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

i have got serious nesting going on today. Most of DS' toys are downstairs in the front room as a kind of playroom for him. I have decided today to move a lot of his toys upstairs to his room. Why is it that the most intense heavy nesting happens when i am so big and don't have DH around to help carry. Have moved some things but earmarked others for DH to move next weds. Luckily so far he is working from home next week.

I had to ring our tennants in London this morning they are 3 young Aussie girls and had no idea that the clocks had changed bless them, they were so excited that they had an extra hour. They are the best tennants ever and we are so lucky to have them but are a bit stuck as one needs to go home and one wants to go travelling and they have been thinking of giving up their lease. They are such brilliant girls and we really want to keep them so are trying to do a deal to get them to stay, fingers crossed they will stay because if they do move out it will be on the 29th Nov which is about 2 weeks before Veggiebaby is due and would be a pain, and finding someone so close to Christmas might be difficult too.

traceface sounds like you are really enjoying your leave. I am going to make my true effort too...

The weather is a bit bleak in London today, but we plan to move some extra stuff in our apartment to storage today. Making room for crib etc.

lal07 I dont really need to cook since my mom is staying with me from now until mid-march. It is a big luxury.

My next big project is knitting a hat for myself and may be a sweater or two for the kids. Should be 2 otherwise they will complain of having to share everything!

Next week should be exciting. I have my 29 week scan on Wed. Can't wait to see how big the critters are now. I am guessing at least 2.5 lbs each.

ok so I've got a new situation...(!)
I had PND pretty badly after dd1 and was on antidepressants for a few years. I came off them well last year and have been fine. I was put back on them in this pregnancy when my mood dipped a few months ago and have been fine since. However my consultant has said I'm to cut down the dose and then stop my meds altogether 2 weeks before my due date, then restart 2 days after I deliver - so that I clear some of it out of my system for labour. I'm a bit nervous about the whole stopping thing - has anyone been through this?! I know it's only for 2 weeks but I'm pretty scared of how poorly I was last time and do NOT want to go back there!!! am probably fretting over nothing!

have no experience with this Trace did he explain why you shouldn't be on them for the labour. At least you know they will be starting up again after the birth so you don't have to go back to the place you were in after DD1. I guess he will be monitoring you closely. I think there are a couple of ladies on here who have dealt with PND maybe they can shed some light.

I'm assuming that if I stayed on them throughout the baby could 'withdraw' when she's born and become agitated. Not sure though!

trace what are you on? I ended up on Citalopram about 18 months after DD. (I was diagnosed with PND after about six months but hoped it would get better without medication .) Anyway - I just wanted to say I came off them cold turkey when I got pregnant last year (later had an unconnected m/c). Anyway - I had absolutely no ill effects, even though I went from quite a high dose (40mg/day) to 0mg without cutting down.

I can't advise re stopping for labour, but if you're unsure I'd ask them to clarify exactly why you need it to be out of your system for labour. I don't understand why you'd need to do that but then it would be ok to go back on later? (unless you're planning to bottle feed). Btw my GP assured me Citalopram was safe for breastfeeding (she tried to get me to take them before DD was a year old but I kept saying no).

verso - last time I was on Citalopram. This time I've been on Fluoxetine - apparently safer in pregnancy - but they want me to stop that pre-birth and start back on Citalopram post birth - presumabley for the Breast feeding.

verso = thanks for the reassurance too! I'm sure my body won't notice two weeks without -especially if you did so well going cold turkey!

not sure if this helps, but the instructor in my breastfeeding helpers course said only a tiny amount of medication gets through when breastfeeding and the only type drug that is a problem for the baby when BF are cytotoxic drugs i.e. chemotherapy.

Morning...hope you all had nice weekends and didn't get too soggy!

Trace I'm fortunate enough not to have experienced PND so I have no advice I'm afraid but fingers crossed you get the right treatment.

We had a weird one last night..DS only slept for 40 mins in the day (usually 1 1/2 hours) and then fell asleep in the car on the way back from friends at 5.30 .
At 10pm he woke up and I had to bring him in with us...usually a recipe for disaster. He wasn't too bad, 1-2 hours of wriggling around with pokey feet and elbowing me in the boobs and bump but then he slept til 5 this morning and lovely DH got up with him. Lets hope today is back to normal! I'm a bit worried about dealing with two in the night ...I'm going to be a zombie!

DH put my feeding chair together last night! It is so comfy. I even borrowed my SIL tiddly baby to test out sitting in it and all very comfy!

I've got to crack on with my nesting this week! The babys room is still a total junk room!!!! Might get my mum round today to either help out or occupy DS for a little while.

Catch up soon xx

morning all, we've had a busy but nice weekend in spite of ds's grumps!

trace sorry no experience of PND but was going to say to talk about it with your consultant a bit more if you're worried.

How's everyone?

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a good weekend.

Got a bit of catching up to do, but just wanted to say first that hatty you made me laugh so much about the bath mat I cried! So easily done. (And I hope your placenta is behaving itself ? must be if you?re at home showering and driving ? or not ? round roundabouts). Also jj I?m having carpet fitters next week, so hope I get some like yours to perv over too

verso I?m really sorry that your meeting wasn?t helpful ? but sound like you?ve got some good plans in place to take it further if you decide to, so I wish you lots of luck. So sorry, and what a pants last day at work for you.

I have a bits and pieces shop planned for this week ? bedding, emptying Boots etc. Do I need any baby shampoo/bubble bath etc yet, or will plain old water do to start with? And what first aid do you need for a new born? I?m guessing a thermometer ? and can?t think of anything else apart from the doctors phone number. Thanks and have a good day everyone

Hi zj, plain water is fine to start with. I don't think we used shampoo/soap with ds until he was nearly a year old! And definitely a thermomemter, I was told off by the dr for not having one . I think its worth spending a bit more & getting one of the ones that you put just inside the ear, they seem to be more accurate.

About to head off now to get ds some new shoes & then to Kew Gardens. Hope you all have a nice day

I used plain water - in fact still do as DD has very dry/eczema-prone skin. Only use a bit of mild shampoo when I do her hair, and an emollient in the bath water. First aid wise I think you just need to have your out-of-hours doctor and midwife numbers keyed into your phone on speed dial and one of those bulb things for getting snot out of noses (nice). You can't give them anything medicine-wise until they're about 2 months I think (the midwives gave DD paracetamol - about a microdot worth - on advice of a paediatrician in hospital though because of the bruising and scratches she had from the ventouse and focepts).

Otherwise, it's nice to have those menthol things - is it Karvol? - the drops you can put on a hanky near the cot or somewhere else in the room if the little one gets snuffly (you can't use Vicks on their delicate skin obviously!) but I think it's more to make you feel better than them

Will see if I can think of anything else.

Can you tell I'm bored? Am at King's, waiting for the outcome of DH's latest batch of neurology tests. Bit worrying as they're to do with his eyesight and if the results are bad he will have to give up driving - and work .

MUST BE POSITIVE! (You lot must be sick of me whingeing on!!! )

Ooh ear thermometer - good call, rosmerta!! Definitely the best thing!

Hello everyone! Cold is better, hurray!

Massive shop at the weekend, we have nearly everything except nursery furniture, which we just cannot agree on or find anything we really like!! Never mind!!

Oh ... and I got some exciting news, my SIL is pregnant!! So I will be an auntie and sproggie will have a little cousin. It is due in April, can't believe it!!

zj we got an in-ear thermometer, as I read that it was worth paying for in the little book that waitinggirl recommended ages ago that told you what to buy for the baby. I ummed and ahhed over it as it was about 25 quid, but my friend came round and saw it and commented that her sister had told her to get one too, as they had managed for ages with a normal one and the in-ear ones are loads easier.

Morning girls,

Summer glad your cold is better..did you wrap up in some pyjamas?

And well done for doing all the baby shopping, that must be a big relief.

Verso good luck for DH's tests. I'm sorry you have so many stresses going on at the moment, your work is the last problem you need . Hugs to you.

Rosmerta re body wash we used www.greenbaby.co.uk/pl_BATH-HLTH_GBABY-SKIN.htm for the girls when they got to a few months old. I tend to get very dry, sore hands in winter since I've had kids from all the hand washing you do from changing nappies/wiping bums when they get potty trained - and I found the wash is very good for washing my hands as well and stopping them getting cracked in winter.

Smug time - no idea why but my DD's slept until 9am (old time) Sunday! We woke up with a start at 10 to 9 and rushed into their room to find them both peacefully snoring. We haven't had a joint lie in like that for years!

Having a confusing day. Am doing a really difficult piece of work for a client, plus answering the phone from home for DH's clinic as his receptionist is away. It's very confusing as if people phone from their mobiles I don't know whether it's my work clients or his as I can't see the area code. His clients keep asking random questions about parking nearby/where they can get a coffee first near the clinic - I have no clue as he works a good hour away and I've only been to the clinic once!

good luck re teh tests Verso

babby wash/shampoo: plain water best, but I also got some v mild baby shampoo without any parabens or anything - either Green Baby or Earth Friendly Baby I think. Good for when water does not work (particularly bad nappies or gunk in hair for e.g.)

remember you don't want to be using baby wipes on newborns either, so get lots of cotton wool and find a little bowl you can fuill with warm water for nappy changes.

Unsettled weekend here: flat going on market hopefully this week (hurrah!), DS had nasty cough and cold so up two nights running (boo). Off to Manchester for an event, so I get to sleep in peace in a hotal room (hurrah again!).

Morning

Verso - Sorry to hear your meeting was not great. I hope you get a good letter drafted and it scares them all sh*tless.

Olipop - hope you had a bettwe night with DS. I am also super paranoid about dealing with two in teh night. in fact that is what worries me most about having two. DD's sleeping is a bit hit and miss and I am terrible after a distrubed night. Please, please, please let this one be a good sleeper.

Trace - I don't know the answer to your anti-depressent question but I hope you find out soon. Have your tried googling?

Well I had a major bout of nesting this weekend. The baby's room is now re-arranged and has new curtains, a new chest of drawers (with all DD1's newborn clothes washed and folded inside) and wall decorations. I have completley lucked out with my lovely neighbour who has lent me her moses basket and bedding, a maxi-cosi cabrio isofix car seat, her Bugaboo (she says I will need it for days when DD1 is with her nanny and I don't want to take the double buggy out) and her P&T baby cocoon to go on my newly ordered P&T . DD1 is now very excited and likes to play in the baby's room and say "my sister will live here, right next door to me".

We have also put an offer in on another house (nothing like piling on the pressure on ourselves at this point in pregnancy). I think it will be rejected like all our other offers but I do love the house. The offer we have put in reflects the very low offer we currently have on our own property. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Verso - to me it sounds like they are hedging their bets and may well promote you when you come back, unless they happen to find someone better in the meantime. Not very fair, but you may end up getting what you want in the end anyway. Or as you say, find something better. But right now I'd probably put it all out of your mind and enjoy your leave!

Jollybear - two things about pj's and c-sections - first, the trousers could sit on your scar, but also, as your abs aren't really working straight after, getting pj bottoms on is a bit harder than just slinging on a nightie.

veggie - glad you had a lovely time with DS. He sounds adorable. And you are quite right about trying to make special time for the eldest when the LO comes.

anjilix - I would enjoy relaxing! From all I've seen and heard, twin pregnancies are quite exhausting, and after is really intense, so no need to worry about trying to do too much, probably just plan some small outing or task every day so things don't get too dull.

reban - glad to hear the job is turning out well!

morning all, have managed to get some general cleaning done before i collapse. I think i did enough large nesting on the weekend that just a little cleaning will do for today although i have been eyeing off some of our kitchen cupboards and cabinets but i will wait til DS gets back to do them. I'm really sleepy today not sure why, i thought i slept through ok last night but i woke up feeling like i hadn't slept at all. Think i might have to go back to those nasal strip things. It is a nice sunny day today but i think DS i will be doing DVD afternoon as i don't seem to have the energy for anything. Poor little DS he is such a sweetie but i'm getting a bit grumpy with him this morning. Only 1 more sleep til DS is back hooray.

Oh wow, I've had so much reading to do to catch up! I am appalling at doing big catch ups, but hope you're ok, Verso - and everyone else with issues re BP etc.

I've just bought some PJs from mothercare and couldn't resist these either. Probably a bit of a waste of money, but my old slippers are wearing a bit thin, so thought these would do instead - only £6!!! And thought PJs would keep me nice and warm.

I had such a busy weekend - went up to the Lakes, which I was dreading, but actually it was lovely. didn't do much walking as it was pouring with rain. No, we weren't stuck with those other mad runners!!! Just chilled and hung out with DH's family. No more going away now until after arrival of the beast - hurray! So excited about it now (with moments of terror!). 6 weeks to go. 2 more at work. And then I'm out of here - hurrah!

Have had a few issues with NCT - they changed our classes last week, which worked quite well so DH could go away for a camping weekend being manly with a friend. Now they've changed them back again, so he has to cancel. Oh grrr! So irritating! Never mind. - wish they'd just make up their minds.

All well on the nipper front. Although it's legs are up in my right ribs and it's not very comfortable! My lovely sleeping is also slowly falling by the wayside and making way for discomfort and struggling to turn over! Actually is quite funny if I look at it objectively - my whale-like form trying to manouevre in bed!!!

Ooh, on bus on the way in this morning, the man sitting behind me said "Don't move" and then swiped off an ENORMOUS spider from my shoulder. DEAR GOD! I nearly wet my pants (which is easy these days - crap pelvic floors!). It had a huge body and really long legs and it's bottom was dragging along the floor behind it (bit like mine). Gross. Shivering just thinking about it.

Gosh, child-arrival is so imminent for all of us - it only feels like we've been on here for about 10 mins -can't believe how quickly it's all flown by!

Just uploaded a couple more pics!

Hello lovely ladies

Sorry I haven't been on for a while. All been a bit busy here. Good news is that I have my date - 1st Dec. So 5 weeks today I will be a mother of 3 . Seems to have come round rather quickly. Bought some baby gros at the weekend and felt very excited for the baby. My DD1 is fit to burst already. She has picked 2 names for him (one is Megan, which isn't great if you're a boy) and I am thinking that we might even go with the other one as it's LOVELY. It's Matthew, by the way .

Verso, I am so sorry that work was so pants towards the end. Sounds like you have some good advice though. Might be worth seeing a lawyer to discuss your options, even if you decide not to pursue anything til you go back.

Washing etc - I just used water for the first few months. They don't really do anything to get dirty, so I didn't wash mine very often as she didn't like being naked in Spring. As this one will be a winter baby, even more reason not to wash him very often.

Slings - have any of the sling girls tried a Moby sling or a hug a baby? Was looking at them on Ebay at the weekend and they looked like the type oof thing I would be after. Any advice gratefully received.

I started this post at 9.30 but went out and had tea with a neighbour, so i've probably missed loads and am off out in a minute so can't reply to everyone at the moment. I'll be back after lunch and will attempt a more personal reply then. Hope everyone is well today .

I did miss loads. No time to catch up properly, but just wanted to say fingers crossed Verso for DH's tests today.