Due in July Part FOUR - gather here!

[Cyee]

Can't believe we need more space... again...

Hmmm yes...cleaning... On the one hand the nesting instinct part of pregnancy is turning me into a cleaning frenzy, while on the other hand my body is increasingly making it darn painful! Can just about cope with cleaning up after DS each eve, but sweeping & hoovering (well, the bending part of it) is playing havoc with my lower back/hips so DP has said he will do that (we have a dog so usually do it once a day downstairs)...but he's working crazy long hours so it's been left 2 days and think I will have to do some in a bit!! Now on my one cup of caffeinated tea in the hope it will give me some energy (tonight is one of my thesis-writing nights...but feel more like curling up with a book!).

Any magic cleaning tips anyone? If only I could train the dog....! DS did actually try to help with the washing up tonight, v cute, although ended up with more water on the floor than in the sink!!

I've been awol for a week or so, not been feeling too good, hope everyone else is fine and dandy.

Had to cancel my 28 week antenatal this morning due to cash crisis, don;t you just love the way that the tax credits people can cock your life up without meaning to?

Ack!

Onwards and outwards (as far as bellies are concerned anyway).

Take care.

Agnes

Wow we really are a mixed bunch. It makes for interesting reading.

Glad to hear you're both okay Justaboutmanaging. I hope you're relaxing and trying to put your feet up.

Kyte, I'm never going to complain about my work again, even if they do pick and choose which risk assesments apply depending on what they want me to do. 7 weeks left, and I'm not in for the next 10 days anyway.

madmumNika, my magic cleaning tip, get my Mum round.
Today Dad and I started building wardrobes in what will be our bedroom. I acted as Dads apprentice (he gets ratty with Mum but doesn't with me) while Mum blitzed the house. I think she did 4 loads of washing, pulled out everything in the kitchen and washed behind them, mopped all the floors, dusted all the lounge, hoovered upstairs, cleaned the bathroom, weeded the back garden, then cleaned up the mess Dad and I made. She's even taken the patio curtains home to wash and iron.
Dad and I got the frame for the wardrobes up, it'll take a couple more days to finish them, then the dreaded decorating.

Had my 28 week appointment today, still not met my designated midwife, but at least I'm getting to know everyone on the team. I'd had another dizzy spell this morning and was still feeling woozy headed when I saw the midwife, but apparently my blood pressure is fine, it might just be the hot weather, or low blood sugar, so I've to try eating a bit more regularly. Also LO has moved and is now head down, but curled up with its back down my right side and its feet regularly kicking me under the left rib.

HI all,

After saying I am goingt o try and get on everyday.. I havent managed it after the first day!!!!. Friday night I went out with some friends to a bar on camp, I left everyone there as I was tred and it is only a 5-10 mins walk home.. my ear felt funny (blocked) so I held my nose and blew.. I thought I was going to collapse.. got home took some paracetomol went to bed.. managed to eventually fall asleep.. woke up to have a whistle sound in my ear and when DH DS and DD spoke to me they sounded like robots.. DH took me to the DRS who said behind right ear there was lots of fluid, but left ear was a complete mess.. inflamed, red and bloody inside!! She wants to see me a gain this morning..
She gave me some antibiotics.. but to be honest still feel the same.. when i take the tablets I feel ok for a bit then start to feel nausious and dizzy, and ears feel like they have something in them constantly.. very annoying..

DS came down with VandD yesterday so he has to be of Creche today incase he hasnt completly got it out of his system, and DD has a really bad headache and sorethroat!!.. What a house we have

DH is off this weekend to the uk to watch the ARmy Navy Rugby at Twickenham, I keep winding him up telling him he wont be sober enough to watch it.. he is meeting up with the people he was on a course with when we got married... so they wont be drinking much then will they!!! lol.

Hips still playing up but lack of balance probably not helping..
Lo is moving fine starting to quieten down now, bnot sure if this is because I have been ill or the size issue.. of not much room in the there anymore..
Sorry for such a long post..

Morning.

Much sympathy twoplusone - ear problems suck! Had a boil in my ear once, such pain DH wanted to lance it with my big sewing needle! You can imagine my reaction. And that was probably a doddle compared to what you're suffering.

Still waiting for my 28 week scan and I'm now almost 30 weeks. They gave me the wrong date for appointment last week so I missed it, but going tomorrow.

Two exciting things though - handed in my application for part-time working yesterday. Aiming to come back to work 2.5 days a week, and to do the half day at home. Feels mad to be planning it now 9 months in advance but I want to know it's all agreed before I go on leave. And this morning, lying in bed my stomach just seemed to pulsate. Very different from LO movements which definitely feel internal, this felt like it was coming from the outside. No pain, but felt very weird. Putting my hand on my bump could definitely feel it flexing. Lasted 5 mins or so. Could this be my first experience of BH?

Kyte- your dad sounds like a typical Rugby player!!.. The I am fine attitude to stop the wife nagging... lol
Luckily DH isnt that good that he could play for the army so he will just be supporting them by drinking for each and every team member I think!! (Think would rather him be playing..lol..

jamantha- Could well be your first experience of BH .. I have been getting some for the past few weeks.. didnt have any at all with DD and cant remember with DS think I did!!

This pg seems to be going so fast the first few months dragged.. but cant believe I will be a mum of 3 in 10 weeks.. (really could be between 7 and 12weeks!!) Starting to get very excited adn wondering what lo will look like.. whether he will look like his big brother (and Daddy) or whether he will be like my side.. or totally different..

Well, my DH just made an 'Okay' sound when I said that I cannot do cleaning like I used to....he really has no idea what he now has to do! He just doesn't seem to notice the dust bunnies on the floor or the dirty marks in the shower!!!!! Are they blind to it do you think?

Agnes, sorry to hear about your tax credits problem, I hope you can get it resolved.

Kyte - I'm laughing out loud at your bump movement! I too had the same thing yesterday. Sitting drinking tea and my tshirt just popped out from nowhere! Its like it was trying to get my attention, made me catch my breath thats for sure!

Bilblio - I too have great parents...they are a godsend arnt they. My Dad has so far fitted my bathroom, made two wardrobes and is now about to lay the carpet in the nursery! In the meantime my Mum regularly blitzes whatever ironing I have laying around!

Twoplusone - Never a dull moment in your house is it!? I really hope you feel better. I hate ear problems because they affect your whole body. Try and take it easy.

Time really is flying by isnt it! The sun is shining and our bumps are growing!
I stayed off work again today, my tum definitely benefited from the rest yesterday so Im going to try and rest again today. Just find it so hard when there is so much to do!

Hope you all feel well.

I am just loving this weather. Spend most days in the garden, DD pleased as punch with her big bucket of water and a few cups, sieves etc, me reading and relaxing. At least if we are outside, we are not making a mess inside. With cleaning and household chores, I find that if I overdo it one day, I pay the next (aches and pains and just feeling out of sorts) and can do very little the following day. I am wondering if it is best to allow myself three x half hour sessions of housework a day. I don't know how any of you are now managing to work full time - respect! - as well as household stuff. These days, I have to get into the bath to clean it, I do it just before I have a shower!

I have a guilty secret .... I have a cleaner!! I still feel funny saying it. Back in September last year (before getting pregnant) I was getting sooooo fed up with doing all the cleaning. Like most of you, my DH has a very high dust/dirt threshold and is totally oblivious to the effort that goes into keeping the place clean. I found a lovely local family company that come round once a week and 2 people do an hour and a half's cleaning. It's quite expensive, but has made all the difference to me, and I've found if I sacrifice the buying of magazines, Starbuck's coffees, make my own lunch for work etc I can cover the cost.

I am hoping to keep them on until about 4 weeks after I have LO, then will have to let them go while I'm on the meagre maternity leave pay. When I start back at work in February I'll do anything to have them back again!!! I discovered that I was one of the only people at work not to have a cleaner - thought this was just a luxury, but seems it's a part of life!!

I had my first NCT class last night - it was great! Really interesting and a great bunch of people. Mumsnet had really set me up with loads of information, so I felt a bit of a girly swot at being able to answer all the questions!!! I even managed to pin the "symphisis pubis" label on the correct part of the chart!!! DH looked very chuffed at the part he was asked to locate .....

Very of you ladies at home at the moment in this weather - still, it looks to continue into the weekend - hurrah!!!

Hi folks - sorry no time to catch up just now! Hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather. I took my pre-schoolers down to the beach this morning and we had a picnic - was so lovely!

I am off to the docs this afternoon for my bloods doing and a general check up, in partnership with the m/w. Not expecting any probs but hopefully all will be well

Hi all,
Glorious day in Manchester, hope the sun is shining where you are. Unfortunately I am looking at the sun through my office window I'm so envious of those already on mat leave. Though I have to admit I am still feeling fine, though my ever increasing size will I'm sure start to hamper me soon. I'm also lucky in that I don't have a public transport commute. Having lived in London for a long time I really feel for you tube/train ladies.

Sorry to hear about your sick kids twoplusone. That's the part of parenthood I'm not looking forward to... that and the worrying!

Kyte - hope you get sorted out with the Church. I think it's a travesty that general employment law doesn't apply. To my understanding, most churches do apply statutory as a basic, which means none should be exerting pressure or not-so-veiled threats about your potential return. There's been some great advice on here, and I hope that you find a balance between what's right for you and what's required for your work/vocation.

I am loving the idea of a cleaner! Though sounds like I am in the lucky position that my DH is a cleaning machine. I am no slob, but he has a lower dust/mess threshold than me. He's a teacher so I am in the VERY lucky position that my beloved and my cleaner is going to be off all summer to muck in.

Can't believe we are soon hitting single figures of weeks to go now. I have 9 weeks and 4 days to go. ARRRRGGGHHH. Anyone else starting to feel slightly terrified about 'the end'? I keep finding myself reading birth stories on MN. Probs not a great idea.

This has turned into a bit of an essay - sorry! Hope everyone is doing ok and benefiting from the loveliness of the weather without the discomfort of the heat.

Myfairone- you are right there is never a dull moment in my house.. I really dont know how I can bored..
Went to the doctors.. still have fluid behind the ear.. Doc took one look at my DD and asked if I would like her to have a look at her for me.. she did and she has the starting of Tonsilitis.. so that is her of school for the rest of the week. bless her.. DS still as diorreah.. he seems fine in himself but I am going to have to keep an eye on him as it has been for more than 24hrs.. anymore bouts and I will have to take him down to the docs too..
We havew the speech therapist lady coming tommorrow.. but to be honest since doc picked up on ds ears and gave him the sudafed to unblock thenm he has come on leaps and bounds.. sentances and all... bless him.. we cant shut him up now..

Miaou- Hope everything went ok at the doctors..

Catstar- I used to have a cleaner in Cyprus for the first 18months I was there.. originally was to help me adjust.. as we moved in the August so very very hot and ds was only 8weeks old..

I find that if I do little bits everyday things are ok.. house always looks like a bombsite during the day though when DS is running around but it is clean.. come his bedtime all is tranquil again.. Have just cleared the front room from most of his toys as he can play upstairs the rest are in a cupboard at the back of the front room so he can get them out then I through them all back in at the end of the day.. just intime to make room for moses basket, bouncing chair, floor mat and baby gym...and anything else to go with LO.

Ds is cute now comes up and kisses my tummy saying "hello Lee"

I have a cleaner too . We cancelled a gym membership and sky to pay for her. Freeview box is just as good.

Followed my own tongue in cheek advice before and ended up in tears on phone to Dr's and got an appointment, when there weren't any. Have horrible infection on 2 fingers that is getting worse and swollen and hotter.

I went to a mw appt this morning too. Everything is fine, BP great and nad in urine. I am due to go for a fasting Glucose test at the hospital on Friday (I think because I have big babies although was tested every time for Gestational Diabetes and did not have it). Last time I vowed not to go through with the disgusting test ever again (I felt completely bullied into it), thought it was completely pointless as there was nothing abnormal showing up glucose-wise on those stick things so nothing suggestive of a problem - just a couple of big healthy babies! Do you think I should cancel or am I missing the point of this test. Is it possible for nothing abnormal to be discovered in the urine test stick and for there still to be a problem?

Am kyte of your helpful reception ladies. I went to MW last Thurs to find out the appt had been for Weds. I'd definitely been told Thursday though. Receptionist was just VERY patronising and unhelpful and made no effort to get me seen quickly, so I'm going back tomorrow to try again.

Oh they can all S## off. I asked a friend and she said they are all probably rich people who have nannies to mind their children and have no idea how to control them really. Who don't work (No offense to SAHM's intended) and sit around watching TV all day.
DD can be a handful but I do think she gets to me more whne I have had a long day at work. She is an angel really and I wouldn't change her for the world. She can be so sweet.

Thanks justaboutmanaging for that info. You would have thought that it would be impossible wouldn't you? what is the point of looking for glucose in the urine then - if it does not show when a problem exists? Starving then chugalugging lucozade by the gallon can't be good for lo can it? I am still thinking I wont go.

I love lucozade (as long as its ice cold)! Am I strange? Warm lucozade is horrible though, so if you can BYO thats been very chilled then maybe that might make it more palatable.