Due in June part 3 :: Entering the 2nd trimester, bring on the blooming!

[NattyandThomasandBumpandSanta]

new thread as old one once again will not load in the time it takes me to make a cup of tea so as far as i am concered thats too bloody long!

keep this one full guys!

N&T&B

bumperlicious....sorry to hear you've been feeling a bit low. When I was at the hospital for my scan the other day I noticed that there were pre-natal groups advertised locally. Check yours out next week, or your midwife should have a notice board at your gp surgery. I'm sure there are lots of people in similar situations. I found one of my now closest friends when she was pg and in your position....she lived opposite and saw me with my DS (then 4 months) through the window and out and about, and contacted me through my health visitor. She'd never even held a baby and had been using a doll to practice bathing and changing nappies (not as wriggly as the real thing ) As a single parent, I was more than happy to befriend her and let her practice on my DS!! Maybe there are other mums in your area who would be willing to help and the health visitor at your surgery should be able to point you in the right direction.
It will get better when you go along to baby clubs afterwards.
Not been feeling on top of the world myself recently...stressful job, very hormonal, short of fuse etc, and now have had my scan can only put it down to fact I'm having a girl...things definately weren't as bas as this when I was pg with DS.
Keep your chin up

Thanks for all the messages of support guys.
Babymonster I'm rhesus neg too and not looking forward to the injections, I hate injections! I don't think there are any other problems with being negative, but it does seem weird that nature should conspire against us in such away!
Let me know when you have yours booked and we'll be wimpy about it together!

Bumperlious, Sorry to hear that you're not feeling great, it is a bit of a roller coaster of emotions this prg lark, I know what you mean when you say you think friends aren't interested. I often think that about mine, even the ones with kids! I think most people get wrapped up in their own little worlds so much that if you aren't in the exact same situation as them they seem disinterested. Like others have said you may well feel better if you can meet some new friends through baby groups and your MW/GP/hospital are the best ones to try. I am the unreasonable woman from hell according to my DH, I can be blunt and a bit paranoid at the best of times but apparently this is worse at mo. Am convinced my SIL is trying to split up my family and conspire to avoid all social events with us. DH says he doesn't think its quite like this and that I have somewhat exaggerated the situation thanks DH.

Re lists, Lilkel it all comes flooding back now..... you are absolutely right!there are those less obvious things you need to get sorted to make life run smoother.....have forgotten the pratical things we sorted before DD.... sorted out kitchen storage, bought clothes airer, got kitchen table, filled in pond in garden replaced with child friendly water feature, fitted dimmer switches to our room and nursery, bought new camera and camcorder....etc . Suppose this time my wish list is not very big just expensive = new house with more living space and a garden big enough for climbing frame - oh and in school catchment area. Don't want much do I?!

Oh dear I think the bfing police are on to us!!
help we're gonna get busted!!

Lilkel, just got Cath Kidston brochure through, and what do you know - there are laundry baskets in there! Not sure which type you wanted - these are literally baskets that are lined rather than anything with a lid... Had to look through the whole catalogue just for you (I know, I know, I'm just a generous spirit) and have now got even longer wish list that includes Cath Kidston nappy bag (essential, surely?), one of their oilskin weekend bags (I need a nice hospital bag, right?), a cat bed (don't want cat feeling left out of buying frenzy; might make him take against baby), fabric for blinds (have you seen those elephants? For baby's room, you understand, not mine...) and oh-my-god-the-baby-clothes...!!! Have had to put the thing in a drawer. It's like baby shopping porn (takes deep breath to calm herself down ).

Marylou I went to the Cath Kidston shop in Holland Park last year and Cath was in there with her lovely dog! She was really sweet and showed me round the shop herself. What a lovely lady!
I've wanted one of those changing bags for ages (the one with strawberries on) and if you get one I'll cry with jealousy!
Although I may be able to justify buying one this time round as the only thing I need to buy is a new buggy. Mmmm.. maybe I'll ask for one as a present, ok now I'm getting excited too !!
Oh bugger, just looked on the website and they don't do the strawberry one anymore, it'll have to be Ottoman Rose!!

Yes! Ottoman rose! That's the one on my wish list. Or did I want antique rose? There's something about Cath Kidston stuff that makes you feel that if you owned it you would be a good mother. And a great cook. I was even tempted by the knitting needles, for God's sake. I have never knitted in my life... Time to set up my support group, I think

I bet Nigella, the domestic goddess, owns the whole Cath Kidston collection! Oh how I'd love to be good like her, but quite frankly I can't be arsed!

Am I a bad person?

But think how much better that take away will taste on a Cath Kidston plate, wearing your Cath Kidston apron...

Actually I may join your support group, I do occasionally indulge in the odd spot of cross stitch (oh and sewing!).

Cool! (and no, you're not a bad person. This is all Lilkel's fault anyway for mentioning Cath Kidston in the first place...)

Never to miss a shopping opportunity am off to cath kidston website. I wished you hadn't mentioned catalogue I can never resist catalogue shopping....
H&A re link
Back in a moment to report on wish list potentials...........

Hey hey what's all this? I step away for a couple of hours to tend to teething monster (DS) and a veritable Cath Kidston frenzy has broken out!!!!

I'm just sooo relieved I am not the only one seduced by her cute yet chic stuff - I was introduced by my "very able to decorate and cook" friend and have since crumbled. I mean, I never bought anything floral in my life. EVER. and now I own an oilcloth tablecloth (stone blossom!) and matching, yes, matching tea cloths. And all I can think about is 'how am I gonna decide which pattern to pick for my laundry baskets????' Dear Lord what has happened to me???

Thx for the tip re the catalogue MLou I just got mine today too - and DH just got paid, uh oh.......

Oh dear oh deary, deary, deary me..........I had no idea she did DAB digital radios.... It is my birthday soon and have recently told my parents I'd like a digital radio for my kitchen . But I don't think they had £200 in mind!!!

I ordered a catalogue before looked through website and now wondering if I should bribe postman not to deliver it. Have clocked up in excess of £500 of 'wish' items,(yes agree on the hospital bag - it is a must and seen great lunch bag for DD - would other kids pinch it tho?!) I seriously doubt DH will agree, he has what my Gran used to term as long pockets and short arms when it comes to 'non essentials' as he calls them. Also think he would not be seen dead with the changing bag when we are out in public!

Thanks Lilkel I think.....!!

Sure Nigella must be one of her best mates, probably round each others all the time....

Seansgirl, maybe you could buy a cheapo black changing bag for dh and a beautiful expensive gorgeous one for yourself. After all you do derserve it, labour is very hurty and stressful after all, not to mention the stitches!! Just don't tell him how much it cost!

Cath and Nigella prob do gorgeous dinner parties together. Cath brings tablewear and Nigella provides nosh!! Wonder where I can get an invite....

Good point Hollyandalice - think I'll check out poundland when out next time.... and use my credit card for cath..(the one he doesn't know about - gasp! ) you're right it is a lot to go through and I have been recently dropping hints on an eternity ring on that basis and seeing as this is our second........

Hark at me 'cath' I'm dropping it out like we're bezzie mates LOL

Thinking about what Lilkel said re. dark pjs for the few days immediately after birth when can get very messy. Forgive me if preaching to the converted etc something I viewed with disgust when my DM dave me but was a godsend in those days was a packet of Tenalady incontinence pads!

I kid you not girls, horrendous looking, and housebrick in pants comes to mind but found them way better than any other STs on market and shall be putting a packet in my new cath kidston hospital bag!

Hope all have good weekend with DH/DPs and bumps. Back next week xx

Ok, now you've done it. I've never been on the CK website but now I can't look at any other changing bag in the same way!
Still it could be worse look here
Here's the plan, ask DH for the one that costs £250, when he baulks, then you say that you will settle for a £60 CK bag and he can't argue because he's just so relieved it is more expensive - a classic technique!

tee hee hee... and you even look thrifty to start with because those leather bags are marked down... so clever, you

actually I did the 'scare and substitute' technique to DH with bouncers today, not even realising I was doing it! Showed him an M&P one for £55 and then looked saintly and prudent when I showed another one for half that...he couldn't argue then...

another tip for you first timers - buy babygrows which wrap around rather than pull over the head. If there's anything a brand new baby hates more than being changed, it's having something pulled over their wee heads...!!

Phew- have finally caught up with all the posts, must not stay away for so long ever again.. So what did I miss? Oh yeah -have to go and measure bump with loo roll whilst singing along to my facourite Wham! records.
Am of all you knowing the flavour, would love to find out but only get a 12 scan here. Could pay 200 quid for private one but seems lot of cash when they might not be able to tell anyway and there's so much more to spend the money on.
Am 21 weeks now and been feeling quite bit movement for last 4/5 weeks. Even saw my belly kind of undulate with it once, sorry not very maternal to say but that was a bit creepy.
Also had my first m/w appt which was bit of a worry. My GP surgery at my very local Health Centre sent me to m/w at another h/c some distance away. The m/w there whilst lovely is not in any way attched to the hosp where i'm booked so tho she's happy to see me now, won't be there for birth or any follow up home visits etc. She's suggested I attempt to get yet another h/c to take me on so maybe i can see the same person all the way through. What do those who've done it all before think? Dilemma is whether to stick with someone i really like for now knowing will get stranger at crunch time or go through hassle trying for new person now, hope theyt are just as nice and will have some continuity of care through them?

hi Tallulah and welcome back I would def, def try to find someone now that will stay with you. It was such a huge disruption to me whilst in labour to constantly have changing midwives and I hated the fact that I really didn't know any of them. My area is too busy for us to get to know any of them at all! I'd even seriously considered getting a doula or indep m/w (talk about expensive things worth spending money on!). You will come to depend on this person to carry you through the most difficult experience of your life (I'm guessing!). In the end I went for elective c-section but if I were having natural labour again, I'd absolutely do everything possible to have a doula or known m/w by my side! HTH

must run

Tallulabelle, I'm glad I'm not the only person to find the whole baby moving thing creepy! I don't care if it's not maternal to say so! And for all those people who say being pg is the most natural thing in the world - it certainly doesn't feel natural when you are doing it for the first time!

You are all mad , forget the expensive changing bags, use an old rucksack and buy a nice bag for yourself, or a pair of shoes, or something, anything!!!

Something more useful to blow £60 on post birth snigger