April 2015 thread 5: where we hit the half way point and determine the sexes

[TheBooMonster]

Hi Everyone.

Our previous thread is here and our stats thread is here Do make sure you update your details there if you haven't already :)

Wine the prices on those clothes are great, will definitely have a good look. Thanks for the tip.

There is no way we can spend that much on a pram, I'm hoping to find something that'll work ok maybe on a market stall or in a charity shop. Are there any half- decent budget brands?

Myself and DP are both quite tall so need high handles and a brake we won't hit all the time with our feet while walking. Don't know what else to look for really. Don't need a car seat anyway as we don't have a car. Do need plenty of shopping space as we don't have a car..!

What do you need to get a Bounty pack? I don't have anything to officially say I'm pregnant yet, apart from my maternity notes.

My vinegar craving is so odd. Had some left over chicken stock (just oxo) since am making hot and sour soup. Thought I'd add some salt, (I crave it I think due to extra fluid loss from my ileostomy, nurse told me never to restrict salt. Now I'm pregnant I want salty stuff all the time) splash of hot sauce, tasted it and decided to add a splash of vinegar so it's more like the soup. I accidentally added far too much, it's very vinegary, and feels like a naughty pleasure!!!

catsofa mothercare have sales (one this weekend) and their prams can be quite cheap especially if you don't need a car seat. My friend got hers, an all terrain one so they are usually more expensive, with a car seat (so whole travel system) in the sale for £250 and has been very happy with it. Mothercare brands in the sale might be a place to look? They have cheaper models than hers and get good feedback. I'd use one with no worries.

Lots of people use Graco (try Toys R Us) but there have been past safety worries so do your research. A second hand OBaby might not be too expensive and they can be good city buggies. Good luck!

Catsofa have you looked at the Mothercare Xpedior it is a carrycot that turns into pushchair the 4 wheeler is on offer at £199. You do get a car seat which you could always sell if you do not need it.

Hey all!

Some very interesting chat over the last few days! Re guidance if what to eat in pregnancy. I actually work in clinical research so know all too well how results and outcomes from research can be manipulated/reported in a way that suits the message the person is wanting to portray. I echo the opinion that pregnant women are made to feel so terribly guilty and unsure about all manner of things. Many many women drink in moderation, eat rare steak, runny eggs and and have beautifully healthy babies. Like someone said earlier it is impossible and unethical to run a trial of such things with pregnant participants so it's difficult to know but for decades and decades our mothers, grandmothers haven't had this 'advice' and have had healthy babies. Research is if course so important and our knowledge is shaped by this - after all it wasn't all that long ago that people thought smoking was actually good for you! Personally I will be treating myself to a glass of fizz at Christmas with dinner, have reduced my caffeine intake and will be having my meat cooked through (although it kills me to order a fillet steak well done!) I think the stress we all feel in weighing up all these decisions is far worse for us than actually having a runny egg!

Re boobies. I've gone from a 34b to a 36c and have spent a fortune in bras. I'm loving them though, already the road map of veins that has appears all over my chest - not so much.

Re prams, I love love love the bugaboo chameleon but cannot justify the price new. We're looking at getting a reconditioned one or a new oyster max.

wine that website looks great. I've been looking for some simple but flattering dresses for Christmas parties that can be jazzed up with some jewellery etc. perfect!

Wow what a year lauren As a couple we feel like that too. Deaths in the family, health scares, breakdown in marriages (not ours), miscarriage and our dog going blind. I will be pleased when 2015 comes round.

Evening all!

Just joining the thread... bit late as I realise you are already on page 19 oops. Lots of reading to catch up on.

I've been waiting for the mothercare sale to buy DD1 a cotbed (so DD2 can have the cot)... but the one I want is out of stock

daholster I am the worlds biggest vinegar fan. OH despairs. And apparently it's a common craving in pregnancy! Anyway, cider vinegar is meant to be good for you!
I also love salt. Now, have you tried bone broth? Or failing that I add a sachet of powdered gelatine to a stock cube (Kallo stock cubes) and drink it. I will add a dash of vinegar now you mention it..

Oh god are prams really no cheaper than £200ish? Shit. I think it really will have to be one of the £20 ones off the market. Because of weird personal circumstances we won't qualify for the Maternity Grant which would have been £500 towards stuff like that. Oh well at least we don't need it until April, maybe something will turn up.

I nearly got a solid wooden cot bed at the weekend for £5 off ebay, but didn't get home to bid in time :(. It only had a few scratches, would have been lovely.

Catsofa maybe try freecycle? I'm sure lots of people who are done having babies want to get rid of their nursery furniture / prams etc?

Otherwise maybe try NCT nearly new sales if there is one near you?

Also, maybe you could ask for contributions towards things like a pram instead of Christmas gifts? X

Catsofa I agree with brixton about trying an NCT sale if there is one near you, I went to one on Saturday and there were about 10 prams priced from £25 - £70.

Daholster I did try to link the recipe but it wasn't playing. If you google roast fig and crisp Parma ham it's the first link. (Tesco real food)

catsofa I think second hand is the way to go for a cheap pram.. I'd rather buy a good pram second or third hand looking a bit beaten up, than a crappy pram brand new as it's more likely to last and not annoy you.

Facebook local mums groups are supposed to be very good for second hand (usually called something like "westsussexmums") and give aways, look for local NCT nearly new sales as well as gumtree and ebay of course. And freecycle.

Phew ok £40 is more like it. Although I think it may have a brake bar right where my and my lanky DP's feet will hit it all the time with our long giraffe-like strides. Maybe we could make the handle longer though so it'd be ok. Should I stick something over the disney picture, or is it pointless and I'll be knee deep in disney crap in a few years anyway no matter what I do?

I've been scouring freecycle for months but not seen much baby stuff at all really. I'll put a wanted ad on there if it gets close and we still have nothing.

I want a sling too, (DP can't because of his back) but I don't know how well my back will stand carrying and I'll need something to get shopping home in - until now I've carried it in a big rucksack, but the bump now isn't getting on with the waist strap so I can only get heavy stuff on the bike.

Had forgotten about Gumtree and FB sales, thanks all that's loads of places to look!

We're going to carry on using our Mothercare Trenton Deluxe (we call it 'The Tank' and for good reason, it's sturdy and doesn't mind being used in the woods) for bump, DD will be renovated to a buggy board, but I'm also going to get to grips with the mobee wrap I've got so bump can start off in the wrap whilst DD gets over the shock of a small screaming bundle invading her life.

I'm determined to breast feed this time, I've got two sure start area's breast feeding breakfasts on my calendar from March (going to check whether i can go tot he other areas breakfasts as they're quite close and I really feel I need the support) also have the number for a local breastfeeding peer councilor and will be wracking her brains in the new year. Will have the Ardo Calypso pump on standby if we have any issues along with some feeding cups to avoid using bottles. determined face

My boobs haven't got any bigger according to the lady with the tape measure but they definitely look and feel to me like they've taken over the planet!

bloody hell wine where did you find that site!? going on a spree right this second

I would say by 10months both mine were only having bf morning and night so no need to worry about expressing Hidingthefear. I thoroughly recommend Victoria sling lady for lots of different types. And agree about a sling library. I had a Kari-me sling with ds2 and have bought a stretch wrap this time but unbranded.

I did Sairie! But they didn't go up much with my other two as they were 38G anyway. Mine were knackered before I got pregnant due to gaining 9st in a year then loosing some but not all of it.

catsofa I got a voucher in the bounty pack my midwife gave me for the next one. I got both my pushchairs second hand, first one cost me £16 (eBay) and second £65 (Fb selling pages). Then you can still have the nice fancier ones without the price tag :)

Had a hectic day today, nearly cried twice. Either I forgot how tired I was before or being 4 years old makes it tougher :(

Cat sofa - check your messages hun xx

We are getting a Donkey I think!!! My husband's parents have offered to pay and although it seems a LOT I do love the side by side carry cots and my husband really wants it!!

misty where have you seen the uppababy on offer please?

daholster ikea do a non alcoholic mulled wine, or you could just boil some normal mulled wine to get rid of the alcohol

We do mulled apple juice every year in the slow cooker. Yum. I think I might try pear this year if I can!

supersparks how exciting

catsofa there are all sorts of buggies and prams on eBay. An NCT nearly new sale is a brilliant idea and you might get some other bargains too, and it might also be fun!

daholster in germany they had 'kinder punch' which was effectively mulled Ribena.