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

[cep]

Halfway there now ladies. on the countdown.

I was lucky DS adored diorralyte! Don't worry too much - we were doing 10ml every 10 mins which is only 2 medicine spoons. If he doesn't like it I would try hiding it in anything he does like eg ribena - I did this with DD and then went back to water after without fuss - whatever it takes to get fluids in. As long as he is alert and weeing don't stress. Hope he's on the mend soon

Aah Poppet poor wee mite, must be awful for him. Does tummy massage help, might help him sleep?

Scan went great today. Given previous scans have been sluggish and sleepy and frankly uncooperative I thought I'd help and had a very sweet espresso then a ribena lolly ice. Well I think I am carrying Leo Sayer and he (yes I'm blue) just feels like dancing.

I felt sooooo guilty, the poor thing was wired, wriggling everywhere. Got everything checked off and mw really earned her wage today. She chased him everywhere. She knew from the first few minutes it was a wee boy but never said until the end. She tried to get a view so we could discover for ourselves.

No more coffee for me! I don't drink it anyway. Only thing to note was the femur length is very long apparently he kept stretching out completely flat and long - legs seemed to go forever. 39mm for 20+6 weeks seems to be in the 98th percentile - need to up my calcium to feed that bone structure!

poppet poor thign, i hope he's on the mend soon. I hate it when ds is ill, feel so helpless.

pam i can't remember if i said congrats on the great amnio result, if not i appologise i meant to.

having never chosen to know the sex i'm intrigued is it really obvious on the scan?

pam yay another blue!

Cep it can be but they often whizz past those bits - we certainly saw all the bits needed for a blue bump but I think it can be a lot less clear cut with a girl

I think it depends on the position of the baby cep and how hard the sonographer is willing to look. I've been lucky that when I've asked they've held it there and showed me what they could see and pointed the bits out.

Both of mine were really obvious to me, helped by their legs being right up over their heads for a full bottom end view!! I could very clearly see the 3 lines identifying girly bits for Belle and Xander's willy was just as obvious this time!

We got a picture of his boy bits, and at babybond they double checked with a bloodflow colour thing which bits were cord, and the bit they knew was a willy stayed blue rather than turning read so they knew it wasn't cord. (NHS confirmed with a very similar view a week later!)

pam Xander is measuring long/big on my last scan too! Looks like growing another one who is long like their Daddy! all my measurements were right up there near the 98th percentile. Next scan 26th July, so we'll see if it was just a growth spurt and its all evened out now, or whether he's going to be a big one! Looking at the size of me, which is much bigger than I was with Belle about now, I'm going with him being bigger than her!

Sun looks lovely out there today! Going to catch up on this weeks Holby City then go out for the day (hoping I have something suitable to wear that doesn't make me look like a complete elephant!!) :)

Cep it wasn't that obvious for us too much wriggling - well we missed it first time the mw saw straight away. When we went back she froze the picture and traced all the boy bits for us.

Caz our measurements are odd, I guess they'll even out. At the mo the head is at the 25th percentile, tummy at 50% and legs at 98%. Lol that would be an easier birth than the other way round.

Off to look at kitchens today, and driveway monoblock. Try and get the home improvements in before November.. What are the chances?

PamSco We've limited our home improvement efforts to buying two side tables and a coffee table in IKEA. We may move some furniture around in the bedroom to fit the cot. But that's extreme. ;)
Look at the bright side - if it doesn't get done now, you can project manage during your maternity leave! Nothing makes builders move faster than someone refusing them access to a kettle until their work is done!

Staceroo I have checked with the airline we will be using and they (as well as most) are happy for me to fly up to 36 weeks for single umcomplicated pregnancies. Some airlines (like mine) will require a fit-to-fly certificate from your doctor. Have a look in the FAQs of the airlines

I also think it is possible that baby is pushing on a nerve, or your ribs...yes

Kate my baby movements feel as if I have a bass speaker in my tummy blaring at full volume, giving vibrations of varying lengths :)

Poppet hope your DS is better today and that liquid intake is easier

Pam congratulations on good scan. We were 19+1 at the scan and the femur was 2.91cms. Here they only mark down as normal though rather than percentiles.

Cep it was very obvious from our last scan, as the shape was definitely not the cord, but a boy. I knew before the doctor said it, but it was good to know that this was really what I was seeing

Yesterday Poppy?s crib was delivered and I have been cooing over it. I feel very sad that it will be so long before he will use it

PMA I am on 2 week?s holiday now and we will look at maternity hospitals on Tuesday before taking the ferry to a little Indonesian island for a week on Wednesday. Then the day after we come back we have the next scan with our normal OB/Gyn. Can?t wait to see this gorgeous little baby again :)

Currently sat in the loos at work crying because I feel like poo today, dizzy, tired, exhausted, in pain. But I simply can't afford to go home and miss out on a day's pay.
Dreading my scan and bloodworks on Friday - if they sign me off for any period of time I will at least halve my income and we can't afford me being on SSP.

In desperate need of a PMA.

Oh cali I hope your day has improved. Hug!

Hi all - thanks all for the kind thoughts for DS. He's much better, he just likes to scare the bejesus out of us on a late Friday night once the chemist and GP is shut. It's always a Friday night with him. Drinking lots more today and only two poos only one of which was vile. He's now trying to mug me for dry Cheerios and other dubious toddler snacks, which he's been having far too many of recently because they're dry and stodgy. Just opened a new baby jar and he's yumming that up like a baby bird.
As for the bits question, yup if the sonographer goes to the right area and baby is in a cooperative position then the two forms are blindingly different. Three bright straight clear white lines for DD and DS was just a full frontal shot of waving tackle!

Nope, still not improved, back in the disabled loo bawling.
DP works at the same place so he's told me to go home, I'm actually considering it now.

PMA: he brought me strawberries to cheer me up.

Cali how much longer is your shift? I think it sounds like time to call it a day - rest up and the next work day will go much better. I am really tired again at the moment - tried to watch the tennis and fell asleep

Cali sorry you're having such a rubbish day - sounds like you're feeling like I was earlier in the week. If you're anything like me it's hard to tell what triggers it as well. :(

Went to Merry Hill (shopping centre) for their "Tummies to Mummies" event today - v disappointing as it amounted to 10-20% off full price items in shops that were having sales anyway... still nice to wander round a shopping centre we don't usually go to, and lunch out with DH is as close as we get to a date these days!

Think we've picked a buggy / travel system at least, but would welcome your views:
Mothercare 3-wheeler
or
Mothercare 4-wheeler

Both come with the same pram/pushchair component: pram

I can't believe how much even fairly "cheap" ones cost though!

Buffy looks good - I would prob go 3 wheeler as I've found them easier to steer. I like that seat can face you or outwards - saw someone looking at this in m'care recently and was impressed. Wasn't around when I was in the market for a pushchair

PS dependent how much it bothers you to have brand new it is well worth looking at ebay / friday ad etc as people often sell on pushchairs in great condition - I've had a few secondhand ones (but always gone for ones you could inspect before buying). I got a second hand Phil & Ted and will prb buy a new coccoon bit for bump as he's a winter baby

Thanks alicat that's good advice. Would definitely consider second hand so long as I could inspect it first.

Like you I like that it can face forwards or backwards. I don't drive but DH does, so it looks versatile enough for both of us, although I can see us getting a lightweight stroller for when he/she's a little older.

Plus as my parents have offered to buy a buggy, and DH's parents have offered to buy a car seat, the fact that this separates out into the different bits is helpful to spread the cost around.

PS currently sitting in a new H&M dress that cost a grand total of £7! V pleased with myself. :)

Cali sending you big hugs. Yep, home, feet up and trash tv is in order, along with an early night and maybe a take away? Feel better ... X

Gave in, on my way home. I know it's because of my thyroxin levels - so we'll see what the verdict is from the consultant on Friday.

Going to see a friend who had her baby last Tuesday - excited and scared!

Thanks for all the virtual hugs, too :)

So having worked late every night this week and been out last night, DH has just told me he's going to the pub tonight. So facing another evening on my own - just ordered curry for one boo hoo. Though have told him he's not going anyway til both kids asleep as I've been up and down the stairs like a yoyo til 9 the last 3 nights and it isn't helping my aching pelvis

Know the feeling Alicat. My dh was in Paris on business Wednesday and out with friends for the past two nights. Tonight he is at engagement party but I am still mostly housebound. He is feeling a bit guilty as got me a gift of mama mio goodies and a tolberone.

I'm sorry Cali. Home now though. Wise decision I think. I wasnt feeling too bad today and have consequently completely overdone it and feel like crap now. And I too have an absent partner this week. Fortunately my MIL has come down for the second half of this week to keep my company and give me a bit of support, which has been great. And hopefully tonight will be his last evening work for two months. Unfortuantley our routine is completely in a mess and my son never gets to sleep before nine. And its often closer to ten if he's being stroppy about it. Sleeping is not something working well for us.
As for push chair systems, when we bought for one child (got to do it all again now we will have two little ones - any tips on double buggies welcome!) we ended up getting a three wheeler britax for some part because the relevant car seat was the safest one that would work in our car. Not regretted it, its been brilliant. Wasnt cheap though.

cali hugs hope you have a relaxing evening & feel better soon

buffy we looked into the my-choice system but didn't get on with the folding!! There were quite a few on ebay & often just the base unit (about£50) so if you wanted you could buy new with the seat unit which is what we were going to do so we could get the colour we wanted rather than one just coz it happened to be on ebay!!

Have has a lovely afternoon with my mum (DP at a mate's garage all day then work til 1am at least so decided an hours drive to my mum was worth it!!).
We now have pushchair - mamas&papas switch; & a lovely changing bag -black though so DP won't object to using it! And had the sling I ordered from ebay arrived today as well - its a "close parent", really easy to use & comfortable for me, my mum & DS, will fit DP too :o

gosh I seem to have something to say about everything at the moment!

juststarting I've had 2 doubles - when DD was born DS was 18mths so I wanted a side by side with carrycot option - went for a Mountain Buggy which I loved it was pretty big but did fit through most doorways and was heavy to lift in and out of the car but was surprisingly agile and light to push. Bought it 2nd hand for £300 and sold 18 mths later for £285! Don't think I could fit a car seat on it though.

I now have a Phil & Ted (also 2nd hand) which is great for longer distances - DS very rarely goes in it now but used it to hop in and out for quite a while as he wasn't a great walker - and the extra space with the 2nd seat is still handy for picnics etc. When DS2 comes along DD will be 3 so hoping she won't need to ride in too often but at least we'll have the option of the 2nd seat whilst keeping it small and light. I am slightly disappointed it doesn't fit what I'd call a proper carrycot but I will get the coccoon thing (and still own a pram from DS I can use at weekends and when DD is at nursery)