Half way - there well mostly !! Due feb 2008- come on over

[miniandme]

I'll be brave and start the new thread with the latest list of where we all are.

Merlypuss - (41 Kent) c sect late jan, early Feb. TWINS !! fist one/s. Next scan 21/9.
Leesmum - (34, Manchester) due 28 Jan BOY, Ds2yrs 11mo
Jooseyfruit - (35, York) due 28 Jan (boy) ds 10yrs,dd 7yrs
Beansprout - (37, NW London) 1 February ds, 2yrs 9mo
Fillyjonk, ds 3.5 dd 22 months)
Gingermumi - (41, South East Hampshire) DD1 19 years and dd2 16years, BOY
VictorVictoria, ds almost 2. 2 February
Bristols - DS 9 months
Egg, (32, Winchester)- TWINS - DS 19 months, next scan 20/09/07
Miniandme - (30,Livingston, Scotland) TWINS - DS 11 yrs, ds 9 yrs, dd almost 5.Next scan 19.09/07
Pia03hj, hopefully first one
-- 3 Feb
Alkar - (31, Warrington) first one.
Slacker - 3xDS 12,10&6, DD 3
lucyand2 - (27, Daventry), DD 15 months 4 Feb
Mummylittle - due 6th Feb, first baby!!
lljkk - (40, Norfolk) DS8, DD6, DS3 7 Feb
dearbeatrice - first baby due 29 Jan (33, surrey - next scan end of september)
Basilbrush - DS 16 months
CountTo10 - (28, South Bucks) due 7th Feb ds, 2yrs 11mo
cornishkitten - first baby
mutha2beagain - ds 6yrs
jo9977 - (39, Coventry) first one, 20 week scan 20/09/07 - 9 Feb
rozzy raspberry - DS1 4yrs 6mo, DS2 2yrs 7mo BOY
ThursdayNext - DS 2yrs - 10 Feb
Latebloomer - DS 10m - 11 Feb
Bessie123 - First one.
Rapunzelle - dd4, ds2.5 - 12 Feb
Expectingkat, TWINS, DD 12, DD 8, DD 7 months
Loonyballoony - DD 2yrs 7mon - 13 Feb
pobletsmum - DS1 2;3 next scan 1st october - 13 Feb
tadpolemummy - DS 2 years 2 months
Manamana - (32, Chichester) DS 23mo
Lailasmum -(28, Devon) DD 3yrs 3 months-Next scan 24 sept - 16 Feb
Amy78 - (28, Aberdeen) - First one - Next scan 4th October
Lightwind - Putney - first one
MitfordSisters - first one - 18 Feb
Mymissus - (35 Cheltenham) first one
smithfield - (38) DS1 2.5yrs - 19 Feb
rosequartz - dd 6.5yrs; ds 5.5yrs; ds 4.5yrs; dd 3.5yrs; dd 2yrs.4mnths; ds 1yr. 3mnths.
SallyinYorkshire (32) first one - 20 Feb
violeta - (35, N London) first one - 21 Feb, next scan 9/10, GIRL
morningglory (35, West London) - ds 3y7mo
wotsits - (37) DD 13 months - due 21 Feb
BovrilSarnies - (33 Bicester, oxon) first one - 21 Feb, 20 wk scan on 4/10/07.
Redbush - dd 14mths - 24 Feb
Lexie100 - dd 20 mths
Gybegirl - dd 15 mths - 25 Feb
cheechymunchy - ds2.4yrs - 26 Feb - 27 Feb
princessllama- dd 8months - 29 Feb
bambiraptor - ds 3.5yrs dd 2.0yrs
samsmam - 30, gravesend, kent dd 8 months
ladlemonke - 33, Midlothian,TWINS-first ones!

And to say ive only got two sleeps to go till i find out the flavour of my beans!!!!

My DS's fave colour is pink anyway. He tries to borrow pink scooters at the park from other children, and loves my niece's pink blanket. He even has a pink and grey striped jumper that he thinks is the bees knees .

Hi ladies,

Sorry did not mean to cause any confusion with new thread name suggestion but I think I've picked up the thread ... as opposed to lost the plot - that's surely to come later...

Love all the chat about names and buggy shopping - this is really the fun part!!!

Just went to see a friend who's had a first baby at 45 (conceived naturally ... amazing!!) and we're divvying up on a bugaboo style Silver cross travel system which she got at Mothercare - for a lot less cash I might add. My Mamas and Papas was stored in the shed some years ago and a little animal burrowed into the upholstery and shredded it - so that bit the dust which gives me the perfect excuse to treat LO to a new set of wheels. My friend's going to relinquish the Silver cross around my due date (when hers will be 6 months) which is very convenient. Like you, Ladysanders, 6 long years have passed since I was last in this predicament and consumer choice for new mums has really moved on. My style victim mates are all on at me to buy a bugaboo too but really, they're just like Range Rover Vogues in North London - everywhere and clogging up the streets!!!

Sorry to Rosequartz, Braid and Hungrymama and any of those of you who are having scan worries - it must take nerves of steel to avoid the urge to speculate and worry. Not really sure how I'd cope with all of that.

I'm not getting scanned till 12th Oct by which time I'll be 24 weeks. Still have only put on 3lbs and really don't know what to think. Had to point out to DP that I am a bit worried - have felt baby move but I'm sure I'd put on far more weight at the same time in pregnancy with DS. Might try and slip in a private scan in between to get the low down, although DP thinks I'm being neurotic. At this point I had to remind him that his was his child as well as mine.. Does anyone else feel like their partners just don't get it sometimes?

Hi mutha2be, just to let you know I have only gained about 5lbs. I have a pregnancy diary from last time that I will check but I only started gaining about halfway through then too, and put on a total of 19lbs by the end.

ah, glad i'm not alone in the big age gap thing... how are you feeling about it? some days i think it'll all clearly be fine cos i've done it all before, and other times i think, help, do i even know how to look after a newborn? though others feel the same even with a smaller age gap?

and yes, egg, its my ex husband's mother, she is a teeny bit competitive... i got a new cat, she took ds1 and got 2 kittens... i start giving ds1 pocket money of £2 a week to get him used to concept of saving up, she starts taking him to toyshop every time she has him and gives him a tenner...grrr

i am sitting here eating a double choc chip cookie as i type and wondering how it can be that i have already put on, errr, how many lbs are there in a stone? i started at 8.6 and am now 9.2 in any case.... then again ds1 was born 3 weeks prem and was 8lbs so perhaps i'm prone to chubby babies

All the best to everyone with scans tomorrow - can't wait to see how you got on!!

I've LOST weight!!!! But then again...as I started off at 14 stone that's probably not a bad thing!

Thanks for the reassurance Egg.

Ladysanders I definitely have ambivalent feelings about 'starting all over again', you know, the messy and unpredictable way of life that looking after the under 3s involves. I think it would be very strange not to when my life has been my own for some time now!! But all I can say is that as I held my friends bubba yesterday I felt so excited just thinking wow this is going to be me soon. Total baby lust came over me which I have to say I've never experienced before.

Also don't underestimate the helpfulness of your DS - don't know how yours is responding to the advent of a new sibling but mine is really into it. The great thing is that while they're off at school that leaves us to concentrate on the babies which is something that those of us whose kids are far closer together in age don't necessary have the luxury of.

But my situation is me and DP have tried (on and off admittedly) for 4 years for No. to and I've lost a few through miscarriage so I'll just be so grateful to get my LO finally after all these years, and am far wiser about managing my expectations these days in my older age!!

mutha, sorry to hear about the losses, must have been v hard, but as you say makes you appreciate even more. my ds initially was bit wary - having been on his own with me for 3 years since ex-h left, and then rather out of the blue getting lovely step dad all to himself, was probably bit freaked at having to 'share' us, but is now full of enthusiasm. though unfortunately has coined the name 'bongo' to refer to the baby, which seems to have stuck as all the family now say "how are you? how's bongo?" when they call up. totally agree on the having time while ds at school, though my boss seems to think i'm going back to work after 3 months, hmmm

Well at least it's encouraging that he's asking after bongo's welfare every day. Better to be talked about than not talked about.

Boss thinks he'll get you back after 3 months???? Ha!! Hope you're not coerced into doing anything that you don't want to do...

Interesting to hear your MIL's tactics - maybe you can turn the situation to your advantage especially when you've got two to juggle and make her feel wanted by letting her take DS1 on the odd outing or... god forbid... have the two of them for the weekend so that you and your DH can go and have a bit of couples downtime. Why not test how hands on and useful she really wants to be....

at the risk of making my life sound more jerry springer than it really is, the MIL in question is mother of my ex-husband, who lives overseas, hence ds1 spends time at ex MIL's house every 2/3 weeks in order to see his dad, so i am a bit more exposed to her than would be usual... thus probalby won't be asking her to look after bongo when he arrives!

Whoops sorry, that puts things in a rather different light altogether, and you'll understandably be wanting to keep your distance between her and your newbie.

Still, I'm sure there will be times when DS1's visits to MIL/ex will give you a bit more space and flexibility, like when you've got to try and tally the needs of a 6 year old with a newborn baby when you're deciding what type of holiday to go on. I'm trying to get my head round that one and I think there's no two ways about it.... divide and conquer!

i'm thinking french campsite on the holiday front, never done it before, but friends went this year with variety of kids from babies to 12 and seemed to work out well as all reasonably safe and relaxed, kids went off on bikes, babies sploshed around in pool etc

Have holidayed in the Ardeche in Southern France - very popular with french campers and it's idyllic for young boys who want a bit of a swallows and amazons experience - rivers, gorges, climbing trees, building dams and of course babies can be taken anywhere - good idea!

Oooh talking of hols did I mention that we are off to Portugal for our (probably last ever) holiday in, ooooh, 11 days?!?!?! Hooorah. Just can't imagine going away next year with two little babies AND a toddler.

OMG. I ordered some summer maternity clothes in Jojo Maman Bebe sale on internet at weekend as needed something for hols. They arrived today but only just went to try them on. Only have a full length mirror in loft room at mo which I never botherto look in. So went up there to do my one-woman fashion show. Did not realise my bump is actually huuuuuuuuuge. It looks like it did at about 30 weeks last time. What on earth will I look like at term?????????????? I am only small... Must get DH to take a pic tomorrow for my profile.

Hello feb mums

havent been posting for a couple of days and i'm now a bit confused about threads- hope I'm in the right one, and hope everybody is ok

good luck to all with scans coming, and really sorry to hear some of you are having worries, i hope all is goes fine and you get reassured soon
oh, and thanks for the advice on prams (DP and i left the shop we went to on Sunday in complete confusion)

I wake up every morning and check my bump to see if i look pregnant yet: no I still just look like i've got a fat belly- how are your bumps going? anybody looking definitely pregnant?

Egg just missed your last post, possibly as i was writing mine- how does it feel? did you notice all of a sudden, then?
I'm really looking forward to looking pregnant and not fat as will also make it easier to wear some of the thing i've bought
(lucky fashion this year looks like maternitywear as well)

Hi, spoke to local expert in problematic/high risk pregnancies today, and he reckons the only option we have if not having amnio is to have a scan called something like an anatomy scan....is this the same as anomaly scan anyone? Is it one of those newer versions like 3d or 4d ones? Anybody know? Had an estimate of costs and its gonna be somewhere between £175-£195 if that's any clue?
Thanks for your help and advice all, and all the best to each and every one of you with your own 'little troubles!!

oh by the way, can anybody tell me if this scan is likely to see anything as I am drastically overweight and am therefore so worried about it being a failure and making a fool of myself in the process. thanks.

Not sure about the anatomy scan, but it sounds like a good option as is risk free and that amount of money is hopefully not going to break the bank and it will give you peace of mind.

When I had my 12 week scan the sonographer pressed very very hard and I made a comment. She is from New Zealand and had spent years scanning Maori ladies (think it was Maori ) who tended to be on the large side, and so she was used to having to press down much harder. This was only for 12 weeks so am sure by 18 weeks they will have no trouble. Fingers crossed for you .

Maycat, I have noticed that I have a belly before, but I think in comparison to my legs, which seem to have shrunk, it just looked enormous! It is smaller this morning though, I had eaten rather a lot by 7:30 last night .

How is everyone else this morning?

Pobletsmum - where are you? Is everything ok? Have been thinking about you a lot.

Hi everyone following a happy scan yesterday I've added myself to the list below.

Rosequartz - there is a great site that has been in one of the discussions before - it shows you what you get in the 3D / 4D scans. The link has changed since then but this should work www.createhealth.org/ and then click the link in the first line - "see our latest footage". I think there are different sorts of packages available at different prices.

The sonographer pressed so hard yesterday I think it pressed on that blood vessel that gets pressed on when you lie on your back, and when I got up felt really faint and nearly threw up! Just because she was trying hard to get a good picture as the baby was being a bit camera shy.

Baby is fine, fat tummy is off the scale on the stats! (baby's not mine)and placenta is at the front which is why I still can't feel anything much in the way of movements.

Hope everyone else's scan went and goes well!

Merlypuss - (41 Kent) c sect late jan, early Feb. TWINS !! fist one/s. Next scan 21/9.
Leesmum - (34, Manchester) due 28 Jan BOY, Ds2yrs 11mo
Jooseyfruit - (35, York) due 28 Jan (boy) ds 10yrs,dd 7yrs
Beansprout - (37, NW London) 1 February ds, 2yrs 9mo
wahidc - (31, West Sussex) due 1st Feb scan 18.09.07
Fillyjonk, ds 3.5 dd 22 months)
Gingermumi - (41, South East Hampshire) DD1 19 years and dd2 16years, BOY
VictorVictoria, ds almost 2. 2 February
Bristols - DS 9 months
Egg, (32, Winchester)- TWINS - DS 19 months, next scan 20/09/07
Miniandme - (30,Livingston, Scotland) TWINS - DS 11 yrs, ds 9 yrs, dd almost 5.
Pia03hj, hopefully first one
-- 3 Feb
Alkar - (31, Warrington) first one.
Slacker - 3xDS 12,10&6, DD 3
lucyand2 - (27, Daventry), DD 15 months 4 Feb
Gill79 - (28, London)due 4th Feb first one.
Mummylittle - due 6th Feb, first baby!!
lljkk - (40, Norfolk) DS8, DD6, DS3 7 Feb
dearbeatrice - first baby due 29 Jan (33, surrey - next scan end of september)
Basilbrush - DS 16 months
CountTo10 - (28, South Bucks) due 7th Feb ds, 2yrs 11mo
cornishkitten - first baby
mutha2beagain - ds 6yrs
jo9977 - (39, Coventry) first one, 20 week scan 20/09/07 - 9 Feb
rozzy raspberry - DS1 4yrs 6mo, DS2 2yrs 7mo BOY
ThursdayNext - DS 2yrs - 10 Feb
Latebloomer - DS 10m - 11 Feb
Bessie123 - First one.
Rapunzelle - dd4, ds2.5 - 12 Feb
Expectingkat, TWINS, DD 12, DD 8, DD 7 months
Loonyballoony - DD 2yrs 7mon - 13 Feb
pobletsmum - DS1 2;3 next scan 1st october - 13 Feb
tadpolemummy - DS 2 years 2 months
Manamana - (32, Chichester) DS 23mo
Lailasmum -(28, Devon) DD 3yrs 3 months-Next scan 24 sept - 16 Feb
Amy78 - (28, Aberdeen) - First one - Next scan 4th October
Lightwind - Putney - first one
MitfordSisters - first one - 18 Feb
Mymissus - (35 Cheltenham) first one
smithfield - (38) DS1 2.5yrs - 19 Feb
rosequartz - dd 6.5yrs; ds 5.5yrs; ds 4.5yrs; dd 3.5yrs; dd 2yrs.4mnths; ds 1yr. 3mnths.
SallyinYorkshire (32) first one - 20 Feb
violeta - (35, N London) first one - 21 Feb, next scan 9/10, GIRL
morningglory (35, West London) - ds 3y7mo
wotsits - (37) DD 13 months - due 21 Feb
BovrilSarnies - (33 Bicester, oxon) first one - 21 Feb, 20 wk scan on 4/10/07.
Redbush - dd 14mths - 24 Feb
Lexie100 - dd 20 mths
Gybegirl - dd 15 mths - 25 Feb
cheechymunchy - ds2.4yrs - 26 Feb - 27 Feb
princessllama- dd 8months - 29 Feb
bambiraptor - ds 3.5yrs dd 2.0yrs
samsmam - 30, gravesend, kent dd 8 months
ladlemonke - 33, Midlothian,TWINS-first ones!
ladysanders - 34, e london, ds1 6 years, ds2 due 1 feb

Good luck Egg, and all others who have scans today. We'll all be waiting to hear the flavours!

I do have a baby bump but it's only really noticeable from the side. I have this weird thing of looking at it in the morning, almost just to check it's still there!

RoseQuartz: I would guess that an anatomy scan and an anomaly scan would be one and the same thing, but of course I couldn't be sure. Would you be able to have it soon? When's your normal 20 week scan scheduled for? That of course would pick up on the same things, I would imagine, if you could wait. Otherwise, I would say that it definitely sounds like a good option. Thinking of you anyway, and sending you all of my best wishes.

And congrats Gill on your scan - our posts crossed!

Had my 20 wk scan yesterday, too, all looked fine, a boy, coming up a bit small for EDD -- still within a healthy normal range but suggests he won't be a whopper, anyway.
I am predicting 7lb 5-6 oz born on Feb 5, 6 or 7 (I am into 5s, 6s and 7s, aren't I?).
I squawked when sonagrapher pressed much too hard, then she eased up (I am relatively skinny, too!). Baby moving loads on screen, placenta at top of uterus but I'm only feeling it very occasionally.

I saw one of those PowerTwin buggies yesterday, looks delightfully lightweight and maneuverable, but very short on cargo capacity?

RQuartz; I would directly phone the baby clinic direclty to ask if you being overweight is a problem -- they are going to see you person, anyway, so no pride to protect, just your time and pocketbook.

My worry is HOW am I going to cope with 4 children? Keen to hear advice from those of you who have BTDT. Kind of down about it, really, may have to start a new thread...

Each time I had scans before, it really hurt. I thought I was just being a wimp; it's good to hear it was the sonogropher and I can ask them not to press so hard next time without being unreasonable.

Lljkk - what exactly is it that you're worried about?