September 2017 #3

[roobois]

Starting a new thread

Oh travel that'd be fantastic. We took DD away a lot during my maternity leave but not all at once...I think it's very doable and would be an amazing bonding experience for you all. Take the chance whilst you can!

Good to hear from those of you who have little ones already that you don't think I'm insane for contemplating it! Really hopeful we can get a good chunk of time away all together. If not we'll definitely do lots of shorter trips.

Travel that is a fantastic idea! Definitely do it if the funds will allow.

We're considering moving our summer holiday this year and going away for a couple of weeks just before Easter next year. DH will split his maternity leave, so hopefully we can go somewhere a bit nicer because we'll be able to go out of school holidays in the first time EVER!

I love the idea of taking a longish holiday around March time - guess we'd have to save up now though!

It does depend on saving spring, but planning is good motivation to do it. And days like today in spring sunshine and a bit of warmth had me hankering for going off exploring! Off to google how many airbnb's are labrador friendly. Might dictate our plans a bit.

Evening. I've been largely absent from MN this week - mad busy. Seem to have developed sciatica, just contorting myself into whatever position doesn't hurt. 13 weeks.

Travel definitely do it if you can!! We've travelled quite a bit with DD, We took her to bali when she was nearly 6months for a couple of weeks and it was actually much easier than I thought it would be, at that age they are really portable...It all changes once they are on the move so go for it whilst you can, will be so lovely for you all to spend a good chunk of time together! My DH can't take long periods of time off work but I'm already planning where we will go on holiday this mat leave...best start saving too!

Defo go before they can crawl/walk. Once they are mobile it's so much harder. And plane journeys are so much crapper.

I just had my maternity leave confirmed at work, only 4 months and one week to go! That makes it seem soon!
15+5 today

Travel that's so lovely of her, you're so lucky that she's helpful and you get on. I couldn't have imagined anything worse than having my ex MIL MW there at the birth, she was calling the hospital asking for updates at 1am on the night DS was born and was about to get in the car and force her way in! Bit of a nightmare and very pushy! Having said that, if you get on with her then go for it, you could probably have two birth partners couldn't you? DH and MIL? Pleased you got to hear the heartbeat though, that's great news.

Rainbow I had mine confirmed this week too, 19 weeks on Monday and I'll be off for a year - can't wait!

14+4

Ive not planned how long ill be off for etc! It all depends how things goes. Last was early and changed plans as they start your maternity leave from then.
Shall have to think about it. I was ready to go back to work last time at 9 months. But this time it makes sense to have a year so dd has less childcare bills. But im not really going to want to go back in summer so who knows!

God u have all organised ur mat leave very early my work don't even know I'm pregnant yet as I'm still on maternity leave 😂😂

Only because I have to fly back before 36 weeks, I'll come at 34 though to be safer.

Where are u coming from xx

For anyone in the UK, Lidl has a baby event on which started today. I spotted little outfits, strollers, steriliser kit and a few other bits and pieces.

Lou back from Beijing where I'm working, for a whole 6 months! So happy to get Christmas at.home for the first time in years

Aww will be lovely for u especially coming back with a baby

Ooh hummus, thanks. I'll go and have a look!

Yes, olivers. I am really lucky with my MIL.

I'm still trying to figure out what mat leave I want and when. Don't know how late I want to try to work. And ours is a complicated number of weeks at full pay then number of weeks at SMP then number of weeks unpaid, then factor in KIT days and the annual leave you amass. Want close to a year but would like enough money for said trip whilst I'm off so its a balance!

Has anyone got nice plans for the summer? Usually at this time of year we would be planning holidays but if (all going well!) baby is due at the beginning of September there probably won't be much chance of flying away somewhere nice and warm. So, now I'm trying to think of possible alternatives to still make it a nice summer (won't book yet, but the day-dreaming is nice!)

spring we're having a little holiday in May instead, hopefully the weather will hold out. Not quite sure what I'll do with myself when everyone is out of town, but we should hopefully be moving house soon so presumably there will be decorating or furniture assembly or something to keep me occupied.

We are going away at the end of May too.

I'm looking at somewhere for a short break in the UK for July too - just before schools break up, but not sure how long of a drive my bladder and back will be able to cope with then.

Summer will definitely be last minute DIY jobs.

We were going to go away in August but plans changed so we are now away in 3 weeks and I'm back at work for the majority of the summer..

Had my 12 week scan today and they have put me ahead 4 days so now due the 24th September

Lovely scan lou!

I'll be making a trip home the end of may ON MY OWN (angels singing) because I won't be back till xmas 2018 again. DH will nip back for a week just before xmas this year but I'll stay here with the three. Dead excited about going!! But other than that, the weather is pretty good here in the summer so I'd rather stay here. But if we were at home I'd definitely be heading to Lagos, Portugal because I LOVE IT THERE X

We're going away next week for a short break then again at the beginning of July (booked pre pregnancy and I'm not obliged to go if any issues as it's a group trip) I'm so permanently exhausted at the moment that I'm desperate for some time away