Due July 2008 thread - The Final Stretch!

[LikerabbitsBX]

Just thought I would start a new thread! x

Hi All,

HEFFA - can't remember whether you are on No1 Lo or you have some already but my BP went high towards the end of DD pregnancy. I forced myself to stay in rest and had a bath every day with lavender, ylang-ylang and marjoram essential oils -all of which lower BP. Put a couple of drops of each in a cup of full fat milk and pour into a WARM not hot bath just before you get in. Steep for at least 20 mins if you can. It worked for me.

PURPLE - poor you - my sympathies [hug]

SWEETKITTY - hope you are feeling better today.

TJUICE - not long to go until you are Mrs Tjuice I hate my married surname - it is horrible, but I couldn't double barrel as my first name is double barrelled - would have been too much.

Are we all getting too uncomfortable to sleep at night now - I know I am, every time I need to trun over - which is a lot, I have to shuffuffle around and sort the body pillow etc etc. Bump gets achey and all in all it's bloody crap - 7 weeks to go for me - thank goodness.

Finally got around to packing the H bag today and putting newbies clothes away (making space for them). I ordered DD a pram, highchair, dolly set thing from ebay yesterday (from her little bro/sis when they arrive) and am going to buy her a 'baby' doll - she loves copying Mummy. At nursery the other day they said she had been quite noisy in the afternoon - methinks it is because I shout a lot ( not in a bad way just at cats and misbehaviour) and she copies me Poor Daddy - he hates shouting! better out than in I say

DH has taken DD off for a few hours to see her GPs (his side) so I am enjoying being hime alone - a real treat. Housework and sorting cupboards, old clothes etc etc.

Take care all

TWINKLE - how are you getting on?

Hospital Bag

For you

2 or 3 nighties or PJs
Sanitary pads (heavy duty about 2 packs)
Knickers (disposable, old or tesco value!)
Toileties - shampoo, soap, etc
Hairbrush
breast pads
Lasinoh cream (start slapping it on as soon as you are feeding to prevent sore nips)
Pampers bed mats (good for underneath you just after the birth saves you having to ask the MWs to change the sheets)
Disposable wipes for cleaning the toilet
money for phone etc.
Clothes to go home in (comfy, stretchy ones - do not pack your size 8 skinny jeans unless you are Posh Spice)
Make-up to perk yourself up for visitors
LACTULOSE ? in case you need to stay in a few days and pain killers make you constipated ? makes 1st poo easier!

For baby

nappies, nappy sacks
cotton wool or wipes (cotton wool is useless at getting meconium off)
hat (even in July)
pair of scratch mitts
vests and babygros (number depending on how long you plan to stay - I would say at least 3 of each)
cute outfit to go home in
Muslins

Birthing bag

TENS Machine - unless you are already wearing it.
Birthing Ball - great for getting those contractions going again incase they ease off once you get to the hospital.
Old nightie / t shirt to give birth in
Pair of socks - believe it or not your feet can get really cold!
Disposable / old / cheap knickers and a couple of sanitary pads for afterwards
1 x nappy, vest and babygro & vaseline - smear it over baby's bottom before putting first nappy on. Makes the meconium very easy to get off without making baby sore.
Camera!
Some CDs so you can have whatever music you like playing in the background to help you relax.
A couple of flannels for DH to 'mop your brow' (makes him feel useful!)
2 towels (red or navy)
Some snacks to keep your energy up. I've been told those Lucozade glucose tablets are good.
Straws - rather than trying to sip from a cup and spilling water, much easier to sip through a straw whilst DH holds the cup.
List of people DH needs to phone to announce the news phone numbers
Maternity notes and birthplan

VALUABLE INFORMATION*

1. It is quite common for baby girls to have a mini-period a few days after they are born. shock It is a withdrawal bleed from the exposure to all the hormones in the womb.

(My friend told me this when she had a DD, otherwise I would have been frantic when it happened to my DD) RUMPEL

1. When your milk comes in (about 3 days after birth) they will be enormous, hot and rock hard. This extreme discomfort coincides with a happy hormone drop so don't be surprised if you spend the day sobbing. You'll feel better soon! ISAIDNO

1. Do not buy disposable paper knickers and maternity sanitary pads for after the birth, they are really uncomfortable. Instead buy some really cheap supermarket pants and Always nighttime pads. You can then throw away the cheap pants. sweetkitty

4 There are very few musts in either pregnancy or child rearing. Treat all childcare and pregnancy advice like a pick and mix counter take what works for you and ignore what does not. KAZ

1. The Lochia starts immediately after birth for which you require some form of sanitary pads. You may continue to experience pains similar to period pains for a couple of days after and possible pass a largish clot. This happened to me (the size of a small side plate) and I panicked thinking it was an undeveloped twin. After speaking to my midwife this is quite common (she'd had one the size of a dinner plate - I don't mean to alarm anyone!) but I had absolutely no idea what was happening and felt extremely scared until I'd received clarification. Best to save the evidence and show to MW or HV. Libraladyxx

1. Try and stay in hospital as long as possible, esp. until Milk comes in and your Baby blues start! As once you get home, thats it!!!! Also, try and see as many visitors in the hospital as possible, so you don't have to entertain them yourself at home! Jodie x

1. Do not wear expensive new nightwear or slippers when you are in hospital. The first time you stand up after giving birth, you will 'flood' a bit as the lochia will have pooled while you are lying down. And don't be embarrassed about it - the mws aren't! Poledra

8 Leading on form the last one you often can often flood when breastfeeding/expressing the number of poor Mums in tears I have had to borrow pads for from the wards white trousers are often not a good fashion look when you do

1. Really no point worrying in advance about embarrassing indignities during labour - you honestly will not notice or care what you do or how you behave when the day comes. Also, wear something during labour that you are happy to throw away. You may not feel like wearing it afterwards, even when it's washed.

10. If you get the chance before the baby is born (and your nesting takes full hold) cook loads of beef or quorn mince/onions/tomatoes and freeze it in take away tubs. When your new arrival appears all you've dp has got to do is boil some rice or pasta, defrost mixture and add mixed herbs or chilli beans for a really quick and relatively nutritious meal. You honestly will not want to cook.- Minkus

11. Buy Toni and Guy's dry shampoo from Boots or Batiste's version (much cheaper but not quite as good) from Superdrug. On those days post birth when your hair really needs washing but you are exhausted, and you need to leave the house but are worried that folks will think you've lost it because of the oil slick in your hair- these products are amazing and will make your hair totally presentable.- Minkus

12. I really think you can't cuddle them too much. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about wanting to pick your baby up all the time if thats what makes you both happy.- Minkus

13. If you have stithes down below or are even just feeling a bit bruised, get some super strength Arnica, also for at least a fortnight after giving birth have a bath every day with lavender oil in it. It's great for healing and preventing infection plus the lavender is really soothing. It's important to get even half an hour me time (especially if you have other DC). SWEETKITTY

14. Be prepared to spend the first few weeks sitting feeding your baby a lot (if BFing), have phone, drink, snacks to hand. I am also planning on renting some good films and DVD box sets for cluster feeding in the evenings. (I have lovely memories of feeding DD2 in bed with a good movie on). sweetkitty

15. Don't get worried if your baby doesn't poo every day, or even every other day, just be warned of the smelly explosion when it does happen. JODIE x

16. On the subject of poo (mm lovely) the first few poo's are akin to tar (very, very thick and sticky!), so try putting vasaline on babies bottom at each nappy change to make it easier to scrape off! JODIE x

17. If you don't manage breastfeeding or go onto bottles later on, make sure you invest in an avent milk holder. Fill your bottles with water as normal and take out and place the measured amount of milk in as and when required. Saves worrying about milk 'going off' when out for a day (especially in the hot weather). Water alone in a bottle won't go off. I found this was the best thing I bought. Libralady.

18. You?ll be AMAZED at how swollen your undercarriage is ? no-one tells you that. I thought it was my stitches but it was my bits It is okay though, sounds worse than it is.

19. Make sure you take loads of fruit (maybe even lactulose into hospital with you in case you are in for a few days and have drugs in labour). My DH went home with mine and the hospital had NO fruit/veg/salad and served up horrid salty food. Ended up with horrific constipation and had to get the Dr out a few days after birth

20. Following on from last point - fruit somoothies seemed to work well for me in first couple of days - you really want the first post-birth poo to be as easy as possible!!

21. Dare I say it...breastfeeding might well hurt to start with but this won't last forever and it is so worth it!

22. OK another one with TMI - especially if you push for a while, you may well have bad piles - do ask the midwives for treatment, not worth being embarressed! Also second lavender in bath - pref with epsom salts - brill for healing bits and bottom!

23. I carried a spare top with me for first few weeks as boobs would leak hugely at the most unexpected moments - particularly in Tesco for some reason... SHORTSHAFE

24. Hormones do strange things to you - dd was born in October and I found my internal thermostat was haywire - i perspired massively all of the time - to the point that my hair was wet (yuck yuck yuck) until she was about 2 weeks old. SHORTSHAFE

25. Babies can fire poo explosive distances - IME around 4ft! be prepared and buy carpet shampoo/carpet stain remover before the birth! SHORTSHAFE

26. Sometimes it is painful to pee after delivery jug of warm water containing few drops of lavender oil poured over your bits while trying to pee can help. If it does not it sounds disgusting but pee in the bath. KAZ

27. After an hour and twenty minutes, if still attached, your baby is not feeding anymore, s/he has fallen asleep! 40mins would be my maximum, and the sooner both of you can learn to feed lying down in bed, soooo much the better for night feeds and your sanity. Min912

28. If you feel hot&cold and a bit 'under the weather' plus perhaps one breast is a bit sore, it's not just post-birth knackeredness, you quite probably have mastitis. Don't panic, feed or pump on the affected side (I found pumping after a feed reduced the pressure), use a hot flanel, if it doesn't get better see the doctor. Min912
    28a mastitis normally effects 1/4 of a breast If practical (because it depends what 1/4 it is) try and feed baby so their bottom jaw is on that 1/4 this can help move the blockage which is usually the initial cause. As long as there are no medical reasons why you should not take most midwives recommend Ibuprofen as pain relief for this. Kaz

29. At some point you will very probably find yourself thrusting the baby at your DH/DP the minute they come in the door and running off to throw yourself on the bed in tears because you've had a mare of a day. This does NOT make you a bad mum, it means you are human. Tomorrow will be better, honest. Min912

Rumpel - thanks for the tip! This is my first I had high BP before I got pregnant but it went higher when we were moving house (unsurprisingly). I'll certainly give the bath thing a try because I'm trying to keep it down so that I don't have to be continuously monitored during labour.

I hate my married surname too, but wouldn't wanted to have not taken it. I was hoping to use my maiden name as a middle name but as its a very masculine man's name, I don't think it'd be fair to saddle a girl with it.

All the stuff for your daughter sounds so sweet! Is she excited?

Sleeping is a nightmare at the moment. I really couldn't get comfortable last night and got into a bit of state. DH eventually woke up and went to get me warm milk. I had a lukewarm bath as well, and he massaged my legs for me all of which seemed to help because I dropped off into a really deep sleep and didn't get up for at least, oooh, 3 hours. Which is quite a long stretch for me now!

Sleep is a big problem here too.. I think i had the dark circles from DD's but there worse now! LOL at the pile cream for undereyes.. Could do with a little firming up!
Bump is getting bigger and more uncomfi, Even to sit to watch TV.. I find i am dusting alot and watching TV these days...
Bough the nappies today and all the little things i need.. Hospital bag is taking shape!!
What nappies are you girls going for?? I have gone with huggies as there alot softer..

Mmm, I just had a 'brownie gateau' cake from Waitrose. Highly recommended

Minnie - I know what you mean about even watching TV being uncomfortable. I have a ton of cushions that I arrange around me and it still doesn't help.

Haven't tried the pile cream for undereyes although I have heard it's good. I find the Liz Earle eye cream stuff is rather good - it seems to have some kind of concealer or something built in.

Hello all.

Been lovely and sunny here today and warm! however ive heard its not going to last!

Been busy doing lots of stuff in the garden so feeling abit tired now.

Visiting both sets of parents tomorrow ( they live round the corner from each other- but about 50 miles from us) Going out for dinner for FIL's birthday which should be nice.
Plus Film time!, showing family the 4d scan dvd.

Agree with you all about not getting comfortable. Some evenings watching tv i get so fed up wirggling around the sofa trying to get comfy that i resort to laying on the floor!
Really gets me down some evenings and i end up all moody.

Just thought id share my latest find with you girlies...

Just bought some jeresy yoga pants from ASDA. Bargin at £6 each. I bought my normal size 12 and they fit under the bump well.
Plus whats even better at the mo with the warm weather they have 3/4 length ones.

Ive been wearing mine today and they are very comfy.

Hope everyones having a good day

Hi everyone

I'm finding it difficult to get comfortable too- but found something last night that has made a really big difference! I was looking for this nice comfy pair of bed shorts I have and put on a pair of dh's close fitting stretchy cotton boxers instead. OMG it was like wearing a cloud, they were soooooo nice and didn't dig in anywhere, all soft brushed cotton and gentle support- I might even take to wearing them in the day not just at night!

Minnie- I've bought both pampers and huggies, as last time thought that one was the best before ds was born- can't remember which one- but then once he arrived they just didn't suit his shape and they leaked lots. The other suited his body much better though so have got both to be prepared! Did find that as he got a big bigger pampers were miles better for his little botty (esp the ones especially for breastfed babies that absorb runny poos much better! They were fab)

Must admit to having used a bit of preparation H on my eye bags a couple of times in the past- but maybe my crows feet are just too deep as it didn't seem to do much. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm after a good exfoliation seems to do the trick for me.

OH no ds is watching "Cars" again and its getting to the tear jerking bit, gotta go and busy myself with something else so I don't end up a blithering wreck like I did yesterday...

Ooops too late one snivelling pregnant blob here dissolving in her own sobs

Evening all had a busy day went out and stocked up on maternity pads, breastpads, sanitary towels, cheap pants, bottles (got the Tommee Tippee closer to nature ones 2 should be plenty I'll just get some of those plastic cups to freeze some milk and build up a supply) also bought the cutest little pink outfit, even DP got excited. Then we went to see DD1's nursery teacher after her wedding, DD1 was so excited and she looked stunning even with being 13 weeks pregnant.

TJuice - just felt a bit weepy yesterday especially when the DDs were being really difficult. Better today DP is here to help. I feel so big and cumbersome too. I want to live in my maternity joggers and a baggy t-shirt right now.

gillythekid - I do the exact same thing if I don't feel too bad I go and do something and then I pay for it later on, we will never learn will we?

minipink - they cannot technically stop you having a homebirth they can recommend you don't but they must provide MWs by law (read it on here) as you say growth scans can be unreliable as well and I believe growth isn't at a constant rate so your baby could be going through a spurt and will slow down as space runs out.

heffa - thanks I agree especially with the lavender oil, it's great post birth as well for healing and even if you don't have stitches having a lovely lavender bath for 30 mins every day is great chill time, give your other half the baby run a bath and take your time with a book, thats my advice to new mums haven't heard about the milk thing though, does that make the oil disperse more. Am off to Holland and Barratt this week for some Raspberry Leaf tabs, lavender and ylang ylang oils. Am staying away from Clary Sage this time, used it last time when DD2 was overdue did nothing and it stank the house out.

minnie - having road tested every nappy on the market IME the best is Tesco's own label, cost a fraction of Huggies and Pampers, Huggies always leaked with my other two and Pampers seemed to sag and look full after about an hour and a few pees.

pigley - enjoy your evening the parents will love the DVD

minkus - aww poor you I'm v emotional too cried at seeing the bride and groom at the wedding today

best be off DP has got his marathon tomorrow so is stocking up on the carbs tonight.

sorry that was a huge post

ah Sweetkitty! Just the person!

You said you had a Memory foam mattress.. can i ask what one you got? been looking today and theres soo many to choose from. They arent that cheap so want to make sure we get a good one.
Any advice..Thank you

Oh now your asking it was a local bed place Bedshed or something.

Would definitely recommend one they are fab.

Evening ladies,

Juast popped in before I got o bed with my book. Been awake since 5.15am and tired now.
The full fat milk is becasue oil floats on water - so you can get chemical burns form essential oils in your bath, if you put veg oil in with the essential oils then yu could slip, so the fat in the milk diperses the essential oils into the water, plus milk is very good for your skin - just ask Cleopatra

I bought Tesco's own nappies too- Morrisons are quite good also.

Cannot stand pjs or anything around my bottom half in bed - I have been sleeping in the nuddy for months now - too hot!

HEFFA - DD is too wee to understand just yet - only 19months. She thinks my tum is a big seat and likes to bounce on it and poke me in the navel; - heebyjeebyemoticon!

PIGLEY - we've got an ortho mattress with a 5 inch tempur (or however you spell it) topper on it - comes like that - it is fab!!

Bought a birthing pool off of ebay tonight - need to get the liner and pump kit thing to go with it now.

Evening,
Glad you've all had a good day enjoying the sunshine! WE've all been to a friends house for a BBQ, (well her mum and dads house) IT's HUGE!!! They even have tennis courts and a boating lake! Anyway, had a really good day, they have 3 grandchildren, so loads of toys for DS to play with, so he's gone to bed shattered (a bit late ) We have a Christening tomorrow so hopefully he won't be over tired for that.

As for nappies, although we will be using the reusable ones we had for DS on a day to day basis, I've bought Pampers as I found Huggies leaked so much last time too. I've also heard good things about tesco's own brand ones too, and I've been using Boots own brand recently (there was a special offer) and they are OK, but seem to fill very quickly.

hi everyone

Have had a relatively gentle day as ds1 was at two parties and dp did the running around taking him and fetching him so I pottered in the garden. I'm feeling positive about all the veg and herbs I've planted although I hope I don't forget to water them all over the summer when this little one takes up all my time .

Purplejennyrose, sorry to hear about your crutches but at least it brings home to those around you that you really can't be expected to do much. I spoke to my midwife about positions for labour and she said that the position I used last time was fine - pretty much on all fours but my arms were supported by a big beanbag. She said lying on your side was fine as well, as long as you don't open your legs too wide, and that some women tie their legs together so that there's no chance of them going too far!

Re nappies (again) I also used tots and motherease wraps for a while, and found them a pretty good combination, but later on found the stuffables to be even more convenient.

Tjuice, I didn't realise the Danes were so legalistic about names! Is it something to do with preserving national identity, like the French board that makes pronouncements on 'imported' words in the language?

Pigley, thanks for the tip on yoga pants. I may be off to our big ASDA pretty soon.

Hope you all sleep well tonight and good luck to sweetkitty's dp in the marathon.

Quickie.....place a cork table mat on bump, the shakes and shivers are really quite amazing when wee one moves around

he he ! We do this with the Sky remote.

This babba seems to react to the weight of it and will try nudge it off
Great fun!

morning all. up early again, although i am knackered again . . .

i had a lovely "hen" afternoon and evening yesterday which was cool. my friend rebecca has said she would come over with some dvds to keep me company while my dp was out on his surprise bachelor party and she was so convincing that i was a bit gutted that it was just going to be a night in but it was all a ruse . . .

it was quite mellow really, i was pottering around, waiting for the window cleaner when her and another good friend showed up wearing trench coats, sunglasses and hats for some odd reason! they forced me to change into a summer dress and put on a ridiculous flowered covered bra on top and go out . . . but it was just over the street in the lovely park opposite my flat where 7 other women were waiting with a big picnic under a tree, lush food and drink and balloons and streamers hanging from the branches. so sweet!

i got a massive vintage bag (changing bag potential!) stuffed with my "marriage survival kit" which included wine, a "rabbit" vibrator and other sex games, candles, a garter and loads of other stuff, some cheesy and funny and some really nice household things. and then there were quizzes to test how much they knew about me and some game where you have to name 15 men and they match them to various (usually sexual) scenarios with you! really silly, girly stuff.

then later, i actually went out to the launch party of this very cool harbourside beach venue place, with djs etc. ended up going home around 12, which was quite civilised (but how long can you nurse a glass of warm white wine really??)

so for a highly-pregnant hen, it was cool!

my dp though . . . . not sure the whole story of his night but involved surprise get-together at some Terence Conran bar on the harbourfrong with a lot of mates, some who had some over from Sweden - then a water taxi to a friend's little sailing boat where they got really drunk . . .
and then i don't know what, but i suspect some titty-bars on the west side of town!

i made up the bed in the lounge for him (not being mean but i feel like boaking when i smell that half-metabolized alcohol smell on him in bed) and got up to wee at 4.30 and saw that he was in. then i got hungry and at 5 - made myself a toasted goat-cheese sandwich with honey and walnuts (bit extravagant for that time of the morning but i really fancied it - a mini-craving, i guess) and shortly afterwards, i heard him puking his guts up in the bathroom!

had to laugh - he is in such a state right now - still drunk and groaning and muttering, so i forced water and rennies down him and put him back to bed!
unfortunately one of his mates is asleep on the sofa though, which i usually don't mind at all, but this guy does linger for hours and i think i am really getting that nesting thing (i.e, this is my nest - so bugger off out of it!).
hope i can cope with 10 days of my father-in-law visiting from LA next week.

i just can't wait to get the place to myself so i can continue my endless pottering and hanging out . . . .

anyway, enough of the "me" essay

pigley - so jealous that you have Asda over there - those yoga pants sound perfect for now. i love that kind of thing.

hubarb - like the tips for seeing baby move! i don't there's much room in my womb anymore! i see more squirms and bulges these days.

jodie - your friend's place sounds amazing! hope you didn't get lifestyle envy. i have given up on that now.

thanks for copying over the key info rumpel - i keep losing it. my hospital suitcase is way more than that now!

sweetkitty - sounds like you have nailed everything now right? i also have the tommee tippee bottles - i like the squat look they have and i bought the pump too but i also bought that medula on ebay, so i am kitted up!

mummypig - think you're right about the national identity/naming thing here. but its so homogeneous here anyway and they don't seem bothered about having very similar names. I know so many people called nikolaj, carsten, mads, anna, mette, kristin and camille here!

going back to bed for a bit but hope the weather is good over there for the long weekend.

Morning Tjuice just waved DP off to go do his marathon the house is unusually quiet so using the time wisely for a bit of MNing. Sounds like you had a fab time last night really lovely am always so about where you live, I think a lack of a Asda is a small price to pay I had a Solero last night at 10pm as I just fancied one. I've never used a hand pump always just used my trusty mini Medula which has been great.

Am definitely feeling a bit more organised will get all the baby clothes sorted and washed in the next few days, theres so many though, need to get a few more things like scratchmitts/newborn hats/new mattress and sheets and the pram of course.

Oh went to a huge M&P store yesterday and was at the price of most things, maybe it's the third time mother in me but I was thinking "babies don't need all this stuff" I picked up a lovely little pink cardi and it was £50, now even if I was a millionaire I would never spend £50 on a cardi for a newborn as 1) it lasts about a month and 2) chances are it would be covered in sick in 5 mins. A friend bought DD2 these beautiful little Monsoon outfits cashmere cardi, trousers etc but they are handwash only and I think she wore them once as I couldn't be bothered washing them IME cheap cotton clothes and lots of them are the way to go but saying that I do have a few nice outfits baby clothes are way too cute!

mummypig - I think I spent most of my labours crunched up in the foetal position hugging the G&A tube, some women do a sort of labour dance too but parting my legs isn't that painful it's when I lie back and try and lift them up thats hurts most.

Jodie - sounds like you had a lovely day too

Rumpel - thanks for the milk tip will definitely try it, is there any more essential oil mixes you recommend? My DD1 was 18 months when DD2 was born and it's a great age gap, I have lovely memories of DD2 feeding from one side and DD1 cuddled up at the other. DD1 definitely started to "play" with dollies once DD2 came along copying me changing etc so a doll is a great present for her.

Oh forgot to tell you all this, DP yesterday said he wouldn't rule out number 4 I said I thought I was never allowed to get pregnant again as I'm miserable when pregnant and he said "SK once the babies here you will forget this time and it will all have been worth it"

Sweetkitty bless your dp what a lovely thing to say about potential no 4- he's basically saying he forgets all the pregnancy misery too because of the loveliness of the baby isn't he! What a wonderful man he sounds. Hope he does well in the Edinburgh Marathon, dh has always fancied it because the course looks so beautiful.

TJuice told you a bit of cheese was necessary for hens - sounds like you had a lovely time.

Mummypig- I'm nurturing some plants too and not doing too badly, my tomatoes are coming on well although there aren't any flowers on them just yet. My courgettes are looking a bit ropey however as I haven't watered them for a couple of days! Ooops! What are you growing?

DH is coming home tonight and I can't wait! Really looking forward to seeing him, ds is too. We've had a really nice time just the two of us the last couple of days, done lots of fun things and really enjoyed each others company I think but I will admit that I'm feeling the effects of ds only being at nursery one day this week! Am quite tired and my facial muscles are starting to feel the strain of having a perma-grin pasted on a la Joyce Grenfell ("no dear, don't put that up your nose please. You've put a beetle in my underwear drawer? What an interesting gift!")

Am sleeping loads better in the bed on my own though, lots of room to spread out and get my legs into comfy positions that need a bit of space. But will be nice to have dh back to snuggle up to.

It's raining buckets here but we're going to don coats and wellies later and go outside looking for worms! Have been promising ds for ages that we'll make a wormery and hopefully all the rain will have brought the little blighters out!

Have a good day all x

Morning all.

Tjuice - your afternoon sounds lovely, bet you are so excited now.

As for being uncomfortable, night time is a nightmare, seem to get stuck and can't roll over without pain. DH had to rescue me last night but we were both laughing so hard it took ages to get me up!

Must pack hospital bag, got most bits to go in it.

Rumpel
I am the same, only wear avest top in bed can't stand PJ's at the mo...

I have never tried the tesco nappies but will be off to get some.. Pampers with DD1 and huggies with DD2. Suited them at the time. Only problem we have is tesco is about 14 miles from us in city and can be a nightmare getting in.. Could do night shop!!

Minkus - thank you DP has just rang to say he finished in 3h 49m which isn't a PB but still really good. It's OK for him talking about potential number 4 but it's not him that is going through this. Be nice for you to get DH home tonight I hope tonight or tomorrow you get a nice break.

Funny about your weather here it is sunny but very windy, perfect drying day so I have washed all the babies clothes, seeing them on the line makes me realised I actually have got a lot more than I thought, she has 12 newborn vests!

Minnie - can you get a Tesco delivery I get one and usually get free delivery with codes I get from on here, this week I had £13 off a £90 spend?