Due in June 2008: bring on the bumps! (and that's before Christmas meals!)

[aberdeenhiker]

The last message I posted seems to have filled up the old thread so I thought I'd start a new one.

Since bump size was our last topic, I thought this might do for a thread title.

Good morning everyone, at last I have a few minutes spare, the past few days have been manic and it's not finished yet.Sorry no time to read all the posts so I hope you're all OK and not working to hard as Christmas fast approaches.

Well painting's dry and we have finished the flooring but the skirting board keeps coming off the wall - no panic the guests aren't arriving until this afternoon!!!!!!! Still got to finally sort out their apartment. Then guests arrived last night, we weren't expecting them - Americans who live in Italy and had read about us in the Flybe magazine so thought they'd come and find us!!!So they stopped last night and maybe tonight, meanwhile I have to go and do the food shopping for Christmas, take mince pies to the teachers, change 4 bedrooms, bathrooms, lounge and kitchen, mop the games room, OMG what am I doing on here??????

When the group from Belgium arrive tomorrow afternoon I will collapse in a heap!!

Have fun everyone

morning all. deb, dunno how you do it.

I'm totally exhausted this am. Insomnia had me up at 5 yesterday, then I was so busy I didn't get to bed till midnight, then I had to get up at 5 this am cos of boys school - tradition every year on last day before Christmas, school starts at 6 and ends at 9. Each room has a different theme - cafe, disco, experiments, make up room etc etc. They were so excited last night. Me less so.

Had bit of a barney with dh last night, were talking about when I'd move to Milan. He seemed to be under the impression I'd have the baby then jump in the car and head straight off down there. I sort of had end of August in mind. He's really pissed off. Thing is, paper work, getting Swiss birth certificate, then UK birth certificate, then passport etc will take time. He poo pood this and said I just drive down without and sort it out when I'm there.

Thing is, I'm plannning on having a c-section, so won't be able to drive/will be limited for a while. At least here the kids have loads of friends, so I can sling them out to play/rely on neighbours for a bit of help, then move with a bit older baby would be a bit easier.

If I go to Milan straight away, it'll be unbearably hot, too hot to be playing outside, the kids & I won't know anyone, so they'll be getting stir crazy.

He's really pissed off with me about this. I think he's being really selfish, only thinking of wanting us back together asap, but bloody hell, I've already agreed to give up so much, I don't think another month is so outrageous.

Help me out guys! Can you see a compromise in this. He's finally coming home for the 1st time in 3 or 4 weeks and tbh I just feel grumpy and annoyed.

Poor you Ernest. I don't know what to suggest. With my Dh what usually works best is forcing myself to be very nice and non-confrontational, and not talk about it. Eventually he comes to the realisation (all on his own!) that it was a bad idea and that he has very cleverly had the good idea of doing things my way. Don't know if your husband is quite so 1950s though.

Or if you need to talk about it could you do something along the lines of saying it would be better for him if he knew where he stodd, and end August is most likely workable, whereas there are too many unknowns and variables (eg recovery from section) for June to be a date you can all rely on?

The children and I all have colds so guess who has got them breakfast and dressed and guess who is still in bed and is about to ask for a cup of tea? Very grumpy and sorry for myself.

Have a good day everyone.

Hope things calm down Deb.

Don't know what to suggest Ernest, except stick to your guns. Not only are you having sectin but also you have to pack so if you can do that and have somewhere for your boys to go, their friends, then anything to make your life a bit easier.

Good luck Debs our busy day is 27th, getting rid of family on boxing day and then fully booked from then until after New Year.

Sorry Ernest, I don't have any good ideas either I just wanted to post and be supportive. Surely you won't be able to drive for 4-6 weeks after a c-section anyway? Isn't that the current advice? And if you aren't allowed to hoover you definitely shouldn't be packing that car.

Maybe if you could get some info. from mw about what can/can't do after c-section, which always seem to err on side of caution, it will help him see that your time scale is far more sensible?

Wish I could be more helpful. Just stay calm and good luck!

Sorry ernest no advice here - although my DP is quite like Rolf's. He suggests something, I ignore it and tell him my idea. Then he comes up with the same idea as mine and takes all the credit for it (he did this on the weekend, so I am still fuming!) .

Surely an extra month won't make that much difference - I'm sure he'll realise this. Good luck

he's a stubborn and blinkered fool and won't change his mind. I spoke to him very briefly this am and was pissed off he wass till grumps about it and refused to even consider my pov.

My only ally and voice of reason was him mum, and since she died in mid October, I've really noticed the difference. His dad/grandparents all say ' if his mum was here she'd have a word with him about x, y z' but no one else will. He's really getting difficult on this.

I've decided that I'll agree to stay to the end of July, then have removers come and take suff, then go on familöy holiday for 2 weeks, then have removers bring stuff to new house 2 weeks into August. Then I get to stay here longer, he gets us together already in July. That's not too bad a compromise is it? It's the best offer the miserable stroppy arse is gonna get.

My kids are now absolutely exhausted and niggling each other and lots of tears thanks to 5 am start. Oh how I'm looking forward to bed time

estt - EDD 27th May (1 ds 19 months)
goingfor3 - EDD 29th May (2 dds, 3 and 6, mc july)
flosspot/makecakesnotwar - EDD 29tt May (1st baby, mc June 07)
katyjo - EDD 29th May ( 1 ds 20 months)
systemsaddict - EDD 31st May (1 ds 1YO)
lazylou - EDD 31st May (1 DD 3.9/ MC September 04)
laughinglil - EDD 1st June (3YO twins)
nh101 - EDD 1st June (it's twins!, no other DCs, MC Mar 07)
Trix11 - EDD 1st June (DS and DD)
Tizzwizz - EDD 5th June (MC June)
emotionalwreck - EDD 5th June
aberdeenhiker - EDD 5th June (DS, June 06)
Kif - EDD early June (DC3)
supperwoman - EDD 6th June (DC2)
nettiehay - EDD 6th/7th June (first baby)
Lucy0608 - EDD 6th June (1st Baby)
Debinaustria - EDD 7th June (2 ds's 7 and 5)
mellymel - EDD 7th June (DS 14 months)
ChinaSurprise - EDD 8th June (1st baby)
Josey - EDD 9th June (DC3)
dylansluckymum - EDD 9th June (1DS 18 mos)
paromapu - EDD 11th June (first baby)
tassisssss - EDD 13th June (ds aged 4, dd 15 mths)
sybilvimes - EDD 16th June (2 dc)
Calebsmum - EDD 16th June (DC2)
GardenAngel4 EDD 17th June (DD 7months)
Josie57 - EDD 18th June (ds1 13 months, mc sep 07)
LittleMy34 - EDD 18th June (DS1 18mos)
hedgehog1979 - EDD 18th June (first baby)
babyalfie - EDD 20th June (got 3 DC - 16, 14 & 7)
ernest - EDD 20th June (got 3 dc - 8, 6 & 3)
ktpie - EDD 20th June (first baby)
poppy34 - EDD 20th June
HeyBaby07 - EDD 21st June (First Baby)
Hoggle - EDD 21st June (First Baby)
needahand - EDD 21st June (DC2)
Upsidedowncake - EDD 22nd June (1DS 23m, ep Aug 07)
august26bride - 22nd June (First Baby)
Looneytune - EDD 23rd June (DS 4.7yrs
sophiewd - 27th June (DD 22 months)
Gemzooks - EDD???
capricornqueen - EDD 30th June (DD 2yrs)

Hi i was just updating and taking my name off the list.

Hope you are ok 3rdontheway. xx

I just found out my sil is pregnant, she was really worried as she has been bleeding quite a bit and didn't know how far on she is but eventually the scanned her and she's about 6 weeks so hopefully I should have returned to the relm of the living by the time her little one is born as I'm just gone 17 weeks.

Got my AFP results back, all they tell me is I'm low risk for spina bifida and Down syndrome, so don't know the actual risk but it sounds good to me.

Glad everything was well with your scan libralady, your ds is very cute!

Looney, I'm sure everything will be fine, can't remember much about genetics but if your ds is -ve would that not mean more than likely this one will be too, 75%, I think unless your dp is -ve then 100%, sorry you probably know that already, sure all will be fine anyway.
xxx

Just popping in after feeding baby mindee, must go and make mine and ds's lunch in a min then off to the park.

Katyjo - my dh is A+, not sure what ds is but trying to find out from my notes but been told if dh is A+ then likely baby is +ve too. Just waiting for results but midwife on here earlier told me that chances are it WILL show antibodies now due to having the anti-d so doubt I'll get any proper answers today. Think I'll find out more after Christmas when see midwife again and maybe another screening in about a month to see if antibodies increasing (or something like that)

Catch up properly later - god, I'm craving a massive spring roll from local chinese!!!!

Ernest Don't know what to suggest except maybe, both of you stop discussing it until you are together and have some quiet time.

Being apart is very stressful, and I really take my hat off to you for everything you do on your own. Your dh probably doesn't realise how much you deal with.

A tip which you may have thought of - in the UK, you can get people to do packing for you as well as removals. We moved house (three miles from Earls Court to Southfields!) when ds was 6 months, and I had someone do the packing for me as it would have been too hard with ds.

Good luck Looney.

Well done Debs with the painting, I hope Christmas is not too hellish for you.

Hi everyone, I finally had my scan on wednesday and I'm pleased to say the baby was fine, wriggling around all over the place. The pictures didn't come out to well, it kept turning it's back on us! I was so relieved to see it and am now trying to get on with the task of telling everyone about it!

The bad news is I have been ill for the past few days with a bad cold/flu type thing. Spent the other night waking up every half an hour or so drenched in sweat, my back was aching too much to get comfy and eventually I was sick as well. Have had the past couple of days off work and seem to have been through every cold/flu symptom there is. Luckily it seems to be clearing up a bit now but I seem to have lost my appetite at the moment (probably because I haven't done anything for the past few days!). Got to try and motivate myself to go and make some dinner as DH is out on a christmas party.
Okay whinging over!
By the way what is the issue with prawns and salmon, I have been eating them, the only fish my doctor told me to avoid was shark and merlin, which I've never had anyway so not much of a loss!

Just been on the Foods Standards Agency looking at prawns, Brie and smoked salmon ...

Ireland advises against eating smoked salmon because it is 'raw fish' but England doesn't.

Pasteurised Brie, difference of opinion between the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the midwife that I talked to. Most people say OK, but FSA say it's better to avoid.

Prawns - OK if cooked or come from a reputable source, but others say avoid to be safe.

Sushi - OK if previously frozen for 24 hours - if bought from a reputable supermarket.

It's a minefield out there. Last time I was pregnat, I was doing a lot of work for the Department of Health's maternity, young people and children team so I always had someone I could ask. Not this year!

upsidedown cake - don't worry, I will be getting the packing done! When we moved from uk to here they did it and it was great. when we moved from basel to zurich I did it myself and it was hell and I swore I would never ever do it again!

After much angst, dh has accepted my compromise proposal, of us staying here til end July, then moving out, stuff in storage while we holiday 1st 2 weeks in August, then have stuff delivered to Milan, so that's only 2 weeks earlier there for me which I can live with.

ktpie, glad you got to see your baby, even if it wasn't posing for the camera. Hope you're feeling better soon.

dh train got 2 hour dely, bloody Italian crap, honestly in the 7 years we've been in switzerland I've never once been delaye. his train is either late or cancelled every bloody time he comes back, so I won't see him tonight

Glad you've got it sorted, Ernest.

Right, off to boil some prawns! x

Evening all. Thought I'd catch up again as new job is deffo leaving me less time for MN (I hated my last job so much I'd sit on MN for most of the day!!!).
Looney - sorry to hear you've had a rough time - I hope all settles down for you soon.
Anyhoo, all is well in Brizzle - although I haven't been skating - LittleMintSpy - did you go to the Mall? Is it any good this year? I quite fancy going and have got a free voucher.
Went to the mw yesterday for blood test for DS which I kind of got talked into. Seems a bit pointless as it's only about 70 per cent accurate so haven't given it much thought since.
MW managed to find the bean's hearbeat for the first time which was amazing (although it's a real wriggler and took a few minutes to stay in one spot) and DH was there, which was lovely. I normally have moments each day now when I feel little movements too, which make me smile.
Am off work now till new year, which is fab, and something of a relief. Two people asked me if I was pg on the last night out on Thurs and I just fessed up cos it was easier - guess I can't hide it any more!
Am going to see a friend tomorrow who has had cancer several times and is not looking good, and my grandma died this morning after an illness, so it's been a strange few days, but am looking forward to Xmas.
Have got a heap of food in - including Stilton and smoked salmon, both from v reputable sources, and I fully intend to have a bit of each as a treat. I also just had parmesan with dinner - didn't know it was banned. I've just bought a huge block so I think I'll just stick my head in the sand about that one too!
Oh, and re Olbas oil, mw says it's fine, but understood why I worried about the ingredients so sorry if I made anyone else flap.
Right, off to make some pressies - hope you're all well!
xx

Thanks upsidedowncake for the food info, don't eat prawns or especially smoked salmon all that regularly anyway so I'm not going to worry about it. It's funny when the FSA say only get them from a reputable source, can't imagine eating prawns which I suspected weren't from a reputable source even when I wasn't pregnant!
Thanks ernest I am feeling a lot better really, just a bit sorry for myself as DH is out having fun tonight!
chinasurprise sorry to hear about your grandma and I hope you have a good visit with your friend tomorrow.
Should really be wrapping DHs christmas present while he is out but really not in the mood!

sorry not been around much sickness appears to be getting worse rather than better. is this normal?

I will loose laptop this weekend to DH as he is off work and will have to check his figures every 5 mins

So what is left is for me to wish everyone a very merry christmas and hope you have all been good and santa brings you everything you want!

All ready at last , just waiting for the guests to arrive - breathes a sigh of relief!!!

Great news today though - an early Birthday present for me - I felt baby kick for the 1st time, I've had odd flutterings but this was a definite kick. I cried!!!

ds's and Grandma are making my Birthday cake in secret, whilst I relax!! Tomorrow my treat is to go herefor the day. This is our 3rd Winter here and the 1st time I've got to the markets, so I'm really looking forward to it. Also need the boys out of the house - they are soooooo excited!!!!

OK catch up time now -

Hedgehog - sorry you've not been too well, I'm still sick every morning.

China - so sorry to hear about your Grandma - hope you enjoyed the time with your friend

Ernest - what a nightmare re your moving arrangements to Milan, glad you've come to a compromise with your dh - did he eventually get home?

KTpie - are you feeling better, glad you're scan went well.

Upsidedown - how are you?, thanks for the input re foods - I have eaten prawns throughout and just bought some lovely brie for Christmas yesterday.

Looney - how are things with you? Sounds like you've had loads going on.

Sophie - good luck for the 27th, my next busy day is th 29th.

To everyone I've missed - hello and I hope all of you have a great Christmas and heres to a fantastic 2008 for all of us

hi all - been a bit busy finishing up at work for christmas so no time to post but am v.glad that upsidedowncake has answered something re food that has been bothering me - I have been desperately craving smoked salmon so may treat myself .

Littlemintspy -I'm so pleased that your tests went well.

Have now told my mother (was very nervous about telling anyone until after my nuchal scan and still waiting to tell work etc until after 20 weeks given previous problems) but was glad I did as she was so pleased and has offered to help do xmas lunch! Just got to tell my mother in law now... should be entertaining as she always has plenty to say .

Right off to wait for strictly come dancing final..

Hi deb, yes he did get back, way after midnight - train 2 hours late (rolling eyes, wondering what the hell chaotic, mental Milan will be like after wonderful, super organised clean beautiful Switzerland)

We're going to the Basel Christmas market today. We lived there for 4 years and I really love the city and the market is great. Can't wait to go back today for a visit. I might even go mad and get a cup of Gluhwein. hmmm. They also have an 'oldtimer' tram so an old antique wooden one all done up in fairy lights, driven by Father Christmas Himself with lots of angel helpers on board playing the kids with satsumas and nuts and magic dust to make a Christmas wish. It's a free 90 minute tram ride round the town just the kids so the parents can get some last minute Christmas shopping - shops open on 2 Sunday a year here. It's really magical.

Bet you're so glad to get that room finished (understatement) When's you're birthday?

poppy, do tell if your mil has anything hilarious to say. My gmil just keeps asking if I'm hoping for a girl and don't I mind having another () I know my mil would've been thrilled.

China so sorry about your grandma. And amidst all the celebrations you'll have the funeral,

It's nealry 9 already and everyone's still in bed asleep . Can guarantee dh will get up in about half an hour and then get stressed & stroppy it's turned 10 and we're still not out

Ernest glad you have reached an agreeable situation with your DH, men just dont get it at times, My DH was busy trying to date his holidays for the birth and ended up falling out with me cause I said well if its 2 weeks late you will have had your hols and be back at work, he then demanded to know when I would have the baby

The magical train sounds fantastic I think I would rather go on that than shop

Debs hope you have a wonderful birthday, when is it.

Poppy, good luck with the MIL mine is a royal pain in the arris and says the most stupid and annoying things that you have ever heard of.

Going to pick up my Great Aunt today to take to Mums, and then start getting things reading for cooking.

We are going to the panto tomorrow afternoon, that should bring hyperactivity to the max!!

sadly kids only on the sami claus tram

pmsl, he demanded to know when you're going to have it

Exciting about feeling the kicks, Debs. When is your birthday? Perhaps we all ought to add our own birthdays to the list of baby dates?

Josey, enjoy the panto. We went to Cinderella at the Old Vic last night - a very adult panto, but brilliant to take Dh and his brother to. We left ds at home!

Oooh Ernest , how was the Christmas market? Enjoy the last wonders of Switzerland. I'm sure Italy will have its own charms, but will be a culture shock. I once moved directly from Japan to Spain so can totally identify with going from a 'clean' country to a chaotic one!

Off to Scotland on Boxing Day for a few days, so I may be off line for a while. Merry Christmas.

xx
Upside