Due Dec 08 -- Getting Ready for final push (in every sense!)

[Beans33]

Here's a new thread for us all lovely Dec Mums!

Well, unusually for a Monday I'm still holed up in the country and won't go back until Wednesday. It was nice not to get the red eye back to London this morning for a pooey driving lesson. I've been pottering and tidying and not thinking of much, which I have to say has been a bit of a tonic! Weather is crap of course but I don't really care, it's nice and cosy looking out on to the rainy countryside (sorry about your floods though Katie! And remind me of the doubt over your section? If that's what you want, stick to your guns).

ZJ, sorry you have joined the haggard band of non-sleepers. I always seem to wake to see the time 4.06, it's getting quite uncanny.

Hope the move is going ok Pixsix, you are tres brave.

All those doing up their nurseries - Kayz,
Verso, Oli - I'm envious of your paint fumes...

Turnip, the obstetrician did say it was tendonitis rather than carpal tunnel (mind you that was before my fingers started acting up), and she said it could last up to three months after the birth. Anyway, it's a pain in the bum (although pain in the bum is about the one pain I haven't got )

Traceface, what a grotty time you are having. I think just about everyone is feeling a bit emotionally frail, or frayed around the edges at the very least. Be very very kind to yourself.

WG - I can only think of Cowshed in Notting Hill (not that central but they do do a pregnancy massage). I'm hoping to get one tomorrow, though there's not much choice in Oxford, only the Randolph, and they make you do a walk of shame from reception in a skimpy robe.

Arti, are you off sick after the weekend's shenanigans? I know you want to get everything shipshape at work and I understand this (I did a week and a half at the office once I had broken up for ML, which was nutty but sort of essential for my peace of mind) but truly, your body is telling you to rest up...

Summer and Verso - comedy dvds - I've watched most of the Extras box set this weekend but apart from Blackadder, Peep Show and Alan Partridge are always good. My DP likes Green Wing (if you're in the mood for a hospital theme, which may not be the case right now) and he swears by Father Ted for comfort watching in the middle of the night when he is fretting about a big case, as it's very gentle. Anyway, don't get me started about tv comedy

Effie - good luck with the talk (wow, I can barely be arsed to talk on the phone at the moment, let alone address a crowd); JJ, I will just say HOORAY and Rosmerta, how's your uncle now? Indeed - Beans, what's the latest on your MIL?

Poison, gosh, you're having a rough time...Colchester - you are still within spitting distance of the Big Smoke and once you're living in a place I think you will nose out the good things and advantages and all the little local dodges. This is what I tell myself about moving to a one horse town anyway As for your brother, on a completely practical level, I don't know what sort of cancer it may be but as you know there are so many types and stages and there are actually only a few scenarios where treatment is difficult. There may well be lots of reason for hope, and in my experience that's what anyone with cancer wants to concentrate on. You have a lot on your plate at the moment and besides, when you're ill the last thing you want is people fretting on the phone all the time. I don't know what your relationship with your brother is like but whatever the news is, I'd simply write a really positive note to him, and reminding him that you are thinking of him.

There are others I wanted to catch up with but my wrists and fingers are giving up the ghost!

Yay snap SL went for a tour of the maternity unit at the hospital on Sat. Was pleasantly surprised.

Hugs to all.

3 more weeks until maternity leave. to think that some of you will have had your babies while I am still at work.

ladyt, Green Wing, that's a great idea. I loved that and I've probably forgotten it all now. Especially that blond doctor, Mac or whatever he was called, mmmmm....

It must be nice not to have to do any more driving lessons for the time being!

I am struggling at work today, was feeling a bit sick and v tired. Never mind!!

emma I am off on maternity unit tour tonight as well. I have a bit more than 3 weeks to go as well, at least the birth announcements will keep us busy while we're trying to stay awake at our desks work.

Just quickly need to swear (insert expletives here). FINALLY got an appointment for a tour of the school we want DD to go to - and it's at 2pm on the Wednesday when we're having our meet up. I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You don't get any choice - you have to go when they tell you .

Bugger.

Oh PD - poor you - what a rubbish weekend and I hope things with your brother are ok. Sending big hugs.

We decorated the nursery yesterday - found these brilliant stickers to put up and it looks ace - I'm really excited about it. We had such a laugh doing it as well.

LT - I'm so sorry about your driving test - how annoying is that? Thinking of you and fingers crossed for next time - don't give up!

Enjoying my first day of maternity leave. Have just watched a film and am not goggling at Murder She Wrote. It's so bad, but I can't help loving it!!!

And just hoping the rain stops one day. I went to Tesco this morning and got soaked in about 3 seconds flat. It was miserable. Am now just waiting for the heating to kick in - 2 hours to go! Think I might even have a bit of a lie down! And am having my hair cut tomorrow morning - hurray! DH is going to have next week off and I can't wait to spend a decent length of time together.

I also need some advice (sorry, this has turned into a marathon post). I'm meeting a friend tomorrow who is an alcoholic and I haven't seen her for a long time. I rang her because her sister got in touch to say that she's really ill - her liver is not producing enough platelets or something. And her stomach has swollen up as well. She's been told by the doctors that she can't give up alcohol completely because she might have a seizure. Thing is, she always tells me that she's not drinking any more and I know it's a lie as her sister is friends with DH. All a bit difficult and I never know what to say. I'm being selfish, I know, but I don't really want to see her as I'm not sure how I can help her and it makes me feel desperately sad.

Sorry, clicked post by mistake. My advice was, what shall I say to her? Do I just pretend I don't know she's still drinking etc? She may not even turn up, I guess.

Oh Verso - what a shame - we'll miss you next Weds - but hopefully another time.

WG - I don't know if you're near south London, but Anthony Laban in Battersea do pregnancy massage as well.

Turnip We usually do a Turkey, sweet potato souffle with marshmallows on top, dressing/stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, creamed corn, apple pie and pecan pie. Some times we also do a green beans casserole. But no fruit salad (jello with friut and marshmallows) I don't really care for it much.

DH mom is also known for making the best cookies ever! We have her recipes... not sure if I can cook those as well as she does. Thanks for the link. I will definitely check those guys out. All this rain is making the delivery of food sound really great!

poison so sorry to hear that you are having a rough go at the moment. Praying for you and your family. Hope your DS starts to feel better soon as well. Lots and lots of hugs to you.

This weather really sucks today!! I had plans to go and finish up the hospital bag and it has been pouring all day! Not really the best walking weather. ALso not in the mood to get totally soaked.Makes me wish I could drive here.

We finished up the nursery yesterday! So excited about that. Was a little worried about the paint colors we chose, But it turned out okay. I'll have to try and post some pics.

Hope everyone is doing okay today!

Hi all, have braved the rain this morning & went round to a friend's. It was nice to just sit there as she dealt with the dcs & made me drinks!

LadyT, thansk for asking about my uncle, they're still not sure what the problem is but he's eating again and they should get the test results today. I think he's also seeing a surgeon as its probably going to be a surgical case now. How are you feeling now? If it helps any, I failed my first driving test as soon as I pulled out of the test centre . Annoying thing was I didn't know until the end, the examiner had to make me do the whole thing!

PD - sorry to hear about your dad & db. Hope your trip goes ok [hugs]. Is ds feeling better now?

Trace & Veggie - I'll join you in the crying jags. I had one last night just before I went to bed. Had absolutely no idea what caused it though

Beans, sorry to hear about your friend. Don't really know what to suggest, unless maybe wait to see if she brings it up?

Verso, sorry you can't make the meet up!

Beans, I think she is very far beyond your help and clearly under the professionals. I think don't mention it unless she does - if she wants to pretend she isn't drinking, let her preserve her dignity a bit, the poor woman. I bet it's the last thing she wants to discuss anyway. Be kind, gentle and chatty, is my advice. We can't all help everybody and sometimes just being normal with people who have bad problems is actually a nice break for them and the kindest thing. (The only exception I would make here is with bereavement - people who have suffered a loss usually want to be given the chance to talk about it).

Verso, sorry you can't make the meet up. I strongly suspect I will either be having a test or a refresher lesson next Weds so may not make it either. We'll have to bring our babies to the one before Christmas instead!

Rosmerta - fingers crossed about your uncle's test results.

Okay... pics have been posted.

Beans- sorry to hear about your friend. I'm with Rosemerta on this one. Seems best to wait and see if she brings it up.

Verso- Glad you were able to get an appointment with the school. Stinks you won't be able to make the meet up though.

Nice pics, Kimberley - very tasteful!

Thanks LadyT (& Beans/Kimberly/rosmerta) - it's bowel cancer (if it does indeed turn out to be cancer). He was diagnosed with it last year and has had major surgery and chemo - a couple of weeks ago they did the routine 12-month check and found a large lump. It's strange to say given his recent history but it has been a bolt out of the blue as he seemed to have recovered so well and has recently rediscovered his appetite for life after losing a year to the treatment and many months of being ill before (it took a long time for them to diagnose it, mainly because of his age - he's only a year older than me). But you're right - it hasn't necessarily spread even if it is cancerous, although it's quite a shock to think it's returned so soon and so aggressively. I definitely do try to avoid the fretting on the phone thing and try to keep it positive, but to be honest I'm not very good at it and end up putting off phoning him cos I don't know what to say, which just makes me feel worse. Anyway, sorry - didn't mean to go on about it too much on here, and it might not even be cancer.

Beans when my dad tells me he's stopped drinking I don't even acknowledge what he's said any more and just change the subject. What's the point? I wouldn't be too sure that the doctors have told her she can't stop drinking either - that sounds like the kind of thing my dad would say (and actually believe). More likely they would have to put her on medication to prevent seizures (my dad's on something called Librium at the moment which as far as I know does just that). If you really don't want to meet her then don't - sounds like you could do without the stress - but if you do, maybe just try to avoid the subject (although if she's anything like my dad that will be difficult as she might not have much else going on in her life and certainly won't be interested in yours).

Verso shame you can't make the meet-up - again! I haven't put my name down for it yet cos of the trip up north but if I'm back by then I'm hoping to go along. Would have been good to see you. Shame if you can't make it either LadyT - perhaps the Opera House does mother and baby sessions & we could make our first post-baby meet-up there?

rosmerta DS is on the mend I think, although he was apparently a nightmare at music & movement this morning. I must have missed the stuff about your uncle - hope he's okay.

Sweet potato souffle with marshmallows on the top Kimberly? Ooh I think I've just come down with morning sickness! Creamed corn sounds lovely though ... mmm.

Has anybody else's diet been absolutely appalling lately? I'm too fat to fit through the supermarket door and DP has absolutely no idea about nutrition - I feel like I'm eating the same crap all the time, and filling up on crap between meals. I was much more disciplined with DS and ate quite well most of the time. I can't even be arsed taking my vitamins half the time, and they're only in the bathroom cabinet. I was rattling last time round! Sent DP to get me a mountain of brussels sprouts last night and gobbled them all in one go.

Oh and I meant to ask - has anyone else not bothered with antenatal classes if you've already got DCs? I keep totally forgetting about them and then thinking maybe I should go. After all, my experience this time could be totally different to last time. And those of you who have got DCs and have attended again - was it worth going?

Hello,

Carpet is in and I love it. It feel so nice to have carpet and not horrible tiles. Now the front room is done, I must start on the Nursery.

Feeling really heavy today, I feel like I have been hit by a bus.

Arti I hope you are feeling better soon. I had an UTI when I was around 24/25 weeks and I honestly thought I was in labour. It is the same sort of pain in the same place. Get plently of rest.

Katie Sorry to hear about the floods. We had them last year and it was awful.

Beans Not sure what to say about your friend. It must be a horrible postition to be in.

Kimberly It looks lovely. I can't wait to have ours sorted out.

I am so jealous of the meet up. I will be there in spirt(sp) Eat some nice cake for me.

Sorry to everyone else, I can't remember what I have read now!!! Hope you are all ok.

Thanks LadyT! It's now my favorite room in the house. Makes the rest of our place look rather drab. Guess we'll have to decorate the rest of the house now.

good luck with the school visit Verso, hope it's what you want. Are you imagining it will be difficult to get into. We are being a bit lazy with the school thing. the montessori nursery school DS goes to takes up to 6 years olds so we will just keep him there until we move back to Australia.

Beans- i have to say it's a lot to ask of you this close to your birth. I 2nd what everyone else says and just enjoy a coffee together. As LT said she is under professionals they would have her seeing people if they thought it would help and well she's not going to suddenly stop drinking if you confront her with it. Sorry you have been put in this situation.

kim your room looks lovely. I may have to put up some piccies of ours when it is completely finished. Ours has Thomas the Tank engine stickers round it . I bought them as DH loves Thomas the Tank Engine, he had much fun putting them up. I have been tested on which engine is which (and my knowledge found sadly lacking). I hope the scans are correct and it is a boy as the room might be a bit boyish otherwise!

kayz jealous of carpets, we had carpet fitters round to measure this morning, and found that we need 7 square metres extra of carpet from what was estimated, which on the carpet we had chosen added 200 quid to the total , so I said no and we have to choose some cheaper stuff . (I should point out this is for a hall carpet downstairs and upstairs, not baby room - 7 square metres out in estimate in a bedroom would either mean I can't measure or have a VERY big bedroom!)

beans good luck with your friend. I would meet up if you feel up to it but like the others said steer away from the conversation when it comes round to whether she is still drinking or not.

Poison - even if it is the cancer back again, oddly the more aggressive the cancer the more receptive it can be to treatment. It's the slow growing, dogged ones that can be hard to treat. FIngers crossed it isn't back, but his age will also stand him in good stead, as will 12 months of strong recovery behind him.

As for our next meet up being at the Royal Opera House, the sandwiches have gone off a bit recently so I wouldn't recommend it (deadpan emoticon).

Diet? My diet is varied and I would say really healthy, lots of fruit and veggies, but I am still as blubbery as someone off a Channel Five documentary who has to go everywhere on a trolley.

poison I feel like my diet has been awful as well. Seems like we can't keep anything healthy in the house. I just finished eating some crisps and was thinking the whole time that these are horrible for me and the baby. Although I did have an apple earlier today.

As for the sweet potato souffle... DH likes the marshmallows on top. My family always put cornflakes with brown sugar and butter on top. It is a bit sweet though... but really yummy.

Someone asked about pregnancy massage earlier. I think it may have been WG. I found a place called cupcakemum . I've not been there but thought it sounded good. They also have tea, cake and maybe even a lunch menu. It says something about a membership, but you don't have to be a member in order to get a massage. I think members get better deals and can also attend other classes and stuff that they offer.

Kimberley the room looks fab, well done.

i have to say i thought the sweet potato souffle sounded nice, not def on the marshmellows but they must be on there for a reason, also i love sweet potato.

SL- your DH would get on very well with my DS. So far we have a massive Thomas wall sticker but have been thinking of getting some more. His fav at the moment is Gordon, but it changes. Your DH is going to love making up the trainlines with the thomas/brio/ELC/ikea tracks and bits. I have to say it does become a bit of an artistic/engineering outlet at times.

Thanks all v much for the advice, I appreciate it tons.

My internet is playing up something rotten today and taking hours for anything to happen, so afraid I'm going to call it a day for now!

Hope you all have a lovely evening and I'll try again tomorrow afternoon!

xx

Yes the souffle bit sounds nice but with marshmallows? Cornflakes & sugar? Does not compute!

LadyT I should know better than to make jokes about the opera as I didn't get yours (braindead emoticon) - I am a fully-fledged opera pleb myself (love Carmen) although my first couple of operas were fancily enough at la Scala (La Boheme & Attila). Never actually been in London though.

veggie yes he would!! DH is totally excited about when the baby is big enough to be interested in train sets!