Due Jan 06 - Looks like we've eaten loads of Christmas puddings!

[sweetkitty]

Right here's our new thread.

So who's going to be first for an early Christmas present then?

Lyra, we have a cot top changer and I think it is great. When not in use it just slides next to the cot - super space saver! I'm not one for changing on the floor as my back doesn't approve, especially these days with a bump in the way too.
Santageorgeiscomingtotown, it's almost January so if you do go over you're most welcome to join our post natal thread. We're all lovely ladies and a bit hormonal at the moment, but I'm sure it's the same with the December ladies, so nothing new there Good luck!

Isn't it a lovely fresh morning!! sorry girls - have an annoying pollyanna thing going today.. so everything is just, well, fab really! (and Lyra - yes, I luuuurve my consultant now )

Hi santageorge - still a week or so to go !!! but do feel free to whine away here whenever you like - we do as Eshay said - you're very welcome to join us.

Thanks for the website tip Eshay. Don't know why I was thinking that I've not much time left (doh!) I was clearly getting my due date confused with Christmas - oh I wish!

Lyra you are mrs bargainpants!! Did you find the nappies & stuff on MN or Ebay? am suitably lol Your DD's hair sounds like my DDs. She had a similar restyle a couple of months ago & it's made a huge difference to her confidence (costly, but it does look fantastic - all flicky and grown up) Hope the crowds aren't too bad wherever you're going.

Ooooh Tesco here - cu l8r!

Wow loads of posting!

horseshoe - great to see you and good news you are still pregnant. Shame about the car and also your Grandma though you poor thing I bet you will be glad to see the back of this year.

Iris - my Tesco Christmas shop came yesterdaydidn't look like over £90's worth and that was only the heavy items.

George - welcome to the January thread, feel free to come on here and have a moan I do most days

Lyra - good news about your nappy bargain too

Eshay - fingers crossed for your VBAC, although I think after 41 weeks an elective section will be a good idea too. I think knowing when the baby will come must be quite a nice feeling as well. Sometimes I wish I did as DP and sis-in-law could plan around it.

Am not going to moan about all my aches and pains today feel like that's all I do you all must be so fed up of me by now. Got MW appt in an hour so will go and moan at her instead! Left the house with DD and DP at 7.30am this morning to go to M&S for all the fancy bits and pieces, as DP (and DD) are the only ones eating turkey I cheat and get a little read-to-raost- bird as I cannot cope with bones, stuffing etc so get most things meat ready-to-roast, I'm having Brie and Cranberry parcels with filo pastry, really easy to do and as the Bries cooked I can eat it too! Got MIL, SIL and 2 neices Boxing Day though.

DP got a nice tax rebate yesterday thanks to me sending the forms away so he has decided to buy me (and him) a dishwasher! We used to have one in the old flat but left all our white goods behind so it will be great having one again especially with a new baby.

Well better go and get said dishes done before MW appt.

have a good day all x

Forgot to say Iris congrats on the waterbirth too

Hi everyone, last day in work ? officially but so busy with kids off school and totally hyper and pre-xmas preparations that I think a couple of things might linger on? Cannot wait for dp to start his hols tomorrow ? 10 days off to enjoy xmas and focus on the baby

Horseshoe ? good to hear from you! Sorry to hear about your nan ? never be afraid to get it all off your chest on here!

Iris ? try nappyhead.com for personalised t-shirts, they do lots of funky different ideas and you can have anything you like printed ? I love my ?the daddy? t-shirt, it?s a shame the other kids are slightly the wrong age for ?big sister/big brother? ones ? although I am tempted for dd. Congratulations on the waterbirth approval ? you go for it girl!

Lyra ? your dd looks beautiful already! I hope she loves her new ?do?, my boys look like a pair of coconuts at the mo (must take em tomorrow) I can?t remember the last time dd even got a trim!

I think breastfeeding always seems like it should be easier than it is (especially first time) but once you (and baby) get the hang of it ? it is easy. Latching on is the hardest part (especially if boobs engorged ? that?s the time to express a bit) I got really fed up with mws/hvs trying to stuff my enormous norks into a tiny mouth, believe me, they don?t always have to have ALL the areola! I definitely agree that some babies seem to know how to feed and some don?t ? some will take any nipple/teat/milk etc from the word go. I would try expressed milk in a bottle after about 2 weeks though because I know some babies won?t take a bottle at all if you leave it to late. Also get dad or someone else to give it, if they can smell your boobs they?d rather have it fresh from you and it might get you leaking! I?ve bought an avent isis pump because it was only £23 I couldn?t justify an electric one this time as I won?t be working till 7 months and they are only marginally better IME (just easier on your hands).

I think babe has got his head down a bit ? my heartburn is fractionally better but the pressure on my bladder/pelvic floor is huge! I feel like a horse has kicked me when I get out of bed in the mornings ? (huuuuge moan here removed because I?m getting so boring - I'm just repeating myself!!!)

All December ladies welcome to come and moan on here, your aches and pains much more interesting than mine!

Sweetkitty - dishwasher = especially for baby things

Happy last day at work, Rachey! Enjoy the next 10 days with DP. It's great to finally have some time to think about the new baby!

Homebirth kit has just turned up 2 weeks early! Theres loads of it, DP will be happy lugging it upstairs either that or we'll be making Christmas dinner stepping over a canister of gas and air. I've justs started a thread as I'm not allowed a homebirth until the 6th Jan and you know whats going to happen now, I'll have the baby on the 4th or 5th and the stuff will be useless as I will need to go to hospital.

MW appt went well she told me to ignore horrid consultant who said not to have a homebirth she said he said the same thing to a first timer and she was in tears. MWs are happy for me to have a homebirth anyway. Babe is still head down and 4/5's engaged apparently although I think her bum is still under my ribs.

Scary really having the HB kit here and her saying "book and appt for next week if you need it that is!!" I think it is dawning on me that I will be giving birth in the next few weeks, starting to get a bit scared, is anyone else feeling like this?

Wow! how exciting Sweetkitty - if I were you I'd be cracking open the gas n air on New Year's Eve! Having said that, I got through a whole canister on the ward (where I nearly delivered ds2 before things went a bit pear-shaped!)

Re the homebirth - if you can cope, couldn't you just stay at home until it's too late... especially if the midwifes are supportive? They can't make you go in and you'll have all the kit.

And yes me scared too! Hence on here reading all the childbirth threads!

Hi girls - just catching up with you all! My mum arrived on Fri and we have been busy with the children & shopping, dentists etc...

DH and I didn't do anything too special - we were at the hosp for 3 hrs and I was really tired afterwards, but we ate out, and it felt lovely just being us. We haven't spent a whole night away since dd2 was born (spring 04). And lazy brunch in the morning was wonderful

The car kept stopping on the way to and from the airport - took it to the garage and they think it will cost a fortune to get thru MOT next summer Unlike you horseshoe I am actually v fond of it, as it is 33 yrs old, but when the new baby arrives we can't all fit in it anyway, so will have to find a new solution.

Sounds like everyone is having a bit of an up and down time, but good news on your bub horseshoe, and your waterbirth Iris .

DH's family is arriving en masse... 2 brothers and one sister, all with children. Noone staying with us luckily!! The main meal is Christmas Eve in DK, with dancing round the Christmas tree (the trees have REAL candles too!) and singing. Everyone contributes a dish (we're doing roast pork) so it's not relying on 1 or 2 to sort teh whole event. Lucky when there are 21 of us at last count.

On the bump front, still head down (yay!) and less comfy that way... more indigestion! Haven't got a tape measure, but don't feel that big, as I'm still on the first set of buttons on my (supersexy) maternity dungarees.. was way out on the third hole with dd1!

Only cause for concern at the mo is that I ordered a big box of Ello (great girly Lego) from ebay for dd1, and it hasn't shown up yet The seller says she posted it 7 Dec, and is in touch and is trying her luck with the PO, so I don't think she has done a moonlight flit with the money. But worried about what to tell dd1, as it's the main present from me & dh.

Lots of love and Christmassy vibes to everyone... not sure I'll be online all that much as things really ramp up here tomorrow with family stuff - Christmas Eve is also dh's birthday (so hoping bump doesn't decide to come early to join him!)

Have fun T xx

Hi everyone....

What a day...I felt better today and started a mini spring clean ready for my xmas guests. I have recently bought a new bathroom cabinet and kitchen set and had loads of Polyestyrine which DD thought was snow so as a bit of fun I said we could break it up in her bedroom thinking a quick hoover would clear it up. We had loads of fun and got it everywhere. Unbeknown to me that you cant hoover up polyestyrine as it melts in the hoover. Whats more it ended up all round the house and down the stairs attaching to the downstairs even and I'm finding it everywhere. I have therefore spent the last 3 hours sweeping what I can up but it is still all the way down the stairs. DD found it hilarious....DP went mad.

I didn't breastfeed DD but really regretted it as I felt I lost out on that bonding. TBH the hospital didn't push me at all and they were quick to pass the bottle. By the time I got home a week later, it just didn't feel right IYKWIM and I found it uncomfortable to do in front of people. I'm determined to do it this time and really want to push myself. I tried all the breast pump things but I hated it all. I really hope to feel different this time round....I dont know if I will ever be able to feed in front of the father-in-law but you never know. My sister was great. She was one of these ladies that got complaints because if her baby was hungry she would feed her regardless. She always carried a towel but I remember she had a woman come up to her one summer as we picknicked in the park telling her she should be ashamed of herself and that she should use the mucky public toilets.

Anyway congrats on the homebirth Iris. I'm glad to see so many women taking the option. I would love one. I intend to spend as much time in the bath before going to the hospital but I dont think I can if my waters go first....is that right???

I'm gradually resolving myself to more and more drugs. At first I said I wanted as natural birth as possible...but the memories are flooding back from last time and with the exception of pethidine, i'm open to all offers!!!!!!

morning all

i actually stayed in bed all night till 6am!! that's an amazing feat for me atm. but it didn't stop me waking up from a bad dream about my sil, and still obsessing about it now, so i'll write it out and maybe that will help me see if i'm being an overly sensitive hormonal cow atm.

my sil is a very old friend, we went to school tog, my brother and her met when they were 17, so we go back a long way. we very rarely fall out, if at all. she has 2 kids, her first is my Goddaughter, and my brother is Godfather to my son (did ask her at the time, but she refused as she was not religious, fair enough). they live about 20 mins drive away from me. so that's a bit of background.

well, last night she phoned up to make arrangements about present exchange. in the past few years we've popped into their house on xmas day, just to say hello and to break up the day a bit, we're usually just around the corner at my mum's so can walk to my brothers in 2 mins. so i suggested doing that again this year. she explained that her 2 still believe in FC and she'd like them to have their presents in their sack, fair enough, no problem there. however, she said nothing about my xmas day suggestion, and also in the lead up to xmas has made no offers to help if i go into labour etc. i feel really disappointed about this. she could tell i was upset, altho i didn't say anything directly, my tone just cooled i think. she said, what's wrong? i said nothing's wrong, and she said it doesn't sound like nothing, but i quickly said, i'm ok and said goodbye, so maybe she'll have a think about it and ask again, when i'll be more in a position to explain myself rationally.

several friends have said, if you need anyone to have the children in the next few weeks, don't hesitate to call etc. but nothing like that from my own brothers or their wives. the other brother lives locally too, and in the end i've phoned his wife to ask if she'd have my 2 if i should go into labour on xmas day, to which of course she's said yes.

apart from on the help and support front, neither of my brothers have invited us to any kind of xmas get together either, which i must admit i also find upsetting. i have often invited them in the past, but haven't this year as i'm too tired / likely to go into labour.

i'm fed up with them both!! Brothers eh! less use than a chocolate teapot.

well, that's got that off my chest, not a very good way to be feeling in the season of goodwill is it, especially when family is supposed to be part of what it's all about.

just drinking cammomile tea and trying to switch off about it.

plans for the day are washing, and trying to get the whole house vacuumed. the kids went to my mum's overnite last night, so i can make an early start on all the housework without waking anyone up.

another baby was born in my nct group yesterday, that's 4 out of 6 now, and all arriving in their predicted order. this one was due on 19th, so fairly on time, he weighed 9lb 1oz and is called Jack. all went well from what i can gather. so that means i'm next!!! still thinking i'll be late though, no signs or twinges yet.

Tickle

glad your baby is still head down, hopefully he'll stay that way now. and glad you've got your mum with you too. xmas in dk sounds lovely, very traditional and festive, the candles on the tree sound especially beautiful. watch out for them when you're dancing though!

Horseshoe

thinking about you and your polystyrene and can't help but smile, but the thought of trying to clean it all up isn't v appealing!! poor you. i wonder if sticky tape would help to get the little bits up, wrap it round your fingers and then dab it on the carpet etc. to pick up the fragments that won't sweep up. maybe some tough tape like gaffa tape would work best? not that i have any exp of this, just trying to help!

SK

i'm with rach on the staying home till it's too late not to have a homebirth idea. where's the harm? the mw will soon have you in hosp if there's any danger to you or the babe, and it varies between areas as to when you can have a homebirth anyway. 38 wks is fine round here and i bet there are other areas where 37 wks is ok too. we don't get a hb kit delivered here, they bring it all with them when they come to you in labour, i'm quite glad really as it sounds a bit bulky from what you've said!

better go now as this is getting unreadably long, even for me!

Laters xx

hi just checking in, had quite a good nights sleep last night and DD had me up at 7.20am this morning, DP's last day at work until the 4th January (he used to work in retail so would be lucky to get Xmas and Boxing day off) so for us it's a big thing him being off right through. Times like this it makes him changing careers and doing a masters worthwhile! Really looking forward to him helping out round here even just entertaining DD, he can chase her around and swing her and all the stuff she loves that I can't do.

Not got any plans for today, hoovering (pelvis permitting) and some other housework I think. Quick trip to Asda for some forgotten things tomorrow and some fruit and veg and that will be us.

Lyra - I'm a walking hormone right now, had a wee cry yesterday as I wanted to bath DD but was so sore just had to lie on the sofa (DP wasn't here), don't know what to suggest about your brothers but men don't think do they?

Horseshoe - your polystyrene ball story made me laugh, DD got a beanbag chair recently and it was stuffed with way to many beans (polystyrene balls) so I decided to empty it a bit they of course went everywhere but the Dyson was ok at picking them up.

I swing from "get out of me now baby I'm so fed up with being pregnant" to "s* I'm going to give birth soon" Kept apologising to DP for being a miserable moaning fat cow last night, he said "aww your not fat!"

Iris

i got the nappies and stuff on mn, but i saw them on "last hour" threads, and cat-ed straight away, as i think they go really quickly, especially when they're such a bargain.

SK glad you've got your dp with you from tomorrow, same for Rach i think, hope they'll be of help as well as support. mine's still off work as he's not very well, so not a great deal of practical help, but doesn't need a lot of looking after, thank goodness.

Morning all!

Just dispatched DH to get the last bits of shopping that I'd forgotten. He is such a star (and he's fixed the hoover!!! )
I seem to be constantly apologising for not doing /forgetting things at the mo - my brain has turned to complete mush. Burst into tears last night when I called everyone in for dinner as I'd forgotten to make the gravy!! Am so frustrated at being pg now - Hormones are certainly swinging here too SK!!

Lyra - blimey that's almost a proper night's sleep you had - congratulations!! Shame about the feeling pants though. Could it just be that SIL didn't think you'd need help as your children are that much older? Or perhaps, as you said, she might just have had a lot on her mind at that point & maybe if you mentioned it again the response would be different. The off work/more time to analyse/hormones thing is making me totally paranoid about everything (I'm not implying it's affecting you the same way BTW!) but I'm sure it'll all turn out ok. ((hugs))
How did DD's hair turn out BTW? is she pleased with it?

Tickle - sounds like your Christmas festivities have already started! AM quite as it's just going to be the 3 of us here. So pleased your LO is staying put too ! (mine is still bouncing all over the place - he was transverse when I was at the hosp being monitored but then moved head down for the scan!! - I just wish he'd keep still as it feels like my bump is going to split open sometimes!)

Am going to finish the last bits of washing/ironing today - DD did a load for me yesterday (bless her) so then it'll only be the bedding to do tomorrow (have to have clean sheets on Xmas eve!!)

Morning

How you doing Lyra? Think I'd be a little upset too if that happened to me. Especially when you're 8+ months pg. Can you have a moan to DH to get it off your chest? Or better still, could you speak to your bro's to let them know how you're feeling? Just in an informal way? Maybe they just think that you're so capable that you won't need any help? Some people's minds work in mysterious ways .

Oh and tip for your DD re: blonde hair. As a ntural (ahem!) blonde, best thing I've found to style it and give it some body is Born Blonde Nourish and Protect mousse. Fab stuff. She'll look wicked with new cut and am sure she'll feel like a million dollars. She'll be fighting the boys off with a baseball bat .

Horseshoe - hi there. So glad to hear that everything still good with your bubs. You must be feeling v relieved that you're now totally in the safe zone. And congrats on passing your driving test.

Rachey - you enjoying not being at work? Am with you on getting sh*t scared aboutn giving birth again. Think I've been paddling down that little river called denile, and now heading for waterfall of reality (hey, I could be David Brent with that one ).

Eshay - we've got a cot top changer too as Beany's room is fairly small and couldn't get a changing station in there. Think it might help with the old back ache as it's higher up than DD old changing table.

Iris - Yippeeee for you and water birth. You've got to be feeling tippity top about that.

Tickle - LOVE the sound of Christmas in DK. Have you got snow? Is it really cold? bet it's just beautiful there. And bet your kids have a fab time sledging and having snowball fights. Am seriously thinking about looking into hiring house for next Christmas somehwere snowy. Any recommendations?

SK - YIKES! Do you keep looking at the HB kit and getting cold shudders down your spine?! Or have you locked it way under the stairs . Perhaps you could blow up the pool and DD can play in it?

George - welcome to the thread. What's the chance of having two George's on one thread? .

Had lovely massage yesterday and pedicure (courtesy of my credit card ) so am feeling a little less stressed.

DH home early today so we're off to Majestic Wine Warehouse to stock up on Christmas booze! And my darling little bro is on his way back from Cambodia (he's been travelling for a year) and is due to land tomorrow morning at 6am.

Anyone else having good BH's? Mine seem to go thru phases.

Anyhoo, at the risk of sounding like a complete hormonal weepy girlie just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you all for being fab friends and helping me through these looooooong months of pregnancy. It's been really wonderful getting to know you all and I can't wait to see what next year brings. I really really hope this is the start of something that'll continue for years to come.

G xx

hi all again DP upstairs wrapping my presents (could be gone sometime)
Georgie - I'm with you am utterly terrified of giving birth again and I had a so called good labour, have got DP to put all the stuff in the spare room for now but yes it terrifies me. The canisters are beside my bed talk about a reminder. DP said today "are you having the baby on our bed?" don't know where he thought I was having it then he decided he was going to video it!!!! He thinks he is a birth expert having been close up on the last one.

I never had a cot changer as DD never had a cot until 2 months ago. She slept in a moses basket very briefly and then with us. I've always used a changing mat on the floor, especially when they start to roll although am going to use the travel cot down here to protect DD2 from DD1 and it has a changer thing so might give it a go.

Hope everyone else is OK and not doing too much.

Is anybody able to answer this question on this link for me...can't even read all the news as I need to start washing baby clothes in case of worst case scenario?
here

OMG OMG OMG!!!! deep breaths...deep breaths! lol

Chuffed I can't help -I'm sooo sorry! - DD was so long ago I can't remember . You need someone more recent - where are you all? girls?!!!! >>

I'm sure you'll find out soon enough if it is
the start ofd something bigger. I do remember reading that discharge can suddenly change & increase in the run up to labour though so maybe in a few days??(I'd get the washing machine going right now though anyway!!!)

GOOD LUCK!!!!! will be thinking of you and sending relaxing thoughts

iris x

Hi everyone, killing half an hour before Jonathan Ross comes on! Have given dp a pass to go out with the boys tonight because I want some attention tomorrow Really hectic day for my first one off, spent last night having really powerful, regular BH and just thinking maybe... but it all stopped when I went to bed. Received huge hamper from sis in NZ - including champagne and chocs, lovely! bought (a very small) OJ to make bucks fizz for xmas brekkie Am beginning to think I might just start on the vodka when I go into labour - it can hardly be worse for you than pethidine!

Today I've taken younger two to see Santa, taken boys for haircuts, all 3 + friend to see Narnia (absolutely lovely and blessedly short at 2hrs!) had nachos n japaleno peppers and no heartburn - this baby is definitely working his way south.

Horseshoe - brilliant story about the polystyrene, just the kind of thing I would do - thinking this will be a doddle to clear up...

Re: breastfeeding and modesty - I do think your own family is a huge influence. My mum and sister breastfed and I felt it was totally normal and natural. However ex-h mum and sister didn't and constantly made me feel uncomfortable and like some kind of exhibitionist in my own house! And they are women! I can say that I have fed in churches and in the Royal College of Chartered Surveyors in front of men in knickerbockers and tights - I swear none of them knew what I was doing. I think the key is not to unbutton down but to push your top up (less exposure for nipples) and people will just think you are cuddling babe.

Lyra - men! my brother is the same, he may be on the other side of the planet but if he lived in the next street, he'd be no better. Its awful we have to rely on our SIL to keep em in line. People do think because we are on to number 2,3,4 that somehow we can do everything and the older kids don't need any attention. Dd gave me her baby born this morning - 'to practice with'!! She said quite definitely 'don't expect me to change any nappies!' She's only 7!

Chuffed - from my limited experience of shows, they don't have to be bloody, I think that's more likely if you've had a rummage or a sweep. Mine with dd was an alarming amount of really thick (almost solid) mucus and labour started a few hours later (it can be days/even weeks though I think?). If you have started - all the best, we could have our first (and a xmas) baby!

It sounds like we will all have lovely xmases whatever happens, take care of yourselves!

Oh Rachey you're so calm

hello just visiting from December, I have a feeling I maybe will be January after all though -some of you sound further on than me I am just BIG! due on Sunday, (yes, I know )

Iris - I'm not calm - I'm crapping myself!

Ninah - you're more than welcome, come on over!

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!! {grin]

lol Rachey - you hide it well

Ninah - hi there - pleasure to meet you. Maybe your baby just wants a Xmas dinner before putting in an appearance

CHUFFED - are you still with us?

SK - how d'you feel about DP's plans on videoing the birth (think that if DH tried he's end up with the camera wedged somewhere the sun don't shine!!!) Quite fancy the idea of a little vidding after though to capture those first squished baby expressions...hmmm food for thought.

Lyra - how are you today hon? did you get everything sorted out with SIL?

Georgie - you lucky thing with the pampering. Bet you feel a million dollars now. I have a major clean up job tonight as I tried to redo my toenails last night & ended up getting the polish all over the ends of my toes because I couldn't reach properly, it was too much exertion to finish the job in the end but I will have pretty hooves by bedtime!!

LO decided to give me my first stretchmarks last night looks like someone has set my pubes on fire and I've got 3 big flarey marks up from the middle I showed DH & I've never seen him look so tenderly at me(awwww)- scars of motherhood eh. I suppose it was only a matter of time though since my (massively heavy)bump comes out horizontally from my pubic bone (am still gutted - though know I've been really lucky overall)

will look in later but a huge MERRY CHRISTAS if you're going off somewhere

CHRISTAS????... MERRY CHRISTMAS all

Happy Christmas one and all, it all starts here and now.

Iris, thnx for asking, but no, i haven't sorted anything out with sil and i've decided to just let it go and stop being so sensitive. dd's hair looks gorgeous, but dh is a bit worried that it makes her look so grown up, he says we'll have to keep an extra close eye on her now (she is only 10, but looks about 15). i'll try to download some pics at some point, i've got some of my bump too.

weather still damp and dreary here in M/cr, i'm still longing for snow or at least frost. the forcast is for frost and sunshine in the am, but can't imagine that happening, we'll see.

Chuffed

how exciting! keep us posted re. progress. i've had no signs at all, lo seems very comfy in there. think i'll start on the rasp leaf after xmas day and see what happens.

Rach

at you seeing Narnia, i really want to go too, but haven't managed to make the time yet. the trouble is we all want to see different films: dd saw Narnia with a friend about a week ago, ds hasn't seen HP yet, nor has dh, and ds fancies seeing King Kong. We need to all go seperately i think! thanks for the sympathy re. brothers, it's good to hear i'm not alone! i know they love me and all, and would be devestated if anything bad happened to me, but they're so rubbish at the day to day stuff.

Tickle will be well into her xmas celebrations now, dancing round the tree no doubt or some such tradition. sounds fab.

our xmas eve traditions here involve going to a friend's lunch party, going to the Christingle service at church, then watching it's a wonderful life, before early nights all round, with no one able to get to sleep through excitement. what about anyone else?