July 2016 Babies (9) - let the babies commence!

[Ellizardo]

Nearly there folks.

elliz we got a sainsburys handhold thing and its shite! Was especially annoying as we have the sainsburys hoover which is brill (and i spent my treasured nectar points on the bugger!)

kaytee try not to panic but if baby does arrive before crib theres loads of white noise apps!

bluebell they are utterly gorgeous! You should make more and etsy them for horrendous amounts of money to generate extra cash on mat leave ;) i would buy them!!

Thanks for the words of advice re: swelling (cant remember all names) - spoke to the midwife today who said as my urine is clear they arent worried about pre eclampsia and i just need to deal with it... i suddenly feel very heavily pregnant!

I spoke to my midwife also as my anxiety has ramped up a notch (or 10) and im struggling with all these hormones and emotions - its not even been a year yet since i lost my little girl and im struggling.. shes identified me as 'at risk' for pnd and has booked me an app for tomorrow to get the consultant to agree to weekly sweeps from 37 weeks and an induction at 41 weeks if i have not gone into labour by then, also has referred me to gp so that any councelling etc after birth will be available to me asap if needed. If any others of you are feeling overly anxious about pnd i really recommend speaking out now - i am desperate to enjoy this baby and not spend its first months lost in a fog of depression!

On a happier note - baby is head down and 3/5ths engaged! 35+1

Regarding the towels, I got the Mothercare towel gift pack thing. 2 cuddle dry towels, 2 towels, and 2 flannels. That way, I'll have all the basics.

Have you guys seen all the towel choices?? Hooded, not hooded, flannels, coloured, white. Add that to the fact that the baby doesn't even need a proper bath until 6 weeks or so and I've got to wonder what my problem was!

Pulpi - love towel debate! Last year I got a plain pack of white hooded ones from JL plus a natural sea sponge and a couple of flannels. Ted is now on adult towels so will reuse the smaller ones for No.2. Think it's basically all a gimmick as a towel is a towel is a towel. I wld recommend Burts Bees baby shampoo and baby wash tho!

Cheery - I got up off a park bench today with a specific goal in mind, which I then forgot, so sat back down again until I remembered. (Wanting somewhere more shady was my goal). brain melt.

Thanks for Dyson recommendations. Will take a look now and see optimistically if anything on offer.

Anna - think I'll just shove the SH in the wash. I've done the cover several times so..hey, that's the crazy kind of risk taker I am (can you tell I'm knackered at end of day?!).

Primary - thank you for your honest heads-up re: pnd. Was lucky not to suffer with Ted but am so fully aware it's 'there' if you know what I mean. You also have a very good reason to be susceptible and your attitude is excellent. Though I have no doubt you're going to be just bowled over by her!

Gosh it's all getting v real!

Thom08 my mother is coming over to spend time with my DD1 but aside from me having a quick shower, she's not going to really see the new baby. I know myself and I need extra time to establish breastfeeding and comfort my newborn. So many things I got wrong last time which was mainly me having too many people visit, stress, lack of sleep and low supply.

primarynoodle glad your MW is supporting you.

Pulpi not too bothered about the white noise tbh as not sure I would definitely use that feature, it's more the fact that is sits over bed and I can pull down side for feeding, the timer and night light thing I think would be most useful.

I've been thinking the same about towels! Is the reason for the hood to avoid baby losing heat out of their head or is it really just a gimmick?

White noise was for primary not pulpi!

Primary it's good your mw is being very proactive with your care!

Those small baby towels don't last then long at all I found. I do like the hood to do hair drying though. I got a few from white company that are bigger than the baby ones. The quality is lovely and will last years I'm sure.

eliz I'll do a machine wash too then! Going to wait till we move though as will just get dirty again in the move.

thom I don't think you'll need someone. I was really unwell with an infection from labour and had a c section to recover from and we coped fine. DH was off for two weeks and would pass me the baby in the night. After two weeks I felt happy to pick baby up more. If you want to BF you'll beed to be doing it for a good 4-6 weeks to establish it so not sure the night nurse would do much? Help in the day is the way forward I found. Someone to watch baby do you can nap or shower really helps. Make loads of food you can freeze to save cooking. Keep the cleaner! Hope that helps. X

Evening all - swollen, miserable and full of hay fever here today I'm afraid. And dd2 still not well.

elliz buying the handheld dyson was one of the best decisions I ever made. I don't think about what it cost now. I did use a little birthday money and some nectar points (bought from Argos) to make it seem a bit better. I couldn't be without it for toddler crumbs and most importantly my car! And hoovering stairs whilst pregnant! Sorry, I'm not a rep for dyson I promise

pulpi re towels I ordered one the other day funnily enough. I splashed out on a white one from White Company as I had a 20% off code. I went for hooded as they are snuggly.

Jealous of all those with sleepyheads but no budget here. If I end up with a majorly bad sleeper I might end up caving! I'm sure they're OK to wash?

primary I'm glad they are offering extra support etc. And good on you for acknowledging and speaking up. It's so hard to do. Great news on being engaged it all sounds like it's happening in there :) are the sweeps just to get baby out and put your mind at rest?

thom I hope your mum looks after you tonight and you can rest and put your feet up etc. I would give anything for a peaceful night away at my mums for her to look after me DH/Ps just are nowhere near as good in my experience!

anna great news about the house. Roll on the moving date. I hope it offers a helping distraction rather than added stress on top of everything else.

photographer I never knew lactation cookies existed!! I feel like I need to invest now, I'm intrigued. I swore by Fenugreek last time when DD had a growth spurt and supply wasn't quite enough. Second you on the John Lewis baby grows for 'longer' babies. Next ones never worked out for us :(

bluebell sorry to hear about your carpel tunnel, it's really rotten. Is there anything circulation - wise you can do to help ease? I feel so swollen today when I bend a body part I can feel the swelling ? If that makes any sense?

kaytee you aren't alone in burning! I'm currently still peeling from last weekend. And I never burn. I'm on mat leave as of today! Earlier than planned but v happy with the decision. Hope the next 15 days goes super fast. We have a similar sleeping arrangement here, if that's any comfort. Makes me sad but keeps everyone happier. Really sweet your husband is so involved and wants to keep checking on the room- mine couldn't give a hoot!

youandme that's very exciting! Happy full term day!

Sorry if I've missed anyone, off to hopefully get some beauty sleep
36+0

Indians! You're so not an a-hole! DP was meant to be going to Leeds for work (I'm on the south coast) and I pretty much said I really didn't want him to. But this was for one night! And I hear you on the indigestion. And the rib pain. And cramp and stupid cocking SPD and sodding tweety dawn chorus birdy tossers!!!

Bluebell love love LOVE the printed bodysuits, they're lush! Re blanket I'm doing something called rib & welt pattern, in a lovely green baby bamboo. Might add a crochet border at some point. Hope your hands get better, that's gutting when all you want to do is make stuff! And your hamper present!! Some people are just lovely.

Anna glad the house is a bit of a distraction. Hope you're all bearing up ok and your mum is feeling a bit better.

primary good call on the PND help, new parenthood is tough enough without hormone-fuelled black dogs hanging about. And I say that as someone who probably muddled through when I should have got help last time.

KayTee what's the timer for on the crib?? And yes, my thighs are chuffing massive!!!

Elliz another mini Dyson vote here! How's your side pain today, any better? Also jel of your planned delivery date re childcare! DD isn't really ever with anyone except us or at nursery so the idea of having to have her spontaneously dropped off or collected by friends is making me a bit nervous! I am instructing her sibling to arrive on a nursery day, between the hours of 8-6. That's achievable, right?

Thom Your best friend sounds lovely! Pedicure and lunch sounds perfect.

Beaut I'm struggling with stuff and I only have one DD to look after so I'm not surprised you're finding it tough! Hope you're feeling a bit brighter today.

pulpi have you recovered from towelgate now?? It is amusing how swept up you can get about stuff that you'd normally be like 'duh, obvs!' My DD has just learned to tolerate the hooded towels and she's two. So now the bloody things are too small!

Cheery hope your cold is better, I've had about 4 this preg - worst thing is breathing at night. Truly sucks. How's the dust and varnish factor, is there light at the end of the tunnel??

Our bifolds went in today! Thought it was going to be a really awful stressy day where DD and I had to make ourselves scarce and she'd have to have a nap in the car or something. But it turned out to be mostly a bearable noise level and we could be in the garden, because it was such lovely weather. Plus DP worked from home so I didn't have to contend with/make tea for builders. And the doors look amazing. They're going to be practically life-changing (when combined with a new kitchen). Please, please, please don't come early, baby!!! I can't have a homebirth in a dustsheeted house with no sink. Or yannow. No actual kitchen. But I do have BREAST PADS. First baby: Little Angels at ASDA. Second baby: Lansinoh! Ooh la la! I am feeling so proud and super-organised, get me

Cookies cross-posted (because it took me 2hrs on and off!) where are you swollen?? That sounds miserable. Hope DD is getting better, it's flippin hard work when they're ill. Happy mat leave, hope that helps a bit!

Hi all, swollen feet here too and an uncomfortable hot night. My poor back also is suffering on one side so I feel your pain ladies.

Got the scan today so it'll be nice to see baby, especially as I've still not had a midwife appointment looks like I'll have to book the 36 week one now and just let the 34 week one go. Lots of chat so I'll try catch up later!

elliz we've got a Hoover handheld thing Whicknis pretty good. My mum sweats by her dyson one though.

primary glad that support is getting lined up for you already. At least you'll know it's there just in case.

Sounds like lots of shopping going on. Think we're all organised shopping wise.

Feet swelling is becoming ridiculous. I undid my shoes at work yesterday because of it and struggled to do them back up (a colleague took pity on me and did the second one for me). Think I might have to go and buy some new sandals that just slip on. Don't feel like I can really complain about the swollen and sore feet/ankles as I've been really lucky so far this pregnancy!

Tams - nice Freudian slip there about your mum and her Dyson! Will investigate. oH drily said 'if we get one, will that mean you do more hoovering?' Ho Ho ho

Back pain is still present but not excruciating. Pleased Ted at childminder today as I too have absent oh for next couple of days and I feel the physical diff in being primary picker-upper of a massive toddler.

Dats - bifolds sound FAB esp with this weather. Are they credit tall style? Looking at carpets today and bought some cupboard handles too. Woohhoo!!

Oops. Well spotted elliz. She might do that too though, who knows!

Eliz oh no I hope you get that money back. Glad you feel pampered though.

Mascara this is the Playmat I've bought for the baby. We got it in the sale though.

Cookies yes I've only the rest of this week left to work and I'm not too busy so kind of unofficially feel like maternity leave has started.

Anna I love that pillow. I got one with owls on from Mothercare. I love Ewan the dream sheep too. I won't be bothering with a sleepyhead unless a relative wants to buy it for us. I've only ever used the Moses basket and that's done me fine.

Kaytee where is your big tree wall sticker from? I think I'm going to get the baby a name sticker for the wall above his cot and one for above Ds3s bed.

Dats I hope all the building work is finished soon. Glad you have posh breast pads. I opted for those ones this time too. Sainsburys ones were scratchy

I'm glad to see that good old pregnancy rage isn't just affecting me. I'm getting so worked up over the silliest things. My feet are super swollen by the middle of each day. I am soooo ready to have this baby. I'm glad I've not been pregnant during summer before it's awful. I feel hot, sick and faint all the time. You can probably tell I'm just a super whiney/moaning bitch at the moment. I cried again yesterday in front of the eldest ds's. Poor boys had a panic on and went and got DH. I'm just hormonal. Okay rant finished.

Anyone with SPD I had it last time it kicked in at about 26 weeks. I'm really worried I may have suddenly developed it again at 35 flippin weeks. I can't sleep very well. My hips ache and I get an ache right up in my groin and my bum cheek. Last night I put a pillow between my knees but it didn't make a huge amount of difference. Any tips?

35+4

Thanks for cold sympathy ladies - it seems like it's on it's wat out, thank goodness!

Not helped by dust and varnish factor dats - work just seems to be rumbling on. Quite annoying! Currently 2 weeks over and counting. Also somehow builders managed to create a massive lump in the floor of the nursery(pushing insulation up from kitchen ceiling) so now that room is a mess too!!! Joining in the rant ladies, joining in the rant!!!

Thom - oh lordy, do yourself a huge favour and keep the cleaner! Especially if your OH is keen! My DH would never, ever agree to having one - I know he wouldn't. He found a print-out of the cleaning schedule I made the other day, and his response was, 'Are you for real?' I told him I had to have something written down otherwise I would never keep on top of things with the baby. He then helpfully used it as a coaster for his water glass and the ink bled, which really peed me off . If your OH is behind the cleaner, KEEP THE CLEANER! Do it for me!

primary love the etsy plan! Maybe that can supplement my maternity /redundancy pay... Hmmm!!! Glad that the midwife is on top of things with you. A lot has happened to you in a short time, but I think it's really positive that you're so self-aware - it's more than half the battle, really, to be able to keep your eyes open for potential clouds looming, and I say that as someone who has struggled on and off with horrific, crippling anxiety for years. Being proactive is a huge part of beating it.

Elliz thanks for the Burt's Bees rec. I am looking for products that are as natural as possible - I've been browsing the Green People website this morning. Could sink a fortune in about fifteen clicks on that site. Eek.

Indians you aren't being an arsehole. I would be cranky about DH being away, too. However, is it that he is doing the one-to-one father/son thing now so that he doesn't have to be away from you during the summer, once the baby is here?

Cookies, UGH, I am hayfeverish too. Snot and sneezing and itchy eyes. Serves me right because I was proclaiming the other day that I must have escaped it this year due to pregnancy. HA, HA. I definitely read that you can wash Sleepyheads, by the way. Don't they come apart quite easily so that they can fit in the washing machine? Cheers for the carpal tunnel sympathy, too. I think all I can do is try to keep cool and try not to curl my hands/fingers too much. Bummer!

dats I googled rib and welt, and it looks loooovely. I might do a bit more printing today in lieu of crochet, seeing as it's not so intense on the old fingers.

Saw the midwife (the seventh one I've seen so far!) for a very belated 36 week appointment yesterday and baby's head was 4/5, which I understand means its head is actually 1/5 in the pelvis. We're on our way, hooray! She had a student midwife with her who had a good feel of the baby's position as well. The lead midwife said I was 'nice and easy' to feel and good for a student, because some of the other women they'd seen that day had 'such tight tummy muscles that they were like rocks'. I must say that I did feel slightly offended by that - what does that say about the state of my effing tummy muscles, then?!

37 weeks today. Hooray!

Bluebell I'm seeing my fourth midwife next time as the current one is on holiday. I can't believe you are on number 7. I would love to train as a midwife sounds like they could do with more but I have a ridiculous vein phobia no way I could take blood.

All those of you talking about baby being engaged. You know that you can walk around for ages with the head engaged don't you. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious. Baby has been head down since 32 weeks for me and I bet I'm probably already a little dilated being my fourth.

Dats - I meant 'crittall style' doors not credit btw..damn you autocorrect

Bluebell - you do make me laugh with the tummy muscle story. And in fact the cleaning schedule...maybe you can get yr OH some coasters for Father's Day .. We won't have a cleaner until we move hence the hoovering comment my darling partner. Is yours ideologically opposed to getting one? He may change his mind when the baby shit hits the fan!!

Beaut I'm the same about veins - bleurgh! Yeah, I know babe can be partly engaged for weeks and weeks - still, maximum five weeks to go now for me! And it's nice to think he's heading in the right direction! He's been head down at every scan / appointment since 22 weeks, though!!! I expect him to have a very red face when he eventually comes out, all that blood rushing to his little head :)

Ellizardo, DH is ideologically opposed to spending money ;) There is no way on this green earth he would ever suggest hiring a cleaner, and I seriously doubt he would agree to one if I suggested it. To the point that my nan has actually offered to pay for a Molly Maids deep clean of my house either before or after the baby has been born as a present to me, and I have been putting off organising it because I know if I mention it to DH he will say it's unnecessary. He is a stubborn so and so. And yet, I don't see him on his hands and knees cleaning the skirting boards.... Hmmmmm....!

I've just spent a lovely hour clearing out unbelievable amounts of crap from the freezer. I had two chunks of stilton in there from when we got married in 2013! ARGH! (Proof, I think, that I need cleaning assistance, stat!) I can't even get the top drawer out to wash it at the moment because it's frozen in. Sometimes I wonder when I will become a proper grown-up who does this kind of shit before it gets to crisis point...

My cleaner is more or less the love of my life. If I could afford to have her come every day then I would!

Bluebell wait till the baby comes. He will probably change his mind I think they're great as they give you time and one less thing to do! Plus I don't spend like I used to socialising or clothes etc so it doesn't really cost extra. That said we don't have one at the mo as she had to stop and we will just get a new one when we move.
The deep clean sounds wonderful and lovely thought from nan

Hi everyone! Just trying to have a quick catch up. We all seem to be getting a bit fed up now and I'm glad it's not just me. I got really pissed off with DP the other day because I was trying to tell him about an ingrowing pube that I have (sorry if TMI) and he was too busy watching the football!

DD is being a little bit of a sod too and my patience is wearing very thin!

Been awake since 3.30am because that is another joy of pregnancy and just got back from work. DP is late at work AGAIN tonight so I'm doing tea/bath/bed routine for DD which is normal but I can't bend/move etc and find the whole thing horrible.

Right sorry for the huge rant! I'm off to finish packing/cleaning the house before move day on Friday. Someone give me strength and a bloody big glass of wine!!!!

Bluebell just me that didn't know then. With my first when the midwife told me the head was engaged I went home happily telling exp baby would soon be with us. Erm almost two weeks later .
You are making me think I should get a cleaner. DH is always saying it as he thinks it's too much for me. It's me that's stubborn about it though. I ask him if he thinks my cleaning is not up to scratch. We don't have a huge house it's just a semi but there are 4 bedrooms, play room and dining room. It's dust I'm struggling with I can't be arsed to get down on my hands and knees to do the skirting boards.