DueJan 06 - third trimester and we're on a roll

[iris66]

Here we go then girls - a nice shiny new thread!!I was going to call it "backs, bumps & boobs" but that sounded like all we do is whinge about them! lol

Iris - we have had diarrhoea like a cement mixer before now! It's always difficult to judge whether or not to take him to the vet but I am holding off until he seems 'not himself' because frankly this is fairly typical and last time it cost me £40 for some canine probiotics (if you please) and a shot of antibiotics. I do have insurance but with a £65 excess. He is like an ostrich and it's not so much the chewing but the swallowing that is the problem. Tickle - is your DH a vet then? How useful...!

Iris - I also expect a silver cross supplier would have a mattress and in fact Mothercare do loads of different sizes for prams so you may be lucky there. I need a new Jane carseat/carrycot mattress but will measure up in case I can get one from MC. I'm really struggling with sleep, I seem to sleep like a baby (?) within the curves of my sofa but bed seems so flat, even with pillows. I know exactly what you mean about bump comments, people are so rude! One friend keeps saying 'well you don't look like seven months' which I think is because the rest of me is bigger this time. I am just waiting for the first person to touch my bump (do the rest of you hate it or love it?) I hate it! (apart from close family). Complete strangers are the worst. They wouldn't stroke your boobs would they? I have quite a sticky out retainer in my belly button to keep my piercing open (here's hoping for a flat stomach again!) and if anyone touches that they will be really freaked

Sweetkitty - glad the sleep training is going well, its hard enough to have two little ones close together, I had 3 under 4 at one stage and if they hadn't slept I probably would have gone mad.

Rachey - quick q - what's the retainer? My sis is about 8 wks pg in Australia, and has taken her belly button piercing out, but I don't think she is doing anything about keeping it open. If it's good I'll pass on the tip! Oh, and dh is a vet, yes, v useful! Ask away... (Mind you, bit far away to be any real use!) on bath duty, so better go....

Hi all - quiet today isn't it?!
Had a bit of a crap day as had to cancel all clients because DD was ill. There's a particularly horrid virus going around here at the mo (12hrs of D&V with raging temp & flu like symptoms). She's much better this evening but I'm keeping everything crossed that I don't get it and am taking her to see a homeopath tomorrow!!

Lyra - the only thing I can think of re your mattress is to get the dimensions & ring round all the baby company suppliers - alternatively have you tried googling mattress makers? - might prove rather expensive though

Sweetkitty - hope your DD has a better night tonight & that you get some rest. It's bad enough when you wake yourself up needing the loo fifty times a night without being woken by a little one in between too (you have my sympathy!)
Night night all! (smile)

Forgot to add - Rachey - I love belly piercings!! v jealous of your obviously toned bod. If I had one it would get lost in the rolls! - I would consider a line up either side of my spine though to put laces through...instant tummy lift!

Rachey - wow 3 under 4! That must have been great fun but hard work.

I took my belly button piercing out at about 20 weeks last time as it was sticking out so much and looked odd under clothes, haven't got round to getting it repierced since, my belly button is sticking out more this time round though, last time it just got level.

Quite a good night with DD, she had about 2 wakenings with crying but the minute you go in and settle her back she goes straight back to sleep so it's not so bad (combined it with the toilet breaks).

Took me ages to get comfy to go to sleep last night

Today am going to get all DD's little clothes out and have a sort out, am quite looking forward to it.

Well last day in Greece today, London tomorrow then off to NZ day after so it is all over. Can't believe it but am feeling a bit more tired now maybe it is the winding down at the end of the trip. It will be nice to have a normal shower, and our own bed in a couple of weeks when we get into our own place.
I have no idea how much weight I put on but feel huge compared to last time, oh well can't do anything about it, hopefully it'll all come off quickly as well. (well dreams are free...)
Albania was fantastic, the people were so helpful and friendly and we had a great time. Have found Greece a bit of a contrast actually although still not bad.
Will chat again when I get back to NZ.
Good luck with all the challenges, can't believe it is less time till d? comes than we have been on the road....

Hi all,

Silver cross pram was a disappointment, much too rusty. So the quest goes on.... My mum offerred to buy me a new one, but it just doesn't seem right to spend £600 when I'm sure there's an immaculate second hand one out there for much much less, it's just a question of finding it.

I had quite a busy day today, going to see the pram took ages, as we got lost despite the AA autoroute instructions. Then we went to a big nursery ware shop to look at new prams and all that took all morning. Cleaning this afternoon, with the help of my cleaner, with me following along behind doing the things she doesn't always have time for, that was quite tiring really, but glad to get it done. The big cleaning thing only happens once every 2 weeks, so it does all get horribly filthy.

Grot wet weather here today in Manchester, but managed to dodge the showers and take Bella out this pm with my friend Karen and her dog Charlie, that was fun.

Iris

Hope your dd is feeling much better by now - don't forget probiotics to help get her gut back in shape after all that d and v. Hope the homeopath was a help. I took my dd for quite a while to help her grow out of wetting the bed, and I think it was helpful on the whole. I'm wondering about taking her about her puberty, she's having a very oily time with skin and hair, and at 10 years old, she's not that able to deal with washing her long hair every other day (which is what it needs at the moment) and doing a good skin care routine.

Gospel choir tonight, so dh and I will be having a good old sing, and seeing friends too, so that'll be fun.

Chuffed - your adventures sound fab! Am you have the energy for them, takes me all my time to go for a 15 minute walk right now.

Lyra - shame about the Silver Cross I'm still trying to justify to DP (and myself) that we need an e3 explorer for new babe and DD. Am hoping he goes to see them think the side by sides are too big and cumbersome and falls in love with the e3. One way of looking at it is if you get a new one keep it in good condition you will get a great resale price for it

Got DDs baby things out today, despite her it being summer when she was born she does have a lot of newborn and 0-3 month clothes that will do for DD2. Strange seeing them all again they are so tiny and immaculate not like DDs clothes now that are covered in stains from her trying to feed herself. Reckon I will only need a dew new outfits and little things like scratch mitts so thats good.

30 weeks today and this baby feels like it is getting too big for in here. My whole rib cage is so tender and uncomfortable. Coupled with the SI pain it's making me miserable right now. When are they supposed to drop, can't remember DD ever dropping though.

Right moan over away to start dinner.

Hi all, Chuffed - you are amazing and should get some kind of endurance award, maybe you should have written a book about your adventures?!

Lyra - shame about the pram, so the hunt goes on? I am in a xmas shopping frenzy, I think I have got an elusive PSP for ds1 (all his xmas and birthday presents!) they sell out of online stores within minutes but I subscribed to a crafty email notification service to tell me where they were instantly in stock. I also have 3 on order... not sure whether to cancel or sell em on ebay for a huge profit. Is your ds a gaming addict?

What are all your kids must-haves this year? Ds2 wants a roboraptor, luckily I have money from all the family to spend.

Tickle - took Billy to the vet tonight, he (apart from being about 25 and gorgeous ) reckons it is colitis caused by eating inedibles or a little stuck something but at least he doesn't have an infection, I am down £40 again! I have posted a pic of him on yahoo - very difficult to capture his personality because he has black eyes in a black face. Vet also reckons that his gammy willy is caused by him licking his ahem... semen! So glad I asked...

my belly thing came from Ouch!

www.naveljewellery.co.uk

Iris - you really are deluded about my toned tummy, I have piled on about 3 stone in the last year or so (long story) and I have the pics on yahoo to prove it now! The first picture is a nice flattering one of me n dp going to a black tie wedding and the other one (taken a month later believe it or not, just before I got preg) is a very unflattering one (dp would kill me if he knew) of us both hot n sweaty, after a swim (my hair, honestly...) with an elephant and yes we did ride her - virtually bareback!

Luckily my weight is all on my ass and my boobs, my waist remains and so my piercing is that last bit of my pre-pregnant sexuality! Other people have told me if you take it out it heals up in days and it is my incentive to shift some flab for next summer. My bump is very flat this time, I'm sure my placenta is right at the front. I don't think you are necessarily supposed to engage until labour after the first one, I never did with ds1 actually, he was only ever 2/5 - big head!

Hope dd is better?

Sweetkitty - 3 under 4 was lots of fun! It was the only couple of years (3?) that I haven't worked. It was a little hard when my car got stolen and I had to push a double buggy with ds1 hanging on, everywhere! I used to have to take dd to the loo with me cos her brothers loved her so much they would suffocate her with toys or bounce her chair till she neearly flew out! She just fitted right in with the other two, there was no time for worrying about anything, we just got on with it.

Obviously my children are not old enough yet - what is a PSP?

Agree with sweetkitty on the new Silver Cross, as long as you have space to store it inside (its own garage perhaps??) Then later, if you can bear to part with it, you will get plenty for it

[Rant warning!] Stressing tonight about our cottage in Cornwall that we are renting out (it's in a totally unique situation, so we couldn't bring ourselves to sell it). We have just shelled out to have hot water installed (no, when we were living there there was no running hot water!) & a couple of new windows fitted, but now more costs just seem to come flooding in...

The water comes from a private spring, which we had tested last month and it failed so I have to ring the council & find out what water treatment we need. On top of this, the tenants emailed tonight to say the washing machine has packed up... and a reconditioned hotpoint or creda with 6mths guarantee will be £160.. plus £35 call out to diagnose problem. Hmmm - Would you buy a reconditioned machine? They say they hope we agree to pay for it cos it is being delivered on Saturday Don't get me wrong they are nice people, and a baby due imminently, but I would have liked some discussion maybe!

They are on what I feel is a really low rent for a 2 bed cottage (£350/month) on the basis that they are supposed to be taking care of it & its acre of garden for us. I don't mind paying for stuff to improve the house - the hot water, the windows - but I hate paying for stuff that has just broken cos of wear n tear

Sorry for the rant! Probably should be on another thread, but I feel I know you guys better

Just made some fab Christmas cupcakes a la Nigella; practising recipes for a Christmas fair that we will have up at the nature centre...

...anyone want one?

Hiya, just a real quickie - sorry not been on the thread much and not had time to catch up either so am probably missing some important stuff!

I've been told this morning that my sugar levels are high and I'm waiting to talk to the diabetes midwife (she's meant to be ringing - will keep trying her number through the afternoon though).

Has anyone else had a high result after a GTT and how are you managing it?

Hope all are well - I currently feel pretty rubbish, so am hoping that sorting out my sugar levels will help.

Hi hm - sorry no experience of high sugar, but I'm sure it would make you feel off colour, so hope you can get it under control Good luck

Update on wash machine... have calmed down a bit, spoken to the company concerned & decided against recon machine - ordered one online from John Lewis with 2 yr guarantee & better spin speed to boot. Let's hope that's the last we hear of that!

Was feeling a bit off colour yersterday, but nothing specific... got the kids dressed this morning then my vision went all funny - used to get it with migraines but haven't had one for years. So DH took kids to school etc, and I went back to bed. Still a bit pale & achey, but vision restored

Hope everyone doing ok. x

Grrrrrr to stupid man that pulled out in front of me and then yelled at me about learning how to drive (gave back as good as I got mind you). Grrrrrr to back ache. Grrrr to braxton hicks and GRRRRRRRR to stroppy 4 year olds that think they rule the world!

Hormones have def kicked in and basically want to rip people's heads off!

HM - I had gestational diab with DD. I was able to control it with diet and pricking finger four times a day to test blood sugar. I tihnk they do the same over here as in the States. Diet thing isn't much fun (wave bye bye to ice cream, cakes, cookies etc.... ohh but you might be able to get away with diabetic chocs from Thorntons!) as type of food I could eat was fairly limited and I had to eat at same time every day... breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, supper, snack. Oh and i had to wee on a stick every morn to check keytone levels.

Tickle - yes please to a cup cake. Actually, might make some with DD this weekend.

Am v impressed with the body piercings girls! Have got ears done (and did the 90's thing of 3 in one ear and 2 in other). Got nose pierced in '95, but it feel out and was too painful to get back in! Have however got two tattoos..... small one of rose on my hip (first act of rebellion when I went to uni) and sign for Chinese year of the snake for when DD was born on the small of my back. Only prob is that I feel as if I should get one for DD2 when she's born.....but where?

Lyra - how can you only have gained 7lbs?! Not fair. Have gained nearly 2 stone!!!!!!!!

Oh god, that's made me so depressed I@m off to raid the cookie jar!!!!!!

G xx

Hiya peeps - a quick post as I've just woken up (well, it was a doze between kicks really!) and sneed food!! Had GTT this morning at "oh my god it's early" o'clock (why can't they give you the results there & then?) but as I was kicked awake at 3am & couldn't get comfy again I was a bit dopey to say the least.

Humkermunker - sorry yours turned out high (am keeping findgers crossed for mine). My blurb from the hospital said that the nurses would give me a list of things I could/couldn't eat if it was diet controllable. I presume it would mean going on a low GI diet (as was in all the papers a few months back) as that's what my dad's supposed to follow (he's diabetic).

Tickle - your cottage sounds lovely!! Think the washing machine saga would have got anyone stressed (could it have been your blood pressure yesterday btw?)

Sweetkitty - I cried buckets when I got DD's old things out. I was amazed at how much I'd saved!!

Anyway - got to get food. Hope you all have a lovely bonfire night!

Never had a GTT (fingers crossed) so no experience there, DD and I have just polished off a packet of jaffa cakes between us - why can't I have cravings for apples?

Tickle - think you have done the right thing, when my washing machine broke for the 2nd time in as many years the engineer said todays machines aren't built to last unless you pay £1000 for one, don't expect anymore than 2-3 years use before they break.

Georgie - I had mad woman beeping at me this morning (OK probably part my fault) but still

Had antenatal appt this morning met other midwife on my team (very nice) she was well impressed about the homebirth and said it was a great idea given how quick DD was for a first labour (I know this one is going to be longer though just to spite me) also met registrar who booked me in for an appt on 20th Jan (due date 14th Jan) to discuss possible induction). Why are they obsessed by induction? I said I would not be keeping that appt thank you.

Have finally pumped up exercise ball it is lovely and am sitting on it to type this much comfier than computer chair. DD keeps trying to play with it though.

Off to try and get DD off for a nap and maybe have one myself.

Sorry to hear everyone's having a crap day! Hope it all gets sorted out. Tickle, that cottage sounds fab - watch your bp if you are getting headaches please! A PSP is a (very expensive) portable playstation and it arrived this morning, as did ds2's roboraptor in an enormous box - these are coming from several people in my family and they won't be getting much else, can't wait to see their faces on teh day.

Hunkermunker - I had a negative result from my GTT so sorry I can't add anything new.

I went to hydotherapy aquanatal this morning and it was fab, felt like nothing but I'm really aching now.

Billy Boner is on scrambled eggs now which I lovingly prepare for him. I went upstairs to play on the eye toy (another playstation jumping around game - cleaning virtual windows etc) and came back down to find Billy had knocked down a box of 11 eggs and ate them...... possibly some of the shell as well - I don't think I can tell the vet

Popped into tesco for lunch and a paper and got myself a mother and baby sticker so I can park at the front (despite not actually having a baby...)

Have a good weekend all, my kids are with their dad so am looking forward to some relaxation and maybe a grown up firework display off the pier tomorrow night (if the weather isn't awful).

Hi

Here I am up early again, couldn't sleep because my nose was all blocked today, I feel an afternoon nap beckoning already....

Rachey

My ds also wants a psp for xmas, but as they cost over £100 (and that is my spending limit per child at xmas) he is saving all his xmas money and getting one after, hopefully in the sales. How much did you pay for yours? Do you think we'll struggle to get one after as there's so much demand?

I had a morning in Town yesterday, cashing in all my Boots parenting club vouchers at the big Boots : Now I have a new Huggies changing bag - perfectly fine, although I'd have chosen a rucksac style given the choice - and lots of cosmetics, lotions, potions and gorgeous bubble bath to pamper myself with. It was well worth joining, so thanks for that recommendation Rachey.

Does everyone know about child tax credit and working family tax credit? It's money you can claim from the govt if your income is below a certain limit. If your joint income is below £52K, you are entitled to £85 per month (maybe more if you have more than 2 children), and less if it's below £55K. That's child tax credit. I think your income has to be considerably less to claim working fam cred. I've sent off for the forms, they're a pain to fill in (not finished yet), but worth it if you get an extra £85 every month. That is my plan this morning with getting up early - get the forms finished. As you can see, I haven't got straight down to it, but I will, I will!

Morning Lyra.... DD woke up at 6.30am, almost unheard of for her so have been watching cartoons with her snuggled up on sofa since 7am.

Think i'm going to make her and DH pancakes (American astyle) for breakfast this morning. Maybe with some bacon and fresh fruit....

Am also sleeping badly so waking up at about 5am needing a wee and then can't get back to sleep.....and my dreams would keep a therapist happy for months!!!

Am loving the doogy stories. Rachey, your woofer sounds like a right handful! I remember our first dog, Oscar, eating an entire wooden spoon because mum had used it to stir the spag bol! He was part labrador too!

Iris - loved your photo's. You cetainly don't look old enough to have a grown up DD. Hope DD still wants to hang out with her aged mum when she gets to be that age!

Have also joined the exercise ball club. Good god they are worth every penny.

Anyone else feeling REALLY uncomfortable by the end of the day? Feel like my tummy is going to split in two. So tight. And back hurts and acid reflux is grim and the wind....... holy cow , just as well DH loves me unconditionally!

And with that lovely thought, I'll leave you to enjoy your day!

G xx

Georgie

Yes the tummy splitting feeling is happening to me too. My friend advised me to do more oiling and using of fine ungents (?), so that's what I'm doing, and so far so good, altho I have to say it feels like the stretching is going on much deeper than just my skin. Feels like muscles or womb doing the stretching.

P.S. Still haven't done my paperwork . Been sitting here surfing mn and now I'm thinking of a lovely warm bath with my new Boots Meditterranean collection thyme and lemon verbena bath milk. Sounds tempting doesn't it?

morning all - glad you mentioned the Boots Parenting club Lyra. I haven't heard anything since applying so will address that later! - I could do with some pampery type goodies!!

The hosp phoned yesterday evening to say I failed my GTT (not by much apparently but I'm not surprised, given how apalling my diet has been recently)and so I have to go on a diet for 2 weeks. I've got a mw appt at the hospital on Sun to teach me what I should be eating (good slap on the wrist would have done it really!) should be interesting

The baby is still lying sideways and it's becoming really uncomfortable when he stretches out. Am with you on the stomach splitting feeling Georgie & Lyra !! A warm bath seems to ease it (lemon verbena...yum...I wish) and, as you said, lashings of cream - I'm using the Avent one at the mo it smells gorgeous.

Talking of Christmas - if anyone comes across somewhere that has black iPod nanos (why are children always soooo specific) please let me know. Am having a pig of a job trying to track one down for DD. Off for food now (low sugar and low GI - obviously ) chat later.

Have fun tonite bonfire night everyone. But have a thought for my brother David, it's his busiest nite of the year - he's a fireman.

Got myself a super duper new maximum supportive bra today, they look so perky now! The lady in John Lewis didn't want to sell me a nursing bra, as she thought they were going to grow some more. Help! My breast are taking over the world!

Forgot to ask - what are you up to tonight? We are off to friends for food, and then to let off fireworks in the park together. Hope my heartburn settles down in time for the sausages.

Ooh Lyra, don't mention sausages! A good banger at this time of year is something I really MISS Danish susages just don't measure up - too salty & not enough herbs Going off in a sausage slump now

Have just been on Yahoo and think we are all sooo lucky! (excuse me - am having an emotional moment) Beautiful children and adorable animals sniff*
However.... (rant alert!)
I'm now officially on my first ever diet - bloody GTT!!!!! grrrrrrrrrrr
Thought I'd only have to keep a record for 2 weeks but it's actually until I deliver!!(with a check up in 2 weeks) Have to keep blood sugar below 9 or I can't have a "supported" home birth ie MW will attend as legally obliged to but all responsibility & risk would be mine (humph!!!). Tend towards low GI diet anyway (normally, that is, unless binging on honey on toast,chocolate & fruit as per the past few weeks!) so I'm hoping it should be fairly straightforward. Not looking forward to all the finger pricking though!!!!

Georgie - have you got to have a GTT this time as you had to monitor last?

Tickle - are you feeling better? Millie was much better this year with the DAP diffuser btw (thanks) she was still a bit wide eyed and nervous looking but not nearly as shakey.

Lyra - how's your cold. DD's flu last week scared me to death . She collapsed in a dead faint on the kitchen floor!! Hope yours isn't too bad.

Got ot go & stick dinner on. chat soon