Late December - Early January Thread 2!

[Bella1985]

Hi! We're on to our 2nd thread for babies due at the end of December/Early January. 3rd trimester is in sight...!

I tried Gina Ford but it didn't work for us. I'd say read GF but other books as well so you have a broad idea of routines. DD1 was jaundiced and needed regular feeding, more often than GF. When DD1 was older she couldn't nap at 9am and then again at lunchtime (the GF routine) as she was far too awake. In the end babywhisperer routines seem to work best for us.

I have a Sleepyhead which I plan to use downstairs on the sofabed. I didn't have a downstairs arrangement with DD1 but didn't find it too much of a pain going up and down.

Yes the Ergo has been regularly recommended. I went to a sling meet near me and was advised to use the cloth unstructured sling for newborns. I never got on with my structured carrier with DD1, it felt so bulky on my smaller frame so I have bought a Caboo this time and hope to use it for at least the newborn period.

My inlaws bought the Bugaboo for us with DD1 and we love it. It manoeuvres really well. We rarely use the car so I don't need to fold it (it doesn't fold or pack away well). The mechanisms are very smooth and after a deep clean it still looks like new 3 years on.

My inlaws are flying in from abroad to be with us over Christmas. That's contributing to my stress as I don't know what they don't mind eating. My MIL doesn't really "do" Christmas so I can't leave Christmas dinner to her. Their saving grace is DD1 adores them, they get on really well. and the fact that I may go into labour over Christmas. Otherwise I much prefer Christmas just the 3 of us DH, me and DD.

I did not get on with Gina Ford at all. The book I swear by (recommended to me & Iv since recommended) is Rachel Waddilove
The Baby Book: How to Enjoy Year one. I found it massively informative & used it as a base which I then built on as I got to know my DS and what worked for us. He napped with me downstairs during the day until 4 months- ish & then he went into his own room during the day. He's always slept well. I don't know if he's a good sleeper or the sleep training we did do at 4 months (which was heartbreaking) worked. We will see with no 2.

I feel really disorganised as I haven't really had to buy anything. I'm going to use our Moses basket downstairs mainly because I want to instil in DS that when baby is sleeping in there then we leave him/her alone. I'm hoping that with there being an actual bed then DS wil respect that. Famous last words!! This means I want to get a crib for upstairs. Iv found the one I want to get, it's just getting organised & buying it. Iv got a close caboo for the early days (which I loved carrying DS in) and then Iv got the ergo baby 360. We also have a toddler backpack thing. My DH jokes about having 3 carriers but Iv used them all at different times & the 360 I used on holiday when we flew to Greek islands with DS at 18 mths old. It was so useful carrying him so I could push a luggage trolley. He loved being carried & even though I'm short it worked for us. I'm hoping with a toddler that the caboo will be handy as I can still be hands on. We bought the orbit baby buggy. It was the lightest one I could find that Was also the most compact. I love it. John Lewis sold it to us but never stocked it in store. It's huge in US but not as big here. They have since brought out the double buggy add on bit. I'm hoping that DS will be old enough not to need the buggy but can use the stroller & caboo combination if needed. We normally spend xmas eve with in laws, Christmas Day with my family & Boxing Day with them both coming to us. Just leaving it as is so that we guarantee we can be fed. Boxing Day is being moved to my family's house so that we don't have to host. Iv got a few bits for DSs stocking but still need to get his main present. Got a few small bits for baby in case they come before Christmas so they aren't forgotten. Feels like it's such a long way away but it's really not that long.

Hats off to you Stealth with your travelling. I hate flying & couldn't think of anything worse than having to do it as part of my job. Your rib pain sounds horrendous. Poor you. I'm glad it's not just me with mental milestones. Felt a bit silly when I wrote it down.

Ha I ordered Gina Ford a few days ago after a colleague told me I had to read it 😬 Got a feeling it's going to be too rigid for us. My colleague is very OCD whilst I have a more 'go with the flow' approach!
Stealth we've joined Amazon Prime specifically for when the baby arrives as we know there's stuff we'll have forgotten and need on next day delivery!

Wow, this thread has been busy over the last couple of days!

Hospital bag packing went ok at the weekend, not finished but I feel a bit more prepared and think I have most items (spread around the house). I think I'm going for two bags - one for me, one for baby. I was trying to pack everything for baby in the changing bag, but it's not big enough so I think I'll actually be taking two for baby. I've ordered a load of large zip lock bags to pack everything into neat packages so OH can easily find stuff. I also need to wash all the baby stuff - like emz I was planning on doing this in a few weeks as if baby comes early it's all too big!! Do I need to wash cuddly toys??? Seems a bit strange to do all the clothes and not the toys...

Great news about the name choice happylass! That's a good and exciting thing to tick off the list! We are still waiting the find the name.

Lucy I think we are going to OHs parents for Xmas day and then my parents for Boxing Day (oh is working on Boxing Day). I'm hoping I'll still be able to drive by then, if I can't I'm not sure what I'll do for Boxing Day as my parents are about an hour away - may need to recruit Dsis as taxi/chauffeur but seems a tall order for her!

Col I also asked about the furniture- not ordered it yet but I think we are going to go for it. Good to hear it goes up well (and quickly).

We actually bought a bugaboo . Initially they were out of our price range and we were looking at 2nd hand ones but I kept being outbid! I found some of last years model being sold off with £300 off the sale price so decided to go for it after, we convinced ourselves that it was money well spent as we will sell it on in 3 years or so and hopefully reclaim most of our initial purchase price.... OH keeps saying he spent less on his first car!!

Baby carrier wise- I like the look of the ergo too. I'm just looking for a good deal or decent 2nd hand one! I'll look into the beco Gemini- not seen that one before.

Car seat, like col a friend has promised us a** maxi cosi one which their twins have out grown. Happy with that as I know they've not had any accidents. Hoping they also give us the base... but thankful for all donations at the moment!!

I have a mosses basket, but wondering about snuzpod or next to me as these seem to get rave reviews. Also sleepyheads. Not sure we've got the budget for these (damn you bugaboo!). I like the idea of having two missed baskets stands stealth. Sounds perfectly logical to me!! I just hope baby sleeps in the basket!

My milestones are similar now that 30 weeks has gone - 35, 37 and 40. I don't want to go further than 40!!

I'll look into the books, but was going to get Gina ford, so will look into the Rachel wadilove one, thanks for the tip emz

Enjoy California stealth, your job sounds exciting (and very demanding!). I'm sure it will all work out with arrangements when you return to work!

Sorry about the massive post (again!)

Books?! Oh lord, just when I think I'm starting to get the list down to a manageable size I realise I haven't even considered a book! As a FTM it really should be on my list too! Will look ar your suggestion - thanks Not bought a carrier yet, but have got a chicco next to me (was toss up between that and snuzpod but went chicco as it was bigger and easy to use as a travel cot), and we got a sale travel system - joie gem I think, we were bamboozled by the options and just went for whatever was on a sale deal before we lost our minds trying to figure out which was best!!

Xmas with us will be interesting...sis is home this year for the 1st time in 6yrs (she's been living in Asia) and family are 1hr30 away in a rural village so my sisters (2 of them and parents) have created a master plan where they all come to ours...! DH loves cooking so that will be good, I'm just a little worried about being tired and feeling like I should be downstairs entertaining! DSis is bringing her boyfriend and MIL too...! First christmas at ours...a little ambitious if baby comes early...! It will certainly be a story to tell in the future! I do love xmas though so if I go with the flow I think I'll enjoy it!

Wow Bella, good luck with Xmas at yours! I did it a couple of years ago (with my parents, in laws, BIL and nan in law) and it was great. Everyone, well Mums and Dads, helped with everything so other than the cooking and laying the afternoon spread, I think I actually did less as everyone cleared up and put things away! If your OH loves cooking then I say you'll be fine, you can also disappear for a nap in your own bed, rather than snoozing on the sofa!

Bella I didn't get the book until a few months in so you still have plenty of time. Going to wash some baby bits today & at least pretend I'm organised. I also want to wash the car seat, Moses basket & caboo. Getting that fine line between being organised & washing it all only for it to gather dust! My numb hips were so painful lastnight.

I have to wait in all day Friday for a delivery so will wash baby clothes then. DH will be away with work and when I told him my plan of washing the clothes he was dissappointed because he wanted to be there to see the baby clothes drying and looking all cute! I almost cried at his cuteness!! But once they are washed I can add them to the hospital bag. At the moment my stuff is going in a mini suitcase and baby stuff in a small bag. Atleast that way it will be easy to direct DH to find the right things from the hospital bed otherwise I could end up with baby wearing a maternity pad and me in the bathroom trying to fix a nappy into my underwear

Just re-read yesterday's posts as we covered so many topics in one go!! stealth your job sounds very interesting, kudos for the travelling at this late stage of pregnancy! happylass hope you had more of a lie in this morning.

Those discussing what to put baby to sleep in downstairs...I'm planning on using the pram downstairs too and go send DH to Mothercare or shop online if it doesn't wok for us. Sister in law said she moved moses basket downstairs everyday with her first so I don't think that's naïve stealth - it worked for her and she's planning on doing the same this time round again.

We did cover a lot of topics! My mind is like a butterfly at the moment. Can't seem to concentrate on one job at a time. You DH is really cute Bella. I'm looking forward to seeing the little clothes hanging as I'm so used to seeing great big 2yr old clothes hanging. Iv booked a bump photo shoot. Is anyone else doing one? I didn't do it last time mainly because DS had arrived by the time I thought about it. I thought it would be nice to involve DS and might give us some nice photos for Christmas presents for close family (not talking family Christmas cards )

Looks like everyone has a plan for Christmas. I'm just going to take deep breaths and write down some instructions (for the turkey) for DH and hope for the best!

I got the Waddilove book from the library on the way to the gym yesterday. It is the 2016 version, very easy to read so far. I think the routines and sleep bit (the part which I need most help!) is the next chapter.

Yes I'll be doing washing this weekend as well. The bodysuits are so cute and look so small next to DD's giant 3y. I have early baby ones from DD as well so that's even smaller.

A bump shoot would be lovely emz. We had a photo shoot done when DD's was 1 year old and we are planning to do the same for baby at 1 year old. They are so much more interactive when older and do give some very lovely shots. DH loves photography so he'll probably take some for Christmas. Every year we do a batch of family Christmas cards for friends and family living abroad. I find it quite a lot of fun actually. Im thinking silly Christmas party glasses this year!

We normally make Christmas thank you cards with DS that involve paint & normally his hand or footprints. Love the idea of family Christmas cards, just not with me being semi-naked not really sure what to expect but a friend recommended this particular photographer & she was really nervous beforehand so hopefully it'll be good. Hope you find the book good. I bought it from Amazon & may start reading it again soon to get me back into baby mode.

Gym?? Iv got barely enough energy to get me through the day. Hoping to have our dishwasher fixed in the next few days. It's been 3.5 weeks & my hands are so sore.

Having to be so careful what I watch with these hormones. Watched walking dead with husband lastnight & it didn't help my nausea. I kept going from tears to wanting to vomit. Not sure DH knew what to do with me (other than cover my eyes with his hand!)

hmm.. i don't think it's just you & your hormones emz. I don't watch the walking dead but i have a few friends who do, and they, all not pregnant, had some very emotional reaction 2 nights ago?! Some say "that's it, no more walking dead". Must be some storyline. I try to keep my entertainment very light, mostly along the lines of Cold Feet (ITV), Poldark and Bake Off. I am steering clear of thrillers like The Level and The Missing at the moment although I would really like to watch them. I just don't want to deal with the irrational fear of DD going missing . Must be mama-hen protectiveness going into overdrive while pregnant. haha.

I really struggled with the missing series 1. My DH also struggled to start with. I didn't think I'd even thought about the emotional impact of having a child. The world all of a sudden seems like a dangerous place!

Poldark isn't particularly light viewing looking at the last episode. Bit darker than normal. Do love poldark though. Yes I think walking dead did push it too far but I'll still watch it as I do love the characters. It went beyond gruesome to plain sick. but I knew what was going to happen. My own fault.

Apologies for double post but has anyone else had achy bits when standing up. If Iv been sitting down & then stand it really aches. It goes after a minute or so but just odd. I'm going to repack hospital bag with DH so he knows where everything is. Got images of me asking him for something & he can't find it (cue emptying of bag!)

Oh yes emz - with you on that one! Painful isn't it?!

It really is! I'm glad it's not just me. Hard to describe too. It worries me that it's my pelvic floor straining... Really should do more exercises

Mine has changed a little this week and it now feels like I've accidentally done the splits and my pubic bone wants to split in two...will be running it by the MW next week to check its normal but I'm guessing it will just be one of those things as body starts moving in to birth phase!!

I'll be giving Children in Need on tv a miss this year, I don't think I can cope with 5hrs+ of non-stop crying. I have been watching The Missing though and I haven't been too bad. I did cry last weekend when DH joked that he'll tell the baby to Man Up and put on a jumper instead of spending a fortune on heating (I knew he was joking and I think he'll probably be the soft one of us fussing over the baby all the time) but for some reason i just burst out in tears!

Bella I've been having the exact same thing - I think - is it like you've sprained the inside tops of your thighs? Like, the bit that leads up to the business area so to speak. I've had this for ages, I had thought it was caused when I do too much walking and I still think this might be the case. I'm so pleased to finally hear about someone having the same thing!

Also, yesterday evening I had period pain cramps sort of thing all evening and all night too, is this was braxton hicks feels like? I googled it but I didn't feel any of the tightening that is supposed to accompany it so I wasn't sure. It was pretty painful! Nothing today though.

Sounds more like SPD although I'm no expert. Bump feels so right & heavy in the evenings. I find myself "carrying" it which is more comfortable. Think it's just from rushing round getting DS ready for bed & then into bed. Anyone finding their bump is itchy? I had this with DS for the last few weeks. My bump came out with patchy hives that were dry & itchy. Trying not to scratch. It's only my bump that's itchy, probably just skin that's over stretched & sore. Seeing MW tomorrow for 28 week check (at 30 weeks instead as I saw consultant at 28 weeks).

Sorry to say col but I think my pain is a little bit different to yours. Originally mine was like emz - has your baby's head engaged? Sounds like it has, that was what I could feel! I think this week baby has popped out of my pelvis. my pain is now less in the groin but more on the front of the pubic bone, sort of deep within the mons pubis/veneris. I think it could be muscle/ligament related as I tried to turn over in bed last night and had shooting pains in there. When I sit it doesn't feel like I'd be putting any pressure on the area, yet when I straighten up to stand, there it is. How annoying! Also, this morning after a shower my bump has started to itch. What fresh hell is this...!

Good luck at the MW today! Today's my last day in work until next tuesday so can't wait to have a break and get baby stuff sorted! But DH is going to Indonesia today - I may cry becaue I miss him! and for bake off tonight to make me feel better

emz let us know how you get on at your MW check.
bella col sounds like SPD. I have a similar pain on the left inner thigh to the the pubic bone mostly in the centre and according to the NHS website this is SPD:
-pain over the pubic bone at the front in the centre
-pain across one or both sides of your lower back
-pain in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum)
I never had any pains with DD1 so this is all very new to me (along with my back pain). I probably need to modify my currently non-existent birth plan to take into account all these pains and aches.
definitely for bake off tonight.

Thank you for the diagnosis lucy and emz - at least I know what it is now! While I was doing some yoga last night I gave the whole area a bit of a massage and sort of prodded the muscles a bit, seems to have helped.

Bella I hope your DH isn't away for too long, mine was away in Asia September for 3 weeks and it was really hard. Hopefully you've got someone supporting you while he's off?

Oh, the itching. Yes, a thousand times yes! I think my daily dose of bio oil helps with this a lot but I still get it. Usually in the queue at the supermarket?!

Good luck today emz

Just read the nhs page on SPD and it does sound like it, just that col and I are experiencing pain in slightly different areas. I hope it doesn't get worse, I've only had it since the weekend (the other pain felt more like pressure in the cervix from baby's position) but some end up on crutches with this. I feel bad for people who've had this from an early stage, atleast the end is in sight for us.

Thankfully col DH is only away for 6 days - 3 weeks must have been so hard. I feel like I miss him loads already (he left at 9 this morning!), I used to travel a lot with work so we're used to being apart but being pregnant has made me soppy! My sister has volunteered to stay with me "just in case you fall over" which annoyed me I'm pregnant not a child who can't be trusted alone but I might enjoy the company so will probably let her stay the weekend!!

Seen the MW this morning. Measuring exactly right which is good. Baby is still breech. No one seems concerned about this and I suppose I am only 30 weeks. DS was head down from 20 weeks & stayed that way. Not used to a breech baby. I get kicks low down or in my side. Everything looks ok but I have felt really sick today & had an upset stomach. Hoping it's just a one off.

I would definitely feel upset in your position Bella. Hopefully the 6 days will fly by and maybe the company from your sister wil be a welcome distraction. Iv been using bio oil which does help with the itching. The tight band of over the bump trousers do make the itching feel worse.