April 2011 - towards motherhood boucing on yoda balls, eating coc pops and riding frozen surfboards we are

[SnapFrakkleAndPop]

Raspberry leaf and all round.

Continuation from here. No Mofo C bombs yet been dropped in the delivery room although our first 2 babies have arrived. Congrats to gormers and Jo, we hope your little ones are still doing great.

I hate to say it MrsW, but your mum is right, you will most probably get little episodes like that for weeks. But they all mean something. It could be your uterus toning or the baby getting into a good position

Hello peeps, still here, the sickness was obviously just something I ate, no other symptoms (except "in the other direction" this morning TMI!) so back to waiting. Slightly disappointed in a way, but also glad as still have nice meetings with friends lined up that I would like to fit in first!

Thanks for washing advice, did a big load yesterday with an extra rinse, and then got all emotional hanging it all out as did DP when he came back! SOOO cute! Trying to decide which babygro we like the best for bringing bubs home in. Only then I feel all superstitious about counting chickens....

Thanks ILTMIMI - and fingers crossed they are BH.. come on uterine muscles get practising!

When are you due Daisy I'm sure all these things must be a sign of heading in the right direction!

Congrats on DPs job lucie My DP also found out last night that he is definitely going away for work starting Monday!!!! Aaagghh!!

I suspected she would be right ILTMI ho hum, will just have to wait patiently!

Oh no MrsWajs :( is your mum or anyone local.. (just incase?) Is it just for the week?

6th April, so not long - eugh, hope this doesn't last till then, though!!

Morning ladies!

lucie fab new on the job from for your DP. What a relief you must feel.

I frightened the life out of myself last night thinking the baby had stopped moving. I've been feeling movements almost constantly for the last few weeks. At 10 last night could remember the last time i felt him move. Queue me tearing round the house like a maddee, on the yoda ball, chugging full fat freezing cold glasses of irn bru, putting ice on my bump then trying a hot water bottle. I was panicking, as was DH but you wouldn't have guessed it. He will be a rock when I go into labour. Eventually baby woke up. And stayed up all night! Serves me right really. Anyone else getting the paranoid feelings now? 3 weeks of this and I might be committed!

Nipples, I've been leaking for a while now, but I was a bit when it appeared to be coming out of multiple holes. I had to show DH who was grossed out by it and will probably never go near my boobs again. He thought it was entirely normal but did admit he hadn't thought about it before. I really expected to be only one hole like a bottle teet.

DH back to work today, and it looks like he'll be sleeping in the spare room until baby arrives. We are both sleeping better so even though I feel guilty about kicking him out of the marital bed sleeping well for me is more important!!

Anyone any top tips on how to keep my maternity jeans from falling down?? I always had a 2 bump thing going so my jeans still sat quite high, but now they have to sit under my bump and I'm forever hauling them up! belts are out, I did think about braces, but don't know where to get them from!

Hello April ladies - just checking in quickly, I've been in hospital, which has a rubbish signal, so I haven't been keeping up. (Although I did get drawn into a particularly nasty thread about baby names - which I've had to hide because it was raising my BP!) Had a bad kidney infection, which started contractions, which they've managed to stop - for now. It's soo good to be home.

The good news is that they have agreed not to let me go overdue this time- but in that event I wouldn't be able to have baby at the local MLU. The main hospital is about a 20mile round trip, which is a pain esp with two other DC's to organise.

I am really fed up of people telling me how huge I am too. I actually feel smaller than I did with the others. We're definately in "ooh still here then/have you had it yet" territory! With Ds I went two weeks over, and the lollipop lady at Dd's school said one morning "ooh still here then" - I felt like saying "No I'm a figment of your bloody imagination - stupid woman!" but I didn't. I know people mean well but [sigh].

The Mw that admitted me to hospital is the same one who delivered Ds - she confirmed that currently this one is also Back to Back. She admitted that her son was too, and she had an epidural at 2cms. This is the midwife who made me walk the grounds of the hospital for two hours after my waters broke, to move things along - wish I'd known the epidural thing then.

They also lied and said they'd given me pethadine... but maybe thats a story for another time.

Right - I'm going to try to catch up now... (Been trying to convince Dh that I need an Ipad because he takes the laptop to work, and Mning from my phone is hard work.) [waddles off muttering can't believe we haven't had more babies]

Morning all,
Aussie and anyone else who fancies baking here's the choc chip cookie recipe:
250g plain flour; half teaspoon bicarbonate of soda; half teaspoon salt; 170g melted unsalted butter; 200g soft dark brown sugar; 100g caster saugar; 1 tbs vanilla extract; 1 egg; 1 egg yolk (though I've skipped this recently as I then have to think about what to do with the left over white); 300g choc chops.
Cream together melted butter, brown sugar and caster sugar then beat in the vanilla and eggs. Sift in flour, bicarb and salt and mix til just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips. The recipe I have then says to use 4 tablespoons of dough per cookie on greased trays but I've found they work better by putting the dough in cling film to make a long dough sausage (or 2) and putting in the fridge for a while. Then slice off 1-2cm per cookie and put on the greased baking tray. Bake at 170 for about 12 minutes and they should be cooked but chewey. They do spread quite a lot.

The advantage of the fridge method is you can just cook them in batches, I'm hoping this means that DH and I won't eat all 40 of them in a week like we did last time!

I'm quite of everyone having labour signs. My doctor thought the baby was in the right position but still 4/5 palpable yesterday, so barely engaged. I had thought s/he had moved down the other day but maybe has moved back up a bit :( I've had a few BH but not every day but any means.

Lis I'm glad yesterday went as well as it could.

I wish my gran could have been around to meet my baby (she died 4 years ago).

My labour bag snacks all seem to be biscuit based - chocolate digestives, fig rolls (hoping they might help with toilet issues afterwards), and apple and sultana crispy slices. Maybe I should grab some bananas too when the time comes.

DH asked last night if he should pack a book I suggested one of the baby books, then he might at least read something useful!

Morning :)

Happy EDD Petal! Do you have anything planned? When I was due with DS, I made the mistake of sitting about all day just willing something to happen - and was very disappointed!!

Lis - I'm so glad the funeral went well, and always nice when you can laugh through the sadness :)
I haven't worn jeans at all this pg because they bugged the hell out of me so much when I was pg with DS. Have you got any leggings that you can wear for the last few weeks? I never found a way to keep mat. jeans up - they are a disaster.

MrsW - I had that whole day of niggles and tightenings etc last week, and then nothing but a few BHs since - so it may be a sign, or it may not!

lucie - that is fab news about DPs job - yay!

Beetle/ILTMI - we have Hungry Caterpillar things here too I have a lovely outfit for the baby, and I bought DS some pjs. They had some new, different outfits in Sainsbury's yesterday but I managed to resist the temptation to sling loads in the trolley!

LouLou - glad you are ok. Are they planning to induce on your EDD then? How long have you got to go?

I had a rubbish night's sleep last night, feel utterly drained today.
On the plus side, our new fridge-freezer was delivered yesterday, and DH has already transferred everything across and put the old one through into the garage as a spare - AND cleaned up after himself! I think he must be nesting too because I didn't have to harass him at all.

Happy EDD Petal :)

I gave in and got some men's braces last pg to hold up my jeans. I must have looked a sight but i was comfy :)

This time i'm a bit smaller and still fitting in my over-bump jeans that stay up nicely. Well i've had to put a hairband round the end of the elastic & the button to 'extend' the waistband!

Off for a position scan later just to check, am pretty sure baby is head down though.
Had a good appt with nice MW yesterday, she gave me her mobile number & numbers of 2 other 'good' MWs so i don't have to rely on the hospital picking whoever's at the top of the duty list who may not be totally supportive, yey :)

lucieloo congrats to dp

loulou oh no re hosp but good they wont let you go over

chilli mmm fig rolls

kitty fig rolls are the marmite of the biscuit world - you either love them or hate them :)

As many of you are planning on using re-usable nappies I've a quick question: I've got loads of two part nappies from a friend, similar to the Mothercare smart nappies, but we've only got 4 of the outer wraps in the smallest size. Although these (in theory) don't need washing at every change how many do I really need? I'm thinking 4 just won't be enough, even if they do dry quickly.

Morning all,

chilli Just reading your recipe has made my mouth water! I'm hoping to get enough time between going off on ML and having the bean to do some of that lovely domestic stuff, I can smell them and everything!

Lis Funeral sounds lovely, apologies if that sounds odd but I too have that type of family. At my Grandads funeral the wake turned into a party, with dancing and the lot and he would have loved it - we had a pic of him, his walking stick and his flat cap in the middle of the room and it all felt very right.

I'm doing good in my one pair of maternity jeans, still hooking nicely over the bump, only £20 from H&M so maybe worth a look in a bigger size than usual? although I get it that with only a few weeks left it seems a bit silly to be spending. I feel like I've worn the same four work outfits the whole time, and am desparate for a shop!

Lucie hooray re the job, are you having that sneaky don't want to jinx it but it's all falling into place thing?

On sleep, I've resigned myself to thinking this is it now: bed at 9pm due to numb legs and ass, up at 12 for a wee, awake till one trying to arrange self, asleep till 3 for a wee, awake for half an hour for a paracetamol for aching lady and to blow my constantly blocked nose and to hump bloated body about the bed, awake again at five, then half past then up at half six.

My Oh has been a proper treasure about it though - except he will keep cuddling me up and tucking me in, when I am fricking BOILING!

Petal how does it feel to be at actual EDD after this many weeks?! will be thinking of you lady. and Loulou bet you were seething, effing hypocrite MW....

Not odd at all Sarah! I missed the dancing yesterday as we had to drive home for DH to get to work today, but I believe there was dancing!

I kept forgetting to say I had a growth scan on Wednesday. He is still measureing on the big side of normal! 6lb10ozs give or take a pound! So at best he's currently 5lb10 or an ouchy 7lb10. Is it a pound a week they say babies grow on average in the last 4 weeks?

chilli - I would stick with 4 tbh. What is the sizing on the small size like? The small wraps I have got only go up to 12lbs or something like that so I have only got 2 to go with my 2-parters, and then I've got 2 all-in-one pocket type nappies which have the wrap fixed onto the stuffing if you see what I mean?
I've then got 5 wraps in the next size up, which fits from 11lbs-20lbs roughly.

You can always get some more very quickly (clean green nappy machine are quick with delivery), but we only ever had 5 in one size the whole time we used nappies with DS. When they are tiny then you really only need to wash a wrap if it has got poo on it - the wee doesn't smell at all and you can often use the same one again immediately, or just rinse and leave it over the bath to dry for a couple of hours.

Thanks for the advice Ali I think the first size we have is 'small' about 7 to 12lb, we've got newborn disposables to use prior to that. We received MANY medium and large 2 parters, both wraps and inserts so hopefully have enough for later months. We'll see how it goes and I'll (try to) stop obsessing about buying more :)

Kitst Yummo to steak tartare, its my absolute favourite !! along with Crepe Suzette for desert, mmmm

Peta Like the idea of toast but how you gonna toast it ? R u bringing a toaster ? that will be a new one for the labour bag :o

LisMcA Glad funeral went well, sounds like a good send off.

Liv77 I love that bed, its so cute ! Also have added to my snack list the tubs of fruit and cheesy oatcakes, they sound tasty ! Ive never had a cheesy oatcake, but sounds good.

Lucie Congrats to your DP on new job

Chilli THANK YOU !!! Guess what im making tonight !!! Do you think should be ok to freeze dough or should i freeze the cookies once baked ?

Petal Happy EDD, keep us all updated, im so excited for you !

Im so surprised about how many re-usable nappy users there are going to be, anyone ive mentioned it to (friends/family) have been telling me how mad i am and ill only last a couple of weeks and what a silly idea but i love them, they are so cute and that just drove me to wanna have total success in them, hence the crazy amounts of nappies I now own. Please dont let me give up on them and they all be right !!!

So glad its Friday and the sun is out so although worst night sleep ever last night with even worst back pain, im in a great mood, amazing what a bit of sun can do !

DP is going to Ireland for the night to watch football, soccer, some sort of ball game ! with his brother, ive told him if i go into labour tomorrow and your not there for it, i will never, ever forgive him and he cant hold his baby till EDD !!! Bit harsh but im really annoyed he still wants to go, im 37+3 and i dont feel like babys gonna turn up but what if she does and he's not there, id be No 1 terrified, and No 2 - I really want him to be there. MIL is on call and coming tomorrow to put up some shelves in my house so have back up, but its not the same.

Ok Rant Over, sorry for such a long post ! Glad I got that off my chest.

ENJOY THE SUN AND WEEKEND ALL !! Hope to see baby news sometime over next few days but not from me !!! he he

Half a pound a week Lis - so no need to panic yet

Lucie Fab news on your DP's job

Loulou I love a good baby name brawl... Unless it involves my baby`s name, of course

I am sitting here gobsmacked as I've just had my appointment with the obs snd she basically told me to chill out and wait for labour to happen naturally. She doesn't even want to see me again unless I get to 41 weeks, despite the raised fluids and bump measuring a whopping 44cm! She was so much more relaxed about it all than my MW. Such a relief!

So now I am back to trying out all the old wives tales I can think of to kick things off. I was going to walk down the whole of the Kings Rd, but I seem to hsve found myself a nice bench in the sun to m'net from instead

Sarah I am feeling your pain at growing out of your mat clothes. I am finding leggings much better than jeans (try new look) and am also much more comfy in 'under bump' designs or just rolling things down to sit under my ginormous belly now. As long as I can find a tent top that is long enough to go on top.

Goodness me I'm cream crackered today. Slept badly last night then went shopping with my Mum this morning and I'm ready to pass out on the sofa! Only went round three stores and had had enough, a feeling that wasn't helped by v.strong BH all morning. It was lovely having my Mum around for a couple of days though, and very strange to think that the next time she comes down will be when Little Insect arrives.

Chilli thanks for the cookie recipe! I love chewy cookies but all the ones I've tried in the past have ended up on the crunchy side.

I second the "mmm" to fig rolls, I'm also rather partial to Garibaldis aka squashed fly biscuits .

Lucie Congratulations to your DP on the job

loulou hope you're doing ok, and I am amazed you didn't thump that MW!

Ali yup, I was in Sainsbury's yesterday and had to restrain myself. Did get the Hungary Caterpillar pop ons that were half price though, I mean Little Insect needs the complete head-to-toe outfit right?!

Petal Happy EDD! if nothing is happening I hope you're managing to keep yourself well distracted.

Daisy forgot to say it we were in Summertown Wine Cafe on Weds (it was 3.30ish though!)

Fig rolls - Yum, I can easily demolish a packet with a cup of tea. All in the name of constipation relief you see!!

Cheesy Oakcakes are also yummy! With that new Cathedral City Spreadable on them! I buy Nairns Oatcakes, but others are available!

NANN - Thank you for the half pound confirmation! Slightly better! Also, I'm v that you live within walking distance of the Kings Road. I really need to get back to London soon! My friend lived beside Chelsea and Westminster hospital for a while and I would jump on a plane for visits and have to entertain myself for days while she worked! Ah those halcyon days of my mispent youth!! Enjoy the sun! Bit cloudy here, but dry at least!

I don't see why you couldn't freeze the cookie dough. I think the trick to keeping them chewey is not to overcook them. If I wasn't avoiding raw egg I'd be eating the uncooked dough - one of the hardest things about being pregnant has been not to eat raw cake mix :o

I'm making chilli before meeting up for sunshine drinks with a friend. Got to get some vitamin D :o

Beetle - if you love the pop-ons then only put them on your baby when you are inside. We lost one half of all the pairs we had for DS - leggings with feet attached are the way to go

NotAnother - that is good news :)

Stop talking about biscuits - now I want some and there are none in the house!

I am worn out now, just had a huge re-organise in the utility room and I've thrown out a whole load of old magazines and all sorts.

Alright. Weird question.

How do you stop baby coming? Other than by sheer force of will?

Things to avoid? Things to do?

DH leaves tomorrow. I am not currently in labour so unlikely to give birth before he goes. I will not be having this baby while he is away so it needs to stay put for 10 days.

Aussie/MrsW let's be pregnant and abandoned together!

I want cookies now...

Hmmm. Ina May thinks you can do it with adrenaline? As in - if you don't feel safe you'll stop dilating. But I think that's probably quite short term, so perhaps don't bungee jump for the entire 10 days.