Due in June and entering the home stretch - keep the creme eggs rolling!

[makecakesnotwar]

And the Revels, the Greek Yogurt and the curly fries....

I really must preview my posts. I promise not a drop of alcohol passed my lips.
DH is English and obviously my family hail from the valleys but after yesterdays experience DH is seriously considering changing his allegience, purely as he was so impressed about the passion and support the Welsh have for their team.

DS does has had a lot of Welsh shirts since he's been born, but that is of course of my doing, and I refuse to buy him anything English. As far as I am concerned, that was DH's job. Maybe now it's not a problem!

Seeing as my cousin already is in the squad, maybe I could get my DS in the back door.

Here's hoping DS2 will be as interested as well. I've already bought him a bib with 'Born to play for Wales' on it!

Sorry the shopping trip wasn't productive PP! I cant believe New Look Oxford St doesn't stock mat gear! If it makes you feel better I'm jealous you saw the Spice Girls and def wouldn't point and laugh .

libralady - glad you're team did well yesterday. Not much of a rugby follower but it always looks like a real family fun sport kind of thing.

Have finally treated myself to a changing bag. Managed to get a storksak one on special offer. It's probably not big enough but I really wanted to treat myself to a nice handbag style one that would hold the basics so that's what I did .

Hope everyone having a good weekend!

Yay Libralady we loved the result here, my friend has hung her flag out and was in tears yesterday.

Upsidedowncake - don't know about Debs but mine is quietish over winter just weekends and then gets busy in summer, last year we had 3 nights with no bookings from end June to end October, we have guests booked in from 1 week after babe arrives (elective section) but luckily we have rented our house out for 12 days in July so that is some respite, hence the trip to Antigua in November to recover

hi all - just popping on. did second hypnobirthing class yetserday - whilst I was really impresed with the technique/ideas not so inspired by the teacher who spent half class putting across her ideas on the evils of birth/diet etc -some of whcih was pretty ill informed. Still met some nice people so feeling less nervous about goign to ante natal proper at NCT.

CAn I be really cheeky bitofadramaqueen and ask if you've got link/photo of your bag - sounds great so wanted to be nosey and have a look.

Upsidedown - so pleased that you chose a buggy to match Stefan's nursery!!
I'm the opposite to Sophie - we have our busiest time in the winter with the skiing season, so after Easter we have a very quiet time until June, then a week after baby is due we have our 1st summer booking - but I'm only doing self catering over the summer - no B+B. In the quiet time between seasons we have to decorate the guest accommodation, lay flooring, finish our kitchen and get ready for this baby.

But I have bought something today - a breast pump off ebay, so we have nothing to bring baby home in, nowhere for baby to sleep and nothing to take baby out in but I have a breast pump!!

Like the sound of the bib LL. My inlaws are sending over an all blacks babygrow, guess it will look like this: www.champions.co.nz/shop/default.aspx?D=shop&T=48&P=373
I thought I should get an England one, just to keep things even, but this is all I could find:
www.rfu.com/therugbystore/templates/product.asp?ProductGuid=15737
It's the usual story - All Blacks look cool, but England actually get the job done (bib, mitts, etc).

Wow, you are a hard worker sophie!

I agree with poppy 34 dramaqueen, just had a look on the storksak site and they are great bags. Which one did you get?

V excited about being off work this week. It's a Sunday night and I'm not sorting everything out for the week, Yay!

morning all. Glad you enjoyed the rugby ll

Told the boys about move (earlier) ds2 cired, btu he really fears change, ds1 was better. So the thrill of being reunited with papi wasn't so enticing after all , but spent weekend looking at great brochures of Munich and Legoland and showing all the brilliant things there ae to do there, so whipping up a bit of enthusiasm, as well as writing list of everything they want to do before we leave here, so we're going to be pretty busy. Only maybe 4 more weekends here

We booked our holiday a couple of months ago, chose sth of france, as it was half way between here and Milan, so only a couple of ours drive each leg. Have checked yesterday, and it's now a good 10 hours away from Munich . No way, with a 4 week old baby, post c-section will I be able to sit in a car for 10 hours, so I'm going to have to cancel it. I just hope we don't lose too much money. Wish me luck.

Morning Ernest - glad it went OK - told you Legoland would sway it!!Much more exciting than Daddy!!! Shame about the holiday though, have you paid the balance already or just the deposit?I would have expected only to lose the deposit at this time.

Just off to the airport to get my Mum and stepDad. They're staying until Friday which will be lovely, haven't seen them since November.

Have already paid loads (well over ?1000.) phoned and spoke yesterday & she said have to pay 20%, but terms & conds on web site say only ?20 if more than 30 days in advance? SO will have to try again. Wonder if in circs doc will write me a note and can clain on travel insurance. after all, I'd never have booked somewhere so far away. 2 hours max, not 10 hours.

Hope you have a nice visit with mum & Sdad. My fil going shortly - have had very nice time, he's been very helpful.

upsidowncake Sorry you had a bad experience with your doula too. Before I booked mine, I saw three and there was one I absolutely loved and I thought she would be the one. But during the face to face interview she kept glancing at her watch so I did have an unease in relation to her committment. Regardless, two days later my husband called her to tell her we had picked her and she was in the middle of something and said can I call you back tomorrow? So we thought sure, we only needed 5 minutes, but fine. Five days later we were still waiting for her to call back. When we eventually called her again she was very surprised that we didn't pick her.

So I am 100% with you on the committment and trust issue. If you can't rely on her when you go in labour, what is the point!

Anyway, good luck, I hope you find one you really like and click with

Morning all - here's the link to my bag {http://www.storksak.co.uk/product.php?shopprodid=174 bag]. They've got a few on offer at the moment.

Ernest - hope cancelling the holiday doesn't work out too expensive!

dramqueen I don't think the link works, couldn't see a bag there

Debs so sorry for your friend, that must be so tough for all of his loved ones/friends

PP the New Look in moorgate isn't so great, they really didn't have that much last time I went. I found it really hard this time round to find decent maternity clothes. Thank god for blooming marvellous, vertbaudet and co

U-cake that is good news about your friend!I was worried about her. Re doula, was yours in hertfordshire?

Ernest glad the boys didn't take the news too badly. What about you, are you excited by the move?

Wow - you've all been busy over the weekend.

Debs, I'm so sorry about your friend's DP. There isn't anything I can suggest or do to help, but just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of her and he 6 (!) DC.

PP - you might be able to get an All Blacks Jersey on the Canterbury website (sorry don't have the link - won't work at work!). I only know this because we will have to buy an Aussie one as well as an English one too! Luckily, as DP is a rugby coach for RFU we get staff discount at the Rugby Store!

DP was upbeat on the weekend - I think he was happy for Wales to win overall, and England to come second - as long as we beat the French, he said!

I spoke with my mum over the weekend about her three births - 8 hours, 4 hours and 2 hours (in that order). Episiotomy with the first 2, not time with the last one (My little DB!) Only gas and air - no epidural and she said it wasn't too bad... so I am hoping that is an indication on how it will go with me! She also said she loved being pregnant - it was the best time of her life. It's odd, I've never spoken to her about these things before... but then, why would I?

Hello everyone!!!

Sorry I am so crap at keeping posted, work is pretty intense at the moment with exams rapidly approaching and teacher and pupils panicking!

Speaking of which, I stirred up a real hornet's nest at school on Thurs by fainting after chucking up quite violently in the Ladies. Someone found me pretty quickly but I just couldn't stand up, I was so dizzy. The school nurse came and made me lie on the floor with my legs raised until my blood pressure increased (it was something ridiculously low, can't remember exactly but the top number was 85)with took an hour and a half! By which time my poor colleagues had to cover my afternoon lessons and rumours were rife that I'd gone into premature labour!!

The next day, I was dragged into some health and safety meeting and told I might have to be escorted to the loo in future!! I told them they'd better advertise it as a full time job as I go about every 30 mins these days I suggested always having a mobile phone with me as an alternative

I had no idea your blood pressure went down during pregancy, I thought it went up...anyone else having problems with fainting? DH is on at me to see midwife again (wasn't due an appt for another 4 weeks) but I don't want to sound like a complete idiot "Oh I fainted and I'm 28 weeks pregnant" "And?" I mean what can they do, tell me to put more salt on my chips?!

Can't believe it's Trimester 3 tomorrow for me!!!! My bump is now HUGE, don't think there's going tobe any worries there, will try and post a pic so you can see how much it's grown in the last 5 weeks.

I haven't bought a single thing yet, am waiting till 30 weeks. I have made a wishlist online of all the sites with gorgeous things I'd like but no way I'll be able to afford them all Most important is double buggy, we're splashing out and going for a Phil n Ted. The excuse is it's the only doubel one we can actually fit in the boot of our car and it's still cheaper than getting a new car, right?

I'm also going to have great fun putting together some lovely new toiletries for my hospital bag and some gorge nursing PJs and a dressing gown I wqon't ROAST in on the ward. Last time, I planned a home birth so didn't give this much thought at all. When we had to transfer, DH had stuffed some crappy track suit bottoms into and a toothbrush and a hideous bright pink stripey M&S nightie into a carrier into a Tesco bag.

This time I shall be a glamour puss. An exhausted, colostrum leaking glamour puss with stitches probably somewhere I wished they weren't, but god damn it, my night attire will be co-ordinating

Hi All

At least the worry of telling the boys is over Ernest, although I'm sure the last thing you want is to make your last few weeks even busier! Nightmare about the holiday.

Dramaqueen - the link doesn't work, what's the bag called?

Thanks for the tip Needahand. Won't be back around Moorgate until after Easter, off to Kingston Upon Thames today to see what they have. I've actually got jeans, combats and some work stuff. I wanted to enjoy some 'fun' shopping, not just the basics. Think I was too optimistic. Not sure mat clothes make that possible. Need to get something for a wedding next Sat, but thought I'd try Monsoon, they seem to do lots of empire line stuff which I can hopefully just get in a bigger size. If not, handbag, makeup and shoe shopping is always fun.

Thanks for the idea Nettie- but hoping PIL's will be buying the kiwi stuff, altho they are shocking on getting gifts that cost nothing to post...Lavender writing paper and drawer liners for Xmas anyone?

BasilB - Glad to gear you're ok, but is probably woth checking with your MW anyway. (Mine would say 'who are you? stop bothering us.' but hopefully yours are nicer!) Love the leaking glamour puss idea..

PP - Kingston is not too bad for shopping - there is a about 3-4 racks in New Look in the Bentalls centre, and there was a section at M&S (but it seems to have dissappeared into the Easter egg aisles!)

Basil - I'd not even thought of what to wear in the hospital - gggrrrr - another thing to think/worry about! I think I will be trying to be all glamour too - but probably failing miserably!

DP wants me to find the flights for him to go on skiing holiday in 2 weeks - the skiing holiday I'm not going on (for obvious reasons). He has known about this for at least 2 weeks before now, but has decided they should be booked today and he's working all day - so it's my job because I sit at a computer all day! Yes, I do - doing work! I don't have time to trawl internet sites - so he suggests I do it on my lunch break! Ggggrrrr! How about he foregoes the gym tonight?? Never gonna happen, apparently! Guess he won't be going skiing then!

nettiehay - men!

ernest, glad you got it out of the way. just think, a few months down the line when they're settled they'll forget all about it!!

i'm surprised no one has mentioned H&M Mama in the mat clothes conversation... almost every bit i own is from there. used to be at marble arch ox st location but now apparently at their new flagship store on regents street although ihaven't been there yet. they do great dressy/work/casual and cheap!

i've picked a boy's name i LOVE (dh doesn't mind it which means i can convince him) but i've decided not to tell anyone so they can't slag it off and make me doubt myself. i've posted the shot that makes me think it's a boy (had to take a photo of the video on the screen). tell me what you think!!

oops - more haste less speed! Here's the bag link - bag.

bb - sorry to hear about your fainting attack! Perhaps you could just let someone know when you're going to the loo so that if you're not back in X minutes they could come and check on you? I lost track of your thread on employment issues - did you ever complain about the completely illegal changes to your t&c's? I'm also planning to be a glamour puss and will be going into molton brown for a set of minatures at the weekend. They now do quite a wide range of minatures so I'm getting them for my hospital bag. Yes, I am still living with my head in the sand...

DLM - I'm going to check out H&M this weekend actually. I've had barely any spare time to get into the city centre since Christmas so not been able to check out their stuff. Have heard good reports though. I got some wide leg trousers from jojomamanbebe if anyone looking for work trousers... I think they were about £30, but dead comfy and dont need ironing . I've had them on pretty much every day at work since I got them.

nettiehay - 100% behind you on keeping the name quiet. My boss got a bit sulky with me when I refused to reveal our shortlisted names. I floated the idea of one name past my SIL and she said it was dead common (its not - I've checked). I've actually gone off the name (maybe) but I think if I did use it I'd always think in the back of my head that she didn't like it. No-one can say anything but nice things about a name once its been allocated to a newborn! I'm sure you've picked a lovely name though. Had a look at the pic, but absolutely no idea about the gender I'm afraid.

Hi everyone.

Nettiehay - I do understand. [mini-rant on its way]

I have just spent an absolutely knackering weekend fetching, carrying, washing, ironing, cooking, lifting and medicating the men in my household. DH is ill with man flu - he had to take to his bed for both days - and DS is teething so whinging badly and wants to be carried the whole time. I am tempted to remind people that I'm a little bit pregnant and I'm tired too, but know I will just get thought of as unsympathetic.

I have come back to work for a rest - hoping to have a power nap in the ladies in a moment (once I've eaten my speckled eggs from M&S). Rather dread going home tonight which means having to produce another meal for my ailing DH who will be spread out on the sofa expecting to be fed and ministered to. [pissed off emoticon]

DLM, Had a look at the picture ans think I saw a willy in the bottom middle of the picture - is that where you could see it too? I could certainly see seomthing there! I really like H&M mat clothes, do you know if they do nursing nightwear? We have chosen a name too and I have told some friends and my mum (the name has grown on her) but don't want to tell DP's family as I know they will be negative about it and will find some horrible muderess or something with the name to try to put me off! When they came to see DD2 in the hospital FIL said that he was going to call her Olivio like the margarine as thats what her name sounds like, I snapped NO very loudly and he never said it again!

I'm none the wiser re gender either, sorry.

I have cancelled the holiday. I've been verbally told they will reimburse the money and we'll only incur a 20 euro charge, which is really fantstic. But they've not yet replied to my written cancellation/request for this to be confirmed in writig, so I'll hold the champagne.

Spent all morning looking for alernatives close to Munich. Have got 2 lined up, so luckily looks like I'll be able to get a more suitable alternative. phew.

am now looking at postponing my c-section by a week? My doc recommended at 38 weekds, due to previous earlyish one. But was thinking then of at 39 weeks, which is what's recomended by docs in uk anyway, to give me a few more days to get organised. what do you think?

I was truly devastated to have to leave here, but I've cut the mental ties, and now I can't wait. Am very excited. Have got 1 removal company coming on wed to do quote, so will see if he can also give date. Will be good to have fixed date in mind.

Bloody hell 1 months' notice to emigrate. Yikes.I like a challenge

mellymell my M&S had run out of mini speckled eggs so I had to amke do with cadburys mini eggs!

Very quickly as busy at work, Blooming marvellous is good for mat gear - and relatvely cheap. For those in West London, I go to one just by Parsons Green underground on the Fulham Road.

Friend had scan and all fine. Saw heart beat and everything|!

xx

BB oh my god! Are you alright now? Sounds definitely scary. I don't know about low BP ut isn't it something to do with iron level or something? Did you speak to you midwife? Do you have any clue what could have brought this up? LoL at the glamour puss/coordinate nightwear comment

PP I bought a lovely top from a shop where I leave lately. Pumkin patch I think it is called. If you have one near you, might be worth trying. It is a shame about newlook, bec when I lived in Bromley they had the most amazing tops which looked like kaftans with glitters, they were beautiful. I thought about buying one then but wasn't PGt, whith insight, I probably should havd

nettie at your DP. I wouldn't do it either if I were you!

dramaqueen that is a very nice bag and not too pricey considering how much they are selling some of the changing bags! At least this one is fairly elegant. I bought a £20 from boots myself which I quite like as it is cutesey