*Due in Jan 2008* - Get those bags packed!!!!

[Amani]

Sorry can't think of a better title and my PC is so slow.........

Oh Take That Beller - fabulous. I still love 'em . No going into labour during the concerts though. If you do you'll have to call the baby Mark, Gary, Howard, Jason. Might not suit it if its a girl though... You are friends with Pennys friends! Brilliant. Love that show. DD dances throughout it.

Meet up - Wood Green is millessss away from me. I'm a Surrey girl. Used to live in Crouch End though - shame. Go on - do it somewhere more central please

Frankawen - spotting from doing too much oonga bonga. You must have been going for it! Hope you're ok (and embarrassment over).

MrsMcSpooky - I am too a 'bring in your lunch/ebay bargain shopping girl' at the mo. I really didn't spend much last time on maternity leave. Cooked everything from scratch, walked everywhere, visited people for cups of tea for days out and lived in Primark/Tescos clothes. It wasn't too bad! I received ALOT of clothes for my dd from sis which helped.

Pinkelephant - am planning on returning 3 days a week again. Taking off 12 months but last time went back after 9 months for sanity/money reasons. I'm lucky my mum does the childcare so i can return. I have friends with 2 who find its pointless financially returning after commuter/nursery fees.

Right - here's my worry. I think the baby has turned. Pretty sure I felt it earlier and it now appears to have its head in my ribs and feet down by my bladder. Hope i'm wrong. I'm also on fours alot with the yoga practice (I think MrsMcSpooky mentioned this helps) so I will keep trying this. I really hope its not breech! Oh well what will be will be

Love the reference to oonga bonga. Haha.

think we need recommedntations for chinese as it can go so wrong and we dont want rubbish chinese.

I always miss something out!

Didn't christen dd but had a hippydippy naming ceremony. No seriously it was great -and we chose a naming ceremony so we could include all mates no matter what faith they were. We had 3 guardians and to be honest it was really easy to chose because they were our 3 mates who came into their own once our dd was born. You'll notice some mates will totally disappoint you and flee with fear but this lot were so supportive and helpful. I also said no family to be 'guardians' as they already played an important role in dd's life. Hope this helps!

I'll ask my dh for recommendations with chinatown but do agree it might be hectic cos of xmas shopping time!

PinkElephant - we're in between Andover and Salisbury, in the beautifully named Middle Wallop. We've been down here since Feb and I know no-one in the area - I was popping up to London fairly frequently to see my friends but it's started to get a bit harder now, but not quite feeling isolated yet.

I think it's the sanity thing that's going to make me start working again - I'm thinking about doing freelance type work, but I've never done it before so I might take a bit of time to get organised. To get a bit of income I'm going to start an e-bay shop and sell off dh's old motorbike bits .

MrsMcSpooks - we're planning on a Christening but no idea who to pick. DH thinks my friends are a bit flaky but I think his are too serious. I'm sure we'll come to some compromise though.

Beller - about Take That. Hope you have a lovely time.

Mixedmama - not made a will. It's on my 'To do' list; it's been there for a while .

I don't want to be too progressive here...but leaving aside the Chinese option for a moment, if everyone can get to Angel again fairly easily there's a fab Mediterranean place called Mem & Laz which is a) really yummy and b) amazingly cheap and c) has a really cracking menu...so should suit everyone's budgets and tastes...does anyone want to try that instead for early/mid November?

Just a thought ...don't shout at me!!

Have to say, I went back to work last time mainly cos of the sanity thing...ok, DH was pretty keen for me to go back, but would have probably coped if I'd really insisted on being a SAHM....always thought I would want to, so was quite a to discover that I actually need to be in fairly full time employment!! Not sure if I'll feel the same way this time around, but I think 9 months will be about right...

Well I'm definatly having 9 months, DP wants me to have 12 at least. We've also agreed if he gets his next promotion before I need to go back to work (he's on a fastrack management program) then I won't be going back, except for maybe 5 hours a week.

fluffy- that is fine with me.

Jenswish - all about mat leave here - directgov. Its from 29 weeks but you have to give 28 days notice. Or here hmrc for the employers version. You are supposed to give notice at 25 weeks anyway. But if you have a "good reason" for giving less notice, they have to accept that. And if you get signed off sick now for something pg-related, you can start mat leave instead.

I hope all you sick / exhausted / non-sleeping people are coping ok. Especially those who are commuting too! I hadn't realised quite how very exhausted I was till I'd been in hospital, getting loads of rest, for a week. There are plus-points!

Awen, glad to see the prospect of "no relations" is not putting your dp off the idea of more babies!

TooManyShoes / Batty - this site has lots of tips for turning breech babies - spinning babies (and info about babies facing the right way too, for everyone!).

Someone said the 4am waking thing is your body clock preparing for night feeds. I'm waking then too.

Ooh, godparents. We had a dedication rather than a christening (the same but without the water!). My tip is, don't use your 3 best mates on your first child if you think you might have another baby! That does solve the "not causing offence" thing though - tell them you're saving them for the next baby cos you don't want the first one to get all the good people .

Oh, wills. Dd is 5 and I have a life-threatening pg complication and have we made a will yet? Err, no.

Maternity leave, mmm. I'm planning to take until my youngest leave home .

fluffymummy the Angel where? Islington? Anyway good dates for me are 7th-14th november. Not sure of any dates after that as Dh hasn't written his shifts on the calender yet. Hes also got 2nd-15th December off so could do one then if were all still up to traveling etc.
Oh I bought some peppermint tea today and had some about 8.30pm and touch wood(taps pc desk) I havn't had heartburn yet!
Well off to bed. Will try to catch up on the sleep I lost last night.
Sleep well xxx

Hello All! Long time no chat. I have read the posts of the last few days but regrettably have no Mrsmcspooky-like powers.

Am feeling sorry for those who have been ill and am wondering about Fruitful? Are you ok?

Also sorry for those having work hassles. God! It's the last thing you need.

We are now ensconsed in new house, which I like more than I though I would. I can see the see from my back garden! Budget should be back on track next week and all boxes unpacked so we're going baby shopping next week! Wey-hey! I'm also on maternity leave now, which is a bit of a relief after all those sick notes. Much respect to all of you hanging on in there. Even if I wasn't ill, I think I'd still feel bloody knackered. On the good side have actually been out for a walk on my own for the first time in 5 months! So, I think the move has done me good.

It definitely feels like bubs is trying for a 'heads down' position at the moment, and bits of her are beginning to poke out the side and in the lungs.

Does anyone else have the sneaky feeling that all these pelvic floor exercises really have nothing to do with the future state of our bladders and more to do with providing a trampoline for baby? It's like she's playing the bongos!

Sorry for rabitting. It's nice to be back!

O bloody hell. SEA!

Morning all!

I slept much better last night, well woke up abut 5 times imstead of 10

Mrsmcspooky - Yes i saw Gary on Jonathon ross..he does almost look attractive..more mean and moody! mmmmmmmmmm
Godparents....dont even get me started...I have no idea what im going to do! I converted to catholic when i was married, so would like to have babybel christened. But who to have...If its a boy I would like some good male role models, but that would mean maybe picking hubbie/partner and not the wife/GF? I have 2 best friends...how would i pick one without the other.and also have 2 sisters!! Im also godmother to another one of my friends children....It gives me a headache thinking about it? One of my BF is stand in birth partner ( lives at the end of my road) but the other BF and DP know XP, so maybe that would be a good connection? HELP!!!!

Pinkelephant - Im going to take at least 9 months off...maybe a year? Im looking to open my own nursery, just depends how long it takes me to get it up and running Plans are in motion..

Mixedmamma - I need to make a will too....must get it sorted quickly..my friends dad just died really suddenly with no wil,and its all a mess!

Might be difficult for me to make the next met up anyway to be fair? I have AN apts every wed and yoga on a thurs?

Hope everyone is well today xxxxxxx

Morning all,

Had a better night sleep too, kept waking up but drifting off again. Went through the whole Radox bath, Horlics routine last night so I think that helped. Going to ask m/w about it today when I see her for my 31 week appointment.

Fluffymummy - I was like that last time around with DD, I returned back to work because I "missed" (in a weird way) the whole work thing - the people (pretty nice) and having my own financial independance. Saying that, there were days when I missed DD terribly....I'll see how I feel thiss time around althought initially I have told my employer I am taking 9 mths off.

HI Susiemj - glad the move went well and things are settling down..I cant wait to be on mat leave Babybel is head down, so thats good.but definately plays bongo's on my bladder.....I had reflexology on sat and she said you might need the loo a bit more than normal..I was going about every 10 mins! xx

Since the board changed am finding it so hard to keep up with thread, especially after disappearing last week for half term.

Pnk Elephant - I am in Southampton so a fair distance from maidenhead. Salisbury and basingstoke are reachable tho.

Was also thinking that perhaps i meet up in the summer holidays might be nice with the babies, they will be 5-6 months then.

Lol @ the oonga bonga reference.. but we werent really going for it which is why i was surprised about the blood.

Re the godparents issue, i never got ds1 christened. However we have have been talking about it and if we decide to get baby christened (more than likely) ds1 will be at the same time.

Gingeme - sorry you ds was poorly - hope he is all better now.

Re the sleep - been having crap sleep here, cant get off to sleep then waking most of the night. I am glad am not working now as dont think i could cope (sorry for those who are and do).

Have been crap with pelvic floor exercises here

MRsMcSpooky - hope you are all better xx

Fruitful - good to hear from you I hope they are looking after you well xx

Hey Awen....!

Am back from m/w everything ok, baby not yet engaged which is not a worry until 36 weeks. Asked m/w about lack of sleep and she mentioned it is normal for this stage in the pregnancy not to be sleeping well and suggested using Sleepeez (sp?) which is suitable for pregnant women, off to Boots this lunch then..will let you know if it works.

Amani - glad mw appointement went well. Is baby head down? I have my next AN week today. PRetty sure he is still head down as can feel a bottom under ribs.

I can't work this change in layout thing going on with munmsnet either. Too difficult for pregnancy brain....

Morning ladies

Fluffymummy - Mem & Laz sound good and Angel is not too bad for me (if its not that far from Highbury & Islington tube?? - i'll have a look).

Jenswish - am hoping for a lottery win to not go back to work . No seriously - i did started missing the adult interaction but if you work hard at the mum and baby groups you can get that as well! I also became friendly with my elderly next door neighbour and had friday wine afternoons. Oh those were the days. Hope work is better today.

Fruitful - you still in hospital? Hope you're ok. Good tip on the godparents. We've saved my bestmate for this one.

susiemj - well done with the move. Good to have got it done well before your due date. Just read the Jools Oliver book where she moved the week before both hers were due. Sounded stressful. But then she has oodles of money. Lovely book by the way!

Hi Beller - I want to meet you at the next meet up! I have yoga on Tuesdays so hopefully not on the Tues but then that doesn't leave many days to chose from.

Morning Amani - good to hear your feeling better.

I've been sleeping ok recently but its been since I've moved my dinner time to alot earlier and been using the yoga breathing. I've just been very lucky this time. Last time - i didn't sleep at all. And dd didn't sleep thru for 18 months. Enough of that now! I'll prob never sleep again now I've said that...

at Battymama and sleep......

Oh Sh!t! I've just dropped my building access card in the gutter outside. Now I can't even go to the loos without pestering someone to let me come back into the offices again.

good morning all. Well, I had a rotten night's sleep thanks to this stupid head cold I've gotten. I'm completely stuffed up and my throat is soooo sore, and DH is not being anywhere near sympathetic enough!

ended up sleeping in until just now and actually feeling a bit better, so hopefully I'm on the up now. I am a massive fan of cold & flu tablets so not being able to take them is v annoying.

ok. moan over.

if you guys decide to meet up in Angel, I'll keep an eye on the date and might see if I can come along - my schedule is always changing around due to the nature of my work, so it's not worth trying to plan around me, but it sounds like it would be fun and great to meet you all.

Bayttymummy - Angel is a bit of a walk from Highbury & Islington but there are lots of great shops along the way to distract you so if you allow some extra time and some budget it can be v enjoyable ;) ALternatively there are a million buses you could hop on to get from one end of Upper St to the other. (Ah, my old stomping ground).

congrats on the move susiemj - we used to live somewhere with an ocean view before we moved to London - it was so peaceful and I miss it. I hope you settle in quickly!

Amani - glad the mw appointment went well. I have one tomorrow - looking forward to it Although - tomorrow marks 30 weeks for me. THIRTY WEEKS! ALREADY! I'm quite scared that the numbers start with a 3 now. Truly on the downhill run.

DH has a course that he wanted to do before LO was born and it runs for 8 weeks - it took us both by surprise that he probably won't be able to squeeze it in now due to Christmas etc.

Looks like this is really going to happen then!

One final random thought - when I was in the bathroom this morning, I was almost tempted to re-measure the bump using that highly scientific 'toilet roll' measurement technique. Anyone else game?

oooh, and I had one more question I thought you might be able to help me out with - I suspect it is too silly to put over on the main 'pregnancy' thread...

what exactly are Brackton Hicks contractions? How do I know if I'm having them?

I haven't had anything that feels remotely like a contraction (as if I'd know, this is obviously my first) - but I do find that sometimes my whole bump goes completely hard like the muscles are tensed. Is that it?

confused.

That sounds like it sabinar. Like you've eaten a bad apple or something and your tummy hurts and everything goes tense and you have to breath deeply and eventually it disappears.

Amani - i'll prob not sleep now for the next 8 weeks... Shouldn't tempt fate like that. My legs will drop off now.

Hi Sabinar

Yep, those are B_H or practice contractions. I get them loads already (27 weeks) so I hope my body will be strong and efficient in labour. They can be uncomfortable but should not hurt. I get them while walking uphill and that is uncomfortable.

LOL at remeasuring with bog roll. DH and I were messing around with tape measure last night to see how big is 31cm (which lo should be now) and how big is 50cm (birth length). Big, not sure how it is going to fit. Then he decided to measure my bump. 1-1-8 cm . (47 inches for those not metric). Made me feel ginormous, although I am rather proud of my bump.

I am taking a year off, starting on 30 November when I will be seven months, although may do some more work at home. Childcare not sorted yet, as we are moving when lo is 5months, when DH will be ordained and start at his first parish. Childcare is supposed to be good there though. Going back for four days a week.