Due in November 08: Missing - 2 feet, last seen somewhere under bump in late August. If found, please massage and trim toenails before returning.

[ruthosaurus]

Hi ladies, new thread as we seem to have outgrown the old one!

Morning, my first day at home. Got up with DH and went back to bed at 8, got up 30 mins ago - I could get used to this!!!

Now, I'm pretty good with acronyms but IYSWIM is one I can not figure out - someone enlighten me please!!!

Talking of SPD - mine got really bad last night - screamed when I sat down. I am going to order a support belt that the physio recommended - I was hoping I'd get away without the added expense but I've been close to tears the last 3 days.

Oh, I'm going try aqua natal today - first chance I've had as I always seem to have appointments after - duanted at the thought of getting my large arse out but hey, I'm sure I'm not the only one that resembles a whale at the moment!!!

Hello everyone! I'm 34 weeks today - hooray!
Thanks all for your belly button details. I don't think anyone admitted to having a proper "outy". I will pass results to DH.
LadyBuzz - I am being BEATEN by LackaDAISYcal in another game, so be warned! She is a Scrabble demon for sure.
I made a fatal error of ordering a "bumper box of broken biscuits" (nice aliteration) from the milkman. I opened them earlier, and have had so many I feel sick . Which is silly as I went to the gym this morning, so that will undo all the hard work.
Choc Look forward to making some Scrabble moves with you when you're back from MW!

Mummynic - If you see what I mean....

Lacks - you WON (you cow!) I've started a new game.

good news on the driving Obs

I have pulled the muscle in my fore-arm lifting DD awkwardly and surprise surprise, not a lot of sleep last night. It would be my right arm as well; can't even lift a cup of tea with it this am.

DD being a right wee grumpy pants this morning; nothing is making her smile or laugh and she is just one whinge after another....it's very wearing.

I want to go back to bed and forget that I have children. I'm definately having a "fuck, what have I done?" moment. I can't cope with the children I have already; never mind bunging another one into the mix

Thank you MM - much appreciated. Yes, we're both 34 weeks today!

I'm going to buy the few bits I need for my bag this week. I have most things but need a few nighties and nursing bras.

daisy - you poor thing, the lack of tea won't be helping - you're in pain and DD isn't helping matters. Take it easy today.

can someone please please start a game of scrabble with me!!!!!!!!!!! Getting sesperate!!!

obs good news about driving!!!

Hi ladies. I'm ok after my slip. Just a little sore around the middle of my back and did have a few twinges in my back yesterday. Not sure if the back ache is pregnancy related or due to the slip.

Still dont know what to do about the nursing bras ... not sure if just wait to see if successful at breastfeeding this one before buying.

Hey MM - I'm 33 weeks today! Race ya!

Hi ladies, morning all! What a lot to catch up on, I may have forgotten some stuff as my brain hurts after only 5 hours kip last night (couldn't sleep for ages then MIL - what is it with these women - called at 7:30 this morning to tell us she's popping round for a cuppa tonight ).

Have decided to take out entire family with a flamethrower as a warning to the rest.

Please can you put me down for the text buddies? I can't remember who's organising that one, sorry (see above re: pathetic excuse for brain). How the heck are you all playing scrabble? I can't even remember how to get to the bathroom!

Yay Obs! All good news there then. Whoosh, you say? Gosh.

Belly buttons ? mine was so deep before it had an echo and is nearly flat now. I?ve changed my belly button ring for a bendy plastic one with a little star on, which actually looks pretty ace. Blingtastic, in fact. I like to think it distracts attention away from my thighs.

Okay, got a bizarre opinion poll/worry ? DH wants his little brother (aged 25 so not that little) to be in the hospital when I have the baby in case DH needs food or support or anything. I am v uncomfortable with anyone other than DH or a midwife being there as I can?t even go to the loo if I know there?s someone waiting outside! DH is a bit moody about my veto on this and said ?Well, I don?t suppose I?ve got any say in this ? it?s not about me, is it??, to which I could only say ?Well, yes, absolutely right, matey ? don?t be so silly.? My other thought is that poor BIL (whi I do erally like, just not as a doula ) already works 2 jobs to make ends meet and could probably do without sitting around in a hosp waiting room for potentially a couple of days?

Also, what did anyone else do about telling rellies that you are in labour and have gone to the hospital? DH wants to tell them and then said ?and they might want to come and wait in the hospital? which I don?t want them to do as many of them are a little pushy and may want to barge in as soon as the baby comes (I want time to bond with the baby, a shower and a clean nightie before I meet and greet). DH doesn?t want to hurt their feelings . I suggested that we tell them it?s kicked off (if we must) but that they mustn?t come and see us until he calls again ? apparently this would be bad manners.

I am getting really peed off with him because it feels like he?s prepared to put everyone?s feelings above mine ? his, BIL?s, the rest of the family and am thinking about not telling him when I go into labour but just doing it myself?

Methinks he's panicking a bit.

Dozy have started new game with you!
Obs glad all is well!

Hana I did that too at NHS class last night - I chose a beach in Costa Rica as my visualisation place... (It was you who got proposed to on a bridge in a cloud forest, wasn't it? Feel like a tit otherwise...)
Long post my bottom, btw

Ruthosarus you are absolutely right - the last thing you want after having jsut had your gorgeous, precious baby is the World and his wife crowding around - IMO it is a very very special time for immediate family (as in DH, kids) and you will never get that initial "Wow, we are a family" feeling back again.

Believe me, with DS1 I had a 3 day labour then an emergency C section and had so many family hanging around it was horrible. I totally appreciate it is special for grandparents, aunts, uncles cousins, etc but really, please take my word on this one, you will still be having a huge surge of hormones and the last thing you will want is everyone crowding around you wanting to hold the baby. With DS2 we "banned" visitors until I was ready to see them - it was a magical time and although my parents were probably a bit put out, they soon forgot about it!!!

Some people are different but in my experience (especially with first children) the last thing you want is trying to establish BF with an audience!!!

Maybe if I tell him it might interfere with bonding...

You see, he was there when Nephew was born at the request of Other Brother and SIL (told you they were a pushy family) and therefore a) has been at 1 more birth than me and b) that was a really quick birth - 5 hours - with no intervention and no pain relief other than gas and air... Bloody ante-natal midwife keeps going on about how great this is.

monkey can't find the game........

Saurus - congrats on being 33 weeks!
I sympathise about your BIL. I don't want any other family there other than DH til I'm washed and presentable and have had some time just the 3 of us. I don't see why your DH needs his bro there really, there will be food for sale in the hospital shop, and you will be taking snacks anyhow (for YOU!) Plus, your DH will be in the room supportiny you, will he not? So what would your BIL be left to do? As you say, your BIL could probably do without it anyhow.
As regards the rest of the family visiting, be firm but clear that you will let them know when it's started, and again let them know if when it's convenient to visit. My mum wants to come and stay and help out (she did this for my brother, for 2 weeks!) but I think my DH would go mad if she stayed with us. We are hoping to have a bit of space when we get home, hence if my folks want to visit in hospital when LO arrives, that's fine.
It's very tricky to look after your own wishes without coming across like a meanie to your well-meaning relatives.

Dozy - hmm. Have you gone to the "Join" tab to look for it? Have just started another one.

ruthosarus you are obviously NOT comfortable with the situation....have a word with DH, maybe the compromise is BIL waits outside until you are ready.........

(can you really imagine skin to skin contact and baps out with BIL in the room????? I amcringing at the thought of my BIL being there!)

Saurus - I had a similar discussion last night. My sis popped round and DH said that he won't ring her when I go to hospital and (jokingly) said he'd wait 'til we'd been home a week before inviting anyone to meet us.

He's panicking that my parents will be there before the placenta has been delivered - they can be that annoying!!!

But I think we'll tell family & close friends that I'm in labour and then DH can text an hour or so after he's born so that I, like you, have had a chance to make myself presentable before the meet & greet starts. I hope to go to the local birthing centre after LO has arrived - got to give birth in hospital due to high BP and severe allergies. It might be nice to get to the birthing centre first but we'll have to see..

GOT IT! YOUR ON [GRIN] [GRIN] [GRIN]

You do realise I should be doing housework and other wifely duties??!

I don't even want him outside - what if he hears me making weird noises? I just know I am not going to be able to relax if I know I've got an audience and I'll never be able to look him in the eye again afterwards.

I am now considering having my baby in a cardboard box lined with newspaper in the cupboard under the attic stairs.

dozy, I have a game open with you as well.

on your DHs family stuff rutho, but I love your sense of humour about it all. There will be plenty of time for them to see the baby; in the beginning it's just about the three of you as a wee family unit, getting to know each other.

I can't imagine a horde of rellies descending on me in that immediate post natal period. With DD I was kind of glad the PILs were on holiday, as it meant it was just us, as a family, for a good few days.

Tell him he is being a tad unreasonable and that although you appreciate he might be scared, it's nothing to what you will be feeling and you need him there for you and don't want him being distracted by his family (which he would be). You can also tell the hospital that you don't want them all swanning in, which would be unlikely anyway; most hospitals are pretty strict on visiting hours, and I can't see them putting up with a family group camping out in the waiting area if you were labouring overnight for example. tis madness.

Mm, with a blunt instrument... Having a stroppy day today.

*LACKS8 GOT YOUR GAME AS WELL!