sleeplessness, toothache, hip pain - the joys of being due August 2007 !!

[tokentotty]

Now that's all out of the way in the thread title we've all got to head down the "things can and will only get better now" ok?? All ailments stop and nothing but good things will befall us all.

Right.

Ouch! Hope you feel better soon lizzie. Glad to see some people are almost finished at work and can join me in waiting (im)patiently at home for our lo's!

I have been eating like an absolute HORSE the past few days, has anybody else noticed an increase in appetite lately? I swear I was hungry every hour and a half yesterday, constantly foraging for porridge, toast or bananas.

Plus now I have to eat something before I attempt to go to bed because otherwise I lie there awake getting hungrier by the second, AND if I come down for a wee in the night the hunger is so great I have to have some milk or a piece of bread or something before I can sleep again. Is baby having some sort of manic growth spurt or am I just a fat greedy heiffer? lol

In fact it might be a growth spurt as I have all of a sudden outgrown two pairs of trousers and a skirt, all of which fitted a week or two ago, if a little snug. The bump is now definitely THERE.

hee hee banana - I also have the hunger!! Cleaned ny teeth last night then decided i was too hungry to sleep and had some toast. I've also turned into a milk-drinking freak. Idon't even like milk but found myself pouring a glass to drink last night.

On Saturday I spent ages making a nice tea and then droppped it all over the floor whilst putting in the oven. About an hour later I managed to kick DH's beer all over the sofa too. Or perhaps that was on purpose so he couldn't drink it either. Help i have lost control!

Lizzie hope you feel better soon

Hi everyone. I've been away from MN for a while. I had some time off work due to bad headaches, extreme tiredness etc and I've only just had the chance to catch up yesterday.

I've only got 2 1/2 weeks left at work and I'm counting the minutes!! I've got loads to do before I leave and I'm really worried about they guy who'll be standing in for me. I explain something to him 3 times and he says he understands. He then paraphrases it back to me and he hasn't understood at all. God knows what I'll come back to. I'm sure after a few days I'll be wishing I was back at work. I get so bored at home. I guess I'll just have to try and think of some things to occupy myself and dd while we're waiting for the baby to arrive. Anyone got any ideas to keep a 2 year old occupied?

I'm gradually feeling more and more hungry. I have to eat just before I go to bed otherwise I can't get to sleep and when I wake up to go to the toilet I have to have a drink of milk. Most of the time that it enough but sometimes I have to eat a biscuit as well. I have to say I shouldn't put on as much weight when I'm at home. I eat far more when I'm at work for some reason, even though I'm much busier.

Hi all How's everyone feeling?

Lizzie - dead sorry to hear about your ankle - what a (literal) pain! You must use it as a good excuse to rest up now.

Mmm, hunger - oh yes. And sadly still for stodge (pancakes, crumpets and the like). Still, the baby always shows great appreciation by doing some dancing after I've started eating, so guess it must be a genuine craving .

Finally did some 'hospital' shopping on Sat. Not that I'm planning on going there, but just in case. Lordy, it's confusing - all the different panty pads and breast pads and creams. I finally bought my reusuable nappies - some v gorgeous Tots Bots bamboo ones, plus waterproof wrap thingys. Have also bought a packet of biodegradable disposables as a gentle induction into the world of nappy changing... Woman in shop was v helpful and explained all. Doesn't sound so tricksy

Hi ladies,

not posted for a few days as was away at a conference last thursday and Friday and never seem to find the time at home.

Both me and mini bump doing well and she's kicking well. By the end of last Thurday I did feel a bit battered as she kicked so much during this conference I was on. Don't know if she was as bored as i was so she though she'd kick the hell out of my ribs as amusement - but in the sessions immediately before and after lunch she never was still for more than a few minutes at a time and my tummy was jumping around like a mad thing. Usually getting up and walking around settles her down for a nice snooze but you can't do that in the middle of a seminar.

Lizzie - sorry to here about your ankle - get some arnica cream on it 2-3 times a day to make the bruising come out quicker and heal faster.

Spent last night getting most of my hospital bags together - seem to have an awful lot and I haven't even got any coming home clothes in for me yet. I have one bag for labour and one bag for post birth plus will take a cool bag full of ice blocks and nice cool drinks for the hospital which will propably be 85 degrees in August!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Afternoon all, hope good weekends were had.
Quick question Annie, what shop was it you were in to get all that advice about reusable nappies ??

Hi everyone. Lizzie, hope you are feeling better: I second the arnica cream idea and maybe the tablets as well...

Well I had a burst of energy on Friday and we decided to pack a hospital bag "to get it out of the way". This took all evening (!) and led to my realising that I needed to prewash some nappies, so there went Saturday morning, which led to me completely reorganising my wardrobe to eliminate all clothes that no longer fit this big bump of mine and pack separate boxes for post-birth (still big and hopefully feeding) clothes with lots of buttons, post-post birth (and lots of exercise) clothes, and god help me "going back to work eventually" expensive office clothes carefully wrapped and cedar-balled. This naturally took all of yesterday and my poor boyfriend could not understand the thinking process at all so couldn't help other than in lifting stuff so he happily watched motor sport all day. I had just got to the end of my tether of trying to keep it all in my head (and wrecking my room every morning trying to find something that fits for work) and had to do a big reshuffle to feel sane again. Feel sane but exhausted now!!

Is this just mad first timer behaviour?

Am a bit concerned that I took out an overnight bag that we normally pack for BOTH of us to go hiking as our "hospital bag" and it is overflowing even without the freshly laundered nappies and anything for DP to wear . I imagine turning up at hospital with a big suitcase, a beanbag and a birthing ball and leaving six to eight hours later slightly shamedfaced! I did actually try the line with DP of "it would be so much easier if we didn't have to leave the house..."

lol kiteflying, almost sounds like you're nesting!

I am finally getting my messy little house sorted, having shifted a load of old furniture we finally have some room to move in the spare room. It's still be full of boxes and binbags and oodles of stuff but no major furniture in the way. I aim to have a massive ruthless clearout and chuck everything I can away/give to freecycle/charity/carboot.

I WILL have a functional house and a spare room fit to be stayed in by mil! I'm determined now!

Oh, and good news finally about my Maternity allowance: after some considerable badgering on my part, they have decided my jumping-through-hoops has finished and I should be getting some money in 5-10 working days, so I am finally, maybe, allowed to stop worrying about money for at least a little while and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy before baby Elliot gets here! whee!!!

Oh Gilll - don't even talk to me about keeping 2 yr olds occupied!! mine has been driving me up the wall.

My best plan is to break the day up into small activities - my DS is happy "helping" me hoover, then we set him up with something. He'll load the washing machine etc.... let your DC "help" even if it takes twice as long - then at least you won't be bored!!

Is you Ds usually in childcare? Are you taking them out of childcare while you are on mat leave - I'm afraid my DS will carry on going to nursery 3 days a week for a least a couple of months, then Ill cut him down a bit to save money.

Thanks everyone will have to try and get some arnica cream today (i think mum has some i can borrow).

I would say for hospital bags only pack what you need for one night, as when i had dd i packed everything they said i had a bag the size of a house probaly more then what dh and me take on holiday for a week.

I mean most of us will be home after one night so you only have to bring it all home again.

I only had a couple of nappies for LO fist time round, and knwoing DH would never find the rest at home, I skimped on my 2nd day languishing in the Hosp - poor babe, abuse from day 1!

also - worth packing at least 1 item which is slightly larger than miniscule newborn size..... just in case you hvae a large babe - nothing worse than realising the poor LO's feet are all squished in a babygro.

Which reminds me - what do babies born in mid summer need to wear when they first arive? My DS was born depth of winter, so heating on, and every possible layer... but summer?

well it was more than a couple - incase anyone thinks i used 1 nappy a day.... I've got all my cotton ones ashed, folded, and a few stuffed into wraps already- planning to start as i mean to go on.

Bananabump - I could only hope that it might be something as normal as nesting but at thirty-one weeks tomorrow I fear it is just the insanity of the over-organised first time mum. Like you I really want to be rid of stuff but somehow the charity bag pile is the smallest . Good luck with your efforts though - v impressed at actually getting rid of furniture.

Lizzie, you are right, I think the hospital bag should fit the amount of time you intend to be there. All the great tips threads on mumsnet have let to our personal list being very long.

Annie75, we are also having a few disposables available and I agree they are a good backstop. Love those bambood nappies though - SO soft.

Any other exciting purchases anybody? My only buy this weekend was baby nail clippers. At £1.99 I think they are the cheapest thing yet bought for our little bean.

WASHED.

Trying to type quietly as DS is next to our computer space, and he's trying to fight going to sleep!

LOL growing bagpuss at your long time guilt about the second day in hospital. Poor you.

I have no faith that it will actually be summer when our babes arrive, do you? But I was anyway thinking minimal clothing and a little jacket and cap to go home in if it is breezy

How is your little one doing now?

Well, if it's as hot as it was two summers ago (which isn't looking likely at the moment but you never know) I think I'll be leaving him in his nappy and a little sleeveless cotton vest, or maybe even just his nappy, with him lying on a cool cotton sheet or something. Not sure what they should wear in bed though.

Thanks growingbagpuss. Dd goes to my mum's normally. I'll probably take her there a couple of days a week (or get dh to take her there on his way to work) so I can get some time to rest. She'll be going to playschool in September or October for 2 sessions per week so I'll get dh to take her to mum's and pick her up those days so I can get some time alone with the baby. I can't see myself being organised (or awake) enough 2 weeks after the baby's born to be able to take her and pick her up myself.

I'm planning on doing a hospital bag just in case I don't get my home birth. Unless something goes seriously wrong and I have to stay in I'll only have enough stuff to get me through the minimum 6 hours. So I'll take towels for a bath, sanitary towels, breast pads, nappies, cotton wool balls and a change of clothes for me and the baby. Anything else dh can go home and get later on.

bananabump had a similar conversation ealier- have both got hosp bags ready despite wanting home birth - on basis that my DH can't ever find anything - whether I'm here or not!

Kite - snap!

I bought nail clippers this weekend too - £1.99 as well!

I also bought one of these (new from ebay) as reccommended by my SIL as she said they were excellent and really stopped baby from rolling around whilst changing

www.amazon.co.uk/Easy-Change-No-Roll-Safety-Changing/dp/B000MEW90S

Bought something similar as well as a cot top changer from babies R US as I need the space on top of chest of drawers to actually put things on.

Had a lovely day yesterday as it was our 12th wedding anniversary. Went out for a lovely dinner and had an ilicit glass of wine and an even more illicit crayfish, advacodo and chilli salad as a starter.

Happy Anniversary Hersetta. Glad you had a good time. Dh and I are owed a dinner that his boss is paying for. Better go for it while we have the opportunity.

Hi everyone, you all sound so organised! Despite my determination I failed to sort out the hospital bag this weekend. Thanks for the shortlist of stuff GillL, my list is a mile long and most of it is probably unnecessary.

We've got our John Lewis nursery appointment on Saturday, so hopefully I'll have the buggy etc sorted by this time next week. I've just bought an old Mothercare Urban Detour buggy from a friend of a friend, for £25. It's too bulky to drag up to my flat on a daily basis but it'll do for keeping at my mum's house. Yay, my first big purchase!

Hersetta, sounds like you had a lovely anniversary. Nothing wrong with treating yourself occasionally!

Happy anniversary Hersetta. 12 years and a baby on the way - well deserved celebratory wine I would say.

How odd that we both bought the baby nail clippers! Of course in your case, it is because you have pretty much everything else, isn't it?

Like the look of that changer. My DP was horrified when I suggested that a few towels folded together might do instead of a change mat .

Katybird, how is work treating you? Have you remembered to leap about and do a jig every so often?

afternoon everyone - hope everyone is well. i feel like i've got an espresso drinking kangaroo inside me these past few days and nights!

due to the amount of flexi i've built up i've only got another 8 days over the next 3 weeks to work - can't wait till i'm finished!!

katybird - that's similar to the urban detour i have - it's really good (apart from it being heavy) and DP doesn't mind taking it out.

gillL - don't know about you but i'm finding that i can't chase after DD (think they are similar ages - mine is nearly 2.6?) as well as i could. so activities that we do, tend to be in safe environments i.e. not walking to the shops along busy roads. DD will keep going to her childminders whilst i'm off though we will be cutting back on the number of days after a new baby has arrived.

i've just ordered a baby doll set for DD (it has cot/bouncy seat etc) in it so that DD can do stuff for her baby whilst mummy does stuff for the new baby.

Much better today thanks kite! Jigging about is a bit beyond my means but I'm taking lots of tea breaks and it's a good excuse to sit on the comfy seats in the corner and read a mag for a while. When are you seeing the osteopath? Hope you're not aching today.

Maybe I should start with the nail clippers and work my way up to the really big items.

That's good to hear myweegirl. So cute that you're buying your dd a doll set !