Graduated elderberries

[janey1234]

Hello all..,
Let's clog up a brand spanking new club over here

(By hello all, I guess I mean hello hazle. Hopefully the others will join us soon...)

yes Purple I do understand the popularity issue, that's why I've gone off Sebastian. First, DH didn't like it but also, it's now the most popular boys' name in Estonia. Not that it's too likely that we'll move back there, but still.

In France Victor it's number 45 on the popular names list, so easy to use, wouldn't have to spell it every time but still not likely he'd have 10 other boys with same name in the class.

As for clothes, I should actually wear suits. Could do business casual, but leggings and t-shirts certanly won't work. Or flowery sleeveless dresses. can still fit into some stretcher tops, but trousers and jackets are becoming an issue - I don't want to spend all those months until June in the same pair of black trousers..

I hear you Hazle - I'm dreading the summer because of this problem - for now I'm wearing long sleeve t-shirts under loose tops with a cardi on top (and obligatory black trousers).

A colleague of mine doing the same job in a different dept ended up in maxi dresses and flip flops by her last week last summer because she couldn't find anything comfy, that fit, or was cool enough (ie temperature)!

I usually were smart casual, but occasionally suit-up for particular occasions. Luckily I have rediscovered some blazers that I'd not worn for ages cos they're too big so I can smarten up smart dresses with that, I think, but still, I really don't want to be buying a suit especially for maternity purposes. It's just a waste of money.

Yes it is difficult isn't it, I've been managing with black trousers, long sleeved plain coloured t-shirt (black or grey) with a loose fitting a bit too see through to wear without something under it blouse over the top and then a waterfall type smart grey cardigan and often a nice scarf to smart it up a bit. This is pretty much the only thing I have been able to find that I consider smart enough for my job but I am getting mightily sick of wearing this 'uniform' every day. I can't see me finding an alternative any time soon though as I don't really do dresses and like you, I'm rarely comfortable with the level of see through/cleevage/arm on show with a lot of clothes so there doesn't seem to be all that much choice!
Just been to see if I can replace my shrunk t-shirts and they don't seem to have them in stock any more so I might HAVE to find an alternative to my current wardrobe since it's somewhat reliant on the long sleeved t-shirt base layer!

Ha ha, cross post Bear but it sounds like you're wearing pretty much the same as me!

At the moment i can manage with normal ruched tops, similar to this:
www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/phase-eight/Tops/Tallie-Cap-Sleeve-Top/301314163
or
www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/phase-eight/Tops/Tallie-Marl-Jersey-Top/301013100
Thanks to the ruching there's enough room for the belly, but they would be wearable afterwards as well.

Bu the way, have you been told anything about not wearing heels? My colleague's doc told her to wear flat shoes only, but she didn't remember what was the reason. I live in ridiculously high heels, I don't think I even have smart flat shoes. Probably have to get a pair later on, but planning to be in my heels for as long as possible.

Lol Purple snap!

I think ruching is the way forward Hazle hoping to splash out on some new tops next weekend (after payday).

Re heels I can see it putting extra strain on your back after a point, and I suppose if you have SPD or a dodgy back it would be a very bad idea to wear heels too long with all the extra weight - suppose it could also cause/exacerbate bunions. I guess that if your own doc hasn't said anything, maybe it's not universal advice?

Well me and the colleague have very different doctors. Hers won't let her do anything and actually just gave her sick note, so she's working from home and might even be on mat leave in a couple of weeks. Mine is more in the "You're pregnant, not sick, do whatever you want!" camp.

Sure, if heels start hurting, I'll stop wearing them, but until that I don't see a reason, so looks like it's not universal advice indeed.

Anybody choosing car seats already? Rach, you had the Which? subscription, can you check for me Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix and Cybex Aton 2?

Nobody mentioned heels to me Hazle but I can't wear them anyway due to a foot problem which I waited bleedin ages to see a consultant about then by the time I got my appointment I was pregnant so they wont operate until I've had the baby AND finished breastfeeding so quite a long wait. I do understand why but can't help thinking that having a massive boot on my foot and not being able to drive for a month isn't going to be ideal when looking after a small child and it really would have been better if they could have done it before. Oh well, for now I just occasionally pull my pretty shoes out of the wardrobe and stroke them. I've not been able to wear them for about two years .
I'd say if they're not causing you discomfort you're probably ok for now. There are enough silly guidelines, if no-one has rammed this one down your throat then I say ignore it!

After breaking my foot heels were out for about 6 months afterwards and I hated it because I am a short arse, so there is absolutely no frickin' way I am going to flat shoes while preggers unless I absolutely have to. I can't see any reason to give heels up unless they hurt too much or my feet swell so none of them fit, in which case I assume I would have to go to work in flip flops.

Hazle Seraphine have some maternity work suits which look quite nice. Well, as nice as they can look when they're made for people with a massive belly.

According to Which? the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix with Familyfix base = 76%, Maxi Cosi Cabriofix with Easyfix base = 82% and is top of their Best Buys list, Maxi Cosi Cabriofix secured with seatbelt and no base = 58% and they advise to avoid. The Cybex Aton 2 with base = 81% and is a Best Buy. Cybex Aton 2 without base = 77% and is also a Best Buy. So it looks like if you will always be securing it on a base the Cabriofix is the one to go for, but if it will ever be secured by a seatbelt alone the Aton is better.

Our Moses Basket arrived today. We have a proper little Nursery going on now and it's all getting a bit real!

I know that heavy lifting and digging probably aren't advisable in my current sake but I really might have to murder my OH and bury him under the patio. Argh! Why do I have to put up with such a useless twatty man, why! Oh well, at least the jury will let me off if I'm caught, I can just blame my hormones.
Exciting news on the Moses basket Rach although I'm getting a little bit worried about how far ahead on the buying an organising everyone else seems to be. I've bought nothing, there's not even a solitary baby grow in the house let alone any of the big important stuff, not that I can buy a cot or anything yet really as I have nowhere to put it due to impending building site state of the house die to aforementioned twat face. Today is another justifiably grumpy day

Stupid stupid auto correct, half of that post doesn't even make sense! Cursed bloody iPhone!

Fear not Purple, we also had a big fat zero up until about a week ago so there's no rush. Just make a list of what you need to you can get it all at once when the time comes.

Ahhh the male species.... you gotta love 'em apparently it gets much worse in the third trimester and after the birth where you reach a point where you actually could chop them up into tiny pieces.

Then god help him because it's not my hormones, he deserves it so if my hormones get involved he's a gonner for sure!

Purple I'm sure any Jury would see the delayed start of a late pregnancy loft conversion as a perfectly good reason for bumping off your OH so I think you'll be fine.

Today's pregnancy update says, "Studies show that infants who are exposed to certain loud noises in the womb (like dog barks or the dryer beeping) are less likely to be startled by them once they are born." This is definitely good news in our house!!

Four consecutive nights of rubbish sleeps now for me. I just can't get comfortable. I am starting to look like a zombie. Just 124 days to go.

Just had 20 week scan: all good and as requested the 'flavour' remains a surprise

Congrats Janey!

Great news Janey and yay for team green!

Congratulations Janey! It's such a relief to know everything looks ok in there isn't it - seems like such a long time since the 12 week scan. Even though we've had our scan, know that everything looks normal and more than likely know the gender, OH keeps asking if I still want a private scan, I think he just fancies having another look himself!

Shopping a bit here. Got another bag of baby clothes second hand for next to nothing
Now need to find some furniture - changing tables are ridiculously overpriced for what they are - do they think I'll pay 3 times as much for a chest of drawers because they call it baby furniture? I'm sure there must be plenty of those available second hand too, just need to find them close enough to pick up.

Those babies are expensive and I don't even want add it all up - pram and car seat will be the most costly purcahses, then carrier of some kind and all the bottles and 101 other things you seem to need. (makes sense to have 2-3 more babies just to keep the kost per DC reasoanble)

Congrats Janey Great news! And woop for team green I am actually wearing green today in your honour lol.

The cost is super scary Hazle we saw a gorgeous Mamas and Papas changing table on ebay for £30 but missed the end of the auction because OH changed his ebay notifications email address raarrrrgh.

But they're definitely about. Otherwise, could you just get a nice chest of drawers/shelf unit that you could rest a changing mat on top of?

Agree the baby multiplication factor is shocking. But sadly, there are many many families who will shell out either cos they can or cos they think they have to!

Yes I think normal chest of drawers is the way to go if I can't find anythign second hand. I was thinking that the edges are good, so baby does not roll down once it can turn, but there seem to be some changing mats with higher edges that should do the trick.

But honestly, the stuff you can buy -
www.amazon.fr/Babycalin-BBC512201-Housse-Matelas-Blanche/dp/B00BCYNEME/ref=sr_1_9?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1361531370&sr=1-9

Seriously?

We have bought an Ikea changing table and some normal drawers. The cot top changers look quite good but seem better for cot beds as they're quite wide, whereas we've just got a normal cot so the changer would hang over the side too far.

We're trying to be sensible and not spend too much but I have already lost track of what we have spent so far and I don't think it's pretty.

I am so pleased with the moses basket and stand, it's lovely and was in the sale.

If any of you are considering putting wall stickers like these on your nursery walls DON'T DO IT IF YOU VALUE YOUR SANITY! Aaarrrrggghhhh!!!!

Ok I know I've been complaining about maternity clothes, but if you have a bunch of stylists and unlimited funds then.. really?
www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2282985/Kim-Kardashian-continues-experiment-maternity-style--gets-wrong-garish-snakeskin-peplum-trousers.html

I was just sitting here feeling like a bit of a lard bucket and that has just cheered me up no end. She obviously got dressed in the dark and looks like she has put a good couple of stone on already! All the money in the world can't stop the awful things pregnancy does to your body but you can at least dress to flatter it the best you can.