Due in September 2006..... into the third trimester.....on the home run

[compo]

Hope no-one minds [smile

Re Christmas shopping - was hoping to save up a day to go on my own near Xmas, leaving DS with two children!!! hadn't even thought of shopping now... Maybe we can do lots of craft, and DS can make all the presents - ha ha!!!

Message withdrawn

Quite, Normsnockers. After all, we'll have both of them most of the time in the week on our own! Can just see DH's face now when I announce this... Might have to have some practice runs while I go to the hairdresser/beauty salon etc. etc....

Definitely looks like that Lindam night feeders been added to my list. For me the worst thing about not being able to breastfeed was having to get up and hang around the kitchen for 10 mins by which time I was properly awake and frozen!

Not wanting to start another 'am I being unreasonable' thread here so can I pick your brains. MIL and FIL (who live 7hrs drive away - that's about as far as you get in UK for those of you not here) have both offered to come and stay with us when LO comes along. We have a 3 bed house with main rooms next to eachother but yes, we have the space. Initially I said OK that would be nice as they could play with DS and he wouldn't feel so left out. However, more I dwell on it more unhappy I get. I think that first 2 weeks I don't want to bother getting dressed and though they'd be helpful I'd still FEEL like they were my guests and to look after them. Have said now to DH OK they can come but stay in our friends (away in Oz and NZ) house which is 10 mins drive away. (They also talk in bed and in past have woken DS earlier than he should and us too.) DH has said absolutely not, if they come then they stay with us. What should I do, I value their support and they're lovely but I just want my house to myself while I'm still in nightie/bleeding/bruised mode!??

Sorry for long post and whole angsty dilemma thing - not like me, must be hormones

Definitely have them to stay 10 minutes away. That sounds perfect to me. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to suggest this and they might enjoy the peace and quiet after a day helping out.

liquidclocks - I think that having your mil and fil in your friend's house seems ideal for you all. They can offer you the support you need but you will have your own space to feel weepy/sick/sore etc in. Your partner is prob stressed that they will feel rejected but surely your mil will remember what it is like in the early weeks and understand your reasonings? They may even appreciate having their own base. A lot rests on the kind of people they are - will they feel offended or will they see it as an excellent solution in everyone's best interest? Ultimately you've got enough on your plate right now without having their staying hanging over you....

Liquid, I agree too. This sounds perfect! Stick to your guns. Is DH worried about offending his parents - it sounds from your post as if they've only offered, aren't necessarily expecting you to say yes? Agree it will be nice for your older one to have them around, and they can take him out and about to give you time with the baby.

We have friends from NZ who are coming to stay just before the baby is born (well, hopefully just before!). We have said we can't put them up here in case baby arrives, but they are going to stay in a neighbour' house while they are on holiday. It went down a treat - they get their own space, we get ours but they are on hand if we need them in the night before due date...!!!

Liquidclocks, sounds like the best of both worlds to be honest....they get to help you during the day & then go back to the other house to chill out which is only 10 mins away. So they, unlike you of course, are assured of a good nights sleep & then can come round all bright & bushy tailed & help when it's really needed....sounds like a perfect arrangement really

Marls, for Christ's sake woman, will you get off the tred mill!!!!!! Christmas shopping before baby is here??!!! Do you have some sort of happy pills your not teling us about?!!

When does everyone (where relevant) start maternity leave?? Me, 7th of august...

Thank you all! I suppose I'm worried they would feel a bit rejected as I'd previously said it would be ok for them to stay with us but obviously you all agree with me that it would be better for them too.

Christmas shopping - DS was a november baby and I did it all before and was very pleased I had. Bit longer to recover with this one and I think a good dose of dealing with 2 babies will be good for DH!

My last day of (planned) work is the 25th Sept. LO due on 28th - a bit close to the line?? I only do 2 days a week and figured that actually work is easier than looking after DS and as I'll only be taking 3 months off I wanted to make the most of LO!

Liquid, I also do 2 days, and am working right up until I feel I can't do it any more. But I also work from home, so that makes it easy as well. You do sound from previous posts as though you work hard though - remembering the conference and contractions - and the strep b issue - please do take care of yourself...

Are you keeping your eldest at child care while you're off? I decided we are going to - not least because if we don't he loses his place at nursery, which he loves, and it's booked up already to next summer!

My scrap stuff arrived this morning and i'm so excited!!! Yeah, can't wait for DD to go to bed tonight to start at it.

Bad news is had to go for my bloods today and random blood sugar. I have never had blood taken from my arm and usually end up being gouged for a while before they go into the hand- ouch! This time she did manage to get blood, yeah but she did dig around and really hurt me so now have a whooping lump and bruise where she has gouged me on both arms. She was so sorry tho and felt pretty bad for her although I was hurting; She was feeling bad for diggin around in my arms. Oh, well. Lets hope she doesn't need any more now.

Also been having bad period pains today- obviously no period tho! Hoping that its not bubba getting ready; he's not cooked enough!

I only work weekends so last day is going to be 26th August - Bank Holiday Saturday. Hopefully I'll be okay. It's 2 weeks before the due date and as people are already commenting on how big I am if you remember I'll probably look like a hippo!! I don't mind being at work, it's just if no clothes fit etc it might be a problem. I'll have to swan in in dh's T-shirt and PJ bottoms - lol

ps Pol - sorry to hear about your painful blood test -I've got mine tomorrow... eek!!

POl, I had a nurse twist the needle in my arm last thurs, she left me with a 10cm bruise, so I feel for you.

My mat leave is due to start on the 4th of sept, (the day before lo is due) but I've got holiday to take before then so it means I'll finish on the 6th of august. Was shocked when I realised a desk job is actually more difficult than waitressing when pg. Was pulling 12 hour shifts at a restaurant during my last pg and was fine, but get so stiff and sore in the office, only 9 shifts to go...

Look after those bumps x

Liquid - it's great that so many of you have supportive partners. It's very hard without and I wish things had worked out better for me but that's life. Maybe one day I'll meet someone decent but in the meantime I'm getting used to the idea of it just being me and baby (and my parents too of course!)

Marls - I think you are very organised to be thinking of Christmas shopping before LO arrives! I think I'll probably start October ish and buy a few bits every week to spread the cost etc. It's going to be such a special Christmas this year!

Pol - I can totally relate to horrid blood tests! I am very pale and my veins just don't show up. If I go to someone who's confident it's fine but if I get someone new or nervous it can be agony. I once had one woman try about 6 times without success. I felt like a pin cushion afterwards! The midwife I saw last week just refused point blank to do it and got the more experienced mw to do it instead!
I've been looking at the scrap book kits on Ebay and think I might have a go at one. Thanks for the idea!

I found out today that I may be entitled to Maternity Benefit after all! I'm really pleased as I thought I wouldn't be able to apply as I finished my last job in February and hadn't been there very long. I've been looking into housing too. It's going to be impossible to afford until I start working but I'm hoping to be sorted out for next Summer. It'll be lovely to have my own place again I can't wait!

I had 28 week bloods yesterday..plus another for platlet count as have dropped again. Also had anti-d which hurt! Also..(yes there's more!) had to have a vaginal swap as had traces of what looked like an infection in my urine..nice! I did say to midwife, can't you just give me some caneston & we'll be done? She said no, could be something more serious (i.e that would need antibios etc) so hop onto the bed but I have to say I was hugely embarassed as at 4.45pm your not really at your freshest down there are you?!!!!!

Clairemow - I'm with you - never warmed the bottle at all with DS1; came straight out of the fridge , but he didn't seem to mind! Dr. assured me wouldn't harm him at all, just that most babies "prefer" it warmed.
Microwave is a good idea, Norms - would prefer to just skip it, but DS2 may demand it!

Ouch, Calvemjoe & Pol! Your poor arms! Getting stiff and sore here too - during midnight getting-ups for restroom you'd think I had arthritis!

LOL, Cori!!!
I'll feel compelled to stuff as much as I can into these last two months ... my way of "nesting" ...

liquid - surely your in-laws would feel abit awkward anyway staying with you, esepecially if they felt that it was stressing you out. You are v. lucky that you have the offer of another house for them to stay in and don't have to put them up in a hotel. Sounds like an ideal situation to me.
Pol - I have had 'period' pains too . Baby moved to head down last week, so I assume it is just ligament stretching.

ooo cori - how embarassing! I am sure you were fresh a daisy!

Message withdrawn

Have a huge bruise which seems to be still growing in both arms! feeling v.sore too and DD insists pulling on my arms at the mo...

Sent DP to do the tesco shop, under much duress as he hates it. But so do I and I haven't stopped today! Feel knackered and have a bad headache and think it might be bp related. JOY!

Also mindee has wet himself twice today (he is nearly four!) even tho he has limited drinks and reg loo breaks he still has, once at my house and once at school. He has even had to borrow a pair of DD's jeans (don't laugh, they share the same clothes size. DD is 2 in Sept and he is 4 in Nov) So the jeans wet at school I have to wash as they are ours!

Mandaz- Soooooo pleased that you are going to scarpbook... I watch QVC for ideas but don't buy on there as v.expensive. I am eagerly awaiting DP to get back with shopping and then i'm gonna start scarpping!!! I love it and ideal when on mat. leave as it's v. relaxing.

Hope everyone is ok with bruises from blood tests and blood test worries. Good luck!

I missed your most recent post Cori - was replying to the one before it! At least mw's have the same equipment, so they're sure to understand!

Marls - we have male midwives here too!

Had a charity support worker come to the house yesterday - HV referred me a while back. Always thought since we both worked good jobs I wasn't entitled to any help but apparently as I have chronic illness + need for time etc they can get me a volunteer once a week to play with DS while I do some work It's fantastic as I've been really struggling but couldn't afford extra nursery time. Stress levels have definitely gone down overnight!

NHS might be a let down but at least we have some fab charities and everything is means tested on income - some things are down to need!

Hope people's arms are feeling better this morning!

Talked to DH and he said his parents wouldn't come at all if we said they couldn't stay here - but he didn't even ask them! I have now insisted they are given the option but if they decide not to come that's up to them. Things might be slightly more difficult with DS1 but I think mainly it would be their loss. Feeling all mean and hard this am!

Mandaz - sure one day the right man will turn up at your door and from what you said about you ex you are better off without. Is everything going ok btw with all that? Please feel free to have a rant now and again if u like, though I'm sure LO is a happy thought at the front of your mind for the most part!

liquid - surely your DH needs to give yur in-laws the option before making up their minds for them, As you say, if they are funny about it and don;t want to come if they can't stay it's their loss. I can't see the problem. Anyway - it's important that you have that time together as a family with out the stress of having visitors to stay. I have to say I wouldn't even dream of it, we had a friend of DH's over from australia for 1 night when DS was 2 weeks old and that was bad enough!
MIL is having DS today so I am getting all my washing, ironing and packing done for hols today - might even treat myself to half an hour of This Morning! (how sad)

Not sad - indulgent, enjoy!

DH's parents are lovely but they're a bit funny and don't have a great track record. they travel 7hrs to get here, stay for a few days but only see us for a few hours and then go and play golf!? (though last time they came they did stay for 5 days and spent plenty of time with DS so hopefully improving) A strop they had also completely ruined DS's baptism for me and DH (the day went well but emotionally they screwed us because we wouldn't move the day - for the 3rd time to accomodate an aunt) and they never stay as long as they say they will to begin with or they turn up a few days late. grr, ranting, sarry! But for some reason DH doesn't see why I might find them 'slightly' frustrating!!

Anyway, doesn't sound like I'm the only one with in-law problems and they seem mild to some!!

Liquid - I can totally sympathise. My in-laws can be lovely too, but I find them very controlling of DH, still treat him like a child and almost com across as not trusting us to care for our own son.
They tried to get us to move our wedding day becuase it was on a friday and MIL was a teacher at the time and didn't want to get a supply teacher in!!!!
Well Ds has just gone - house is quiet, I know I should start busying myself, but just feel like sittingh and going 'ahhhhhh!' for 5 minutes!