Due June 2005, Thread 4

[Scraggyaggy]

Happy New Year everyone!

Following Katzguk's suggestion I've started up the new thread - hope no-one minds.

Well, I did absolutely nothing for New Year. I have the cold from hell so I was in bed by 9pm. I was very disappointed as we were supposed to be going to a party but I decided not to go as I wouldn't have enjoyed myself and then I'd have made dp miserable too. So, I celebrated by having a lemsip topup at 12 o'clock! (One for the books!) Hope you all had a nice time.

Have been reading your threads about what to buy and what not to buy. I started buying after Christmas as I want to start really enjoying this pregnancy now. Dp is incredibly worried that something will go wrong and we are tempting fate but I don't want to be walking on egg shells for the next 5 months .... yup 5 months already!!! Scary stuff!

Anyway, we have bought a Graco travel system as I have spent hours in the shops clipping and unclipping and puttin them up and down and I found Graco to be lightweight and really simple to use. Then I trawled the internet on boxing day and found that Toys'r'Us was doing some good deals.

Cot is going to be an Ikea special. They are so cheap, I just don't think you can argue and we are big fans of Ikea. However, if anyone has any experiences of this then let me know. We aren't bothering with the moses basket.

I've got a 2-way baby carrier from e-bay, which is still new apparently, although I haven't received it yet so I'll hold bck on judgement.

And then the mumsnet wanted and for sale boards are fantastic. I've got a bottle warmer and a travel cot through mumsnet. I'd reommend that anyone here use them.

There are three things which I need help with though:

• steriliser; microwave or electric??? Any opinions?
• breast pump; is there one which is comfortable and easy to use? I don't want to spend a fortune and then not be able to use it.
• baby monitor; I definitely want one. Am planning on sitting in the garden over the summer, and baby might not want to be moved. Should I get a normal one? A digital one? Has anyone used an under mattress sensor type one? Need big help with this one.

Have bought myself some books on motherhood and new babies too. Am such a planner, I need to be having a good read now so I can put all the theory to practice in 5 months time!

Hope you are all well and not being sick any more! x

Hi everyone - not been around for a few days - just a busy week!
I am like Scraggy - I like being pregnant now I don't feel sick - but I am still quite tired! I have started to feel movement too - and spend ages in the bath, watching for patches on my tummy to move up and down! Its my favourite part of the day!
I would like to go to the meet! I will have to bring dd cos dh plays football on a Saturday - but I expect she will love it!
I posted on here before crimbo about me not being allowed to tell the parents of the children I teach that I am pregnant - this is still the case!!! - I am showing now - and today a parent came and spoke to me and literally talked at my tummy! She then tried to get out of it by saying she liked my jumper - and was it new? - She then asked me if it was "just the one" child I had - obviously hinting! It is getting so akward - I've been told I am not allowed to say anything until at least half term! I really feel like as far as school are concerned my pregnancy is a dirty secret. Anyway - worse things happen - and with what is going on in the world it the moment, it seems a bit petty moaning about it.
Sorry for the rant

Thanks to katz and scraggy for giving me the website for nurseries and accessories (or something like that website! Got the carseat I wanted there for a real bargain and it arrive one day after I ordered, Amazing!
While shopping for a nother under the bump pants, I found this list of online sites that I thought some of you might find useful

www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/563012.html

some of them mentioned petite lines, hth!

scraggyaggy Gosh That is early for the London meet - however it is only one day. I hope it is a day when I am not feeling really sick though. I'll ring national rail enquires about the 8.30 train and get an exact time but I expect it is about 10am.

I wouldn't mind being pregnant if I could just get on with it an didn't feel sick so much and like I can't be trusted to drive a car dizziness and iffy vision made me feel less than safe at the wheel yesterday on my way to college. However I really think it depends how you are feeling. I just feel as I am so grotty it is a real hinderance. I have had thrush 6 times this pregnancy and I am off to the Dr on Thursday to have swabs - also I have become so much more physically sensitive I find I am often in pain. Not to mention constipation which won't clear up and causing sharp pain and abdominal cramps whenever I actually get to the loo. They have been treating it but I am still only going to the loo on average every four days.

I am sure pregnancy is a wonderful experience if it goes smoothly. I seem to have an array of physical ailments I wish I could stop moaning about them and get on with everyday things and wonder about the bump. However just now I wonder how to fend of the tiredness and sickness. Hope the dr has some valuable advice.

Hiya Pink,
Tip on thrush is to eat bio yoghurt in pregnancy. I too am prone to thrush. So, when pregnant I make a point of eating 2 or 3 bio yoghurts a week and it keeps it at bay. You might want to try it.

whos up for the spa meet? Sheffield, 26/27th of Feb please post on the spa meet thread

Hi everyone - YOu have all been posting like mad I see!! Welshie I think requesting an early lunch is incredibly unreasonable and SO typical of Mums who think the world revolves around them and their children, I shall be sitting at an adjacent table
Only kidding obviously, am just being smug coz I shall be footloose and fancy free for the day - hurrah! So, 12pm lunch is fine with me, I should be in London by 10 ready to hit the ground running with some shopping!
Am I right in thinking it's the Rainforest Cafe in the Trocadero we're going to? I know where the Troc is and I am assuming there will be a sign or something to the cafe? Which level is it on (the Troc is on 2 or 3 floors right?)
This also brings us on to the 'real names' thing. I can't remember who is booking this, but we will all probably have to know your name, although, will we rather stand out as a group I wonder ? I'm not going to put my name on here coz my middle name is paranoia, although I promise in real life I'll tell you!

Jonah, I do drink usually, but definitely not nightly like my dp who is like you; likes a glass or 2 to unwind. I will drink socially and am one of the naughty binge drinkers who will go out with the girls and get outrageously pissed on cocktails But basically, I can live without the daily dose iykwim! On Sunday I do have a small glass of sherry though, because I'm an old fart at heart!

Megi, I now think it's bloody stupid that you can't say anything, it must be obvious you're pregnant by now. I think the sooner your parents know, the sooner they can get on and deal with the change that will happen over the summer. I mean, what if one of them asks you? Wear a normal top that shows your bump and see if anyone asks, that's what I say It's not bloody fair.

What a lovely day it is today! We are being invaded big time to day, part of our bedroom is being partitioned off to make way for the stairs up to the new extension. It's abit depressing, that room will be so small when it's over, I'm not looking forward to it Anyway, good excuse to buy loads of House mags and look for ideas for our new bedroom after the work is finished

Totally agree with Lippy, Megi. When people are staring at your belly, it's time to fess up. Why don't they want you too? I think weird of the school to ask you to hide it not to mention just plain rude. Next time a parent has a similar converstion with you and they will -- why don't you just say "oh, I'm allowed to comment just yet." They will get the message and word will go around. Then, everyone will know, but you won't actually have said anything. I'd be a bit irritated with the school, to be honest. I mean I don't think it's their news to tell or to hide. Just because the school employs you doesn't mean they have the right to decide what personal news you may or may not bring to a conversation. Pregnancy is not something to be ashamed... especially when your clients are all people who hemselves have obviously had children.

Oh I find myself on your behalf. Must be the hormones going wild... or is it that your school is truly unreasonable?

or rather "oh, I'm not allowed to comment just yet."

bloody typos....

Megi, I agree with everyone else. I think your school is being rather odd. You can't keep it "secret" til Feb - I mean, your belly will be OBVIOUS!! They are being very very silly. Why don't you have a chat with them about not wanting to keep it secret any longer and drop the word "stressful" into the conversation several times? Might do the trick!

I've looked up the train times and they are having rail works on Saturday the 22nd so I would have to be on the 7.30am train to be here for lunch on time for 12. Is there any way we can make the eating bit of lunch 1? I'm sorry to be such a nuisance. Obviously I'll go with the majority, I don't have anyone else to worry about but myself so I can be flexible.

x

evening all,
glad to hear everyone is doing ok.
i also agree with everyone megi-i think the school is being really unreasonable and what scraggy says might be a good idea to try
im really peeved.i spent ages looking through a babies r us book at the travel systems and finally found one i liked which had all the xtras,looked nice,baby can lie flat and reasonable too.i phoned them to see if they had any instore that i could "test-drive" which they have and when i asked the lady her opinion she said "its very comfortable and we sell alot of them BUT we also get lots of complaints about the 3 wheelers as they dont have swivel wheels!!!!"
has anyone else used a 3 wheeler that hasnt got swivel wheels?
are they really that bad?
she told me that it just means that when your turning you have to keep going back and forth to go where you want to go-sounds a real pain so it may look like its back to the drawing board yet again
anyway sorry to bore you all with my moaning!

Megi - I have to agree with everyone else in how wierd and just plainly inconsiderate to one of their staff members personal feelings your school is being over this. What I would be tempted to do, as well as the "I'm not allowed to comment just yet" remarks, is make a point of wearing any tops that accentuates your growing bump. If they want to play silly b*ggers, two can play at that game!! You wont be telling anyone, and if parents jump to conclusions, great!

Well, my news for the day is that I've been for my 19 week scan this am and all Baby JonahB's organs, limbs, spine etc are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing. I am so happy . My good mood lasted until I realised that MFI had sent five damaged components of my new kitchen. FIVE!!! My joiner hasn't opened all the boxes yet. I tried to stay calm, I really did......

Oh, for all you smallies, I've just bought a fab pair of Next petite maternity jeans which actually fit!! Can I recommend them to you all!!

Megi - I thought they told you that you could tell everyone after the Christmas holidays?

bubbloo have a look on kiddicare.com and datoys.co.uk for pushchairs, loads chepaer than anywhere else.

Ahhh! Thanks you lot for your kind and supportive comments - they have made me feel much better!
Well...I do have an update on the situation. - I actually did wear a normal top yesterday, which is what probably prompted the comment from the parent - I had already thought of that one! . I also made a point of going out on to the playground to collect the children without wearing a coat so it was really obvious!
Today a parent wrote a snotty letter about not being informed about a change in my working hours (they've changed very slightly since crimbo). I gave the letter to the head, cos that is her department! She called me to have a chat and said that the parent was right to moan at her, and she was doing a letter to send out today. She then asked if I would mind if in the same letter she told the parents my news!!!!! I am so relieved! This afternoon I told my class, and at the gate several parents congratulated me - none of them seemed to mind at all! - It was written in the letter that I would be (all being well) overseeing their tests at the end of the year, - I think that will have put their minds at rest! Several parents also told me they had their suspicios - so I was right to be a tad paranoid about it!
Oh god - I start my Master's tomorrow - right when I have pregnancy brain! Wish me luck!

• Oh yeah - whatever time for the meet up suits me!

I have a 3 wheeler (Mac 3). Although, it isn't a travel system so I didn't use it for a new born. I actually bought it so I could take her out and go running in the evening after work. You don't have to back up, but you do have to lift the front (basically do a wheelie) when you want to turn. I don't really find this to be a problem. But, since i used it for running the fixed front wheel was an absolute must.

To be honest, I'm not really a big fan of the travel system. They cost a fortune, and after about 12 weeks, I want a smaller lighter contraption to push around. Something that fits in my boot and still leaves room for the shopping. I was so glad when I ditched my m&p pliko for a Maclaren volo. It was bliss. The travel system is nice in the very early days, but they outgrow it so fast it's hard to justify the price.

Boy, can I ramble on or what?!

thanks for the info uwila-i shall bear that in mind as some of them do seem quite expensive!
im going to have a look on the kiddicare site that katzguk mentioned to compare systems and prices so thats also really helpful-ta
congrats on your scan jonahb-my next one isnt for 2 more weeks yet but i cant wait and im really itching to find out the sex of the baby too
megi,im really pleased for you too-at least you wont have to worry about letting anything slip now and you can get on and enjoy your pregancy.also good luck for tomorrow-fingers crossed!!

Megi, so glad your situation is finally resolved!!

Morning all,

Jonahb great news on bubba's progress! Hope everyone elses scans went ok. Like you Bubbaloo I my scan's not til a week on tuesday but I want it now [stamps foot petulantly, he he he!]

Scraggy/Pink I saw your posts on the London Meet thread, how about we say that the table is booked for 12(ish) so that those bringing kiddies can have them eat before, and then everyone turn up when they can (aiming to be there by 1pm)?? Megi ther more the merrier. Lipstick The Rainforest cafe is in the Haymarket not the Troc (sorry) it used to be a place called Football Football (shows how old I am, he he!!). The haymarket is just passed Picadilly Circus (as if your going to Leicester Sq, but it's off on the right and goes down to Trafalgar Sq - sorry for my crap directions). I think Picadilly Circ may be the nearest tube, but I'll check that out. I don't mind booking it in my name (although as others have said, if my bumps anything to go by, I'm sure it'll be very obvious who we are!)...it'll be under the name of Hoskins if that's ok then, and if those coming want, you can email me on saint(dot)greavsie(at)ntlworld(dot)com and I'll give you my mobile number in case of any problems/holdups...

Better go any check on ds - alls gone suspiciously quiet so I'm scared what I'll be greeted by when I find him...!

aarrhh - preggie brain strikes again!!!

Rainforest Cafe isn't where I though it was!! Sorry Lippy, it's off Shaftesbury ave. Piccadilly circ is still the nearest tube tho...the web site for directions is here

Sorry

Ok, thanks teabelly, I know that area well enough to find it. A week on Saturday, how exciting!

i'm jealous of your Rainforest Cafe meet up - I've been there loads (before moving of course!) and the portions are huuuuuuuge and v delicious. I think they've got quite a good range of non-alcoholic cocktails too. Have fun

Aaarrhhhh!!! McMudda you've obviously never tried to book a Saturday. They will only take bookings if it's a Birthday party and there are a minimum of 6 kiddies! Otherwise it's a first come first served basis...their doors open 11.30 I think she said and they will only seat you once your whole party has arrived, aarrhhh - so girls what should we do?? I'm happy to pretend its a birthday party if you are, we have 4 kids coming so we could say the other 2 pulled out, there's not alot they can say about that, but it looks like we will have to agree on a time...what do you all think (I don't want to be the nasty ogre that makes the final decision - I have to do that at home most days, he he he )

I am happy to do whatever!

Can we put the booking on hold til tomorrow when Pink and I have managed to confirm train times? Is that ok? Sorry to be a nuisance. I'm up for the birthday party idea - can it not be one of our birthdays?

Scraggy I've posted on the meet thread - sounds like a good idea to me to wait until Pink confirms if she can...unfortunately it has to be a child's birthday...having said that I'm a big child - but I'm not sure that counts, he he he!