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!

Gosh aimeee it looks like she is determined to be involved. Don't let their gifts become bargaining tools though. Also you really mustn't be pressured into letting your baby go to his mum before you are ready.

I'm hoping to use the sling a lot which is why we've not committed to getting the carry cot for the Quinny. I think we will use the car seat for short journeys and the sling the rest of the time.

I am really disappointed that the yoga person I hoped to go to wants payment in advance for the sessions so I just can't afford to go. I'm going to try to do some swimming though.

japhrimel Yes I am, my solicitor told me to write everything down, plus I'm also having to write things down for the mental health clinic dd is being seen at as they want everything written down when she's upset. Only problem is that I'm not sure how much the court will care about what I have to say, they'll consider be biased I guess and probably ignore it all :( Completely unfair.

DF are there any other yoga classes you could go to that don't need the payment up front?

Marking my place too!Im due December 1st and very excited!

Wow, some of you are really organised. I thought I was, but here goes - this is what I've got

13 babygrows from ebay
2 snowsuits
3 vests from ebay
3 cardis / warm fleece jackets
blanket
moses basket from SIL
bouncer from SIL

er, that's it

but I did win 10 new reusable nappies on ebay last night and some bibs and baby socks. DH has returned home from the ILs today with a gift of several mini baby football kits. Yuk, yuk and yuk. I've told him, only half jokingly, that the baby will NOT be wearing them.

We've decided on a Silver Cross pram, which I was going to wait to buy. But I am now tempted to get it before that Mothercare code runs out.

We will also get a car seat.

I haven't started thinking about toiletries yet. Has anyone joined any of the supermarket baby clubs? I was in Sainsbury's today and saw a leaflet about the freebies you get if you join up. Just wondered if it was worth it or not?

Gosh Aimee that is a big list, handy to have it all ready but I was quite surprised to see the toiletries cos I thought you just used warm water on little babies for the first 6 weeks? and lots of bottle feeding stuff, before you've had a chance to even see which you fancy doing after baby is born!

Hmmm,so a rather over-excited granny-to-be then! But it's YOUR baby, not hers, and it's YOU he/she will want to be fed by (bottle or breast)/look at/smell/cuddle with, not granny when he/she is very small.

My MIL has bought some sleepsuits and vests in plain white, after checking with me, and a blue cardigan and when I first told her she presented me with 2 ornamental teddies and a toy piglet, all of which are completely unsuitable for a baby but hey, she was very excited! Turned out she's bought the bear years ago BEFORE we even conceived our baby.

C&G good luck with the ongoing saga. It sounds draining in the extreme, I really hope it doesn't go on and on for months and months.

Welcome new people!

DF what sling are you getting? I can't decide, but am leaning now towards a Connecta. Was going to go for a long fabric one, but can see me failing to tie yards of material whilst Tiny howls and the ends of the sling flap in the breeze or train in a puddle...the Connecta is soft, and suitable for NB, but has rucksack straps and DH is quite keen on it.

Connecta Solarweave has UV50 protection and a sun hat which is good for when we move to Grand Cayman in spring. It's a forward and back carrier - the man in the pic is using for an older baby, this is what it is like for a small baby

Right, am going to take a deep breath and write up my list of what I have got...(goes and scrabbles in drawer)

Am looking forward to your list
I have a Moby sling, so basically a long piece of cloth. One of my friends is very into slinging so I am hoping to get tips from her.

welcome to laurenamium

chloesbaby - I've joined the Tesco baby club. Although you get some money off vouchers, its best IMO for the parent-parking permit. I need it right now because what with the bump & the spd, I have to open the car door wide to get in & out. So if I go shopping on my own and someone parks next to my car in a normal space, I might not be able to get back into it!

The freebies aren't great for any of the shop baby clubs IMO - e.g. with Boots you get a changing bag but I didn't like the look of it so completely pointless for me. The vouchers are good though.

Newborn starter kits, x 2, they were a total bargain - 3 quid reduced from 22 quid when Blooming Marvellous closed!

So that's 2 sleepsuits, 4 trousers with feet, 2 cotton long sleeved cardie tops, 2 bibs, 2 hats, 4 vests. Also got given a pack of 7 plain vests and 2 more sleepsuits with penguins on. Do you think I need more? He won't be going out much when NB so thought we could get away with one on one off and one in the wash as they grow out of NB so fast. Plus people tend to give you NB size stuff.

0-3 this is where I went a bit mad. I have quite a lot of sleepsuits and vests, plus a few cotton tops and joggers - mostly from ebay bundles or online/closing down sales. The vests came in packs of five for a couple of quid from ASDA, bargain. (I can't see the point in expensive vests, I'd rather get loads from the supermarket.

He will be kipping in second hand gear and I have a smaller pile of lovely colourful new M&S/Next/GreenBaby sale ones that he will wear in the day.

Also some cardies, hoodies and dungarees that were donated from SiL, and socks, & handknitted booties & mitts that I think have been passed from new parent to new parent for years and never worn!

3 wipe clean bibs (as well as the cotton ones you get in baby starter kits).

Pramsuit - small brown bear suit couldn't resist on ebay.

Sleeping bags: 2x sleeping bags 2.5 tog and 2 summer bags (gift)

2 x *drawstring night gowns for easy napppy change at dead of night

2 cellular blankets three quid from ASDA

1 black and white baby-entrancing mobile with b/w books to distract when changing baby

Phew, that seems loads, but all the kit fits in 2 drawers - one of which is still only half full.

The GreenBaby clearance and Blooming Marvellous shitting down sales were both excellent,

3-6 and 9-9 and 12 months have also got some stuff from summer sales, but that is because of moving abroad and it just being so much more expensive and not as nice over there to buy shorts, T shorts, swim nappies and shortie rompers. If I wasn't moving I wouldn't be buying big boy clothes!

Full set of Beatrix Potter books, 30 quid from Book People when they came to the office - the first thing I bought! DH reads to the bump sometimes
(sorry if that makes you want to hurl).
Lansinoh cream was the second thing I bought.
Changing mat, cheap plastic from ASDA. I was agog at how cheap ASDA was/is, I think they were having some kind of baby promo.

Widgey BF pillow was about 20 quid from ASDA, travel baby gym was 20 odd quid also from ASDA.
Buggy sheepskin was 20 quid or so half price from GreenBaby.
Big Muslins - the only thing I paid full price for. They are for when we move to hot country and will be used as sunscreens, swaddlers, night coverings, playmats etc. Will be getting cheapo regular muslins from ebay or mothercare.
F
Amby Nest from ebay ( still need to buy bedding and mozzie net and jumpjump)
BedNest on loan ( still need to get new mattress)
Maclaren Techno XLR, Recaro car seat ( on order) from M/care sale and XLR softcot just won on ebay for 25 quid!

Have not yet got nappies,( will get LIDL ones), baby ear thermometer, bedding, sling or nappies. Also want sleeptime CD of waves crashing on shore, for me as much as for baby. But overall I feel pretty pleased that I have bought all this stuff already over a period of months this summer and so won't be in quite so much of a panic/broke in November.

Having a baby is expensive, even when you try and do it on the cheap.

Shutting down sales, not shitting down sales! eek!

Oh yeah, also have a pack of disposable soft cotton breast pads from the health food shop, and some Primark giant granny pants ( to wear with mat towels) and 2 front opening nighties from Primark to labour/BF/leak in and then chuck out.

Not got any mat sanitary towels yet, too scared and too repelled. I hate STs, used Tampax from age 11 (used to do ballet and school swimming team so STS not an option).

Ooh lists, I like lists!

I have been given (all from SIL & her friend):

• moses basket & stand
• baby bath & stand
• loads of baby toys
• a few shawls & blankets
• 3x stairgates
• bouncy chair
• changing table (will be selling as I won't use it)

I already have:

• baby toiletries (was given loads with ds1, they have lasted through 2 children over the last almost 9 years)

I have bought:

• 2x 0-3 month outits (neutral)
• huge pants from Asda (£1 for pack of 3) for use immediately after birth to be binned when used.
• cot (to be sold as she still hasn't refunded me & come to collect it)

I need to get:

• cot (will try to get 2nd hand, but won't be panicking until Jan)
• pram (was going to get the one Aimee has got, but saw one the same but different colour in Argos catalogue todyay for only £120)
• Sanitary towels (don't like them at the best of times, but found them to be much better than maternity pads)
• breast pads
• nursing bras
• 1 pack of newborn sleepsuits
• 1 or 2 packs of newborn vests
• 0-3 months clothes (am asking only for clothes this size)
• moses basket stand for downstairs
• cot bedding
• moses basket bedding

Think that's about it.

Hi all. Haven't been on for ages again - but have just about caught up with you prolific girlies! DH has been away all week so have been single parenting and have had a craaaazy week at work (respect to single mothers, is all I can say). Was very glad to see him walk in the door on Friday evening.

Your lists are starting to get me excited!! I haven't bought anything yet but then I think I pretty much have everything from last time. I will need to go through the clothes as they've done the rounds of about three babies now and some are probably pretty past it.

Cheryl have you looked at Kiddicare for a cot? You can get a brand new one for about 50 quid, which sounds pretty good to me. Basic cot

I will need to get a moses basket as the handles on mine have started to disintegrate. And I'd need to get a new mattress for it anyway so I may as well buy the whole thing (I think the guidance is that each new baby should have a new mattress for SIDS-related reasons).

I think someone said that they were planning to go for a sling instead of a pram? My advice would be to borrow a baby for a bit and see how you get on - they are surprisingly heavy, even when tiny - I can still remember the ache across my shoulders when carting DD around in the early days.

Anyhow, time for chocolate icecream...am going to make DH get me some as levering myself off the sofa is getting progressively more difficult.

Thanks Slightly, I forget about Kiddicare. I was planning on getting the basic Mothercare one if I couldn't get a decent 2nd hand one as that's only £60, but a tenner less is even better . The cot I had for the boys was in pristine condition so it really annoys me these 2nd hand cots that are a state.

Oh and I forgot the sling in my list of htings I need. I'm planning on a Close sling. The boys schools are at the end of our road, so will get plenty of use out of it.

Hi Ladies, loving the lists

We have family coming to stay for 2 weeks so once they leave we'll start kitting the nursery out, I can't wait.

We have ordered but not paid for our pram - i candy peach blossom twin version

I did 2 online shops
*Blooming marvellous sale and got two newborn sets, 8 babygrows, 4 bibs and 4 hats.
*Joules sales - 2 babygrows with bibs and hats, 2 little dresses with matching pants

A lot of you seem far more organised than I am, I am going to write a list and get organised. I would like to have everything ready by 30 weeks. I know what I want I just need to buy it

One of my best friends told me today she's organising a baby shower for me, when I go home next week. I was really touched and am really excited

Just wanted to pop in and say Hi. My DD was born on the 17th December 2009 and it's getting hard to believe that just 8 months ago, I was exactly where you guys are waiting for her to arrive. I'm going to have to start planning her 1st birthday party soon if I'm going to get somewhere between Christmas parties!

Good luck to you all. December babies are lots of fun :)

I already have far too many things...

Luckily I was given a lot of them too so costs have been to a minimum but now I have:

A swing crib plus bedding
A moses basket plus bedding(I know I dont need both but both were given!)
A cot bed (How many places can a baby sleep!)
Toileteries of all sorts
600 nappies
10 packets of baby wipes
A steriliser
A bottle warmer
3 pushchairs (given again!)
A swing chair
A baby bouncer
bottles
dummies
baby bath
Bath towel
Blankets
A first size car seat
2 Snow suits

Plus various vests, sleepsuits, scratch mits, 2 grobags in sizes 0-3 AND 3-6 months!

I knowwwww that its a lot and a lot of it I dont need and maybe even wont use but like I said I had lots and lots and lots given! (I have been very spoilt)

I still need to get hats and then the things for me which I have absolutely been putting off! Have I missed anything?

Wow, busy thread again! My poor preggy brain cannot keep up!

C&G glad the scan went well and sorry the access didn't. How long will they make your DC's go through this? Its obviously so unsettling for them . Surely even taking your notes with a pinch of salt they will see the truth.

aimee at ex's mum! I hope shes doing it all in a good way. My MIL is dead so no worries there! When DS1 was born, a much wanted GS apparently, she bought......nothing. Never quite understood.

We've got loads of stuff from DS1 and 2, my washable nappies are still packed and ready to go from last time, as are the clothes (which I need to give a really good sort out), I have bought a few sleepsuits, my mum bought a gorgeous little hat and mittens (I am trying to keep her restrained!). DS1 was born in July so I think a fair bit of stuff will be the wrong season.

We have moses basket, cot (complete with teeth marks ), pram, car seats, baby bouncer, playnest, change mat etc. I have a lovely angel mum friend that has sent me some little bits and pieces already as she couldn't wait! We have toys galore (never throw anything out ). Will be getting a new babybath tho, our old one went very mouldy looking under the handle (strange design with a seperate moulded plastic piece as a handle. Will make sure its all one piece this time.)We are on metered water and DS1 still likes me to have a bath with him! Bless. Don't think theres room for 3! Oh also have a baby bjorn carrier so won't be getting a sling. DS1 loved the carrier when he got older - he could have a bloody good nose!

I am feeling pretty inadequate now- all of you are so organised! Everyone who finds out I am pg with #4 says, Oh, you must be an expert- hardly! And not even organised! In my defence I was not expecting to fall pg straight away- its taken us both a bit by surprise and I was feeling so rubbish at first and convince it was too good to be true and would not stick.

I have cleared the attic of old baby things though and found;
cotbed
baby monitor set
tomy carrier ( but want to get wrap sling)
3!? breastpumps
changing bag/rucksack
lots of packs of nappy liners+ one resuable nappy and wrap (too big) with washing bag
a handful of baby clothes

Already have stash of ugly old nighties for BF and postnatal, and tons of sanitary towels. Last time my midwifes would not let me used my own for the first few days-can't remember why. It might be just while still passing enormous clots, so they can have a look- nice! I found the Always night time super plus were the best last time ,once I was allowed!

I have birthdays in September and October, plus Halloween then Xmas to make nice for my other kids as I don't want them to feel hard done by because of the baby. God knows when I will be able to get some baby stuff! Sometimes I think she will have to make do with a dog blanket and a bottom drawer!

I want to clarify that I do want to get a lightweight buggy that folds up small but they are usually only for 3m+ so was wanting to make do without pram meantime, when baby is less heavy.

I seem to have suddenly "bloomed" this week, could really cry over it as am huge already, getting sore feet and swollen ankles and still have 4m to go:( DP is not helping by suggesting he could put up a tent and charge entry fees.

Miffster - I think it's recommended you get 6-8 sleepsuits because if you get sick, milk, poo or wee on them (will happen a lot in the early days!) then you could go through 6 a day! With only 3 or 4 you just wouldn't be able to wash & dry them fast enough.

CherylAnnTweedy - Ikea do cheap cots from about £35 btw.

Lavitabellissima - I got one of those Joules baby dresses in the sales too! I love Joules normally so figured my little girl might as well start young. I got 3-6 months though as the dress seemed pretty summery.

laurenamium - having a crib & moses basket could be great for the early days as you could have the moses basket downstairs/in the lounge for using during the day.

frankenfanny - tell your DP that comments like that are just not on! My Dh is slowly learning to avoid the whale/elephant/cow remarks after being hit (on the arm!) a few times and having made me burst into tears in a shop once.

Japhrimel I got 3-6 months too, great minds and all that. I'm assuming babies will be on the small size as there are 2 but we'll see! On their new website they've stopped doing baby clothes though which I think is a shame.

Frankenfanny Give your DP a chinese burn for that, men they think they are so funny!

DP's Italian family are over for 2 weeks from Tuesday. I've already told him that they are only to give me compliments or I'll kick them out! SIL who lives here said the other day nicely, how much fatter my legs were looking, I could of killed her !

Afternoon all. I have a dress!!!!

this one

Now what bra could I wear with that? The back is low and the front dips a fair bit. Bearing in mind I'm a 34F now. I need to find some shoes now too! So excited!

Looks like the date we'll have is Sept 11th, they're just confirming that a couple booked in for that date don't want it anymore as they haven't given notice yet and have to by Thur, otherwise it'll be Oct 2nd. I'm so excited!!

Oooh, fabulous dress! You will look amazing!

M&S do strapless bras with crossover backs, maybe take a pic of the dress instore and ask them to help you? Bravissimo are good too.

That is a gorgeous dress Cheeseand Gherkins
Congratulations! I have seen bras in Debenhams that sit very low, almost waist level, especially for dresses with low scooped backs.
I also bought my wedding shoes in Debenhams - cream silk peep toes with a very high heel. I would buy them soon before all the autumn / winter stuff totally takes over the high street.

I wish I could get married again
We had so much fun

Thanks Miffster and chloe I'll have to pop into M&S and Debenhams and see what I can find. Might take the dress in with me to check the bra for sure.