Due Dec 2007 on the wind down?

[suey2]

has this worked?

We're both terrified we're not going to make it! It'd almost be worth going overdue to get the holiday safely....

Thelady - the Mistal looks wonderful, lovely to have that to look forward to

MotherofZ and Mimicakey, thanks for the info on when mat leave can start if you're off sick. When I confirmed to my work that I wanted to start mat leave at 36wks my boss said "are you sure you don't want to leave earlier if you're not in good health". That's the bit where I'm unsure of where I stand, in theory you can start mat leave at 29wks so if the doc signs me off for 5 wks (just for example) what's to stop work saying I should take my mat leave?

Neuro, I'm sure you'll have moments when everything seems very overwhelming (will prob be like that after baby is born for a few days, which is normal and is called baby blues) but lift yourself up high and remind yourself of all the positives you have in your life and what an amazing, much loved little being you're carrying.

Loucee: I've just checked the DWP website:

"The start of your SMP will change if:

• your baby is born before the start of the 11th week or before the start of your SMP pay period. If this happens SMP will start from the day following the birth of your baby
• you are absent from work because of your pregnancy at the start of or in the 4 weeks before your baby is due, SMP will start from the day following the first complete day you are off work because of your pregnancy related reason. "

So it seems that you can only be forced to start SMP early (and I would think this would apply to any extra mat pay too) from w36.

Loucee - you said "in theory you can start mat leave at 29wks so if the doc signs me off for 5 wks (just for example) what's to stop work saying I should take my mat leave?" The law! That's what will stop them! Even if you were signed off by your doctor for 1 week at the beginning of week 35, your work couldn't make you go on leave because you'd be back on day 1 of week 36. Whatever happens before that date is irrelevant. You said you've been having problems with your boss, is s/he trying to get rid of you do you think?

Anyone around this morning? Am on my own in the office today!

I hope that didn't sound rude - just reread. It's just a friend of mine had a horrendous pg and her work got quite pissy with her but there's nothing you can do - if you're ill you're ill. And if there's things they can do (fix your workstation) to get you back working, then everyone's happy. Employers confuse me.

Morning mimi -
Am around, just feeling fat today rather than pregnant as I stuffed my face with sooo much junk food yesterday.
How you doing?

hello mimi and motherofz. i'm around too, just sort of mooching. am a bit bored - haven't had this little to do work/study-wise since I was about five years old! i'm waiting for exam marking to start coming in, but that won't be for a week or so and apart from that, maaaahn i'm bored. too achey to do very much either. am thinking of doing some serious knitting. things are THAT bad- don't usually knit during the day!

re. employment rights and everything, i wish we'd been taught this sort of stuff at school. i mean, i know the law changes but it would have been helpful to get a solid grounding in basic employment rights/where to go/what to expect- it'd stop a lot of the bad practice that seems to be accepted as routine.

Hi MotherofZ and dundeemarmelade! It's a really nice day here too, wish I wasn't in the office! Ah well.

I'm a bit bored of being pg now! Not that it's causing me any hassle or anything but I'd quite like my old body back and am starting to worry that might not happen! And I'm suring having a baby is much more fun than having a bump.

The government website is pretty good, though. It does tell you everything you need to know

Mimicake - feel the same too, just want time to speed by so I can have my baby in my arms. Am bored of being pregnant too, but everyone at work is so facinated with my pregnancy and keep asking 'how's it going?', although it's lovely they ask, I've got most of the time I've nothing exciting to tell them.

LO is kicking around loads today. Was having a bath last night and could seem my stomach wobble (all that fat!) everytime the baby kicked! Was so amazing.

sorry I meant - most of the time I have nothing exciting to tell them.

Yeah, likewise! People are always disappointed with my answer to how it's going - not much to report, I'm just baking it!

It is nice to see the belly moving I have to say.

Morning ladies,

Nothing to report but just thought i would say good morning.

Ohh and sometime people are angling to touch my stomach in the hope of feeling the baby kick. Big 'no-no' for me - only feels right when my DH does it.

I went round to see a friend on Friday and she touched my bump and i was like what are you doing.... i was like do you normally go around touching people.... it was sort of in jest as i didnt want to offend, but then I did go into how when i see people touching bump it makes me angry so she would know it was a definite no no.

Morning all!

I'm another who really doesn't like folks trying to touch the bump. Someone in the pub asked a few nigts ago. I refused, saying they wouldn't be asking if I wasn't pregnant, and got "that's perverted" in response.

Huh ? I am perverted for refusing permission to touch my body????

I'm just about ready to start knitting for this LO, dundeemarmalade. I've a double-breasted cardigan pattern I designed last year which should fit about 9 months in, so I think I'll start with that and some stay-up bootees.

About employment rights: it's fairly awful as an employer as well! I'm paranoid I'm going to get something wrong by mistake (I've no training either) and end up having to pay out thousands at tribunal. The ACAS website is pretty good too, and they have a phone line for when you get in a fankle with legislation or just worried.

If I could afford it, I'd pay a lawyer to do the contactual stuff but instead I spend hours trying to understand things. Admittedly, we're seen as weird locally because all our staff are on the books, and on contracts with defined T&C!

I haven't really had anyone try to touch mine so far. I probably wouldn't mind if friends did it though.

Mawning all.
Nothing to report here either except SPD pain

Not long to go now!

There is a mum at ds's school who keeps stroking my bump and saying that is typical he isnt kicking at that moment in time. I think dp has to be patient as does ds to wait for a kick so why the heck would pudding perform for her? Find her hard work in general anyway as she is one of those that always moan.. that however is a whole other story.

Cant believe how far along we all are already... I really need to get xmas shopping done soon!

thelady, my accountant advises me with all the T&C stuff- very helpful

Second that Awen. As soon as i have this house sale sorted i am going to start on the Xmas shopping.

I really want a Xmas tree as well, but Dh is spouting religiousness at me about Xmas trees. but really want one so trying to find a way around it.

Am I one of the few who doesn't mind people touching the bump? As long as I know them I am not too fussed, its probably the only time I don't mind people in my personal space! Mind you that may because DH does not like to touch it or see it move (freaks him out a bit I think) so it is nice to have others show interest! A girl at work last night asked if she could as she'd never felt a pg stomach before, baby was kicking far to low for her to feel that though!
Thelady, that cottage looks fantastic! Very !
My SIL keeps offering to have the DSs overnight (have never left DS2 overnight before and DS1 not since he was a baby so scary thought), am thinking of booking a show in London and a hotel for the night as it is my wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks. I suppose I should really take her up on it as it will probably be the last time we get time alone for a long time! Any suggestions on what is good to see or where is good to stay?

morning all!

i'm not sure how i feel about people touching my bump... not strangers at all, but friends and aquantences i guess i am ok with so long as they ask... though at times i have felt a little uncomfortable hmm hormones i guess! lol

its a lovely day here but i cant really get out in it cos of SPD (playing up a little today!)

i'm at a funny stage in this pregnancy... no more scans to come, dont see MW again until 3rd october... not much to buy at this stage, name decided... i kinda feel in limbo a bit... most of the planning is behind me and yet i still have a wait until things get moving.. i guess i should enjoy this time and concentrate on a few other things than pregnancy but i just cant wait to meet him!!

Bespeckle .... I have heard brill things abiut Wicked.

I saw Evita earlier in the year and it was amazing- A M A Z I N G. DH hated it tho.

Noooooooo!! Don't talk about Xmas shopping!!!
I'm waiting until November to do mine....
I've also had belly wobble in the bath too - fab isn't?
Weird, use to hate my fat tummy, now fascinated by it!
Understand the bored stage, specially as know more scans and are part from niggly aches in back and hips nothing really to report to people about how I am!