Nov 2011 - Feathering our nests and buying baby vests

[PamSco]

Taking liberties again as there are only 5 posts to go on old thread. Hope everyone is well this morning!

Thanks to those who have said they will be points of contact and organisation - it is really helpful.

Cards - I prefer the handmade butterfly or footprints one from the site that Folic posted.

It would be nice to be able to each be able to give a personal message, these could be put in with the card and a general message written on the card IYSWIM??

twojack hope that your shoulder is feeling better soon. Thank-you for sending Chip a message this morning, it must have been a very difficult day for her and her family - they have been in my thoughts so much xx

ali sorry you are having a tearful day and that the hosp appt wasnt able to put your mind at ease. 3.5weeks until you meet baby though is exciting, and what a great date of birth!!

kelly hope that IM is more supportive next time you see her; it is such a shame that she appears to have made a u-turn so late in the day - she should still be supportive of you though.

cali hope with your house pain in the arse "guest" gone that you are able to relax more and your BP settles.

caz hope you manage to get the last few bits that you want to finish prior to Xander's arrival. Look after yourself between now & Tuesday, not long til your little man will be in your arms xx

Not a lot going on here at the mo, thinking of everyone and feeling very grateful to still be on this journey & feel comforted that all us ladies are here to support good times and bad xx

folic I like the tatty Teddy Lilly card too. I used to have to arrange leaving cards at work and found best way was to circulate labels for people to write on and insert/ staple pages to card.

caz thanks for the link and suggestions for card. Getting v excited for you. Not long now til you met xander.

two jack thanks for contacting chip and letting her know we are thinking of her.

Cali what a lovely knitting Pattern. V jealous of your talent. Counting down the hours til your guest gets kicked out leaves.

I love the idea of a Rose. There is one called peace Rose which is lovely. I am not green fingered. I tend to kill plants by looking at them .

Have to echo merlioness in that I am honoured to be part of a thread with such loving, caring women.

Moosey Thank you

In the first half hour the pattern sold 3 copies - which is quite a big sales figure for me! Hopefully there will be a few more sales before Christmas!

It would be nice to send little PM messages with the card - even if it's just a little line or two...

Morning everyone. Apologies for not offering up help with paypal etc I was just trying to see a) what we needed and b) trying to stop this cold in it's tracks. I have paypal if it helps anyone; also am happy to contribute for cards and roses. I assumed that whomever was taking control of getting the card would also print off copy and pasted messages to slot in the card. I haven't had a look at Cali's pattern but can I just say that it's a lovely gesture and also clever u Cali!
I can't imagine how chip is feeling or her family but I hope they are able to support each other through this time. Such a terrible time.

Lots of news about baby due dates etc.
Caz in case am not back on as am absolutely loaded with cold, good luck for Tuesday. Not long at all til you meet Xander. Exciting times. Hope you are feeling ok and are able to get organised and keep calm. Am excited for you!!

Soon as I can get back on the pc then I shall catch up with everyone else.
Like others am proud of being part of such a lovely group of women, it is very inspiring.

Just popped on to say if anyone who wants to send a personal message for the card PMs me it with message and name I can just copy and paste easily into a Word document and print off for inclusion in the card.

Any more strong opinions on what card? I should really order tomorrow (as personalised will take a few days to come)

Caz 3 sleeps til Xander is in your arms...

Folic I've just PM'd you, but goodness how do you find the words? I have thought of them every day and been unable to post because somehow everything seems banal and self-absorbed.

If anyone finds out more about the rose garden please could someone let me know? Livia Rose is named as Roses are incredibly important in my family (was my nans name, is my aunts name and was the flower I always bought for mom, including the last bouquet before she passed away). It would mean a lot for me to send something from our family to hers.

God, Ive writtten 3 sentences and the tears are streaming. I can't even begin to comprehend the pain.

If its easier than paypal we could set up a justgiving page for donations to SANDS. I'm happy to do this and administer etc. Lets see what people think....

On a lighter note, i may well be in early labour - have been cramping for nearly 15 hours now and not been able to keep anything in my bowels. Will keep you all up to speed as and when I can. Now waiting for a show or something more concrete before phoning DH and asking him to travel 3.5k miles.

Lk agree that it's so difficult to find the words, folic I intend to pm you just haven't quite thought of what to say.
Lk oh! How very exciting about the potential early labour! How are you doing? Have you rang the hospital just in case? Tricky to know what to do about contacting your fella when he has such a long way to travel and all the implications that may bring too. Will be thinking about you x

ladies - have you all seen the thread about the blanket being knitted for CM? SUCH a lovely gesture .....i know im hormonal but im a little humbled at how ,much support there is on here ...

Folic I will PM you shortly.

Well ladies, I've just spent another night in hospital but home again now.

Went in for my monitoring as normal yesterday afternoon and even though all the tightenings were not really bothering me anymore than normal (apart from period pain, but it wasn't severe at this point) the midwife was concerned because they were regularity of contractions. Anyway, she didn't want to send me home until a Dr had seen me, Dr examined me and discovered I'm 1cm dilated after being tightly shut when I was discharged 2 weeks ago. So obviously all the ongoing pre-labour symptoms have been doing something slowly! :) So Dr, concerned I might be starting to labour wanted to keep me over night for observation.

The internal really aggravated everything and I have had spotting, and awful pains coming in waves since. Especially radiating around to my back and peaking there before subsiding. A one point last night it did feel kinda real and I had DH rubbing my back while I breathed through it on him. Anyway, 2am things got better.

They let me home again this morning, but the pains haven't really stopped. They seem to subside quite a lot when I'm sat quietly and become a dull ache in the background, as soon as I do anything they are really there again. Sooo the hospital think I might be very very slowly beginning to labour. (Yay for you too lk)

I reckon we're still hanging on until Tuesday though so don't get excited. Lets just hope it'll mean a very quick induction! :D

Been finishing the nesting since I've been home. Its so weird, and scary seeing car seat and stuff in the car. I hope we haven't done these things too soon. Even now everything we do is tinged with "what if it isn't needed" fear.

Oh caz it sounds positive! Try and keep your thoughts veering towards positive too. Of course I can't imagine how you are feeling. However this is where u get to meet Xander!

I agree with voodoo Caz exciting & promising! How many weeks are you now?

I'll PM to get the email address for paypal and send money. That way might be easier because people can choose how much to give (rather than emailing to request funds).

DH at his work thing in Wales this weekend so it's just DD and I home going insane.

I don't even have the energy to cook but DD will be getting hungry so I'll have to do something soon.

Kelly I'm 35+4 today. Will be 36 exactly when they induce me on Tuesday. Although they did say if I get to 2cm on my own by Tuesday they'll probably be able to break my waters and that will probably be enough to get me going without the pessaries. But we'll see.

Got DH flapping around now about 'what if your waters break at home in the meantime and who would we clean it up' haha. Men!

Have I missed who is collecting the money for Chip? Can someone let me know how to go about it. I'd like to send something ASAP in case I end up back in hospital before planned again...

Wow Caz and LK labour signs and everyfin! LK how far along are you me dear? how are you feeling now?

Caz I hope you can get comfy and sounds as though things will start quickly on tuesday. Be great if you could go for it without the pessary.

I know what you mean about baby things in the house. We've gone from very little to buggy, carrycot, carseat all sitting in dining room in the past day. Still don't have a hossie bag packed though.

I'm chilling in by self tonight, OH out with friends. I'm feeling a total trash telly evening whilst on the ball. Painful foof tonight plus baby is jabbing me big style. Ate half a bag of chips for dinner tonight- that's how much I can be bothered- didn't even enjoy them. Now I'm in heartburn city, like nutbush but with lot less wiggle, lot more waddle.

Ok I'm pulling myself together. Action time. No more crying. I'll PM you folic re a msg. I have a paypal account as well - not sure how to use it but happy to help.

I'm also going to make a donation to SANDS but I'll do it through GAYE at work as my employer will match it £ for £ so the charity will get double.

Caz I really hope everything starts to happen naturally for you - it would be so brilliant if you had a gentle birth - positive thoughts coming your way. Come on Xander by a good boy for your mammy.

TMI WARNING
Not sure what happened this morning but had quite a "blob" when I got up. It was pure jelly and completely clear, ahem no smell. I haven't get anything like that to date - even in my normal menstrual cycle. I've no clue if a show is bigger than that? There was definitely no pinkiness or browniness so I'm putting it down to just one of those things that don't mean anything?

Off to find the blanket thread...

Exciting things starting to happen LK and Caz wishing both of you the best of luck; hope you both have an easy time of it and safe arrival of LOs.

folic I will PM you when I manage to put something into words & get on the PC as opposed as the phone!!

Have been getting absolutely loads of BH today, not painful but uncomfortable and starting to get a little annoying as it is restricting everything I'm doing. Had a bit of a scare in the car this morning (3 suicidal cats and me going at 60mph, I didn't hit one but the car next to me did!!!) which is when they started so hoping that my body is just taking time to calm itself back down.

Have MW coming to do home visit tomorrow to go through home birth plans, hoping all goes ok - will be getting DP up early to hoover!!

Hope everyone, bumps & Willow are keeping well; thinking of Chip & family xx

Jelly-ish or dischargish Pam? I was off my head on pethidine when my plug went but it was huge, tiny streaks of blood and like jelly. I was fascinated and repulsed in equal measure but was off my head on drugs I had to look at it out of one eye to try and focus.

Caz that's brilliant, my DH keeps asking who is going to clear up various bits. He looks shocked every time I say it will probably be him.

Pasta for dinner here. DD wasn't really interested in the end. I am so uncomfortable, I can't figure out baby's position but it's agony.

MrsA I meant to say thanks for the info on GBS, that was really interesting. I'm definitely not getting tested unless I have symptoms.

On the subject of over sharing, I tried perineal massage this morning but after tearing with DD, I don't seem to have a perineum.

Not sure what to do really...

I think show has to be pinkish or bloody Pam? how do you feel?

Kelly I actually laughed at laptop at your one eyed squint at show description. Not sure what to do about lack of perineum? just tick it off the list as a job done

I don't think I've ever had any braxton hicks. I get uncomfy but I wouldn't describe it as tightenings. Anyone got a better description for me?

My driving is going to pot. I've been peeped at twice today but nothing as awful as your driving day bumps no wonder you are sore. Poor cat too.

Wow are things happening on the baby front. I'd kind of forgotten there would be other babies - I know it sounds crazy - but I sort of felt we'll be in the neonatal unit and everyone would be pregnant forever!!
Pam it sounds to me like your mucus plus is starting to dislodge a bit at a time, but I think it's only if it's pink or blood streaked that it's imminent. Promising though! With Willow mine was minute and a delicate shell like pink in the bottom of the loo - hence I managed to persuade myself it wasn't anything. With DS it was also small but blood streaked and like Willow was the day before labour.
Ik wow wow wow that does sound promising - I hope you're doing okay and DH is very close to home pretty soon. Any news?
BHs or contractions? From my recent way of learning the difference the hard way, the MWs told me that it's BHs if they go away when you move or change position, but contractions if they get worse. And BHs go the whole way up and down your bump but early contractions are very low and periody.
Wishing everyone such good luck.
It feels so wrong to update on Willow, without her buddy :( Very wrong. But she had a brain scan last night that was really positive, her heart murmur has calmed a little we think because her infection has subsided, and today she was off the hardcore heart/bp/resp monitor and onto a smaller one for the first time since she was born and took her first hourly bolus feed down her tube. Plus she had another go at working out what to do with my nipple! Wonderful to see her first 'milk drunk' face after the bolus feed - something she's never had when all her meals were drip fed constantly. The MW also said that this morning she had her first big cry and she thought she was actually hungry.
:( Poor Sylvie-Rose.

Poppet I totally understand how you feel about posting about Willow. But wanted to let you know that we still want to hear how she is doing and so pleased for you and her that there is more progress. Must be wonderful to have had a go at breastfeeding. Of course, poor Sylvie Rose and poor poor Chip who we are all thinking of, but please don't feel guilty about telling us about Willow and good news x

PS forgot to say lk caz and pam - so excited to hear that there is potential movement. Like poppet says funny to think that there are lots of babies on the way soon - it's starting!!

Awww poppet lovely to hear about Willow. I agree with Pandia that nobody would want you not to post but everyone am sure will understand why you might feel how you do.
Who do I need to send some money to for the card etc?
I can't believe how close we are to more babies being born! I'm getting to the point where every twinge is like oooo what's that?!?! I have no patience!
Wonder how Chip is doing.

hello all, well after about 17 hours of cramps with them getting stronger and stronger, things started to calm down. Im now getting irregular twinges and can feel the cramps ramping up again. Good in that I managed to get some sleep but a little frustrating. My gut tells me that this could be a slow burner. I told DH but havent called him back. Will wait until a show or waters go to do that - as he only has a week at home when he does come back I just cant risk it being too early and feeling like an idiot. I'm 36 today.

Caz keep that PMA you have done so well to date and know everyone is absolutely rooting for you ......

Pam sending you good luck too, that does sound like the start of something ....

Lovely ladies, I'm the one organising the collection.

I have a separate bank account I can use so will transfer all contributions into it so I can easily keep track.

I have PM'd people who I can remember saying they wanted to contribute, sorry if I messaged you by mistake or missed you - my memory ain't what it used to be!

Just PM me if you want bank or paypal details for a contribution.

I will post a running total later in the week

lk good luck but think you are right about it being a slow burner. In extreme cases, women have been in early labour for a couple of weeks. Just try to ignore if you can.

folic I never had any pain with BH when pg with DD. This time, they feel like tightenings but also mild period pain. Not the real thing cos went away once I moved (real ones don't go when you move).

poppet really good to hear how willow is getting on.

Anyone's nipples really sore atm? Mine are aching/throbbing regularly.

I'm putting yesterday down to discharge. Nothing since, and I don't think I have had any tightenings of any kind. As you say Poppet could be the start of a dislodge but it was soft jelly so I'm declaring "false alarm" :)

Folic I'm the same as you, I may of had a BH last week but it was so mild - like a first day period "knowledge" - I don't call it pain as it isn't sore. It was so fleeting I never got a chance to concentrate any attention on it.

lk & Caz big hugs to you lovelies. Stay relaxed...

lk was it your birthday yesterday or were you 36 weeks?

MrsA this is the first week my nipps haven't been sore! They are deep purple and I had my first leakage t'other night. Very exciting.

Tsch, I used to get excited about organising my big holiday, now it is nipple cheese.

Alicat about to PM you.