'Due in the new year the next generation - who ate all the pies'

[Bettymamma]

I hope you all find this. I'll write a proper message once I see it works!xx

really sad to hear going43 news.

just to show how bad my pregnancy brain has become - just realised I have a wedding to go to tomorrow and the outfit I had picked doesn't fit.
got nothing to wear!!!!!!!!!!!!

and for poor Goingfor3 and Oscar my heart goes out to them and it also fills with fear for us all, will we ever feel safe? Like you said Lilyloo, just when we thought we were getting there. I can?t believe it.

I?m also feeling stressed because my in laws are coming to stay tomorrow and I know they will try to force me to go to a party at theirs to spread and celebrate our news and I just don?t like it, call me superstitious or negative but I think a party to celebrate an unborn child is temping fate plus I am upset that they are trying to con me into telling the family early when I have made it clear from the outset that we can?t breathe easy until our danger date of 20 weeks has passed. Goingfor3?s awful news has reinforced that in me. Am I being unreasonable?

Hey Angechica ? great mat benefits

Hey Gingeme are you going to find out the flavour of your bean?

RavenclAwen ? I think you can get two separate packs, the Emma?s Diary one from Lloyds and the Bounty one from Asda. I got my Emma?s Diary one yesterday ? got a mini palmers stretch cream (very greasy ), 2 sachets of Ovaltine (gone!), some wet wipes and some dried fruit and tons of leaflets! Have fun in Wales

MrsMacJnr - I don't think it's a case of reasonable or unreasonable. It's your child, your news and I really think people should respect your feelings, whether they're the grandparents or not. It's not as if you've said they can't tell anyone ever, you've asked them to wait until 20 weeks and for a very good reason. I'd stand firm!

Hi MrsMcJnr yes we are going to find out the flavour of our bean My next(20 week) scan isnt till the end of August though. Cant wait.
Had a dream I had my baby last night. It didnt hurt at all (only in dreams) and it was a girl and it was realy realy ugly!! I remember a dream I had with my ds4 that I had a baby again it didnt hurt and it had a full head of black curly hair but it was nylon hair. Like a dollys and a ginger goaty beard........

I got my emma's diary from my gp and didn't get any free stuff this time! I'm sure that last time around I got a load of persil sachets and some ovaltine . But I have signed up for the Boots thing - am I going to get snowed under with spam mail tho?

We're on a bit of an eco-awareness anti-spam-mail drive in our house at the moment, so dh will be really narked if I've just triggered a new wave! Is anyone else still feeling really sick at the 14 week mark? Last time around I sailed through, so this has been a bit of a shock! And I'm definitely showing faster this time, but trying really hard to keep my weight down, so its more of a pot belly right now - last time I put on 4 stone, and it took 2 years to shift it (literally got back to pre-birth weight in time to conceive again....nooooo!), so determined not to go through that again!

Not too sure about maternity leave yet - actually, I don't think I've quite got my head around the fact that we're going to have a 2nd baby in the house come January. I think I've just not had time to focus on being pregnant with number 2 - anyone else found that?
Love to all, FM xx

i know what you mean Fluffy i went for an ante natal apt on Tue and the midwife asked me how many weeks i was and i didn't know . It just seems now i'm on number3 i just haven't the time to think about it where as with no1 i knew down to the exact week and day.
Well as the sun is shining me and ds are off to the park for a couple of hours together whilst dd is at nursery. It was either that or a toy clear out to start making room for one of the dc's to share their room with the baby. Although i am sure the rooms will be full again with xmas and then it's dd's birthday on 13th Jan. This baby may have to sleep in the bathroom !
Anyone else going to have baby sharing with sibling ?
We were going to have an extension but it is just too expensive

Thank you BWMum

Gingme ? how exciting for you! I?ve had funny dreams about my baby?s looks too!

Fluffymummy ? there should be a form in your copy of Emma's Diary that you can fill in and take to a Lloyds Chemist for your free pack I signed up for the Boots Parenting Club before my MC in March and can?t say I?ve had much through the door (or email) at all. I still have a few nasous days now and I?m almost 16 weeks but they are getting fewer and far between. Well done losing all that weight before this pg ? wish I?d shifted the extra 2 stone I was carrying pre pg that said, I weigh less now then I did when I got my BFP so hopefully I can stop myself from putting on excessive amounts.

Lilyloo ? interesting that you plan to put the baby in with one of the others, friend of mine has twins, one of each and they share and the new baby has its own room.

Going for 3 sorry to hear your sad news thoughts are with you...

Quick question to all, have you had dates through for next scans? And also who is planning to find out the sex of thier babies?

I am worried that they will tell me its a boy when actually its a girl or vise versa has this happeneded to anyone before??
xxxxx

talking about freebie - it the emma's diary and bounty packs for first timers only?? Second time around, all I was given were my pregnancy notes and a few leaflets on looking after yourself in pregnancy.

Freebie packs aren't just for first-timers - I'm on number 3! The plastic envelope it came in said something like "subsequent pregnancy" but still had the Bounty book which had a pull-out card to take to Boots for a pack of freebies (I think I got some Sudocrem, Ovaltine, sachets of body lotion and various vouchers) and I also got the Emma's Diary to take to Asda (less in that one - Ovaltine and an Asda voucher to spend on baby products)

I'm planning on DD2 and this one sharing eventually - 1st few months in carrycot or basket in our room, if sleeping through when needs to go in cot he/she will go into DD2's room, if not we'll cram the cot in our room a bit longer so she doesn't have disturbed nights every night. The only problem I foresee is keeping all the small things out of reach - am trying to train DD2 to put all small toys in the wardrobe at night (good habit anyway to keep her room tidy). I think I will have to resign myself to toys in the living room where I can see what's going on, without worrying about what's in the bedroom.

So sorry to hear your news Goingfor3 - my thoughts are with you.

Had my follow up appointment yesterday with the Dr about my gall bladder operation a few weeks ago (everything's fine, full recovery) and he showed me photos taken within my abdomen not only of my gall bladder and liver etc, but also my womb! It looks really quite odd, but scarily big already. I was only 14 weeks when I had the op done, but it already took up a large proportion of my lower abdomen. Apologies for those that are squeamish or don't like this stuff - skip to the next paragraph! You could just see it rising through the intestines - a really odd sight! It was quite dark and covered in hundreds of tiny blood vessels, and looked like a brain without all the folds, but much darker (so er, not much like a brain really, but the same shape!). The consultant when he had a feel of my tummy again to check there was no pain said that already by this stage (nearly 18 weeks) it would have been quite hard to do the operation due to the fact that my womb has already moved up a few inches since the op.

My 20 week scan is a week today but I'll only be 18+6 - I guess they assume they can find all they need to find this early, if not then I'll have to go back for another - I won't be complaining though!

Hopefully we'll be able to find the flavour of the bean, not for any particular reason than we want to know as much about this LO as possible Me and DH think its a boy, not really for any particular reason than just the odd old wives' tale! I do slightly worry about having a girl as she won't have a very girly upbringing - I was (and still am really!) a complete tomboy and DH is very much a big boy (not in the dodgy way, just in the way that he plays with warhammer models, plays computer games and we're going to see the Transformers film tonight!).

Got a fun weekend planned (if not a bit tiring!) going to the Yorkshire Bike Show tomorrow which is only 10 minutes from where we live, and then going to the Sunderland Air Show on Sunday to see the Red Arrows and all the rest Rather excited about it all!

we will miss Going43 and her postings on here.

hubby being one of those teacher types, has abandoned me for 3 weeks to continue our "let's do up a wreck in an obscure eastern eurpoean country" mission, so am home alone with dog, who is rivalling my attempts to starfish on the bed as much as poss before I can't lie on my back any more.

Still v miserable without him, and the dog is totally abject.

Hey Cazzybaby ? I am having a 20 week scan though they are not standard here, it is on 4/9 (when I am actually 21 weeks). We don?t want to know the sex and hope that the 4 weekly scans that we are going to have will not weaken our resolve!

MotherofZ ? don?t think they are! Or they shouldn?t be!

Hello Housemum

Naetha - that?s great about your recovery that must have been so interesting seeing those photos, a totally different perspective! PMSL at the Big Boy conitations! have a fun weekend!

Angechica cheer up hon ? far more room for you, your dog and Beanie without Daddy too my pussycats are tiny really yet by 3am they have most of the bed

Does anyone else do this?

I keep on catching glimpses of myself in the mirror and going jeez I look pregnant!

Oh wait a sec, I am pregnant!

Spent so much of my life trying my hardest not to look pregnant (I have a permanent pot-belly!) that I'm finding it really hard to get out of the old habits. I'm still walking around the office with my tummy held in as tightly as possible, and failing miserably to not look pregnant!

Grrrr I want to start looking pregnant!! Still flat tummy (angry)

ok I cant work out how to do the smiley faces!

Hello All

I have been less and less frequent with my posts but I have been trying to catch up on all the news. It was so sad to hear about goingfor3 and made me feel nervous too like some of the others - when does the worry stop and the joy begin!? I have never worried so much in my life.

I have a definite bump now, especially when I lie down on my back on the sofa. I can see it at home in my PJs better than my work clothes. I still sort of also just look a bit chubby. It is fun though.

Funny all the stories about the bosses and their comments. My boss actually commented on how my boobs had grown yesterday. Yes, he did! And also said that I should tell my husband to "enjoy them while he can". Good grief I cannot wait to leave this job.

As for mat leave I am out of here in mid november - 6 weeks before the due date. I know that is horribly early but I want to just enjoy being pregnant for a bit and get away from work. DH said cool so I am going for it. I doubt I will be back here anyway (please please please may I find a job other than this one!)

The tips on all the freebies were great. I will get onto that.

My chinese calendar prediction was for a boy but I did a different chinese calendar one that said a girl - so who knows!? We aren't going to find out at the 20 weeks scan but I am sure that the wait will kill me.

I think I have been feeling flutters but I don't know if I am just hoping I have or if I really have. I would love to feel a big strong proper kick or something that could not be disputed.

Mrs McJnr - sorry to hear about the grandparents giving you grief. My mum has had to learn some boundaries about just how much say she has in things. It is a learnign curve for them too. Stand your ground I say.

I am so glad that it is Friday. Enjoy your weekends and I will touch base again next week!

PBirdy X

Does it matter if you don't go back to your job after maternity leave? I'm like PBirdy and may want to do something completely different afterwards, but not sure what ties I have to give with my company. I'm very tempted to become something boring like a secretary or a receptionist although my DH says I would get bored very very quickly, I feel its just about within my capabilities at the moment!

Cazzybaby you should see a little guide to the right of the box you type into when you type a reply. Otherwise a copy and paste is:

To insert a smiley face, , type [ smile ] or : )
For a big grin, , type [ grin ] or : o
For a wink, , type [ wink ]
For a shocked face, , type [ shock ]
For an angry face, , type [ angry ]
For an embarrassed face, , type [ blush ]
For a sad face, , type [ sad ] or : (
For an envious face, , type [ envy ]
For a sceptical face, , type [ hmm ]

obviously without the spaces within the square brackets

Oh and lol at your boss Pbirdy - the cheek of it! Bet you can't wait for maternity leave to start!

Damn my short term amnesia...

Pbirdy with flutters and kicks, I'm pretty sure I've been getting them for the last 2 weeks but in all honesty I'm not 100% sure! Even when you do get what feels like a whopping great kick (like I got while giving a presentation - I'm sure I went crosseyed for a split second) you doubt whether you felt it or not within seconds!

Hello - sorry - I think I may have interupted a discussion but not really sure how to work all this yet. Just found this site and v. excited as am first of my friends to be pregnant - I am 35 years so quite surprising really! - I am due on the 27th December 2007 and am pleased to see lots of people in same position! i live in Welwyn Garden City so if anyone else does would be delighted to hear from them.

Thanks - will be logging on from now on. Sorry once again for interupting!

Welcome Kerrlou! Looks like you're first on the list! Are you a first timer or have you got other kids as well? We're quite a nice mix of both but its nice to have experienced people here too!

When are your next scan(s)?

Kerrlou - 27 Dec, first timer?
Beller - 28 Dec, first timer
PBirdy - 28 Dec, first timer
Housemum - 29 Dec, 2 DDs 14 & 4
Macdoodle - 30 Dec, DD 5
motherofz - 30 Dec, DD 19 mo
Naetha - 30 Dec, first timer
Awen - 31 Dec, DS 7
Imawurzel - 31 Dec, First Timer
Bettymamma - 31 Dec, DD 22 mo
BWMum - 1 Jan, First timer
Toomanyshoes - 2 Jan, DD 2
LouiseSJ - 2 Jan, First timer
jellyjem - 3 Jan, First timer
KMT - 5 Jan, First timer
lilyloo - 5 Jan, DS 5 & DD 2
ScotsgirlinOz - 7 Jan, 1 DD
mummybear43 - 7 Jan
ledodgy - 9 Jan, DD 4 & DS 18mo
Mum2sons - 9 Jan, 2DSs
Sabinar - 9 Jan
Sarahjct 10 Jan, 1st timer
Angelcake99 - 11 Jan, DS 2
Jenswish - 11 Jan (I think), First timer
Pinkelephant -11 Jan (ish), First timer
BeckyAu - 13 Jan, First timer
Gingeme - 13 Jan, 4DS 13,11,3 & 8mo
weblette - 13 Jan, dd 7, ds1 5, ds2 3
Letsgo - 14 Jan, First timer
AngeChica - 14 Jan
Barristermum - 15 Jan, First timer
GemTubbs - 15 Jan, First timer
MrsMcJnr - 15 Jan, First timer
mum2sam - 16 Jan, DS 2.5
PinkPetal - 18 Jan, First timer
Katyt - 22 Jan DS 1
Cazzybaby - 22 Jan, First timer
PussyCatMomma - 24 Jan, First Timer
Bluebell - 24 Jan, First timer
Fluffymummy - 24 Jan, DS
Mrs Biscuit - 25 Jan, First timer
VP - 25 Jan, First timer
Iwillbe - 27 Jan(doc says 30 but i disagree), First timer
Horsygirl - 27 Jan
Nicky6 - 28 Jan, First timer
Mummyto2littleprincess - 29 Jan, 2 DDs 4 & 2
Fruitful - 30 Jan, DD 5 & DS 2.3
Spud01 - 30 Jan, DD 15 & DS 3
ayrshirelolo - 31 Jan
VictorVictoria - 1 Feb, DS 2
efmc - 2 or 4 feb. First timer (dd was 31st jan)

Anyone else spannering around waiting to go home?

V sad to hear about goingfor3

Whether or not you return to work after maternity leave does not affect your maternity pay so long as you meet the criteria for it (see my earlier post).

My plan to to string them along for as long as I can and keep my options open. Also, you accrue annual leave while you are on mat leave so you may as well accrue that while you can. If you dont' want to come back you just give notice as if you were resigning normally (although if you time it properly you will be on mat leave anyway so it doesnt mean you have to work or anything).

I am waiting for my DH to call who is taking me out for dinner tonight - a big deal for us because all I have wanted to do recently is curl up infront of the tele so it is nice to be going out.

Yay again for Friday