due in jan on the home stretch now!! on the 1st day of christmas my true love gave to me a baby up in a tree,2 babygros,3 teddy bears,4 waddling mummies and five smelly nappies

[tinkisallreadytositonthetree]

hi ladies thought i would be organised and start a new thread

Welcome oopsadaisyangel.

LG&T my two have a ridiculous amount of events at school over the next couple of weeks. Thank goodness we only live across the road from the school.

Have got both boys off today as DS2s illness kept DS1 awake all night. He was so tired this morning that he walked straight into a wall instead of through a door. I was up till 4.30 am with DS2 being sick every half to three quarters of an hour, couldn't hold down medicine or even sips of water. Went to turn the heating on at 4.30 as was literally freezing sittin on DS2s bed, DH heard me and told me to go to bed. Apparently DS2 then slept till 6.30.

Has kept down his medicine and water sips today but is still running a high temp and has slept lots. Is very upset that he will be missing the travelling theatre company that's coming to the school tomorrow, so have promised we will buy and watch Wall-E instead. He also keeps crying that he's sad because he can't eat anything.

DS1 has obviously decided he is not getting enough attention and has developed an obsession with visiting the toilet every 10-15 minutes. This wasnt helped by Mum obsessing over it herself and convincing both him and her that he has a water infection! (Its definitely not one btw, we've been through this loop before.)

He also managed to lock the furriest biggest (and sheddiest) dog we have in my newly finished lounge after telling me he'd checked the dogs were locked in the kitchen, and I got up to fur literally everywhere, resulting in a total room vacuum, complete sofa dismantle and vacuum and all the blankets I left on the sofa in the middle of the night having to go in the washing machine!

Forgot to get the advent books down from the loft this weekend, will have to send DH up there tonight or there'll be trouble at bedtime. We will start reading The Night Before Christmas before bed tonight. We read it every night from Dec 1 to Christmas Day and the kids know it off by heart in no time - they really love it. We also have a book full of little miniature christmas books (one for each of the 25 days) which can be read and then hung on the tree. Will have to find somewhere new for the books this year as we used to line them up along the top of the lounge mirror, but we don't have that mirror any more. Don't think we'll be doing decorations until next weekend.

Baby strongly objected to me being up all night and was extremely active, not to mention painful the whole time. She also continues to have hiccoughs at least 4 times a day (ofen much more) which was cute at first but has now lost its charm.

Have homebirth meeting at home with mw and DH on Tuesday 9th and then an antenatal on Thursday 11th, both of which days are nativity performance days!

Think I would like to go to sleep now and wake up in mid January with baby here, house finished, everyone over poorlies and getting on with life.

moosemama for your dc. You sound like your having a real rough time.

My baby moved down last night. I felt it having a real old move around then suddenly i could breath because it's not pushing on my ribs anymore! Then this morning i have had some pain on my right side, really low, like i am being prodded.

MsSparkle, lucky you with baby dropping down, am currently sitting with hands on head and elbows pointing upwards (well I was until I started typing obviously) in a vain attempt to breathe and make enough room to eat something, she's ridiculously high today! Must make room for a mince pie, I always have to have one on the first of December and the box has been taunting me all week. Thing is, I will have to hide to eat it, as its not really fair on DS2 who would love to be able to eat anything at all.

Am feeling quite dizzy and sick today, but am praying its just overtiredness, baby pushing up and lack of oxygen!

We are now hunkered down in lounge watching kids tv - oh joy!

rray glad you escaped with no marks on the pool table - imagine if the whole ceiling had come down!

moosemama hope you get some space inside for that mince pie soon! You've made me want one now... might have to make do with crumpets and marmite instead as I am staying indoors all day today in an effort to clear my paperwork and do my tax return. Think I prefer being at work rather than trying to motivate myself!

My brother in law is at home too, with the same sinus cold thing that I've got, but am v jealous of him as he is allowed the good steroid nasal spray, while I have to suffer with a head that feels like it's about to explode. He just made me nice honey and lemon though, so I shouldn't be too bitter.

Does anyone else feel like their tummy couldn't possibly grow anymore? I honestly don't know how you Mums do it - I can barely move with what feels like my massive tummy, and you are all busy with toddlers and kids! I just read somewhere that we can expect to put on another 1/2 kilo per week in these last few weeks - I really don't see how I can haul that up and down the stairs!

MissJ, poor you, sinus pain is the absolute pits.

Have you tried alternating hot and cold flannels on your forehead (or face if its your maxillary sinuses)? Also, fill the bathroom with steam, fill sink with really hot water, add a couple of drops of eucalyptus, or karvol or olbas oil to the sink and then have a long warm (not hot) bath. You just need to make sure you keep topping up the sink with hot water to keep the steam effective. Helps if you have a nice hot drink like honey and lemon or hot squash while you are in the bath as well. Definitely a good idea to stay indoors as well, the cold air makes sinuses so much more painful. When mine are bad I have to keep the heating on low at night to stop the cold making the pain worse.

Always make sure we have a box of mince pies in ready for the first of December. Got to be the right ones (from the local shop) though, cheap mince pies are yuk! Crumpets sound comforting, but marmite - yeeeuuuk!!

Thanks moosemama, will try that this evening as I was planning on a nice long bath anyway.

The crumpets were good but still not quite filling the mince pie spot...

hello all, I've just been eating sweet waffles with marmite, which was surprisingly nice! Moose, sounds like you and DS have been through the wars, poor little chap, hope he starts recovering soon.

I too feel massive and have a ridiculously busy bump going on.

Finally almost sorted my hospital vbac debacle and will be changing hospitals this week, following a really difficult encounter with a consultant midwife who was being very difficult regarding monitoring etc during vbacs. The new hospital seem both really nice and very reasonable on which rules they will and won't relax during the birth. Now trying to decide on doulas and whether to have one or not!

thanks gtab; I'm meeting with one next week. Just have a feeling that I'll be horribly spikey when in labour and won't want anyone near me!

Hi all,

Just looking in from work before I go back to doing immensely tedious task that's supposed to be nearly finished (and wasn't) on the last day of the month so I can just do the last day on the first of next month (being one day behind is unavoidable).

Have been to the first two days of my antentatal class, just wishing I hadn't felt guilty about not coming in for the afternoon of today (mistake!) - last Friday and Thursday run till 3.30 so I won't be coming in after. Although I'm not a first timer thinking about what might happen still feels like quite a constructive exercise.

mssparkle, I'd think a button through nightie would be more comfortable than a top and shorts if you plan to bf or even if not - better around all the bits of you which may be feeling tender whichever way baby comes out. I got some from Blooming Marvellous last time which were longish, loose fitting and yet managed not to look like tents, and made of cotton (Mothercare's maternity nighties for example were synthetic mix and only a pound or two cheaper, I ended up buying a second pack of two which I've continued to wear at night since, I keep meaning to look and see what they currently have on offer as they're getting a bit tatty now.

Welcome oopsadaisy.

Welcome oopsadaisy

gtdab, sorry to hear you have a poorly little one as well. Hope she is ok, sounds a bit like what DS2 has.

He has just managed to keep down a quarter of a piece of toast. First time he's eaten since Saturday so fingers crossed. Still has raging temp though, despite keeping calpol down today.

flf, glad its all getting sorted out for you.

Still not been able to eat a mince pie, feel too guilty about DS2. Perhaps I will get one when he goes to bed this evening.

Aarrggghh I can't keep up!

Welcome oopsadaisy - and swiggie it depends on what your definition of 'normal' is - don't think I ever went back to how I was before after DD was born, but lost all the weight etc. Am curvier now, boobs bigger, and belly not flat like it used to be. I used to take my stomach muscles for granted, they were really strong even though didn't do loads of exercise and I had a flat stomach even though a size 14 - but after DD it never lost its squidgeyness! Actually though I was a lot happier with myself, being a Mum must of made me less critical!

Mad weekend of visitors and DH's birthday to contend with here - absolutely wiped out. Just did painting with DD, big mistake. Note to self: never paint when tired, far too stressful! DD loves it though, her little face lights up when the paints come out. Must get some of those ELC paint pens to save my entire kitchen needing mopping afterwards though!

Right, I vow to keep up much better this week...

Oh no, advent calendars, have forgotten to open ours... will have to make it an after tea treat... oh no, TEA!!! How can I forget to get meat out of the freezer SOOOO often!

flf, good news that you're getting things sorted out. Which hospital are you going to now?

elkiedee thanks, that is worth looking into. I imagine a nighty would be more comfortable. When i had dd, i had some cotton pyjamas which were boiling hot on that postnatal ward!

LenniEd, i like the sound of those elc paints you said about. Paints always seem like a good idea until the place is covered in paint!

Blooming Marvelous have a sale on at the moment; just bought breastfeeding nightie:

www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk/product.aspx?CategoryID=ms-sleepwear&ProductID=12581&language=en-GB

Moosemama my hot bath is running with olbas oil in the sink!

MsSparkle - ELC Easy painters they aren't as much fun as normal paint but are fab for mess containment!

hey everyone,
moosemama, I'm crossing my fingers for you that you get your mince pie moment before the night is out. aw, and that your ds gets his too before too long.

missj thanks for the nightie tip off, I've ordered that - definitely more comfy than pjs - don't want any ouchy seams!
last time I bought some nasty peacocks ones because I thought they would be ruined with blood and needed to be cheap - well, they did get dirty but they also washed so I just want some NICE ones this time. I saw so many visitors in the days after ds was born, and was in my pjs, and so I wanted to feel as presentable as possible...

flf really pleased for you that you've got your care sorted out - well done, lady. Must be a relief. I had a doula last time and didn't really want to see much of her during the birth - which she picked up on but having her there as an advocate was invaluable, and in the preparing for labour.

and LenniEd thanks for making me feel normal - forgetting meat, mopping up mess and not opening advent calendars are all familiar to me - sometimes I read this thread and am terrified by the order and organisation - I can manage that at work but not here! Just as one thing gets done, something else seems to loom up.

thanks everyone for lovely supportive messages. Feeling better now tho still a bit wobbly. Slowly sorting out cupboards which seems to help

feeling very sorry for those with sick little ones. hard enough when they are well. and as for being up all night no idea how you managed. i am praying every day that having a baby and a toddler is easier than having a toddler and being preggers. put ds to bed at 1210 checked mn and then thought i'll just have a little lie down. next thing it was 245!! ds still asleep so had to let him stay up a bit tonight but luckily gymborie seems to have worn him out. tried to call in the cavalry tomorrow but mum and dad have flu and mil is decorating . sis is coming over after work so at least that will break up day. got a delivery coming so have to wait in and dh at a dinner so not back until v late. moan moan moan!!
i went for primarni pjs. only £4 a pair and very nice designs. just had an email from bravissimo to say theirs are on special so might have a look on there. gap have some gorgeous slipper socks which i bought as a secret santa present but now want to keep for myself. funny how we are all obsessed with pjs when we will be getting no sleep soon
gtdab i lost actual baby weight too before becoming pg again but agree body not the same. couldn't hit the gym as suffered from horrendous headaches for 6 months after birth and gym made it worse. this time i don't know if i can be bothered! bad attitude and will be sorry when i am posting on here in a years time so say dh has run off with secretary due to lardy wife actually he is loving me at the moment as horny phase has kicked back in. when i look in the mirror its completely wrong but i can't help it and just keep jumping him!!!
mince pies and marmite are also very wrong you sick ladies!! off to tuck into carbonara and phish food. now thats yummy!

sorry forgot to say hello to newbies [waving icon]

Yes, hello to the newbies!

Wow, I am having so many BH contractions tonight - if that's what they are, I'm not 100% sure! My tummy just goes really tight across the front for a few moments. Not exactly painful but uncomfortable.

Last night I really wanted to just be able to take my bump off for an hour or so, give it to OH to carry, and take a little break! Does anyone else ever feel like that?

Oh but feel bad for whinging when many of you are coping with sick babies. Moosemama thanks for the bath/ olbas oil tip, it really helped clear my head.

I posted a couple of my wedding pics to my profile - amazing what you can get around to doing when you are supposed to doing your tax return!

Just back from emergency doctors!

DS2 temp went up to 39.9 and wouldn't come down despite tepid sponging, calpol, calprofen and then he started whining and complaining of a painful stiff neck!

Doc was lovely, gave him a thorough going over and said she was stumped, it doesn't seem to be particularly respiratory, no sign of an ear infection, tummy and bladder ok and despite stiff joints, nothing to indicate meningitis (thank god!).

They said they were happy to admit him for observation, but as we seem to know what we are doing, would be happy for us to take him home, try everything to get his temp down further and take him straight to the children's hospital if there is no improvement.

His temp has now come down to 38 which is much better, he has been sipping watered down fruit juice with ice cubes in and has finally fallen asleep. Was much better by the time we got home actually, cooler, calmer and more lucid. Think he probably had a 'crisis' and will probably start to improve now. (Been here before with him!)

Got to the hospital and a little girl from his class was sat next to us in the waiting room! Her Dad was saying that apparently there are 7 teachers off sick from the school at the moment!

Poor DS1 was uprooted from bed and shipped to Grandmas at 8.00 and back home again at 9.30. He has been really good and is so exhausted but desperate to go to the play at the school tomorrow. Will have to cross that bridge when we come to it methinks.

Anyway, am exhausted so am crawling off to bed now. Never did get that mince pie!

Night all.

morning

right have finally read all posts so here we go :-

lg&t - bless all calenders lined up sound lovely
we open ours first thing dd has a playmobile one so gets a toy each day to make up an xmas scene amd me and dh have chocolate ones she has a tiny corner of each of ours.

periwink - may the nesting force be with u i have it badlyhere 2 resorting to tidying out tea towel draw kitchen cupboards, putting all dvds and cds into there boxes!!

oopsad - welcome not long for you then
i am due on the 15th 6 weeks thursday.
it is hard work i have a dd who is 3 years old.

rray - ye for decs

gtdabone - poor dd hope she is feeling better. poor u with toothache i still havent got my 4 back wisdoms one is killing!! just wont come through!!

qumps - wow not long now i only have 6 weeks on thursday

mm - poor dss hope they get better soon
xmas books sound lovely
mine has hiccups lots too think mine is lying sideways

ms sparkle - hi

miss j - poor u hope cold gets better soon
i am huge hope i dont get much bigger either i am all bump. have just ordered more maternity bits from vertbaudet were growing out of others

flf - glad birth place is getting sorted

elk - hi

lnd - painting is tressful anyway i find.
aquadraw is the best thing ever no mess and they can get on by themselves my dd loves it

spnk - hi

dd normally has swimming lesson @ 11am leaving it today as she was up loads last night coughing again.
had a great day with mum yesterday.
assembled changing table is great took ages so many bits
also have sling now is a babasling in pink tested it out with dds doll really comfy and changing bag is great too

Morning ladies.

My you have been busy posting!

Sorry for those of you with Sniffles/ Children with sniffles. i don't have a cold just yet, but OH is starting to sniff a little bit, so its just a matter of time. he has a super strong immune system, and i'm sure sometimes just carries colds with no symptoms home for me to get the whole whack! Grrrrrooooannn!

missJ - I too am a fan of marmite on Crumpets, don't think i've ever heard anyone else have them! I also am often feeling like taking off the bump & Passing it to OH.

NCT Class last night was good.... they got OH's massaging us..Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!