NOVEMBER 07 - Part 2 and we're blooming !

[purplepants]

well, I hope we are anyway. I just feel blooming huge!. My beloved white linen trousers split right up my backside last night

Ara, sounds like your work situation is pretty stressful. 7.30-8 plus commute - bloody hell. I thought my work was getting a bit stressful as it's quite physical but at least my hours are good - 7.30-4 every day, with a 20 min commute each way. So I'm actually quite lucky!

Don't really have any good advice but think it's a tad on the shitty side that they're making you feel bad about this.

they're starting to drive me round the twist - i've been so flexible with them about completely unrealistic targets and deadlines (all of which i have exceeded by just working my a*se off) and they treat me like i'm trying to get free time off???!!!!! it was the 'telling off' tone that really did it for me though...i have to say!

I shouldn't get angry about it today actually - the sun's out here for a change and i'm going to tidy the kitchen and then read the papers in the garden and try forget about them. i'll stew about it tomorrow on their precious time!

what do you work at anna?

what do you work at anna?

Sounds like you're having a really hard time with work Ara They cant descriminate against you for being pg can they - isn't this being sexist or something?

I hope you get it sorted out soon. Bet you'll be so glad to give up the very long commute and be able to lay in for a while!!!

Ara, I work in a nursery (called daycare here though) for under-2's, 20 of them. Am trying to cut donw on lifting etc but they need putting into high chairs, cots etc and there is also lots of walking around to go over to children or fetch them bottles or clean clothes or whatever. Like I say, I'm trying to cut down on the lifting but have been telling myself the exercise of walking is actually good for me - and I do feel v well so far, no aches or pains yet, so it prob does help.

Am finishing at 29 wks on advice of my doctor, it seemed ridiculously early to be finishing 11 wks ahead of birth but as I'm starting to get bigger i'm beginning to think it's a damn good idea and sod the money!

Quite right Anna!!

Thanks Loopymumsy - I am going to spend some time researching later. Think if you don't know your entitlements they would probably jus completely takes the mickey - it's dreadful!!

We're off to look round houses now for a couple of hours - keep your fingers crossed everyone ...

RGPargy - I cannot WAIT!

It's been a chatty couple of days. Anna - sympathies with your work situation. Sounds completely pants. I think I feel a constructive disnissal tribunal coming on...

Choudru - hope the packing goes well. Bake a cake? Why - jus get one from M&S and pretend Love the henna designs.

Re the whole hypno birthiing thing. My freind used it and had smooth 4 hour long water birth at home. Am def going to check it out.

Went to a wedding in yesterday at Southwell Minster. As soon as the organ started up LO went mental. I think he ( I'm sure it's a he) likes bassy noises.

Littleoldme - bet it was lovely to feel your LO wiggling around to the music!!

ara it sounds as though you work for a bunch of pricks if I may say so. I was in a similar situation when I was pg with my DD as a few of my colleagues and department manager though I was slacking but my line manager was fab. He almost over rested me and let me do what I pleased. As a result I was far more productive in my last couple of months. Which I think put noses even more out of joint. I went on maternity leave and NEVER went back!! The best part was that one person who I stayed in touch with said I was really missed when I wasn't there which was the exact result I was after.

Oh dear what I big waffle from me! Are you in the position to go on mat leave early? If not get yourself signed off sick and give them all the shits! He, he, he!!

Now for something completely different is anyone else getting the urge to eat constantly then feeling so stuffed that you can't even move or is it just me??

Is anyone else having horny dreams about all sorts of random men that you don't normally find attractive or is it just me?? I have been dreaming about Gordon Ramsay, John Terry (BLAH) and Prince William. For god sake whats going on???????????????

Yeah it was lovely. On my way to work last week Addicted to Love came on. I turned it up v loud and surely enough I got lots of wriggles. Although that might have have been Lo picking up on my excitement at remembering Tom Cruise mixing drinks to it Cocktail Now there was a movie.

Incidentally, on the book front - my friend has loaned me a copy of 'Salmon Fishing in The Yemen' which is a wonderfully inoffensive and engaging read. It has the same feel as A History of Tractors in the Ukraine.

Hi Ara,

I just read a book called Baby Hunger... can't remember the author's name and too lazy to go get it... which is mostly about work situations like yours, how men and childless co-workers see women with children as having special, unfair priviledges. She based most of her research on the US, but some in the UK. You're definitely not alone in this situation, but if I were you I would quit ASAP, or at least not return after maternity, as you're planning... Anyway, have a look around for that book here it is. I felt like a lot of the statistics were sloppily done, but that it was interesting overal (and very discouraging about IVF).

Super - i always have ina ppropriate dreams about Gordon Ramsay> I can even see where you are coming from with John Terry - but Wills !!!

I'm eating loads too.

superloopy- rather inappropriate dreams here too about all sorts of random men. I remmeber this fromt he last time as well

Ara- tell them to go take a running jump and go off sick if they give you any hassle. One of the deputies at my last job when i was pg with dd used to send me home early almost on a daily basis as my ankles were swelling and they wanted me to rest.

TMI question now- anyone else's wee a bit strong smelling? MW tested it lasst week and it was normal but it smells a bit strong at times.

Forgot to say as well. I've been looking at birthing balls but my friend told me to get the gym ball from Argos for a fiver so i have today- The only problem is that dd thinks its hers

Pixiefish - a word of warning, the safety balls that are sold to pregnant women are so called because if they puncture they deflate slowly rather than bursting like a balloon. It's not the sort of thing that should bother anyone - unless you're pregnant.

Ara - I can believe your employers. I have no advice but it really is the sort of thing that companies shouldn't even feel confident enough to try to pull. Grrrrr!

As for wriggly LO's, Marnie (we're going for it now we know the sex) seems to be awake and po-go -ing about 16 hours a day.
Hmmmm! I'm still hoping for a quiet, calm baby... ...

John Terry - maybe
Gordon Ramsay - nah
William - yeuch

Now Robert Downey Jr or John Cusack...mmmmm

ah right easy. My pal told me to use thordinary one- maybe I'd be better letting dd have her own way with this one and buying the proper one

RG - Hope the move is going well - you're probably running around like a maniac as I type (or you might be lying on the sofa while the removal men are carrying it).

Thanks for the comments on the henna Got a repeat booking today - maybe I can afford not to shave another £5 off the price of the Phil and Ted now

Having said that - i have discovered it's going to cost me around £200 to sort out phone and broadband at new place. £125 for BT connection and £80 to transfer broadband because I am still in contract.

Enquired about cancelling contracts with BT and broadband and just getting cable instead but that was slightly more!

Only saving grace may be that I worked for BT for 8.5 years and usually have a good banter with the engineers. So might be able to talk them out of charging me full whack (apparently it's at the engineer's discretion depending on what wiring already exists).

Wish me luck!

Anyway - about wee. Pixie are you sure you're drinking enough? It does get 'stronger' if you are slightly dehydrated and you do need to drink lots of fluid while expecting.

About horny dreams - I actually had one about DH - how weird is that????!!!!

Better go - my sis is coming over later to pack my kitchen stuff for me, bless her. Hopefully we'll get it done in time to take the kids to the park if the weather holds out.

P.S. I 'couldn't' make the cake in the end because I needed 3 eggs and I only had 2. Nice suggestion about M&S though littleoldme evil grin

Ara - your post had me fuming. ARGHHHHHHHHH!

Don't any of the managers have kids? Would they have sent their partners out to do the hours you are doing?

I THINK NOT!

Please investigate it properly and throw any maternity rights you can at them. And perhaps a good idea to assess your options once LO arrives - if they are so unhelpful with maternity rights then I can't see them being sympathetic when you have to take the day off because baby is not well/has a clinic appointment etc.

You sound like such a committed professional - I personally think you are wasting your energies with this company.

Right - really have to go now. DS has done a stinker.

Hi all
chodrou - just saw your pix- WOW! That's some skill you have there, they're fabulous!!

ara - I'm speechless (good job everyone has already said what I'm thinking) Deep breaths and try not to let it stress you out eh!

RGPargy - hope the move's going well (ie that you're say with your feet up in the sunshine issuing orders )

Superloopy - I'm definately having wierd dreams but not necessarily horny (though ever hopeful that Gordon Ramsay will make an appearance)

Loopymumsy - Hope you get some success with the house-securing soon.

Took DS out to test drive the P&T this morning. It's so different driving a 3 wheeler isn't it! I kept going all over the place - but suspect that's mainly because I'm used to my fixed-4-wheeled tank DS loves it though which is a big phew as he's forward facing now but has always been rear facing.

Hope everyone's enjoying the last of the sunshine before we get another few days of rain.

I found the P and T a bit difficult to get up into a shop if there was a step. You put the wheel in and then it's difficult to get the rear wheel s up. Spose, thinking about it i should lock the front wheel and I'd have more control- duh

I agree - all the weight's over the front wheel making it difficult to lift up (maybe in time it'll will help reduce my bingo wings though ) I never thought of locking the front wheel - good idea.