February 2014 - is there an octopus in there?

[LittlePandaBear]

Okay I don't like to run out of things, even threads, so here's the new one.

Can't remember who described their baby kicking like an octopus but it's very true :)

Thanks ladies. God I feel like such a moan bag this week. Seen the doc as baby is fine. She said I'm probably coming down with a virus and that I need to eat more often so bloody sugar doesn't drop. I must have gone about 4 hours without food before break today and then didn't eat as much as normal so by lunch a couple of hours later I think my glucose levels must just have dropped too much. How ironic that my year 9s were supposed to be doing about insulin and bloody sugar period 5!

Eeyore - enjoy your new ensuite - it sounds lovely!

Iron wise - there are liquid sachets (I think called spatone) which are pretty good if people don't like iron tablets (as I think they can make you constipated).

I think DH and I have DTD about twice since I got up the duff so were definitely rubbish in that department! To be fair I'm knackered and he's working on deadline so were both just shattered at the moment and are just happy if we get the chance to have a lie in and a cuddle

Oh what I wouldn't give to have a bath now! Insurance appraiser person came round today and should hopefully be approving things on Monday then we can get the building guy round to sort the bathroom out! Apparently were looking at about a weeks work as they need to do the bathroom and also decorate the downstairs walls due to water damage. Keep your fingers crossed for me we get it sorted soon. Really feel for you other ladies living in a building site! x

Tiny - I think baked beans are a good source of iron too. Might be a good easy way to add some in your diet e.g for brekkie or lunch x

Littlepanda - I got a nice changing bag from boots last time. It looks like a nice leather bag just larger. I struggled to find one for ages though as really didn't want to pay a fortune! X

Hi everyone,

So we spent the day after church on sunday with friends, country walk and back to theirs for dinner. Then on Wednesday she called to say one of her children had slapped cheek and he was extremely ill.

I had heard that this was dangerous for pregnant woman but just thought ill be fine. Today I am feeling under the weather but its probably anaemia and the long walk in the forest with 30 6 year olds. So I had a look on google about it. Now I am a bit concerned about it as it seems like if you were to catch it when pregnant it can be fatal for baby ahhhhhh! So many things to worry about.

I also just had the mother of all Braxton Hicks contractions it was actually as painful as early labour contractions. But it was just one really painful one and then I have been fine since. I think I must have too much time on my hands to be worried about this stuff. I really didn't ever get like this in my first two pregnancies.

I feel really sorry for my DH he is working so hard and not getting home until after 9pm most nights at which point he is greeted by a grumpy me. Tonight he actually made it home before 7pm so he put the DC to bed. Pre pregnancy I always had uni work to get done in the evenings and now I am just too tired for even conversation. Although I would love nothing more than to cozy up on the sofa with him to watch a movie and enjoy a glass of wine the only thing I will be doing is going to bed.

Oh isn't it all joy this pregnancy malarkey!

I would love a proper nappy bag this time. All I had lat time was the Boots Parenting Club freebie! Which did the job, but it's obviously a freebie iyswim. Can't justify spending a lot on it though!

littlepanda initially I had the one that went with our buggy but then I invested in a skip hop pronto which meant I could clip it onto buggy under seat, with clothes/bottles in bag fixed to buggy or pop it in whatever bag I was using. Meaning I could use my normal bag and feel like a "normal" person. It also meant that when we started using the back carrier I could just pop it in.

I meant to add.

somany if you are at all concerned call your mw or local maternity unit as they can do a blood test to check for the virus and/or reassure you. It looks like most of the risks are in first half of pregnancy. Now stop googling Go get a good nights sleep.

Littlepanda I have a yummy mummy one. I love it, it's surprisingly spacious and looks beautiful!

I used a large joules handbag last time and then got changing bag envy and bought a Cath Kidston cowboy print bag. Then some bastard nicked it from my car (tipped out most of the contents into my boot). I will just use a handbag tbh. I kept stuff to a minimum - one vest and body suit, one cardigan, one muslin, 2x nappies, 3x nappy sacks and pack of travel wipes. I did have a free huggies changing mat that folded up in to a pouch and held all that crap together which was actually very useful. I think it came in the huggies newborn starter kit which was free in Asda through some voucher or another.....Its when weaning started that I found i needed to carry a lot more crap around!

DTD: we are down to once every 7-10 days (not a massive change) because by the time it gets to evenings (and ds is in bed) I am too shattered and achey. I am trying to fit more quickies in the bathroom as in the mornings I do feel the urge quite a bit. I miss morning sex pre dc and I know its not going to happen again for a REALLY long time Oh well, one day, they will grow up and leave home....

I struggled less with the loss of self after ds was born (I had low expectations and was pleasantly surprised!) but the loss of personal space and quiet time was a real shocker. I quite like my own company and am very happy to spend time on my own and suddenly there was this person who was in my presence 24/7. I think that's why the first 6 weeks are so hard as a first timer - you and baby are getting used to a new life (plus sleep deprivation, feeding, etc)

Do we need a changing bag, or can we use a normal bag and a changing mat?

I'm planning on getting that one from the Boots club too unplastered, looks practical and non fussy. If that one wasn't on offer, I was going to use a good old rucksack .

On DTD DH is put off by the ever growing bump in front of me. petty, you had morning sex?? wow, you're good; we're usually really stretching out the snooze button then telling the other one to go ahead to the bathroom first (you can get an extra few minutes in bed).

Well a changing bag isn't strictly a neccesity but I do like to carry lots for every eventuality, and even though DD is now 3 and out of nappies I still have to carry around a drink, change of clothes, snacks etc just for her!

I dream of a posho bag like this:

John Lewis

but do not have a spare £200 for a bag! However I have asked some family for some John Lewis vouchers for Xmas in the hope that the nice changing bags come down significantly in price in the sales...

As you will have to take your bag everywhere that you go with baby, ideally it should be a bag that your DH/P is also happy to carry if they go out without you. My animal print one last time wasn't very popular with DH! but I'm not as keen on the plain masculine ones and it will mainly be me out and about with baby while DH is at work.

I don't have tooo much to buy for this baby as we still have all of the 'big' stuff from DD so maybe I could justify a nice bag???

embarrassed to discuss my non existent sex life at the mo so will have to get thrills from bag shopping instead

tiny Treat yourself to a glass of Guiness of an evening. I've been having it all along (and did with DD1 too) and recently my mw praised me on my iron levels i didn't mention the guiness to her though

I have to say my dh is getting lucky in terms of dtd this time round. I seem to be a lot more up for it then when I was pregnant with dd

Ooooh it's the local nct sale tomorrow morning.

Any tips on what I should keep an eye out for? All we have so far are - Moses basket, co-sleeper, bottles, steriliser, play gym, some clothes and a few other bits and bobs. Eeeeek I thought I was well organised as I decided what pram to get then seem to have just stopped actually researching baby things. Oops.

Somany - definitely give your doc a call if you're worried. I feel your pain about late working DH too - mines the same at the moment and I feel so bad when he gets home to a big moan bag of a wife!

My DP is terrified of hurting the baby so I don't even bother trying anymore. I'm sure my ballooning figure isn't helping either nor the fact that I live in my pyjamas and granny underwear.
Do you think we will need a wardrobe for the baby? I'm wondering if we can get away with just a large chest of drawers for the first two years until we update his room. What are you all doing with the baby clothes and accessories?
Oh, DP surprised me by going to Kiddicare and getting the pushchair yesterday. He also bought some woodland cuddly toys to go with my nursery theme. And then, apparently, he started welling up in the shop. He cried when I got the BFP too. I think I last cried a few years ago watching Up or that one time I got cramp. He.has always been a lot more emotional than me.

oh fun misskat, try to get a wide range of ages of clothes, so not just newborn as they grow quite quickly. Maybe look out for washable nappies?

Grrrr one of DHs sisters has just sent me a link to her amazon wishlist for Christmas presents. I did ask another sister for present ideas but I'm just like - we have shit loads of baby stuff to buy plus the cost of hiring birth pool and potentially a doula if we do have a home birth. One more full paycheck before maternity and our house is fucked (fingers crossed insurance will cover most of the £2500 quote to fix it!) - plus were gonna have to get the train down to see his family at Christmas as DH hasn't passed his driving test yet and I don't wanna be responsible for driving such a long way when super preg - which is gonna cos about £150 for the two of us. Had asked DH to explain to family that we don't really think we can afford presents - or at least keep it to a strict budget but he hasn't yet. Just feel a bit pissed off by the "here are the presents I'd like" post. Obviously I'm sure she doesn't actually mean anything by it and I'm just being an irrational Preggo but still!

Dh mentioned guiness dawn might be worth a try!

misskat we went to our first sale last week and were totally unprepared. If you are members you can get in half an hour earlier than the crowds, so don't wait in the queue like we did! Just have a clear idea what you want before you go, we ended up buying stuff for the sake of it I think.

Thingy - I managed with just drawers for dd up till now.

hmm misskat, how about cot sheets, snowsuits, clothes, baby bath, sling/wrap or baby carrier, high chair, breast/bottle feeding pillow, sleeping bag, baby toiletry box, play gym, mobile, baby chair/swing, nappies and accessories... erm can't think of much else. Hardly any if that is really needed anyway.
We are going to an NCT sale next week hopefully.

Wet wiper warmer

That is incredibly cheeky of his sister. Perhaps you could explain that you aren't buying for adults this year because of the baby and don't want anything either. I've done that with all of my family but like you I'm still waiting for DP to tell his relatives.
Thanks sassy, I think I'll have a look for a decent chest of drawers tomorrow then. I'd rather use the extra space for a comfy chair and make a cosy little reading nook.

Oooh thanks for the idea ladies I bet I get there tomorrow and get totally confused and just grab random crap. DH will probably end up a quivering mess!

Awww sil just sent me a sheepish text after she has spoken to other sil who knows about the house stuff. I'm sure my silence over the post spoke volumes - think she's feeling a bit guilty now. I know she was only trying to be helpful but Preggo brain over here did not see it like that