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

OMG! I am just back from 20 week scan... baby is healthy and big and it's a BOY! Everybody was convinced it was a girl, so we are all very shocked. I am actually laughing myself, because I think it will be fun, my DH through is in mourning.... and ask me a couple of days before he can start talking about names. I however need to start talking names now! since I have been only considering girls names so far... I guess Isabell is not a good name for a boy, is it?
I like your names katz, but I am like Uwila, the name has to work in portuguese and english, and fit with last names, and, and... it hard to ever get one through!

Oh, yes. Forgot to respond to the travel system question. Sorry. The reason I say they outgrowm the so fast is because it is not very long until you are ready to move up to the lighter weight variety. At only three months, they can sit recline rather than flat, and by six months they want to sit up. DD decided she wanted to be reclined to see where she was going when she was about TWO WEEKS old. So she never really did lay flat. Oh, I know, it was against the guidelines, but I figured if she was happy that way that was more important. So, if you are going to ditch this big clunky travel system thing for a more maneuverable MAclaren variety at say 3 months old, then is the travel system worth some £300. Not on my budget.

However, I will say that being able to clip the car seat into the pushchair was a feature I liked. I just don't think I liked it quite enough to pay all that money for a few month's use. The MAcLaren Techno is good from birth. That is probably what we'll get. I just need to convince DH that we want to get another pram. He like to remind me of the FOUR we have already gone through. Although two of them are just lightweight unbrella strollers that our kept in the boots of our cars. My aim is to avoid the twin pram and convince DD to get on a buggy board. I'm not terribly confident of this happening, but I'm going to try.

Lua how did it go with taking your little one to scan? was you who said you were wasn't it?

Blimey, there's been some chatting on this thread recently!

Congratulations on the little boy Lua! And really pleased that your scan went well JonahB - did I miss it or have you not found out what you're having? Glad you are feeling your first kicks Berolina, it is the most magical feeling in the world, and I'm finding it just as special and exciting second time round. Who's up next for scans? Is everyone finding out what they are having?

My little stomach-lodger is a very busy baby indeed - I'm feeling loads of kicks, rolls and general jigging about, particularly at bedtime. DH even got to feel one this morning.

Love all the name choices so far, but haven't got anything to add to the debate as we haven't really got very far in the discussions yet. With DS it was easy as DH wanted to call him after his grandfather (Thomas). Of course, every other boy in our area is called Thomas which is a bit annoying. I'm Sarah and was one of 3 in every class, which I hated but unfortunately DS is going to suffer the same fate. Girls names are hard because DH has two sisters who have two girls each so loads of good ones have already been taken. There is another baby on the way actually so I think we'll just wait until that one's born so we can cross that name off the list too.

Sorry Katz,I backed off. I forgot the appointment was 10:30, and decided in the last minute that didn''t want to risk the long wait in the hospital....
She did give a big kiss in the bump today - the first one! So I feel extra guilty for not taking her...

Uwila, Thanks for the advice, it is appreciated.
Lua - congratulations on your little boy!!! One of each will be very nice.
Mrs Wed - I didn't find out the sex of the bump. I would like to have a lovely surprise on the day (working on the basis that i'm wont be too tired and sore to care).

I'll join in the whole name debate. Our choices so far are:
Girl: Miriam Rose
Boy: Isaac Powis
Before you all leap up with horror at Powis, its my DH's middle name and a family name and he's really keen to keep it going. Rose is my grandma's name, who was a huge part of my life when she was alive. As for the first names, we do like biblical names. We love Miriam - I have a close mate called Miriam and we have been telling her for years that our daughter would be named after her. Isaac is the only boy's name we dont both hate with a passion, although I realise there's a good chance that his mates would call him Zac.

So come on guys, feel free to tell me that they're awful, I wont be offended.....

Lua congrats on your little boy you're going to have sooo much fun, they're great (not that little girls aren't!)

Re the travel system/buggy questions Sweetheart I don't know the specific pram you're talking about, but have heard generally that the bebe confort's are great and sturdy so it should last. Jonahb we bought a brittax travel system for ds and that's great cos the seat is what they call variable or multi position (you have ties you pull/realease to adjust the position of the seat) which means that you have greater control on the position your child sits at - great for very young babies where some of the buggy first seat positions are too high for their little backs. I loved the fact that I could clip the seat into the pram from the car and I used it until he was about 6 months and too heavy (big baby!) for me to feel it was safe. Yes the pram itself is heavy and you'll probably want a small umbrella fold to short trips/hols, but for whole days out shopping which my ds has had to endure loads the fact that the seat is slightly more padded and bigger means he could sit comfortably for a long time, and the shopping basket is huge where some of the smaller umbrella ones don't have any to speak of, and most importantly we still use it now for an all day trip, and used it exclusively for the first 6 months. I guess what I'm saying is it depends on what purposes you want your pram for. It may suit you to actually think in terms of buying both a travel system and a smaller lightweight buggy and budget accordingly - I think our travel system was £170 and the umbrella fold £35 - which makes the two about the same as an M&P Pliko (which I also like and are lighter than my Brittax). Incidentally we used the car seat from the Brittax until he was a year old (it went up to 29lbs) and as I said he was a big baby, so I think I definitely got value for money out of mine. Sorry this is abit long

P.S. Isaac I like, Miriam reminds me of Dr Stoppard. Mind you I have Lucy for a girl and that sounds like it's going to be extremely common (in the nicest sense of the word!)

Is it only me who isn't going to let on about chosen names???? I'm the weirdo

well i thought i was the weird one as everyone in the "real-world" seems to think i should be keeping our chosen names a secret!
we've picked poppy for a girl and oscar for a boy but it does keep reminding me of sesame street
lua and tessie-congrats on your scans,how lovely

Forgot to say hello to Tessiebear earlier - it's been ages! Glad you're back.

JonahB, I'm also going for a surprise. For those of who don't find out we'll have to do predictions nearer the time. Like the name choices too, particularly Isaac - I'm struggling to think of any boys names I like. Or girls for that matter.

Lipstickmum - not weird, just careful! Do you know people in real life who come on here?

I really must go shopping for some maternity stuff, the only clothes I feel comfortable in are my pyjamas now. Poor DH, that's all he ever sees me in these days!

Right, off for a game of yahtzee with DH - he's not been home much recently so to celebrate a Friday night in together we are going to push the boat out and have a game instead of just watch tv...wild eh?

Ooh ooh ooh! Felt a proper, proper kick!!! Two to be precise that I could feel from the outside with my hand on my belly!! Just typical that dp is away ski-ing, hope baby does it again tomorrow for him! Am so happyyyyyyyyy !

Pink - Try a good curry or some nachos with jalapeno peppers and cheese sauce for constipation. If that's not to your liking then Deflatine is a definite "cure all" in my book!

With regards to names, I am definitely working along the lines of what the nickname would be. I se no harm in nicknames, and I think it is far better to set what that nickname should be rather than let the kids in the playground pick something cruel.

I can't remember who was after a name that worked in Portuguese, but my friend who is Spanish had Clara for a girl and Isaac for a boy, not sure if that would work in Portuguese too?

Although Lucy is a common name we really like it. We want Valerie as a middle name after dp's mum who passed away last year, and it is difficult to find a name which works well with that. Also, we can't have Js (too many around), can't have Ms (we are both Ms) and can't have Rs (surname is an R), so our choices are somewhat limited again. We have nothing at all for a boy. Dp keeps teasing me and saying we'll call him Hercules or Archilles, which gets me really wound up!! We do quite like Sam though, so maybe we will settle on that.

I know you guys were all talking about alcohol the other day and I meant to comment, but comepletely forgot. Personally, I have a glass of wine or two if I feel like it and I don't if I don't. I know... shame on me, but I'm just not one of these people to be over-cautious. However, should you fancy trying it, I bought some non-alcoholic tipples over Xmas, which are fabulous. Check out this site -
www.lono.co.uk
They do EVERYTHING and it is so nice you honestly cannot taste the difference and it is so nice to be able to have red wine and cheese or white wine and fish or a bottle of bubbly to celebrate. I am very very impressed with these guys.

Have a lovely evening everyone. x

Lipstick - that is not weird at all! My godson's name was kept under wraps until the birth - despite me asking what it was going to be.
BUBALOO - love the name Oscar - doesnt make me think of Sesame street because i already know an Oscar - Blonde, very clever six year old boy!!!!
Mrs Wednesday - it does seem like ages ago that i was on here - has anyone seen Cobweb around????

katzguk - Persephone ? I rather like a girls name shortened to Percy. Though you said no P's Oh now I think of it I rather think of claiming it myself...

I have Athena or Osiris, though I did dabble with Maatkara (truth is the soul of the sun ; girls name) however I thought nobody would be able to pronounce it. I also toyed that it could be shortened to Marti. Also I think a mixed race baby means I can get away with far more kooky names.

I would have to agree being called Lucy was completely uninspiring and at times annoying... no offense meant. I am really called Catrin though but my mother didn't ever want to call me that - my aunt nicked Lucy for my cousin when my sister was born so they waited a while and made it my middle name. I hate Catrin it is a ridiculous white middle class name and being black it is absolutely nonsensical. I am thinking about dropping it legally as I don't really recognise when I am being called at the dr's. I hate it with a passion. Lucy isn't that bad now but I still think its a boring safe name and you are never really anything other than one of the Lucy's same as names like Emma and Sarah

I think whatever you name a child it will hate it at some point. Better something interesting than common if you ask me... but then I have always lived in the clouds...

scraggy, I was the one that was looking for a name that works in portuguese too. I adore Clara and it was in my top 5 list. Unfortunately, baby has a willie , so Clara is out!

I am very [envious] of all of you that have been feeling kicks!!! I have felt very little, but I discover duting my scan why... I have an anterior placenta, which means there is a placenta between kicks and my skin, so makes it harder to feel things.

You londoners meet tomorrow, right?! How exciting! Have a brilliant time, and don't forget to give us northeners a report!

hi lua,
i also havent really felt much-just an odd sort of rumbling in there and it only seems to be when im in bed-probably because im relaxed then
i dont think the london meet is until next weekend as i was in two minds whether to go but im a bit on the shy side so i dont think i will although im sure it'll be fun
just got back from the cinema.we went to see the incredibles which was actually quite good for an animated film-then again i loved nemo and shrek also
does anyone know if sleeping on your tummy squashes the baby? i know thats probably a REALLY stupid question to ask but i just wondered

Oh Bubba I'm glad you said the meet was next week. I was beginning to think being me that I had somehow messed things up Gosh phew - hope everyone is oki.

Has anyone else really garishly outsized boobs now? I can hardly do anything without them in the way/painful. They are laughable - I always thought I was too big at a C-D. Now they are just like cows udders. I had to part with £29.99 for a proper maternity bra E - apprently the likelyhood of it fitting later is slim to none they are even in the way when typing Make sleeping a nightmare. I am sure they shouldn't get this big. They will never be the same again - I'll have to tuck them into my belt at this rate I don't seem to mind growing bigger in the chubbiness department - but the boobs thing is just destroying me, I always hated being so big before. Cos I don't look very pregnant yet all I get is pervy guys checking me out Ho hum. I mean a 34 E is just not necessary I am gonna fall flat on my face by the time the baby arrives

know exactly how you feel pink-mine are currently an Fand really uncomfortable!!

I think when you get to a certain point it just becomes uncomfortable sleeping on your belly. I still sort of do. Later on in must get very squished. Though I am no authority bubba.

Lua - I'm jealous I want to know if bumpkin is gonna stand proudly over the loo pissing on the seat or take to walking around the flat wearing a pair of my high heals badly applying make up. That said if it was a boy he might also take to wearing high heals around the flat Must be prepared for all eventualities...

Yeah they should have some sort of breast standardization. It is too expensive having big boobs. If I have to order a speciality industrial sized breast feeding bra I'll be none to pleased. I am glad I'm not the only one. I've come to terms with the fact they'll never be the same again. But I would like visable nipples at the end of the day, I have a feeling they'll be facing south by the end of it or never to be seen again

I think deciding names is a tough one. No matter what you decide there is an argument for and against, so you just have to go with what you like, what suits the baby and what fits with the rest of the family. On one hand it's great to have interesting names, but then again would anyone be able to pronounce them or spell them? Also being a bit different in the name department could result in lots of unfortunate nicknmes at school. On the other hand, is your child going to end up with a complex having a "common" name and not feeling as though they have any identity? Added to that, what is common where one person lives may not be common in another part of the country so how do you decide if it is common in the first place? The naming game is such a complete nightmare!!

As for boobs, I know exactly what you mean! It's hard work reaching round them to do anything! However, I'm finding that now my belly is beginning to swell they are starting to look smaller in comparison! You just can't win!

I read in P&B magazine that you're not "supposed" to sleep on your tummy. But it didn't explain why... perhaps you could post a new thread somewhere asking?

Dp got home from ski-ing last night, we ended up going out with friends for a few drinks which turned into dinner and more drinks. We didn't get back til midnight and then he started asking if baby was going to kick for him!! I think baby had gone to bed long before!! Hopefully, it'll happen today.

Morning ladies

Another one with ginormous boobs here - they enter a room about 5 minutes before the rest of me does. But the worst thing is I'm hyper-aware of them too, they're still really sensitive, so that combined with the sticking out further is really uncomfortable. I really don't remember them being this bad last time round, but then I do generally feel more pregnant this time. Makes me think it must be a girl this time, so different from ds.

Will hopefully find out next week, scan on 26th and dh and I really want to know what we're having this time. For dh I think he wants time to prepare himself if it is a girl - he is petrified of little girls bless him. He and ds are being Bob the builder this morning and fixing our shower, so they've just headed off to B&Q leaving me in peace - I will look up plumbers' numbers for later on...

Pink, I am not a million miles away from you - will be going to Southmead, what about you?

I thought that sleeping on your tummy was OK but just gets too uncomfortable. There is something about sleeping on your left side for the blood flow, but tbh you can't control how you lie once you're asleep I don't think. Until you get really big and need a winch to shift you anyway of course.

We have got precisely nowhere with names,except to rule out our second choice boy's name and all girls' names from last time. I like slightly unusual names as long as they are pretty phonetically spelt - I have a slightly unusual Gaelic name and nobody can spell it ever, and because of that I get all sorts of wierd pronunciations even though it's really not hard to say.

Right, I'm making the most of my morning of peace and going back to bed with some toast. Have nice Sundays everyone.

morning all,

boobs well mine are huge!! i start life at a 34F so having got bigger is just great!! for all you discovering larger sized boobs for th first mothercare do do larger nursing and maternity bra which are okay and reasonably priced.

I am currently watching DD's baby videos because we were bought a DVD recorder for christmas and i ma transfering them all to DVD. It quite starnge to think we will be going through it all again!

Hmm, are mine really the only boobs on this thread not to have swelled up to huge proportions?! Mustn't let dh find out, he has been monitoring their progress carefully waiting for them to become like Pamela Anderson's.

I guess I am a few weeks behind some of you ladies, so let's hope they catch up soon Mind you, quite pleased not to have had to buy any new bras yet, I haven't quite got my head round the possibilities and what week you're in (34?) when you're supposed to be the same size as after you've given birth or something ...

Well, I haven't got big boobs. And sorry to say I'm not the least bit jealous of those that do. I'm aout an A normally. And I might have gone up to b by now. I like to go running (which I will resume post pregnancy) and I always feel sorry for women who have to wear these massive heavy duty sports bras and are still bouncing all over the place. It must be painful.

Although your present and future dh/p's are probably happier than mine.

Hi All,

Teabelly, thanks for all the buggy advice and the "Miram" thoughts. I told my DH, he laughed and thought that was a good thing. Oh dear.

Bubbaloo, Oscar is a lovely name. Great choice. To answer the tummy sleeping qtn, I stopped sleeping on my front when it just got too unfomfortable. Then I knew it was time to stop. If it hadn't got uncomfortable, I'd have probably carried on.

Lipstick - I don't think you're wierd at all. The only reason I'm telling is,
a, I clearly give in to peer pressure easily
b, One of my friends didn't tell us her choice of names until about a week before her due date, which meant that it was impossible for anyone to give honest opinions. If you tell people earlier, I feel they can be more honest if they think it is a shocking choice.

I'm 5 foot and an F cup. Guess how stupid I look.My DH thinks its constantly christmas!!!!

Going back to my fav subject, I've been to a buggy shop today and I really liked the M&P Plico. Its quite expensive but seems the most mobile and light while doing all the jobs I want. Does anyone have any opinions on that one?