Ding Ding! We're halfway there on The February Baby Bus 2012.

[BillComptonstrousers]

good morning my lovelies, as requested, a shiny new thread old thread is here

Good luck with scans today, phlossie are you off for yours?

waves envelope

I have my referral to the hypnotherapist and psychologist re: being shit scared of needles / ops / and labour.
They think I'll go nuts if I need an emergency csec or epidural or drip...

Honestly... I prob will, I have totally irrational phobia

shakes and faints

Kayano - first off, try not to feel bad about this phobia. By definition, you can't help the fact you have it!! And I'm sure you'd rather not have it! Best of luck with the referral - hope it helps.

Hello all! Too tired to really go and do all personals had a hard day. woke up early this morning screaming out in agony from cramp (funny story when told but not in a laughing mood. Day hasn't improved since. DSD being a pain all day, she has just gone to sleep, and I am too tired to relex properly and too pregnant to enjoy a glass of wine or 20.

Hope everyone is ok, will stop by tomorrow

Kayano its not altogether unusual, my friend had her baby boy 2 years ago, no pain relief, nothing. He was a 10lber, she said the worst thing about the birth was the drip they put her on, she is so intensely scared of it, she can't even refer to it and calls it the DR. She is genuinely very upset about it

glowfrog I thought that too about the GF! I then re-read it I was thinking to myself what kind of set up does Wicket have!

Thanks everyone for telling me I am not the only person to be terrified and anxious (to put it mildly) Thanks for the book tip too phlossie

I have my first big test on 29th Nov...

Anti D injections
Stupid biological parents

PMSL @ glowfrog and pambeesly! Honest, we have a very boring, conventional suburban family here!

All the best, Kayano

DP swapped side last night... No more scooting down the bed from me until we move into our room!! YAY and we both had a fab night's sleep!!

Hope we're all ok today... I am mainly being kicked in the bladder this morning... Thanks pip

Good morning ladies! what a lovely sunny, but bloody freezing day!

I have been keeping up with you all, but only have my i-pad at home and it's a pain in the arse to type on, so I'm at work doing this!

Lots going on at the minute. We ordered our pram last week in Mothercare and got the car seat and fancy isofix base jobby, which the in-laws paid for so I'm getting it delivered to my mums house in January and keep it there till we need it (don't like having it in my house, I'm dead old fashioned and suerstitious!)

We are off to London and Oxford for a long weekend, I'm seeing my ex In-laws on fri/sat then off to my current In-laws for their Ruby wedding on saturday, lovely family party and a nice glass of champagne I think!

Got a 3D scan booked on saturday morning so I can take the In-laws to have a look at thier new Grandchild, I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about it, but I can't quite put my finger on why at the minute, is anyone else going for a 3D???

Because I only work part time, and I finish on the 16th Dec, I only have 26 WORKING DAYS LEFT woo hooooooo, I can't bloody wait, I'm getting loads of christmas shopping done online at the minute as well. When is everyone else finishing?

baby is kicking non stop at the minute, she starts at the same time every night for 2-3 hours and it's driving me potty as I can't get to sleep. She doesn't like it when I lie on my back or sides and gets really wriggly, I was getting totally paranoid the other day as a said to my DH it feels like she is flailing around in there 'oh my god what if the cord is round her neck and she is being strangled' I'm such an idiot! And she knocked my sanwich on the floor (had the plate balanced on my bump!)

I can't stop eating crap at the minute which is not like me, just want to eat pizza chips and chocolate all the time and I feel really crap as I just don't want any veg/salad/fruit

I got a lovely coat from sainsburys the other day for £40, it's like an old fashioned swing coat and not a maternity but should see me through the winter as the buttons are just over my boobs so plenty of room for bump to grow.

hope you are all well today, will have to catch up with personals later!

Hello Bill! I was wondering where you'd got to! Glad to hear everything's going well. I'm well into chocolate at the moment - especially Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut, which I'm eating by the ton. Also got a thing for Welsh Rarebit.

I just spoke to a friend whose first baby is 6 weeks old, and she said 'I don't know how to be a mum'. So those feelings of fear are so, so normal (and they don't go away!)

Hope you're all having a nice day. I've benn painting the bathroom... fun!

I'm really sorry, just need to rant will catch up on personals later.....

So, after complaining in august finally got conclusion of my grievance against boss, said no evidence of him bullying/harassing me. Investigation not complete, never interviewed my witnesses. Apparently no case to answer to but we're not allowed to work together so that's conflicting in itself. Lots of going back and forth trying to get me a new job, then told can't guarantee that I can have a permanent job doing what I'm currently contracted to before I go on maternity. Tell them that's illegal, they tell me I've chose not to work with boss, I said I offered to but wasn't allowed. Rang acas, they've advised me to go for constructive dismissal so I've now come home from work, got an appointment at the doctors and I'm getting signed off until I go on maternity which I've decided to take early from December just to get away from company. What a joke I've put a complaint in and when I've requested to see the notes the only history they've gone into to make a decision is mine, not even looked at his even though he has been demoted twice, once for doing something I would have called the police for if I was the person involved! What a joke

Louby that's crap. Rant away.

Can I join the "What the hell am I going to do with a baby" gang? No idea, and sticking my head firmly in the sand until sprog is here!! The trouble is, I've had no interest in babies before now and, to be honest, I'm still not that bothered by other peoples.... I'm kind of hoping it all falls naturally into place once she's out...

Someone said they were told off for bending over.... why? Are we not meant to do that??

Thanks for all the well wishes. Yesterday went ok, although I drove around for ages trying to get parked, then it bucketed down and I had to walk a good 20 minutes to get to court, cue me running with paperwork, my bag and the hugest brolley ever as that's all I had. Then Ex turned up late, as they had to stand under a tree so they didn't get wet

Anyway, the judge didn't really need me to speak. I had written a statement with a few points on that I had given to the judge and exes solicitor, and exes solicitor started pushing for Cafcass to do a 'wishes and feelings' report for dd. The judge said actually I think they need to do a full report to prevent it getting dragged out longer, I agreed and that was it. So, things are to stay the same atm, with dd only speaking on the phone to ex and receiving age appropriate magazines (yeah right, Closer magazine is not appropriate for an 11 year old) and we are to go back in @ 16 weeks after Cafcass have reported. Probably around my due date!

Louby-That is awful. Definately sue for constructive, they are not doing there job properly and making you out to be the one that is causing trouble.

Sorry for no other personals, I am stupidly busy with a million things. One being that i agreed to ring local businesses to request donations of prizes for dd1s school fayre. What a mistake that was!

Will set aside an hour some time to sit down with a coffee and have a proper read and reply. :)

Hi everyone, just touching base & saying hi. Want to do personals but sooooo hard on phone or am I just thick?!?
All well here, squiglett wiggling away. I've sorted out baby clothes from my ds which I had stored at my mums & am now working my way through 5 bin bags worth of clothes taking me up to 6 months, didn't remember keeping so much
Hugs to all x

bill were getting a 4d scan in 12 days time, i really cant wait! Hopefully baby will be in a good position :)

phlossie Stop stealing my cravings! Ive been eating way too much fruit and nut dairy milk! Im craving chocolate and junk food so bad this time, and apples (weird) which is not like me at all, we never have food like that in the house!

louby sorry youre dealing with all that stress right now - nightmare! rant away :)

I remember being so freaked out when i was pregnant with DD... i didnt even know which way round a nappy went! i was useless! But you get there. Im scared this time too although not SO much as i mostly know what to expect...i think!

Well i had workmen in the house for 3 hours this afternoon drilling and banging away, SO noisy, baby was jumping about like crazy poor wee thing.. and ive changed beds, cleaned kitchen (and fridge), both bathrooms, hoovered, dusted, dishes, laundry, made DD a pom-pom and made soup. Im either being told one minute to take it easy and the next that "pregnancy isnt an illness, get up and do something" Cannot win...
Also, anyone else still peeing constantly? Im sure with DD it eased off but nope everytime i stand up my bladder shouts at me!!!

24+3

louby if you go down the tribunal route dont forget to go for the sex discrimination as well.

you might be covered on your house insurance for solicitors costs - i was and used my own solicitor :)

babycarmen - me too, me too with the apples! Polished off 2 in a row this afternoon. And loving conference pears too.

Glad court was ok, crazy - nasty business.

And you're good to rant, louby. There's not enough justice for employees - I suppose people are just too scared to stand up for themselves, so good for you. Your boss sounds like a tosser.

Trying to decide on which reusable nappies to buy... did someone recommend a type before? queenfee or woowa? We have no tumble dryer...

Good evening, essay alert as doing my personals, so bear with me.

Kayano I don't know what to suggest to help you but it sounds like you have tried everything to get over your fear. Hope seeing the hypno helps you. Try not to fear csecs and epidurals, as I think the more you fear them, the worse it will be for you in labour as the thought will constantly be in your mind. Easier said than done I know though.

Bill Glad everything is going ok. And I am currently debating whether to get a 3d scan. It's my birthday in 11 days so hopefully someone may have bought me one though :)

Phlossie I just fancy sweet things at the moment, chocolate has to be caramel or just normal. Apples definitely fix my sweet need though.

Louby That sounds utterly shit, but sounds like you have the upper hand/card up your sleeve when it comes to employment law. Something a solicitor would definitely be interested in. What is your colleagues view on it all? Can't offer practical advice i'm afraid but hopefully it will all work out. You can always vent on here.

Crazy At least it was brief, but it is now going to get dragged out. Lets just hope it isn't too stressful in the run up, especially with the likelihood of everything being concluded around your due date. Again, if you need to vent we are here on mumsnet.

No personal experience of court but DP has. And currently DSD's mother is wanting it to go back to court because she wants 'set days' for us to have her. She wants to be able to go back to work. She wants DP to have her Friday and Saturday Night. Note she doesn't want to get a weekend job though she wants a week time job. We currently have her either Monday/Tuesday night or Sunday/Monday/Tuesday. DP works full time and goes to college full time, and because DSD isn't of school age yet, no-one would go in her favour.

Anyway, we are nearly fully moved house now, doing a lot of it myself with DP so busy. My dad helping sooo much though. Working 3-4 days a week so steady away now. Got a lovely tax rebate too other day so happy with that :) Can't wait to be in my own place again! Can't seem to sleep enough at the moment though, much like in first trimester! Braxton Hicks a-plenty, lots of lovely movement and a few kicks now, which I can feel on the outside of my stomach now. Just plodding along. I'm also with the 'What do I do' group.

Night

Thanks all for the names/marriage advice!! Prayers answered, we actually mananged to have a reasonable conversation about it last night and he understands. phew. And we came up with an entirely new first name which we both like too! Miracle. Now we need to make a start on the girl's name. argh. The thing about 2 middle names is that we have a double-barrelled surname, so it'll have FIVE initials :-) JJDBH if we go with it. POOR POOR child!! (or JDJBH, dpending on who wins the order battle!!)

On sleep cushions, i bought one of the long mothercare ones (the one not in the sale, sadly) yesterday, and had SUCH a good night's sleep last night. And for some reason the cat also joined us and slept on it all night too, very unlike him. So, that was a winner. MUCH MUCH better than the dream genii.

nappies, phlossie - I use totsbots flexitots, which can't go in a dryer anyway. Difficult to describe, but the fatness of them folds out for washing and drying so they take less time to dry. I got mine from here which actually does an advice service then gives you a discount if you end up buying from them. They take lots of factors in your life into account when recommending which nappy you use, i was really pleased with their service.

firsttimers - just make it up!! We did, DD is a delight!! Although i wish i'd known a bit more about naps and tiredness. The Baby WHisperer book has been highly recommended to me by lots of people and i MUSTget it - it's more gentle than gina ford on routine, but still helps you to work out the signs of tiredness and helpbabies learn to sleep enough in the day and night.

Went shopping in Newcastle with DH and DD this afternoon which nearly killed me. I don't know if it was the heat in John Lewis but DD turned manic - cute manic, rather than evil manic, but still exhausting dragging her off displays of rugs and picking her up off the floor in the china department as she rolled around with her legs in the air.

Best bit was pretending to try out the really expensive mattresses and having a nice rest!! And pret a manger do some of the best earl grey tea i've ever had!! I might be a convert to tea leaves...

OH - and scan yesterday , fine, doc was fine now that i'm used to their uncaring manner! I'll be induced at 38 weeks as long as all is well up to that point, sothat makes baby coming sometime after 17th Jan!!! Think i'm on the wrong bus, but i definitely won't be leaving you now! Booked my mum and dad to come up and look after DD, good to know a date, just hoping to hang on til 38 weeks

25+2 xx

I have started an AIBU

I am about to go apeshit on DH and his bro. I swear down I will not have anymore DCs because I am hormonal and may chop off his nuts

Yay, Woowa, glad you like the Mothercare pillow- nothing worse than telling someone it's the best thing ever and then them hating it [feels vindicated in huge pillow choice]

woowa - glad the name got sorted :)

kayano - I'm heading off to read your AIBU now!

I'm mid having a massive sort out. I'm a bit of a hoarder and as we live in a 2 bed house I need to get rid of all my junk stuff in the spare room ready for baby as we're painting this weekend (eee!). I've got old teddies and clothes and bags and books that I DON'T want however have insisted on keeping for years. I'm finally getting them to the charity shop/tip and finding it liberating if a little bit sad. I appear to be covered in a fine layer of dust and glitter though

A question for experienced Feb mums, wtf do I do with blankets?! I've been kindly given several hand me downs, I've got fitted sheets, loose flannel sheets, fleece blankets and knitted blankets. What do I do with them?! I understand the fitted ones but that's about it. I thought babies mostly went in those grow bag things these days. Help please! :)

22+5

CoffeeOne I know the answer to this one grobags aren't suitable for newborns because they can overheat, I've been told that cellular blankets (like the ones in hospital) are the best blankets for newborns

Hurrah Pam! So....wtf is a cellular blanket? Not flannel/fleece? Do I need to purchase a 5th type of blanket?!

Cellular blankets are these little chaps www.littleangels.ie/bedding/375-dk-pram-cellular-blanket-white-.html they are warm but allow air to circulate. Thats what I was told, no experience but have been told by a few people, I think you can buy them in Tesco (who can buy them in Tesco in Ireland anyway)