Due June - 'I can't remember my own name, let alone where I put the creme eggs...'

[PregnantPenguin]

For those of us with 3 months to go or less....

Upsidedowncake I've got a mooncup but wouldn't use it straight after having a baby, mainly due to infection risks and partly because I know it won't stay in or be able to cope with the large loss.

Oh and Debs, Calamine lotion is fine for pregnancy.

bitofadramaqueen - it went very well thanks

PP - thanks for sharing that about raspberry leaf tea, didn't know that

Parof - Yes, I remember. So sorry Hope dp is as ok as can be expected. As for water problems, like you needed anything else on top eh!! Hope all that is sorted now.

josey - was going to ask about the bad news but just saw about dh's nan. It's horrible seeing them suffer isn't it How long is dh away for?

Upsidedowncake - it did melt and then we got a small layer overnight, nothing much. Snowman still there albeit a lot smaller and wonky Going to copy and paste that list to make sure I'm thinking of everything!

thegreenfairy - yes, good idea to pack hospital bag in case. I didn't think about a spare mattress I could throw away if decide to birth outside of pool. I did however like the pool at the hospital for the short time I was in it so hopefully that will be enough but will have a think. Our problem is storing all the stuff! The birthing pool is still being looked after by the mum of one of my mindees whose giving it to me. Cheapest birthing ball I've seen is on Amazon for £12.99 + p&p. Anyone seen cheaper or shall I go for that one? I haven't washed a thing either as nowhere to put anything once washed. Can't wait to get ds's old baby clothes out - it's been 5 yrs!

libralady - hello How are you? Nice to be back (I will no doubt disappear again though as find it hard to catch up! ). Ds's birthday was on 28th March and he turned 5. Couldn't have the party that weekend as they were fully booked and he was desperate for the party at this venue!! Yes, I was a bit mad for doing the party pregnant but he'd never had one before and we thought his 5th was a good one to celebrate plus wanted to make a fuss before his brother arrives Happy birthday to your ds for tomorrow, hope he has a fab day As for cramps, yes but like debs, only in right calf. It's horrible though and so painful so I do sympathise!!! I wake up screaming and wake dh so feel bad about that too!

sophie - thanks for the tip, I'll try that too

Debs - good luck at appointment, let us know how you get on. We had scan at term with ds and saw a close up of his testicles etc. and I obviously knew for sure he'd be a boy How many weeks are you now?

Right, think I've caught up. Didn't come back last night as was exhausted after packing party bags, wrapping food x 22 kids in cling film, putting in lunch boxes (9 items each), doing the actual party, cleaning up venue after, coming home and watching ds open presents then doing the proper weekend clean ready for childminding again today!! I'm now chilling whilst waiting for first mindee to arrive. They've obviously decided to drop off late as I'm not on any school runs due to 2 weeks off starting today My tiny doll of a mindee is due at 9.30am and then we'll all be off to toddler group until lunch.

Have a good day everyone

wow everyone is making me feel very disorganised as i have yet to do anything except buy a couple of outfits!! i know i need to get ds' stuff out of the cupboard and go through it but we've just been so busy. then we have disneyland paris this weekend, ds' bday party the following weekend, and dh is away the weekend after that on a stag do. i guess that'll be the best time to get going on it although it would be nice to have some help!

carseat is in storage although with home birth hopefully won't need it straight away.... guess it's best to be prepared though.

sigh. okay going to make a list.

greenfairy if you're using washable sanitary pads my hats off to you. i try to be eco friendly but that's way beyond my limits!!

i almost feel not pregnant some days (if it wasn't for the huge belly and all the kicking). my hands aren't really swollen, or my feet, i haven't been having weird dreams, no leg cramps.... i had all those things with ds by now. it's strange!! i'm just super tired and of course sore in the groin but none of the 'usual' stuff. we'll see how the swelling is after 2 days on my feet in disney!!

I used the boots maternity pads last time and they were fine - not sure who thought the mothercare ones were better (they might be, I've never tried them) - and it was easier to pick them up than going to mothercare. I just bought more this weekend. I'm not mentally ready to be buying stuff for the baby yet - but I am realizing that I should start at least getting stuff for me. If the baby comes in the next few weeks, s/he will have to stay at the hospital for a while anyways so there's no rush on a car seat etc.

As for reusable maternity pads - I'd pass on this! I do use reusable pads for my regular cycle but the first few days after giving birth was a whole different kettle of fish - it's not just heavy flow, it's the blood clots and stuff too. You'd need so many reusables (to change them frequently - think 12 a day minimum) that it doesn't make sense to me (even environmentally, unless you're reusing someone elses).

Morning everyone, what is going on with the weather? Snow one minute, sun the next!

I got a bargain moses basket from ebay this weekend, £5 for a mamas and papas basket and stand, it is in great condition and I am really pleased with it, plus that is pretty much all of the big things sorted out! Yeah! Just got a massive list of the little bits and bobs to get.

dylansmum - don't worry, I'm not organised like the others either I just know I have a lot in the loft and everything else I've mentioned is just stuff people are giving me/buying baby. We need to build a wardrobe in a certain area of our spare room before I can get anything washed and put away - I'm nagging dh to phone his friend whose good at this stuff and see if he'll take the job on! I HATE being disorganised but it's out of my hands for now. As for car seat, I'd recommend having it ready just in case you do end up in hospital. This is why I'm also packing a hospital bag. Would much prefer to have things and not need them than end up in hospital and not have anything

Well both mindees have arrived very tired and in need of naps so 13 month old is upstairs settling down for nap and 3 month old is down here trying to sleep next to me. No toddler group today then. Ds has decided that even though he didn't want to go, now we're not going, he wants to!! Typical! Anyway, I have no mindees til 1.30pm tomorrow as had change around due to midwife appointment at 10.30am (tiny baby's mum didn't want her going) so I thought I'd take ds to soft play after the appointment, just us two! He never gets me to himself due to my job so these little things mean a lot to him

Time for a cuppa I think.

Thanks all of you for inspiring me to finally pack my bag. I hope I won't need it to go to hospital but even if I stay at home I will have everything in one place which will save DH from having to run around like a headless chicken. I have even got the baby clothes out of the garage and put them in the wash. I feel quite saintly too now .

There was so much stuff on my list that I thought I would need a truck to take me to hospital, but luckily everything seems to fit in two bags (one for me, one for baby)

looney yes I am planning a HB but still packed my bag as DD one tried for the great escape at 32 weeks before hosp managed to stop labour, so I am being cautious, then again I will only have to fish in the one bag on not go up and down all the time even if I stay home, at least if focuses the mind and I know I have all I need. Also I have to have another scan at 32 weeks to scan baby's kidneys so perhaps I won't be able to have a HB.

looney Argos do some cheapo exercise ball, just the same as birth ball really only cheaper

Umm, that will teach me not to re-read my post, I meant lovely blue muslins obviously!

Woke up this morning really needing my iron tablets. I have felt really woozy all morning and even had to lie down on the floor at one stage to prevent passing out. Unfortunately the kids are still off school so they were a bit concerned and kept coming over to say, 'but why are you lying on the floor mummy?'

Also dd woke up with a bit of a temperature this morning so have had to call parents in to watch them while I go over to the hospital to pick up pills. Spoke to dad to arrange this and then got frantic call from mum 2 minutes later. They had obviously got their wires crossed and she thought I was going to the hospital to pick up tablets for dd. She was much less concerned to find out they were for me!

just spent £120 on mothercare.com... including a carrier - i have been researching for a couple months now and hope i've made the right choice as it's not cheap. i decided that cybex is too stiff and went for a mei tai style but more geared for newborns. i wish i had a newborn to try it out on!! got all the breast/sanitary pads, nappies, towels (ds' are worn out), lanolin, etc. very satisfying i must admit!!!

dylansmum - which one did you end up going for?

Morning all.

Having read all your posts last week about lists and such, I have been inspired and set about organising myself. DH says it's a bit alarming seeing me in hormonal nesting mode and it is quite unlike me!

I've gone through lists of stuff to buy, bought sheets and under sheets for cots, pretty much sorted DS's new room (put up curtains, blinds, new lampshade). We went to Ikea (not too dreadful an experience, but by the end of I was desperate to get out). About to order DS a new chest of drawyers.

On the subject of bad dreams - I keep having horrible nightmares - last night about vampires that was so vivid that I really didn't want to go back to sleep again. Last week I dreamt that I had been invited to a swingers party by Jude Law and turned him down!!

Well done for packing, needahand. Not quite there yet but thank you ladies for all your list advice.

Just been to Mothercare and Primark and bought muslins and pink things. I've also done two loads of washing so am feeling a little more in control.

OK. Shock horror. You know how we always whinge about poor service and rude staff. Well, I had the diametric opposite this morning. DS dropped my mobile down teh loo yesterday. I went to the Vodafone shop to ask about replacing it, and got such good service - was really impressed. I now have a new GPS phone (she swanks) and a contract that is 15 pounds cheaper a month!

Sybil, sorry you're not feeling too good. BTW, are you a huge T Pratchett fan? MY brother gave me 'A monstrous regiment' the other day which am reading.

Dylansmum glad you've got your carrier sorted. Even though you don't have a newborn, I'm sure someone somewhere probably has a small dog you can use to try it out ...

mellymel LOL at your jude law dream!! sounds like it might have been fun.

aberdeenhiker i decided to go for the Napsack carrier. i found this babywearer.com website really useful, i think i read reviews on about 100 different carriers. i wanted something that was soft but somewhat structured (have tried the pure fabric ones and they're just too complicated for me) and good for newborn, and also good shoulder and waist support. this seems to tick all the boxes and apparently the shoulder strap shape is unique and women on the website rave about it. so we'll see, fingers crossed!!

i just cleaned out the shelves under ds' change table, hoovered them (they're canvas), reorganised everything and separated 'baby' stuff from his stuff. already have muslins, small blankets and a few small bibs, etc. in the new baby's drawers! feeling very accomplished today.

lol upsidedowncake if i didn't think the in-laws cat would claw me to bits i might give her a go in it!!

did anyone try those ecoballs yet? been thinking of getting some...

Am having bad dreams and was woken by shocking leg cramps today- it's still with me now. Have looked at another local nursery...so odd to be putting her name down before she's even born.

Oh, and the summer maternity/breastfeeding clothes I ordered when it was warm last week arrived this morning as the snow is slowly melting!!

Have doctor this afternoon to discuss pain management. Hoping he'll listen to baby too- I just love the sound!

PS- my birthball was purchased in TKMaxx for about £8...

the napsack ones look lovely - I was drooling over them but then in the end went with the cheaper babyhawk!

makecakesnotwar - I know! We've already paid the deposit for the nursery for this LO - it feels so strange!

There was me thinking I was getting up to date with my lists etc, and now we're on to nurseries - eek!

Actually slightly miffed with DH, education is his specialty so I left him (several months ago) with the task of putting together a shortlist of nurseries. Despite tons of reminders I've had to really nag him about it. I really hate 'nagging' but what option are you left with when subtle and not-so-subtle reminders are ignored!

Anyway, he cracked on with some research over the weekend and kept mentioning nurseries, then commenting that maybe the location wasn't right etc. Surely, its common sense to start with a short-list of nurseries in the right location with the right facilities etc and then if on further investigation they aren't suitable you can widen the search. Grrr. Am so worried that the best nurseries will be full already! People are obsessed about education in Edinburgh, and while I think nurseries should be about play, creativity and socialisation rather than preparing them to get straight A's in school, I dont want the LO to end up in a rubbish one. Ooops, sorry have ended up ranting.

I have to confess that I put my baby down for a nursery in September 2009 last week. It's terrifying.

Last time I didn't put DS down until 6 months before he was due to go, and I couldn't get my first choice. Second choice has been absolutely fine though.

Afternoon all.
Hmm, beginning to have second thoughts on the washable maternity pads if 12 times a day is a normal change. Even the biggest packs you only get six - for £18!!! I just HATE the thought of sticking stuff like that in landfill. But that much washing is probably just as bad. Ok. Mothercare it is then. Will buy them next month.

Went to the midwife this morning and either my iron tablets/ steak meals kicked in really quickly or I wasn't anaemic in the first place, as my overall count is 11.8 - my booking in one was 10.7. So am out of the 'danger' zone and that's another thing they can't use to recommend against homebirth - ha!

Baby's heartbeat was pounding away and she's still in the same position so looking good. Wasn't my usual midwife as mine is on holiday, and it did make me feel warmer towards my usual one (who can be a little brisk sometimes) as today's temp was downright odd. Perfectly nice, but barely said a word and told DH he could sit in the corner!

Ok, lunchtime. Catch up later.

PS. Whoever had the chemically smelling moses basket - I would AVOID this. Try freecycle?

Well folks, I've just had been offered the job I went for a couple of weeks ago!!!!!! Woo hoooooooooo I'm very pleased about it as you can imagine as it's got better opportunities than my current one. The big question now is whether I change to the new role before I start my maternity leave - the job's still within the same company and I still have 9 weeks of work left . I can't make up my mind which would be easier.

Sounds like you guys are all getting very organised. I have to confess that I have loved organising the clothes in my little ones nursery - I can't believe how small the baby gro's are - they are just so cute.

My ds decided to go outside and help daddy at the weekend, only neither my husband or I knew anything about it as he let himself out the backdoor (I didn't even know he could reach the handle to open it). THe first thing I knew was when I saw this little head disappearing down the garden steps whilst I was standing in the kitchen doing the washing up!!!! He's only 19 months and not allowed out in the main garden on his own as we live on a steep plot with lots of steps!!!! My heart went when I saw him. I ran out the kitchen to go and rescue him but somehow in the process I have pulled a muscle in my 'buttock' . I am now hobbling as everytime I move it's excrutiating but at least my ds is safe!!! I bet he thought he was so big and clever going out to help daddy! Daddy has been told not to wave at him through the window in future as he obviously thinks it's an invite. In fact daddy has been told to get a move on and put up the gates that will stop him being able to go downt the steps by himself! Oh well, I'm hoping the pain will ease as I am having to tell everyone at work that I have pulled a muscle in my back as I am too embarassed to say it's a muscle in my bum!

Despite living on the far south east coast, we had loads of snow yesterday - a good few inches and it was still here this morning. What crazy weather, glad I didn't go into labour this weekend as I would have been paranoid about the drive to hospital!

PS. Re ecoballs. They have worked well on everything - including the towels we use for bedding for our pet ratties (which always have a bit of poo/ wee on them and sometimes need two washes with detergent).
The only thing which didn't come out well was DH's stinky workout t-shirt - it still smelt sweaty. But the end result was the same as when I use Ecover at 40 degrees on it - will just bung it in with the next wash.

You can get them on ebay for £25 including postage, instead of £35 (normal price) and first impressions are that they're well worth it.

Because they bounce around the wash as well the clothes come out drier and softer (I don't normally use softener so the difference is v noticeable) - bonus.

Congrats Josie - that's great news. Big decision though - can you cope with the work/pressure/hassle that might come with the new post?

On mat pads - do you think special maternity pads necessary or would the old fashioned brick like sanitary towels work just as well. TMI ALERT - I used the brick sanitary towels with m/c and they did the job. Haven't started buying any yet but I imagine that maternity towels more expensive as they are part of the whole baby industry. My local chemist did the brick like pads for 99p for 12.

greenfairy - completely know what you mean about landfill, but as a very good friend of mine who is a green campaigner once said to me the 'green' product alternative has to be fit for purpose and I'm not convinced either that reusable mat pads are up to the job post-pregnancy!

the ecoballs sound good! We've given up on poly clothes for work out wear because of the stench factor and have switched to fine merino wool. It's more pricey - but if you can convince your DH to try it, it really is great for reducing smells!

josie - oh my - I'd be panicked if DS slipped outside without me knowing! (congrats on the job too!!!)