are you there ellasmum1 ?

[happyathome]

hi,it's happyathome.
just wondered how you,your family and the pregnancy is going.noticed you said you were going for a scan.how did it go?
hope your DD is getting on at school well,too.
i lost interest in trying for a second,over the last 2-3 months,and then surprised myself this month and something deep inside was making me go for it.so guess,i've got the 2 week wait now.although,i have had what i thought to be usual pmt,but can't be sure.
i almost regretted trying,when it was too late,but i think it's just nerves.
would love to hear how your'e getting on.
take care x

thanks for the info and tips.I will look into it when i get back.Better get on with packing.Not done any yet today.
happy and Snugs x have a good weekend

hi,
hope you're all ok.Went for scan today.Everything's fine and it's a............BOY...snap!(how spooky).
We are all pleased and DD had a massive smile on her face at the scan,despite initially wanting a sister.Both she and i have talked about a lot of advantages to having a brother and that she will still be our only,favourite princess.
Holiday was ok,but not as fun when you're pregnant is it?!.DD still has cough and i started with a cold as soon as we got back,feel a bit better today though.
anyway,will speak soon
take care
Happy & Snugs x(oh no,can't think of it being anything other than Snugs)

hi,congratulations!! I felt exactly the same about it being a boy,that it helps you because you can much easier explain to dd that they will always be your unique little princess.
Jack arrived by waterbirth on sat 30th august.very quick but intense labour, and then he had to be whisked off to neonatal unit because he had a bit of fluid in his lungs and needed oxygen. it was all very worrying and upseting but 24 hrs later he was back with me and breastfeeding well. he weighed 10lb 2oz! couldn't believe it!
unfortunately he now seems to have bad silent reflux, which ella had, which means he screams more after a feed instead of before.
its awful to see him writhing around in pain and its already getting me down.
am trying infant gaviscon today,seems to help a little.just don't want to be driven to brink of insanity like we were with ella's crying!!
Anyway i'll get round to putting a couple of pics on my profile for you, we absolutely love him to bits, its like hes always been here.
So excited for you too, let me know how you are getting on x

oh WOW! Ellasmum,
So pleased to hear Jack has arrived.Congratulations!!So sorry about his reflux.Must be hard for you all.DD never had that,but she had ezcema and plenty of nappy rash despite careful hygeine,so hoping our boy will not have it too.Hope it improves soon for you.Is life as a four as you imagined it then,or have you not come down to earth yet?.Is Ella as besotted as you'd hoped?.
We're ok despite a cold virus,that DD's had for 5 weeks now(2 in succession i think!) and now i have it.My stomach area really contracts and is painful on every cough,just above my bellybutton.Did you ever have that?
Well,i better go now.Thanks for updating me.I would LOVE to see pics of Jack.Don't think i can put any on.Haven't got the equipment and patience to deal with it if i had.
DD's just felt our boy kick this week(22 weeks on Wednesday).She's never been patient enough to wait for the smaller kicks.DH got a right wallop last night,normally only hiccups.
please keep in touch.love hearing how you are all doing.Has Ella settled into year 1 ok?.Are you coping with the sleeplesness ok?.
take care
happy and Snugs x

Am a complete zombie! Forgot how the sleepless nights tire you out after a while!!
Have put pics on my profile for you.
Bit concerned as Jack not gaining weight yet despite breastfeeding well, midwife coming to check again saturday- fingers crossed!
He is not as bad as Ella was, think hes actually behaving quite normally now, touch wood- happy most of time, sleeps alot, grumpy around teatime.
Hes so gorgeous. Ella is great with him and adores him but has been in tears a couple of times this week and having alot of tantrums. Its so much change for her all at once, am trying to be understanding and go easy on her.shes getting a nasty cold now too,doesn't help!
she said she wishes she could go back to reception as it was more fun and now you have to do work all the time- bless her,shes very tired and her sleep is a bit disrupted too. Will just have to see if she adjusts over time, still early days.
I am fine in myself,just can't seem to get five minutes to go online/do stuff for myself along with the mum role and housework- even though dh is off i like things done my way so its hard to let others do it.
How exciting you have all felt your little boy kick! ella was very impatient waitng for kicks-she'd always say she'd felt on even if she hadn't just so she could run off and play!
The house does feel lovely and full and "complete" somehow now jacks here.
Better grab some sleep now while I can, keep me updated and let me know what you think of the pics! x

Hi,
the pictures are great,thanks!.Jack is georgeous like you say.Love the ones especially of him and Ella.I will show DD them,so she can get excited about holding her baby brother too.Looks like Jack will be blond like Ella?!.Ella looks all grown up now and has changed a lot from that 1st picture you had on your profile.It will no doubt be tiredness causing Ella's crying,because we had exactly the same with DD last year.She said the same also about wanting to be back in reception and didn't like all the hard work in year one.First few months were a bit rocky,but i think things settled down after Xmas.She still says now she preferred reception,but she started year 2 very confidently and seems settled enough.It does pass!.Just can't get her to sleep properly since hols though.Used to be 7pm bed,6:30 wake.This week 9-10pm gets to sleep,8:15 wake(better for us,but rush for school!).She is still a bedwetter too,and is still in pull-ups.Had a try at no pull ups few months ago,but no joy...bit frustrating,as could do without that once ours arrives!.
Hope Jack's weight picks up soon.I have fingers crossed too for you.That's what i hope for too,the house feeling 'fuller'.I thought we were complete,but i think deep down we aren't yet and that's what was bothering me.I feel better even just having Snugs in the tum and talking about him with DD.DD invented an invisible brother last night and was bossing him about all night,then she said....i like having a brother...bless.Think she's trying to process it all too.Got a load of boy clothes off a mum,which made me want to rip Snugs out now and dress him.
Well thanks for replying,especially as you are so tired and pushed for time.Great to have a natter with you and compare notes.Doesn't feel quite so lonely does it?!.
take care
Happy and Snugs x

AAGH! Forgot how agonizing the 10/11 day growth spurt is when you breastfeed! I feel like I've been chained to the sofa all day with jack permanently attached to my boob!! And i only got about 3 hrs sleep last night. Surely after feeding nonstop all day he'll have put some weight on though! poor ella completely neglected, she was off today with a cold.
glad to hear your dd was same about starting year 1- very reassuring!
ella has been the same about bedtime since holidays so that doesn't help, although we aren't great at starting the routine early enough as so distracted with nappies/breastfeeding etc! She also gets up at 8.15am and its a nightmare rush to get out. Haven't even tryed taking jack yet but will have to from next week!!
Am going to lie down for a little while now while jack has his first nap of the day!!!
x

hope you got a bit more sleep last night and hope Ella's cold gets better soon.Is Jack still gulping it down?.Is the reflux any better?
take care
happy & snugs x

happy how are you? Keep thinking about you, you don't seem to have been on mumsnet lately.Hope everything is good with you and famly, how many weeks are you now? x

hi ellasmum,
only just discovered your post last night.not been down the list for a while.usually just lurk reading stuff from Jan club lately.been thinking about you too and hope life is sweet.please tell me life with two kids is better than 'pregnancy plus DD1'.this pg has been horrendous.had polyhydramnios from about 25 weeks.now 36+3.another scan(my fifth!)on christmas eve,to check growth.told me 2 weeks ago DS may been about 7 lb something already.did glucose and other blood tests.no reason found for polyhydramnios.extremely taut,huge bump,measuring at least 41 cm now i think.i had 5/6 week chest infection in second trimester and now another couple of viruses since.DD had a string of about 6 colds/infections.....all worn out and ready for knackers yard!!may offer me induction at 37/38 weeks.want him out now,but also want xmas out the way first.very fed up and concerned as ive not been the least bit excited about having a baby,especially this trimester.were you like that?.hopefully mood will dissappear when bump does?!.
hope you are all ok.How's Ella and Jack doing now?.are you enjoying life now too?.
i will keep you posted and have a great Xmas if you don't see this post for a while.
take care
happy x
ps/if i don't reply again soon,it's because the computer keyboard has broken again...it's been out of action for a while and suddenly started working again last night

bump

Oh so glad you replied. Sorry about the pregnancy problems, I know at that stage with mine I was knackered and fed up and that was with no medical reasons! Really wishing good health to you all then for christmas.
we have all had horrible colds recently.
I did not feel excited about having a baby at that stage, but just wanted him out so I wasn't so uncomfortable.
Having two now is far far far better than pregnancy plus 1 dd!!
Jack is now 16 weeks and life is miles easier than at first. I have adjusted now to the chaos I think, and Jack is very happy most of the time now.He goes down ok at night around 8pm and although he has feeds at around 12 and 3 and 7am they only last around 10 mins and he goes back to sleep(bottles). I have finished breastfeeding and that has helped me feel more like myself again,and less restricted.
Ella is adjusting well too, think she feels she has her old mummy back, with at least some energy instead of this miserable old bag i was while pregnant!!
The first 6 weeks are tough though- you get a great high for first 10 days or so with the joy of a new baby(I didn't expect it at all but you will love him to bits I promise you!) and then the tiredness kicks in and doing the school run at first was horrible. Now its fine though! Apparently babies cry more and more towards 6 weeks, when it peaks , and then it starts to settle. So thats a big part of it.
Sitting the other night with Ella making Jack laugh and smile together was great fun and so heartwarming! I have some more lovely pics I'll put them on my profile for you.
You have such a short time to go now. Try to enjoy christmas and not worry about things. All in all I have enjoyed Jack far more because I know how quickly they grow up now. I forgot how adorably cuddly and soft and kissable they are as babies. Its hard to get Ella to sit still long enough for cuddles these days!
If your keyboard breaks again get a new one- Ella broke one of ours and I was so mad until I realised they are actually not very expensive to replace!
Mumsnet is such a lifeline for me, more so than ever with two little ones now!
Will be looking out for your posts and keeping fingers crossed for you, wishing you a lovely, speedy birth and healthy baby, and a very Happy Christmas!xx
ps I have been baking shortbread, making suzywongs mumsnet chocolate brownies(gorgeous!) and making fifteens (also mumsnet traybake recipe) the last few days so it must be getting easier- and thats with Ella at home!!

And don't worry about baby's weight, scans are notoriously inaccurate for that! Theres nothing you can do about it so just trust in your body and nature.

hi again,
so pleased to hear from you again too.your words have been very comforting,thankyou.so glad you have got over the hard bit and life is better.sounds like Ella loves being a sister.So glad it's not just me thinking i have to be jumping over the moon right now with anticipation.I just want rid of the excruciating torture of pregnancy.I remember the high well,with DD and was hoping you get that a second time too.Sounds like Jack is a georgeous,cute happy chappy.Would love to see more photos sometime.
well have a brilliant christmas too.i will keep you informed.thanks for all the good wishes.
happy and snugs xx

Hi, are you still "with bump"? Hope you are feeling ok.Have put some new pics on profile xx

hi,
hope you are ok and had a good christmas.I'm still with bump,and been quite ill,from Xmas Eve to now,with another stupid head cold thing.not gone yet.dd loved Xmas,but i was asleep half of afternoon.half of boxing day in bed too.been to consultants today again.had heartbeat scare and had to have a trace done.fortunately all is well with snugs.i am a puzzle to them apparently,because i have large baby AND polyhydramnios.don't feel desperate/up to birth yet and womb neck not quite ready.have to go back Friday at 2 for another appointment.Internal KILLED today and had very slight bleeding for rest of day(is that normal?!-only on wiping,not on pad).They don't want me to reach due date(14th)...neither do i.May have inducement next week,with possibly waters broken in theatre......scared!!!!.
Pictures are ADORABLE.Thanks for putting them on.Especially like the one of E &J on bed looking like they are laughing...very cute and love the Xmas outfits.Certainly inspires me to keep my chin up...keep forgetting a baby is coming out soon.
Looks like a lot of fun is to come.
Well take care and HAPPY NEW YEAR in advance,in case i go in.Will update you Friday if i return home?!!!.
xx

Hi,will be thinking of you friday!Glad all is well. Bleeding you describe after internal is completely normal.
I know waters being broken in theatre is a bit scary but its only as a precaution, its extremely unlikely that you would need a caesarian, and as soon as baby's head comes down after the water comes out you can be treated as a normal labouring woman!
And the internals are always far worse before the cervix is ready, they won't be as painful once you are in labour!
Had a lovely xmas and a great new years eve party at our house! Ella stayed at nan's overnight and Jack slept through the whole thing(has been very irritable tonight though,has a cold).Happy New Year to you and family too!

Any news???

AGGHHH This is driving me mad waiting !
Have you had him yet??

Hi Ellasmum,
I'VE DONE IT AND REACHED POSTNATAL LAND....YIPEEEEE.
Thanks for your posts.Sorry you had to wait.
Had another internal at the friday appointment,cried my eyes out as couldn't cope with the pain and pg full stop.Cervix had changed,fluid had gone up.I was full of a virus still didn't think i could do labour...was so scared.Was admitted straight away(had bags in car just in case).Was induced that night and was getting extremely regular tightenings after 1st gel.Next afternoon,i was taken up to a labour room,where they broke my waters(don't know why they didn't do theatre in end).Absolutely flooded the place and was told had the most fluid they had ever seen.Went into labour.Not bad at first,on gas and air,but then had no progression and requested pethidine.Nine hours later,was in worst agony of my life,couldn't cope(much worse than 1st birth).Don't think baby had engaged.Went to theatre.Had spinal block and attempt at forceps.Surgeon couldn't get to baby,so had c section in the end...but it was a much more peaceful,happy ending for me and a welcome end to the torture.So good to be numb with anaesthetic.Our baby was born at 0:37 on Sunday 4th....and guess what,he's called JACK too..that was suggested by DD at the 20 week scan and it grew on us quickly.Another thing we have in common eh!.He was very healthy and weighed 9lbs 1 oz.
I was in hospital for a week altogether and am having a tough time recovering,but am getting there.Slight blip when my scar burst a bit a couple of nights ago,in the middle of the night.Had to go to hospital,with kids,and it fortunately just needed a tight dressing.Is still bleeding.Being visited a lot at home this week by midwife.
Our Jack is so georgeous and i'm the happiest i've ever been and feel so lucky!!...DD is absolutely smitten and won't leave his side.Like you say,life feels complete and i'm so excited to be a family of four and watch Jack progress.Breastfeeding,much to my delight,but nipples nearly making it impoosible....was improving a lot lately,but he made me bleed again tonight...but i so want to see it through.We have had some wonderful successful feeds mostly.Got to go,Jack crying again.Trouble is he wants to feed too much lately and it's making me a hostage.
Will post again soon.
take care and hope you're all ok.
happy new year too!!.
happy x

Congratulations!!! FAB! Well Done! And great choice of name!
Poor you having a section at the end of all that, bet he was just not quite in right position so head wouldn't descend properly, and thats a big boy!
Make sure you take it REALLY easy as recovering from c-section is so tough.It takes at least a couple of months.Don't skimp on painkillers will you, keep on top of it. well done with the breastfeeding, it'll get so much easier soon.
So glad you feel happy again, but I'll still be here if you come down to earth with a bump a bit later like I did, it does take some adjustment (well we're still adjusting actually!).Our Jack has started laughing when you pretend to eat him and say nyum nyum nyum nyum etc Its hilarious, i could do it all day!He's now 19 weeks and is 19lbs 20z, huge! In 6-9 mth clothes now. May have to start weaning soon as he just seems so hungry, eating his hands all the time.
He still feeds at night, one at 11pm/12am and then again at 4 or 5am, but he takes about 10 mins and then goes back to sleep so its not too bad.looking forward to him sleeping through one day though!
Lots of love to you and your family, savour every minute of that tinyness, they grow up soooo fast!Keep in touch xxxxxx

thanks so much Ellasmum.Good to hear from you again.My scar burst again.Is still bleeding,district nurse came today.Said it's mainly superficial though even though it looks scary.I'm not letting it spoil my 'newborn' days though.More excuse to lie around with Jack and get hospital style meals off my DH in bed.Had to go to hospital to get dressing on again last night.Took Jack.He never woke up once.
I'm still on cloud nine and can't believe it all.So,so happy and feel blessed to have 2 georgeous kids.Only thing that's made me a bit sad is the detachment i've felt from DD a bit and being too ill to do anything for her.When she came in hospital i thought "who are you?"[hmm}.Did you feel like that.Jack is so much like her as a baby,it was like i was transported into the past and i thought i was with her...couldn't get my head round it being a boy and being Jack...isn't it strange.Tiredness is making me do/say allsorts of weird things.
So glad your'e all happy/well.Hope Jack has got over his cold a bit better and school ok for Ella.Good isn't it to have one-to-one when DD's at school...feels like old newborn days where you have all day to drool over the baby.
Are you missing midwifery just now?.
I best go.Milk time soon.Can't believe it mastered a sit up with pillows pose last night.Now i can go out in public.
Just got nipple shields though as some feeds still hurt.Do you think they are any good?
Well i'll post again soon.Have fun with your special two(and DH of course).WOW 19lbs 20,seems like our Jack will never get to that.So far into the future,yet it will soon come.Where has time gone since our 12 week scans!??!
little man wakes again and WAAAAAAHHH,so better go set up my pillows again.
take care
love from happy x

Hi again, poor you with that scar,what a nightmare! thank goodness you are still managing to enjoy Jack though.Really hope you heal up soon!
I totally know what you mean about feeling detached and strange about dd.It really freaked me out alot at first, but it will soon settle down(after a few weeks).Its totally natural to feel more close to your baby partly because your hormones make you like that and the baby is more needy.

I think all the cuddling with the baby brings it all back and you feel sad that your dd has really grown up and is so independant!
They look so much bigger once you've had the baby don't they?!
I really felt like I was looking after Ella again sometimes too at the beginning, but now Jack is more of a little person and looks much more boyish.
Just keep telling dd that she will get you back to normal soon, that Jack will grow v quickly and will take less of your time when hes a bit bigger etc. ella seemed to understand that, and was ok if you kept reminding her things were temporary, the breastfeeding all the time for example!
Better go now, wishing you all good health and much happiness, xxxx

Oh, and the nipple shields are great to stop pain but only very short term use, because they might stop baby getting as much milk which in turn reduces your supply x

How are you all getting on? is your scar healing now? x