Still blooming and getting bigger

[littleoldme]

Decided we were getting to full. Hope this works.

Ok, another question for you. What are you all planning to pack for labour? An oversized T-shirt? A nightie? (I don't own a nightie!)

Am not sure what to pack. Kind of want something to come down to mid thigh level at least.

I dont own a nightie either, I was thinking of gettign a big dark shirt or T shirt - just a cheapie one as I can't imagine I'll want to wear it again afterwards! May get a man's shirt as I'm only little (5 foot and a bit) and it will prob come down to my knees. Though everyone I know with kids say you're worried about privacy beforehand and then once you're in labour you dont' even care any more.

LAst time I packed loads and ended up with the bag stuffed inot the cupboard and not touching it.

I had a thigh length nightie, might go a bit longer this time

Loopy - you're right, it is a very complex issue regarding mum and dad contributions to baby care. I know not all dads do night feeds but do lots during the evening when they get home. Some do everything but won't touch nappies etc. I think as long as overall you both feel like you are doing you share then that is about right.

I know I sound a bit militant but I do know a lot of men who basically don't contribute and their poor wives are run off their feet.

Some of them love to go on about the fact that they 'work' all day which really annoys me because 'working' in an office is no more stressful than 'working' at home all day. In fact - how many new mums are lucky enough to get an hour for lunch or a tea break when they need one?

And I could just strangle the next non-mother who suggests it's best to 'sleep when the baby sleeps'. When DS was 0-3 months - his nap time was my chance to have breakfast/lunch/shower/do housework/pay bills etc. And I didn't even do much housework!

My goodness - what is wrong with me today? I'm so on my soapbox. Must be hormones...

I went in to be induced in an old sarong knotted over my boobs. Going to be wearing that again too. It's nice to wear something you're comfy in.

Choudru - "sleep when baby sleeps" yup that's just soo easy isn't it. So when do you do the shopping (internet) cooking, cleaning, washing,ironing, bills, sorting other kids stuff out etc etc out then? grrrrr (I may join you on that soap box yet!)

Just came off the phone to my mum fuming as I'd stupidly raised the subject of HV's recommending giving formula to "help the baby sleep". Got a right ear bashing about how you should top up with formula because you don't produce enough to satisfy them at night and you should always give them water during the day "so they don't get dehydrated". FFS!!!! I nearly blew a gasket and came so close to pointing out that her most recent personal experience was bf for 6 weeks nearly 40 years ago. DH is going away for 3 months in January and she's coming to stay (only for a few days each month - thank goodness) I don't know how I'm going to keep my mouth shut as this is a woman who is happy to give a diabetic (my dad) bloody mars bars "just once in a while won't hurt" (sorry to rant)

Blimey, you lot have been chatty today!!

Iris - good luck with your GTT tomorrow! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

As for men doing stuff, well DP gets up around 5ish for work so for that reason i dont mind getting up in the night for the baby as i know he will want to do his bit when he gets home. He's already asked me to show him how to change a nappy and how to hold a baby as he's never even held one! I told him that i'd have to buy a big teddy for him to practice on

Good idea about the flask. When DS was young, my dad bought me a teasmaid (i have no idea why!) and i used to use that. i'd switch it on as soon as DS woke up and by the time i'd changed him and got his bottle ready, my tea was ready too. I think the flask idea sounds much less fuss tho!

DP has progressed a little with baby's room. The room is quite small so we've had to seriously consider where to put things like the radiator etc (we've moving it coz it's in an odd place). FIL will be coming up next weekend to help put the plasterboard on the ceiling so at least it will look something like a room again! There's still bags of work to do in there, but i spose that at first baby will be coming into our room anyway so it's not exceedingly urgent. We just dont have anywhere to put her clothes etc yet - they're just stuffed into a carrier bag until we can put them away nicely.

Right, off to put tea on. Starving!

Iris - GGGRRR @ your mum!!! My nan was diabetic and if she even so much as saw a granule of sugar near her tea cup she's say "AAGGHHH!! What you trying to do?? kill me??!!"

for you!

I am completely knackered today, all my joints ache, I couldn't get comfortable at all last night, and struggled to drive this morning to take DD1 to her carers house, I actually thought I might have to go to hospital in case I was in early labour But its all settled now, just sooooooo tired. I think that this week I have been running on hyper juice and now I am finally coming down. I am waiting for the kids to settle down, then I am going to relax in the bath and go to bed (if I can sleep tonight)

You take it easy SGK- your whole family has been under a massive stress this week

Loopy - yeah it's a great feeling, i have to admit

Sparkly - you poor thing! Hope you get the rest you need tonight. Have a good sleep (if you can!).

The girls are still playing up I can't relax till they are asleep.. I had pains in my lower back and top of my legs all day, thats why I panicked and thought I might be in labour. I am just so tired and fed up today. I couldn't be bothered to go shopping or cook today so we went out for dinner.. But I even struggled to eat today. I have had enough!!

Aw poor you Sparkly. Sending you loads of hugs

why can't they just go to sleep?? I can't wait till they are back at school tbh!

DS2 has been moving lots today, not sure if he is picking up on the stress or just being very lively today.

Is anyone else finding it hard to sleep atm, I just can't get comfortable, I toss and turn all night, DH has taken to sleeping on the sofa, because I disturb him so much

Is there a soft play place that you can take them to tomorrow - did I read that you have misdee's dd's? Would it be feasible for you to take hers and yours or would that be too many?

Have you any other family that could help? You really need to take it easy or you'll be in hospital

I think we have the girls tomorrow, but there would be too many kids to get in the car to go to soft play. My parents have had Misdee's girls yesterday and today.
I think the girls have settled now, its gone quiet upstairs now. I had to remove their TV and DVD player, to punish them tonight, not that it seemed to bother them

Justa thought that it would occupy them for a while and take the strain off you a bit. Shame you can't go.

This weather isn't helping either is it- my dd is stir crazy with having to stay in

nope, normally i would chuck them all the garden and let them burn off their engergy, but the weather is so poor atm. We have had rain on and off all day here. I think I will go and get lots of arty things tomorrow so they can do that quietly!! (ha!!) DS is so easy, you barely know you have him here (he is 9) but the girls are hard work. Only 2 1/2 weeks and they are back at school... thank god!!

Loopy - you will have to wear your labour top - I bet you'd panick without it! Quite cute really

I really don't have anything suitable for labour at all. T-shirts are too short, but I am a bit loath to buy something just for giving birth in.

Have seen a set of 2 long night shirts that have buttons down front for £22 from mothercare so may go for them reluctantly.

Iris - well done on keeping your composure with your mum (barely!). Have noticed a lot of that age of women are very keen on topping up with formula. I chatted to my mum about it and she told me when she had her kids, 30 years ago - formula was the modern way to go. I think a lot of women from that era think formula is necessary to help baby sleep or to fatten baby up. Bless your mum - you'll just have to educate her!

Loopy - I read the article - how awful and depressing

RG - DP sounds like a sweetie!

Loopy - just read your post again - am I getting the wrong end of the stick or did you say your DH left when DD2 was a few weeks old?!!

Good morning all! Been awake on and off since 4 so eventually have logged on to catch up. Had a good and bad weekend. Good = anniversary meal, bad = beetle infestation in one of the kitchen cupboards - yuk! Apparently they hitch a ride in on food like cereals so please don't judge my housekeeping skills - although they are fairly rubbish .

I have no idea what to wear for labour, will have to start looking for something. I am hoping to have a water birth so will need something for that (the midwife said most people just strip off in the end) and something for a "land" birth, just in case.

Iris - my MIL is pro-bottle and my mum is pro-breast and either way they are both going to drive me up the wall, according to my mum I just latched on and she can't see what all the fuss is about (no pressure then!) and my MIL thinks bottle feeding is the only way to avoid starving your baby. I will try to remember how irritating all this for when my baby is having babies!

Sparkly - . Hope you have had a better night's sleep. You are really going through it at the moment.

Interviewing someone for my maternity cover today - weird! Pelvic floors everyone .

Sparkly - hope you are having a better day today with the girls! Poor you!

Loopy - Ah.... i thought it was something like that re your DH!

I have no idea what to wear for the birth either. As i'm planning a HWB i obviously wont be wearing anything or maybe just some sort of bra in the pool. But i spose i should find something to wear when i'm plodding round the house during contractions until i get into the pool or in case i have to have a land birth.