due MARCH 2007-thread no ?????

[divastrop]

i cant see a new thread so i thought id start another one!

Hiya Bethoo, welcome to the clan. Congrats on the pregnancy. I'm a first-timer too, due a few days after you on 8 March, and I haven't got or done a thing much yet, so you're not alone. There's a stats thread by the way if you want to add yourself to it and see where we all are in terms of dates. I'll find the link another time if you can't see it, doing a sneaky one in work at the moment so not much time!

Rosy, I don't know how you're still alive getting up all those times last night. I'm absolutely shagged after being awake on and off until about four - the thing is I don't feel like I've slept even when I must have because I've dreamt. I think I'm possibly fighting off a cold - last night when I got in from work at 10.30pm I felt like shit and was sure I would have a fully-blow cold today - really hoping that doesn't happen. Being sober and ill at Christmas is too much to endure - I'm with you on the alcohol jealousy Diva - today I just thought I've had enough of this no booze lark and I want to get drunk. Still got four and a half presents to get and the house to clean for Christmas too.

Kitty, happy birthday to your dd. I went all soppy when you said she was only three hours old this time last year. That reminds me I still haven't sent you an SAE for the DVD btw. Try to do that tomorrow.

Bethoo again, we've probably got first names sorted, or at least have a few options - we're not deciding for certain until we see what s/he looks like. It's surname which is the difficulty....

29+1

callie-are you having trouble deciding on yours or your dps sirname?i cant remember if you are married.i was always old fashioned and thought a child should have the fathers sirname when i had my first 2,but now i have children with different sirnames i wish id just given them all mine

this lo is going to have my name and we will change it when we get married.unless she's married herself by then

kitty-i never though of looking on ebay for baby stuff cos i live so far from anywhere and its not like prams etc can be sent through the post.but i could see if there are any local sellers on there.

Me too Diva, I haven't seen anything that I think is a worthwhile buy as a double buggy. Luckily we have a bike trailer that can double as a buggy, we just need to buy the carry cots for it and it will do for the time being. Its narrower than most of the buggies and we managed to get around Rome in the summer with ds in it so hopefully it will work!

Diva, sorry that you are having such a bad neighbour and health time. I hope both things improve for you.

The sirname thing is difficult but at least you can be flexible in the UK. Here the rule is that if the parents are not married then the child takes the mothers name and if they get married then HAVE to change the name to the father's. If married then they automatically take the father's name regardless of if the mother has. I would like us all to have double of mine and dh's names (as I have), but they don't let you do that here. Regretted changing my own name when i got married the first time (especially as we broke up - no kids though so no complications there)so doubled it with dh's this time.

Just a quick Happy Christmas from me! We are off to see family today and not back til Tues

Ah, it's so nice to be off work!

Lunar, I'm glad to hear your employers have finally started to realise they can't treat you how they have been doing! I hope that they ease up some more for you as well. When do you finish up for maternity leave?

AmieR both of ours had a good time in kennels this time round, they even bathed them for us (goodness only knows how they managed with Arthur, bathing him is taking your life in your hands!) Actually I think Merlin was sad to have to leave!

Booboo I have started to get a few stretch marks, but they are on my left hip rather than on my tummy? Mil bought me some moisturising stretch cream lotion to put on them but I remain sceptical!

Morocco I'm sorry to hear about your Mum and your Grandad, I really hope everything turns out okay on the 27th.

Rosy I bought that baby whisperer book as well, in addition to the one that you can't mention on here (which scared me) and another one called the no-cry sleep solution, which seems a lot less regimental and a bit hippy-ish so I liked it!! Don't know how any of them will work though until I get there though!!

Foxy I am going to try breast feeding, it's so much cheaper than buying all the formula! So hopefully I will get some happy hormones off it because goodness knows the rest of it sounds really difficult!!

Leo how nice for you to be able to feel both your babies separately! I am of you finishing work though!!

Eidsvold how cute about your dd2 showing everything to your bump!!

Foxy / Callieco sounds like you had lovely nights out! My work had a final "end of the year" do yesterday (when I was off). I was invited, but I think I'd rather stick needles under my fingernails than spend any more time than needed with that bunch of self serving to*rs! [it's all right, it's all right, calm down you're on holiday...]

Diva I'm sorry to hear it's still going on, what a complete cow she is and she knows you're pg and everything!! I hope you manage to get some joy with environmental health. Have you tried your neighbours on the other side or do you live in a semi?

Bethoo hello! I am a first timer as well, due 27th March. Prior to this my only experience of caring for anything is pets so there's a big change on the way methinks!! Everyone is really helpful and friendly on here so you can get lots of advice if you need it.

TheBlonde mil brought round a load of stuff for us the other day before we went on hols. Her friend is a grandma and used to look after her daughter's ds while she worked, ds is now at nursery so she had a load of stuff, high chair, baby walker / bouncer, baby bath, loads of cuddly toys and baby clothes, towels, ooh, just loads of stuff! We already got a cot off freecycle. As for the nursery itself dh, his bezzie mate, and mil, are doing it between them (I watch and make encouraging noises), there's still loads to do but it's looking better all the time.

Kitty lol at your description of your street where it's like the Star Wars bar scene! I know exactly what you mean. Every time dh and I go to our local town centre we feel like Angelina and Brad in comparison. Yes I know that's horrible, but it is a little like Royston Vasey. I much prefer to shop in Liverpool!! Happy birthday to your dd3 btw, did you have a big party?

Bethoo our baby will be called Bertie (with Bertram on his birth cert in case he wants something a bit more grown up when he's older). His middle name is my surname, and his surname is dh's. (I am married but keep my own name, iyswim). We're just trying to decide whether to give him another middle name or whether that's overkill!!

As for buggies and prams, well mil has kindly agreed to buy ours for us, so we're going to go to the huge Mothercare in Warrington after Christmas and browse through the sales!! We need to buy a car seat of course but lots of the other stuff, we will save up for then buy as and when we need I think.

I think I've caught up now but if I've missed anyone, sorry!

Had a lovely time in Chester, really relaxing, lots of reading by an open fire, went to Chester town centre one day and did nearly all the shopping, then went to TK Maxx when we got back and finished it off.

Ah, it's lovely not to be in work!!!

diva - you can actually send things as big as buggies if you buy through Ebay. I've sent quite big heavy things using Payperdrop and it's only £5.99 for up to 31kg.

Mossletoe - they've given me a project to manage which has a projected completion date of 31st March - so according to their plans I'm there until then! I should be able to organise it so that the activities in the latter stages don't need to involve me, so it can be handed over to someone else for the last few weeks. I actually don't mind working until almost the end (worked to 38 weeks with ds, and could have gone on longer) as long as they'll agree to no travelling more than about an hour from home after about the middle of Feb.

Well all the presents are bought and wrapped, all the food is bought - and thanks to dh's efforts the house is even starting to look a bit tidier (ok the garage is full of things we've moved out of the house, but you can't have everything). There's an outside chance that by midday tomorrow when the visitors roll up we might actually be ready! MIL has taken ds out for the day, so dh and I are going out for lunch today.

Leo we don't have Ikea here yet (in N.Ireland) they are building one now I hear. People go on shopping bus trips over to Ikea so I bet it will be busy when it opens! Maybe that might be the right time for me to get a bargain cotbed then!!

Moss I have heard about the no cry sleep solution book, when my friend described it to me it sounded so close to what I already do I thought, no point me buying that book!

Last time I was so tired from dd trying to get up as much as new baby(-not wanting to be left out!) I think I just struggled through each day from one moment to the next at first, Books couldn't have been further from my mind! I remember thinking 'thank goodness I'm breast feeding cuz I don't have the energy to sterilize and make up bottles'

But getting used to breast feeding for the first time came take alot of effort for some folks. It can be very rewarding though, so good luck to all the first timers with that one!

Diva that's a worry with the swelling and headache. Hope it settles down and doesn't get any worse for you.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas. And if not possible I hope everyone has lots of support around them.

28weeks 6 (boy)

We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!!

Joy of joys, went into town this morning dreading a day of crowds and indecision and what do you know? - walked into the first shop, bought two presents in five minutes, and the rest of went ok too. 2.5 hours of not unpleasant shopping (now that's something I don't say very often, not being a fan), then time to have lunch before going to the hairdressers after only making the appointment this morning. Had the best hair wash/head massage ever followed by a fantastic haircut - am so pleased because everytime I find a hairdresser I like they leave/move away/disappear/salon closes down (seriously they have all happened!) but I think this lovely young lady is staying put. I was so pleased with the hair I even let her sell me some expensive anti-chlorine shampoo...so I must have been in a good mood! And even the prospect of now having to clean the bathroom, finish off the bits of the kitchen dp hasn't done (lots, IMHO.... but then he has sorted out everything for Christmas on the food front so I forgive him) and generally tidy up doesn't depress me. Then tomorrow just got to wrap the pressies and make up the puppet show we're putting on for nieces and friends' kids on Boxing Day.

As I type, I can hear dp cleaning the kitchen floor - take it all back, bless him, so better get off my backside and join in. On that note, I'm going to say a big Merry Christmas/Happy holidays to one and all as I don't think I'll be back on now until after the big stuff-fest on Monday and Tuesday. Really hope you all enjoy it and for those having troubles at the moment, that they come good as the Aussies say, I believe (Eids, am I right?)

Love Callie xxxx
29+2

Lunar I hope it all works out for you with your work. Do you plan to return to them after maternity leave?

Rosy, we live near the Ikea in Warrington which I think was the first one in the UK. I loved it as a kid, they had a room like a mini cinema with cartoons playing all the time, and a huge ball pool! But as an adult I loathe the place especially the way you're forced to take such a circuitous route so you see all the furniture - arrrgh!!

Callieco glad you managed to get your shopping done!! I went to the Asda today and bought a plazzie tree; the real one is just too heavy to pull in from the yard! Still looks nice though!!

Better go and peel some potatoes, dh is cooking a lovely cottage pie for tea!

Mossletoe - I can't afford to not carry on working, and at least I do get to work form home at least part of the time with this job so I can take ds to school most mornings, and pick him up a couple of times a week. It would be hard to go anywhere else and get the flexibility to do that without such a big drop in salary that I wouldn't be able to pay nursery fees for #2. So I'm stuck with it I guess.

Ah Lunar, sorry to hear you have to stay with them, they sound horrid, but if you get the flexibility you need I suppose you have to put up with them.

I am going to look for a new job after my maternity leave. The way they've treated me has opened my eyes to what a nasty bunch they are.

Plus there wouldn't be any flexibility; it's about 50 hours a week plus an extra ten commuting, so 60 hours a week away from home. It's bad enough now but with a baby? I just couldn't do it.

Still, look on the bright side, when I go back, it's eight weeks them I'm outathere!!!

hello all

callie-glad to hear you had a good day shopping.i went to town today as well,thinking it would be scary ,but it was actually quite emptyso that was good.

ive never set foot in an ikea.probably because ive been living up here for so long and the only place ive ever bought furniture from is argos.

rosy-my head etc are fine today.im wondering if i od'd on chocolate.i dont normally get a headache from choc but pregnancy does strange things to your body IME.when i was expecting ds2 i suddenly became allergic to the watch i'd had since i was 12.

i have never got any of those baby books.it'd be like buying a haynes manual before you knew what type of car you were going to get.i just got everything wrong with ds1 and did everything differently with the next 3!

i found i was spending up to an hour at atime bf ds1,and that was every 2 hours(if i was lucky),but he would drink a bottle in 5 minutes flat,so the steralising and that never bothered me.i should consider bf this one as things are different,ie i have a supportive partner etc.but i just couldnt imagine it now.i'd like to have my breasts transplanted onto dp so he can do it

28+4(girl)

Hi everyone... have just got back from a great Christmas Eve Carol's party at a friends house. Over 100 people there all singing at the top of their voices ... I think the Sri Lankan locals thought we were totally mad . About to tuck boys up in bed. Both very excited.

Did my hips in no end today with a pre Christmas packing splurge. DH says I must delegate tasks from now on... with pleasure

Happy Christmas to all of you

Sorry i am so lame and never here to chat to you all

Thought i would pop by and wish you all a lovely festive holiday, where ever you are, whoever you are and however you may celebrate it!

Will be back in the New year with our count down to LABOUR!!!!

Love Jay XXXXX

Just been round to dh's bezzie's house for tea and choccie biccies, then round to mil's for some cake, now back home for a nice cup of coffee - might even put a dash of Bailey's in it! (Well, I say Bailey's, I mean Irish Knights which tastes the same but costs three quid!)

Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas and that it isn't too hectic!!!

Mossy xxx

Just wishing you all a very merry christmas!

Have a good one.

Feeling an emotional wreck at the moment. Was out with a few friends for drinks but have come home as I thought I was just gonna burst into tears!

amie-sorry to hear you didnt enjoy being out.its those 3rd trimester hormones combined with the high emotion of the festive season i bet

dont worry-next year you will be all excited wrapping pressies for your baby and choosing cute outfits for him/her to wear.

moss-you have given me an idea of something alcoholic i can drink without getting heartburn.have to wait for new year now though.

mw came round today and mt bp was only 110/70 which is freakishly low for me.maybe,just maybe ,it will behave itself this time

hope everybody has a good christmas and manages a glass of wine with their dinner.

28+4(girl)

AmieR hope you're feeling happier today!
Diva good luck with that non-heartburn drink - when oh when will they invent a Gaviscon Cocktail??

I had a special Chrimbo outfit all worked out - but my size sixteen maternity jeans are too tight!!!

Oh dear, will have to make do with fat-guy kecks. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Just having a quick break from the cooking. Hope you're all having a fab day, happychristmaseveryone

Hi everyone - still offline at home until 28 December and am really missing you all - but hey Happy Christmas, from my sisters house in Wiltshire!!!!

The kiddies were so excited this morning and loved their pressies

Kitty - happy Bday to DD

Diva - can you make lots of noise early mornings, when your next door neighbours are still alseep after their late night sing songs?

Beehoo - Hi and welcome, I've a baby boy due on March 3! I'd recoommend the January sales too. For clothes vertbaudet.com have a fantastic sale on at the moment, with up to 70% off. I don't really need any baby boy clothes but have ordered some verbaudet stuff anyway as its so nice!! Good luck with buying yout first pram/buggy - there are so many to choose from!!

Mossy - I would try the BFing if I were you - its so rewarding. Helps you lose weight as well as being good for bubba. I had terrible trouble trying to feed DS1, but managed to perfect it by the time I had DD and loved it. Its a very special quiet time when you sit down to feed your baby, whichever feeding you decide to use.

Hope everyone is well and look forward to catching up to you all again when we're back online.

xxxxx

30+1 (boy)

merry christmas all

hope everybody has had a good day.dp cooked a lovely dinner -we had it at lunchtime cos dd2 cant wait too long to be fed-and im still feeling full.baby is sqishing my stmoach so its half the capacity

fox-i will try and sort the noise thing out through the correct legal channels first and will resort to underhand tactics if that fails.ds2 always gets up about 6am so im sure he wouldnt mind listening to some thrash/death metal instead of watching cbeebies one morning

dd1 has drunk more alcohol than me.brings back memories of me drinking wine with xmas dinner at thatage and out-drinking my mum who would be complaining of heartburn after half a glass.

moss-i got a size 12 maternity top to wear today and when i put it on it was too big.i was 37 weeks with ds1 at christmas and i remember having to wear stretchy size 20 granny clothes then.but i wasnt running around after 4 other children back then which may explain things.

28+5(girl)

Diva at your size twelve top being too big!! Mil took my jeans away yesterday though to expand the waist on them so hopefully I may be able to wear them again.

I got bought two bras yesterday for chrimbo - both 32F - it'll be a while before I can wear them again then!!

Foxy, I'm going to give bf a go; losing weight would be a nice side effect, but as with all these things cost is the real reason!

Hope everyone and their dc's had a great day yesterday with lots of brill prezzies!

Can I just ask a slightly question? Has anyone been having those dreams? The ones where the physical aspect is, ahem, matched in rl?

Mossy. no, I wish

Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope that you are relaxing after a lovely Christmas day (and lots of over-eating ).

Sorry, Moss... no for me too... I wish tho - finding rl a bit of a chore atm. Poor dh .

I'm hoping to hit the sales over the next few days and pick up those essentials that we will need or I think we will need!! Defo on for a buggy too, still undecided but will try a few models while we have the time.

Hope everyone had fun yesterday. Rainbow how are things with you? I was thinking of you last night because I had a fantastic day with the kids and my family
but in the evening I was lonely and really grumpy with dh away in cork acting like a comfirmed bachelor

Is anyone else getting stinky really quickly? I had my shower yesterday morning but by bedtime I could smell myself...at 5.30am I was ripe and in the morning ds1 said I smelled like a wet dog!
So I had a lovely time with my bodyshop pressies in the shower this morning...a relief for all around me I'm sure.

Also Moss not having the dreams but I am really horny at the moment and no man around when you need one!

My bump has gone HUGE recently. Its really sticking out the front ALOT. Now I'm getting all the 'are you sure you'll last til March' and 'are you sure there's only one' comments. And I'm feeling really cumbersome as if I weigh 1 tonne and I keep getting braxton hicks and generally the bump is taking me over now.

Of course all the food might have helped my hugeness...this morning I had chocolate coins for first breakfast, toast and marmite for second breakfast, fried up christmas dinner for brunch then curry followed by two mince pies brandy butter and fresh cream for lunch. Now I'm contemplating what to have for dinner

29wks 2 (boy)