December 2010, where we waft about in mat gear eating icecream

[Miffster]

Yo December 2010 ladies, here we go - the mid-point of our pregnancies...and beyond!

lavita congrats on the twin girls. shame your dh couldn't make it.

franken i get the odd kick quite high up, takes me by suprise sometimes. just starting to feel the kicks on the outside, dd loves it. dp hasn't quite managed to catch it yet!

at the scan last week i was told i have a 'slightly anterior placenta' so i only really feel kicks if the baby is on my right side as the placenta is on the left.

some of you are getting some fab bargains! not a big fan of ebay myself but might be worth checking out.

my other 2dc had a swing and they both loved it! will defo be getting one this time. another factor for me is our very nosey dog! if the baby is in a bouncer on the floor the dog is going to be obsessed. it really depends on the baby though. when i sold dd's to a friend her baby hated it!

Ladies - thank you for your kind words.

I am now feeling very excited and it all seems more real I've just bought lots of lovely girls baby clothes in the sales at Joules see here

DF I received my maternity exemption card about a week after I told my doctor I was pregnant. I had it by the time I was 6 weeks pregnant. I would call your GP as I think they should register you for it. Mine has come in handy for the vast quantity of presciption gaviscon

I'm getting kicks that feel a tiny bit higher than my navel - at 20 wks, that's about right. It's unlikely to be a tall baby though, not with my and DH's genes!

Still not done any shopping. We have newborn babygros from DS, baby gym, baby toys, a friend's nice new Moses basket ... I'll treat myself (I mean, the baby) to something new, and start thinking about buggies after the anomally scan next week.

Peversely, I'm more worried about getting a new bed for us! We were planning on co-sleeping if necessary with this one, and our current bed is a small double, with a rubbish mattress. We are planning to get a kingsize with a posher mattress, but our current bedroom isn't actually large enough for one, and as I've bored on about , we're trying to move. Now that's all up in the air, all my pregnant hormonal brain can think is, 'where is my new bed going to go? Can we fit it into a rented cottage bedroom?' (Haven't actually bought it yet...)

God, and I could do with a decent mattress, right now. Oh well.

DuelingFanjo - def ask your GP surgery for the form as you should've done it by now. It took a couple of weeks for my card to come through I think, but I did the form at my 8 week booking in apt!

I know some people say that doing a nursery is a waste of time because the baby won't notice where they are sleeping, but I'm going to do it for me. I think that when I'm exhausted and cluster feeding or doing 4am nappies, it'll be nice to have a pretty, calming, comfortable room to be in. Also, I can't imagine us getting round to decorating when we have a little baby so we either do it before baby arrives or never IMO.

ReshapeWhileDamp - could you get a memory foam mattress topper for now? We've got them off Amazon in the past and they're not all that expensive and can make such a difference.

I sorted all DD's baby clothes that I kept last night. I can't believe she was ever that small looking at the huge toddler running round all day. I'm glad I kept it coz a lot of it is small baby size which both DC's were in at first even though they were 6lb 5oz and 8lb. DD was all weight and nothing to show for it.

I've ordered some gorgeous newborn sleepsuits from mothercare too, from experience they're really soft and wash well. More importantly all of them up to 6months have built-in scratch mitts - saves loads of time trying to put tiny mitts back on in the middle of the night.

DF you should be able to ask at the receptionist at the doctors for the form for mat exemption.

Baby was kicking so hard last night that DH said he could feel it through the bed!

24 weeks!!!!!!!

hows everyone doing?

Morning all, It's going to be a boring day today, have to wait in for my Mothercare delivery, they tried yesterday but I was at the Dentist, it will come between 9 and 6, knowing my luck it will be 5 mins to 6.

Chooster Yes definately back to making my own. At least the plastic wasn't as bad aas last time, I found a handful of pubic hair in my food, and the cafe woman had the cheek to ask me if they were mine!

PJen Your welcome, my DH is also a giant

Strix at 'pregnancy bonus'!

DF Same here with exempt cert, the MW said she might not see me until 28 weeks as I'll be seeing the consultant regularly, I'll prob get the cert and Health in Pregnancy money when I am in labour.

Franken My kicks are all v low, although I have a high anterior placenta so maybe I can't feel higher ones.

Wholelotta sorry you are having a rough week at work, hope it goes quickly for you.

Mumatron Thanks for sharing swing experience, I am still undecided especially if I am going to have no say in the colour.

Lavita those clothes are gorgeous. The only downside of having a surprise is that these days there are very little true unisex clothes which aren't boring white or grey.

Reshape I can sympathise, we had a hideous mattress and broken bed for nearly 7 years. As now we have decided to stay in this house for now we might have to get rid of our beloved kingsize bed and memoryfoam mattress as if we convert to a four bed, it won't fit

Japh I would definitely do the nursery. I wish I could but currently we don't have a room for it so am making do with painting a chest of drawers and putting up a few shelves in our room.

Crazykat Thanks for the sleepsuit recommendation, had wondered about mothercare quality as I have never really bought clthes from there.

OWO Congratulations, you are way ahead of me, I am 21 weeks tommorrow. Feeling happy but fat.

I officially have pregnancy brain, just been to my Physio appointment but went on the wrong day - I'll just have to go back tomorrow

Had a dream last night that I had triplets, but they were very well behaved! also keep dreaming that I'm changing nappies, so although I've never actually changed a nappy in my life, I feel a bit more confident now

notso I am at the pubic hair!

OWO yay for 24 weeks. I am 23 on Monday. Getting lots of kicks, still mostly at 10 pm when Big brother is on.

My DH had a dream lastnight that he was married to 2 of me, one pregnant and one not pregnant

Afternoon all, sorry I have been away for a while but I managed to take 2 days leave at the beginning of this week and have now had to spend all morning sorting emails - how inconsiderate they expect me to work at work

As I have been absent for 5 days I am not going to try and answer everyone individually today - too much even for me!

A couple of quickies

Dentists - Yes file a complaint and in it state you want a response stating what actions have been taken. Expect an apology at least and copy your letter to the Chief Executive of your local NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) if it is an NHS dentist. This is something that should be recorded as a Significant or Patient Safety Incident in line with guidelines from the Care Quality Commission (previously Healthcare Commission)

Mat B1 should be given to you by either the GP or MW at about 20 weeks depending on when you see them. Ask for it, phone them, it's not a hard form for them to do and they shouldn't need to send off for it. If you are self employed or do not have an employer then you need a MA1 as you may be entitled to Maternity Allowance. some individuals on Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit or disabled Persons Tax Credit may also be entitled to a Sure Start Maternity Grant so also worth enquiring about those as well.

swings Have to admit when I read the first part of notso's question about whether babies enjoyed swinging i did think it was maybe a little early to start them and then realised she meant a baby swing My DD had one, just a basic one we got secondhand last time and she loved it. It only had 2 speeds slow and slightly faster and itplayed music as well. I suspect the "expensive ones" out now are muchmore fancy and may not really be as relaxing. Unfortunately I sold ours last time so need to consider something new - what is an Amby? Oh and another thing - do not let parents or PILs dictate to you what they will buy, 5 years down the line I am still having problems with my mother buying "stuff" for my DD that is not appropirate but being to scared to say anything - start as you mean to go on otherwise you will end up like me! Whilst sorting all DD old clothes out recently to find "neutral" things to keep I realised how much my mother had bought baby and clothes wise and how little I had been "allowed " to get for my 1st born (not a lot!) - basically my mum bought everything, she even painted the nursery This time my DH and I get to do it all ourselves and we are really looking forwrd to it, makes me realise how much I missed out on because I allowed myself to be bullied emotionally by my mother - Wow that's the first time I've said that to anyone other than DH and it feels quite liberating

C&G Thinking of you, hope this week goes ok for you

ReshapeWhileDamp I fully sympathise with your house issues it is very frustrating!

On a more perosnal note - I will be 24 weeks on Friday. I have an OT assessment tomorrow about the house so we may be getting somewhere. If it seems as if it may drag on for longer than another 2 weeks before we get a decision then i am going to file a formal complaint with the housing people. Both my family support worker and MW have expressed surprise now that I have not gone off sick already - told them I was too stubborn to do that.

I am now the proud owner of a trike! rode it to work this morning and scared the pants off myself!! The road has a really weird camber so had to keep stopping and starting, I did get to work 10 mins quicker though so that means 10 mins extra in bed
My husband in his "wisdom" has painted it Red,White and Blue so hopefullyi will be fairly obvious to other road users thankfully the road I go on and the early hour I go (0700) means it is relatively quiet.

Oh and we think we have decided on a name - shall I tell or keep it a secret?! We are both pretty definite!

I am officially a baby clothes shopaholic! I've bought her tons of unpractical stuff such as those cute ruffled bloomers (panties) that show under her short matching skirts, sassy tiny shoes and cutest hats for matching outfits! She will be born in winter but of course has already a tiny bikini just because a girl always NEED a cute bikini! Right?

MrsSnaplegs Amby here Thank you for the swing advice, and well done for venting about your Mum. Unfortunately I have already fallen foul of pushy PIL, was a frightened teenage mouse when I had DD, DH and I were also very poor so had no choice but to accept their help.
I still can't quite bring myself to say no to them but fortunately we have more money now so buy exactly what I want so I don't have to use what they give.
I think we need to see a picture of your trike!

at PJen and impractical clothes, please tell me you have bought babygros and vests also.

The DC are going stir crazy, just checked delivery status the van was apparently loaded at 9.48, so where the hell is it??? Also I was wrong delivery is not 9-6 it's 9 til freakin' 9.

wow love the Amby but not at that price - very expensive for me especially as we already have a cot and moses basket and one of those reclining bouncy chair things left over from last time - can't really justify the cost new - may look on ebay!

also can't find the type of swing we had last time

Hi, just a wave to say hi while I have a few precious moments! I have recovered from my ordeal, catch up time with you all a bit later. We have a name list:

Boys - Spencer Matthew (Spencer was my 1st choice for both my boys, and about the only boys name I like, Matthew is almost the same as my surname)

Girls - middle name Cheryl

Kimberley - Goes well as a whole name, but not so good with just the surname, also it will make us look even more Girls Aloud obsessed than we actually are!
Sophie
Grace
Jessica
Katy - both really like Katie, but neither of us want the Katie Price link, so would change to a 'y'
Caitlin/Kaitlyn - DP prefers the K version, although I think it's a bit chavvy that way
Sarah - joint fave with Katy, but she'd sound like a cake!
Scarlett

I've always said I'd never have names that can be shortened, yet most of those can be.

AAARRRGGGHHH - you try and save a bit of money and you get ripped off and end up spending more.

The travel cot from ebay was perfect. DP has just got back from collecting the cot & it's disgusting! The description said a 'few marks from wear and tear'. The cot I had for my boys was mint when I sold it, this is a right old state, major scratches everywhere, pen marks all over it, it's just vile. Hopefully she'll let me take it back to her.

japh GP's can give out exemption forms - that's how I got mine both times.

OMG I drove the wrong way round a roundabout today!!!!!!! Up until now, I've always considered myself a good driver but today I was just on another planet - blaming pg hormones. Will have to take extra care from now on.

maxpower good god thanks you didn't get into accident!! I have made small minor scratches on the car in the last two weeks and have blamed pregnancy hormones. Just not being careful parking in underground etc....

Hi everyone - quick tip - if you put your pants on in the morning and think these are a bit tight but will probably be ok then think again! Mine have been trying to strangle me all day!! Such a relief to get home and be free of them! (I do have other ones on now - otherwise that would be a little strange!)
Anyway, what a lot to catch up on - that dentist story was just horrendous!! Imagine if you were someone who was already nervous about the dentist I think that would finish you off. Cheryl I think Katy is lovely, I always think of Jordan as Jordan so I don't think you need to worry about the Katie Price connection - also my 3 year old niece said to me the other day 'have you got your baby yet?' and I said no and she said, 'when it comes can we call it Pinky' (!) and I said maybe and so she said 'what about Katie then' - so I have a soft spot for that name! :)

japhrimel thanks for the bra advice - I definetley need to get out of my small town where the only baby shop is Mothercare! I think my nearest Bravissimo is Solihull so I may venture there when I have time - these Mothercare bras aren't too bad - though it is early days.

mrssnaplegs thats fantastic that you ride a trike to work at 5 months pregnant! I agree we need pics!

lavita many congrats on the identical girl twinnies! those clothes did look lovely - also loved the nappy dreams - maybe I can teach myself that way too! Though most of my dreams are just plain weird at the moment :)

pjen i'm having images of your new born in her tiny bikini - how cute! But yes she'll probably need a vest on in December :)

Erm, what else... I also got my prescription exemption at my booking appointment, so very unfair for all of you being made to wait - I've only used it for eye drops so far but was still quite exciting getting free stuff! And expecting my MATB1 at my GP appt at 25 weeks as I have to hand it in to work then as it needs to be done 15 weeks before date of confinement (confinement sounds pretty harsh!)

I decided to book the Children centre parents to be classes and I might also do the nct ones as these aren't till late November anyway. Also mentioned to my boss today that I thought I'd go for 12 months off - it didn't go down too badly :) then she asked me how many months I was paid for - surely she should know this stuff

TTFN xxxx

Thanks everyone. My spd is really hitting me now, finding it hard to walk and sleeping is really difficult; keep waking with pain. It seems one sided at the moment though, leg leg right at the top, all the way around though. Kind of like the bottom of the hip.

Sooo exhausted too, couldn't sleep until around 2am and then the kids woke me at 6am. Managed a quick nap earlier on but only for about half hour. I think I'll sleep much better after Friday is over with although I've been feeling so bad that I may not be able to make it! Solicitor said she can deal with it if not as I don't need to speak and there are no negotiations to be made etc which makes me feels loads better. Felt so faint yesterday that I had to lie down for 40 mins or I swear I would have fainted.

I think we're all having girls on this thread hehe, maybe it's something about December? Just a few boys that I recall.

Think I'll get a moses basket with stand and forgo a cot for now as I intend to co-sleep and use the moses basket at other times.

Notso some babies like swinging, depends on the baby ime. Sorry you have to be seen by the consultant so often, I hated that last time. I'm going to read that book, dp read it and loved it. He said the other two are also just as good. I'd definitely complain about the sandwich, that's awful!

Lavita lovely news :)

Dueling I looked at Quinny's, have you put it up yet?

Franken I haven't got a lot yet either, pack of baby grows I think so far. Waiting until later on to get bigger things I think unless there are some good deals to be had for space reasons. My little girl has been kicking me all over today, first high up on the left side, right at the side and just lately middle top near ribs. I'm quite small at 5ft3 but dp is 6ft3 so I think she may be tall?!

Mumatron me too, dp felt first outside kick last week and it was lovely :) I'm sure I didn't until later on with my others though. I guess everything is looser now!

Reshape co-sleeping here too. Ikea has decent sized beds, they say double but are european doubles which are out king size. If you don't quite have the space have you thought about bedside cots? The ones with one side off that you put right next to the bed? Next best thing to co-sleeping if you're worried about space.

Japhriemel definitely not worried about a nursery personally as I'm far too paranoid to leave baby in their own room until over 6 months because of increased cot death risk. Plus I couldn't bear to do that, I want baby close to me especially as I'll be breastfeeding. I co-slept with ds2 until about 2 and half years old and loved it. I have to say, co-sleeping makes feeding a hell of a lot easier when your baby feeds constantly (as all mine have done!)

OWO can't wait to hit 24 weeks!

MrsS thanks. Ooh tell the name! You must! :o

Pjen I can't wait to start buying some little girl clothes, I want to wait until closer though so the clothes will be a bit warmed. I usually love the snow and winter but I'm hoping for a mild one this year, some snow would be lovely though. I have visions of holding a lovely newborn, watching snow fall, and enjoying Christmas Day. Think I'm being realistic? Hehe :o

Cheryl My dd is called Caitlin so I love the name, she's 8 and a half and I don't know any others. We're thinking of Scarlett for our little girl, also Noelle or Niamh/Neve, still undecided.

Maxpower glad you didn't have an accident.

Have had shocking, shocking day at work. Really upset about it and still feeling lousy too. I'm going to have to give in and have tomorrow off sick, already came home early today. Been a bit of a wake up call actually, I simply can't juggle pregnancy, toddler and high stress job on top of what ppears to be a chest infection. I need to slow down. I know I'll get over work situation (eventually) - I'm too much of a perfectionist though.

Poor DD - I burst into tears in front of her and she was quite upset but I just couldn't stop myself.

Trying to cheer myself up thinking about the baby and going on mat leave! And possibly never going back (I wish).

cheryl - I like all your names - Sophie and Grace are both very pretty, but we've ruled out both because of use by family members/our surname.

and MrsS def need to know the name!

thanks C&G and Pjen - LOL at the bikini

cheryl I really like Caitlin (agree re the K spelling) and Grace (my dd's middle name). I'm really struggling for names this time. I've got a first name for a girl but nothing's really grabbed me for a boy's name.

wholelottalove sorry you're having a crap time. Take some time off and get better before you head back. I was totally titsed off with work yesterday so I sympathise but I don't work Weds so that lets me get away from it.

C&G my sympathies on the lack of sleep. At least your not under extra pressure to attend on Friday if you can't face it. Still thinking of you for then.

japh from my experience do the nursery now! We stripped the wallpaper in our hall stairs and landing back when I was expecting DD in 06 - it's still waiting to be decorated now!!!

ok will try and put the photo of trike on my profile

kittybump the trike is a necessity, can no longer drive for med reasons non pg related which is also why I can't ride a normal bike, 2 miles each way to work and back with only 1 bus an hour, having to work over 100 miles away from home in week so equally no DH to drive me to work - trike seemed only option - and boy can I feel it now! already in bed slathered in deep heat for muscle pain, trying to not have to take tablets for obvious reasons. Had a bath when I got home from work and almost couldn't get out - no idea what I would have done if I was stuck, although I am in shared accommodation there are not many people around at present - could have been there all night till the cleaners turned up

Ok - name - almost definately Hugh

photo on profile

MrsSL - Hugh is really lovely :) so many good name choices on here - and I think you're a star getting to work on your trike, it is exhausting just reading about it and glad you're not stuck in the bath!

maxpower that must have been terrifying going round the wrong way - someone must be looking out for you! and also sounds like my hall is in the same state as yours - I actually got a decorator to come and give us a quote (probably going to be extortionate) as I just want it done now and am in no frame of mind to do it myself

c&g sorry about the spd, you're certainly having more than your fair share of things to contend with - and again all the best for Fri

xxx