Due Dec 2007 on the wind down?

[suey2]

has this worked?

DD (21 mths) doesn't realise I'm pregnant and still keeps kicking/knocking into my bump!

motherofz - I like the sound of extra help for first 40 days

mixedmama - ds definately knows, but he is 7. He sometimes says he has a baby in his tummy too . He also kisses bump, draws on bump with bath crayons, feels for kicks and listens to heartbeat.

yes I was the same MM - dr told me she needed her nappy changed and I just sat there gormlessly so she had to do it - then made a note on my records that I urgently needed help with the baby

But don't worry suey2 - once you've changed about three nappies you will be an expert nappy changer. No-one knows what to do at first but you learn so so quickly - same with bathing, feeding etc. You will be fine.

ds is 16mo and I don't think he knows - saw 18 mo patting her mums tummy and saying baby but I'm sure she's been taught that I don't think she has any idea whats about to hit her - I'm waiting till we get things down from loft to show ds and talk about it all
awen - how old is ds?

skiddale - I read the reviews of that book on amazon and need to get it - I'm better preparing for the worst

suey - after 1 day you'll be an expert nappy changer! we did NCT ante natal last time and they were fab for preparing you, am doing a refresher this time so I actually have some time reserved to thinking about this baby!

don;t really know if dd knows I'm pregnant - I do think she understands that there's going to be a baby coming and she's going to be a big sister - and she likes pulling up my top and waving to the baby - but it's hard to know if she really understands..

Sooo sweet Awen.

40 days is a long time tho ladies and with us it means a constant influx of "well meaning" visitors. I just needed to get out and about, so didnt observe it.

dont think DS has a clue, just think he sees the belly getting bigger and likes to touch it then as it is new.

Nappy changing wasn't too bad first time around, I found dressing/undressing DD really hard as she seemed so delicate. M/W at the hosiptal kept saying she's stronger than she looks and picked her up with one hand and changed her in about 1 minute, where as I been struggling for the past 10 minutes!!!

For some reason I was fine with changing, even my mum was like are you sure you arent hurting him.... no idea where that confidence came from since I am the kind of person who doesnt evn hold other peoples babies so had no idea what a new born felt like really.

Morning

I NEED CHEERING UP DESPERATELY.

At the weekend my bike was stolen from outside my house. With wirecutters, in the middle of the night. I live on a really quiet road, my bike probably isn't even worth £20 but no, someone bothered to come along with cutters and take it.

And my brother's friend got beaten up for no reason and is in intensive care bleading out of his ears he is in such a bad way.

I don't know if it's as a direct result of the two above things but last night was spent crying and tossing and turning in between nightmares of me being attacked and the baby stolen.

I feel wretched this morning and my boss is in his usual 'i am the only person with any problems' negative mood. I'm not sure whether to snarl at him or burst into tears.

Suddenly i feel uncomfortble and full up and sausage like and just want to lie down.

I am so upset about my bike. It keeps me fit, gives me much pleasure ( i live by the sea so always make time for a ride along the prom to blow the stress away) and it makes me feel free. Can't afford another one til end of October payday. Feel so pissed off. Have spent most of Sunday wishing really evil bad things on the person that took it.

Sorry to sound so negative, but life has got me down today.

Sad Neuro

And after feeling fine about it the whole of pregnancy so far, i feel really nervous about labour now.

aww nuero - what horrible things to happen (((hugs)))

Sympathies to all those with interrupted sleep! I too have the calf cramps, snoring DH and bladder problems! I used to sleep through DH snoring but guess I am sleeping lighter to prepare for when baby is here. Had DS2 in the bed last night too, he is a tall 4.5 year old so I ended up with just a sliver of bed to sleep on.
I think you do get some jealousy between siblings but also a lot of love and friendship (as they get older) too. All the fights between them are worth it when I see them playing and giggling together or when one sticks up for the other one. I found going from 1 to 2 fairly easy but am still not quite sure how I will deal with 3! Mostly because DS2 has been my 'baby' for the last 4.5 years and I still think of him that way, I just hope he doesn't feel that his 'place' has been taken.

Not sure what i can say to cheer you up as am in a negative mood.

But BIG HUGS anyway.

on your behalf tho. hate people who steal and cant bloody well work like the rest of us.

Oh Neuro . What an awful weekend - {{hugs}}

Thank you everyone. I don't usually get down, but it's been hard to fight today.

Oh well, shit happens eh?

I don't think hormones are helping

[anger] at person who stole bike.
sending to you and hope your friend gets out of intensive care soon.

how horrible neuro - going to all that trouble to steal a £20 bike - must have been kids. Wonder if you could get a free bike from freecycle? People are always wanting to give their old bikes away. I'd lend you mine if I was nearer but I'm way up in the north of England

beckle - that's reassuring that you found moving from 1 to 2 quite easy. From what I've heard 2-3 and beyond is supposed to be easier because you already know how to accommodate a baby into a family. You can let us know if this is true in December!!

awful weekend neuro - certainly puts peoples silly comments into perspective, hope your friend gets out of ic soon x

Morning everyone. Neuro really sorry to hear about bike and crappy weekend. Hope you feel better this morning. Worrying about the baby etc is PERFECTLY NORMAL at this stage of pregnancy.

I love this website it just makes me feel so much better to know I am not the only one going through all the stresses I am currently going through - like snoring DH (Suey2 - I HAVE kicked him permanently into the spare room and sleep MUCH better because of it. No it's not very romantic but I don't exactly feel too romantic at the moment and we usually have a few cuddles in the evening and/or morning before DD wakes up); and terror about having a 2nd child.

I think on balance I WOULD recommend reading the One Sock, Two Hairbrushes etc book about having a 2nd child but perhaps look at it as telling us about worst case scenarios: forewarned is forearmed and all that. For me, as well as all the worries about how I am going to cope with two, how they are going to get on etc, she is also very graphic about labour and birth as it is aimed at 2nd time mums. Well doesn't help me who had an elective c-section first time - wish I had not read that bit!

Anyway to totally change subject we found out last week that DH has been offered a job in Pakistan! This would be starting next summer and we would probably be there for 3 years. However still waiting to hear if Islamabad or Karachi. If Islamabad will be fine as we will be on the British High Commission compound with a school, nursery, clinic etc. If Karachi will probably turn it down as not so good for children. Does anyone here have family in Pakistan or been there or know much about it? I am quite excited....

FINALLY have just been to H&M and bought some new maternity clothes - it's great and good value, anyone who is still looking!

Sorry about horrendously long post. I will shut up now and go away....

Have a lot of friends who are Pakistani, what do you want to know in particular?

Wow Claraq. That is certainly an offer. Very different way if life i would have thought, but good experience as well. i have a lot of pakistani friends. presumbaly you owuld get a lot of help with clinics / nursery etc either way as part of relocation.

Motherofz - thanks. I have access to quite a lot of information aimed at expats about life out there but not much about what is is like for babies. I woke in the night sweating about formula and then told myself of course they will sell formula in Pakistan!!! But then it would be useful to know what kind and what are the local nappies like etc.
Also just generally what life is like for western women, what sort of clothing should I be getting before I go (or just wait until I get out there and buy local to blend in better), what clothing is available for children etc.
I am sure it will all be fine - am just panicking as now have to worry about having a baby and packing up a house and renting it out and moving half way across the world....

How exciting claraq!

Poor Neuro hugs to you.

I am starting to get worried about it all now! Isn't it funny how we've all been reasonably calm so far but this morning it seems like we're all starting to freak a bit. Suey2 I'm hoping to see a friend and her newborn this weekend to get in some work experience! I have no idea how to do anything! But classes start this week and we're going to see the birthing suite next week, so I'll either feel better or go into worrying hyperdrive.

MotherofZ did you hear anything about that job in the end? (apologies if that was someone else)

Mixedmama - yes we are very lucky as very well looked after by HMG (Her Majesties Government); there are excellent facilities on the compound and good security. I have lived overseas before, in Jamaica, so security concerns not such an issue for us. But this time I would have a child and a baby so have to really think about them. Schooling obviously a big issue but there is a newly opened British school so DD would be in the system out there and it would be easier to start at new school when we got home.