We will have a serene, pain free, uneventful pregnancy and birth and will BROOK NO ARGUMENT on that.

[scarletfingernail]

New thread.

dream I didn't go for wrap slings (for no particular reason) but I have read the moby is good for twins. this and this may be useful to read? The babywearer forums might be worth a go for you too.
wants so sorry to hear you are feeling stressed over finances. I assume you do the usual menu planning/ value foods on some items etc etc etc? I hope you can work out a way to cope with it all. At least you can feel free to post about it here (I'm sure if anyone has any pearls of wisdom they'll pipe up). I think we'll really have to cut back on the amount of meat we eat and look at ways of bulking up sauces and stuff when ML starts. I'm quite good at freezing bits left over and menu planning but will need to start ramping it up.

Thanks ninja it is taking the shine off the baby excitement. DH talking about not doing building work but 1. We have paid quite a bit out already on planning and architect fees and 2. We need the space to accommodate baby and accompanying stuff!
We are budgeting everything at the moment, it doesn't help that our savings took a hit before Christmas with the heating and mechanic bills. None of the major baby stuff bought yet either. Sorry, abit ranty again.
I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.

how much baby stuff do you need to buy? Could you get any bits on freecycle?

I'm grumpy as I am still at work and should be finished by now. Have been too slow and lazy this week and it's all mounted up a bit. Feel like an idiot.

thank goodness I have 2 dyas off when I finally escape.

I know posting on here isn't helping but I needed a wee rant!

thanks for listening

jaggy, it's just that kind of day. Join wants and I and rant away... Hope you get finished and home soon.

wants, it sounds really hard, and like you, I'd be reluctant to give up the building work you've invested so much in already when its much needed and not a 'luxury'. I hope you can find some solution...

Just wanted to send my sympathies to those with rants! Sounds like a frustrating time! We'll have to widen the No Brooking net to encompass challenging issues outside of pregnancy and birth! Anything that impacts the serenity of the Mum should fall within our remit!

Seriously though, I hope all the issues are resolved, and soon. Sometimes something can seem overwhelming, and really there's something just around the corner which reduces or removes the problem. I'll be No Brooking hard!

It's been a significant birthday for my Mum this weekend, so we've spent a lot of time at my parents' house. This has been really lovely, seeing all the family, but all the sitting upright has just killed my back. I feel guilty because my Mum looked so disappointed when I had to leave early on both days, but at the same time I know I actually stayed much longer than I should have done which is why my back hurts so very much right now. Stuck between a rock and a hard place! Still, she loved her birthday pressie which is great, and I can spend all day tomorrow lying flat and getting my back to calm down a bit.

Overall though it's been a good week. Lots of baby stuff has been delivered and seeing lots of overseas relatives has been really enjoyable. Being 28 weeks makes me feel just a little bit better about the baby as well. For me the key date is 32 weeks, at that point apparently most issues are short-term and the viability stats are almost as good as full term. 28 weeks is halfway between 24 and 32 weeks, so it feels like a mini-milestone!

Also my friend who had her baby at 26 weeks has been giving weekly updates. Her DD is now four weeks old, and doing really well all things considered. She can now open both eyes, and they've been able to transfer her from fully intubated ventilation to another less-invasive form of assisted breathing. It sounds like small steps but it's all really positive and the doctors are pleased with her progress. My friend was able to hold her skin-to-skin for the first time this week, and I've just been emailing her and she's so happy about it. It's really inspiring.

Hi brookers!

I wrote a post last night but it appears not to have appeared? Hope I didn't accidentally post it on a completely different thread...

I was wondering where everyone was yesterday too. Clearly too busy enjoying the snow!

Sorry to hear about all the rants :( Dream, you might be able to attempt some "normal" things, you never know? It's partly down to how determined you are to do such things, and how well equipped! Looking into the childcare costs can't hurt though - even if you only use it every now and again to help you out when you most need it?

Sorry too about the money issues Wants. I think that happens to most of us when PG. We've already bought most of our baby stuff, primarily because as soon as I stop working as much at the end of March, we lose a significant chunk of our income. I'm sure everything will work itself out, though it seems stressful and worrysome at the moment.

Scream, glad you had a lovely weekend with your parents. The fact you went and stayed so long is wonderful - she probably wasn't disappointed so much as worried about you! Hope your back recovers quickly today, and that you have a lovely restful day. Yay for being 28 weeks too, and that's wonderful news about your friends' baby! Sounds incredibly positive :)

We had about four inches of snow here, so my plans to go to Mothercare and get various bits and bobs were abandoned, but did trek into town and bought some muslins and baby hats!

Dream, putting in the offer this morning! Not too worried if our first one isn't accepted - we're telling our mortgage adviser that we're happy to pay the asking price, but I think her aim is to try and barter anyway. The property has been priced cheaply for a quick sale - the owners have just found an ideal property with no chain, and so want to sell theirs as quick as possible. So exciting, but I'm trying not to count my chickens or plan how to decorate the nursery.

Contemplating whether or not to head into London today- not teaching, but have to spend some time in the office. Looks like the trains are doing ok surprisingly, so I'll have to brave the cold in a bit - brr.

Morning all! scream that's fab to hear about your friend's dd. Here's hoping things get better and better. How are you feeling this morning? I like your mini milestones!

wants do you have any nct nearly new sales near you? I have found them to be a really good source of baby things- toys, books and equipment as well as clothes. I have now realised that I will need a double buggy afterall as where we are moving to is very hilly so I'm not sure how long I will be able to sling the new baby. And I need to order a car seat!

On phone so can't check back but there was some chat about the moby sling? I used a stretchy wrap very like the moby and found it was great- once I had got the hang of tying it! Really supportive for tiny dd. The only thing was it was a bit warm once the summer came, although dd was 9 months by this point anyway. Am going to get a woven wrap for this spring/ summer baby, plus then I can do back wraps too.

Hope everyone is ok. Have a cupboard full if creme eggs after all the chat last week!

Am 30 weeks today. How did that happen?!

Oooh musical that's exciting! Good luck!

dream at the risk of sounding really cheesy can you think of it as reaching a new 'normal'? Like the original shift from no children to dc1? and you will still be able to go round to people's houses to play or have them to you won't you? (am speculating here- obv no experience!) I understand a bit though- all those lovely newborn outings where you can go for coffee and they sleep in your lap while you chat! I will have no childcare for dd when we move and am feeling that so many things are just going to be a big compromise and not really what we would choose to do- dd held back by the baby and the baby schlepped around while I try to entertain dd. Last time I went to the baby cinema each week! But I am confident that we will all get there in the end

Looking into some child care sounds like a good idea though- maybe someone who could come to your house a couple of times a week and help you/ make sure you all get out of the house or just takes dd out for a good run around?

ooo muscial how exciting - fingers crossed for you!

dream - I'd find some childcare and book dd in . You can always cancel if you don't like it. I'm leaving dd on her one day a week at nursery that she does now as I'm thinking in the early days it will be good for her as well to have a proper run around for a day and will make her feel like her routine still continues iyswim. And that's just with a singleton!

In 3 weeks time I will be in hospital having the crochet hook shoved up my fanjo! 3 weeks is SOON. Eek. Am nesting and preparing like crazy at the moment.

Morning all :)

Well, I have been properly spoiled this morning.

I didn't think I'd be able to get DS to nursery this morning, because I didn't particularly want to walk him for 20+ minutes in the snow and risk falling over. DH went out with him yesterday to the shop and said the pavements on the main street were quite slippery where lots of people had walked so I didn't really fancy gambling on walking on that - not just to take DS to nursery - it seemed a bit risky.

I could have driven him, but although it is literally a 2 minute drive

Do I win a prize for the LONGEST ever post?

Blimey biscuits that was epic :o

Thanks for all the hellos and good lucks! I am 5 weeks today, and after a year of ttc it feels pretty fab :)

So many of you are about to pop, it's so exciting!

5 weeks Pop - that is so exciting

Is it starting to sink in yet?

A bit Biscuits ! I still don't feel like a proper graduate! maybe once I've had my GP appointment and someone agrees that yes, I am indeed pregnant, and I haven't imagined the whole thing :o

Do you have an appt booked Popcorn? Do you have to see your GP before the mw? It's all so exciting!!!!

I love the way at the start you've suddenly ticked off loads of weeks, although then the rest of the time to 12 weeks does drag a bit

We still love having you here anyway Pop . Can't wait for everyone else to confirm too though so we can have a mass

Good luck for today musical. Sounds like it should be a quick, straightforward sale once you've agreed a price. Fingers crossed for you.

pomme Only 3 weeks, when did that happen?!

Scream at least you were able to join your mum for her celebrations, I'm sure she was just delighted that you were able to make it at all rather than miss out because you were crippled up in pain. It's so lovely to hear your friend's happy outcome, thank goodness they're over the worst now.

Biscuits how lovely of your DH. He must really have taken on board everything you were worrying about last week. I'd have been delighted just with the chocolate biscuits!

wants I hope you find a way through the financial problems without too much stress. We're making loads of cutbacks on general stuff at the moment because of having to pay for all the work going on at our house, luckily we've not had to buy too much baby stuff. If you can get your baby stuff nearly new hopefully it will save you quite a bit. It's definitely worth doing the work on your house if at all possible, now you've come this far. Especially if you definitely need the space.

It's just me then that hates Creme Eggs then by the sounds of it. Bleugh. Give me a bar of fruit and nut any day.
Had a bit of a crap weekend what with DS coming out in that rash and being ill on Saturday. Yesterday his rash had gone down loads, but whatever was in that medicine (and I'm really hoping it is the medicine) turned him into a different child . He was a nightmare all day. He had a full on tantrum last night over something so trivial that lasted over an hour! It was horrible. He's gone to nursery this morning, I'm dreading picking him up in case they tell me he's been foul there too.

In other news, my fanjo hurts now the time . I'm finding nightime horrendously uncomfortable, restless and achey and I'm permanently angry at DH

Oh Scarlet - I'm so sorry to hear about poorly DS and a poorly fanjo too - that really is not a match made in heaven is it!

I brooking no argument though that he'll have been his normal lovely self and normal service has resumed. How long does he have to take the medicine for? Is he still snotty / poorly eared? I'm always totally thrown off guard when DS has a proper tantrum and never know how to deal with it - I'm sure I do all the wrong things because I've never developed a strategy for them! And I hate it when it's at bedtime too as even if we've sort of smoothed it over before he goes to sleep it doesn't feel right sending him off to sleep after such a horrible time, even though after a massive tiring tantrum a sleep is exactly what they need. It doesn't sit well with my 'never go to be angry' school of thought.

And yes, apparently DH was listening when I was ranting / whining / moaning last week - wonders will never cease

I think he could probably stop having the medicine already Biscuits His rash had completely gone this morning, or I'd have kept him off nursery. I was assured that he's not contagious, but he is still very snotty and has a cough. But most kids I've seen lately have been like that, it's the time of year and there's so much of it about.

We are so not used to dealing with tantrums on that scale. DH and I were both hopeless! I went from feeling really quite mad with him and wanting to just shut the door on it and letting him get on with it, to just feeling so sorry and sad for him that he was so upset. He's still so little, it's heartbreaking to see him get in such a state. He'd had a shower with DH and when they'd finished he was messing around and wouldn't get out (new bedtime delay tactic) so DH carried him out of the shower. All hell broke loose, he was trying to get back in. So he was naked, wet and no doubt cold but wouldn't let us get him dry or dressed. We had to lock the bathroom door from the outside to stop him going back in, we were so worried he'd slip and bang his head of the toilet or something. He was crying, screaming, shouting and hitting himself round the head in anger, I thought at one point he was going to be sick. There was nothing we could say or do, everything seemed to make it worse. In the end we both sat on our bed with a book each and spoke quietly to each other about nothing really so he thought we were completely ignoring him and he gradually started to calm down.

On the plus side he fell asleep so quickly! He looked like butter wouldn't melt once he was asleep DH had to open the to calm his nerves, which didn't go down very well with me, as I would have loved one. I laid awake all night worrying about DS, going over it all, wondering what we could have done better etc. He was happy enough this morning, but I still feel traumatised.

Biscuits I'd probably say a mass influx and yay for super DH :)

Scream better to have been able to see your mum for a bit than not at all

Musical fingers crossed for a positive call today

Scarlet ouch, poorly fanjo and DS. I'm with you on the creme eggs though, yucky. I like the caramel ones.

Wants while it is hard in the mean time scraping together the cash it will be well worth it in the long term. Hang on in there

Scarlet - DS's last tantrum was almost exactly the same - he was getting out of the bath rather than the shower but sounds almost identical! The whole wet / cold / slippery / trying to get back in etc. And you're right - it is totally traumatising! Not made better by someone else having your calm-down :)

I'm sure he feels loads better today.

I still think 'inodus' should be a word. I wonder how I apply to the Oxford English Dictionary people?

I'm seeing the GP Friday Biscuits - it was the soonest I could get in when I booked last Monday and he'll refer me to the MW I think? (I assume so, anyway!)

I hate cream eggs too scarlet bleuch! Sorry about your poorly fanjo - and DS's tantrum sounded awful, I wouldn't have known what to do either and would probably have cried which wouldn't have helped! :(

Wants in the town where I live there is a little shop called something like ?nearly new? which specialises in 2nd hand baby gear. Maybe if you have a google you'll find something like that near to you, which may help ease the pain a bit?

Biscuits - the crochet hook is for breaking waters! For second and subsequent inductions plan is break waters, get on drip ASAP and use gel only if cant break waters. Bit harsh compared to treatment you get as first timer!
Your dh sounds amazing! My dh needs to take notes!

Scarlet - that tantrum sounds scary. We get lots of tantrums and ignoring is my general policy with cuddles ready for when it's over. For really bad ones I do sometimes use the tv which seems to calm her down.

Popcorn - so exciting! Thinking back with you makes me feel a bit less grumpy about being huge now!

just a quick post, i only just about seem to be keeping up with reading the posts lately, but don't seem to have enough time to post properly to people. Not helped by DS sleeping less over the last week or so, feeling knackered all the time, and having to deal with our chickens whose water keeps freezing in this cold weather! And they are not at all impressed with the snow now either. Mind you, at least they can eat it as an alternative to their water :)

Re creme eggs, i can't stand them either!! I used to like the galaxy truffle ones, when they used to be a light and fluffy truffle, but they changed them and they are a darker colour and wet and smooth in consistency, nothing like they used to be :( so i think the only ones i like now are the lindor ones....although i do avoid seasonal aisles so i am probably unaware of any new and yummy creations out there!