Due Jan 2008 - Jingle Belles and Boys are on their way

[susiemj]

Hello!

Morning ladies. Its snot fest here today. Both my ds's are full of it Im now full of it. Dh has just gone to work coughing his head off. Hate it. I havn't had a cold in years.
Apart from that all is well here. No I wont miss being pregnant either even though this is my very last time so I should make the most of it realy. Mind you I did sleep realy well last night though I dont feel any better for it today. Not going to moan as the sun is kinda shining today too
Hope you ladies are feeling ok today. xx

not much by way of sleep here last night... but I feel surprisingly ok this morning. Someone called our phone at 1.30am and I was paranoid it was my mother having some 'mothers intuition' that something was going on re: LO coming - she does that weird mothers intuition thing surprisingly well at times so I was v worried, as I still have a lot to get through this week!

MrsMc - you look gorgeous. Love that dress on you.

re: moaning about breastfeeding tops - have any of you come across www.mamaway.co.uk before? I just recently found it and I think it has some half decent tops on it... may well have to invest.

I finally got around to ordering a sling yesterday - just a little pouch one to get us started, nothing with long complicated straps! And a very boring order from Mothercare... lots of absorbant things. Ew.

This morning I'm expecting a visit from the nappy service who we've booked to use for the first month that LO is here (and if they're good, then longer), so before the day is out I should have several dozen re-usable nappies in the house. Yet another reality check. I think that when the pool turns up (Sunday) it will definitely be time for a minor freak out. At least then, work will be done and I'll have time for freaking!

I was running around on the tube a lot yesterday and didn't get one offer of a seat. I mean, seriously - with just weeks to pop... if you're not going to get a seat now you're never going to. Fortunately I was actually having an energetic day (had a couple of cups of coffee which I never usually do) so I didn't really need the seat... was almost amusing watching people trying to avoid 'seeing' me.

Wishing you all a most excellent day.

Mrsmc - lovely ignore them.

snot fest here too - i mean how much can one nose make??? eeeaaawwwww!

ds off at nursery phew, so tho i have lots i'm sure i shd be doing in the office i'm just going to take it slowly and potter my way through my list. trying not to add anything to it either!

sab - i'm amazed at the people on the tube! when you go on with LO in the future you will find it weird in another way as LO chats away and smiles at all these strangers, and you realise most of them have kids too as they chat and smile back.
but whenever i go into London, it's only blikes who will help with the buggy, guess i remind them of their wife, but women, no chance!
no freaking out yet ok?

lolo - enjoy your haircut

lucky - glad pains stopped, hope you got enough sleep (!), ds up at 5 this morning, great. knew i would pay for the 3 hr break yesterday.

right, must start on list, after i've made lemon drink...

Well this has got to be a first for me both my ds's are asleep! Ds 3 took himself off to bed about 10, put his pyjamas on and everything and ds4 has just gone down for his usual morning nap. Hense as to why Im on here I guess.
Not drinking hot lemon and honey as we forgot to buy some lemon yesterday but I am having warm blackcurrent which is yummy. I bought an Olbas Oil Vapouriser for my boys room yesterday. It smells divine. I use the oil usualy on there bed sheets etc but this gets right round the room without being over powering. Certainly helped last night anyway.
Well Im going to have some lunch now. See you later

Morning ladies,

Hope you all are ok. Just having a chill out day, although when I looked in the mirror this morning noticed my eyebrows are now bushes so have quickly booked an appointment to get them threaded later today.

Ginge and Merrykate - hope you shift that cold soon.

Mrs McJnr - lovely picture

Sabinar - I would have thought someone would have offered you a seat; where's all the Xmas spirit of giving, consideration etc gone?

Lucky - glad you are better now - have you become a games addict?

Lolo - hope your DD gets better soon. Poor thing.

Quick query for anyone who is on maternity leave:

Are you answering any queries from your colleauges regarding your work? The young lady that I trained up to cover my role (who I had a feeling was not the ideal candidate for my job, but due to budgeting etc the department did not recriut anyone with the specialist skills to do my job, but asked me to train an admin staff), keeps e-mailing me with basic questions and queries that she should know and has emailed me asking me for my home number so she can call me! Defo not giving my home number out, but should I be helping her out as I am now off work?

Bit annoyed as it is basic stuff she needs help for and not something she doesn't know...

Morning ladies,

Hope you all are ok. Just having a chill out day, although when I looked in the mirror this morning noticed my eyebrows are now bushes so have quickly booked an appointment to get them threaded later today.

Ginge and Merrykate - hope you shift that cold soon.

Mrs McJnr - lovely picture

Sabinar - I would have thought someone would have offered you a seat; where's all the Xmas spirit of giving, consideration etc gone?

Lucky - glad you are better now - have you become a games addict?

Lolo - hope your DD gets better soon. Poor thing.

Quick query for anyone who is on maternity leave:

Are you answering any queries from your colleauges regarding your work? The young lady that I trained up to cover my role (who I had a feeling was not the ideal candidate for my job, but due to budgeting etc the department did not recriut anyone with the specialist skills to do my job, but asked me to train an admin staff), keeps e-mailing me with basic questions and queries that she should know and has emailed me asking me for my home number so she can call me! Defo not giving my home number out, but should I be helping her out as I am now off work?

Bit annoyed as it is basic stuff she needs help for and not something she doesn't know...

MrsMc - lovely pic Ignore them, it is a lovely bump.

Just been out to get last few xmas bits. Just need to wrap them then all set.

Still geting pains, ho hum. I hope they are doing something to help LO on his way out.

Change bag delivered today - the blooming marvellous one. When i unwrapped it I wasnt sure as the fabric is water resistant and i didnt expect that. Had a good look at it and decided it is perfect. Think i will take babies things out of my hospital bag and transfer them to change bag.

Just put on tv and on this morning there was a bit about Fern being a student midwife and there was a little baby girl born called Mary. So lovely.

I have enjoyed this pregnancy overall, despite these last couple of weeks being shattered and the ms etc. Actually quite looking forward to number 3
although after a break.

Still full of cold here too.. sending get well vibes to all who are poorly.

Gingeme - enjoy the peace and quiet..!!!

oo it got all busy

Morning all! I woke up at 9.00 having managed a reasonable night's sleep and still managed to fall back asleep until a few minutes ago! And I'm so tired! I can't believe I used to be energetic. Beanie must be geting all the energy from all the chocolate!

Sideways - you are braver than me! I decided just sto stay in the meds. I'm not sure HOW sick I would be - i just know i would be (I did a couple of little experiments.) Seeing as I could only leave the house at about 29 weeks, i really wanted a few weeks of relatively enjoyable pregnancy. I'd already taken them for months, so I figured it wouldn't make a difference.

Awen - Hope you're feeling less irritated - although i would be. It's very promising that DS1 ( who is gorgeous btw - had a smeak at your piccies)came around now. Fingers crossed for you.

Lolo - LOL at irregular contractions! I@m still trying to get used to thei idea that childbirth is not like in the American films, where a lady discreetly breaks water in some mildly embarrassing place, gets rushed into hospital as an emergnecy, puffs a bit on a hospital bed and it's all over. It's much more a tea and sandwiches - in there for the long haul - affair, as I see it! Hope ur haircut's fab and DD is better.

Sabinar - hope the bab hangs in there. You are amazing still working. Hats off to ya! Can't believe the tube. Are you not tempted to get your bottle of water out and splash a bit on the floor just to see the looks on their faces then? I would be!

Gingeme - hope the colds are lifting in your house.

Beller - Aresenal for the league! The first time I felt a poaitive kick from the babe was just after my brother had texted me to say he'd seen Adebayor having a kick about in the park . I think this one's an arsenal fan too! DH insists it's going for his Barcelona. . Dancing! you fabulous woman! My dad just told me that his mum was dancing (she was married ot a big band leader) and drinking black velvet the night before he arrived. She was 22 though!

MrsMc - You look gorgeous! I know what you mean about being called massive - my bump is around the same as yours. But you look gorgeous. Your DH is a lucky man. Hope last few days at work go well. Glad MIL felt the little foot. I think, incredibly, even though it has been so bloody awful for me, part of me will miss being pregnant. You're right - it's a very special time.

Katy - hope cold is going.

Angel - hope your little problem is, well, smaller! Dreading it myself!

Naetha - how's it going with the contractions? I know what you mean - i feel reaady to move on too.

Lulu - thanks for the recipe. I'm going to get the makings at the supermarket as soon as I finish this (and have a shower at this time of day!)

Mrs B. LOL - yes 4.5 kilos at birth! Which is I think 9-10 pounds - apparently 'not a problem' !!! It's only if it goes way beyond that they'll start to worry. I'm thinking all those positive 'women have the babies they can deliver' thoughts. Which does mean I have a huge ass Enjoy your time off!

Mumtosam - staying in vibes coming your way...

Amani - Hope you get your Saturday baby.

Lucky - Hope you got your sleep!

Madmouse - sounds like you've had a good old stock up! LOL at your DH. My pregnant friend (about 15 weeks preg) phoned to say she thought she was worrying too much. I thought the same thing, and then realised this was the way life was going to be until the end now! My dad's been trying to explain that one to me for years

Right! really have to get myself together now. Anyone else got an icy hill outside of house? It's making me a bit nervous!

Any news of toomanyshoes? !

Gingeme - enjoy the peace and quiet..!!!

Ok - following MrsMc I've put up a photo of me and bump. Not as glamorous as MrsMc!

Where is mixedmama these days? Guess she didn't make it onto computer at the we/e

Hi all
I'm new to this site and chatting but it's great to find you all here - at last, people to ask and answer and share those niggly questions and thoughts that are too banal to discuss with husband / mum etc. (I don't know the abbreviations, sorry!)
I'm due 24th and still working - until 8th Jan, sigh. I was also wondering about staying in communication with the guys at work / answering any queries etc. To be honest I can't wait to just switch off and really need the head space to get prepared so was hoping I could just walk out and see them all in 6 months!

Hi wrong!

Im almost positive that you have to be treated the same as though you're on sick. They are not allowed to contact you. I know I've read that they have to just assume when you're coming back until you confirm it. If people are bugging you, you are entitled to tell them to buggar off!

Ladies - I'm really sorry but I need to have a winge. I've gotta let it out as I keep getting upset by it and I've had enough now.

Me & DP seem to be getting further apart not closer with this baby. DP works nights (10-7) and then "seems" to sleep the rest of the time. (I'm not by any means saying any of this is his fault btw)

I've found my life revolves around watching TV, Tidying the house and sleeping. So DP gets in at 7 and I can't seem to get wake up till about 9:30 (cos chances are I haven't slept that night) then he goes to bed at 11:00 and doesn't get up till 8pm (working from 9pm at the moment) So from 11 - 1am sometimes, I'm completely on my own and feel so lonely.

Sometimes i'll go to bed with him to spend some time with him (he sometimes takes an hour or so to get to sleep) but it seems whenever I choose to do this he falls asleep straight away.

We haven't "done it" since just after I got pregnant... mostly cos it hurts and bump is annoying. BUT we're not even kissing and hugging lately. Unless I start it. He keeps wingeing and asking me when he's going to get "some" but doesn't seem to entertain the idea of just cuddling which is what I really want at the moment.

I just feel as though we're just room-mates, not partners.
I feel like I have no life.. I don't go out very often and haven't worked in nearly 2 months now.

Anyways enough rambling. thanks for listening girls.

Sorry you're feeling so down Lucky - I know it's horrendous when you or your partner is working nights. Is this a long term thing, or just a temporary stop-gap, because it's really not an ideal situation.

Can you try and adjust your body clock by going to bed a bit earlier and getting up a bit earlier? Maybe you can then share breakfast/dinner and spend some quality time together. I know it's always tough trying to adjust your body clock (especially if you're not sleeping well) but I found going out for a couple of walks usually knackered me enough to make me sleep earlier.

I also really identify with you on the whole "doing it" thing. DH has a stupidly high sex drive, while mine is non-existant. We'd had about a 3 month gap between doing it, partly because the last time we did it hurt me so much I was practically in tears by the end of it. I then decided weekend before last that despite huge wobbling size and not really wanting to do it, that DH probably deserved something (especially as it's not going to be forthcoming in the next few weeks!) so I set aside a whole evening and we chilled out with relaxing baths, and lots of foreplay - this satisfied my desires to have it not revolve around sex, but as it ultimately ended in sex, satisfied DH as well. Because we took it so slowly as well we both really enjoyed it and it didn't hurt. Apologies if this is all TMI - I'm just hoping this is something you can try with your DP! Also I have to admit that regardless of whether I'm in the mood or not, I do understand that DH has needs (imagine the sex-drive of a 14 year old boy!) and fulfill them in a way that doesn't inconvenience me, but satisfies him (and that's in a loving, sharing way, rather than just a wifely-duty hand-job). Apologies again for TMI!

As for weekends and stuff, how about planning set activities? A trip to the cinema, a meal out etc? Although there's always some boring stuff that has to be done, it's nice to have some fun time together as well - remind you why you're both in this situation in the first place

Hope this helps - apologies if I come across patronising or just daft, just trying to apply my slightly twisted logic of what I'd do in your situation!

Cheers Naetha - he works weekends so doesn't work. He's off Weds and Thurs so we try and do stuff then but ultimately ends in one of us in bed and the other on the computer or watching tv.

As for the other sex stuff, the annoying thing is DP doesn't become "satisfied" by anything other than sex. No matter how many times i've tried. (Sorry if that's TMI lol)

I did adjust my clock to being up later for him for when he is off work Weds and Thurs (he says he can't adjust his clock for just 2 days) but its come back to bit us in the arse cos now he goes to bed early and I can't.

Anyways... I promise enough.

Hows the pains?

Oh yeh, he's permanent nights.

Hi all

Typically, was awake at 2.30am worrying about movement as lo had a relatively quiet day, well he is taking revenge today.. He played a game with DH where DH pushed his feet back in and he stuck them back out time and time again. Then he massaged my insides while I drove to the garage, built an escape hatch at the top of my bump while waiting at the garage and gave me another nausea-inducing massage on the way back until I managed to walk him to sleep in Tesco. You gotta love him .

MrsMc and Susie, you both look enviably gorgeous!

Amani, I do answer some questions but that is because I have been working a few keep-in-touch days at home and colleagues have been really respectful and certainly not asked basic stuff. I clearly remember the misery you went through with that temp and I would say No Bl**dy Way, let them sort it out. If they cannot recruit someone of a decent calibre that is not your problem.

Lucky, thanks for whingeing, at least you are letting it out. Not sure what advice to give other than that pregnancy is a really weird time emotionally for both of you. It has been funny here as my sex drive is through the roof and DH's is in the basement. You just don't know how you will deal with it. I second the idea of trying to eat together once a day if you can manage. Do you talk to DP about how you feel? Sounds like possibly both of you are bottling things up.

Hey MCM - Soo cute about your little LO. As i'm sitting here it feels like he's climbed all the way to the top and is trying to cut out a window to crawl out of... lol

We don't really talk about feelings. Neither of us. We say "I love you" and I always say how I'm feeling like, tired, depressed etc, but we never talk to each other about each other. Will try that with him. I'll start trying to get him out of bed abit earlier so we can have dinner.

I've got a hankering for some KFC again! Just a salad and popcorn chicken.

aahh, got carols playing, wrapped presents, chocolate orange on the go , just need to find space to be able to set up ds' toy kitchen on christmas eve, hmm where can i put it?!?! some toys are going to have to hide in spare room for a while to make space.

lucky ((((hugs)))) i think that the whole pg hormones thing may be getting on top of you, as well as some other issues. i agree, a good talk should help to clear the air. and you will have to learn to make time for just you 2 as babies can take so much time (even when they don't DO anything!).

wrong - hello and welcome

gingeme - hope you had a good break and didn't spend it all on MN
how old is ds 3??? bless i know it's not nice when they're ill but there are some benefits - we get extra cuddles

amani - got an echo going?!? i'm sure it's hard to not help the temp, esp as she sounds clueless and you are going to have to pick up the pieces eventually. but...you are off on mat leave, tell her to leave you alone and find someone in the office to ask.

oh and what's threading ?

susie - cold is going, or at least that's what i'm telling myself! what can we take in pg? i'm a day and night nurse fan usually.
tried a lemon and ginger tea thing earlier, gross, smelt nice tho
nice pic
think mixedmama can only get on if she goes to a cafe or her parents, boo hiss.

naetha - sounds like you have it sorted with your dh, i'm cloer to lucky on this in that dh has more 'interest' than me and i do find myself doing the wifely duty thing but then again i try more now cos i know there won't be any for a few weeks at least! and then it's condoms or nothing for a good while, i'm not going back on the pill and i want a bigger gap for no.3!!!

madmouse - love your description of LOs activities
sometimes i do wonder what they are getting up in there....?

right, best sort some toys out, chins up ladies, not too long left now

Thanks for mentioning sex. We literally haven't 'done it' since I got pregnant, and that's not through lack of effort from me! I feel like he doesn't fancy me any more, and it means there's no opportunity to get really close. And then I worry that after the big push I won't feel like it for ages - so it could be a year between the last time and the next!
Not moaning, just thought you'd like to know you're not the only one... and definitely communication is the best solution. It's just tricky to find the right moment, and not sound too critical - they're so sensitive!
But I might try to talk about it tonight.

Hi Lucky,

I sympathise with your situation. You have a very difficult situation with DP working nights without there being anything else on. Also, you're not used to not working and that is strange for you. PLus you both have all the raging hormones of late pregnancy we swapped messages about at the weekend . Also, while we're both really excitied about the baby, I know that DH is unsure of quite what to do (should he work all the hours god sends to earn money for his family? Should he be at home as much as possible? Is he doing enough of either? Do I want sex? Does he?) I don't think any of the answers are very clear to either of us.

All I'm trying to say is that I think a lot of people will be in a similar boat emotionally so you shouldn't feel like it's just you. I mean DH and I have these questions even though I would say we were getting on great.

I think the work issue is still particularly sensitive for men. He's probably wanting you to be proud of him for fulfilling his role and 'providing' for you. It all seems a bit weird for people to be feeling like this but i think they do. Could you praise him a bit on this? It might help him relax a bit more. Just an idea.

I think you're right to go for little things like eating together. i haven't really got my head around your schedule but I find I'm feeling my crappiest just after getting up. Is there anyway to spend time when you've had a couple of hours to stare at the wall (if you're like me in the mornings!)?

I don't think you should worry too much. My DH is incredibly affectionate person, but even he is giving me fewer cuddles etc. I'm sure everything will come good with a bit of time taken on both sides. And a bit of praise. It goes a long way when thigns are tough and I am guilty of sometimes forgetting this.

Hope that makes sense. Disregard if it's a load of rubbish.