Due Fab Feb 2009: crossed fingers (and legs) we'll get through another thread without welcoming any early arrivals!

[MarkStretch]

Welcome.

Please feel free to add yourself to the list.

TinkerBellesMum - DC3 (girl), due: 01.02.09 (not expected to get far into December) (age 27, Birmingham)
Laidbackinengland - DC4, due: 23.01.09 (age 34, North Devon)
Nkweto - DC2, due: 30.01.09 (age 35, West London)
Mamagoose - DC3, due: 31.01.09 (age 32, Spain)
Questionkid - DC1, due: 03.02.09 (age 33, Wallington, Surrey)
PinkTulips - DC3, due; 04.02.09 (age 24, Roscommon, Ireland)
MsLucy - DC2 (a boy), due: 4/2/09 (CS a few days early)(age 38, North London)
Swampster - DC3, (a boy), due: 06.02.09 (age 40 , London)
Rosieposey - DC4, (a boy) due: 06.02.09 (age 36,Swindon,Wiltshire)
MarkStretch - DC2, (a boy) due: 07.02.09 (age 29, Norwich)
onwardandoutward - DC2, due: 07.02.09 (age 35 South West)
LittleMissNorty - DC2, due: 08.02.09 (age 40 in a couple of weeks, Kent).
KT1983 - DC1, due: 09.02.09 (age 25, London)
KazzaL - DC2 (suprise flavour), due 10.02.09 (age 35, Cirencester, Gloucs)
herbgarden - DC2, due: 11.02.09 (CS 02.02.09) (age 38, Berkshire)
TheHouseofMirth - DC2, (a boy) due: 12.02.09 (age 38, Wimbledon)
Littlesez ? DC1 (a girl) due: 15.02.09 (age 28, Manchester)
America - DC2, (a boy) due: 16.02.09 (age 32, London)
Rachrox - DC4, (a boy) due: 18.02.09 (age 28, Cheltenham)
Catstar - DC2, (a boy) due: 18.02.09 (age 36, Chessington)
Dinkystinky - DC2, (a boy) due: 19.02.09 (age 32, London)
Pluto DC2 (gender unknown), due 19.02.09 (Age 38, Kent)
DizzyBrummie - DC2, due: 20.02.09 (age 36, Berkshire)
Calico1 - DC2 due: 21.02.09 (age 40, West Herts)
mrsy - DC1, (a girl) due: 22.02.09 (age 24, Maidstone, Kent
Scubagroover - DC1 (a boy), due: 22.02.09 (age 31, London/ Kent)
Winemakesmummyclever - DC2 (a boy), due: 23.02.09. (age 35, Manchester) expecting cs @ 39 weeks.
Spottyshoes - DC2, due: 24.02.09 (age 28)
Lardybump - DC2, due: 24.02.09 (age 34)
Chilledmama - DC2 (a girl), due: 25.02.09 (age 32, Southsea)
Cocodrillo - DC3, due 26.02.09 (age 34 at the mo, London) expecting a CS at 38-39 weeks.
mumoverseas - DC4 (a boy), due: 28.02.09 (CS 2 to 3 weeks early) (age almost 41 Arabia/Crawley West Sussex)

Evening all and welcome new people.

Tonight the baby feel like it is corkscrewing down into my fanjo. It's not a pleasant sensation.

Have done nothing about Christmas yet Rosie, DH and I were just saying we need to go into the city and shop some time soon.

No nosebleeds here but had an ECG at the Dr's yesterday as every now and then my heart races for seemingly no reason and it's leaving me worn out and breathless- anyone else getting this?

ECG was clear and they took more bloods to check my iron levels so we'll see what comes back.

Hello everyone, old & new!

No nosebleeds here but I did knock a scab off the ultra-attractive and totally huge coldsore on my lip whilst I was cleaning my teeth and fromteh state of the sink and tiles it looked like there had been a massacre. I guess it's the same principle as noses with all that extra blood.

I had a racing heart earlier on in this pregancy, MS, but it seems to have calmed down now. Apart from feeling like it's going to explode when I go up our stairs too quickly.

Has anyone fallen over yet? I'm waiting for that to happen soon. I remember when I was pg with DS1 falling over in the street on the way back to my office from lunch and my poor colleague almost doing her back in as she panicked and lifted me back on to my feet!

Totally unprepared for Christmas and getting a bit worried I'm leaving it too late. This is about the time I'd usually start throwing money at the problem but three years into a single income we are super-skint and that's not an option so heavens above, I'm actually going to have to put some thought into people's presents this year which is much more time consuming!

AArrggghhh-Not feeling that chilled anymore...have done no Christmas shopping and DH has basically just said he has no ideas and doesn't have time to worry about it!!! To be fair, he is really busy but blimey...when the hell am I going to manage to shop (even on-line) for the entire family and friends???????

DH and I only buy for each other and for all the children in the family.

There's no way we could afford to buy for all the adults as well.

All DH seems to want this year is clothes.

And it's my 30th two days after Christmas, I am going to be a fat grumpy sober mare so he's terrified about getting my present wrong!

My family are easy. An individual card and something small will please them loads but DHs family are quite different...not that they ask for lots of money to spent on them but lets just say their tastes are much more expensive...I don't want to seem -ve or ungrateful as they are all extremely generous but it does put pressure on me to achieve what currently seems like the impossible!

Uh; on a different matter. Lovely bedside being listed on ebay just now but it bids from £150. How cheeky is that!!!

Luckily our family is very small so it's not too bad but it's still got to be done...

MS my birthday is 12 days before Xmas which DH seems constantly taken suprise by despite the fact it has fallen on the same date in each of the 18 years we have known each other. Then it's our 13th wedding anniversary on 6th Jan which we usually celebrate by having an argument about taking the decorations down and by DH's birthday on 8th January we're all suffering extreme celebration fatigue!

Luckily our family is very small so it's not too bad but it's still got to be done...

MS my birthday is 12 days before Xmas which always seems to take DH by surprise despite the fact it has fallen on the same date in each of the 18 years we have known each other. Then it's our 13th wedding anniversary on 6th Jan which we usually celebrate by having an argument about taking the decorations down and by DH's birthday on 8th January we're all suffering extreme celebration fatigue!

Not sure what happened there!

Chilledmam did you see my post the other day telling you about the Amby Co-sleeper and also recommending you use a sniper tool to get a last second bid in on those listings which finish late at night?

Also are you a member of our local NCT group? I'm not but have managed to get on their emailing list and it means you can send an email to the group asking if anyone has stuff to sell. Failing that, look on the NCT website where it lists all the local nearly new sales. You might get lucky at one of those. If there isn't actually one there you can always ask around there to see if anyone has one at home for sale.

Yes thom I did thanks.

The Arms Reach co-sleeper would be completely acceptable and does seem to come up a little cheaper but I would prefer the other style (less plasticey)iykwim. If I can't get the wooden one soon, I will go for the AR one.
Thankyou for the sniper thing...I knew you used to be to do it but for some reason I thought they had be blocked...clearly a vivid dream after some cheese
Went to local NCT nearly new sale 2 weeks ago...they had very little for anyone unless you want a potty or a microwave steriliser. The one I went to before DS was born was brilliant and I managed to get loads but the recent one was really disappointing. Our local NCT is suffering from lack of volunteers at the moment so not at its best! Sadly I know that I should help have so little time already I fail to see what I could possibly do other than promise time I don't have!!

I went to an NCT sale last weekend which was also pretty bad. I volunteered to make a cake so got in free & 30 mins early! There were so many couples queuing to get in that they had to let people in in batches. Makes me think that when I come to getting rid of my baby stuff I should do very well!

Hell yes! Just think about basic things like packs of vests, a change mat, a baby bath, goodness I will make a fortune...well OK. It won't have been a complete loss!

I?m not that brave honest, sometimes you just have to get on with things and think about them later or you?d crack up. My biggest fears over having a premature baby are that history will repeat with the birth, I?m already suffering from Birth Trauma from my last birth and I can see it going the same way again which could make things worse. I?m going into PALS on Friday and going to talk to them about things and see if I can get them to arrange for me to see the top MW.

LBB I love the typo ?ice warm bath?! Don?t worry about the blood tests and what they think of you, they?re used to it and I?m sure they get worse than you in! When I had my TB injection I was in a home school school (deliberate double word) and had to have it done at a clinic. I was so upset that they had to take me out the back door as they couldn?t risk taking me through the waiting room! I?m also known to faint at blood tests (but not since I?ve been on blood thinners so it?s probably a TIA rather than a faint).

Rosie, they?re saying section. Last week one said section one said ?let?s see? but then retracted when she read my notes and saw what sort of scar I have. This is also something I want to talk to the MW about because I would happily do a trial of scar with no pain relief to lower the risk of missing breakthrough pain rather than put myself through another section.

Nadssss, lavender is the only essential oil that can be used neat, but it does go further if you mix it. I really should use some on my pillow; I?m not sleeping very well at the moment. I used to get in trouble as a teenager as I love lavender and it would go in my bath plus I would use loads of lavender toiletries, then I would go in my bedroom and cover my bed and head board in it (I?ve always been an insomniac). The whole house would be sleepy and this would help me get off around midnight.

?Ps Markstretch - even wierder than realising you're not alone is the realisation that you're growing a willy inside of you?

How about realising (if you?re carrying a girl) that half of all your grandchildren from that child are inside you?

Does anyone else get the feeling like they?re doing that thing dogs do in their sleep when they kind of half shudder and half try to kick their ear?

Loads of nose bleeds here; I?m prone to them anyway then I have to take blood thinners and I?m pregnant (obviously ) so I can?t escape them! Pregnancy nose bleeds are because the vessels expand and you have a lot more blood than normal running around your body putting extra pressure on them. The expanded vessels are why you may also feel like you have a cold all the time.

MS, I do get palpitations a lot in pregnancy, it can be quite frightening. I also have to have one day of vertigo for some reason!

I?m actually quite well prepared for Christmas this year, all of the children that aren?t ours are bought for, have some presents for our own children and we?re not buying adults, they?re getting home made calendars to show what we got up to this year. They?re a freebie which TBD does in his spare time at work [shh] I?ll make up calendars for anyone who wants one, free for a PDF file that you can have printed yourself.

PS, I'm not enterprising, just bored!

TBM - you are brave.

You know you are.

So stop saying you're not, ffs!

I am totally unprepared for Xmas, the new baby and everything.

I feel very tired and grumpy and am feeling quite down. Having lots of negative thoughts about everything, which is making me feel awful.

Not coping very well with DS at the moment and worried I'm a bad mother. Feel worried I'll be even more rubbish when the new one arrives.

I'm afraid I won't be going out tomorrow as I have a very busy day ahead and don't think I'll be in a great state at the end of it.

Sorry to be such a misery. I'm not usually like this but have had one of those days.

Mslucy... I hope you are feeling a bit better today? You are not a bad mum....now challenge those thoughts ![bossy face emoticon]

As for the new baby - you probably don't need that much.

And as for Christmas - you will be heavily pregnant and need to delegate !

Deep breaths....hopefully today will be different.

Morning you lot.
MS My baby has been right down in my pelvis from the start apparently so I'm forever being kicked and punched in my woo-woo. Not nice at all. Especially when I'm on a bus and jump up like I've just been electricuted!

TBM I am doing the dog thing, I have a big shudder everynow and again when this little sod bundle of joy kicks and punches at same time!

I've only bought ds a few little bits and think that's all I'm going to do. My parents told me not to worry about them as I must have enough on my plate preparing for a new baby. What a good idea I thought, so have told everyone that. Haven't told them I haven't done anyting to get ready for baby though.
Me and dp don't bother buying for each other at xmas, he brings home random gifts for me whenever he sees something he thinks I'd like. It's my birthday 2 weeks later too so can be a bit much.

I've done all the Christmas presents, and have bought my wrapping paper and cards -everything done on-line or in one humongous trip to Bluewater. Just have to chose what I want from John - it rather has to be spelt out for him!!!

Madam is breech and lying right down low - it is bizarre when she moves and blardy painful when she kicks! John has taken to having words with her to ask her to behave!

LBB - Id love to get Random gifts bought home for me
I do get the occasional bunch of flowers though

Ive told hinted to DP that Id like to be showered with gifts & flowers when I have the baby

As for the baby & kicking my bits - Ouch!!! It is like an electric shock!

Morning all. Had the most horrendous nightmares last night about DS dying which had me waking up weeping - damn pregnancy dreams

MsLucy - sorry to hear you wont make the meet up tonight; hope you feel better today. You're not a bad mum - we all struggle from time to time because we're only human and trying to juggle five thousand different things at once means that we end up feeling like absolute failures. Sounds like you're very stressed at the moment - and xmas and new baby and everything else is just getting on top of you - try and take time to take a step back and just breathe for a few moments and you'll probably feel better - or make a list (always makes me feel better )

MOS - so sorry to hear abour your DD's ear infection; hope she's starting to feel better today. Totally understand if you want to pull out this evening too (not fun leaving an ill child behind at home, particularly if dad is out of the country) - just text me to let me know.

THOM - this year for xmas we've decided that DS and I will make xmas biscuits to give family and family friends as xmas presents (just xmas shaped cookie cutters we've already got, some cellophane and some pretty ribbon needed). Is a nice cheap way of giving presents to loved ones that will make them feel all gooey inside. We've got some other bits and bobs to give family too.

Markstretch - definitely recommend dropping some not so subtle hints that you'd like something to pamper you for your birthday (totally recommend pregnancy massage for that stage when you feel like you could take on a tank - and win - of pregnancy as makes you feel human and non-bloated for an hour).

TBM - best of luck with PALS and seeing the head MW.

I never get flowers. Didn't even get flowers when I had ds. My dad brought me some and work sent some but not the same as from dp.
The oter night he bought me The Tudors series 1 and 2 on dvd, we started watching it last night. he can be very thoughtful.
I don't do it for him, I should really.

Here you go LBB!

I've been awake since 5am cleaning my house . Nesting?.... what nesting?

Are any of you having home births?

I wanted to ask you all something...

My mum has bought a beautiful Izziwotnot moses basket for the baby. Ive seen the pictures online & it does look so lovely.
But I have one concern about the lining/padding around the inside that covers the wicker basket - Is that safe?
As I know its reccommended not to use cot bumpers before 6months old.
Surely they wouldnt be able to make the moses baskets with the lining/padding in if it was dangerous?

I know Im probably only being paranoid!

I also wondered what you put baby to sleep in, in the basket. As the moses basket has come with a cover, but we have bought lots of those grobags.

Do I put baby in a sleepsuit & a grobag & no covers? Or do I use a blanket aswell??

Sorry for the daft question - Im getting really worried now that I know nothing about caring for a baby even down to the simplist of things like this

5am cleaning sorkycake - Are you ok?? Think thats nesting in full swing

I cant wait for mine to start - my cleaning has been a little bit lapse of late need to get my arse into gear.

I don't use a moses basket so I can't help there, haven't with any of mine.
I just put them for main sleeps in the cot, in the nursery, so they get used to the smell of the room etc.

However, in the first few weeks I babywear almost constantly.

I would put them in a sleepsuit, then swaddle if they like that, or grobag if they don't. Depends on how cold it is I suppose.

KT I used Grobags with DD when she went into a cot and put her in a vest, sleepsuit and then in the grobag.

In the moses basket she would wear a vest, sleepsuit and then a blanket or two.

Newborn babies are really bad at retaining their own body heat but you do get paranoid about them overheating so it's quite tricky to get it right I think!

Don't panic though, I used to feel down the back of DD's neck to see how warm/cold she was and check her feet and hands were warm.