We're now halfway and it's PMA all the way - Nov 2011

[cep]

Halfway there now ladies. on the countdown.

Hi all,

back after a week and a bit away, been all the way down to Cambridgeshire from Perthshire with DH drove 1,500 miles in total - whew, glad not to be driving today, was a lovely holiday though, last hurrah until the baby comes, had our last night in the Hilton in Gateshead, right next to the Tyne Bridge, fab view!!!

Cali, hope everything is okay, have bought a cheap doppler a while ago and have a wee listen every so often to reassure myself as I have an anterior placenta so don't feel the baby too often.

Hope everyone else is okay, been reading the thread on and off all morning to try to catch up, Edinburgh folks, am happy to meet whenever and where ever, should we start a list of everyone who is going to come?

Have a busy afternoon sitting on the sofa knitting and catching up with the telly to be getting on with now.....

Well, we got to the Labour ward (still can't get over the carpets there...) Lovely midwife couldn't find the heartbeat (she was quite upset with the doppler, which has convinced me never to get one - if a midwife can't find the hb!)
So consultant was sent in with a scanner, and little Sprout was lying head down, back to the anterior placenta and kicking away at my kidneys, happy as larry. Heartbeat all perky and strong - but the consultant said that I'd done the right thing and gone in - after starting a new medication it's good to be vigilant to any changes in fetal movement.

We're now considering calling her Obstinate (we haven't got a name for her yet).

Glad everything is well Cali!

How many people have decided names, are trying to decide names, or are going to wait until after meeting baby? We currently have a shortlist, but don't think we'll move beyond that until we see which one fits (this is why my DD1 was 'A' for a few days, as all our shortlist girl names after the first day began with A) though I've kinda half decided in my head, I think.

That's a relief, Cali! Glad you went in, it was clearly the right thing to do.

So glad cep oneslice and sunshine that I'm not alone in the double bump clum. Makes me feel a bit more normal.

Went to bed for an hour or so after lunch today (and for sleep, not business time!) and feel much better for it. Just wish my back would sort itself out - I just can't get comfy today.

NotJust we're thinking about names but are nowhere near a shortlist even, let alone a decision. We're relatively traditional about names, but also don't want to pick something that's too popular at the moment, so will have to think of something grown-up yet unusual - it's a bit of a challenge!

We had the PERFECT name for a boy. Perfect. But John Emanuel just doesn't suit a girl.

We've got a few "these are nice", but it's deciding. I don't think I can until I meet her.

And I have a double bump too. And lots of flab hanging down the bottom :(

Wonderful news Cali! So pleased for you x

If it's a boy we are going to call him Harry Thomas after dp's dad who died when dp was 17, got a few for a girl which we'll probably decide on when the baby is born.

We had our perfect girl's name, but now we know it's a boy we're really struggling. Nothing seems quite right. Cali I suspect we'll be the same and he'll need to arrive before we can decide.

DP likes Abigail, I like Luna, and then we look at other names and think "Hmmm, that's nice too". Molly is quite cute too. And my inner geek likes Serenity.

cali glad all was ok & you were reassured x

names we decided quite early on, boys name: gabriel thomas, girls name: madeline theresa. I had a shortlist for DS but didn't decide until he was a coyple of days old!! One of my friends found it so difficult that they left registering the birth until the 6week cut-off & even then it was only definite as they entered the office :)

H007 bristol sounds a good southerners meeting place to me x

Cali so glad everything is ok. And glad they were nice to you and didn't make you feel like a nuisance like they so often do

Who said double bump? Lol I have 2 bumps, but my second is my rear!!!! Seriously, my arse has trebled in size! I ad to get the next size up in knickers just weeks after my bfp and they no longer fit me either, but I'm too proud stubborn to go and buy the next size up so I spend most if the day pulling my knickers or if my bum!! oh, and if you think I'm exaggerating, DH asked me yesterday if I was using my coco cream on my bum.... And then suggested maybe I should!!!

We're just starting to put a let of names together. So far we only ave 3 we agree on though- Isaac, Seth and Noah. Any views? Middle name to be Thomas, or Tom after DHs grandad.

Girls games we I like (and are banking for dc2) are Esmee, Aurelia, Florence (DM hates it), lily, Rose, Mia...... Ohhh there's so many more girls names I like than boys!!!

Manchester people- Did I say Trafford centre was good? If not, it is but after work would be best, or maybe a weekend.

Evening all! Feeling nice and tired after climbing a mountain today! Not a really big one, but a mountain all the same!

Glad baby cali is well! But also glad you went to check! Made me think we should all promise to look out for eachother and instantly shout RING THE MW! As soon as anyone says there is anything unusual!

We've a shortlist of names which is everchanging! We won't decide untill baby girl comes along though! collie I'm afraid we have one name in common on the list, Florence, we also have Jessie, Georgia and Ffion. And if it goes we'd like Alex or Alexis as a middle name as a tribute to my little brother.

Sat trying to do yesterdays mail xword now, its a toughie! Only ever finished it once!

Evening all....just back from pub and the most delicious chocolate brownie ever!!!
Manchester people - I could do a weekend or, like someone mentioned, after babies are here when on maternity is fine too.
cali glad all ok thats great news.
Names wise, we havent 100% decided but we're thinking Taylor at the mo, with maybe Jackson as middle name.
collie i think Noah is a lovely name.
Hope youve all had a great weekend. x

I'm not on countdown BUT I have 47 full days & 11 half days until Mat Leave :) not bad 12 weeks of work to go :o

Woke up at 5am to commute to work after having a week off, and the only thing that is keeping me smiling is the fact that with my annual leave I only have to do this another 19 times before my maternity leave.... Not that I'm counting either :)

Morning all. Cali, glad to hear everything is ok, I can't imagine how relieved you must be feeling.

TwoJackrussels, the Hilton in Newcastle is fab, is it not! I want to stay there too but its one of those things you never do, stay in a hotel near home! Glad you had a nice holiday as well.

I am on countdown this week, taken a weeks hol next week at the start of the kids' school hols. Looking forward to a nice relaxing week, decorating, only haven't told the OH yet about my plans. After that am at work for 4 weeks, then off for another week, then got 3 weeks at work n am finished on mat leave. EEK.

Talking names we are thinking Sophie. OH and I rarely agree on anything like this but Sophie we do, so we shall see.

I thought I would be super organised and get a really big shop delivered over the weekend, with a lot of meat etc to be cooked and frozen cos I am so tired I don't want to cook when I get home from work. Now I am so tired from cooking just some of it off and doing all the housework that I am deeply regretting my forethought! Ah well. I think I must be nesting a bit as I want to make sure the freezer and cupboard are stocked, just in case!

Anyways time to get ready for work, have a good day all! x

Morning all,

all your names sound lovely, we have had a name for a boy and one for a girl agreed on for ages, but apart from our mothers are telling absolutely no-one, mainly so when the bump arrives we can change our mind on the name if we like, although it is nice to be able to talk to the baby and have a name to use.

I too am on a bit of a count down to maternity leave, 14 Friday's left to go :)

Have a fab day everyone

morning ladies

cali so glad it went well.

some lovely names there. We like Robyn for a girl, but just can't agree on a boys name. i have a countdown on my computer at work this one

obviously it doesn't take out weekends though.

Hi All, Great news Cali on the scan, not the double bump though I am joining the double bump club! The worst thing that has changed for me is the muffin roll I had under my boobs has been pushed forward so I now just look like Michelin man. Backside seems to have grown as well but given the continued weight loss I reckon I'm losing weight from my back and waist so my erse is now more pronounced as is are the bellies. Hohum.

I went to my first hypnobirthing class yesterday - it ROCKS! Oh my Lord. It seems so powerful - do a search on youtube for hypnobirthing and see the calm easy labours. Amazing. I'll have a bit of that. My only problem is during the relaxation and self hypnosis part of the class I fall asleep.

Have a good day all.

Hi all
Trying to get to grips with household finances as haven't been keeping track for a few months. Hoping to do some batch cooking for the freezer. Unfortunately dh failed to clean slow cooker and it is too heavy for me to lift. Mum not only has tracked down my old Moses basket but also been offered bouncer and cot. Major moneysaving so very happy.

Started my Christmas list as doubt will feel like facing the shops after giving birth. Braindead so struggling for ideas. Probably clothes for children under 5 and perishables for over 60s ie alcohol and or chocolates. Hoping inspiration will strike.

Hello

So sorry about lurking, have been feeling soo low and not much like talking to anyone. Poor DH!

Kinda wish I hadn't gone quiet as I've just attempted to catch up on the thread and I'm totally not alone!

Feeling much better now and actually think I may be begining to bloom. Finally!

I'm going to start a Christmas list now, thanks for the inspiration. I normally make my own cards for Christmas, so think I'd better do this before the monster arrives.

About leg shaving - I now can't see my bikini line and think I'm just gonna go back to salon waxing - at least I don't need to worry about missed patches!

Edinburgh merry up I'm so looking forward to meeting you [hsmile] It should totally be the Elephant House because that's where Harry Potter was written. 11.30 is perfect for me. Is it 30th July?

MIL hates all our baby names so we're keeping them secret for now - much harder to object to a baby than a name methinks.

Will be back on top of it all now.

Big love to everyone :)

sad [hsmile] didn't work!

hi zig sorry you've been feeling so low, but glad you think you're on the up again now.

I too make my own cards Ziggi and plan to premake templates and do a hand print of junior on to add at the last moment. Or I may save those for birth announcement cards. Or combine the two in a non energy/money/time wasting attempt seeing as it'll be so near! I can even prewrite and stamp the envelopes seeing as I'll have time once I'm on mat leave.
Sorry you were fealing low. Yay for your bloom!