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....

Ohh my goodness! I've missed so much! Take care everyone who's going through rough times!

And Happy Monday everyone - we were probably the only people in the world excited about the time change as DS was getting up at 5am every morning and sure enough, he slept until 6 today. Of course we're still tired - but it just feels more human to be up at 6 instead of 5!

We spent the weekend in Manchester watching the World Track Cycling - it was amazing and DS was reasonably behaved (only one melt-down and there were tons of parents with toddlers having meltdowns in the concourse area so it was almost social). I did manage to get to some shops too - Gap maternity clothes are lovely - I wish I'd been able to get to a shop earlier than 30 weeks as I don't feel like I can buy mat clothes now (especially as this is the last planned baby). I also picked up Bravado nursing bras at Blooming Marvellous - they are so comfy! DH was encouraging me to buy them and treat myself but I found out later he thought they were around £15 each, rather than the £23 and £28 that I paid.

(down side of flying at 30 weeks - my feet ended up like balloons! and then I walked around in my shoes and got blisters - uggh!).

Neenz, I think we'll be on strike later this year too - but probably not until I'm off on leave. I still might go out and push the pram around - we're really struggling to recruit new staff because our wages are too low and it's making my job much harder so it's a double-whammy when combined with my pay. Anyways, I can totally understand how you'd be frustrated with waiting during a twin pregnancy - it's hard enough with how big and uncomfortable just one can be!

Morning! It is lovely here, hope it is for everyone else. Yesterday was sunny as well so we got the garden furniture out, which always makes me happier, feels like summer is on the way!

Debs - that cake looked great, could just do with a slice now!

I seem to be waking up all night with a combination of aching back and aching hips, just can't seem to get comfy. Going to try putting a pillow under my side tonight and see if that helps.

Morning all-

the cake looks awesome Debs...obviously the strain of your efforts were too much for your body!

Neenz- so sorry you are feeling crap. I can't even begin to imagine how much worse it s with two babies to carry! I think you should have a chair on the picket line...you see that all the time on the news...admittedly usually they are filled with old people.

Woke this morning freezing to discover that the heating and hot water aren't working. So I'm back in bed watching Army Wives on Sky, eating Ready Brek and checking emails. The exersions of the weekend have come home- I can barely move!I don't feel like food, I can't get comfy, I have rib pains that keep me awake. But you know what? I'm having a baby!!!!!!!! I'm so excited.

I'm with you there makecakes. I might be getting fed up but OMG I am going to be a mum at last. I had a nap yesterday afternoon after my moan on here and felt so much better. But then I couldn't get to sleep until 3am and I was up at 8.30 for the electrician so it is a vicious circle - will probably nap again this aft and then not be able to sleep tonight! Oh well, least I'm not in work (till tomorrow)

Will definitely be taking a chair with me to the picket line!!! And I'm only planning to go for the first three hours, should be able to manage that...

makecadkes - there's obviously something in the water (scuse the pun) - our water is completely out too. Went off on Friday and in between me ringing the plumber and him arriving, it worked again. You could see him looking at me and going 'stupid woman' in his head.

Then, it went off again on Sunday afternoon and we haven't been able to use it since and plumber can't come till tomorrow.

DS finds having a bath in the kitchen sink rather novel, but having to use buckets for loos etc is not amusing.

As a result of this an other stuff going on, I burst into tears on DH and once I started, just couldn't stop. DH said there was more water coming out of me than the water system! But just felt so bloody annoyed by the whole weekend.

Pass the virtual gin someone.

Make cakes, mellymel, nightmare water scenarios. God I hate plumbers. They are so rude! At least it's not as cold as it was. Sending you both virtual gin and wine.

(Have you noticed the way we don't have virtual creme eggs any more? Do you think it's because they are out of season now?)

Am feeling very cheerful as I've just spoken to a really, really nice sensible doula, and hope to be meeting her tomorrow night.

Debs - wow what a cake!!! I hope Stefan has a lovely birthday party and you get the sunshine you are hoping for.

Sophie - what an awful time you are having. I hope your friend seems sense in time as you've done nothing wrong. As for your BIL it sounds like the sort of thing you see on Watchdog!

Neenz - hope you are feeling more able to cope this week. We all have days where it feels too much but you do have more to deal with than most of us so I hope you are feeling brighter this week. At least work is nearly at an end for you .

We had an eventful weekend as we moved my ds into his big bed. It all went pretty smoothly despite the fact that he got ridiculously overexccited about his bed when we were putting the covers etc on. I feared putting him to bed that night as he had been jumping on and off it earlier and generally using it as a trampoline! But he was really good and snuggled up under the covers and went straight to sleep with no nocturnal wanderings to explore his new found freedom - I was so proud of our little boy . He was still in exactly the same place when I checked on him before I went to bed and still there in the morning when he woke up! However, last night despite going down to bed ok when I went in this morning he was sleeping on the floor I don't think he fell out as we didn't hear anything so I can only think that he got out but didn't get back in by himself. Fortunately we had put a duvet on the floor to protect him from any falls so it must have been reasonably comfortable but I felt a bit at the thought of him sleeping on the floor. However, it has all been a lot easier than I was anticipating so far so that is good news. Especially as my parents are coming to stay on Wednesday and I was dreading having him playing up at night whilst they were here.

On another note I went to a great nursery sale on Saturday, I think a group of mums had got together to sell off all their baby stuff. The stuff was so cheap - 10/20p for Next/Mothercare trousers!!! I couldn't help myself but buy some pink stuff as there was mountains of gorgeous baby girl stuff - but we still don't know what flavour we are having so my husband thought I had gone mad when he opened the airing cupboard yesterday to find a clothes dryer full of pink things At that price I couldn't but treat myself to a few bits and pieces.

ooops - rather long post

Can I ask a quick question of those of you with older boys and girls - what age did you introduce a pillow? I don't think my ds (19 months) needs one yet but as always my MIL says to me yesterday 'oh his cousin has been using one for ages they just put it under his sheet' His cousin is 4 days younger. I don't feel he needs one as he generally sleeps on his front so surely this is more likely to give him a crick neck???? Anyway, your thoughts would be appreciated.

Josie - my DD will be 3 in July and she still sleeps in a cot with no pillow. But most (well, all) nights she gets into our bed and has a pillow there. So as you will gather I am in no position to offer advice!!

Morning all

Neenz/ Debs sorry you're feeling so rotten.

Neenz - have also started the natal hypnotherapy CD now - have listened to the birth prep twice. The 'turn the dial down' thing is working already.
And the bit about eating the right food must be having an effect, as I've gone from stuffing myself on crap to only wanting good stuff, and not much of it. Weird eh? Have only managed a couple of mouthfuls of my lunch today.

Although the fact I've got hardly any tum left to put grub in might have something to do with it!

Hello All!

Deb - I am so with you on the piles and indigestion front... this pregnancy lark is no fun at the moment. Fab cake btw.

Neenz - I'm finding things a bit tough at the mo so have so much respect and sympathy for you with two (and those of you coping with other ankle biters at the same time!) Loving the visual of a pregnant woman with twins on strike - what a last day!

Sophie - I am getting thru mountains of fruit myself right now....in an effort to avoid chocs. However I seem to need about 6 pieces of fruit to every creme egg I would have eaten...!

Makecakes and Melly - Sending you virtual water .

josie - I bought my DS a cot pillow (smaller and flatter than a regular one) when we moved him to the bed at 20 months. He starts on it every night but rarely is using it by morning so I doubt he needs it. He really likes it though!

The other night DS got up for the first time in four weeks of being in a bed and started wandering. I woke up hearing footsteps and thought we were being robbed and was just poking DH to wake him when the bedroom door swung open and this little voice said uh-oh! Unfortunately he was wide awake and had trouble going back to sleep.

upsidedowncake - creme eggs seem to be replaced by virtual drinks - but then now that we're getting that much more pregnant, we probably deserve the harder stuff...

Hello everyone, so many posts, have just spent 20 mins reading them all. Hope I didn't p* anyone off with my "failed home birth" epic post last time, I am really a nice, normal who bakes fairy cakes not some emotional screwed up hormonal obsessive (well apart from the fact I'm pregnant!)

BB xx

AH- thanks, I didn't know you could get cot pillows. LOL at the nocturnal wanderings as I am sure we will experience this at some point!

As for the virtual hard stuff. I have suddenly started missing the odd glass of alcohol so have had to contend myself with inhaling my husbands whisky when he has a glass - it smells soooooo goood!

Could someone pick me up a virtual bottle of wine? Having hell of a day with no let up imminent.... Had 2 minutes spare since getting here at 8am.

Hope everyone well (deb, sorry to hear about the piles - ouch). Are people finding that the heartburn is getting progressively worse?

Yes drama queen, heartburn just descended on me last week - oh the joy - but have found that downing the actimels takes the edge off...

But I'm with you all on the abstinence front - was fine but am now absolutely gagiing for a nice cold glass of wine...! Roll on June...

i second or third (cant remember count !!) that glass of something alcoholic

Got home to find landlord and his jack of all trades mate in the kitchen ripping up the kitchen tiles!!!! i knew they were coming as we have had water problems too, water keeps coming back up drains. Turns out there is a major blockage and they have to dig up floor and get to pipes!!! Right now when Im 30 weeks pregnant and have no dp here to help!!! aaaaaargh

Think gonna go to walk dog and sleep on beach with a takeaway!!!!

Oh well i have to laugh otherwise with all thats happening at mo id just cry!! At least i know lo is ok as the drill is making her kick like mad

on dp front the funeral is tomorrow and he will be home on Thurs eve. He had planned on staying longer but FIL said to him at weekend " So you will be leaving on Wed then wont you" Not sure how to take that if it is good or bad suppose he just wants to be alone

Sorry for long rant but cant hear tv so can only surf the net!!!

HI everyone, party was a success, sun was shining . We had a few games inside( they loved the dressing up eating chocolate with a knife and fork game), presents, food and cake then we did a treasure hunt in the garden with ice lollies for everyone when they'd found all the right bricks.

Went to see the Dr this morning, had to bare my bum and he even checked that I had no internal piles - lovely!! I have different cream so that's good.

Aaargh at LL Paro... At least DH will be home with you and the bump soon.

Are people finding that the heartburn is getting progressively worse? YES, YES, YES!!!

Just leaving working now (dead on 5pm) as for the first time ever am experiencing nipple leakage. Seriously freaky, bit exciting (I really am going to be a Mum!), but also weird and a bit uncomfortable. Definitely something I'd rather experience in the privacy of my own home for now tho...wish me luck with getting a seat on the tube, bearing in mind my bump is 30cm, no one can claim not to see me.... [hmmm]

Right here you go (((needahand cracks a magnum of virtual champagne open))) sounds like we could all do with a stiff drink (without loosing the style). All I have time for these days it to read your posts. I am so busy at work at the moment! And I thought things would be winding down!!! Roll on maternity leave.

And I have had one of these days today, I am so angry I am nearly in a rage....(((takes a gulp of champagne))).

So sorry for all of you who have water/building works problems, this is so the last thing you need right now!

Sending calming vibes to those who have plumbing problems and other stresses.................................

But I actually did a positive thing today. Having reading somewhere recently that you aren't meant to use car seats that are over 7 years old, I finally rang the Britax helpline today to check whether ours is ok (7 in March) and it is!! I am really pleased. Not particularly for the cost but for the sentimental reasons that I wanted this baby to have the same one that is siblings did - a bit silly I know. Anyway, it is a perfect carseat only missing the circle padding behind the buckle and I when I mentioned this they offered to send me a new one for free!!!!!!!!

Following on from the virtual alcohol, I guess I am the only one occasionally (very very occasionally) having the odd real glass then? (Sybil hides in anticipation of telling off...)

i have had champagne at xmas and a glass when we went out for meal once but not any else not cuase i dont want too but kind of gone off it!!! UNTIL TODAY!!!

latest update on plumbing!! Land lord says its blocked cause theres toilet paper down there! Well duh what does he think is there apparently i shouldnt put toilet paper down the toilet but have a bin!!!!!

think pipes are old and cant cope!!!

sybil - dont hide, I'm still having the odd glass of wine. I just needed a full bottle today and the only one I could get was virtual .

Although, have to confess as much as I miss the idea of drinking a glass or several while enjoying a cigarette (dramaqueen ducks out to avoid any anti-smoking tirades) when it comes to it, I'm very rarely in the mood for a glass. (In case anyone wondering I haven't had a cigarette since pre-conception ). Maybe its just because the solitary glass just reminds me of what I'm missing out on.

Paro - plumbing is clearly old and past its best! There's no way that normal residential loo roll usage should block any decent plumbing.

I really miss wine, but I still can't stand the taste of it. So I continue to drink my Beck's alcohol free.

How are all the plumbing disasters doing?

PP, did you get a seat on the tube? You've got one of those badges, haven't you?

And guess what! DS (28 months) for the third day in a row, asked for a potty before bath-time, sat down and did a wee. I am so proud!

(The first day, he got in the bath and took a crap there straight afterwards, which rather spoiled the effect)

I haven't been pushing him at all, just letting him go at his own pace, as frankly, I haven't felt up to it myself. Those of you with older boys, do I have to start the whole pants / sticker thing now or can we carry on being mellow? If I don't encourage it, will I have lost the moment?

And Paro, Spanish landlords are the pits. I remember getting blamed for blocking the shower hose ... I'd only been there three weeks and it was full of limescale!