a fixed front wheel - stay away!! Honestly if you ever see anyone with one of those and a kid older than 1yr in it then have a look at their biceps No swivel wheel means you have to push down on the handle to lift the front wheel to go round any corners. Also the car seat it comes with might be cheap and nasty - I personally wouldn't risk that, but I know I want a maxi-cosi car seat as they are the safest in the which? tests. Gilly I have no problem getting my hands on books Thanks for the suggestions I'll see what's around. I always have a pile of books by my bed waiting for me to read them - too many books too, little time!
Rattling - yes, if you want to get something that will last, get one with a swivel front wheel. Will not matter for first year, but even then is easier with a swivel. You really need 2 hands on for a fixed wheel one - a swivel wheel and you can drive one handed, even over bumps (like kerb edges, down at least!).
How heavy is this one?
Its really interesting, but my MB was SOOOO easy to push compared to almost everyone else's buggy that I tried - pushing it over longish grass was about as difficult as most people's buggies on the pavement.
Ready - less secure???? If you've got 4 wheels on uneven surface, only 3 of them will be in contact. If you've got only 3 wheels, all of them will be in contact - therefore, more stable!
God you girls know so much about buggies! In my defense I've never really had to use one, being currently childless <sniff> <wipes away tear for effect>
I think it's partly BECAUSE I know so little that I've been inclined to want to throw money at the problem. My favourite is still the overpriced but lovely Xplory - but DP has yet to be convinced that we'll be spending that sort of cash on a buggy.
Right. I'm off to pack and then to listen to my hypno-CD.........
LL - I only actually really know about the MB - but had 2.5 yrs use of that. And have seen other people struggling with theirs when MB still being pushed with one hand. I think that the Stoke looks good for early on - gets small children up to a good level. However, imagine lifting a 2yo in and out (and in and out and in and out...) rather than letting them do it themselves.... Its really interesting that I saw the Stoke and the MB both recommended by a shop doing seating for people with problem backs.
Found you! Great new thread title. Well, we had our first referral appointment yesterday and saw the main consultant's sidekick. After being left alone a couple of times in the middle of the appointment (think she kept dashing off to see the consultant whose clinic it was), the doctor basically said there's no point hanging around, and best to refer us for assisted conception (which would be to the Hammersmith if we do it on the NHS).
I need to have day 2-4 blood tests and we both need HIV screens as a prerequisite for referral. She's also going to organise an HSG though she was a bit vague about how long that would take . She got out a diagram to explain how the HSG worked - was able to look quite knowledgeable thanks to Ready's explanation (not sure if it was this thread or the TTC No1 forever one). She assumed that my GP had explained it - decided not to explain the power of Mumsnet so thanks Ready.
Hadn't realised that I was quite so close to the cut-off for IVF referral on the NHS - she said trust policy was before 39 (which is later this year for me ), whereas I'd thought it was up to and including 39. We asked about going private (which fortunately for us is an option) and she mentioned that the ACU at UCH had good results for my age-group.
Had a bit of a chat to DH about IUI vs IVF on the way home. Whilst he's still convinced it will happen naturally, if not, he's keen to do whatever is the most effective, presumably IVF, whereas I think that I'd probably like to try IUI first, as it seems less invasive. As he admitted, I'll be the one that has to go through the various drugs so we'll just have to wait and see what the experts say at the time.
Worst thing is that the next appointment isn't until August although she did say that we could try and get a cancellation once we've got the various tests out of the way. She also said to do research into the different clinics, in case we want to be referred privately so we can come prepared.
Part of me felt a bit down about it not happening naturally last night but had a good chat to DH about it. Even ended up arguing about disposable vs real nappies! Whilst I can't say that the prospect of washing lots of nappies fills me with enthusiasm, I do want to at least consider it as an option from the environmental perspective. He, on the other hand, claims not to be bothered about that but then said he wasn't going to be changing them anyway We shall see....
Gosh, sorry I didn't realise my post below was so long!
In terms of second hand baby stuff, it might also be worth looking at your local freecycle group, although maybe not for top of the range stuff (particularly something like a car seat where you might want to know its history).Just had a quick look and ours has had a few buggies on it over the last year or two though not proper travel systems - maybe a lightweight alternative to the main one. I've given away a few things over the last year, and whilst some of them were things I wasn't convinced anyone would want (you'd be surprised), some of the stuff on there seems to be in good condition. You obviously don't get the benefit of photos that you get on gumtree.
Londonlottie I'm also in awe of everyone else's buggy knowledge (plus have been quite happy to sit back and let everyone else do the research!) If When it happens, I think I'll start showing an interest in the buggies belonging to various friends / family with children but it's great to have the practical tips from people on here. Have to admit that I'm slightly bemused by the obsession that some people (no one here!) seem to have with owning multiple buggies or changing them from time to time. Seems like a lot of hard work!
Can I just say… I know nothing about buggies… I only want a bug or xplory because I love how they look… I am the Cher (of Clueless, not Sonny and Cher) of buggy decisions
Lottie I hope you are having/have had… a great time time away… plenty of between the sheets (or not) action – fingers crossed for a holiday conception – it will spur me on
I can’t seem to work out how to browse freecycle… do you have to become a member before you can have a nosy?
Hobnobs glad I was able to help with the HSG knowledge… giggling at the thought of you sitting in your consultation thinking of me <proud> I am sorry that your appointment isn’t til August, but I would have thought that a cancellation will become available once all tests are done. Fingers crossed for that. I’d say take as much advice from all sources, and go for whichever treatment you feel most comfortable with (in terms of actually doing it, but also the success rates etc) – and definitely get your free go on the nhs before you spend any money privately. I hate to sound like my mum, but you’ve paid your taxes… so get what you are due … your dh sounds like mine, intent on believing it will happen naturally – oh and we too have debated real vs disposable… my dh doesn’t see the point in real nappies and unfortunately our friends with babies back him up … so the jury is still out on that.
Ready You do have to join a freecycle group (they're all around the country). See uk.freecycle.org/ and click on the find your group area. It's a yahoo group so you will need a login with yahoo (doesn't need to be a yahoo email address - just a way to login to the group's page) If you do join, it's worth making sure your settings for yahoo groups are set to "no mail" or "Daily digest" (summary of all emails in a day) otherwise you might receive dozens of emails each day/week/month (depending on how active the group is) telling you what people want or are offering. Once you've joined, you can log onto the group's page and search all the messages in an archive. Sorry if this all sounds complicated - it's not, honest!
Scorpio Posted Millie's boots this morning Ready LOL at you being Cher LL My BF thinks it's hilarious how much I know about buggies! We've been walking round the shops and she's said to me - what's that buggy then? I has a dream the other night about babies and I had a black loola (presumably in my mind thanks to Scorpio) and another time I had a dream about me and her going to London with kids and I had a blue bugaboo! (A lovely powder blue one with dark blue base fabric...) Do you think I might become a buggy addict? I'm telling myself it's all in the name of research so we don't end up swapping buggies all the time. hobnobs Don't be put off by the wait - I'm sure Gilly got a cancellation, so you might too (Hope that's right) As for me, well I have a strange pain in the back of my hand - do you think it could be pg symptom??? <nomore runs away to hide>
More buggy knowledge - met up with some mnetters from Harrogate today - one (with youngest child there) had a bug - which she said wasn't that stable, the stand fell over when she lifted the chair bit out, and then the whole thing took up the complete boot of an A4... It did look good though!
Nappies: we went the washable route - a friend had gone washable and gave us lots of info, started out in disposables then 'hired' a mixed bag from the Nappy Lady - lots of different inners and outers so that we could decide what fitted ds best (and please note, different babies, even in the same family, suit different nappies and or wraps better, so its not something you necessarily want to buy before you get the dc...). What surprised us was that we decided that we found prefolds rather good (they are a square that has a thick central section before you start, then you fold them into a rectange which simply lies inside a 'wrap' front to back) - so we had quite a lot of prefolds and some shaped nappies (we tended to use shaped when going out as less likely to have 'issues' if you didn't notice that a change was required quick enough....). We only used disposables for travelling or holidays. You have no idea how smug it makes you feel when you go to the supermarket and other parents with children the same age are half filling their trollies with nappies and you don't have to. Washing is no problem - dry bucket in the bathroom for changing, wash every two days with a special nappy wash added to normal detergent - after nappies have had a rinse through on thier own, just add the rest of the washing. Ds potty trained himself over one weekend at 26mo, and I'm sure that this is partly down to the use of washables. Any further questions, let me know, otherwise I'll stop now before I bore anyone senseless!
No, to be honest, we've not been terribly impressed with Bambino Mio - the training pants (most recent experience) are certainly not as good as some of the others available (like the diaperwraps I got from Flame).
The prefolds we used alot we had 2 types - favourite ones Nature Babies - stayed less hard and also stained less.
Also had some terry squares to start with
First 6 months mainly prefolds and terry sq plus a few shaped - a tots bots, one of the pocket ones, a couple of others.... Ready for nursery we got 11 Tots Bots size 2 which were OK for 3 days in nursery, then we had 5 totsbots bamboozles for nights. Favorite wraps were nature babies ones - they were a good shape on ds, and the fact that you could do waist and leg at an appropriate fitting rather than rely on one fixing to sort both. Also love the farics available on Nature Babies... www.naturebabies.co.uk/wraps.html (for ds we had a denim and a leopard print amongst others!)
MT, you see… this is what I am talking about… I skimmed over the negatives of the bug… and settled nicely on the “it did look good though” – Have to say, dh and I looked at the bug yesterday, and I am definitely waivering… We looked at the silver cross system, which again, I like the look of – dh liked the separate handles. But in all honesty… by the time it becomes something we need to decide on, there will no doubt be lots of other options out there
Hobnobs, thanks for the freecycle info… will check it out
Weather here is horrible and grey and raining, the sort of day where you want to go back to bed - which is exactly where I'm off to now (have nasty throat infection and GP said no to ABs unless it develops into tonsilitis - which it may well do as I've had that 6 times in past 2yrs )
I'm pretty sure it's tonsilitis now Feel absolutely rotten. Think my body must be really run down as I'm not normally poorly and have had two illnesses in the last couple of weeks. Hope this is the last one - I don't want to have to put off the IVF next month [worried]
Hello there! Please can I come in again? Its been a while since I have posted, but I have looked in on you all reguarly, I've missed you !
I'm now 24+2, and its not all been plain sailing, hence I didn't really know where to post, I felt a bit homeless really, but no I feel a lot more settled and able to come back.
I'm off now to have a read through, big hugs especially for Ready, Nomore, Gilly, Mistlethrush xx
Kensgirl!!!! Soooo lovely to hear from you. I have thought about you lots (and have to confess to searching your posts to see if everything was ok)... Sorry to hear that it hasn't been plain sailing... are you ok now? You are always welcome here (or any thread come to that!) - don't be a stranger!
Nomore - we got the boots yesterday but i could only just get on laptop today; spent most of the afternoon sleeping . They are beautiful and so very tiny - but i know she will be that tiny, just strange to think she will be wearing them soon - i feel like im going to be pg FOREVER!! I'm 38+2 today, hoping she will be here this time next week. Am planning on a live labour theread, lol! Thanks again, they are so lovely.
Kensgirl - Hello - been looking for you, hopeing that you were OK. I mean, you are the reason that I was here! What's been happening? Let us know what's been up if you feel like it.
Ready you don't want separate handles - you want one. Means you can push it single handedly.
Nomore - sorry about the illness. I used to get tonsilitis very regularly - probably about 3 or 4 times a year or more - until I gave up cows milk - I can have yoghurt and cheese but not milk. Now, if I have some, it gives me a very specific cough and even dh can tell that I've had some milk in something. It can be as little as a single scone that sets me off (so the icecream that dh and I've had this evening will definitely have repercussions tomorrow, but it had to be done!)
Thanks for the welcome back, girlies ! 7 I think bump is fine now, but to cut a long story very short I was scanned because of my history at 6 weeks, everything fine, then started spotting bright red blood at 7 weeks. It didn't last long, so the GP diagnosed thrush. I was scanned again just before 10 weeks, still fine, then started bleeding quite heavily at almost 12 weeks, scanned again, still fine, but the bleeding lasted on and off for 2 weeks, the hospital decided it was coming from me not the baby, but having been there before, was convinced that it mean the end. Anyway, we heard the hearbeat at 16 weeks, but have spotted reguarly on and off since, at the moment everything is well. I had another scan at 19 weeks, which was just amazing, and feel as though I have passed a real milestone now. On top of that, I have been incredibly itchy everywhere!! So. I am currentlyhaving bloodtests and fortnihghtly monitoring for obstetric choleostasis, and to add insult to injury, there has been an outbreak of slapped cheek/ parvovirus in my class so I have been off sick for 2 weeks, as the consultant says mu blood teasts show I have no immunity to it, and if I get it it could seriously affect the baby with a severe form of anaemia. Phew! To be honest though, I'll go to hell and back in how anything affects me, so long as bump stays healthy and well.
Mistlethrush, I hope your rmc appontment goes well, have you had any more news yet?
Nomore!!I hope you are feeeling better, I am absolutely willing everything to work for you, I think your blue bugaboo dream was a phrophecy xx
Hello there Ready! Its lovely to see you,I have a feeling that this is your year too, and glad to see you are still perky and positive. x
wow, Scorpio, I can;t believe how fast your pregnancy has gone,anyday now really! Its lovely that you are having a girl. We decided not to find out the flavour, I just feel so blessed to be having a baby at all, i really couldn't care less what its going to be.
I have been loving the pram wars . heres my two pennysworth.
We had narrowed it down to 3 : Bugaboo cameleon, Stokke Xplory, Silver cross sleepover. They are all lovely, I love the ease and the look of the bug, and that it fully reclines forward and rear facing, and that the carrycot bit converts to the pushchait bit so that we don't have that to store. I loved the height of the Xplory, as it means baby has a better view of the world and is up and out of the way of dogs, fumes etc, but in pushchair mode it barely reclined in the forward facing position, and I don't like the thought of a todler falling asleep and waking up grumpy because they are stiff and squashed. It also felt more stiff and difficult to put up and down than the Bug, and the footmuff has 2 legs rather tha a sleeping bag shape, and I was wondering if that would make it feel restricting for a toddler. the silver cross felt lovely - the fabrics were so soft and snuggable, I could imagine, a baby feeling cocooned and safe, but it was huge when folded down and wouldn't fit inmu car!
So, I have just decided to order the bug, in a dark brown base and sand tailored fabric. We have been offered a really good deal on it £629 including car seat and fittings, and the footmuff, but I have to order before midday today. Not a hardship really.....
So, have you ordered the bug then? Colours sound nice. I did see rather a nice pink one in Harrogate at the weekend - ds would have liked that colour! Although £629 is a good deal is it? And I thought that the MB was expensive! (Although we did need to buy a car seat on top of course)
We didn't get a cosytoes with the MB - I made one (dog footprint pattern) which did really well for the winter before ds was 1 - used a blanket before then. But mostly we wrapped ds up in a snowsuit which was best for us (given regular dog walking) - for very cold, snow suit plus own cosytoes!
Hi Kensgirl - great to hear from you - but to hear you've been having a hard time!! Stay and chat with us - we are now the TTC first (and second/third) timers and the ladies with bumps (or just flab in my case) thread
MT - I really want to try washables so bore away with any insights!
Still can't decide on a buggy - reckon I need to go and see them in the flesh to decide so I'm going to drag DH out this weekend for a sneaky peak - where would be the best place to go for a good range?
Also, was nearly finished knitting an item this weekend and dropped a stich which undid the stitch below and after a few tears gave in trying to work out how to pick it back up - I'm rubbish at knitting!! Off to google how you pick up a stitch through the row below now..
Yes,its all ordered! I feel a bit shocked that I have actually bought something so real, I havn't bought anything else really, out of superstition.[Hope I don't change my mnd now...}
Hi there, Toomuch![waves] I know what you mean, you do need to see them, touch them, have a go at them first, for me the deciding factor was the one which fits in my car, and user friendly in getting it up and down quickly. good luck..
Toomuch we found a really friendly baby shop that was also very helpful. We had the MB then the Jane, then the MB in the boot trying to work out which one fitted best. (had to have 1/2 back seat down in Polo for both, so not ideal, but only practical solution for dog walking)(Now have company Skoda estate, so no longer a problem!)
They also did nappies, and we bought our Tots Bots there, but bought others on-line. Did you like the wraps link - which would you go for?
toomuch I don't use a hook - I can manage with a spare needle if it gets that far. Normally fairly easy to pick it up and follow through as long as you're not in a complicated pattern that will throw things out! Hope it goes OK - should be fine.
Leakage - we decided that ds was actually less leaky if he was in one of his shaped nappies with a nature babies wrap over the top. But even saying that, still got the odd nappy that required two people to deal with it (and you will get those with disposables too). I did change ds more often than I might have done in disposables - partly as it didn't cost anything more (as I would be doing the washing anyway and one or two more nappies in it wasn't going to make any difference) and because if the internal nappy got very wet, the binding on the wraps you use can sometimes wick the moisture out. They all did this and didn't find NB wraps any less-so.
Re buying washables, I would really recommend not getting any (unless you see some pre-loved in eg NCT sale) until you've got dc, then hiring a selection to see what fits - otherwise you might end up getting lots that you never use.
Kensgirl, so lovely to hear from you... although I am sorry to hear that you have been having so much bleeding... and then scares with viruses... look after yourself and stay away from the germ carriers I hope you are right, I hope it is my year - but I am feeling rather philosophical about life in general today, so I won't complain.
Toomuch... how's the knitting going? Did you manage to hook yourself to safety?
I loooooooooooove that advert!! I sing along every time it comes on!!
Ready I'm heading home now with my webpage printoffs in hand to try and hook my dropped stitch - I'll let you know whether I've been successful in the morning
The book I use suggests a crochet hook... and, by the look of it, lots of knitting knowledge... here's hoping I never drop a stitch. I just know I would throw in the towel and unravel everything.
Do any of you knitters suggest a beginners book? I do have one (Beginners Guide To Knitting - Alison Dupernex) and so far I am doing ok with the garter stitch... but is there something out there that will inspire me to move on to purl?
Ready Try Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss Takes you through all the stitches/techniques one at a time, eash project introduces something new and builds on what you've learnt so far.
I am so in awe of all the knitting! I know my attempts would be utter rubbish, so I'll leave it to the rest of you. [Kensgirl wanders away in shame...]
Kensgirl - its really not that difficult once you get started. There seem to be lots of knitting groups setting up all over the place, and even knitting classes - I'm sure that if you went to something like this you'd pick up the basics pretty fast and get started. It all sounds and looks more complicated than it really is once you get going!
I have to say, I was daunted (still am a bit if I am honest)... but the more rows I do, the more comfortable I feel. Give it a go, what's the worst that can happen?
OOOOHHHH! Lets hope we can say hello to Millie properly soon! Please let us know what thread if and when you start one... Fingers crossed and lots of positive thoughts!
MW is ringing me back at 1pm, have felt like this, getting worse since about 7am. feels periody all the time then strong contraction every 15 mins or so. MW said could be pre-labour that may go on for days or start kicking off later.
Scorpio How exciting!!! I will try and check in again later this afternoon, but if I can't and she's arrived by the time I get home then I hope it all goes fantastically well - can't wait to see her pics on here
Good luck Scorpio Hope it's not long now. Will keep checking this afternoon.
Have been watching the nappy info with interest. I don't know many people who do use them so it's good to arm myself with more information. I remember folding terry nappies for my mother for my younger siblings (she was very excited when disposables came in - funny how it's almost come full circle!)
Well, CD1 for me Have ordered the hypnotherapy CD Gilly and Ready mentioned and will get my Days 2-4 blood tests done tomorrow. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the HSG and then we can bring the next appointment with the specialist forward from August. Am running out of patience now - just hate the waiting at the end of every cycle (though that will probably change again next week!) Dug out my Zita West book last night - I'd stopped reading it before the "fertility problems" section when I first got it (Optimist!)Might reread the whole thing and refresh my mind!
MW came out and did internal, am 3cms but not effaced (cervix not thinned), have lost all show and Millie totally engaged. DH has gone out for takeaway and i have had a little sleep. i am still aching a bit but MW says not long, maybe a day or 2.
Scorpio Was really excited when I saw you'd posted! Not long to wait then At least she won't be an April fool's baby. Fingers crossed for a nice straight forward delivery. Am I right in thinking you are having a home birth?
) here we are - in the company of pregnant (and cheerful) ladies 
Liking it 
I can understand if grandparents decided to contribute/buy it but how can it be a duplicate gift? Did someone just turn up with the most expensive pram around? Not going to happen to me I can tell you!
), whereas I'd thought it was up to and including 39. We asked about going private (which fortunately for us is an option) and she mentioned that the ACU at UCH had good results for my age-group. 
… so the jury is still out on that. 
