due Dec 08-the one were we are so brain dead we can't think of a thread title.

[Veggiemummy]

hey there will this be the last one do you think

LadyT rest! Sit down! Take it easy - aren't you supposed to be on maternity leave? I completely understand why it must be difficult to be learning to drive right now - I found it hard enough to concentrate not pregnant when learning! Don't be too hard on yourself about it.

Summer can I join in your fat whinge? My bum seems to have grown to ridiculous proportions and my face has gone all round.

Can anyone take pity on my billy-no-mates pregnancy post re maternity leave and help me out?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/632650-Do-you-really-quot-get-quot-maternity-leave-when-you?msgid=128 80931#12880931

Am failing so miserably to do any work today and feeling really bad about it.

Thanks Summer. Hmm, the fat isn't good, is it? The only bright spot I can think is that once the baby is here I am going to be SUPERmotivated to lose it. Cos I am NOT going to spend the next year squeezing my bingo wings balefully, as I have been doing, or marvelling at the sheer expanse of my thighs. Are you much of a one for exercise?

Hatty...I can't seem to stop. I am on maternity leave but to be honest I got far more rest at the office. Let's just say I am a busy bee who finds it hard to sit still. Right, will go and have a look at your thread now. The Christmas shopping can wait for a few more mins...

LadyT do you know thinking about it there's something to be said for doing all these busy things whilst on maternity leave though.

First time around one of the things I missed most was being able to go out whenever I wanted in the evening without babysitters, take off shopping for the afternoon when I felt like it etc. That freedom and flexibility that disappears into the past.

I think rest is important but so is also celebrating and making the most of those aspects of your life which will be restricted by your new babe.

Enjoy the parties!

Yes, Hatty, I am painfully aware of this. Don't get me wrong, I am so looking forward to my baby girl, but I have always gone out a heck of a lot and what with moving to the country as well, I suppose I am trying to squeeze every drop out of my last few weeks of 'freedom' in London! So I shouldn't moan at all really. I have only got myself to blame for being tired.

I find it really hard to strike a balance as I can't tell in advance when I'm going to feel tired and what I'm going to find tiring!
So am trying more for the non-committal form of socializing where I decide at the last minute!

Re weight, my friend thinks that it will just disappear with breast feeding (assuming I do). She was saying that "oh you can eat equivalent of two extra slices of toast a day when pg, but 3 when bf". I pointed out that the weight isn't exactly coming off my face legs and arms while my bump grows during pregnancy so I am dubious about the same happening while bf, well not without a bit of effort anyway. Hopefully I will be a bit more active though so that should help. Yes, i did used to be a big exerciser, obsessive (according to DH) amounts of cycling, that was the only way I stayed thinnish, I hate dieting. But I don't think I will have time to do that after sproggie is here. Will try and do some though!

LadyT It's perhaps better to be aware of the things you will miss and be mentally prepared - I think that perhaps helps you adjust better as it's not such a shock.

And when you do get to go out again, you will appreciate it! Although you will probably get tipsy very quickly - I am a complete lightweight now!

And there might be some nice mums locally in the countryside whom you can have a drink with and bond over nappies etc. I've found it easier to make friends in a small community as its easier to meet people, perhaps it doesn't feel as anonymous as living in a big city with a baby?

We moved from London to the countryside a few years ago and I do miss London at times -but I appreciate every minute when I'm back. I go into a bit of a giddy spin and waste half an hour at Kings Cross being undecided about where to go/who to meet first and go to so many exhibitions etc that I would never have got round to when we actually lived there!

Summer I found the weight did come off whilst breastfeeding but I ate loads as it made me really hungry so I don't think that helped!

I found walking every day really helped the most with a new baby - you feel so much better for getting out the house and you are getting lots of good exercise.

HI all, hows things? Massive waves and feel less fed up vibes to everyone. I too am miserable knackered and quite frankly cant wait to get this cherub out so I can get my body back well apart from my boobs which will belong to DC for a few months.

Will go back and catch up properly now.

3 extra slices of toast!!!! buggar that, i want more than 3 extra slices of bloody toast, i want my additional food counted in muffins and chocolate cake.

i swear my butt goes out just as far at the back as my bump does at the front.

I was a big exerciser, and managed to get someway back to it after DS, but it is difficult as i was torn between spending time with DS and training. SL i found it hard to do long rides esp. I go myself back into it by booking in a couple of 10km races and a couple of triathlons. Nothing like forced motivation to get you going. Also i have a very accommodation DH, partially because he wanted his DW's previous figure back and also he knows i am a happier bunny if let out for a run. But having said all that BF is great for weight loss, i couldn't seem to eat enough to keep up.

Oh and i am very excited DS just ate 3 pieces of broccoli!!! this is a very big thing in our house, we usually have to hide his veggies, very hard idea for Vegetarian parents. Needless to say DS is not a vegetarian.

oops that should have been an accommodating DH, not accommodation. I meant that he did lots of looking after DS so i could get out to train.

"i swear my butt goes out just as far at the back as my bump does at the front".

pmsl Veggie I couldn't have put it better if describing my body at the moment!

Had a quick look but cant possible comment on eveyrhing.

What I did see was isofix we have an isofix base for our maxi cosi its fab means its much quicker to put the bubba in and out of the car also the seat is very securily fixed to the car.

KAYZ BEANS is the movemnet all ok again?

LAdyT stick with the driving it will be worth it.

I promise we will all get our bodies back they will always be slighlty different but you will see your toes again and your fanjo wont be something you last saw several months ago, but dont go looking at it staraigh tafter giving birth . When it comes to eating and BF I was always starving with DS and ate masses. But I walked lots to compenste. The weigh will come off again.

with those isofix things are they just for the 0-9mth car seats or are they for the next size up too?

You can get the next size up as isofix too. Instead of a seperate base and seat it is all one unit.

Everything is fine here. He is having a good wriggle. I don't think my fall did any harm except to my backside. But that doesn't even hurt now.

Well - this is going to be an unashamedly "me" post as I had disappointing news today and am stunned and gutted.

About six months ago, there was talk of putting a role in place above me and my two peers, as a 'Head of' department - and my line manager specifically said to me it was because she felt confident having working with me for some time that I would be the person for the role. Obviously it would need to be advertised etc but she was at pains to say she would encourage me to apply.

Anyway - eventually she asked me to 'sanity check' the job spec (ie I had to approve it!), before I went on holiday in August, to make sure I was happy with applying.

Applied - got first interview. Was VERY positive feedback thereafter and second interview was scheduled before they had even seen any other candidates (I know ).

Second interview - was bowled over by the candour and enthusiasm of the interviewer - he said some astonishingly positive and encouraging things about me and my performance, and my answers to various questions, which I tried not to let go to my head (but obviously they did, a bit!).

Anyway - the upshot was that I was told today that (a) I didn't get the job and (b) the external candidate they offered it to turned it down so the vacancy will remain open.

What can I say? I guess it's a lesson in not believing the flattering things people say about you. Anyway - that's why I've been working so hard recently... I had hoped the promotion would enable DH to work part-time next year - but it's not to be.

Ooh verso so for you.

Ohhhh Verso I'm so sorry...

Do you feel it's to do with you being pregnant? It seems a bit odd for them to make such a u-turn after such positive signs of you getting the job..

Thanks. I hope it isn't to do with me being pregnant, as they've known for ages! I have to assume that this other candidate who turned them down must have been great, and I can't compete with that.

Just astonished at how badly it's been handled and upset that they have completely unnecessarily (and inappropriately) encouraged me every step of the way - when in fact I would have been quite happy with a level playing field to compete on. I mean, if I'd found out I'd not got it, and the interviews and preparation had all been 'normal' and neutral, I would be sad about it but not so shocked. But because they've encouraged me to believe I really was in line for the job today's news has just totally floored me.

Hey ho...

Verso can you ask them for feedback without it getting uncomfortable cos you work with them. You know say it would help for future interviews to know what went wrong or why you didnt meet their criteria.

Hi hope I can join you, baby number 3 due 3rd December - Nottingham, have 2 boys already one will be 6 in a weeks time and the other is 4. This pregnancy is my mid life crisis LOL.
Still got 3 weeks to go before I go on maternity leave and the midwife said today the baby was very low down!
What joy!
Hope to get to know you all soon.
Macca

Hooray someone from up my way!!! Welcome to the thread Amy i'm from Derby. There is a list of everyone inc. due dates etc on page 1 of this thread.

Boy, things move fast on this board!

kmp I am glad you've sorted out your parents visit from Oz (btw - I am from Melbourne and live in Clapham Junction/Battersea). Mine are coming five weeks after my due date and they are going to break up their visit with some trips. My poor dad suggested Cornwall but I had to break it to him that it will be pretty windy in that part of the country in Jan!

Beans33 - so glad bump is active. On top of everything else at this stage of the pregnancy you don't want to be worried about lack of movement.

verso - I am outraged on your behalf. It seems that its not so much not getting the position but that they pumped you up so much about your chances. I agree that asking for feedback would be something.

Thanks everyone for the comments on limiting visitors. My parents are not coming for a while after the birth but I had not thought to limit other visitors. I did read a good tip in a book though - to put a list of jobs that need doing on the fridge and if people offer to help they can pick a job (fold washing etc!). I may have no visitors after the first week.

Penny that is funny about Cornwall. I had friend go there in Jan and went surfing, apparently he was a bit blue when he came out, he's from Maroubra in sydney and when he saw the waves he could resist.

veggie lol at your surfer friend, makes me think of Point Break for some reason!

Hi amy nice to have you here!

verso sorry to hear about the promotion, agree that asking for feedback might be the way to go. At least then you know for sure why you didn't get it.