so here it is, a new home for us newly updiffed ladies or still seeking that golden egg after a mc part 3

Wombat, you are so confident and sociable, I need to hoick up my huge boozums and get a grip! Went out today to meet dp's and dsis and it was lovely, although sometimes it seems an ordeal I do feel better for getting out of the house. Gabes seems to behave better too! He's becoming super-cute and I am nearly getting smiles now, but he is also getting bad bottom wind and it's making feeding a fractious struggle at times, especially at night. Sure it will pass but it is tiring.
He needs to pretty constantly be feeding or cuddled, if he goes off to sleep and is put down somewhere he soon realises and starts crying. The moses basket has now gone in the shed! I've put the cot up against the bed but it's really cold at night and his hands are so icey, I normally drag him close to me for a snuggle, going to have to get better at edging him away when he hits deep sleep - trouble is I think I fall asleep before him half of the time!
Just have to keep saying it's just a phase, he's not yet 6 weeks and is so new to the world, who wouldn't want to be cuddled? I do get little pockets when he does kip, and evenings are good, dh comes in and they have 'boogie-time' to some choons, then a little bath together, it's very sweet, and I get some me time for a bath and chill-out.
Yellow, don't wish these days of naps and cake away just yet! So excited for you though, Gabes is already grown-out of most of the newborn clothes, so I need a tiny baby fix! Remember a little hat for your bag, I took one of grandma's knitted ones for baby to sleep in and it was huge and covered his face so had to beg a weird tubey-grip thing.
Worm, hope you're lurking and well, sounds like you're doing a fine job, up and down isn't it though! I stopped expressing for a bit, lots of effort with a clingy babes, but back on it this morning and got 1.5oz which is good going for me, I'd like dh to do the odd bottle for bonding, plus want to get my haircut on Friday so will need a bottle to stop the grandparents panicking!
Hugs to Kool

Can only offer some indeterminate semi-defrosted tuppawared gubbins by way of a snack, grab a spoon and take your chances!

x-post yellow - good to hear from you and thanks for keeping us updated. Eating treats and massages are absolutely the way to go - make the very most of it! xx

Right - now at the laptop, DH bathing Jack and time for a proper catch-up!

Firstly, any news from our dear friend yellow? Did you get a phone where you can post in the end? If not, how will we be the first to know the news?! Can't help feeling we need to set up a hotline or something! Did you have acu again today? I'll bet your acupist is almost as excited as we are!

Ooh to piles and thrush worm - feeling any better? I was given a glycerine suppository post c/s and the little Filippino nurse said "ooh you have haemmerroids!" like it was a good thing . How is Megs doing? How's the b/feeding going? Hope all is well. Are they sure start groups free of charge? I went to a Kindermusik class yesterday - hmm.... Jack was the youngest by a mile, even though it's for newborns - seemed to enjoy staring at the other babies a lot though - nosey like his mum!

And sparkly - you never filled us in on your babymoon.... hope it was a lovely snuggly time and that you're coping like a pro by yourself. Did you manage the expressing better?

So life is pretty good here - I've been making sure I've been meeting up with people at least once a day as I was definitely getting a bit grumpy and demented with just me and Jack for company - I appreciate him loads more when I've had a bit of social time - I would be rubbish living as a hermit. One of the other girls in our ante-natal group seems to be a real soul-mate - I think we're going to be really good friends. Funnily enough, she had an mmc too - I really think it does create a certain bond (not that I think it's funny or that I would wish it on anyone of course). HE had his 2 month jabs on Sunday and was a v brave boy - hardly cried but was v snoozy in the afternoon. Did my first buggefit class on Sunday too - in the local park with a bunch of other new mums - great fun and I have definitely been feeling it! Felt fantastic for it afterwards - I think I've been missing exercising too. Can't tell you how much easier breast feeding is now - I've now issues at all doing it in public and can even walk around with Jack feeding - not that comfortable on your arms though! So if any of you are struggling, it really does get better. Got a bit worried today as there was a tiny bit of mucousy blood in his nappy. we're going to monitor it and then see his paediatrician if it happens again. Does anyone know anything about this? His poo is almost always green too, but I've been reassured that this is perfectly normal....!

Love to you all and big hugs to kool.

xx

hello all

so 40+1 today and no sign......i have clary sage in the oil burner. Acu was quite intense, bit painful and lots in the bum, hope it works as he's talking about an electric current for Thursday! I have been feeling v greedy and have bought big soft cookies, cadburys splatts (have you tried them? they are soooo easy to eat!) jaffa cakes and cinnamon and current bagels.

worm sorry about the pile...have you got cream. I remember hearing that pile cream is good for eye bags but wasn't sure if that is true or not. and thrush is orifices doesn't sound good either, how did that happen?

sparkly cake yum....so what happens if you do put the baby down (ignorant emotion) is it screaming?

wombat glad you've been enjoying yourself, sounds great that you have the confidence to be out and about

I am starting to feel a little impatient now, have booked a maternity massage for tomorrow as have decided that more relaxation is the most helpful thing as it is too cold for long walks in this weather

Here is a bumper pack of cadbury creme egg splatts, enjoy!

Hi all and sorry for silence. Have been out and about quite a bit more as I was driving myself and dh too I think a little mad by staying stuck in the house for too long. Been enjoying myself though!

great news on weight gain worm.

Huge hugs ton yellow on your due date. We're now officially on tomatowatch!

Kool - so sorry to hear things aren't great. Thinking of you xx

Watch your back and shoulders sparkly. It hurts with all the carrying!

will post lots more when i get on the laptop. Rubbish iPad here!

Sticky orange and date cake and a dose of castor oil for yellow! Xx

Glad to hear you are still alive sparkly hang on on there!

Happy due date yellow have you got a fancy phone that can give us updates ?
I had the hint of a pile on late pg but it didn't really bother me, this little blighter appeared from no where, I didn't have a vb and am no more constipated than ever so no idea why it has graced my arse with its un welcome presence! I also have thrush in both orifices! Deep joy! Such dignity in childbirth !

yellow, can't type as the little pest cherub won't be put down for two seconds, just to say I'm thinking of you. All as expected here, highs and lows, tiredness, too much cake, worried about Wombat's silence as it probably means something ghastly around the corner!
Will post more when I can, thinking of you all x

Evening all

kool sorry things are not good for you, please feel free to tell us more or pm me if it would help at all, otherwise have a hug and lemon cup cakes.

worm poor you re piles, I thought I had one the other day but I think it's gone, did you have them throughout pregnancy, have you got cream or something?

How are you sparkly wombat you've been v quiet, hope all is ok?

My due date is tomorrow, eeak! I have a bit of discomfort low down, particularly around my bladder, I guess that is a sign? I had a clary sage bath earlier, will keep you posted. Just starting to feel a bit fed up today, so she can come at any time!

Off to eat my lovely chicken I roasted, is that nesting?

Ah sorry kool, I came on to moan about my piles, however that is so petty compared to your worries. Xxxx

Hi all, soz for being AWOL, things not good here at the mo so I'll leave olives and Pom bears (weird, unexpected 30 week cravings!!) and shuffle back out again, hugs to all xx

Well done on the b'feeding and weight gainworm good work!

I am due Monday, went to acu today to get things moving and he stuck pins in my bum! Wasn't expecting that! Watch this space.....

A whole pound in 7 days! [Show off emocion]

Any news yellow it must be nearly your due date! How exciting!

I'm just hanging around for the health visitor to call and do our 3 week weigh in. It's so much more nerve racking when breastfeeding than it was with the dcs who I ff. Stilll enjoying the breast feeding. A friend came around yesterday and said I looked a natural. She had given up after 6 weeks due to poor latch which couldn't be cured dispite her using all the breastfeeding support available. She is gutted about it. The cluster feeding is still happening but not for a whole day like on Sunday.
I have put my target to make at least 4 months and then review again.

Sounds like you are getting into the social side of being a mum wombat that is something I have never got into, I'm a bit of an anti socialite and always end up saying the wrong thing.
I am going to try and join the sure start groups that are available, baby massage being the first. If I don't get into the social side I will be more likely to go back to work. Which I don't really want to do but can see me going stir crazy otherwise.

We havnt done any sexing yet. Dh is taking having the snip very seriously I am trying to encourage him to talk to someone about it .
I am not prepared to have any hormonal contraception.
I have told him to think very carefully about how the future would pan out if we were ever to split. I wouldn't want to be resented for taking his fertility away.

I'll leave some lemon drizzle cake for you all.

Hello ladies

worm glad the feeding has settled down a bit. I've just been doing a bit more homework in watching the breastfeeding dvd to try to prepare but I guess the reality will be different. So good that I'll have you guys for advice :)

wombat wow that is a lot of mummies and babies.......it's really good that you've got lots of people to be out and about with. I don't know anyone yet so I'll have to work on that after the birth. i know where the nct group meets for coffee which is just round the corner but I'm a bit shy to go now. But hopefully after the birth and when DP is back at work I'll have the more urgent urge to try. And I think you forgot to update us on how 'sexy time' went

Thanks for the book tip sparkly i ordered it and it has arrived, looks v good, I've read the week zero......it's all a bit daunting and I can't believe that it is so close. i think I'm in denial.

Who would like a hot cross bun with lashings of butter?

Great that you had a better day with feeding worm. I believe the cluster feeding doesn't last forever, only when they have growth spurts(?) so if you do feel you are neglecting your other dcs, it would only be for a day or so... however as yellow says, you need to balance up what works best for you all. How is Megs doing generally? My DH thought the same about Jack using me as a dummy - I think they're keen to find solutions to everything quicker than us, forgetting that babies need lots of patience!

SO glad to hear you're loving mat leave yellow - it's a special time. I can't believe you've only got a week to go - well done on packing your bag! WE're on petittomate watch from now on!

There were about 12 mums and babies here yesterday! Fortunately we have a good size living area. It was v funny to see 10 different maxicoso car seats all over the place (only one graco - maxicosi seems to be the seat of choice in Doobs!) We were supposed to be having a picnic in one of the parks but it's been sooooo cold here of late (about 18 degrees during the day - brrrr) that we changed venue to mine. Everyone brought a bit of something and then left it behind so we had loads left to eat. Fortunately DH took most of it to work today but we still have most of the marmalad tealoaf left which I don't mind at all! Off to another ante-natal meet up this afternoon but a smaller group which I think will be nicer. I'm really finding that I need to be with other people. While Jack is a honey, it can be pretty monotonous when it's just the 2 of you all day....

Waves to kool and sparkly - how are you guys going? And a big hello to Wellie - hope all is well - think of you often xx

Ah thanks yellow, she has been a little angel today, 3 hours betw3en feeds all day so far. Got to learn to take one day at a time !
Enjoy your last few days and the accupunture that made all this possible . :)

Morning ladies

I have packed my bag! Hurrah, I had most stuff anyway it was just a question of assembling it all. And the cot has sheets on and the monitor is set up so we're good to go.

Impressed with the baking wombat hope it goes well today.

worm re breastfeeding ( bearing in mind I have no practical experience) I think you have to weigh up what is right for you, Meg and the rest of the family and try not to feel guilty. I was wondering if it might help to call a bf support line or get some other support/advice before making a final decision? Might just help to talk it through although I guess they will have a bias. The helpline no I have is 0300 100 0212. But it is your body, baby and family and you know what is best.

I really love mat leave, have a pottering/admin day today and another lunch tomorrow, the days are flying by. Seeing the acupuncturist thurs when he is going to be 'more aggressive' so we might get some action towards the end of the week. Still 7 days to actual dd but I'm in no hurry.

Ah that's good wombat about establishing a bit of a routine. I dn having a wobble and considering changing to formula, for no other reason than it is more convenient. So selfish I know. Yesterday meg cluster fed from 6am til 11am then 2 until 9. I am neglecting my other dcs.
Thing is I know I will be cross with myself for it if I switch as I was determined to last 6 months. Dh thinks she is using me as a dummy rather than needing the food.

Have you packed that bag yet yellow careful with those baby socks . I list a washing machine to a stray baby sock. We now have a nifty bag from a gadget catalogue to put them in, [sucker emocion]

Maybe your homemade cake with make my milk more filling ....... I'll take 3 bits!

Tis very quiet around these parts..... perhaps this sticky marmalade tealoaf I have just made might tempt you out..... (genuinely have made it in anticipation of some ante-natal ladies coming around tomorrow - anything between 5 and 10 of them plus babies!

Moments of panic totally normal yellow - do you remember the weeks before Jack when I was such an up and down ball of hormones and emotions? However, I will give you a big nag if you haven't packed your bag with DP this weekend - DO IT! You just never know....

Jack seems to be settling into a bit more of a routine but still a bit random. The good news is that the 3 x night feeds are down to 20-30 mins and he will go straight to sleep after - much better than the 2 hour wide awake sessions previously!

hello ladies

Phew what a busy week, I can't believe I ever had time to go to work. I'm flat out just with lunches and afternoon naps! Had a cold start on Monday which made me v cross but it seems to on it's way out now so that's a good thing.
The waterbirth workshop was really disappointing, not so much about waterbirths and more about hospital policies etc. It was in the waterbirth room which was v v hot so I started to feel quite faint early on so altogether not a big success. However, as I am currently low risk and as long as I go into labour before 40+10 and if the pool is free (there is only one) then I can have a water birth. So we'll see.

So good to hear updates from all of you, it's really like your all up ahead, leading the way with fab advice and wisdom.

sparkly great to hear from you, I have both tea tree and lavender in stock. When you say 'ditch the sanitary towels' are you back on tampax? How long are you meant to wait? The cheese smell doesn't sound too good, thanks for the warning. Thanks also for book recommendation, will order it now. Have you ladies any advice on which pump to buy or def not to buy? Sounds like Gabe is doing really well getting into some kind of pattern already.

worm how is your first day alone going? I hope well and that you managed to go for a walk. I weighed myself yesterday and got a massive shock.....I'm up 3 stone!! How did that happen? I know some of it is baby but still........looks like I could be in maternity gear for some time. Glad the infection is clearing and hope your wound continues to heal well.

wombat that's interesting re sexy time, i thought the same as you re cs. You really sound like you are doing well, glad to have you are a bright shining example of how it's done. :)

Re visitors we're not having anyone for the first 2 weeks. Well that's the plan and I can't think of anyone who would turn up uninvited. I just really want us to have that time to get our heads round the whole thing. I guess I can always change my mind and my Mum would be over in a flash but I think it's unlikely.

I am having a few moments of panic this week as the reality starts to hit me but I still haven't managed to pack a bag etc. Putting the cot up was a big milestone, I'll get dp to help with the bag at the weekend then at least he'll know what's in there. I also want him to choose her first outfit and be the one to dress her. I washed some more baby socks today and lots another one. So she has 2 odd socks already.....how is that possible? Could it be to do with some small hole in the washing machine or something?

kool sounds like you are doing really well. I can't remember if you are working? Mat leave is def something to look forward to.

I'm off to see the midwife tomorrow, a new one again but this is one from the midwife led unit so could possibly be the one who'll be there on the day. Hopefully baby will be more engaged and still in the correct position.

I had a lovely pepperoni pizza followed by banoffee pie at pizza express for lunch today......I would offer leftovers but there are none. How about a fruit salad and some fennel tea? No? Ok have some gooey chocolate brownies.

Well worm and sparkly - you could try this link on hands free pumping and let us know if it works! 2oz from one side is pretty good I think - I can get 5 from both but I think it's only happened on a couple of ocassions. Good news that your infection is clearing. How did your first solo day go?

LEft a bottle with a friend this morning and went off to aquayoga and I feel absolutely amaaaaazing now! I hadn't realised quite how in knots I was and it really is wonderful to focus your mind on something completely different. I feel like a new woman! Probably helped by Jack having another good night (again, don't want to speak too soon!)

Re: sexy time, we attempted it a couple of weeks ago but it felt quite uncomfortable "inside" so to speak - apparently this is quite normal - for some reason I had it in my head that as I'd had a c section, the nether regions would be good as gold. Apparently not. Given my new energetic state, I'm hoping we can have a 2nd attempt tomorrow! Apparently vitamin e oil is supposed to be help - I'll report back.... worm - I assume you are back to chandelier swining already!

Big hellos to the still up-duffed! xx

I love reading your posts sparkly, you really should think about doing short stories or something. Or even long ones !

I was thinking this morning if it would be possible to express at the same time as feeding mine is a manual pump though not sure I could juggle it. I only get 2 oz at the moment is that normal ? That's from one side.

It's our first day on our own tomorrow. I'm hoping the weather will be dry so we can go out and have a nice walk. I am 2 stone up on pre pregnancy and would like it gone by summer, as I like my summer wardrobe!

Dh has been laughing at me today as I've been trying to establish if we have any pattern going on yet. I have a book and everything!

My infection appears to be getting clearing. It's not ponging as much but there is a bit of a hole though where a stitch has slipped. Apparently its all because of my overhanging skin not allowing the wound to dry out. Thanks for that !

I'll leave you with some red velvet cake. It is truely orgasmic..... Speaking of those, has anyone ventured into sexy time yet? ;)

He he - you do make me chuckle sparkly - your description of expressing and feeding at the same time really set me off! Hope you don't mind me giggling at your misfortune but you are a v funny writer . If it helps, I didn't really start expressing until about 5 weeks although they say to wait til about 6 weeks when your milk is "established". I do it once I have finished feeding Jack and didn't get much to start with but once my body adjusted to producing a bit extra each day it was fine. We;ve now got a nice stash in the freezer so I haven't done it for a couple of days. I'm impressed you tried to do both at the same time. The one time DH tried to feed him at night with a bottle my boobage got so full and uncomfortable that it kept me awake so kind of defeated the purpose. It's been fab though when I went off for a manipedi and haircut and enjoyed a wonderful couple of hours pampering! We are also off to a "do" this Friday and leaving expressed milk with a trusted babysitter and taking the pump with us - should be interesting! Anyway, enough of me, v glad to hear that Gabes is doing so well - I love those chubby wrists!

I'm totally with you on the visitor front worm - it;s soooo hard to be social when all you want to do is sleep. Hope you made the most of it. Your DH sounds absolutely amazing - can you buy DHs like that?! Sorry to hear about the infection and I can second kool's recommendation for the AL supplement - it definitely stopped a bout of thrush for me when i was last on anti-b's (which you may be more susceptible to due to general tiredness)

How was the w/birth workshop yellow? Can you definitely do it at your hosp if you liked it? I think staring at empty cot is v normal - I spent quite a bit of time in the nursery feeling a bit bewildered. As worm says re: the sleep thing, you do just get on with it - never thought I'd say that. How have your lunches been? Mat leave is ace!

Great to hear that all went well at your appt kool and great to have the continuity of the same midwife too. You're sounding relaxed and it's lovely to have you posting more on here (no pressure to keep doing so, but it's v nice to hear from you).

Really don't want to jinx things, but the last 2 nights with young Jack have def been better - he's been awake 3 times, but only for about 20-30 mins each time just for a feed and a burp - let's see if it will carry on. The good thing is that we've not had a screamathon for the last week since we started bathing him earlier and keeping him away from the TV / bright lights etc. - I think he was just overstimulated and overtired. Let's see if it carries on!

Leaves delish carrot cake that seemed to make its way into my trolley today! xx

Oh, sorry about your infection Worm, the last thing you want as you try to recover. Not just for the discomfort, but as someone who has become paranoid about her own personal odours, I really feel for you! I'm still bleeding slightly and that with the stitches is leading to an unpleasant odour, quite a lot better since I ditched the sanitary towels. It's hard enough to feel clean and fresh without that going on - Yellow, take note, no-one tells you that your nether regions will occasionally smell of cheese! Tea tree and lavender baths help the healing, as well as arnica, but with dh now back to work that's easier said than done! Hope the antibiotics work soon.
Wombat, great reading your updates as you are about three weeks ahead of me so are a constant light at the end of the tunnel!
Gabe approaches his 4 week birthday on Friday, and this week we seem to have a slight pattern emerging with more distinct waking, alert, feeding and sleeping time. He seems to still be feeding for hours on and off, no doubt he is getting enough milk (he has cute chubby wrists now!), but he likes to graze, I am a tapas menu of milky delight! He'll nap about 11.30am for an hour or so if fed enough, and again around 3pm for a couple of hours, both much more successful if I am cuddled up with him, otherwise it's a rigmarole of waiting until he is in the deepest sleep before tricking easing him into the moses basket. He tends to be most alert from 7pm onwards, and feeds every two hours or so through the night, for a good hour on and off, and is snuffly and fractious. We have now put the heating on between 1am-3am which made a huge difference last night, not nearly so snuffly and much nicer for me doing the 2am nappy change.
Tried expressing for the first time this morning, completely fraught as the lead wasn't long enough so I was hanging off the bed with Gabes on one pendulous boob, and this monstrous, noisy sucking machine on the other nipple - at all points one of them would de-latch, causing cursing from me and giggling from dh who was helpfully tucking into his Shreddies observing this indignity. The overworking of the bosoms also set me off bleeding properly again so then had to change the sheets, I practically threw Gabes to dh is a rugby-ball stylee and went off for a quick sob. As with all things, it will get easier I'm sure, managed 2.5oz and think he needs about 4oz per feed, but will do for an amuse bouche until I've the hang of it properly. Not actually sure when we will use the bottle, there is no defined 10pm feed but it will hopefully be when dh is looking after him in the late evening and I can take myself off for a bath or catnap.
Oooh, Gabes has fallen asleep again, yay! Must go and unload the washing machine. Baby producing quite a lot of washing, I'll have him changed and then discover a random wet patch or something and have to redo him.
Enough unstructured waffle....ooh, Yellow, for us first-timers can really recommend a book called 'Your baby week by week', it's excellent to confirm that where you are, what you are doing, and how you are feeling is pretty much spot on, and also is good for previewing the following week and giving you an idea of what to expect ("Week 2, what's happening to Mum - "By now you will probably have wet yourself!" for instance ) Both dh and myself really like it and it's not too much to take in, nor preachy about routines, dummy use etc.
Right, let's get this house tidy! Cuppa and some Thorntons mini caramel pieces for anyone willing to whisk the hoover round!
Gack, he is awakening.......

Well, not we'll