August 2010: August is here, our babes are near!

[vitapulchra]

LIST
In Sweet Memory Of Belle, Daughter Of CazEM. Our First August Angel Was Born Asleep 21.6.10 at 00:08, 4lbs 5oz

ARRIVED
2 July (due 29 July) CherryPie - #3 BOY, Corey Owen, born 08:11, 8lbs 4oz.
18 July (due 25 July) Emster - #1 BOY, James, born 18:37, 9lbs 4oz
23 July (due 20 July) Aussie - #1 BOY, James (Jamie), born 02:50 and weight?
23 July (due 22 July) Chulita - #2 BOY, Samson William, born 01:15, 8lbs 3oz.
25 July (due 29 July) BouncingBlueberries - #2 BOY, Glenn, born 02:02, 7lbs 3oz.
25 July (due 4 August) Girlsyearapart - #3 GIRL, Matilda Queenie (Tilly), born 11:05, 8lb 10oz.
28 July (due 4 August) Kcoffin - #3 GIRL, Ruby Mae, born 14:49, 6lb 11oz.

WAITING ROOM
26 July - Anifersgirl, #1, age 33 South Bucks, 33week scan extended breech GIRL
28 July - CazzyBabs #4, Cambridge , SURPRISE
31 July - Missus84, #1, Bristol . Age 26 BOY
01 Aug - Nikalah, #1, Dorset . Age 35, GIRL
01 Aug - Bumblingaround #4, SURPRISE
02 Aug - Dibbydab, #1, Devon . Age 34 SURPRISE
02 Aug - summerymummy, #2, age 29, Berkshire , SURPRISE
02 Aug - JamieJay, #1, Cardiff . Age 29 - GIRL
03 Aug - fuzzybunny, #2, age27, Somerset SURPRISE
03 Aug - carolondon #1 North London age 37, BOY
05 Aug - RachelParker #1, age 26, Wandsworth ( London ), GIRL
06 Aug - YummymummyKJulie, #1, NW London , GIRL
07 Aug - NichyNoo, #1. Brussels . Age 30 - BOY
07 Aug - Weehector #1, Largs. Age 36.. BOY
08 Aug ? ElusiveMoose #2 Kent 33 BOY
08 Aug - DriedApricots #2, Surrey, SURPRISE
09 Aug - possiblenewmum #1, Guildford , age 31, GIRL
09 Aug ? Alice #2 Suffolk age 25, BOY
09 Aug - thecoffeelady #2, Fleet, Hants, age 32, SURPRISE
11 Aug ? CellyD #1, Walthamstow, SURPRISE
10 Aug ? SayAnything #1, Brussels , age 33, BOY
12 Aug - tunise, #4, Suffolk , age 31. GIRL
13 Aug ? Neenz #3 Liverpool (32) - SURPRISE
14 Aug - LCRLCR #1, Brighton , age 34, SURPRISE
14 Aug - Burkoid, #2 SURPRISE
14 Aug ? babyducky #2, Brighton , age 24, SURPRISE
15 Aug ? LizzieA #1 Wirral, 33, scan ok BOY
15 Aug - thedogwalker #1, age 37, Germany (originally from Halifax), BOY
16 Aug - parkgirl #1, 20wk scan fine - GIRL
16 Aug - Tah2 #3, South Wales . SURPRISE
16 Aug - Vix206 #1, Leicester , 32, BOY
16 Aug ? cakeywakey, #2, age 32, GIRL
17 Aug - Doodleydoo #2 Kent still just 34, SURPRISE
18 Aug ? Isheisnthe #3 Camberley, FPH, Age 33, BOY
18 Aug - biddysmama #2, Lancashire , BOY
19 Aug - marzipananimal #1, York , age 24 SURPRISE
19 Aug ? Bubbabear #1, Reading/Berks age 30, BOY
20 Aug - JessieEssex #1, age 33, SURPRISE
20 Aug - USMum27 #1, age 26, Wandsworth. GIRL
21 Aug - CrunchieNutterII #2, age 34, Devon , SURPRISE
22 Aug - Poncherello #2, North London , SURPRISE
23 Aug - chickieno1 #1, SURPRISE
23 Aug ? loobyt #2, age 34, Devon, SURPRISE
24 Aug ? JaysFourth #4, age 38, GIRL
24 Aug - growingbump2, #2, age 25, Isle of Man , SURPRISE
25 Aug - Sal321, #1, age 31, Essex SURPRISE
25 Aug - Sam86 #2 Liverpool , GIRL
25 Aug ? aendr #2, Huntingdonshire, 33, GIRL
25 Aug - Joey30, #1, Halifax - West Yorkshire , age 30., BOY
25 Aug - Soontobefatnat #1 SE London Age 30, BOY
26 Aug - pamplem0usse, age 26, #1, Herts SURPRISE
27 Aug - Jamiki #3, SURPRISE
28 Aug - LittleMissSnowShine, #1, age 26, Belfast, SURPRISE
29 Aug - Hildainstant #1, Sunderland , age 30, SURPRISE
29 Aug - Foxyjbro #3, age 30, Shropshire, SURPRISE
29 Aug - LilyPad72 #1, age 37, Berkshire , BOY
29 Aug - starshaker #2 & 3 Ayrshire Age 29 VIOLET TWINS
30 Aug - Sparkle #1, age 31, Kent SURPRISE
31 Aug ? vitapulchra, #4, Guernsey , 32, BOY
02 Sept - MrsZaC, #1, Glasgow , age 26 SURPRISE
08 Sept - ronx, #2, London , age 37, SURPRISE

BABY COUNT
Boys - 22
Girls - 17
Surprises - 30

TOTAL - 69

Neenz i bet one is much easier!

Elusive i am under no illusions that this baby is coming any time soon. Will be here by next thursday though, so at least there is a definite end point!

Nikalah I can't believe they have just said that that aren't accepting anymore ladies, what are you supposed to do?? I hope you're okay! Keep us posted.

I also have sore boobs (started day before yesterday), really tender like at the start of pregnancy. I also think I have had some Braxton Hicks this morning, after a very sleepless night with 'tummy' ache. I say 'tummy' because obviously my stomach is high up under my rib cage and this ache was like gas pains in my bump. There was also a lot of gurgling going on around the baby, could have been my intestines I suppose but it really felt like it was fluid around the baby. DH couldn't believe how loud it was - it kept us both awake! Felt like little one was blowing bubbles in there or something!

Oh all this waiting and sign-spotting, its like trying to get pregnant all over again hanging on to every little symptom!! x

Vix i was thinking the ssame the other day, how labour symptom spotting was as bad as pg symptom spotting nutters the lot of us

peanut congratulations!

elusive @ apple&blackberry, how irritating that I can't actually tuck in.

alice it's nice to know you've got an end point. Hopefully you'll pop before then though!

Sounds promising dogwalker :)

MrsZaC you could go early, don't necessarily assume you'll be late. We'll all be waiting for you anyway!

//whinge warning//

I still can't shift this bloody thrush and it's absolute agony. The burning pain just about begins to subside and then he wants to feed again...cue razors slashing across my nipples for 20 mins til he's finished and another 2 hours of burning...I end up most feeds in tears but I really, really don't want to stop bfing. I got given another kind of med but everywhere online says to stop bfing if you take it rather defeats the purpose surely?! Doesn't help that I'm still only getting a combined total of about 4 hours sleep at night...

Vix - Under my ribs is sore too and when I woke up this morning LO was in the middle of a hiccuping fit in there so everything was juddering around!!

Just been having a really lazy morning, uploading some photos, doing tiny bit of housework, reading trashy novel. Going to have a shower now and go for a stroll round the park with my sis - lovely sunny afternoon, not too hot tho, phew! No signs that baby arrival is imminent so planning on just veg-ing out over the weekend, taking a few walks, drinking some frappucinos , baking some more muffins.

Not sure if anyone else has found this but feeling way too lazy and feather brained to meet up with friends a lot in the last week or two but have been really good about emailing/texting people who live a bit further afield the last couple of days, just to catch up with them before LO arrives. Really nice getting this flood of replies from friends i haven't seen in a few months!!

Flying post from me just to say Charlotte Mia finally arrived weighing 8lbs 15ozs at 06.08 yesterday! 10 days overdue.

After 3 days of braxton hicks and false starts had nothing all day Wednesday, contractions re-started at 11:45, waters went 00:30, at 04:15 I had a total breakdown stating I couldn't cope even though contractions were still irregular (3-7 mins) and lasting less then 40 seconds. DH insisted we went to the hospital and midwife finally backed down. Finally had an internal just after 05:00 and was declared fully dilated. After a 53 minute second stage she arrived.

Had an internal 2nd degree tear, epi and labial graze. Midwife was able to sew up epi but had to go to theatre for spinal for repair of tear.

I have to say though that the whole thing whilst scary and removed from my planned birth was manageable and totally worth it.

Sorry I haven't had time to read all the posts but congratulations to peanut, chin up to all the overdue ladies and good luck to anyone being induced.

This morning I was able to leave my 3 dc's with MIL and get my hair done, plus do my big stocking-up shop which cost me nearly £300! at the cheapest supermarket on the island. Anyway, I now have all the nappies, tissues and rubbish bags one could possibly want, and I'm officially ready for LO to come. Having just hit 38 weeks, I don't think it's too much to ask! Here's hoping.

Congratulations to peanutpie and JamieJay!!! Wonderful news, sorry about your tear, JJ, that sounds very unpleasant. (I had two hours of mw stitching after DS1 which I'll never be able to forget. It was worse than any part of the labour.) Here's a toast to quick labours and healthy new babes!

LIST
In Sweet Memory Of Belle, Daughter Of CazEM. Our First August Angel Was Born Asleep 21.6.10 at 00:08, 4lbs 5oz

ARRIVED
2 July (due 29 July) CherryPie - #3, BOY, Corey Owen, born 08:11, 8lbs 4oz.
18 July (due 25 July) Emster - #1, BOY, James, born 18:37, 8lbs 13oz
23 July (due 20 July) Aussie - #1, BOY, James (Jamie), born 02:50, 6lb 8oz
23 July (due 22 July) Chulita - #2, BOY, Samson William, born 01:15, 8lbs 3oz.
25 July (due 29 July) BouncingBlueberries - #2, BOY, Glenn, born 02:02, 7lbs 3oz.
25 July (due 4 August) Girlsyearapart - #3, GIRL, Matilda Queenie (Tilly), born 11:05, 8lb 10oz.
28 July (due 4 August) Kcoffin - #3, GIRL, Ruby Mae, born 14:49, 6lb 11oz.
2 August (due 19 August) Bubbabear - #1, BOY, Aiden Owen, born 10:20, 7lb 10oz.
2 August (on duedate) Dibbydab - #1, GIRL, Felicity Violet, born 04:13, weight?
3 August (due 29 August) Starshaker - #2 & 3, BOY & GIRL, Harry & Emilie, born 13:30, weight?
5 August (due 28 July) CazzyBabs - #4, GIRL, Poppy Susannah, born 05:04, 6lbs.
7 August (due 1 August) peanutpie - #2, GIRL, born 08:25, weight?
8 August (due 2 August) summerymummy - #2, BOY, born 08:38, 10lbs 6oz.
8 August (due 13 August) Neenz - #3, BOY, Daniel Jacob, born 02:23, 6lb 10oz.
8 August (due 2 August) CoronaAndLime - #2, GIRL, Amy, time, weight?
11 August (due 17 August) Doodleydoo - #2, BOY, born 04:00, 5lb 11oz.
12 August (due 2 August) JamieJay - #1, GIRL, Charlotte Mia, born 06:08, 8lb 15oz.

WAITING ROOM
01 Aug - Nikalah, #1, Dorset . Age 35, GIRL
05 Aug - RachelParker #1, age 26, Wandsworth, GIRL
07 Aug - NichyNoo, #1. Brussels, 30, BOY
07 Aug - Weehector #1, Largs, 36, BOY
08 Aug - ElusiveMoose #2 Kent, 33, BOY
08 Aug - DriedApricots #2, Surrey, SURPRISE
09 Aug - Alice #2 Suffolk, 25, BOY
09 Aug - thecoffeelady #2, Fleet, Hants, SURPRISE
11 Aug - CellyD #1, Walthamstow, SURPRISE
10 Aug - SayAnything #1, Brussels, 33, BOY
12 Aug - tunise, #4, Suffolk, 31, GIRL
14 Aug - LCRLCR #1, Brighton , 34, SURPRISE
14 Aug - Burkoid, #2 SURPRISE
14 Aug - babyducky #2, Brighton, 24, SURPRISE
15 Aug - LizzieA #1 Wirral, 33, BOY
15 Aug - thedogwalker #1, 37, Germany (originally from Halifax), BOY
16 Aug - parkgirl #1, GIRL
16 Aug - Tah2 #3, South Wales, SURPRISE
16 Aug - Vix206 #1, Leicester, 32, BOY
16 Aug - cakeywakey, #2, 32, GIRL
17 Aug - Doodleydoo #2 Kent, 34, SURPRISE
18 Aug - Isheisnthe #3 Camberley, FPH, 33, BOY
18 Aug - biddysmama #2, Lancashire, BOY
19 Aug - marzipananimal #1, York, 24 SURPRISE
20 Aug - JessieEssex #1, 33, SURPRISE
20 Aug - USMum27 #1, 26, Wandsworth, GIRL
21 Aug - CrunchieNutterII #2, 34, Devon, SURPRISE
22 Aug - Poncherello #2, North London, SURPRISE
23 Aug - chickieno1 #1, SURPRISE
23 Aug - loobyt #2, 34, Devon, SURPRISE
24 Aug - JaysFourth #4, 38, GIRL
24 Aug - growingbump2, #2, 25, Isle of Man, SURPRISE
25 Aug - Sal321, #1, age 31, Essex SURPRISE
25 Aug - Sam86 #2 Liverpool, GIRL
25 Aug - aendr #2, Huntingdonshire, 33, GIRL
25 Aug - Joey30, #1, Halifax - West Yorkshire, 30, BOY
25 Aug - Soontobefatnat #1 SE London, 30, BOY
26 Aug - pamplem0usse, 26, #1, Herts, SURPRISE
27 Aug - Jamiki #3, SURPRISE
28 Aug - LittleMissSnowShine, #1, 26, Belfast, SURPRISE
29 Aug - Hildainstant #1, Sunderland , 30, SURPRISE
29 Aug - Foxyjbro #3, 30, Shropshire, SURPRISE
29 Aug - LilyPad72 #1, 37, Berkshire , BOY
30 Aug - Sparkle #1, 31, Kent SURPRISE
31 Aug - vitapulchra, #4, Guernsey, 32, BOY
02 Sept - MrsZaC, #1, Glasgow, 26 SURPRISE
08 Sept - ronx, #2, London, 37, SURPRISE

BABY COUNT
Boys - 24
Girls - 16
Surprises - 23

TOTAL - 63

Congrats Peanut and JamieJay. Agree with Vita - the labia tear and the stitches will be what I most remember from J's birth (and the two weeks following where I had to run a bath every time I wanted to wee

Have to take J to the hospital on Monday for an assessment as he is still jaundiced He's feeding well and putting on weight and climbing up the percentiles so I don't understand why it is not clearing. Hoping for some sunshine this weekend so I can stick him in the conservatory for a few minutes to grill him a bit more!

Registering him next Tuesday then have appt with photographer for UK and Australia compliant passport photos!

Fingers crossed for more good news today.

Not having a good day here. Was booked for induction today and told to call the ward sometime during the day to ensure that they haven't had a sudden influx of emergencies and can still fit me in. So i'm happily doing my makeup at 9am thinking i'll call at 10, when i get a phonecall from a midwife who had clearly got out of the wrong side of bed asking why i wasn't there. Apparently the consultant should have told me to go in last night to start induction at 8am today. So now i've missed my slot and most likely have to wait until tuesday for the next one (actually my due date).

I spent the next 3 hours in tears as i was made to feel that this 'mistake' was my fault and i've somehow wasted their time.

phew- sorry to rant but i was all geared up for today and now i've REALLY had enough. If a consultant doesn't know how to book an induction correctly do they know what end the baby comes out...?

But thank you all very much for your good wishes, i have to call again at 6:30 on the offchance that they can admit me tonight. I hope your wishes work..... x

Aww Palace that's awful, I would be very upset if I were you as well :( Stupid people :(

Congrats to PeanutPie and JamieJay!

Cheers Elusive for the apple and blackberry crumble and I hope you find time for a snooze.

Oh Chulita my heart goes out to you, you seem to have been suffering for an eternity, I do hope you manage to get it sorted soon, you really are a trooper carrying on, an example to us all.

Congratulations Peanut and JamieJay.

Sending good vibes to Palace, hope they can fit you in tonight, hope you're not feeling too bad now, silly MW and sillier consultant. Fingers crossed for you.

Well I'm getting ready for the arrival of my Mum, she flies out later today, to stay for 3 weeks. Glad now that LO has waited as I've asked my Mum to be at the delivery with me and DH. So now its just a waiting game.

Take care everyone and I hope you are all having a good friday.

Not caught up with all messages but just to let you know that Samuel James arrived at 6.08pm on Wednesday 11th. Weighing 8.97lbs and 53cm long.

All happened very quickly - I was 5cm by the time I arrived at hospital and he was born 4 hours later. Got to 8cm dilated with no pain relief (no gas and air, no pethidine etc. available in Belgium) then had epidural but it only worked on one side....ouch!

Had to have episiotomy and ventuouse in the end as he was stuck. Stitches are painful but he is well worth it

Will log on again when I have time to think!!!! Good luck everyone!

Congratulations!!!

Thanks elusive that's be a show for me then. Shan't get too excited though just in case it is a good few days/weeks away still - I have no itention of leaving you at the end mrszac I'll have a word with the baby!

congrats to peanut nichy jamie and anyone else I forgot - all these babies coming along - very exciting!

How long Nichy?!?! J was 37cm! You've got a tall one there!

Congratulations!!!

Nikalah - no pressure but you've been head of the list for a while now

Hurrah it's the weekend. I know I'm on mat leave so it shouldn't matter but it's sooo nice when DH finishes for the weekend and can take "his son" while I have a bath!

Nichy congratulations! Well done for getting so far without any pain relief; it's such a shame that you can't have anything between nothing and a full on epidural over there. Anyway, all water under the bridge for you now . FWIW I had an episiotomy and ventouse last time, and I was really surprised how quickly the stitches stopped hurting, so hope it's the same for you too. Are you back home with your little one now?

Palace you poor, poor thing. I would be absolutely fuming. Still, try not to let it spoil these last few days (easy to say, I know). Can you plan a couple of nice treats for the weekend? Though I really hope they can fit you in tonight instead.

Where's that Hector got to, by the way? Not like her not to post all day, so maybe something's cooking over in Hectorland...?

Oh, and Vita, next time you happen to be updating the list, could you change my due date to the 7th? They changed it really early on, but back then it hardly seemed worth updating. But now that it means I'm 6 days late rather than 5, it suddenly seems rather more relevant .

Haven't heard from Cherry for a little while either - hope all's well with you.

Well, I've had a nice relaxing day with MIL here. Couldn't get to sleep in the end, but at least I've been able to sit around all day. Not looking forward to entertaining DS over the next few days, though - weather forecast looks GRIM.

chulita me too

We were clear for about a week but it's just come back with a vengance today

sounds extreme, but have you tried a vinegar wash on your nipples after each feed? we're sticking with the daktarin gel for another week then will try fluconazole if that fails.

I hate it. truly hate it. feels like history is repeating itself as we had exactly the same with ds1

Cherry here!!!

not even had a chance to read back yet but wanted to wish all the new mums congratulations!!! I saw star and neenz news on fb and was chuffed for them.

Breastfeeding going much better now although still got very sore cracked nipples - I'm getting through it with the use of nipple shields - an absolute godsend!!!

We went to the docs for the thrush that both me and Corey had and he gave us nystatin medicine for Corey (1ml 4x a day) and clotrimazole cream for his bottom. I was prescribed 2 days of fluconozole for me - fingers crossed no more burning feeds up to now! I wish speedy recoveries to those still suffering with it (blueberries, chulita) I know how horrid it is but you two seem to have had it from the birth! Hope it goes away soon :).

Got a lovely present from dh's grandma - her nursing chair!! I was so honoured to receive it and it helps enormously with nightly feeds. It doesn't rock or anything but it's just such a gorgeous high (and I mean high) backed chair - I just need to find an official place for it because at the moment it's just there at the side of the bed with a cushion on it. Ooh speaking of cushions...I went along to my 'bosom buddies' bfing support group a couple of weeks ago and it's fab! They've ordered me a free bra from Royce and gave me loads of lansinoh and avent goodies I love freebies!! They've got loads of tips I found helpful like changing the position for feeding Corey - we now use the rugby ball position which is proving to be wonderful, I just feel very immobile when feeding but at least I'm still breastfeeding - never thought I'd get this far so I'm very proud of myself :).

Right I'm off to trail back through the thread to find out what you've all been up to and what I've been missing :)

Love to all xxxxxx

Hello everyone. Right, first things first;
Huge congratulations to Dibbydab, Starshaker, CazzyBabs, peanutpie, summerymummy, Neenz, CoronaAndLime, Doodleydoo and JamieJay There, hope i havent missed anybody! im afraid i have missed all the posts in the last week or so. Its only because of my Iphone that ive managed to check emails & go on facebook as it takes seconds!

Ive added a few photos of Aidan on my MN profile now (i think!) for anyone who is not on facebook & wants a little peak.

Just popping on to say how much im enjoying having my little boy to cuddle really! The last 11 days have mostly been absolutely wonderful :)
Am still a bit sore but nothing like last week & starting to feel more like me again which is great as im a very impatient patient and dont like being forced to 'take it easy'!

I did have a big 'baby blues' day on the 4th day, although i did have a reason. Unfortunately i had to give up on the breastfeeding after about 4/5 days :( On the 4th day my milk came in but I got so much of it that Aidan wasnt able to latch on (which he'd been brilliant at at first). Plus if he did it was only for about 10 minutes & didnt seem to be getting much, if anything. (The midwife said you can sometimes get so much it becomes blocked apparently). It was also very painful. After about 3 failed attempts on the Friday to feed him we decided to give him bottled formula as it was just so heartbreaking thinking that his little tummy was empty. I tried expressing for about 3 days without any luck & more pain before making the decision to just stick with the formula. Was very upsetting but at least he got the collostrum and now I can see how much milk he's getting (& he loves it) & is gaining weight nicely.

Went to get him registered today after a bit of an emotional phone call to the register office. At first they said the first appointment they could give me was Friday next week which would have meant DP would be back at work in Wales & unable to come. They are only open Mon-Fri too (he's only here on weekends). They also said because we're not married he has to be there or wont be on the birth certificate (like he's any less of a father because we dont have a bit of paper saying we're married!). Made me really annoyed but ended up bursting into tears on the phone (how long does it take for hormones to sort themselves out??). Anyways, after a bit of a tearful rant at the poor woman on the phone she miraculously managed to fit us in this morning! So now Aidan's all official with his daddy's name & everything

Cheered myself up a bit earlier by trying on a suitcase full of my pre-pregnancy clothes & virtually everything fits - wohoo! Its like having a whole new wardrobe! Plus could get into my favourite jeans, double wohoo!! Only thing is that although i can get them on & do them up, the excess tummy skin or 'jelly belly' as i call it kinda flops over the top when i sit down & so kinda spoils my triumph at the mo! lol Really need to tone up & getting a bit of gym withdrawal as sad as that sounds, but dont worry, not intending on doing any exercise just yet! Will start with some gentle swimming next month methinks...

Sorry for huge post. Hope everyone who has their LOs are not too tired / stressed & enjoying all the cuddles. Sending everyone still in the waiting room positive, quick labour vibes & double yummy chocolate muffins x

Congratulations to all those fantastic new arrivals! Some brilliant birth stories there.

I am joining chulita, blueberries and cherry in the thrush camp - oh the joy. Fingers crossed it clears up soon... We have the Nystatin stuff for James - any tips on how to get it into him? He spat most of it straight out when I tried with the spoon. The health visitor said it came with a dropper but it doesn't seem to - only a spoon. I have a syringe I could use but not sure taht's a good idea?

We didn't get to sleep until 4am last night so am really really hoping for a better night tonight!

Emster Corey had nystatin and the dropper is attatched to the lid on ours - could the pharmacy have given you the wrong kind of bottle? They might have one they could give you if you ask tho.
I don't think there would be any problem using a syringe but in my experience with Corey the dropper was best. He's currently on lactulose as well as nystatin made him constipated. He hasn't pooped in 7 days!! Doctor not worried as bfed babies can apparently go up to 10days without a b/m . Think I'd be having kittens!! He now needs to have 5ml of lactulose syringed into his ever open mouth twice a day - I usually have to wash his hair after every dose cos he slops it out lol.

Bubba Don't feel bad about not breastfeeding honey, you have to do whats best for you!!! You tried it and gave it your best efforts and like you said - he got the 'liquid gold' colostrum so he's had a fantastic start. :)

Evening ladies!

Muchos congrachos to nichy peanut jamie & doodley ...think I've got you all there. Oh how we wished they'd get a wriggle on and now they're rolling out, I'm more concerned about remembering everyone...how cool that we are blasé about our glut of babies instead of bargaining with God to take our shoe collections if only we could be mummies...

alice & elusive I'll take the lemon & poppy muffin & some blackberry pie with cream as I'm starving...can offer up banana bread with choc chips as a trade if interested? It's not my finest effort to date but making it was a distraction last night.

palace poor you. What a shit situation to be in just because of a misunderstanding..as if you would not turn up at your allocated time. Where was the phone call last night when they would have run through the checklist of admissions? Sounds like a defensive call
this am. Try not & let them upset you (burning effigies, baking cakes & 1980s films is keeping me slack jawed & drooling just now)..easier said than done given the circs & the build up you put yourself through for these things but really cheering for you that you get a slot tonight.

The headline in today's Hectorland Gazette is that I'm hopeful I'll be in the next sweep of new mummies (see what I did there? Possibly a new collective noun..). I didn't say next because I'm scared of nikalah But anyways, it seems all the on/offness of the last few weeks hasn't been in vain as a sweep at lunchtime revealed I am already pretty much fully effaced, 2-3cm dilated, cervix is soft & I could be hours rather than days. I'm in no pain whatsoever but have curious sensations, found the sweep a doddle compared to a smear test & just seem a bit too mellow about the whole thing now...think it's a combination of the hypnobirthing & relief that my instincts re my body were right..I'd have been gutted to go today and told that a sweep wasn't possible. Soooo, how long is the string in Hectorland?..who knows but in the meantime there's salmon for dinner, Casino Royale as tonight's show & possibly some popcorn.

PS film of the week so far - Mikael Baryshnikov in White Nights. Only downside is you find yourself humming Phil Collins & Lionel Ritchie ballads for days. So not cool.

Oh and Emster....hope tonights a better night for you :)

Aaaah, weehector could you just remind mewhat a nap feels like please?

WeeHector so pleased for you that things are going the right way. Much as i am getting impatient, i would feel bad having baby before you or Nikalah! I have decided to view next thursday (40+10 c section date) as my 'due' date now as i know that baby Fred will be here by then and if he comes before then what a bonus

My bump seems to have shrunk! Literally, even DH has noticed, can only guess that it is because baby is becoming more engaged. We are planning on a weekend of final bits of housework (getting the 'big' hoover out, mopping the floors etc, stuff that knackers me out now) and a meal out.