Due in May 2007 - Thread for w/c 08/01/07

[twelveyeargap]

Morning Ladies.

Twelveyeargap ? I?ve also paid a deposit for my bump for his/her nursery place. It?s non-refundable, but I?m not contractually obligated in any way. The deposit was for a month?s fees. I pay about £36/day, which includes all food and milk (bottled, I did have to provide my own formula milk when DS was younger). I provide nappies and suncream in the summer.

When I chose a nursery for DS1, I am ashamed to say, I inundated the poor ladies at the prospective nurseries with lengthy lists of questions. I think I covered topics such as food provided, where the babies have their sleep times, did the other children look happy and well cared for, did the nursery smell (not as stupid as you think, I went to one which stank of dirty nappies!), what activities for babies and older kids were available. A good way to find out what is available in your area is through the Ofsted reports. Please don?t use these as gospel, however, they give you a rough understanding of what?s on offer. Hope that?s of some use?..

CM, thanks for posting the photo. You have just made me feel so much better. I?m a really similar size to you, so I?m glad its not just me who?s a fair old size?

Sorry you?re having a bad day there LG&T. That?s v. frustrating?.

Best get back and do some work??.

LG&T, poor you. What a nightmare. I know how you feel (sort of), with regard to DH leaving chaos in his wake anyway!

DH is always losing things; let say, his keys. He has then be known to take my keys and misplace those somewhere in the house as well. Then by 8am next morning there is a drama about DD's keys being the only set between us, him needing to leave after her and needing to lock the door, her needing to get in before us. DH asking why I can't phone the housekeeper (who has another day job and lives miles away) to get her set, when I actually should have left the house an hour before. My job isn't as important as his, you understand, because he would have already been late three times that week and it's only Thursday today. So eventually we all get out the door and we're all in a strop. It happened, not once, but twice, that I had to leave work mid morning and go and let DH OUT. Him having slept in AGAIN, me having left like a dutiful employee at 6am and DD not even realising (why should she?) that he is still in bed. He can't find his keys and DD has double locked the door, like a good girl and he can't get out. So he calls me and I have to explain to highly amused boss that I have to get a taxi home to let DH out of the house. It's like a bad comedy in our house sometimes, especially when you know that DH used to moan about me and DD leaving our keys on the internal stairs of our flat, just inside the door, as that way we knew where they were in the morning and particularly if there was a fire in the night. DH said it was a hazard and a security risk... Hazard to his life if I'd ever had to go and let him out again, more like!

Anyway honey. Can you write a note for the kids and send them in with tracksuit pants and t-shirts and a note to say the kits have been accidentally been put in storage and you're not able to lift the boxes as you're pregnant? I think they'd be quite understanding. I'm sure you're usually very organised.

And don't go trying to lift stuff in desperation!

Hi all,
Have struggled into work today on the grounds that im no longer contagious and have an inspection looming next week which the service is not prepared for to say the least.But boy do I feel like death.Ive no energy at all.
And face is covered in a mixture of Touche eclat and clarins light reflecting concealer to cover remainder of chicken pox spots.Look absolutely frightening.The concelaer has given me an Elizabeth the first like pallor with which im frightening all my old people...
Thought would cheer self up by working out my remaining annual leave and when I can take my mat leave from etc to allow me maximum time off after having the baby.This has screwed me over even more as it turns out I cant leave till April the ruddy 30th!And Ive only 3.5 days annual leave to take between then and now.(Howls is despair!Im soooo tired).

Am seeing midwife this aft for a check up following the pox and general..Wonder what the chances are of getting her to get the Dr to sign me off work with something.Fatigue?is that a viable excuse do you think?Stress?

Sorry all, im feeling very sorry for my self today and must snap out of it.Scan next week on 17th, so looking forward to that, but also terrified..Think its a girl.Dont care which really.Boy would be a change, gilr woud be cheper in terms of clothes and sheets and things as dd's still quite new..

Good luck with your move 12..Was thinking of you yesterday as I read in the Sunday Times style section that Tony Hadley lives in Muswell Hill.You might be neighbours!I know this much is...TRUE!That was him wasnt it?
SOH-Ruddy housebuying.Our last year move was beset by damp being found in the new house and wrangles over who was paying to get it fixed.Its so galling!!

g and t-how in the hell do you get time to bake so much?You are like supermum!You put me to shame.When I feel better am going to surprise family with lots of home made treats to make up for it..

I prefer a fish pate myself-My Mum can make a lovely haddock one.Sounds grim but really its just like posh fish paste I suppose..

Bugger-sorry I said that about ER for anyone who doesnt have Sky-didnt mean to give any plot away..it was on normal telly last night wasnt it..I thought it was fair enough she shot him at the end..Wasnt sure about ugly betty.Betty isnt really very ugly is she?Will give it another go next week though..

Thanks for the nursery info ladies. A month's fees as a deposit! I'm guessing non-refundable too, if you don't take the place.

Will look into the nanny share idea, just to test the water. Given that DH would have to be responsible for getting the baby to the nursery (as I often start work before 7am) - can you imagine the chaos, now that you've read my last post???

I'd probably need someone to at least come and get the baby from DH each morning and get her ready. Arrggghhh! I can't believe I'm thinking about this BEFORE I go on maternity leave and BEFORE I decide if I even want to go back!

Must return to my boxes...

My dh does that all the time.He loses everything.It drives me wild!

Largegandt-I used to have to do PE regularly in only my vest and knickers as my Mum always forgot to wash my stuff.In Summer, it was just knickers, which probably wouldnt be allowed nowadays, (thank god-the humiliation!I was 14 gor gods sake, ha ha)So you are one up on her anyway...
Im sure the shcool will let them wear civvies for p.e if you send them a note like 12 weeks suggested?
Put your feet up.Will stop at kk on way home and get you some.What were they sent in last time, tupperware was it?Which flavour do you like best?Bear in mind if you say custard they wont get to you as I cant not eat those ones..

tyg-what about a childminder?-my one is very flexible about the times I drop dd off as I have to leave early to avoid traffic and what not..mine is £3.50 an hour but I think in London proper you might be looking at more like a fiver..

Been to one nursery and don't have to pay a deposit until they can offer us a place which they can't yet as they are full (for January 2008!). Got another "viewing" at 2pm this afteroon. Being in rural lincs the going rate for a day is £26.50 including a 2 course lunch and tea. At this first nursery they have a cook come in every day so you don't even have to provide weaning food unless you want to but they only have 6 baby places for babies up to 2 so that is why they are full. May consider a childminder but at least I am looking early!

Sorry to hear you are having a bad day LG&T and good luck with your packing TYG.

Forgot to say hope you get on ok at midwife scootermum and that you feel better soon

Tony Hadley eh? Better than the claim to fame that Denis Nilsen carried out some of his serial murders there and Alexander Litvinenko lived there before his unfortunate run-in with the Polonium 210. Apparently Billy from Eastenders lives there... Oooohhh.

Lots of other soap actors too, according to my interweb research just now, and Trevor Nelson, the DJ. Not particularly "urban" on the Hill... I should have thought he lived in a loft in Shoreditch or something...

I'm really going now.

Hey all

I'd definitely go the note LG&T. Sure it will work fine.

We now get 9 months maternity leave don't we? Hopefully that will give me a bit more time to try and figure out what the hell we are going to do. We can't afford for me not to go back to work so thinking 3/4 days a week when Bean is 9 months old and having a day nanny in our house. Guess it all depends on whether we can find someone good and what it costs.

I still don't even know what maternity pay I'll get as I'm the first in my company to get preggers and they are working it out at the mo'...they have got their pound of flesh and then some from me so hopefully it will be something that can pay at least a few of the bills.

Am back in slightly less black mood, have made butternut squash soup to calm myself. See thats why i bake i find it calming and with twins (smelly and messy) dd (neurotic and stroppy) ds (cant be told off without laughing and point blank refusing to put socks on atm) and ds not sleeping, i need to bake.....I should open a bakers shop....

Dh just phoned and said "hows my favourite girl?" he got a very frosty "im your only bloody girl" Didnt tell him of my escapades this morning though as he would only tell me off for lifting boxes

Good idea on the note front 12YG, i think i may have to do that. Phin will be thrilled to go in her bright bloody pink or purple sparkly whatever the hell it she wears anyway. Jonah would quite like doing it in his incredibles (he thinks he is dash) pants as long as no one makes him put his socks on....

Nurseries, nannies, childminders....just put them on a big yellow bus every monday morning and i will send them all back on Friday's...stuffed with cake and flap jacks obviously

Scooter you are a brave lady going back to work bespotted, i love that touche eclat stuff it is magic. I was bridesmaid with chicken pox at age 9, the photos are not pretty!

If you send KK's > i promise to send back your box filled lemon drizzle cake this time. Just put it on a plate and dust with icing sugar they will think you made it yourself They came in tupperware but a cardboard box would prob be fine. Will try to keep calm...

Is it too early for braxton hicks? Im sure i had them quite early with Hugs but cant remember, am 22+3 today. Dont a midwife till feb some time.

I think she should have shot him too in ER, totally deserved. Ugly Betty weird but will atch again to see....jury out

That sounded awful about the pox scooter...i had pox mostly on my face and the older (not spotted) bridesmaids tried to cover them up with powder, i looked like a spotty ghost. If i ever manage to post a piccie on my blog thingy i will put it up. It is truely hysterical

Ds has just done a nappy up to his neck....

Hey all, I am here, reading every word, just bloody cleaning and entertaining a friend for lunch. Getting ready for the arrival of the FIL.

Breath and relax Lgt, you'll do yourself some harm.

Great news on the scans and pink one pinkjenny.

CM the pics are fab, you should be very proud, Oh and what an excellent bump!!!

Pleased to see I'm not the only one having nursery issues, went to look round my one of choice 8 weeks ago i.e at 16 weeks for a place in Feb 08 and they could only offer 3 days a week. Have taken those and mum is doing the other two makes it cheaper though as it is £35 pound a day!!!

Ha ha am technical genius, managed to post a pic of my bump! Cant do links (not that bloody good) In member profiles, hee, heee

link to Large G&T's bump

Type: \link{

Then paste the link you copied from the address bar

Type: \

Type@ "your description of the link"

Type: }

That's it. It's actually easy. If you can do pics in profiles then you can do it. THAT foxed me for ages.

Wondered whether any of you have used a Doula with previous births or thinking about it? I'm booked in to have Bean at the Chelsea Westminster and have been scaring myself silly with the horror stories I've been reading about it on Mumsnet.

I was trying to figure out whether to try and swap to another hospital when i started looking at private midwives and doula's. My DH and Mum will be with me at the birth but basically I want someone there to go to bat for me if the midwives, doctors are not giving me the care i need. Someone to make sure the birth plan is followed and put their hand up if someone isn't doing their job.

Any input or advice would be fab.

Tch, that @ should be a : ...

Doh.

DH just called to say, "we might not complete today, might need to pick up keys tomorrow."

To which I replied, "Somebody better pull their finger out because the movers are arriving before 9."

He phoned back 15 mins later to say the keys were ready!

Yipppeee! Off to pick up DD and go see the house.

That is great TYG - enjoy checking out the new place.

Nice bump LG&T not big at all and excellent shape

I can't figure out what bit of mine is old belly (flab) and new belly (bean)

Poor you cinnamontam. I bet it's not as bad as some people say. I bet there are loads of good stories too.

lulumama on here is a doula - or doula in training at least. I'm sure she'll have some useful advice for you.

I haven't used a doula, but if you think your mum will actually be in the delivery room with you, then perhaps she'll be enough, if she's the outspoken type. However; if she has old fashioned ideas about childbirth, and your DH isn't comfortable with being able to speak for you, then a doula would probably be a good idea.

I like the idea of it, but I can't see DH agreeing, to be honest. And since I plan to be at home, I think there'll be less intervention anyway.

I spoke to Mum and I just don't think she is comfortable being the tough guy and DH is 6 foot 8 and could probably scare them into doing the right thing but is otherwise completely clueless. Mum is also coming over from Oz for me and I just don't think she would have the confidence in a big London hospital unless something was very obviously being done badly.

I love the idea of someone being there to make the 3 of us (me, Mum and DH) feel comfortable and supported.

I can't stop thinking about ggg today, what that poor woman and her family must be going through. Today will be the hardest ay of their lives. I have lit a candle on my mantle peice, keep looking at it. Just soo terrible beyond belief.

It is so sad about ggg, i cant imagine the horror of what that family are going through. Cant get my head around it at all, eveytime i think about it my brain seems to push it out, too awful to contemplate.

Cinnamontam i think a doula would be a fab idea, they are very supportive of both you and your dh, at his height by the way! How tall are you, how long is that baby going to be!!!! Mars is a doula too, you can find her on the multiples thread (how can life carry on and on etc...) Lulu is also fab and will have great links for you. I dodnt know anything about the hospital but im sure it's the same as any hosp it depends on the midwife you get at the time.

Am hungry....i may (if i can find the camera, Hugs has hidden it) take a photo of some lemon drizzle cake. It could be cake porn (like we had KK porn...!)

Okay who took me off the list?
TPT I have gone up a whole sheet in a week work must have changed its paper supplier this can not be right. I am now 11 sheets and as you can see in my profile picture my bump is very very tiny . Let's see some more bumps - if only to make me feel I am not the only blip out there.

As I am a little bored at work I have reordered us by due date then by scan date. I don't know why it loses its formatting though when I paste it back - oh well.

Name Gender Scan Due Prediction
jessinwa not finding out 05-Dec 26-Apr
skytvaddict boy 08-Dec 27-Apr
Aprilmeadow girl 03-May
drkgpink 08-May
LucyLouise not finding out 22-Dec 10-May girl
Bensonbluebird 11-May boy hoping girl
Katybumps 12-May
Abbylou not finding out 03-Jan 12-May girl
Lareginandtonic boy 13-May
preggerspoppet not finding out 15-May
ShowOfHands couldn't tell 03-Jan 17-May boy
anneme not finding out 09-Jan 17-May
Frenchsmallfry not finding out 15-Jan 18-May
twelveyeargap girl 05-Jan 19-May
Redkenendy not finding out 11-Jan 19-May
Peacemaker 12-Jan 19-May girl
JonahB 29-Dec 19-May small one!
pebblemum 02-Jan 23-May girl
gingerbear 23-May ?
InTheseShoes not finding out 09-Jan 25-May
Jellybean girl 26-May
MKG 10-Jan 26-May girl
BethnalBub not finding out 16-Jan 26-May
Pinkjenny 08-Jan 27-May boy
Lwatkins 08-Jan 27-May
Creena 11-Jan 27-May girl
cinnamontam 15-Jan 27-May
cacaboo not finding out 28-May boy
Lupins 07-Jan 29-May cute & healthy
Juicylucy not finding out 16-Jan 29-May boy
CharleyMouse not finding out 08-Jan 31-May girl & boy
lilKel 19-Jan 03-Jun girl
lucyw19 boy

Am 9 sheets so have gone up 1 sheet in about a month! Ohmigod, the bump looks so big though.

I think we should all post our bumps like CM says. Only fair...

Hugs is crying alot and wont let me put him down....please dont let him come down with something i may not last the night

Im going to attemp to do a link to my fave pram in a minute, am feeling confident...