December 2013 - blue, pink, what do you think?

[NomDeClavier]

New thread! Pile in!

Doh - try again with the stats link:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1803742-December-2013-Stats

Thanks for all the good wishes. Today is definitely a better day. SPD pain is still there but feeling more positive and have been given weekly physio appts for now so hoping that helps.
Frouby You sound like you have been a very good friend already getting your friend an interview. Some people are just attracted to drama. I have a very good friend who is similar and always makes bad choices when it comes to men. I think you are right o be as honest as possible with her but then I think you should move on and maybe distance yourself for a bit so that you can enjoy your pregnancy. Sounds like you deserve it.
Music I can't tell you how much I'm counting down the weeks now. Just over 12 for me now. It seems like an eternity at the moment! It's really weird as I quite like my job when I'm not pregnant. However in both my pregnancies, I start to tune out of work almost immediately and really can be bothered with anything which is awful. Oh well...
Re work clothes and leggings, I agree that if you wear a smartish over the bum top then it's ok. That's what I'm doing today.
Hope everyone is feeling ok.

Hi ladies

Been reading messages so thought I'd add something!

We've booked in for nct.. Wasn't too sure as its expensive and we are in the highest band plus the most amounts of classes locally! But figured its as much for dp as me...

I was very paranoid about buying anything before the 20week scan so been watching prices and just missed out on the m&p extra discount by a day! But still managed to order the nursery furniture for a little cheaper and have found a website which do the pram I like with a discount and further 5% off today so got to decide I the next few hours whether to buy it!

Will have 14 weeks left at work at the end of the week! And dp reminded me that we will have a baby in 4 months eeeeeek!

Our house is finally coming together... New bathrooms ready to go in and kitchen on order so should hopefully be in in a few weeks... Can't wait!!

Glad the scans have all gone well and hello to newbies...

Well sorted out friend and her brother who is actually also a friend. Phew, took some doing but friend now OK to go home, brother got his things out of the house (they were living together) and friend been for interview as well and is glad she went.

Role is a housekeeper for a huge posh estate near us and she was interviewed by the butler, lord and lady something-hyphonated and even if she doesn't get offered it, it sounds as though it was a fantastic experiance just going around the house!

Friend had the afternoon to dwell on what I said whilst I was meeting up with her brother and has apologised to me and thanked me for the rocket up her bum. Left here looking a lot happier so that's OK.

Pants. I have struggled with them since I found out. I usually go for either bikini briefs or hipster shorts but found with even a tiny bump they were rolling down at the front.

Tried those styles in bigger sizes but they just wouldn't sit right.

So if you don't mind being unglamarous for the next 4/5 months do what I have done and buy some Full Briefs AKA granny knickers lol. I got some in a size 22 (am normally a 14) and they are the most comfortable things in the world at the minute! They come right up over the bump and currently sit just below the waistline of my maternity leggings. I got some from the M & S retail outlet place (think they were reduced to a fiver for 5 pairs) so after baby is here and we have gotten through the horror of maternity sanitary towels they will just go in the bin.

Or as DP said we will donate them to an amature parachute club pmsl.

A cheap and very comfortable alternative to maternity knicks!

Anyone else craving sunday dinner type food? We're having sausage casserole today with mash and veg, stew tomorrow with yorkshire puds and veg and I have done a sunday lunch every week for the last 3 which is unheard of in the summer!

As a result of all these big dinners I am avoiding the scales at the moment pmsl.

Have been told I am massive by some folk and tiny for my dates by others so think I'm probably about right.

Frouby I could have written the last part of your post myself. I bought the huge granny knickers from M&S outlet for £5, I'm usually a 12/14 but got a 20 and they're so comfy
AND, I'm craving Sunday dinner food too. We had a roast chicken dinner again last night plus I made a big stew & froze portions for work. The other night we planned on going for a takeaway but ended up a a local pub as baby wanted carvery

I'm also in the leggings from New Look club! I'm living in them now, I also have a comfy pair from Next. I wear them with all my dresses or long tops for work now.

I have a lovely pair of maternity jeans, over bump type, in size 14, but hadn't worn them for ages due to the warm weather. Got them out at the weekend, only just got them up over my thighs but the bump panel is now too tight for my bump! It makes it look a funny shape. I'm going to keep hold of them for post-pregnancy at the mo as I'm expecting it might take a while 3rd time round for everything to go back into place.

Not been near the scales for weeks now and I'm not going to. Had a midwife appointment yesterday and she measured my bump, which is spot on for dates. I had +++white blood cells in my wee though and slight glucose. I'm hoping the glucose doesn't show up again at next appointment otherwise I will be sent for GTT for poss diabetes. Am waiting for the results now about possible urine infection.

I meant to come on and ask your opinions on names. In RL we're keeping baby's name a secret until he is born so I can only really discuss this with my DH, and you lovely people on here.

I have a DD & DS already. I like the idea of this baby having a different first initial. DD's name starts with an 'E', DS's starts with an 'O'.

I am loving the name Jacob. DH says he doesn't like the shortened version 'Jay' which I'm trying to argue we just won't call him 'Jay'. We have a nick name for our other son which we never planned until it came about after he was born.

DH really likes the name Ethan. Which is nice but scuppers my plan of a different initial. My first name also starts with 'E' although he will be the only Mr E ......

Also on our list is:
Finley
Oliver (although same initial as DS)
Leo

That's it really. Maybe my 'different initial' rule is a bit silly and I should re-think.
Jacob is my favourite though, I'm hoping DH comes round. I've practised saying it out loud

What about jake for a nn 2labs? Do you like that better.

My DD is called francesca and I wanted her to be known as frankie which she is instead of fran or frances or chesca. So although you can't definitely make a nn stick when they are older you can when they are little.

I agree Frouby. Just need to convince DH. Even 'Jakey' which seems silly written down, is really cute for a tiny bubba. I just love the name Jacob

Jacob is lovely 2labs, as is Jake as a nn. Invested in some new look maternity leggings and a top today

Must add myself to the stats thread.

I like Jacob and.the other three options too. Leo is perhaps my favourite.

Frouby- glad you sorted the friend stress out.. You don't need it at the mo.. It's tough to try and support someone who keeps making bad choices..

I get a lot of comments re the bump too.. Today a woman at work commented in the morning "
That outfits nice, it makes you look slimmer".. Then mid morning she Says- " ooh baby must've moved position- you look much bigger now". Charming!!

2labs- I love Jacob. Jake/Jakey is a lovely nn. Tbh I wouldn't have thought of Jay as nn for Jake- more for Jason..

DH & I have hardly agreed on any names so far so you're way ahead of us!

Had a new nephew born last night- met him today. Gorgeous little bundle of squidginess!! Made me super broody- which is just as well!!

Morning all!

I am feeling stressed today - work has just exploded in the last day or so, and I have people coming at me from all angles to moan about stuff, most of which I am powerless to control but I am their "go to" contact. Feel,like screaming, and can also feel myself getting properly worked up about it as I feel sick and slept even worse than usual last night.

I just want to fast forward to the end of September when hopefully the current grumbles will have been dealt with and I can start to chill and switch off at work. Even though I'll be working until mid November.... But I think a bit of switching off is normal...isn't it?!

Sorry to moan, just feel sick, stressed and grumpy today.

Good morning all!

Today's another scan day for us; I'm desperately hoping the girls are looking more equal in size than last week and that they're both still ok in there. I've been feeling lots of kicks, but it's hard to tell who from and how many at the moment. The appointment isn't until this afternoon so I thought coming to work as normal this morning would help to keep my mind from worrying, but so far it isn't working! Thinking about names is about the only thing that can distract me currently, it's amazing how preoccupying that can be!

I really like Jacob 2Labradors, and actually like Jay too - it reminds me of a very nice man I used to work with and of the Great Gatsby too. What do you guys think of Jessica and Eleanor for two girls?

Good work on sorting our your friend froubylou, it sounds like you told her exactly what she needed to hear and gave her a fantastic experience to boot! I'm on the big knickers too, and finding them so comfortable. I'm pretty sure my underwear shopping is now basically the same as my grandmother's though!

MildredH, I know what you mean about the crazy comments - I'm not sure what comes over people sometimes! This morning on the tube a complete stranger said to me 'You look like you're ready to drop, don't give birth on the tube!'. ...Lovely.

Good luck with the work Lisbapalea, hope it gets easier soon!

Thanks hetsto, am crossing fingers!

Good luck with the scans today - hope the girls are growing well.

Eleanor is on our shortlist - I think it's lovely! I also love Jess but unfortunately a huge proportion of my friends seem to have that name, so we need to avoid that one!

lisbapalea - You poor thing It probably doesn't help that hormones making things ten times worse at the moment! I know it's easier said than done but try your best to put your feet up and switch off when you get home and leave the stress for work time - I'm sure baby will thank you for it! Hope it all gets easier for you soon though soon though

2labs - Jacob is a lovely name! In fact, all of your suggestions are lovely! I think shortening Jacob to Jake actually makes it even nicer and, as the others have said, I wouldn't have considered Jay as a nn either (definitely more for Jason!)

Mildred - Your nephew sounds super cute, very jealous of you getting to squidge him as I've been getting the urge to cuddle every baby I see out and about lately!

Frouby - Glad the friend stress is all sorted now, definitely sounds like something you could do without at the moment and at the end of the day, it's not really your problem any more as you've done all you can to help!

Are the big knickers really that great?! I bought a load of Primark hipster shorts in a size 12/14 a couple of months ago (usually a size 10/12 in there) which I've just been folding under my bump for comfort. They feel like they're going to fall down whenever I wear dresses though, so I'm not sure how much I'd trust going up to a size 20, haha!

Oh and I wasn't craving a roast until you mentioned it...! All I want at the moment is sweet things - spent yesterday afternoon at work daydreaming about battenburg, cherry bakewells, pick n' mix sweets and Cadbury chocolate Eclairs! Mmmmm...

Can't remember who it was that asked if everyone has had their scans yet, but I think merr has hers tomorrow and mine is on Monday - the suspense is killing me!!!

Oh and good to see that my idea of adding colours to the stats thread is catching on, haha!

Oops, sorry for the crossed posts! Best of luck today, heststo

Good luck today hetso, hope everything is OK and you get some positive news. Lovely names both of them.

Think its normal to switch off from work. Know I have lol. I'm really, really lucky as I work for myself from home and have a little business that pretty much runs itself. I'm supposed to be pro-active 1 day a week about chasing up more work but since I found out I was PG I admit I havent done any pmsl. I spend about 8-10 hours a week working so am everso lucky I know.

The only issue I have is when I am actually in hospital having the baby if it's a payday or something I don't know how I'm going to get it done lol. No one else knows how to do it. DP will be with me and even if he nipped off for an hour or so to try and do it he just isn't PC literate at all. Worse case scenario I'l have to log in on my phone in between contractions and pay everyone pmsl. Because I am due just before we break up for christmas hopefully it will just be 1 payment that could be an issue.

Got my landlord coming out later to do some repairs. Going to ask that he has our bedroom redecorated just to be cheeky lol. We're good tenants, been here 7 years and done lots to the house inside and out. But had a problem in our room with damp, made worse by leaky guttering that has been leaking for 6 months. As a result I have black mould on the ceiling and under the window which keeps coming back. So he can sort it out.

Put my OMG I AM PREGNANT top on and will rub bump lots saying DP working away a lot to get money in to pay rent and you can't expect me in my condition to get up on ladders and paint the fecking ceiling can you etc etc etc. God loves a tryer anyway!

2labs you're lucky i'm expecting a little girl because I would steal the name Jacob :) it's adorable. I really like it.

Good luck Hestso ! I can't believe someone told you you were about to drop already! I guess it's starting to show that you're expecting twins!

lots of luck today hesto and think the names are lovely for your two little girls.

2labs Jacob/Jake is in our top 3, think it's a great name. I also agree I wouldn't have thought of Jay for Jacob. We're currently going with James

My thing with names is my OH wants to put his maternal and my maternal grandads as the middle names which would be James Michael Robert, I'm not really keen if I'm honest as I'd like our little man to have his own identity and they're not names I would choose - he didn't meet his grandad and mines alive and kicking so its not done out of respect for them recently passing or anything. I haven't said anything to him at the moment other than to say 'we've got ages to figure out middle names let alone first name for definite' and I don't want to cause an arguement so not too sure what to say about it or how to approach it...

its liz I added my colours to the stats thread yesterday!

lisbapalea sorry works not great, try and steal 5 mins here and there for a tea or fresh air and try to switch off for those 5 mins. Not nice when everything starts to feel like it's getting on top of you. keep thinking Saturdays nearly here!

froubylou loving the plan with the landlord, fingers crossed he's in a generous mood!!

Been having stitch like pains that happen every now and again but it's not while I'm walking or anything, is anyone else having these? Not sure if its maybe just ligaments pinging and stretching or something?

Thank you all for the good wishes, we're heading off shortly.

Roselau, I know - I do feel pretty big, and think I probably must have been before we found out too, but the difference is only just beginning to register really. ...I also think the man was just being a bit of an idiot and looking for something 'funny' to say to the funny-looking-pregnant-lady!

Hehe, good luck with the landlord froubylou, that ought to do it!

I know what you mean about names after other family members MrsShrubs, it's particularly hard when it seems like such a nice gesture, but you have to really like the names too!

2Labs Ethan is a great name choice (my DS1 ) so of course I agree with that one! I love Jacob too, one of my top choices and I love it shortened as Jake. I'm considering just Jake but I think Jacob is nice as it's a biblical name/historical - a strong name I think. I didn't know it could be shortened to Jay -I guess it depends on what family and friends end up shortening it to. I quite like Jay too. Only thing that annoys me about that name is the association with Baby Jake (on tv) but that would change once they're a bit older!

Good luck hetsto!

Mrs Shrubs middle names are difficult if you feel pressured to use family names! We used my dad's name in his memory for DS1 which was perfectly fitting, then I felt obliged to use DH's dad's name for DS2 which was fine. If DC3 is a boy I have no idea where we'll go from there! I do like using family names (as long as they're not too hideous) to give middle names more meaning tho it can be tricky. For a girl, I wouldn't want my mum or my DH's mum's names but my grandma's middle name was Rose so I'd probably push for that! (Her first name as Muriel- er no way!)

shrubs yep I get those twinges now and again, sharp pains down near the groin area- normally when I get up too quickly or sneeze! I think it is the ligaments stretching. I'm also finding myself struggling to adapt to the new 'boundries' of my body- meaning- I keep forgetting I have a bump and well bumping into things or trying to squeeze past spaces that are too small for me! DH has also bumped into my bump a few times when he misjudged how much it stuck out!

today I managed to let the swing that DS was on in the park swing back and hit my bump- it was hard enough for me to say ouch and poor baby jumped then kicked a fair bit afterwards! should I be worried I know it's pretty well padded in there. Poor thing must have been jolted a fair bit!

oh I was also going to say shrubs that before choosing middle names my DH informed me there was a middle name that all men in his family had that was one of the great great grandfathers names or something. Anyway its an awful name (and DH hates having it too) so I was worried when we told his dad we weren't carrying on the tradition but he seemed fine with it. It is worth saying what you think and standing firm as you don't want to hate DC's middle name all their life wishing you could have chosen something else- tho it is hard to bring the subject up with worrying about offending/upsetting people I agree! good luck!

stats updated with team yellow!

Thanks mumoftwo this is going to sound mean but my OH is the apple of his mums eye and is definitely viewed as the golden child so I feel he's more doing it to earn brownie points then it is for real sentiment, especially as his maternal grandad died long before he was born. Plus I feel awkward that my dad and his dad will be thinking 'why isn't my dads name a middle name' James is coincidentally my OHs middle name so I would like him to have at least one name to himself. I quite like James Ryan and James Dylan. Although he might arrive and we decide he doesn't look like a James at all and completely change out minds.

Glad that pains not just me, it's really annoying then vanishes! I'm sure you'll be okay, like you say they are really well padded in there. If you feel concerned give your MW a call just to reassure yourself that little ones okay!

Ey up gang. Just wanted to quickly put my two penneth worth in about leggings and knickers! If I could I would only ever wear my maternity leggings, they're amazing. Got a pair from H&M and a pair off ebay, though the lycra on the ebay ones is going already and it's doing that thing where you get white bits around the crotch!

Is it ok to wear leggings to an office though? Instinctively I think not but... I've got some really comfy mat trousers on this week and they're almost as comfy to be honest so might stick with them and one other pair I've got.

Was also thinking about using the 3 mat dresses I bought for the heatwave in winter by pairing them up with leggings and boots. BUT what colour leggings can you wear a navy blue dress? Is black ok with blue? I always thought yes until someone said I looked like a big bruise! And what about a light brown one? Think it's officially called cappuccino or something rubbish like that.

Re pants, I've just started buying bigger sizes. They're only £2.50 for 5 at Primark and given that I'm having to change them twice a day now (!) and have no washing machine, having loads is useful. I usually buy bikini briefs but did accidentally buy some bigger ones that sat further up, about half way up bump and I must say they were very comfy. BUT I feel so horribly dumpy and unattractive as it is, I'm not going to add to that by wearing massive granny pants just yet!

Frouby, I'm having to work from home while I'm off too. Also worried about wages and stuff. There's a really simple programme which allows you to log onto your PC remotely from anywhere, provided you've left it switched on. check out www.logmein.com I installed it on the work PC yesterday, am going to trial it at home tomorrow. Think they do free and paid versions.

I'm exhausted. Thankfully am going away for 10 days next week. After that I've decided not to work full time any more. I've got loads of annual leave so am going to use that to take random days off here and there before starting my mat leave. Which I was planning on starting at 38 weeks but that seems ridiculous now so going to try roll that back to 36 weeks at the latest. I don't know about anyone else but I really feel like I need to recharge my batteries before my daughter comes along.

OH and I going to Relate tonight.. just what I need after working flat out all day every day for a fortnight.

Re the NCT debate, I can see the value and my friends all swear by it. But it's a lot of money just to make friends. I'm pretty sure I can manage to do that on my own! Hope so anyway cos there just isn't any spare money for extras like that.

Re prams, my colleague swears by this one.

www.justkiddingonline.co.uk/detail.jsp?pid=9003463&id=20000119&src=froogle

He says it's really hardy so you can go running with the baby in it. It turns on a six pence, the tyres can't burst and (this is the selling point for me) you can fold it up one handed by just pulling on a thing in the middle of it. And you can get an adaptor thing so you can put most car seats on it. And it'll do for 3 years or so.

Sorry I haven't replied to everyone's posts despite the epic length of this post (!) but congrats to everyone who's had scans and fingers crossed for your two Hetsto