Due May 2008 - the floodgates have opened!!!

[thefortbuilder]

Pleased to be able to start the new thread with our birth announcement!

Samuel arrived at 1923 on thursday 20th March, weighing in at 4lb 10oz! After a fraught day of trying to find a hospital with a NNU with a cot (our hospital NNU was closed just as we were about to go to theatre), we finally ended up at Epsom General!

Sam is still in NNU but should be coming off his last little bit of oxygen this evening, is off CPAP, and having a go at bf'ing whenever he can (he's being fed by a tube).

I'm home and feeling a whole lot better than I did last time around, although very sore - TAKE THE PAINKILLERS THEY OFFER!!!!!

Jacob not sure about the new arrival although is smitten with his new scooter

will catch up with posts later but thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and good wishes over the last few days

xxx

Yes that makes total sense, thanks! I do tend to overthink these things; want everything to be clean and perfect! I'm going to be swaddling as well, never did with DS, but I'd like to try it with this one, although I'll only be able to do it when we've got the AC on or the poor little thing will overheat!

Well I don't know how hot it is in Singapore (??) at the mo, but DD was born summer 06 when it was 35 degrees in UK, and we still swaddled her in a cotton sheet. She wouldn't settle unless she was swaddled. I must admit, it did worry me though!! (worried about her overheating at the time).

It's usually 30 degrees in my living room and I guess the same in the bedroom, and we do have lots of fans and the AC that we can use, so that should be ok. I've got this Grobag swaddling cloth, it's quite thin cotton jersey and looks very easy to use.

I remember that summer - all my family were raving about how hot it was, and I was looking forward to coming back for our regular summer visit so I could wear all my tropical clothes and show off my tan, but by the time we got home the heatwave had disappeared and I lived in jeans the whole time!

(Yes it is Singapore btw - thanks for remembering!)

Thanks girls, think DP realises that he was a bit silly earlier and has been fab all day (although he is now in the bath, where he will stay for an hour or so!)

We have the crib, DP is going to put it up tonight and I will make it up tomorrow. Mind you, with DS, we got the crib 5 days after he arrived! I swaddled DS for at least the first 3 months, he loved it, then he moved into baby sleeping bags. He was a November baby though so loved being all warm and cosy. I shall swaddle this one too.

GCG - your bro sounds Fab! Can you kidnap him for a few weeks to help out with the new baby too??? If not, can I borrow him?

Pina - I would have screamed the place down, DO NOT do spiders, yuk!

Indigo - yes, I looked on Kiddicare first, they had the one I wanted (the Nippa 360 double) but only had it in red, when I really want black becuase it will be easier to sell on. They might have more in stock though - thank you!

podglet Yes bro is fab, and he is so devoted to his neice and potential neice or nephew that he has even taken 3 weeks leave at the beginning of May ( I am due 2nd May) so that he is available to help if needed, i.e look after DD if I am in labour etc etc!!! .
TBH, I found him a bit overwhelming with DD when she was first born, probably cos she was my first baby, but now I love it that he is so into my kids. It's such a shame he won't have kids of his own as he would mafe a fab Daddy. Get this, he even lives right on a seafront and had a funfair permanently right outside his house, on the beach...how cool is that gonna be when the kids are older.
OK, I'll shut up now before I make you all !!

Bloody washing is DRENCHED after being outside in that big downpour . Oh well, it can just stay out there and dry tomorrow.

has a funfair, not had. It's still there!

hi all,
pina- can't believe you spider moment- that would set me off for labour if anything would!!!
got a question for you ladies- what should we give DD as a present from the new baby? We've got an easel but can't assemble it in advance(she'll see it), so she;ll get that after the event. I had planned on a mr potato head, but she's already got one-these grandparents......!DD is 2yrs 6 months, and we don't get her ANY noisy toys, she gets enough given. thanks for any ideas!

Pina,
The ones from Bumpto3 can be used from about 7 - 8 lbs and you can get them in different togs for the season (like duvets). I don't know about other brands as I have only used their Grobags. The website is really helpful.
Hope Mr Spid doesn't escape tonight!

Just to add that I have a manic day tomorrow, have to spend hours at the hosp getting everything sorted for Tues, so if I don't get on here, hope everyone is ok and we'll post news as soon as we can!

Have fun, and GCG - put your feet up, you are putting the rest of us to shame!

Hello all, just a v quick post from me - last from sunny Zambia for a while! Flying home on Tuesday, 36wks - once safely in UK I want this baby OUT! Just posted some pics of me & DS - disappointed to note that I don't look nearly as ginormous as I feel...
Will be staying with parents and have no idea when will get on-line again, but have hosp appt on Thurs so should get a firm date then for the c-section (I so do NOT want a VBAC...)
Huge congrats to JBR and to GCG - how do you do it? I "overdid" it last week (ie didn't have 2hr nap with DS in afternoon) and my BP shot up, so at least I have an excuse to be lazy I s'pose
Thought baby was coming out on Thurs, really strong and painful BH & low abdomen pain like period - but no, just constipated ...
Have also been steering well clear of b* jobs - they really seem to get something moving, and it's not time yet - just thought I'd pass on the tip...

Hello all

I've got an entire day to myself today as i've finally finished work, and dh has taken dd off to her grandma's.

Of course, the first thing i think of doing is coming on here but i'm planning a lovely day of sorting stuff out for the baby, washing things, doing paperwork....all the things a nesting pregnant lady loves!!

pina - I nearly screamed when i read your spider incident - that would be my idea of HELL.

podglet - very best wishes for your c-section. Can't believe you'll be meeting your baby so soon!!! What's the Nippa 360? Am having pushchair worries again and can't decide what to do.

mumofk - thank you for your kind words. I'm trying to make myself feel better by telling myself that my baby must be moving down ready for birth for me to feel so ghastly! On the present thing, i'm planning to buy dd a really nice doll from her new sibling. Not a baby one as she has a couple already - more of a grown-up one with clothes to change and hair to brush etc.

Zammummy - good luck with your flight - please bring the sunshine with you!!!

I'm meant to be going into town this morning to get my hair done - it's a state and I figure I won't have another chance in a while, just going to one of those "no appointment" places.... but I just can't seem to get out of bed, LOL!!

Ah, this maternity leave lark, it's tough I tell you...

pinacolada We put DD in sleeping bags from about 2 months old, I felt she was too small for them before that, but she was a wee one (6lbs 6oz) It was that super hot summer of 2006. We still have her in a sleeping bags now, I think they are fab and can't understand anyone not using them!! We got them from a perfectly happy people catalogue (a.k.a. thebabycatalogue), I will post the link. They are summer ones, and I found them very very good, very thin, towelling material (cotton). I just looked at the description, make sure you read it all through and that you get the 1.0 tog summer ones, not the quilted ones. AND! They are on SALE! normally £25 and they are just £12. Oooo, quite tempted to get some myself, I have 2 pink ones from DD, but what if I have a boy this time??!! Here is the link....

www.thebabycatalogue.com/prodinfo.asp?number=H1127

mumofk We weren't planning to get DD anything, but only cos it's her 2nd birthday on 17th May, when we are planning to get her a baby doll with all the accessory bits to go with it. If your DD is 2 1/2 she might like this too?? She can look after her baby while you look after yours . That's my plan anyway.

Well girls, I got my comeuppance last night, after my very busy few days, I was soooooooo uncomfortable last night, in the evening. My belly just felt SOOOO tight, and hard. I went to bed as normal, and was woken at 12:30am with such strong BHC's, they were so painful and tight and radiating around my back, I actually thought I was going into labour. I was a bit scared actually, just thinking..."no!!! not yet, I'm not quite ready yet!!!!!". I woke DH, and he was asking me to time them, but it just felt constantly hard with waves of a stronger sensation, no real beginning or end as such. I went and sat on the loo and, well, you can imagine....and then things seemed to ease, certainly enough for me to go to sleep again anyway. All seems OK this morning, so I think it was the same as zammummy, I just needed a poo!!! . I suppose constipation can be really painful, and with baby etc in the way too, it was just too much pressure.
Very relieved this morning for all to be OK, and have decided to definitely take things easy from now on......promise!!

casserole good luck with hair appt, are you going for something very different in a 'about to have or just had a baby' way that a lot of us ladies do!!!!

Having mine done Weds, which is why I wasn't ready for baby to arrive last night .

hello!

I'm in bed with brad pitt crumbs from breakfast which I've just finished, have decided to stay here all day, or maybe until the birth. I'm totally zonked!

Actually left the flat yesterday - first time in a week - crossed town to see the marathon, was fun but got soaked. That's why I refuse to leave the flat, I just can't be bothered second-guessing this ridiculous weather.

pina/gcg I got very cute sleeping bags from john lewis - white with cream/brown design on, so can be unisex - they are 1.0 tog and 0-6m, £16 each.

www.johnlewis.com/15110/Product.aspx

podglet is swaddling easy? I got a 'baby-gami' book from a friend that makes it look really easy, would love to try it.

newbishad - my SIL had an induction at 41 weeks, she went in Thursday pm, they induced her Friday morning and my nephew was born about 5.30pm. Went to see them the day after and SIL looked absolutely fine

Hi everyone.

Congratulations to JBR. Seems the floodgates really have opened now!!! I'm sooooooooo hoping I'm next

I had to get up in the night because my SPD was so bad and then I realised I could barely walk because the back of my knee is so swollen and sore! Even to the touch! It doesn't seem to be going down, so just wondered if anyone else has had this? Paracetamol isn't touching it. I'm at the physio on Thursday anyway but the next three days are going to feel like a lifetime if it stays like this.

Indigo- I've turned into a crazy nester as well lol. Considering I can't actually be arsed to do anything, I seem to be getting through a helluva lot!

Hope all's well.
xxx

hi mumblesmummy - definitely don't want to scare you but maybe you should get your back-of-knee swelling checked out sooner rather than later. is it sore just because the area is swollen (eg water retention)? - eg my right foot has been swollen for weeks and feels sore when I press it (like pressing a bruise) but doc says it is normal at this stage, just try to keep it up.

I'm not a doctor but i think there is a chance localised swelling with pain can be a blood clot so I reckon if I was you I'd call the doc just to be sure.

mumblesmummy I agree with Pazza, I would get that swelling checked out sooner rather than later. Not wanting to frighten you, but it doesn't sound like a pregnancy related thing as such. Maybe try and get an emergency GP appt later on today, if not, I would say go to A&E. Better to be safe than sorry.

For those of you who remember Robonan, just had a call from Dad, she's not looking good apparently, they called the priest in for sacrament of the sick, and M&D are on their way to hospital now (2 hr drive for them).
Mayeb it's finally happening?? I already feel an imense sense of relief for not only myself, but also on behalf of my Mum. Will keep you posted.

GCG xxx

It's sort of sore in one spot inside the back of my knee if you see what I mean.

I rang the labour ward and they said just to take paracetamol as it's probably hormones. I'm a little sceptical though as it sprang up over night. I think I'll go to the doctors tomorrow, as they have no appointments left for today.

GCG - thinking of you, Robonan and family xxx