November 2012 - it's here at last, we're ready for you babies

[StuntNun]

Previous ante-natal thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1597357-November-2012-but-that-starts-on-Thursday

Post-natal thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1579907-November-2012-babies-are-here-at-last

I'd feel sorry for you if you were Pass

Barmee If it is any consolation, my ex told me that my DS had said the same thing to him. Got my own back when DS said it to me about him. I gleefully told him... revenge is sweet!

Spag bol was ace, considering I wasn't looking forward to it! I did add the chilli... mmmm! Baby is now wiiiiiiide awake!

That's the thing, before tonight I'd never have dreamed of telling DH if he'd said it. Now the bitch in me is hoping he does so I can make DH realise how it feels! God I'm turning into such a cow. I need to get this baby out!!

barmee that was mean of your DH to tell you that! Honestly men! Why do we put up with them?!

Ds told his Grandma he hated her last week and never wanted to see her again, after she shouted at him.

He forgave her by the weekend fickle creatures, kids! I'm sure it is only a matter of time before he shouts it at me!

The whole top bit of my bump feels bruised, I don't know if she's moved position but its painful.

Going to attempt to dtd tonight so see if that'll get things going.

Keep having either strong braxton hicks or weak contractions. No discernible pattern to them though so probably nothing.
Think the head is squashing my bladder and urethra, feel like I need to pee constantly.
I've had two baths this evening to soothe my back ache so with my shower this morning I am squeaky clean

How disappointing waiting Hopefully another good opportunity will come along soon.

misslaugh very sad for your friend - can't imagine how that must feel :(

On the subject of jobs (sort of) Do any of you, or did you, commute more than 1.5 hours each way? There's a possible opportunity to get back into the field I was in before redundancy - but that would be the commute - only 2 days a week though. I'm torn - I'd love to do it but worried it might be too much?

Kirrin I had a 300 mile round commute every day for the last 6 months of my degree. About 2.5 - 3hrs each way driving, longer on train. It almost killed me and I don't think I could do it again, BUT anything less than that is now a breeze! To me, an hour and a half each way would seem like nothing. Especially 2 days a week! But that's just me, if I hadn't had such a crazy long commute before I'm sure I'd be questioning it too.

On the subject of work, I'm undecided about whether or not I want to return to self-employment after maternity leave. It has many perks, yes, but it is very unreliable and there's no guarantee of work on a week-by-week basis. I don't want to go back to teaching per say, but unsure whether it's worth my while considering going back to work at all? We're very priviliged in that dh earns a lot and is due a big pay rise next year. I'd only be working to pay child care at this rate. BUT I've never not worked! I hate being financially dependant on him, and although I may think differently when I have a baby, the idea of being stuck at home all the time is driving me mad. And then there's the option of running up more student debt and going back to do a post grad.....

kirrin on a good day my commute is 1hr but can easily be 1hr 20 or so. This is every day - I have done it for 13 years and manage fine. I like driving - the roads are varied with motorway, country and villages along the way.

I have no idea how I will feel doing this when I go back to work. Right now, however, I would increase my commute for fewer days.

Kirrin I do-roughly 2 hours each way, depending how rubbish London Underground are being! I work a 50/50 job share so only one day a fortnight more than you would be doing and that's doable. Wouldn't want to do it more often though!

Barmee detective missmummy I feel your pain too.

It's my birthday tomorrow, and last night DH announced he hadn't had time to go to the shops to get me anything, not even a card, and wouldnt have time today either. This was after putting DD to bed with her saying that she doesnt like mummy but daddy is her best friend and I was to go away... and then after finally getting to have a bath in our new bathroom and the bath F-ing leaked so I had to get out straight away before getting to wash or relax and finding the new shower doesn't work either..... AND then he said- have you got anything nice to wear on friday evening.. I mean I know he has obviously made an effort to plan something so I should be greatful but he knows that I have absoulutly nothing nice to wear and that I am feeling shitty because none of my maternity clothes even seem to fit now and he knows I have had no money for months to buy anything and I haven't been able to wash properly for days and he knows I told him what I wanted for my birthday weeks ago but he didn't buy it becuase he wasn't sure of the size... argh
so anyway I know I am being hormonal and ungreatful but I went to bed crying again last night after all that disapointment!
Oh and of course the house is still a mess just in time for my birthday! pfffff!

MM what about supply teaching? Do you have a specialism in autism? If so maybe you could do part-time / occasional work in this field.

Mind you, if you can take a wee while out then why not. I keep promising myself some time out at some point. No idea when or why but one day.

My ideal scenario would be a year off for mat leave, and return 2-3 days a week for my sanity and financial independence. I would personally not feel comfortable with not bringing my own income in, even if I didn't need that income.

But that attitude is shaped by my own life experiences, and witnessing what my own mother went through. Not everyone will feel that way at all, which is absolutely fine.

It has to feel right to you. You might not want to return to work when the time comes - and certainly you are lucky if you do have the choice. I'd just take it as it comes. If worst came to the worst and you needed your own income, would you be able to get a job easily enough?

Sadly, I will be working FT forever. I suspect :(

Wow I'm amazed at how much you all commute! My dh commuted for 1.5hrs each way and hated it. It was however a very stop start journey (car,walk,train,walk) so he wasn't able to just relax in that time or enjoy the quiet.

MissMummy I gave up my "career" when I had ds 1. Like you I had always worked and the thought of not doing so horrified me. I have worked ever since he was 5 months old. I just couldn't not. I have done a variety of things and have been running a business with a friend for the last year. It is only small at the moment but I can see the potential for growth. I just have to be patient as time is the biggest resource we lack. If you are able it is a great time to reassess what you want to do. For me ultimately my family are my number one priority but I also need something else which allows me to think outside of that remit.

I am really tired today. Woke up with cramps and back ache during the night but know that could mean absolutely nothing for weeks so trying not to think about it. In the last 2 days I have ballooned and really feel massive. Tonight would be a good night I think!

Oh and mrswee that all sounds like a rubbish situation. Could your DH really not find 5 minutes to pop into a supermarket and at least get you a card and, I don't know, some nice chocs?

I know what you mean about the outfit issue as well. I was at a wedding last week and I was really anxious about what I wore. I just felt enormous and distinctly unglam. I ended up making myself feel better with cheap accessories.

Thanks all. I thought DH was sat with the boys while they had their tea and allowed myself a little cry but the bastard ( ) came to offer me a cup of tea! We've talked things through and I realised that I needed a mini mourn for the lack of choice of cutting back on my work. I'm feeling ok now.

We've drafted an action plan of sorts and while he finishes a week tomorrow he's paid until the end of the year then has jury duty so we have time.

Oh and as I've been in Tena lights for months I'm very at some of you.

I'm probably not one to ask about commutes, it takes me 8 minutes from home to work. I managed to do it in 4.5 minutes when I worked the Royal Wedding

kirrin, my commute is 1.5 - 2 hours door to door. Used to do it FT, but since having DS, it's only one day a week (plus 2 from home). It is by train though, and I actually really enjoy the hour on the train because I can read the paper, listen to podcasts etc. I think driving would be harder, but could still view positively as time to yourself to listen to radio or whatever. I'd think 2 days would be v manageable, but I guess I'm used to commuting working in London for 10 years.

pass he works in a supermarket! so yes he could but hasn't.. he's now going in the morning with 3 year old DD to get me a present and a card apprently, while I get my hair cut courtesy of my mum.... I can just hear him moaning now about how difficult it was to get me a gift with DD in tow. He should have just bought the changing bag I asked for online a month ago... he says I can still have that, he just never got round to buying it .. WTactualF or the top he didn't know what size to get.. the choice was 10-12 or 14-16 I've grown out of all my clothes so I think the size would have been obvious as I have never been a 10.. now it's sold out. It was the only nice nursing top i have ever seen.
anyway I do sound like a misreble cow but it's the little things that really help keep your spirits up at the end of pregnancy! and that really get you down too!

At least will have nice hair tomorrow and get to relax for an hour at the hair dressers where someone will even make me a cup of coffee and I will get to wash my hair! small mercys

mrswee - sympathies. I have an equally delightful birthday in store I suspect. Just me and DD, who has had a tummy upset all day and is therefore suffering from terrible nappy rash after all those toxic poos, poor wee thing. Can't even see friends at Ocean Terminal because she might be contagious. We will be in again in front of Peppa Pig I should think. And I've eaten all the chocolate in the house today. So no treats lurking in the cupboards.

I know what I'm getting from DH too - wellies ... (the glamour).

Anyway, hope you enjoy the hairdressers, make the most of that lovely time on your own and having running water applied to your hair! Happy Birthday, hope it's all better than anticipated!

And Happy Birthday to you cazcaz - if I remember correctly you're having a sweep tomorrow!! Hope you get to do something nice to balance that out!

Thanks for all the comments guys - better get working on my application then!

Must be something in the air today that's making DHs/DPs act like idiots - DP has just told me my stretch marks look awful :( He's right, but I really didn't need him to point it out.

Happy birthday to you too when it comes Georgee. (i'll say it again tomorrow anyway)
I went to OC soft play today.. I think it would be over rated as a birthday treat for you anyway! I hope your wee one is better tomorrow and you can get to do something nice over the weekend.

Mrswee my DH announced on his way to work that he's not buying me my changing bag (the one he promised 2 weeks ago as a 'sorry for being a twat' present) until after junior's born so he can buy it as a 'well done for giving birth' present instead . They can be so insensitive and have no idea what's important to us. It sounds like he's making an effort to plan something nice for tomorrow night though - mine bought me 2 tyres for my car for my birthday (after being reminded by my mum that it was my birthday).

Hope you georgee and cacacaz have a lovely day tomorrow regardless of all the crapiness going on right now xx

*nice for you for tomorrow night - hope it's a good surprise!