July 2016 (7) We're halfway to meeting our little bubs

[allthegoodnamesalreadytaken]

Hi all started a new thread as the old one was getting almost to 1000. We're a very chatty bunch! Happy Friday

Bluebell ha yes I'm sure I'll get over the singing thing when I have to - I expect when we've all got screaming babies we'll try anything to stop it!

Ellizardo yes my parents are now coming here instead (as they've got a car). DH is doing the shopping and cooking, bless him. I'm not normally a cryer and clearly it's not actually the trains that I was crying about - it's exhaustion and work-stress that's getting to me. I've been working midnights/weekends to make up for various deficiencies/absences in my new team and it's just exhausting me. I've got a meeting with one of my team tomorrow where unfortunately I'll be putting her onto formal performance measures - but at least now with the new Mother's Day plans I'll have a couple of hours to spare today to do the prep for that. Can't say I'm looking forward to it (and I'm sure she isn't either!) but it needs to be dealt with (and she's just one of three problem-children...). Can't wait for my holiday in April. Whinge over, feeling better now, thanks so much for listening!

Loving the cat/dog/rabbit/baby photos - very cute! Keep them coming! Anyone got unusual pets?

Don't forget to do your pelvic exercises, ladies!

Anna so sorry re the buyers - what a pain. So inconsiderate.

Bluebell yes good point re guardians. Hadn't even crossed my mind - thanks for the suggestion.

And thanks to the pram/buggy experts for all the advice. Really helpful.

I've just had some lovely flowers arrive 'from baby'. Been blubbing away (happy tears). It was the 'dear Mummy' bit that got me! However that cat has been trying to eat them since they arrived so soon back to reality!

Bluebel here is a pic of the crayon thing:

Bel, love the crayon idea. I will have a go at that when I've pinned the name down.

I also had a card from 'the bump' with a little poem which made me ball my eyes out. Really didn't expect it.

Anna sorry to hear about the house, that's terrible! Hope it sells quickly soon.

Julfin I've got the cosatto giggle2 too, needed something light (travel a lot so it will be a in and out the car job), something with the carrycot (as being away a lot means occasional overnights sleeps), something I can do one handed (this was my mums top tip) and something that if it got bashed about I wouldn't kick myself as it was a decent price! It was to me the most practical and came with everything, all the other prams were just upselling. I agree, it's all about where you live and what you want from it! Mine is travel!!

Elliz - your mention of the Gails cupcake made me fancy something sweet. My husband went to Gails this morning and got me a chocolate chip cookie - delicious! Apparently there were no cupcakes.

A woman I was volunteering with all weekend asked me what the most surprising thing about pregnancy was.

My answer: vaginal farts. They're really hard to hide in a quiet, open plan office, so most of my co-workers think I just have wind. I'm not telling them the true source of the mystery "wind".

This was met with stunned silence.

In hindsight, I probably should have said heartburn or itchy legs. Oops.

Thom - ha! These had cute speculoos bunny ears but my god the sugar content won't have helped my as yet undiagnosed battle with GD. Glad you had some Gails loving on Mother's Day too.

I didn't get anything as OH spent Friday (the day he claims he would have bought me something) looking after a very sick me and Ted. I don't mind as that was a gift in itself. We celebrated my Ma instead with Prosecco and some more cake. Oh and a trip to Topps Tiles.

Seems like the house is going to be ready June 28 and with my ELCS I'll be likely having her on July 4. I have just looked at my diary and erm ....la la la fingers in ears.

Jem - the Cruz is like a lighter weight Vista and has identical spec on the seat/carrycot/maxi cosi compatibility etc. It was my favourite at the John Lewis tour last year too! I think it's pretty long though so make sure it fits in the boot. Not sure if you're planning on more kids but if so check the Cruz can be adapted to take 2.

Bluebell - we did our wills in the Autumn too and made sure we listed guardians in the event of our deaths. A very odd but quite moving situation to ask people and in fact a lot of people responded with a 'we really should do that too'.

Julfin - sounds like a crap week ahead, i'm so sorry to hear it. special measures is never fun and feels so very unBritish too! when i worked in the public sector things had to get pretty bad for that to happen so i hope you feel there's good reason behind the decision. good luck, let us know how it goes.

And roll on our week in Mallorca in April too. jeez i am looking at JojoMamanBebe french legionnaires hats online right now for Ted such is my enthusiasm. xx

I also didnt get anything today, but I finally got cuddles with the little man!! That was a good enough present! makes me want July to hurry even moreeeee!!!!! Swear my little one was getting jealous as when I was holding Max he was going mental in there!! Haha

Thinking of having another 4D at 30 weeks which Im looking forward too!

I need to buy more leggings as Ive just found massive gaping holes in the legs oopsieee

Feeling absolutely shattered today, more so than when I would have a full day of work (got sent home early as we were very quiet and had loads of staff in) even had an hours nap

Hope all mummies and mummies to be had a lovely day today Happy mothers day to all

Beloftheball - where did you get your box frame from?

Hello everyone!
I'm new! 22+3 today... Baby number 3. Will be adding another girl to my clan
Hoping to follow a thread, never get the hang of forums so bare with me xx

bluebell it was lovely, FIL's face was a picture when he found out it was a girl he had sworn blind that it was a boy before

Welcome sibbs remember to add yourself to the stats page

The sun is out woohoo (Spring is coming!) Have a lovely day everyone.x

Bel, love the crayon initial! May I second the request for where you got the box frame?

julfin, hope work goes all right today. Sounds very stressful.

mascara and all you ladies who had such sweet and thoughtful Mothers' Day events - how lovely! I told my DH at dinnertime that he had better ring his mum because it was Mothers' Day, and he didn't believe me for ages. He asked me three times if I was sure! Not holding out ANY hope for next year, haha!

pulpi, that is hilarious. I am a big fan of talking frankly about bodily functions - famous amongst my friends for it, in fact. I highly approve.

Elli ooo, I am a bit envious of your holiday. Do not blame you at all for browsing holiday items now. I was so cold yesterday my hands went a bit blue. Brrrr!

Sibbs - welcome!

allthegood - how sweet! Everyone now knows that we are having a boy except for my FIL, who doesn't want to know until the baby is here. I am happier that people know because, as I think I mentioned before, there have only been boys in my husband's family for two generations, and I wanted them to have plenty of time to get used to the idea of another one!

Ladies who have lost their mums, I hit upon a happy idea for remembering mine yesterday. I baked one of the recipes I remember her cooking for us lots when we were kids - almond slices - and filled the house with the smell of her yummy almond cake! I think I might make this a little tradition on Mothers' Day and on her birthday now.

23 + 6

Happy Monday everyone. Way too nice a day to be at work, but at least the nights are getting lighter!

Pram wise we have bought the Mountain buggy Terrain - off road ability and ruggedness were essential for us.

Hello ladies finally got on MN (our internet went down over the weekend - thanks Sky - so haven't really had much time to catch up properly)
Thinking of those yesterday as well who no longer have their mums with them. I sat and did one of my Grandma's old jigsaw puzzles with my mum (we used to always do them with her) who I can tell still struggles years on. Had a lovely day but tired and Monday stresses today make it all seem so long ago!

bluebell that's a lovely idea. And they sound very yummy indeed. Oh and I cannot sing, it would be child cruelty. My DDs forbid me from singing
bel that's so sweet! how thoughtful. And your letter is lovely! Such a great idea and so creative, I've never seen before. If only we could decide on a name... Congrats on joining team blue btw! Your cats are incredible!! I'm a bit of a crazy cat lady but they are truly beautiful!
anna I'm so sorry to hear about the house. What idiots. Positive thinking I'm sure your house will get snapped up soon. Sounds lien there has been lots of interest. Bloody time wasters though.
scase yey to newborn cuddles!
Not so Yey to working 9 days in a row. I'm sure that doesn't sound right for a pregnant lady. I would be inclined to say something.
birdandbee love your fur babies! They're so yummy. Their little faces

Ok thank you allthegoodnames how and where do I join the stats page?
Thank you for the welcome :) xx

Wow Cookies you're so good at responding to each person, I can hardly remember who said what! (To be fair I can hardly keep up with the thread!! Maybe that says more about me...) Also thanks for your comments on my cats. They really are my fur babies! I'm working at home today, and they're both with me (trying hard to not allow them to "join" conference calls!)

Full disclosure on the Crayola initial picture - the picture I posted is a professionally made one! I haven't made mine yet as while DH and I have a top 5 list of names, we won't decide until the baby actually arrives. However I did buy the crayons and frame already as I love the idea. Both were from Amazon, for the frame I just searched for "white box frames" and loads will come up, you just need to choose which suits your style and the size you want. For the crayons, Crayola do specific blue or pink boxes, or you can just get multicoloured ones. NB the "official" picture is £65 so DIYing is a massive saving... Hope I can do it justice now!

Sibbs if you search for 'July 2016 stats' on the antenatal clubs boards you should see the stats list in there

Haha bel I had a quiet morning at work
Once you've made your crayon masterpiece please can you share it?! I remember one of the first things I did when I got home from hospital with DD2 was order the letters to go on her nursery door from JoJo once her name was confirmed I doubt il manage to find the time to make something this grand!..

They are amazing. I'd love a long haired cat. My cat's mum was similar looking so mine has the face shape of yours but with shorter fur.. Are they a particular breed? Before falling pregnant I had my eye out for an English blue..

Ps hungry hungry hungry all I can think about is food. Think I must have stretched my stomach eating capacity yesterday.

Hello ladies! Sorry I'm crap at keeping up but am thinking of you all!

22+2 now and feeling like the next four months are going to fly! I've got so much planned, work, parties (hosting for other people), a hen do, and then Bam my birthday and then my due date. Scary! Less than 3 months till I finish work too. The last trimester dragged forever in my first pregnancy but this one won't!

Cookies - I think we're going to have to collude on cat/kitten buying.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend ladies.
Scase congratulations on becoming an aunty!
I'm am absolutely exhausted tonight, I feel like the skin on my stomach is stretched so tight that it can't stretch anymore, my whole tummy is rock solid - does anyone else feel like this. It's so uncomfortable and still got 19 and a bit weeks to go
On the plus side I now have 2 bras that fit me, a black & a nude hopefully I can make that do til I need nursing bras. I went up a back size and a cup size so now 34GG between them and my stomach I feel a bit over inflated.

I mentioned sorting our wills to my husband today - I'm ashamed to say I hadn't even thought of it. I really don't know who we would ask. I wouldn't want to ask my parents or his mum as I think it would be a bit difficult to bring up a child at that age, his brother has special needs. It only really leaves my brother & his wife who have a different parenting style to what we envision but at least I know he would be safe and loved and we would leave enough money for upbringing with house and various life insurances etc..

Hi ladies

Carla42 here - have changed username as want to be more covert to post some questions in lone parents thread. Thanks for all the nice messages about my new flat! Feeling more positive now but despairing at all the things I can't figure out how to work. Current list is the oven, microwave, heating, bedroom lights...

Interested to see that lots of us have been thinking about wills. I've been considering this too, want to get something in place before birth to make sure I've expressed my views on guardian incase something happens in childbirth. Can solicitors use terminology to cover future children rather than naming them?

I saw our stats thread - what's the protocol for adding to it? Do we just reply? X

Fifi good question, I thought we'd maybe have to wait until baby was born but not sure. Will find out!