Jan 2013 part 4: the one where we are closer to the end than the beginning

[PricklyPickle]

Here we go!

Stats: 16 girls, 9 boys, 13 surprises

BuntyCollocks (29) DC2 EDD 28/12/12 She?s a girl!
Pmgkt (33) DC2 EDD 28/12/12 He?s a boy!
Birdies (33) DC2 EDD 30/12/12 She?s a girl!
Pascha (35) DC2 EDD 30/12/12 It?s a surprise!
PricklyPickle (31) DC1 EDD 31/12/12 It's a surprise!
LowLu (31) DC2 EDD 02/1/13
TootieMaroo (32) DC2 EDD 03/1/13
MarasmeAbsolu (31) DC2 EDD 03/01/13 She?s a girl!
Lora1982 (30) DC1 EDD 04/01/13 He?s a boy!
IsSpringSprangedYet (?) DC4 EDD 05/01/13
DollFisher (28) DC1 EDD 05/01/13 She?s a girl!
Allchik (30) DC1 EDD 06/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Pockemuchka DC3 EDD 06/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Happyhow (26) DC1 EDD 07/01/13 It?s a surprise!
EmilieFloge (38) DC? EDD 07/01/13
Complicated24 (44) DC1 EDD 07/01/13 It's a surprise!
Newbie6 (36) DC1 EDD 08/01/13 He?s a boy!
Norfolkinway (25) DC1 EDD 09/01/13
Octanegirl (34) DC1 EDD 09/01/13 He?s a boy!
BumgrapesofWrath (30) DC2 EDD 10/01/13
Kim222 (30) DC1 EDD 11/01/13
Lulabel27 (29) DC2&3 (twins) EDD 11/01/13
CraftyGirly (26) DC1 EDD 11/01/13 She?s a girl!
Cejay8 (32) DC2 EDD 12/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Tinyeyes123 (30) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 She?s a girl!
CreepyCrawly (22) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 She?s a girl!
PixelCarrier (37) DC1 EDD 13/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Shakemyhead (37) DC1 EDD 14/01/13 She's a girl!
Godzookey (35) DC1 EDD 14/01/13 He?s a boy!
PeshwariNaan (33) DC1 EDD 14/01/13
Hormonalhell (40) DC2 EDD 15/01/13 He?s a boy!
DoIgetastickerforthat (36) DC4 EDD 16/01/13 She?s a girl!
Theboutiquemummy (35) DC1 EDD 17/01/13
ChutesTooNarrow (33) DC2 EDD 18/01/13 She?s a girl!
Glorious (28) DC1 EDD 18/01/13
Tugstonia (33) DC1 EDD 18/01/13 It's a surprise!
SpringFlowers (39) DC4 EDD 18/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Eagleray (40) DC1 EDD 18/01/13
13mma (29) DC1 EDD 18/01/13 scan 13/09/12
LetThereBeCupcakes (30) DC1 EDD 20/01/13
Silversixpence (29) DC2 EDD 20/01/13
mulan07 (27) DC1 EDD 20/01/13 He?s a boy!
BadgerFace (34) DC1 EDD 21/01/13 She?s a girl!
PreggoFabulous (30) DC1 EDD 22/01/13 He?s a boy!
Bunny222 (31) DC1 EDD 22/01/13 It?s a surprise!
Bealos (34) DC2 EDD 22/01/13 She?s a girl!
AppleCrumples (??) DC4 EDD 22/01/13 It's a surprise!
Woody2313 (33) DC1 EDD 23/01/13
SigningGirl (?) DC1 EDD 24/01/13
Mrsbugsywugsy (34) DC1 EDD 25/01/13 She's a girl!
SquealyB (29) DC1 EDD 26/01/13 It?s a surprise!
knuckingfackered (39) DC2 EDD 26/1/13
Thinkingpositivethoughts (28) DC1 EDD 26/01/13
MrsMallard (35) DC1 EDD 26/01/13 She?s a girl!
Salt1 (38) DC1 EDD 27/01/13 She?s a girl!
Lilblondepessimist (33) DC4 EDD 28/01/13
MamaMary (31) DC2 EDD 28/01/13 She?s a girl!
Sebsmama (32) DC2 EDD 29/01/13
BionicEmu (26) DC2 EDD 29/01/13
Missymoo (32) DC2 EDD 30/01/13
DiscoDomina (31) DC1 EDD 30/1/13 He's a boy!
Brugmansia (35) DC1 EDD 31/01/13
Mummypud (32) DC3 EDD 31/01/13
PipIsOutNow (27) DC2 EDD 31/01/13 scan 19/09/12

My mum is buying the nursery furniture I think as she 'can't get her head around modern prams'. She admitted that she's stuck in a bit of a time warp when it comes to travel systems etc! My in-laws said to give my mum the first choice in what she wanted to buy and they'd pick something else so I think they might go for the pram. I like iCandy ones too but might opt for the same sort if arrangement where they buy the main bit, and we'll get the rest.

Also, could someone update my age? I'm now 27!

I've only got our double pram to buy now but was chuffed when we went and tested it in my car yesterday and it actually fits (I have a teeny car). So am quite excited.

Was just reading this on the childbirth topic if anyone's interested. Might be a bit early but i think there are some good tips there!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/1576806-Nice-little-tips-please-add-and-share

Have enjoyed catching up with the thread after getting back from our curtailed "baby-moon". We were supposed to have ten days in Norway, spending a week or so driving north and camping and walking and canoeing around the fjords, and then getting the ferry back south overnight. We ended up having a long weekend only (due to a family funeral). We spent two looooong days (2 hrs drive, 2 hrs flying, 6 hours driving, and then 11 hours driving the next day) travelling up the fjords and over mountain passes, which were stunningly beautiful, and then we did our ferry trip back. It was quite exhausting, and I was paranoid about getting a DVT with all the sitting in planes and cars, but I am SO glad we got to do it anyway, as it was incredibly beautiful.

I loved the advice about the birth plan being things you want to make sure you don't forget (like asking if the birthing pool is free and choosing tracks on my iPod). Sorry I can't remember who said it, but I'm too knackered to go back through the 5 pages I've just read and find out!

We've hardly got anything for the baby yet, as we've been waiting to see what stuff we'll get given by friends and family. We're a bit late in having kids, and have loads of friends who have older kids and are getting rid of their baby stuff, so it seems silly to buy things we might be given... However, I've been checking out eBay for the prams that I like just in case! My FIL gave us a cheque, which was really generous of him as he really doesn't have that much money at all. Oh and my mum is going to start knitting - something she hasn't done for about 30 years. Not quite sure what we'll end up with from her!

Hi all. Had my dads funeral yesterday - it went ok, as well as can be expected. Bump was kicking from about 6am until 8am, which was great as a reminder that good times are coming. Don't think I've quite got my head around what's happened yet as I was so busy with the arrangements.
Unbelievably, work chose yesterday to contact me to say I wouldnt be paid for any more time off, texting while I was at the funeral. Nice. Makes me want to start my maternity leave now! Anyway, am spending time with my mum today, a wont go back til tomorrow.

Went to our local NCT sale at the weekend, came away with so many clothes, a harness and a steriliser and a couple of toys all for £40. Bargain. Is anyone else signed up for NCT classes?

Pixel that sounds like an amazing trip! I have heard Norway is stunning.

Bunny sounds like it went as well as can be expected. Excuse my french but screw work . That is incredibly insensitive of them and TBH there are some things that are far more important.

Glad many of you got good stuff at the NCT sales, the one near us was absolutely rubbish. We are all signed up for our NCT classes and I start pregnancy yoga at the end of October. Seriously where is the time going, still I am happy it feels like it is going fast .

Welcome back pixel

bunny glad it went ok. I hope you make a point of sarcastically thanking whoever sent such a tactful text. I did NCT first time around and really enjoyed it. Almost disappointed I can't go again!

Thanks to whoever recommended Adsa maternity leggings - wearing mine now and they're so comfy.

That's awful Bunny! How insensitive of them!

After feeling extremely underprepared, I wrote a list last night of everything we have and we only actually need to get a few little bits and pieces now which is a relief.

I took someone to McDonalds today and CBeebies was on and I've decided my little one's favourite programme will be Mr Bloom's nursery. She will watch it from the day she is born, because he is gorgeous!

Creepy - you are saying that now, wait until the bloody compost song engrains itself in your brain. You'll wish Bloom dead!
:)

Hahaha I'll just stick it on mute and look at his lovely face!

Bunny hope you're doing ok. Can't believe how insensitive your work are, sods. Great news on the NCT bargains! My mum picked up a winter coat for me at one the other day for a fiver.

We are doing NCT, start end of Nov. Have also signed up for a 'birth rehearsal' workshop run by my yoga teacher. A friend of mine did it and said it was the single best antenatal thing she did.

Had my maternity leave dates confirmed by work today - finish 10 weeks tomorrow, when I'll be 34 weeks. But I have loads of holiday to take so won't actually start mat leave til just before my due date. Woo hoo!

Talking of mat leave, does anyone know if you can get mat leave and mat allowance? I work part-time for a university and will get mat leave from them, but the rest of the time I'm a self-employed acupuncturist and wonder if I can scrounge any money off the government for that?!

Hope everyone's doing well :)

Tugs that would be nice hut if you qualify for smp through employment that's it.

tugs you could try an online benefit check to see if there is anything you may be entittled to x

Brug I think your DP's mum will have to ask you before she buys something, in case you already have it. So whenever she asks what you need, you can just suggest small, cheapish things. Are there any nice things she can get in the country she lives is, which you can't get here? I'm thinking of clothing from that country, etc.

Are you feeling better today Pascha?

Pixel Norway sounds amazing, but its a shame your holiday was cut short.

Bunny glad the funeral went as well as it could, can't believe how insensitive your work are though!

I've finally bought a winter coat, from ebay. It's not maternity but it's a 'swing' style in a size too big, so I'm hoping it will do. The shops round here seem to have terrible maternity selections.

Tugs I'm no expert but AFAIK SMP is a fixed amount, so if you're getting it all from one employer you won't be able to get anything else. Also you're not allowed to earn any money while you're on SMP (I checked that out as I sometimes do casual work on top of my main job).

Does anyone else get into little panics when they don't feel the baby kicking for a while? Then she always starts to kick me somewhere uncomfortable and I wish she'd stop again!

Thanks ladies. Thought that would be that case. Will try the online benefit thing as well though just in case.

Mrsbugs that's a bit of a bugger. Will have to investigate because I'm relying on starting back in my practice one day a week after a few months... Hmm. I'm the same on the kicking front. I go from loads of kicks one day to very little the next, and the ensuing panic, and then loads again the next day.

Tugs there is lots of info about SMP on here

Tugs the most you can do while claiming smp or ma is 10 keeping in touch days. You will need to work out whether you will be better off doing 1 day a week or claiming. I had been planning to go back quite early but didn't make financial sense too. You could still be on leave from you main job so that you have that to go back too but just forfeit your smp

Hello everyone. I am extremley late in joining this thread as I am 25 +6 days with a baby boy, but my soon to be mother in law recommended this site for me (and I've only known i was pregnant for 10 weeks anyway). But I have spent the day reading through the a lot of the previous threads - it's so reassuring hearing all symptoms/stories etc that match mine!
Also as my partner is in the military we currently live 2 hours away so I don't always have him to speak to when I need (highlight why my MIL recommended this site).

So hello.....

Hi Bernie. Hope you are enjoying it so far.

Welcome bernie!

Has anyone else not got their flu jab til they're 30 weeks? That's in just a couple of weeks time for me but still feels a bit late? Or maybe I'm just being paranoid

I'm getting mine on Friday and I'll be 26+4. I don't think it's too late. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the immunity to build up in your system and the antibodies will then be passed on to your baby so that they are protected for the first wee while after birth.

I just had mine on Tuesday - let me know how it goes as mine is still slightly raised, sore and really red (about an inch in circumference) around it, I wasn't sure if this was normal as I have never had it before I've done the dreaded google search and that seems to think its normal but will keep an eye on it over the next few days.

I'm getting mine on Tuesday, birdies, when I'll be 28+4.

Going to see about getting my whooping cough jab as well, although will be leaving that for a couple of weeks after the flu one - I don't want to have them too close together.

Welcome, bernie. To put your mind at rest, the reaction from the jab you're having is totally normal. I had the same when I had my flu jab with DS last time.

Welcome bernie.

I had my flu jab a couple of weeks ago at work (they sort it out for us as they would rather go to the expense of hiring a private nurse to jab us all rather than have us take a day off )

Will have to get whooping cough jab at next GP appointment I guess....

Hope everyone is well. I have been having a pretty stressful and busy week at work but thank goodness it is nearly Friday and only 12 weeks to Christmas.

Welcome bernie!

On the working while on ML front, I checked and apparently you are not allowed to work for a new employer while receiving SMP but you can do as much genuinely self-employed work as you like without it affecting your SMP, providing you register with the tax office and pay tax etc. PHEW!

certainly pleased about that tugs! I was hoping to boost mmy pitiful smp with my photog and graphics stuff. im yet to ring n book my flu jab...