The Brookers are ready for a 2014 sneeze-birth fest. Come and join us if you think you're hard enough...

[SantaMaybe]

Here we go brookers. At least three of us will be sneezing on this one

Oh no purple that all sounds really crap. Really sorry to hear about it all.

Pen just seen your news and the photo. Congratulations and what a gorgeous little girl. Sounds like a great birth too. I am so pleased for you.

Trix we have just moved twins into their own room (they are 4.5 months now) as they were getting too big for the travel cot and I was worried about them getting tangled in each others grobags. I thought that risk was greater than putting them in the larger cot bed in their own room. I have a video monitor so I can still see what they are doing. So far they have slept fine in there, it is me that is up and down all night checking on them.

Hope everyone else is doing well in their pregnancies.

Purple, I'm so sorry to hear about DH's grandfather, and your DF. I the news you get is as soon as you can get it, and is as good as it can be.

Rubbish about the tumble dryer too. Hope that gets sorted soon. Exciting that the scan is coming up so soon!

Stacks, I hope your hip pain is subsiding a little - hope the mattress has had some effect.

Lovely to see you Sweetie, how's it all going? Can't believe the twins are 4.5 months old already!

Why the surprises Pomme? Hope it's all working out ok.

Not yet up to my eyeballs with packing! To be honest, I'm currently so exhausted (pregnancy exhaustion + work + hayfever + back) that we're thinking about getting packers in. I'm up to my ears in decluttering and paperwork though! Moving date is currently set for mid May. Purple, we sold our house in March - within 48 hours of it going on the market! We were very lucky, but it put a bit of pressure on finding somewhere.

Stacks - girl due 28/6 - 30w
Too - boy due 23/7 (estimated delivery at c. 9 July) - 26+2
Pomme - boy due 16/9 (induction first week September) - 18+5
Purple - mystery bun 19+1, EDD 13/09/14
Musicalmrs - due 08/10 (scan) or 14/10 (dates)

Thanks pomme and music grandad was quite sudden, however it is probably how you would want to go, not lingering about. We had a big family meal on Mother's Day and he passed away the next Sunday! He was 93 so great age, he kept his independence, mobility and dignity the whole time. Great sadness is for his DW who is left behind after 60 years of marriage and not getting to meet the two new babies due in sept. As well as my poor MiL etc!

My dad, just hoping really, sometimes it feels unfair as I am quite young to lose my dad IMO and he is only 60. And even with the op survival rates post 5years are not great. I am also closest to him out of my parents.
Still, just part of life and I am so blessed with what I do have. :)

music so glad things are moving on with house stuff! 48hrs is amazing too! Do get packers in, they will be so worth it and you definitely deserve to not have that pressure :)

pomme didn't take in your post! I hope school is ok, I remember worrying about allocation and the relief when I got our choice. Really hope it isn't a bad thing?
I have a bump too sometimes huge, sometimes not feeling baby move quite often now which is lovely! Nursery is very organised, I won't have one this time, tbh not too worried although feel a tad wistful iykwim?

I can't copy the dates I am afraid!

Purple, mine is the same on the sometimes huge, sometimes not front! I also had my first noticeable Braxton Hicks yesterday - seemed very early on so worried a bit, but Dr Google put me at ease. Don't think I would have noticed, only I tried to get up from a sofa at the same time and struggled! On the plus side, meant I could finally feel precisely where my uterus is - was rather impressed at how large it is already. A second time round thing maybe?

Purple* sorry to hear about DH grandad and your DF. I hope his scan shows up some good news. I had vowel cancer myself back in 2009, with 50% survival odds - the dr just said that statistics aren't everything, you've got people in there with all sorts of other problems, ages and lifestyles. It shows you there's a battle to be fought, but not what he outcome will be. If your dad is healthy otherwise then hopefully all will be ok. I also know someone who lived for nearly 5 years with palliative care for bowel cancer. He was younger than your dad, but managed a good life for a long time after diagnosis. Sending lots of brooking your way.
Really hope your scan is good too, not long to wait now.

Musical take it easy and get packers in if you can. I really need to declutter, but after an initial good start I've slowed down a lot on that front.

Pomme I hope school stuff is ok? I'm not looking forward to that stress at all! I'm sure the next few years will go by slowly as my wee man grows up right?

Too that's great about weaning M, a bit worrying about the possessiveness though. DS doesn't seem that possessive really, though he has started sticking his hand down the front of my top when upset. He also watches my breasts whenever they're uncovered in front of him, and if he thinks he might be able to reach he comes towards me with 'intent'.

DH put DS to bed last night for the first time ever. Parties here I come!

I love the idea of you waddling off to parties, determined to have a good time before baby's born stacks.

I have a massive bump already, weight not piling on in the same way as with the girls though (although might be different post this weekend!)

School dilemma/drama is good really, we had resigned ourselves to a local private school and both dds are registered there. I did the state application because we'd fallen off the council lists due to being in Italy and got offered a place at an outstanding school about 5 miles away. Dilemma is money vs having to move to get dd2 and baby in there for certain as we are out of catchment... So a good position to be in but quite confusing and need to have decided by weds really. Dh being a bit useless to be honest!

sweetie I think I will be camping out in his room with him at first! haha. he doesn't seem to be thrashing as much in his sleep any more so I think he's fine for a little longer. I need to invest in a monitor first anyway.
we spend thurs night at dh parents. I was dreading it because last time we were away ds would not settle at night at all but he was fine, woke a little earlier than usual but that's all.
stupid question, you know the baby grows that don't have feet, if he wears one of them to bed will his feet not get cold? he usually wears the ones with feet in but I've got a couple that don't and I'm not really sure when he'd wear them. they are full length rather than shorts(romper?).
I find it really hard to keep up with this thread its lovely to see it so busy! hope you are all doing well. the mummy thread has kinda died so I post here instead, hope no one minds.

Of course we don't mind, Trix! Babygros without feet - does DS wear a sleeping bag at night? If so, I don't think he'd get cold feet. Or you could put socks on him if you're worried.

Pomme, what did you decide with the schools in the end? Hope all is well.

Musical, any more BH to report? How's the packing going? I spent yesterday helping a friend move - I did the driving, she did the heavy lifting, and I had forgotten what a pain it all is! And she's renting furnished flats so doesn't have any furniture to move, just heaps of books and DVDs, mainly.

Purple, so sorry to hear about your dad and your DH's grandad. Brooking hard for your dad's prognosis.

Tired tired here as well. Took this week off but am getting zero rest. M was at home as nursery closed Mon and Tues, then yesterday I was helping move, and today M is home with me as Mum is coming and we're going to the zoo! Mum is running v late, though. She was meant to be here by now!

too I think you are right plus are house is very warm. how was the zoo? we went over easter but N slept through most of it and wasn't very interested when he was awake! he's still a bit young for it really but me and dh do enjoy a trip to the zoo.

Zoo was great, Trix! M loved it. She told the jaguar to get down, and was v impressed when a sun bear roared. We saw the famous pandas too, but it was v busy around them. Only downside is that the zoo is built on v steep hill - was knackered after walking all around it! DM and DSF more knackered, though - they were carrying M!

AIBU to be annoyed that the swimming pool doesn't open until 10.20? The leisure centre is open now, ffs, so why can't the pool within it be? I want to take M swimming now, not in an hour's time.

Where is everyone?

I was just about to post!

School dilemma is resolved. The state school is lovely And has most of the things i like about the private school so its a no brainer really. Feel bad telling the private school, its quite small and every pupil counts, a was registered for nursery there too but she'll be doing to the state nursery now too for ease of transport etc.

The thought of not having to do school fees for the next few years feels amazing though. Feels like I can enjoy my job again rather than just fretting about turnover everyday!

We have the builders in too currently and dh is in Italy this week and I am out there the week after so it's quite chaotic around here!

Hope everyone else is well and is quiet because they are having lots of fun in rl!

Just been busy! Funeral was Thursday, it was actually rather lovely, no one was overly upset and it is nice to meet up with family even if it is for a sad occasion.

too the zoo sounds lovely and I hear you enjoying the zoo yourself. I went to a wildlife park and may have spent a while stroking a wee birdie's head. So sweet :)

Stacks thank you so much for your good news stories! It made a real difference to me, if I can get another 5 years out of my Dad I will be very happy :) unfortunately I have not heard many good stories, only one where they caught is very early.
I am so pleased you have managed to pull through and have a life with children etc, amazing! Just waiting to hear now, they have to set up a case conference to discuss treatment, so just trying to be optimistic :)

Pomme yes it would be a relief not to pay fees! I am pleased that state is a good option for you. Hope trip to Italy isn't all work and no play.
Have you got your scan soon? Mine is this Tuesday :)

music any house news! How are you doing with your back and everything?

Oh pomme what are builders doing?

Brooking lots for your dad purple

Scan is a week on Tuesday - that I had to wait till 21 weeks definitely helped me decide to do a private scan earlier :)

Still sure on a mystery bun till the end?!

Builders are doing the upstairs bathroom now (post creating the extra room for the nursery!). When we moved in we had a huge mortgage and basic upkeep things to do on the house so these few months are finally getting to do what we've planned for 4 years. I'm having a lot of fun barking orders at builders and Dh :)

How was swimming in the end too?

I am very sure on Mystery bun, i keep having 'bad' dreams that i find out! Last one was a little boy waving his bits about! I will be expressly saying I don't want to know and to avoid the area if possible!

So you have had a nursery added already? Glad your having fun being bossy I would love to see bumps pics if anyone is game?

Hallo hallo! Sorry about the radio silence here. Decided to take a last minute project with a quick turnaround, so have been diligently beavering away at that. Reaching the end now though, so I feel I can safely turn on MN

Stacks I desperately need to declutter too! It's my aim before the move, but at the moment, with no fixed date, I feel no urgency to do so. Stuck in tomorrow waiting for parcels mind, so maybe that will help me get moving..

Too and Trix - hurrah for zoos! We haven't taken DD to one for ages. Definitely on our to do list, though probably not until after we move now..

Pomme so glad the school stuff's resolved. Not having to pay school fees for a few years when you'd planned to must feel great. All the house things sound exciting - a new bathroom and a new nursery? Anything else? :)

Purple how exciting about the scan on Tues! :) And hurrah for a mystery bun! I'd quite like a mystery one this time too, but it's DH's decision. If it's not a mystery I'd like to keep it quiet and only tell very few (or no!) people.. but I can't imagine him keeping to that . Glad the funeral went ok, and was actually quite a 'nice' event for the circumstances. My grandmother died recently, and it was similar - a little bit of sadness, but mostly happy, lovely memory sharing.

All's ok with me thanks. No house news - just waiting for solicitors and paperwork and whatnot. Hoping to be moved by mid May (DD's birthday) but we'll see. My back seems to be up and down - better most of last week, but had a bad turn in the middle of last week, so it's up and down. Will ask midwives about physio (or similar) when we've moved, but I don' see the point before then. Need to sign up for the new midwifery service and get a scan date for Cambs next wk despite not having a moving date, which is a bit of a nervewracking prospect...

Had a midwife appt last week. All went well, though to my utter surprise the baby stayed still while being doppler-ed! DD never stayed still! Obviously too comfy (or sleepy!).

Yay, people are back!

Swimming was good - M adores it and squealed with joy when she got in. It makes my SPD flare up, though. Still, could be a lot worse at this stage.

Pomme, glad to hear that the school is sorted and yay for no fees to pay! Hope the builders do their work quickly and well.

Purple, Brooking hard for your dad. Good that the funeral was also okay - it is nice to see family no matter what the reason.

Speaking of funerals, my great granny died on Fri night. She was 102! Question for you all, though - can I wear a polka dot dress to a funeral? Black with white spots. With black shoes/tights/jacket? It's the only smart dark dress I have that still fits and doesn't have big red flowers or something all over it.

at dreams of baby boys waving bits!

I have another growth scan and consultant appt tomorrow. Hope I don't get Rude Sonographer again. Both DH and I are going in prepared to make whoever it is look at my notes, so if they say no they'll get more than they bargain for! Dog going to vet at 9, dentist for DH and me at 10.45, then scan at 1. Busy day!

Wow that is busy! I have similar but spread over the week not one day! I wore a navy stripe dress, black tights and navy heels oh and smart navy mat coat and no one was wearing all black, so I think that sounds fine Too just need to looks smart. I did change Into cream brogues for wake, which was not the best look but pregnant feet so meh!

music I don't think you can be too sad when it is a long happy life! just for those left behind like his widow, bless her.
And I hope u will tell us if you have a non mystery bun ;) physio will prob be a GP referral, it is here :) and middle of may is in two weeks! Are you getting packers in?

Actually three weeks mid may! Dd birthday next Sunday, I can't believe it! too hope sonographer is decent tomorrow

I fell off the thread! Will post properly tomorrow, bed time now, xxx.

Hope all goes well today Purple!

Oo yes purple let us know how it went!

Found out one of my good friends is 7 weeks pg with her second today! She's waited a long time for this and am so happy for her. Really brightened up my day.

One very very wriggly baby! Pic is not great as such a wriggler! Looks healthy so far :) and it is officially a mystery now!

pomme that is great news!i was so excited when I discovered my friend was expecting no.3 too. Funny isn't it ?

I bought some maternity clothes today, not impressed with how h&m sizes vary, nor that I had to buy size 12 jeggings from them! and then had to size down in jojo maman bebe to an 8 in a skirt! What a joke! I wouldn't mind been an 8 but I am not, and those genuinely skinny people will struggle to get clothes :/

How are you all doing? Really nice that you thought of me today :)