THREAD 13 Jan 2014 - Grab those bags, we're nearing the top of that rollercoaster!

[Toothfairy78]

OK I caved. Here's thread 13!

Omg enormouse! How did you know?!
We do Secret Santa in my family because there are loads of us. I had a bit left to spend on mine (my sister) and she'd told me she wanted Body Shop vanilla stuff so I just got a gift set, some perfume oil and a lip balm for £14!

You legend :o

I got an email from kidstart with a voucher code attached and it was on the on the bodyshop homepage when I clicked. I felt compelled to share .

We could all do with a bit of pampering, I think. I'm treating myself to some chocomania stuff and divine calm massage oil.

Tens machine is like a buzzing feeling. I remember liking it last time in the early stages, but once the pain really started it didn't do a lot for me.

I've given up being a "good" parent today and have given dd super noodles and yogurt for dinner. In my defence I didn't add the flavouring and used a low salt veg stock cube instead. She barely ate any if it anyway because she is teething (I think) but the noodles entertained her for a while.

enormouse I'm late too. Due 22 jan, team blue, 34w

I'm going to buy a tens machine but no idea what I need to look for. Going to get it off eBay. I know it needs 4 pads and a booster button but apart from that are they all pretty similar? Any brands to look out for or avoid?

Good luck nature

bodyshop if you go through quidco it's 50% off and 14% cash back . My orders stuck on the payment page though :(

I hired mine last time, it didn't really do anything for me. But I hired it through Amazon for £20, they might be doing something like that again? I used the MamaTENS one

this one has good reviews, same for the website itself

www.pregnancytens.co.uk/Hire-Elle-Tens-Machine--7-Weeks-Hire-FREE-1st-Class-Delivery-FREE-Return-Free-Practice-Electrodes_p_8.html

Boo to colds, insomnia, carpal tunnel and all the other unglamourous side effects of pregnancy!

I'm also very impressed with everyone who is doing this and looking after toddlers! I can barely look after myself!

Mythree I'm debating a TENS machine, probably need to decide soon! Glad you're staying positive about work! I'm 34+5 (EDD 15th Jan, team pink!) and I also feel like I have ages to go!

Good luck for your scan Nature!

We're making the most of it just being the two of us and having a fake Christmas this weekend. I'm very excited! Making a massive 3 course roast (spread out over the whole day as baby is taking up a lot of stomach room!) and then going to a carol service and watching a Christmas movie. I can't wait!

My sister has loaned me her tens machine. Bit scared to test it out in case it starts me off! Have reminded dh to check the batteries and i need to get a few other bits packed next weekend (more snacks and drinks)

Make sure you do a few copies of the birth plan (sorry cant remember who mentioned it) as if midwives change shift it may go awol and its good for birthing partner to have a copy too.

I am due 10th jan with baby number one. 36 weeks on friday so only a week and a bit to go before it is acceptable for it to make an appearance. Would kinda like it to arrive first week of new year though.

2 women on my nct have had theirs.
One was a scheduled c section due to diabetes so we knew it was coming but all went well. The other had hers at 14:40 today! Those are the only 2 december due dates tho so no one has popped out of sequence yet!

I was just about to say don't bother hiring as you can buy a new Mamatens from amazon for about £20 but I see they are now charging nearly double that!

I have this one but I'm not sure I'd spend that much on it.

felix white (not malt!) vinegar - cheapo stuff, not wine vinegar - also cleans up the bog a treat. Smells a bit fish shop for a while, but not in a bad way

I too went back to bed 10.30-12.30 today. Then pottered, and went shopping for a few bits and bobs, including such essentials as: yet another newborn sleep suit (but it was cream and velvety, and SO CUTE), a swiss roll tin, as I promised DH Yule Log this year, as he hates Christmas Cake/Pudding (why am I capitalising these things?)

We now have a Christmas Tree (seriously, I need to stop now), going to decorate after dinner. The only major thing we now lack is our fecking sofa - 2-3 weeks for delivery, and we are into week 3 with no sign.

I also have to chase up my new mw/Lewisham hospital to get booked in there, as I am EDD 3 Jan and the next appt with the midwife is 19th Dec... And Lewisham have no idea I might want to come and give birth there...

To those who are struggling with hospital bags, I read a great thing today. It said that as long as you have something clean to put on you, something clean to put on baby, nappies, bum wipes of some type, and a car seat if driving home, you will be fine and make do. Everything else is to distract you now, so you don't stress about the birth! So, I am declaring the post of bag monitor not necessary. Everyone who was worrying should put the kettle on and their feet up instead

Can you tell I like maternity leave?

Of course, forgot to say - tarka, your FIL sounds like my BIL, whom I cordially dislike. He never just has a polite conversation. He always has to contradict, stir, tell stupid stories, and witter on about his paranoid conspiracy theories ideas on how the world really works. Last time I saw him at Christmas, I believe I used the phrase 'BIL, you are annoying the PISS out of me, so kindly STFU'.
Why can't people just chat?

I've gone mad. Instead of doing some unpacking and sorting of our house (much needed)/ putting feet up (much needed) / cooking (much needed) I seem to have crazy cleaning disorder. I've cleaned all the skirtings and edges on our en suite as we just moved to the main bedroom yesterday and the slight grubbiness was driving me mad. I've now hired a carpet cleaner for the week as the slightly mucky carpets are also driving me potty. If the hire shop was open tonight I'd go and get it!
Have started putting muslins and flannels through the wash so they're absorbent for baby puggle's secretions

Hopefully Masterchef and a nice chocolate pudding thing from Aldi will restore me to normality. Still haven't packed my bloody bag though. I'll be in labour with a carpet cleaner in my car boot...

Loving the list tooth but you forgot a partridge in a pear tree

I've only packed newborn bits in my bag. Dd was 8lb 10oz and was in newborn for 3-4 Weeks. She was a chunk but 0-3 was massive on her and yes vests were too loose round the nappy.
Also I only packed 3 baby grows as suggested by midwife and I happened to have a very sicky baby and I was through those baby grows within hours so her dad had to go get more from home. Ive packed 8 this time just incase lol.

Can I have some virtual hugs plz. After having a better weekend and an ok day 2day my pain is back. Am so uncomfortable I could cry. Rly thought I had turned a corner. Just shows kidneys rly can flare up at anytime and this wont be sorted til after I've had baby and stones are out. Maybe I will agree to the early induction after all. Ok sorry for the me me me self pity rant.

chocoloulou33 edd 4/1/14 baby no2. Team blue

Scan was ok. Still no clear diagnosis and the consultant changes her mind between the two possibilities each time. Baby is still growing well which is the main thing, head down and well engaged apparently. Currently measuring 5lbs 12 but I know these things aren't massively accurate. No mlu for me though unfortunately. Consultant would be happier if I was monitored and as we have to see pediatrician it would be difficult. I'm to expect at least 24-48 hours minimum stay in hospital. At least I know what I am preparing myself for now and can pack accordingly. Labour ward has had a massive overhaul recently and is all private ensuite rooms so at least that is good, will go and have a look round next week. So mix bag but I'm happy

And pooch watch is going well. She is being a little terror as usual so that's a good sign

Well done to all the efficient bag packing! You are all much better people than me... I am using my late due date as my excuse (enormouse this will make you feel better): edd 28 January, first baby, Team Yellow (and #teamnigella for what it's worth.

Bought our Christmas tree today! It's all lovely and bushy and looks ace!

nature glad scan was okay... Bummer about mule but glad to hear baby's growing well and engaged...

*mlu

rolls eyes at twatty autocorrect

enormouse loving the idea of the hospital being a "mini break"! Gonna try and think of it as a spa break where I will hopefully get to use a private pool (the birthing pool) and lose a few pounds (by pushing bubs out). Yeah!

choco huge hugs! That's so exhausting and demoralising having the pain come back again. Royally sucks! Really feel for you!

nature glad things went ok at the scan, even if it wasn't conclusive. Good that poochlet is being a monkey too!

I loovvveeee body shop stuff. Every night I slather bump and boobs in clementine body lotion and also use the chocomania lotion and lip balm.... Mmmmmm!,

Nt packed bag here but will use newborn clothes too as all mine bee little fatties but still fit newborn to start . 8lb12, 8lb14 and 9lb3. Having heck of time here but don't want to moan to much, suffice to say littlest been getting bug after bug, ds2 been struggling a little with school and changes (he is high functioning autistic). Physically having a fair amount of pain ad discomfort and sleep is a rarity lol.

I've packed one newborn vest and baby grow and a 0-3 months one too. DS was 7lb 10 but was tiny, so had to be in tiny baby clothes until he was about 6 weeks old, then he went into newborn, then at 4 months he went into 0-3.

I'm sorry you're having a tough time bunt hugs and coffee all around!

My inlaws are unbelievable!!! Having sent a Christmas list of about £50 worth of stuff each to us and MIL she announced on the phone tonight that "she wasn't really doing a commercial Christmas this year and was only going to get a few small kiddy bits". Um WTF?!? We are now stuck with £50 worth of furniture renovating stuff which will be very hard to return. Who the fuck sends a wish list to people they aren't intending to buy any presents for in return?

Deep breaths, deep breaths

tarka huh? They asked you to buy stuff costing £50 and now won't reciprocate?
Bastards.

bunt have a hug and some (not Christmas yet, have to bake it).

Tree is up and looks AWESOME. Now listening to carols and shite christmas music and sipping a small sherry and generally feeling good.

Sorry - yes, to angry to type properly. SIL sent us a list of things she wanted us (and MIL) to get her for Christmas - which I thought was a bit rude to start with as we hadn't asked her for one. Tonight during a phone call she let it slip that she wasn't actually planning to get Us anything this year because "she wasn't doing a commercial Christmas".

I share your frustration tarka my beloved PIL & BIL announced on Sunday 'they're not doing presents this year'. The one year I've actually been organised enough to buy stuff! Aaarrgh