Due June 08: S**t, it IS June, and I still haven't packed my hospital bag...

[LauraT]

well it will be June on Sunday anyway! thought I should go ahead and start this as there were several votes for this name...

Bit of a drama queen, I also pegging out tiny babygros today. With regards to sheets moses basket, my MIL cut up a big cotton sheet and stitched a hem around each little square to make little just the right size sheets.

Re stretch marks - I'm the same, nothing above the belly button but all below - looks like I've been attacked by a tiger!!! I've been using bio-oil but I guess it's really about your genetics rather than how much oil you put on!

Got really bad indigestion at the moment & so far have managed without gavison but really thinking that I might have to give in!!

I was thinking the same about the moses basket, if the weather stays as is then I think bodysuit + cotton sheet - can anyone remember what temp babies should be kept at? if you know what I mean!

Does anyone know if it's a bad idea to get my hair coloured when labour is imminent? I had it done a couple of months ago but would really like another go before I have the baby. It's something in between semi and permanent. No amonia.

Loretta - glad your building work is going more smoothly. Our builders are great and I'm still finding it stressful to have them around, so I do sympathise with you.

How are all the lovely babies this morning? How are you feeling today TGF? I don't think any of them have been jaundiced but I was thinking what a lovely day it is to sit outside with a new baby . We did that with DD as she had janndice, and it was a great excuse to spend the day relaxing outside.

I had a First Communion meeting at church last night and everyone was lovely about not saying "still here"! Only 1 person did and she's a colleague of DH's and therefore tactless (but v nice) so I was able to be rude to her. She pointed out that it didn't need to be the baby's father who helps to get things going - with all the builders in the house I can surely find someone . DH is still holding out...

There is a governors' meeting at school tonight and I'm actually quite looking forward to letting out all my hormonal rage on the headteacher (who annoys me).

The midwife who I saw last week said that if I want to, she could come over this week and examine me to see if she can feel the head - to reassure me about the baby's position. Is this also another way of saying that she'll do a sweep, without having to be inhibited by local policies on doing a sweep before the EDD? I imagine that if she's going to do an examination that's thorough enough to feel a head it will also involve giving my cervix a good prod?? Any thoughts?

right, really must go and get dressed now, and bring in the washing, perhaps I'll do baby clothes this afternoon if it stays nice, as I have a huge pile of hand me downs to get through!

Just read GF's post. congratulations Greenfairy. I am so glad you are happy with how the birth went and that storm experience labour and benefited from the blood from the cord before it was clamped!!! Well done to both of you!

GF just had a peak at the pictures. Storm looks delicious. So cute

I want mine now!!! [needahand throwing a stop emoticon]. Rioght I'd better get in the shower and out of my PJ, my MW is coming this afternoon to discuss HB and what I need, can't really greet her like that can I?

Thanks for the sympathy Rolf the tilers are actually being pretty good at the moment - not too much noise going on

Still got v. mild period pain, but I'm assuming it might be baby getting a bit more engaged - last time MW said I was 3/5 so hopefully it's gone to 4/5 or 5/5.

As I have workmen in I'm not doing any nesting actually feel quite of people being able to clean & tidy! Oh well my sister & mum have volunteered to come round over the weekend to help me get everything done - I guess I'm really lucky they want to help!

YOu want it to go down lorrettah - 5/5 measn not engaged any more. 1/5 means pretty much fully engaged.

Stupid me - yes you are right I do want it do go down!!!! Pregnancy brain is what I blame it on

So hopefully it's 2/5 or 1/5 - is what I really mean!! Well I hope it doing something rather than just pain for pain's sake!

Ooh, I have a washing line full of baby clothes. I even took a pic and MMS'd it to DH.

Loretta I got some info on temperatures for babies at john lewis

All this talk of being engaged, sweeps etc is making me desperate for my mw appointment to come this week! Its been nearly two weeks since my last one and I was 4/5th then, so hoping there may have been some progress since then. I'm feeling doubtful though...

Thanks Bitofadramaqueen - that's really useful!

Baby furniture arrives on Friday - so excited about it I can then finally put the fnishing touches to the nursery - not that LO will be in there immediately but I really want it done!

I went on the names thread before but was a bit too scared to put my names on! I really think I'm having a boy & love the name Henry what do people honestly think about the fact that our surname also begins with a H (its Hagger - yep it's pronounced exactly as you think it is - none of this making it sound posh!) Do you think it's wrong to call it that with the surname being with H? All opinions are welcome!

Lorettah- I think there's something quite cool/ special about names that begin with the same letter as your surname. Can only think of lucy Liu/ Cindy Crawford at the mo (pregnancy fluffy-brain) but there are loads of cool eg's out there. We may go such a name too.

Must sleep now after last night, doon't think I'm making much sense

Greenfairy - Congratulations! She is gorgeous! Sounds like it all went very well considering the position she was in.

I'm afraid I've just skimmed through the rest as there was such a lot. Sorry if I have missed any big news.

My mum came to visit yesterday, it was nice to see her, she got dragged along to my midwife appointment as well. Everything was fine but I mentioned that the hiccups seemed to have moved, previously they came from very low down on the left, now they are much higher up in the centre. The midwife thinks baby is head down but wasn't 100% sure (due shockingly to my very hard stomach muscles making it hard to feel!) so has booked me in for a scan tomorrow.

We've got new estate agents coming to photograph the house this afternoon so have been rushing round all day like a mad thing trying to turn this tip into something vaguely presentable.

My big news is that I didn't wake up once in the night which is amazing considering I have had a couple of nights of being awake most of the night. Didn't get up for the loo or anything!

Hope everyone is doing fine and hope you all have the sun that we have (not that I have time to enjoy it today!). Better get back to the cleaning!

*Greenfairy - Well done! Storm is absolutely beautiful and I love the name. Glad you're home too. Am using part of your birth story as inspiration for my birth plan 'if I need a caesarean' section. Hope that's ok!
*Loretta - Good news on the tiling. I woke up with a hungover feeling today and also felt like I'd smoked loads... Went back to sleep and woke up with really bad chest pain between my boobs, I timed it and it lasted for 4 mins. Got really worried in case it was a mini heart attck or something (think I might need your nickname DramaQueen!), but all ok now...?

at those of you who have engaged LO's. Concerned that this one has no intention of coming out at all! (Not engaged yet at 38+5 and it's my first).

*Josey - Glad that you've managed to get a sweep pre 40 weeks, practises really do seem to vary hugely depending in where you are located and who you see..

*AmberC - Can you imagine how much more we'd all be ranting if our EDD's were at 38 weeks rather than 40!? (Do the US count from estimated date of conception rather than last period start date though?)

*Sybil - LOL at a June baby explosion - let's hope so!

*Dramaqueen - Didn't know that sleeping bags shouldn't be used until 10lbs, so thank you for that!

Had a bath yesterday and ended up giggling out loud playing with the bump...he kept sticking something out (a foot I think) and I kept gently pushing it back in. This happened about three times and just felt so wonderful, like I was playing a game with him already...oh gawd, I'm tearful just remembering it, looks like today is a hormonal day!

Lorettah, I love the name Henry, I want it for our boy's middle name (it was my Dad's name, he was always Harry tho). I think Henry Hagger sounds nicer than Harry Hagger - the double Ha Ha and all that. I know what you mean about the baby names threads, they are far too scary.

I have almost cleaned out a cupboard today! Rock n roll. How bad would it be to pay a cleaner to come and nest for me I wonder - am sorely tempted to get someone in for a few hours.

DQ - my 'flat pram sheets' for the crib have just arrived from John Lewis with more bits n pieces - great minds, etc. £5 for a pack of 2. I was such a bargain hunting shopaholic before getting knocked up, it's far worse now!

Aberdeen - if you're still around - any recommendations of where to get a Hotsling? I was about to order from Big Mama, but the shop is suspended as the poor woman who runs it has really bad morning sickness!

PP - are you feeling better now? Maybe you were dreaming about a bloody good night out!

Thanks for the feedback whinegums I really appreciate it.

Can't wait until today is over & the bathroom can actually be used as a bathroom! And then all the carpets will be in tomorrow, then baby furniture arrives on Friday - yay things are finally coming together - thanks to a lot of hard work & stress but it's defo coming together1!

Loretta I always think the same initial first name/surname thing is a bit superhero-esque in a cool way... Peter Parker, Lois Lane, Clarke Kent (different initial but same sound IYSWIM).

Whinegums - have just been looking at pram sheets on John Lewis! Will pick some up on next weeks visit to town.

PP cant remember where I read about the 10lb thing but I'm sure I'm not making it up... I suspect when they are too small they could shuffle right into the sleeping bag. Loving your bathtime story. Hope you're feeling ok - maybe LO pushing up on your lungs?

Right, housework...

fuck fuck fuckety fuck. Best laid plans and all that. I had loads of BH yesterday, tombling one after the other. had normal antenatal appt this am & doc said I should go to hospital. I'm 2cm dilated. I have to go in tonight, with bag. If there is no change, they'll let me go. If there is any change they'll keep me in, and if I'm having contractions, they'll deliver today , or if not, tomorrow.

S imo, the most likely ooutcome is they'll keep me in tonight abd do it tomorrow. I'd be glad if they let me go, but see it as unlikely.

This blinking baby is 16 days early . Mum not coming till Saturday.

If you don't hear from me by tomorow, you can assume I've had it. I'm afraid Mr Ernest won't be posting with the news.

Better get tidying

Crikey Ernest good luck!

Oh Ernest. Bugger. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you. Will you have your lovely English obstetrician? Good luck. [hugs]

Eeek Ernest! Good luck with whatever happens. Obviously your baby can't wait to meet his mum!

Good luck Ernest!!!!

Thanks for the feedback on the name - makes me feel so much better!

I know this sounds weird but I wish I was able to nest / clean would feel better rather than being sat here on my fat behind watching crap TV!!

Don't feel like I can go out to back garden as tiler & dad have the front door wide open (cutting tiles outside) so don't really want house exposed to someone just walking in & helping themselves! Oh well maybe tomorrow...

Good luck Ernest.

TGF - Storm, what a lovely name for a beautiful girl.

PP with names, our surname begins with an M, and although we've chosen Luke for a boy (which hopefully it will be), we've chosen Meredith for a girl in case to sonographer is wrong. Wasn't too sure initially as we like Megan for DS if he was a girl but thought it didn't sound right with our surname (Marks).

I really should be sorting out the files and paperwork as it's currently in the 'nursery' which is a dumping ground at the moment. We really are not ready for this LO at all, although DS did offer that the baby could sleep in his room with him in his bed and got a wee bit upset when I said it couldn't!

Yeah! Greenfairy, you came through and had a baby on my birthday! The best birth date in the world - and what a gorgeous little girl!

Hope you're not feeling too sore.

Our first NCT group couple has had their baby this morning - I'm last due out of the 7 of us but now really impatient to meet my LO. Pain in pelvic area is becoming quite unbearable now, which kind of adds to my impatience! Plus, I've now gone down with a stinking cold!

Mum is upstairs stripping the paper off the nursery walls, so we're making some progress.

Ernest, looks like you're next. Best wishes.

just seen your news GF - Congraulations she is beautiful.

How do you feel following section?