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

Oh yes, I totally agree that if men were the ones to procreate, then the human race would cease to exist. But the thought of maternity clothes for men does seem to bring me a bit of joy. Just yesterday, DH was complaining about the new clothes about -- completely forgetting that not one of the pre pregnancy items of my wardrobe fits (oh, apart from my socks of course). I try to explain to him that maternity clothes shopping is not actually a perk but an unfortunate and tortuous consequence of pregnancy. He doesn't understand, which comes as no surprise.

Hi there all.
MrsW - I'm a lucky cow, I get my next scan at 24 weeks already (but I paid for that one) and then another between 29 and 32 weeks. My doctor tends to whip out the scanner every time I go anyway.

Jonah - I'm small too and my main problem is with lengths of trousers. Petite ranges are unheard of in Germany and even the supposedly 'short' trousers are too long for me. For this reason I tend to buy skirts and dresses - they're a bit longer on me than they would be on normal-height people, but at least I don't have to fiddle around turning them up. Got a long demin skirt with a panel from H&M which I really like, and an absolutely wonderful, long, soft, stretchy skirt from a little shop over here where two designers sell their own collection. I haven't attempted to buy maternity tops yet, but I can see the sleeves problem coming at me...

ah, this must me the short people pregger thread. Mee too. 5'-1". Wherever I live, I get to know the cleaners/tailors well. Sleeves and pant legs ALWAYS need shortening, even for petites. These days, my favourite place is pretty much Blooming Marvelous, then off to the tailor for alteration. I just accept the tailor bill as a fact of life for stunted growth.

I think we should get NHS vouchers for alterations

Hi everyone - how's it going?

Do we have numbers for the meet- up yet? Am I the only one not bringing the bump's sibling?? Not that it will persuade me that coming into London with dd on the coach or train is something that I want to do!! Just curious, I'll bring a picture. I have cleared it with dp and am definitely coming. It will be strange to see people in real life, I'm sure I will be getting all my facts about everyone all mixed up. As for learning and using real names, well, let's just see!

I was reading Pink's latest post and as we all know has a lot to cope with, but also seemed to not being enjoying pregnancy a great deal was what I picked up.
This got me thinking; how do you all feel about being pregnant?? Personally I love it (but I have had ~touch wood~ a trouble free time)! Loved it last time, and now the sickness is over and the bump is showing am loving it more. I even enjoy wearing maternity clothes to an extent and definitely love my body shape as it grows. Today I was chatting to someone and realising that as the 20 week scan is looming, that's half way already! I'll be sad when it's over, although hopefully this wont be my last pregnancy (although will have to put up wanted flyers on lamp posts for my sex drive to be returned!)

Am I unusual, lucky?? Or do some of you also feel the same about your pregnancy, changing body, or is the baby at the end the focus and pregnancy just a nuisance? I obviously love having the baby at the end, but then I also realise I have to start working on getting my body back and that involves hard work and determination, boring!!

On the builders front, my neighbour came home for lunch today to discover one of the builders has put his foot through the ceiling of her spare room and covered all her clothes, which hung up on a rail, in black dust. I suppose it was inevitable really! I was just relieved that dd hadn't got the same treatment in our equivalent room!

Oooo Lippy, you are lucky as far as I know. I hate being pregnant... hate it, hate it, HATE it. The only reason I endure this misery is because it's the only way too get the cute little baby I want. Pregnancy sucks. Do I make myself clear?

Sorry for moaning, but you asked.

I vary from day to day really and it's all to do with sleep and how I am physically. Some days it's great others I dread getting heavier. I feel quite proud that I've managed to do it all!

Hello. Bit busy at work today but thought I'd just pop in quickly.

I can't say I'm either loving or hating being preg at the moment - just sort of getting on with it.

I don't like the fact I'm looking fat but I know I won't mind once I have a very definate bump and people can tell I'm pregnant.

All in all I'd say it's been OK and I think I'll enjoy it more and more from this point on.

I'm with you Lipstickmum - I'm loving being pregnant, especially now I'm through the tired and looking-fat-but-not-pregnant stage. With my DS I didn't have the easiest time as my mum was dying so I spent a lot of the time feeling very stressed, so this time round I'm determined to just enjoy the pregnancy. Having had a m/c and seen a friend go through her second one recently, I'm trying to remind myself how lucky I am to be here too.

Blimey, bit of a heavy answer to a light-hearted question...sorry girls! Bet I'm not quite so positive about being pregnant in a couple of months time!

About feeling preganant....
I have to say it varies. Most of he time I enjoy it, I think. Last time I was in awe most of the time that my body was actually growing a child, and I think I loved everyday. This time around, the awe is not such a factor, so I do get grumpy sometimes. Also, with one DD already out I don't get as much time to chill and be in awe, so sometimes the bump is just in the way IYKWIM....
I have to say though that I never think of me as fat, even though it seems like I put more pounds than anything else here.... I think pregnant women are beautiful. So for all of you that hate the way you look, rest asured that if I saw you in the stree I would think of you as beautiful!

I'm with sweetheart, neither loving nor hating it, just getting on with it. I feel very lucky to be pregnant when my brother and sister-in-law tried in vain for five years (thankfully they have now adopted a beautiful little girl, otherwise I think things might be a little bit awkward between us). I also feel very lucky that the pregnancy has, so far, been problem-free. But I think because dh's health is so poor most of my time is focused on him, and the bump just has to get on with things really!

Ooh Lippy I'm definitely with you, I lurve being pregnant, from start to finish! We were told we couldn't have kiddies so ds was a BIG but wonderful surprise, and I enjoyed every moment of that pregnancy. After that we thought we'd try again and see what happened and three months later I was pg again, and I've enjoyed all of it so far, and am sure I will continue to do so. Obviously there are times when I'm annoyed but that's more to do with other people rather than being pg...like when everyone on the train/tube develops a sudden urge to read/sleep and not notice that you're pg and would love a seat! Having said that of course I only had a 5 hour labour with ds and an epidural (wonderful, wonderful invention!) so I may not enjoy it right to the end if things are different this time around!

Re the London Meetup, I think we have;

Me & ds
Uwila & dd
Scraggy
Pink
Welshie & dd
Lippy
??

What time would suit everyone? 12.30 / 1pm?? I could get there for either...but I guess we should book real soon just in case! Anyone prefer a different time?

Oh and I love the comments re the sex drive, he he he...dh only wishes I'd lost mine!! Just when he doesn't want to hump a flump I go into overdrive

Can I put in a request for a 12pm start time. DD needs to eat by 1230 and it might not be quite so crowded a bit earlier. If it's difficult I will of course fit in with everyone else.

I think 12 is a good idea. Not too early so as to allow people who are travelling from afar to get there. But always a good idea to beat the rush when young kiddies are involved.

By the way, are we revealing real world names before we meet up? I don't know how I feel about being referred to as "Uwila" in public.

It's going to be so strange for you all! I hope you come back and give us northerners a full run down of what everyone is like.

Afternoon everyone!

Heard bubba's heartbeat for the first time today which was really exciting. my lovely midwife said that although there are no antenatal classes in the area, she'll quite happily come to our house and do a session or 2 with me and dh as my due date gets closer - I was impressed!

I'm a shortie too - just 5ft on a good day

Next seem to be the only place that does maternity petite, but I really can't afford their prices this time round - luckily I still have 2 pairs of jeans from last time.

I got loads of really cheap (but not v fashionable) stuff from BudgetBumps which is second hand stuff and really good service. About to have another trawl through!!

McMudda - I'm so pleased for you. Its so lovely, isn't it?

Its great that there are other short people like me in the world . I am also convinced that my tailor (interestingly enough, he is my height) knows my entire wardrobe.

Re pregnancy, very good question. I'm with Tribpot and Sweetheart - just getting on with it. Sometimes I do enjoy it. I do quite admit to like the feel of a round bump in front of me, but I am very conscious of the fact that I'm not even half way there yet and feel HUGE. I have to put effort into standing up from a lying or sitting position. The bit I hate is not being able to drink. My DH and I usually have a glass or two most nights. Not to get drunk, but just to relax at the end of a long day. Terrible habit, I know, but there it is. I can't believe none of you have mentioned this. Am I the only alcoholic here??? Considerately enough, my DH seems to be drinking my share as well as his own at the moment. Grrrrr....

When I'm not worrying about losing the baby I love being pg. I've been bloody lucky though - no sickness and I've not had to give up much as I'm veggie and I don't like Brie and blue cheese. The only thing I'm really missing is the odd glass or two of wine. I adore my bump - I'm showing quite a bit already, probably due to being small I suppose, and am just thrilled with it.

Oh gosh, what did I just write, we're all showing aren't we? Yes - I am 20 weeks!!! Can't believe it. Somehow I find it amazing I've got this far.

Jonah - crossed posts - yes, as I said, I am missing a nice drink too! You're not alone!

JnoahB - if it's any consolation, now we're well over 12 weeks we can have 1 or 2 units of alcohol, once or twice a week, but I have to say that although I've only had maybe one glass of wine a week I feel so guilty that maybe skipping it altogether would be better!!

My mum is utterly shocked at me having an alcohol at all, but then I'm utterly shocked at her choosing to bottlefeed me from birth, horses for courses or sumfink like that I guess!

And it's only since 18 weeks that I've started to enjoy being pg. I feel like i've just woken up from being Mrs LethargicSackOfPotatoes for the past few months. Feeling kicks has made a huge difference too.

And my best friend from school (we go waaaaaay back)is due a week before me which is so exciting cos with ds none of my close friends had children - I was the first in my circle of friends. This time round I can "share" it with people I know! well

Wish I had a preggers close friend McMudda! Does she live near you (you moved didn't you?

I've LOST about 3lbs! I think it's because I've stopped pigging out over Christmas though.

Definitely feeling movements a lot of the time now. So something else to worry about now on those occasions I can't feel them....

Ooh - can't wait to hear a heartbeat - can you hear it with a stethascope? I think you can get them from Ebay.

Charleypops - yeah that's the best bit - she's in Edinburgh and I'm just outside Glasgow now. I was in Hertfordshire so now we can meet up more often. She is so excited about her bubba it really is infectious talking to her about being pg. Can't wait to get together and compare bumps! Dh and I are actually really liking her first name for baby if it's a girl, but I can't tell her that in case we change our minds between now and June!

Hello everyone!

Well, I told my boss today! Am pleased it is all done now - he said he knew already!!!! I don't think he did, bet he was just saying that... anyway, he has now decided that we are going to centralise all functions at our London office and send everyone in Wales off to do some home-working as a temporary arrangement while I am on Maternity Leave!! I kid you not! I think he's mad!! Oh well, it's up to him at the end of the day. Then, the cream is that when I come back we can open an office... wait for it... practically on my doorstep! I must've sold my soul to the devil or something!!

Anyway, less of all that... must get back down from Cloud Nine (or is it Cuckooland???)

I am NOW enjoying being pg. I think my friend swung it for me. She was telling me all about how she enoyed it (she did say she enjoyed giving birth as well though, so maybe her opinion isn't the sanest), anyway, somehow hearing what she had to say made me feel quite gooey too! So, now thanks to her, I am enjoying it too.

Welshmum - would deffo like some info if poss. Don't mind writing myself if that's better... let me know.

Pink - Is 12 too early for you for the London meet up? I would have to get the 8.30 train from Swansea, which I don't really mind, not sure what time it'll pass through Bristol, about 10ish I think?

This morning I was really ill again... I had to get the train at 7.30am to London and thought there would be a travelling chef on board, so planned to get a breakfast. Well, baby had other ideas!! At 7am I was sat on the end of my bed retching as I hadn't eaten. Luckily I had some biscuits in my room so I wolfed down about 6 of them and immediately stopped!!! My baby is very demanding!