Due in June '05 - onwards and outwards

[welshmum]

Here we are - Happy Mondays all

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Hello everyone,

Hope you are all having a Happy Easter! I am up early as I have the miserable job of going to start eviction proceedings against my tenant today who is refusing to budge from my house that I am trying to sell, and which I need to sell, in order to allow us to go and buy big mansion-style house for us and all our planned mini-mes! Dp is quite worried that I am going to lose my temper, but I have a letter from my solicitor which shall act as my shield and allow me to keep a cool, calm exterior even if I am bubbling over with anger inside!! Wish me luck!

Uwila ? The reason for my late holiday is that I want to have a week of sun, just lazing about with my lovely dp. We have never managed to have a holiday just the two of us as family always seem to invite themselves along ? and unfortunately, we just don?t get enough sun in this country. Dp called the E111 people and apparently it will cover me in Europe so I just need normal travel insurance and a holiday company that will let me book!! Hurrah!

I quote from the website:
?The Form E111 covers you for any treatment that becomes necessary during the course of your visit. This includes all maternity care, renal dialysis and oxygen therapy (see below).?

Lippy ? I am sure that a small break away is not going to do you any harm. I mean think of all the potntial disasters that could befall you at home, getting the bus or driving where you want to go. Go on, you can convince dh I?m sure.

MrsW ? Yes we got to see the rugby too!!! Dp had already said that we were leaving by 3pm at the very latest, but luckily the course orgaisr had taken this into account. LOL! Midwife said that if I was in a lot of pain then they could do physio and get me a support belt? not an attractive prospect. I find that I just need to take it easy and think about how I move before I do it. Let me know what happens with your appointment though as I may be persuaded otherwise.

Trib ? I work in tax accountancy so CAT me if you need any help. I can already think of a few things that might work on the strength of your post.

Pink ? Go and have a chat with the ?Counselling? services or some such at the university and tell them through bleary eyes and sobs that you can?t do your exams that close together etc. I am positive that hey will find a way round it as they like to be ?do-gooders? and what better way than to help a pg lady iykwim!!

Cooperoo ? Big hug . I miss my family too, and they?re only 3 hours drive away. Sometimes you just need your mum don?t you? I seem to be getting more emotionally ?clingy? in this trimester ? bizarre.

Lynny ? Sounds like you had a good day after all. x

Speak soon. Sx

Morning Ladies!

Obviously I can't sleep hence this ridiculously early (for me) post! Probably because I was knacked yesterday after my 28 week appt at the hospital, then a hilly dog walk, a bit of tiling (yes, still!) and ended up in bed at 4.30 for nearly hours. Didn't even have the energy to post! Goodness knows how you workies manage, I admire you, really!

All seemed well at my appt - got prodded around a bit and told Pod was breech - I'm so not worried though, the way he carries on messing around in there, I'm sure he's upside down half the time and MW just got him at the wrong moment She's made me an appt with the consultant at 34 weeks as she was quite taken aback by the size of my feet (tiny) and wants to make sure natural delivery is going to be a possibility after all. Kind of wish she hadn't said this - I've been fantasising ever since of a contraction and pain free, totally laid back booked-in delivery in a posh private ward (my BUPA would kick in if I have to have a cs)

Scraggy lovely to hear your voice! I was getting worried! Thanks for your lovely words about my engagement - you're right, we are perfect for each other - no one else could put with us! That NCT weekend sounds great - would we be too late booking now do you think? It'd be worth going just to see dp's face when he's asked to do all that playing games stuff - he'd hate it so much! did you mean you're suffering from SPD (not PSD?) or is that something I haven't heard of? Have you had it diagnosed? It sounds like a nightmare! I always sleep with a pillow between my legs, and another one between my breasts by the way - 3 carefully arranged pillows everynight - dp finds it most amusing! I just can't bear to have any part of me touching any other part of me iyswim. Strange I know.

Poor you re your tenant - we had a tenant that didn't pay us any rent. Nightmare. Had to sell the flat because of it. Good luck!

Welshie - poor you and dh That is just so sad about your mc in NZ. You must have been absolutely devastated.
Hope you had a fabulous time in your posh hotel!

Katz - your trip sounds like a nightmare! thank goodness nothing too serious happened in the end.

Trib/Scraggy - You might find that even with a doctor's note for flying you still might not be insured for anything pregnancy-related. I enquired about this myself before our jaunt to Venice and was told "it doesn't cover you for pre-existing illnesses" Of course I said, I didn't realise pg was an illness. Don't forget to ask that you go around the X-ray machines, not through them - they sometimes forget to remind you.

Lynny! - you do make me laugh! I think it's the breeches thing that gets me the most

Pink - have you at least asked your neighbours if they've seen your post from the other day? Goodness - your situation there sounds awful. You should definitely speak to the post office to see what they suggest you do
As for your 6 hours of exams - do you get a lunch in between? You know, it might be good to get them out the way. Do you know how you're going to get there yet?

Uwila - when are you going to give your nanny notice? Can't you wait to see if your new arrangement works out first in case you want to keep her? From what I hear, finding a decent au pair/nanny is a can of worms and I do remember several months ago how much you liked her. Sometimes (if not always) relationships need to be worked at and can be better if you can work through sticky bits?
Have you and dh had your "talk" yet about what he saw on here? Are you going to change your nickname?

Mrs W - LOL re your ds's Dragon! I might try that one...

Trib - I don't envy you all that paperwork! - Was there a worthtwhile point to your dh investing in half his folks' house?

KVG - your poor face!! Don't pick! Hope you had a lovely weekend at your folks'

Coop - Happy birthday to your dd for yesterday! I measured exactly 28 cm yeserday too - but I look MASSIVE and was suprised I didn't measure more!

Jonah - how was the gig? What kind of music does he play? There is no way I could go to a gig at the moment, supportive dp or not! You must be knacked today.

in bed for nearly 3 hours..

Morning Charley and Scraggy! I wonder if we three shall be the only ones on today whilst everyone else does important Good Friday tasks (whatever they may be).

Charley, your insurance should cover you for pregnancy, I've been looking for policies that specifically state they cover it however. Scraggy, I don't think you're going to find one that covers up to 34 weeks though. If you have to cancel (for example) for pregnancy-related reasons you won't get your dosh back. As Lizs has said on your other thread, the E111 covers you for emergency treatment (which obv labour would be!) but not for any other associated costs. I'm not really temtped to go uninsured although I'm sure you'll be fine.

Charley, are you really not meant to go through the metal detector machines at the airport? I've been through loads of times! I don't remember seeing any notices about not going through if you were pregnant, will have a look next week. I expect the security people were just being cautious as they could see you were visibly pregnant - I'm sure if it was a real health risk they would make more of a deal about it, perhaps ask every podgy looking woman if she was actually pregnant

Scraggy, best of luck with the eviction, what a nightmare. I've come across people on the Fool who've basically had no choice but to sit tight for an eviction; their credit rating is shot so they can't rent another place and they need to be made homeless in order to get on the Council's waiting list for a house. So hopefully your tenants are reasonable people in a difficult situation and you can deal with it all relatively peacefully.

Coop - sorry to hear you are feeling down. I know what it's like to feel isolated, I don't know anyone locally here (waiting for my antenatal classes to remedy that) so I feel quite cut off from the world at times, particularly with dh being so unwell that we can't do a lot of visiting other people at the moment. If you would like to buy a house in Suffolk, I have one - actually I have two if you include the in-laws' place which is giving me so much stress Let me know if you would like either of them! If there's anything useful I can do like go into the estate agents, feel free to CAT me.

Talking of visitors, I've got some people coming for lunch. Or have I? You may recall a few weeks ago some friends drove me round the bend by not being able to remember my address/the directions I provided and really wound me up. Now some different friends were meant to be coming tomorrow, but forgot and arranged something else, and said it would either be today or Monday, I said fine just let me know. (Btw, of course I had to provide the address and directions again). Last I heard, the bloke who was coming was having to negotiate with his girlfriend to be 'allowed' to come but after that: nothing. I've texted the girl who's meant to be driving but I'm not doing anything else to contact them. We are meant to be seeing the MIL either today or Monday and I am just going to go ahead with my day on the assumption they aren't coming.

I mean really - is it so hard just to text even if it's to say "he's still in negotiations, sorry for not being able to let you know". Just bloody rude. Quite why he has to negotiate I am not sure - the gf is of course invited too, the girl he's coming with is his ex but is now married to someone else (her dh can't come today either). I'm married to someone else, it's LUNCH for god's sake! I seem to recall similar traumas about him being allowed out for my hen do last year.

Charley ? Good point about the X-ray machines. Completely forgot!! I agree with the ?not insured for pre-existing conditions? hiccup, we came across that one too. Thing is I don?t mind having to fork out for a new flight if necessary. I just need to know that if baby arries early it, more than me, will be cared for. However, if you stay within the EC then you are covered with your E111, so it depends where you want to go. (Oh and yes, SPD, PSD, DSP?. Lol!!! Sore ?pelvis? dilemma!!)

I have found people that will insure up to 32 weeks if anyone?s interested ? AXA Insurance and Insure and Go.

Trib ? Yes my tenant is on a council waiting list and if you look around it seems to be common knowledge that the council will advise them to get evicted which seems crazy to me, as surely another landlord isn?t going to touch them with a barge pole.

And I know what you mean about memory ? I have just realised that I?ve forgotten a film I took in to be developed about 3 weeks ago!!!

dp just took out the travel insurance that was linked to Ryanair - he didn't even look at it and didn't even mention I was pg (typical). When I called to tell them and query if I was covered, I was told theirs' was a typical policy and I'd find most were the same. In the light of your's and Scraggy's investigations however, this is not true. I didn't worry too much though because we were covered through dp's bank. I think you're right about the metal-detector machines. No big deal - if it were I'm sure there'd be signs. I was just about to walk through at Stansted though and the security guy told me I didn't have to and directed me round the side, so I asked each time after that and no one minded. Might as well! I'm putting off some dental treatment until after the birth because I can't have (shouldn't have) the x-rays, so to my mind that inconvenience would be a waste of time if I were to go through the airport machines. Lol at them asking every podgy woman if she's pg!

Your friend's gf makes that situation sound like something from my teenage/early 20's years! Hope you have a nice day regardless.

Whoops - crossed posts! Wish I'd remembered about the E111 - it's free isn't it and from the post office? dur.

What a disgusting situation that policy puts landlords in! I really feel for you. Try to keep it official and not get stressed (easy to say I know), but being stressed isn't going to get things moving.

Just to reiterate, the metal detector machines are not x-ray machines, otherwise if you think about it people who travel all the time would be getting x-rayed sort of 5 times a week, not very good. Just remember not to throw yourself head-first after your hand baggage into the x-ray machines

I checked online, came up with this answer from Babycenter.com - oh and Here's another one .

However, I agree it does no harm to ask to avoid the gate, even though presumably this means they just go over you individually with the wand thing or do they pat you down? It's the patting down I've been wanting to avoid as I don't like anyone touching my bump.

Btw, amusing x-ray/pregnancy story: some friends of friends went to the doc as the woman was having some pains in the top of her legs. The doc sent her off for an x-ray, and afterwards the x-ray people said "errr, you appear to be approx 7 months pregnant [completely unbeknownst to them] and - oops, we've x-rayed the baby". Fortunately bubs was fine, but bit of a shock to them to have 2 months to prepare for the arrival of this completely unexpected baby!

Charley - I know what you mean about this whole 'girlfriend not letting him out to play' scenario, tragically all the people involved are nearly 30 and should know better. The gf has very low self-esteem so doesn't like it if the bloke does things without her, which is a tad unreasonable if she's not available to come with him! He's a very flirty guy, I don't know if that's what makes her nervous, but it's all completely innocent, he would never do anything to give her cause for concern.

Scraggy - I think the trouble is, no landlord would touch them anyway so they have nothing to lose by being evicted in that sense. Often you need a decent credit rating to rent a place nowadays anyway - in fact when we've been looking at rented places, quite a few of them say "employed only". As dh and I are enjoying a state of prolonged leisure, I was going to probably have to offer a large chunk of dosh, say 3-6 months rent in advance, to get round this ourselves. Or just move in with the MIL of course

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Thanks for posting those links Trib - I just assumed when the guy suggested I walk around the detector that they must emit x-rays - guess I must have just heard it somewhere in the past. Doh. I hate getting my facts wrong! I just got patted down by females which I didn't mind.

at your friends' friends! I've never understood how people can not know they're pregnant - particularly in the 3rd trimester. I know it happens though! Amazing isn't it?

Hi Lynny! Good for you having a fruity hubby! My dp mentions it every now and again but when it comes to it he chickens out! Have a nice wander - I'm off to finally try and buy something for the baby and to finally actually have a look at the jane prams I've been droning on about for months

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Hello
Just flying in to say hello. I have only skim read the posts so am not replying in detail but thanks for kind words about my feeling sad. I am OK really, just hormones adding to everything and anyway my Mum is coming to visit on Wed for a week. Hooray! I am really glad we have chosen to know 6 mths off the end of our tour now though. We were regretting it a bit as financially we will miss out alot but I know we have made the right decision. I definately don't want family missing another of dd's birthdays.
Trib - I think your houses will be too far west for us. We are after Woodbridge area. Thanks though. Glad you pointed out the metal detector thing. I was reading thinking it isn't an xray machine is it???
Scraggy - Arrghh at your situation.
DH has been busy building a car port today from scaffolding and an old military tent. I am quite impressed but can't tell him because it has taken him over a year to sort
Lynny - Made me laugh about fruity husbands. DH tried it on at lunchtime as soon as dd went for her nap and I snapped what are you thinking I have a 101 things to do. Poor chap. I did apologise. His timing was just so off. Having said that a few months ago that is exactly what we would have done.... Sorry if TMI.
I use cloth nappies with dd. Did you use them with your first? If you have a questions ask away. There are a few of us on this thread. Pink has loads of different ones! I find them loads more reliable than disposables for the early b/f poo so don't rule out using them out and about too.
Have to go and make the gravy. Roast pork with all the trimmings for dinner with fruit salad, ice cream and B'day cake for pud mmmm. Hope I have room. Pudding might have to follow in an hour or so. Byeeee

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I had an xray done at the beginning of pregnancy. They said it was safe because it was just an xray of my teeth.

Nope The college have already spoken to the exam board about the papers. I am allowed to sit by the door so I can go outside. The thing is because it is a clash - both my subjects time tabled at the same time. They wouldn't let me sit it on two different days even if I stayed over with a teacher because it is against policy because people who have already done the exams may be accessable. I get lunch but I have to be supervised as I have done one paper before the other people have. I have also put in a request to do my harder paper first otherwise the tiredness will be too much. I have to remember a whole shakespeare play for my literature exam - as well as the other two titles. It is a closed book exam so I have asked for that in the morning when I am less tired. Language - you have the material infront of you so when I am really tired that would be better second. I hope they don't refuse, if they do I won't language at all because I want to do a literature degree and if I mess it up I can kiss that goodbye - they won't except resits at Bristol uni and there is no point doing an english degree in a converted poly because an english degree is good for nothing anyway, though you might be able to wangle a decent job if you do it at a good university.

Been out buying all sorts baby - disposable pants etc... I just need a bag to put my hospital stuff in and I'll pack it up so I don't have to worry about that. That reminds me I must buy that portible tv for wimbledon on the maternity ward.

Oh I can't remember now who I was talking with about minki nappies. However I managed to procure a few 'anyone for tennis?' nappies! it has a racquet and ball on the bum and adorable. I've seen one with happy xmas embossed on the bum too! with a little robin dressed up in a scarf - I might have to buy it for Xmas the year after as it is in the large toodler size and he'll fit it by then. Gosh this nappy business is an addiction...

I'll pop back and read the rest later... Got to unpack my shopping

Evening chaps! Well, my guests turned up without warning at 1 o'clock this afternoon. I greeted them with "oh dear, I haven't cooked anything", knowing full well that what I planned to cook would only take half an hour, hee hee. They were suitably mortified.

We have also been to visit the MIL, who has offered to chip in for some cloth nappies so I decided it wasn't the time to evict her from her house

Coop, I think we are a bit too far west for you within this fine county. I do wish we could stay here as I think it's a lovely place, but the work just isn't happening. At this rate we could end up in Warsaw with bubs

Lynny, good on your dh, it sounds like you will need him around when the new little bundle arrives.

Now, calling all cloth nappy fiends! I would like to go and see some of these items in the flesh, so to speak, as I haven't got a clue what wraps and prefolds and suchlike are or what they look like or anything. All I have done is spoken knowledgeably to both Mum and MIL about how people don't use those square ones any more that you have pins for. (Actually we may well use some of those as my Mum still has the ones she used for me and my bro ready to do more service on the family bottom). Sounds like Scraggy's NCT class was good for this, any other thoughts? (I doubt we will get on the NCT course now, although I'll give them a call).

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Right ladies - Nappies. Just a quick post to get you going this morning.
Visit the nappy lady here
and try and find a Lollipop agent as they will visit you and show you nappies.
Also eco-babes do a hire kit here to try the nappies when the baby is born. I used this and it was BRILLIANT as some nappies REALLY didn't suit us and some were excellent. I actually went for the opposite of what I thought I would. (2 piece system poppers not velcro).
Also look out for Nappachinos (sp?) where people get together for nappy coffee mornings. They def do these in Ipswich and Woodbridge Trib. Sorry don't know about your area Lynny. Also look for your local Real Nappy Network. (Do a google.) There is def an active Suffolk/Ipswich one.
HTH More later as dh is nagging me to get ready as we are supposed to be going out.

Forgot to add. Lynny - Michaela from Minki does custom made nappies for older children.
www.nappiesbyminki.co.uk. Try emailing her. They are gorgeous as Pink has testified. and.... try NCT second hand sales I think. Have fun.

Morning all,

Just a quick pop in whilst ds is still alseep

Sooo many posts, haven't really had time to catch up properly, but;

SCRAGGY welcome back!!!! Hope all went well with the 'eviction', and glad you can still go on hols as planned.

Lynny - mmmmmm gamekeepers, manly chests, breeches...you know you've now set the agenda for dh's and my few days away this week, he he he . Glad your dd had a good day in the end.

Oh bugger - he's just woken up...better go...off to visit friends in Durham tomorrow, and then have a few days in Bakewell (area) after that, so I'll be back on thurs prob....take care all, have fabulous weekends and don't eat too much chocky....that's my job x

Cheers for the tips, Coop, I think we might head along to Nappaccinos in Ipswich next month (not that I drink coffee, I assume it isn't mandatory )

Just got the letter about our NHS parentcraft classes, they last for four weeks so naturally they've scheduled us to start less than four weeks before the baby is due. Hey ho.

Oh Lynny - As coop says the nappy lady. Prefolds sound like a disaster area with wriggly babies and heavy wetters but the local nappy washing service woman and myself almost came to blows over prefolds. Many people swear by them though. Though it was email - she got to a point where she said I should phone to sort it out. MMmmm I must confess I don't buy from the nappy lady though - the postage isn't included like Kittykins . I get alot of things from ebay because you can pick up some real bargains if you are prepared to keep watching it. I am on it daily to be honest paying for some 'I had to have it nappy item'. They have really good advice on the different nappies. I have gone by the sworn testimony mainly and the fact that tots bots have such a high sell on value they are worth buying even if you don't get on with them cos you can sell them for almost as expensive as you paid for them in the first place.

I've gone for a mix of tots bots, Minki's, ella's house (because hemp is very thin and has a greater absorbancy - thought it might be good for day time, less bulk). Though I am yet to try them - seeing as I haven't got a baby yet and the landlord is being a dick about the washing machine.

I'm obsessed now... I have some nature boy and girl disposables to use on the ward and a couple of moltex samples I got from an internet site. I realised I simply don't want to pay for disposables buying a few for the hospital bag was such a rip. I wish the nappy service offered tots bots...

Perhaps I should set up my own shop with a nappy service joined on. I could probably get some grant because it is environmentally friendly and I have been so disappointed with the things here in Bristol in regards to nappies that I think I could do a better job myself. I went into Born - it cost a bloody fortune. I have got my stuff much cheaper. The only competition in Bristol and Bath would be born for natural products and the two nappy washing services that offer prefolds. I could start a nappy washing service attached to a shop with shaped nappies - I'd steal all the customers.... God I am annoyed I am so skint. Worth looking into a grant though I am sure the council/government would have to subsidise some things like this seeing as the maternity wards are all pushing for real nappies. I'm never going to make any money from an English degree thats for sure

Lynny - typically I came home with absolutely nothing yesterday. Again. Did have a play with some prams though and once and for all decided on a Jane 360. So that's out of the way. Thank gawd. I really want to use washables too but I am too overwhelmed by the choice at the moment, so will wait until he's here to decide which ones to go for. I will probaly make use of a "nappy trial" The Eco-babies one looks good, but don't appear include 0 - 1 month size?

Your week in Devon sounds like fun. I lurve the west country and hope to be moving there within the year.

Pink - you are scaring me with your organization-ness! I am impressed in particular with your nappy investigations. I just haven't the energy to go there yet as I know I'll become obsessed too! I thought you said you were going to use disposables a few weeks ago? good for you! - what made you change your mind? I think you should seriously think about doing a nappy service thing - you'd be great! I'd consider doing it too, only I know I won't be in this area much longer.

Trib - when did you apply for the NCT classes? Ages ago?