Due Jan 2008 - watch those pumpkin bumps grow!

[Amani]

hello!!!

I do pretty much what environmental consultants do, except as an internal post at a local authority. Mixedmama - at this stage its only a proposal (ironically, the unions have recommended that we accept the package!), and I'm definitely going to appeal. Also, if I find a job during mat leave and move to the private sector, I actually have to pay back some of the salary I receive on mat leave, as it is conditional on returning to work for this or anotherlocal authority for at least 3 months after mat leave. If I cut my working hours, the 3 month period will be proportionately longer.

That's not good Lulu - maybe time to look for a new job after mat leave? Having said that, if you work for a local authority the flexitime might be nice!!

Awen so sorry to hear about your cat, I know I would be absolutely devastated if anything happened to any of mine. At least he died in his sleep and lived to a good age There was a programme on the news this morning about how in a village near mine there's someone poisoning cats - the thought of that happening to mine gives me a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I had tears in my eyes. Incidentally, if I ever caught someone doing something like that, I think a very very violent side of my persona would come through. Gets me so angry just thinking about it.

MrsMc - as to your cat question, we were going to start keeping them out of the room a couple of months ago, but it just didn't work. Having thought about it, it seemed a bit pointless to shut them out for the sake of it, so we're going to start shutting them out when the baby comes along. Hopefully they'll understand that reasoning better than no apparent reason at all.

Anyway, boss on the rampage again!

And lol Lulu - I'm an environmental consultant .

I used to work in contaminated land, and now work in planning and EIA - much more fun!

Lulu do you work for the NHS by any chance?

We have recently transferred in to the NHS from higher education but luckly I get to keep my old pay, terms and conditions indefinitely as they are mcuh better! Any new staff will be empolyed by the Trust and be paid less for doing same jobs!

We have gone on to NHS server today -everything v slow and internet usage will be monitored from now on. Not the same opportunity for Facebook and Mumsnet! Still only 5 weeks 3 days to go and I'm off till October 2008 ...

Had 28 wk appt with mw today. LO managed to boot her while she was having a feel - she said (s)he was doing starfish shape inside me. Clever how she knows - I cannot tell which bit is where really! Still have high sugar in wee but blood sugar seems to be OK.

Got my schedule for ante natal classes - 4 mornings in November so more skiving opportunities from work ahoy! DH won't come as they are daytime though. He did come home all fired up about names the other day which is a breakthrough. Shame the names were all ridiculous, but I didn't say anything as at least it means he is engaging with the parent thing a bit more.

Lulu - I know of people that have returned for the required amount of time and then left.

sorry Lulu, cross posted - said the new server was slow!

Thanks for the support guys! I'm feeling lots calmer now. No need to panic, after all I have at least 3 years where my pay won't be affected, and I'll use that time to decide what I'll do.
Naetha - I love the flexitime, but would happily sacrifice it for a decent wage!

What a nightmare Lulubump does that make you want to go for a private sector job after the baby? Surely they can?t just pull the rug out from under your and cut your salary in one blow?! Where?s that PBirdy she?d be able to tell you ? hope she?s ok, it?s been ages since we heard from her. I met someone who did recruitment for your kind of work at a conference once; I?ll try and remember the name of the company. Guess you?ll have to go back for 3 months and then move job?

Naetha ? how horrible that people are poisoning cats near you I agree with you, I?d want to poison them. Mine are house cats. Thanks for sharing your plan. I still think I might start earlier as I?d like to try and get our room a fur free zone and whilst it is cleaned every week, it may take some time, you know what cat hair is like!

Angechica ? glad all is well. I haven?t a clue which bit is which either! My AN classes are 5 afternoons. My DH has been given time off to come which is great but he can?t make the first one as he has his own hospital appointment.

my AN classes are all evening (apart from 1 day) from 8-10pm! Ill be asleep!

This is just a quickie I'm afraid!

Awen, Sorry to hear about your cat,

Mixedmama, About your night's sleep, I had a really bad night too...I ended up sleeping on the sofa with a billion pillows around me, then as soon as I got comfortable I needed the loo or 1 kicked me...a vicious cycle. My dh has been suffering the consequences of me getting a bad night's rest this morning, I think he was very glad to get out of my way to go to work ...to add to a bad night's sleep my dog had pooed all over the kitchen, so when I finally got up, I had to clear that up...lovely.

Naetha , how terrible that there is someone is poisoning cats near you...

Lulubump, that's horrible...I hope that everything gets sorted out soon!

Angechica, glad all is well with you

MrsMcSpooky, yes it's a boy and a girl this time you are the first person I've told! None of my friends know...I'm keeping it all a secret.

Gingerme, I've got everything crossed that you don't have GD...my dh raised the issue of being sterilised a few weeks ago and I burst into tears! I shocked myself because I don't think I'll want any more, but it just seems so...final... (then again, if I think just 1 more, I'll end up with another set of multiples probably!)

We are buying our new car today , that's $27,983 gone that we can't afford to spend

Hope everyone is doing well...sorry this was a short post!

crypteltsandtwins - sorry you had such a bad nights sleep too...new car is a must for you though i would presume! and the thought of you having another mutiple birth!! You truly are superwoman! xxxx

Those classes are late Beller!

Cryptlets - sorry to hear you had such a bad night sometimes it feels like my baby has four feet, I just can?t imagine what two (or three!) kicking must be like! Very exciting secret, thanks for sharing what an exciting family you?ll have with the 3 girls and 2 boys it must have been hard choosing names last time round and I am sure this time is no easier! sleep better tonight! I guess you need a big car .

Mmm, preparing for the baby. Well, I had a nesting fit the week before I came in to hospital. So the premature & newborn size clothes and the tiny cloth nappies are washed and I know where they are. Ditto the baby towels and cradle sheets. The cradle is in the loft but that's dh's job, and we've bought a new mattress for it. Dh will have to work out how to get the covers off the carseat / carrycot / bouncy chair to wash them. And I've got lansinoh cream and breastpads. So I just need to buy some biiiiigg knickers and I'm all set. Yes?

Not getting any good dreams here. Some fantastic mooing sounds from the delivery unit last night though.

Thats annoying about the pay Lulu - but lots of people return for the min time after mat leave and then rethink their jobs / hours etc.

Glad to see you'll outnumber the men Cryplets!

Hey girls,
Awen, interesting you have put those measurements down - some of mine are very similar yet my notes seem to suggest that projected weight of baby will be in 97th centile so I have assumed I am growing a MASSIVE pumpkin, hence part of my worry over GD. I am about the same as you on abdominal circ and head circ, BP is 50th cental (its short for bi-parietal diameter which I assume is some sort of skull measurement, and femur is about 65th if I recollect correctly. I wonder how definitive these kind of things really are . Like you and MrsMc I have a profound distrust of some medical professionals - they seem so bossy and controlling, some just set my back up with a single misplaced eyebroww! Have a lovely half term - I will be in Soton again before long I know.
Fluffy - I live in East Finchley - wd be LOVELY to meet near to home. Praps we can power walk with beannies - or maybe just eat cake in Kenwood .
Lulu - am appalled - this cannot be right - fight it totally and as soon as you can without financial loss leave to demonstrate disgust!
Naetha - love your dream! Beller and I as evil schemers - wonder if we looked in your dream as we are in real life!
MrsMcSp - is your dh ok? med appt nothing to worry about I hope - sorry if you've told us before and I forgot.
Gingeme - happy b'day for ds, good luck on gtt - know how that can prey on the mind. Certainly agree you owe the human race no more of your child bearing years!!
Cryptlets - lovely to have you back - given your track record any more is foolhardy in the extreme, but if anyone can cope I am sure it is you!
love to the rest of youse all!

Hello ladies - so sorry it's been so long since I was here - I have missed you all! I think I've managed to pretty much catch up but will no doubt forget everything I wanted to say now I'm typing

My house renovations continue - and basically we've discovered sooooo many nightmares our budget has doubled which is giving DH some major stress! It's not stuff we can leave til later either - things like ceilings falling down, discovering there is no insulation whatsoever at the back of the house where there's a flat roof so beanie's room would have been freezing... oh and some dangerous wiring etc etc etc. So we are behind schedule and will be living on Tesco Value food for the foreseeable future! As we have no kitchen at all at the moment my mum is being a life saver. She's cooking like mad and we just have to re-heat in the microwave. She is fabulous! :-) We won't have a kitchen til end November, currently have no heating (brrrrr) and we are about to lose out hot water. I think I may lose my sense of humour at the same time...

OMG... Hospital bags? I admit that poor little beanie is just being left to grow and keep warm (with no heating at the mo - so he/she's got the best warm snuggly place) and I haven't given a moment's thought to a hospital bag but I must, mustn't I? I'm nearly 29 weeks? Does anyone have a list I might be able to have a look at as I truly don't have the first idea and bless my DH, I think he'd just bring some chocolate, ginger biscuits and pyjamas... he'd never think of anti bacterial wipes for the loo though I think that's a very good idea. I am rubbish aren't I? I am so glad you are all around for me to ask these things - I'd certainly struggle on my own! So I am very sorry I've been a truly rubbish poster, but I do think of you all!

Finally... please add me to the slimmers list for post-beanie. I've always struggled a bit with weight - got relatively slim (for me!) before my wedding in January but know I'd like to join you for support when the time comes.

Love to everyone xxxxxxxxx

Naetha - lol @ your dream. Is funny as early preg i had that dream about beller and my dp lol. Glad ulcers a bit better, have you tried a special mouthwash thing, cortysomething, i used it for ds when he had lots. Fingers crossed about your results. Not long till 30th November

Fluffymummy - Sounds very busy for you! Dont take on too much, and take time to relax

Bettymamma - lol at poss initials of pms Agree re back not being natural position, but if i was a first time mum I might not be as clued up. POor dp, it is his first time so all new for him. Glad you found a suitalbe bettymamma replacement for work

Gingeme - took ds to dentist friday just gone and he said tha tds needs to clean his top back teeth and bottom front a bit better as a little yellow (tho thankfully no decay). I didnt even think of it relating to tonsils out, altho he did avoid brushing very well afterwards (understandley i think). Thanks for thought re my cat. I am very glad he went peacefully. I hope your growth scan went well today. lol @ your dps response to cancelling op, cant help but giggle at the thought of the surgeon donning fancy dress for the op tho

MrsMcSpooky - Ds1 was 8lb12oz at birth 38 weeks. Your talk of cats hasnt upset me at all. Loved my cat very much, he was a lovely little character very placid and loving and also mischievious in his younger days bought me home koi carp on 2 spereate occasions! Only have happy memories and he is now with his friend who i lost to a car 8 years ago. Poor you about lack of sleep. You are so very organsied tho with the pregnancy bag. about missing out on the ebay auctions.

CrypletsandTwins - what a fab haloween name HOw lovely to be expecting one of each Any names sorted? What car did you buy today?

Lulubump [shcok] can they do that to you?? That sounds terribley unfair imo, altho just read that your are protected for 3 years which is at least is something.

Angechic at your lo doing starfish impressions. What names are you looking at now. Ours are currently between Daniel, Sebastian and Samuel. They keep changed tho, although Samuel has been a fav for a while now.

Fruitful - pmsl @ mooing sounds tho i dread to think what noises i will make How are you bearing up in there? Any more news. Are you getting any 'day release' to spend time with the dc?

Barristermum - we are due around the same time arent we? THe BPD i looked up last night and isnt as accurate as head cirmuferances as the skull could be squished/flatter. I am not convinced i am growing a massive baby this time round just because of the differences in sizes between this one and ds1. We will see tho. I know what you mean about some medical professionals. Is a shame as the consultant is an absolute star!

Becky - no list here for hosp bag but will be trying to get organised at the weekend. Your mum sounds lovely

Probably not going to get to post too much on here as half term week and spending lots of time with ds Beanie is bouncing around atm. Went ot my mums today and spent a few hours there which was lovely. She is coming ot next scan. Lots of love to everyone x

Good evening ladies. Just a quick pop in to let you know my scan was brill this afternoon and we got a lovely profile picture of baby. Sonographer said baby was in perfect proportion for my dates and the amniotic fluid all looked normal amount too. She has booked me in for a 34 week scan just to make sure but didnt seem to think Ill need it. The only thing she said was the head was a little bit big but not abnormaly. Looks Ill be having stitches again then
My parents are here for ds's real birthday tommorrow. Bought a little choc cake so we can sing a real Happy Birthday to him. Cant believe this time last year I was walking around the flat with my waters leaking all over the shop ah happy trickley memories.
Well off to bed soon. Dh got to be up early to have his pre op assessment.
Take care all. Sleep well xx

does anyone know what baby whisperer book is meant to be good i bought one but it looks like it might be the wrong one.

Beller get out of wine tasting be nice to meet you at last. my An classes 8-10 my dh is bored of them already and i think is going to refuse to come to many more!

no other news went to osteopath for my painful stomach/ribs not helped very much at the moment in fact did not go togym as was feeling bit weary. Seem to be growing by the hour am only 26 weeks and have put on 1.5 stone!!! Is that a lot i thought it was meant to be 2 stone for the whole 9 yards

Study not a nursery as we are not having anyhting delivered til december but hey loads of time yet....

must go

Gingerme, So glad your scan went well and your beanie is growing well!

Barristermum, I have no plans to have any more children ! But I just don?t want it not to be an option! I?m just overly emotional at the moment!

I have no faith in medical professionals either, (WARNING:RANT!) sometimes, I don?t think they realize that we?re humans with emotions.

During my last pregnancy, I was pushed for selective reduction, but I wouldn?t have it. I?m so glad I didn?t have it now, despite all the hardships we?ve been through, I wouldn?t have it any other way - and every time I think about it, I look at my children and think 'which one wouldn't I have today?' Nearly always makes me cry to think that I contemplated it for a second... I'm tearing up now! They just don't think that things like HOM can work and can be fabulous.

They also seem to like bombarding you with ?facts? that scare you senseless: like the babies may all be stillborn, I would probably miscarry, they would have special needs or learning difficulties, they would be born premature, I would have to have a c-section, I would be on bedrest for most of the pregnancy?etc.

Also, they seem to get everything wrong with me?last pregnancy again, in the beginning I was told to expect 1...then it was 2...then it was 3, possibly 4...then back to 3 for definite. And then (!) they told me I was having 3 girls and then along came ds! Rantover!

Becky, Your mom sounds like a lifesaver! My MIL does things like that for me every once in a while and I can?t tell her how much I appreciate it. Poor you with no heating ?(I?m in Florida, so we don?t need heating over here atm. I'll send some nice weather your way so you won't need heating either!)

Fruitful? Are they going to let you out for a few days or are you in there for the duration?

Awen, We?re thinking of Elena for a girl and James for a boy?but we?re still undecided on the boys name! I think we should find a name that we can shorten so if we end up disliking it, we can shorten it! But dh thinks it?s pointless; (we have Reuben and I can?t think of a single incidence when we?ve not called him Ben? )?We bought a Chevy Suburban and it?s huge! Seats 9! I?ll put a photo of it on my profile for you if you like. Now we just need a bigger house! LOL!

Morning everyone....

Slept all night last and struggling to remember the last time this was actually the case. Still feel tired tho altho I suppose it is to be expected now.

Beckyau - I will dig out my list altho I think I may have been extra and tabulated the info so will need to make it more mumsnet friendly.

Hey to everyone.

List for bag - this is real basic so feel free to add things (like bacterial wipes etc)

• Birth plan and maternity notes

• Slippers and flip flops for shower (MrsMcSp suggestion)

• Socks, people always say they are cold in labour

• Old tshirt for labour

• Pyjamas, nightshirt, dressing gown if staying in

• Vaseline, my lips got soooo dry in labour

• deoderant

• hairbrush / hairbands

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• shower gel (soemthing unperfumed cos baby likes our smell)

• sponge

• Towell (face and body - old ones tho)

• snacks and drinks

• TENS(I am going to try this)

• flannel for mopping sweat

• clothes for going home... something comfy

• underwear

• maternity pads

• breast pads

• 3 babygros

• 3 vests

• blanket

• wipes / cotton wool

• socks (if the baby isnt in a sleepsuit)

• going home outfit

• hat

• snowsuit or wrap up warm stuff

Great list mixedmama - very useful!

Sorry, can I just have an "oh my God, I'm going to have a baby" moment please.

Haven't even thought about my hospital bag, and I'm 30 and a half weeks!

Morning ladies

I think mixedmama's list for hospital bag is a very comprehensive and sensible list. I'd personally add an energy drink and some nibbles (more for dh than me - was only in labour in hospital for 1 hour so not needed) to it as well. The energy drink - Purdeys to be exact, was my life saver! Also I was really HOT in labour!

Mixedmama - still up for the curry on Friday. Looking forward to it.

cryplets and twins - Bloomin experts what do they know! Nice names for the babies.

Nicky6 - looking forward to seeing you on fri. Don't worry about the weight gain. I guess it depends on how skinny you were to begin with AND also my weight gain really slowed down at the end to the point that i started losing it?? Who knows. I think I've put on 1.5 stones too now.

gingeme - happy birthday ds!

Awen - hope you're enjoying half term. My condolences to you for your cat. Bless. Hope you are all well.x

Beckyau - you are reliving my past few months - no toilet, no cooker, no water, no heating (but mine was in the summer). It feels neverending but will be worth it. I was very lucky with my mum as well and all her cooking. We are very lucky.

Barristermum - my scan put the baby in the 95th centile line as well but the midwife thinks its quite small and will be a 7lber like my dd. How bizarre! Am jealous of any plans for cake in Kenwood. I used to live in Crouch End.

Fruitful - do think of you at night being stuck in hospital with mooing women. Hope you ok.

lulubump - is that legal to cut your pay?? you could try the 'but i'm pregnant route?)

Everyone else - hellooooo

ps - we've still got ages to go still Naetha !!