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

Morning

DH has put his back out carrying DS2 at the hospital last night. Says he thinks someone is trying to tell him to be more sympathetic to me as he now has the same symptoms! (Low back pain, hip pain, shooting pains down legs - no pubic bone pain though.)

No more sick around here, DS1 insisted on school to see the play today, so just me and DS2 who is still really, really poorly. Temp still spiking regularly but being kept under better control now he is keeping calpol etc down. Has a lot of joint pain all over so looks like this virus has a rhueumatic element to it.

Went to the off license to buy a bag of ice cubes last night on way home from hospital (doctors orders). DH was in his wolfy ski hat and ski jumper. The guy behind the counter wouldn't serve him at first as he thought it was a wind up. Can see his point I suppose -3 degrees outside, bloke in thick skiing gear turns up and asks for a giant bag of ice cubes - must've sounded ridiculous!

DS2s emergency sheep outfit arrived today, I panicked thinking the proper one might not turn up before Friday. So now has leggings, sheepy furry gilet, sheepy furry hat and alice band with ears on. Thing is, I'm not sure if he will even be making it to the performance after all! Poor thing is missing, kids buying and presents for parents day, travelling theatre and Santa's grotto at school already this week! Still his Wall-E dvd should be arriving today so hopefully that will cheer him up.

Have to say it again crumpets - yum - MARMITE!!! Yeeeuuuch!!

Moosemama lol at your dh going into the off licence in ski gear asking for ice cubes! Glad your ds is a bit better

Off to google aquadraw Tink - thanks for that, am always looking for low mess craft things at moment as keep DD quiet and nice and relaxing for me too.

Snowed in here - shame as had plans for today but will have to put them on hold. I would take DD out to play in it but I've nothing warm enough that fits me, no waterproofs or anything since not been able to walk that much with SPD. Think DH's must be in his car cos can't find them Might venture out later when it stops snowing in DH's regular coat. Shame washing machine man was meant to repair washer today don't think he'll be coming, and I'm running out of undies

Sounds like you've had another rough night MM -hope DS2 is feeling better soon. Poor thing. And get yourself to bed while he is sleeping. And obv you can have 2 mince pies tonight now

Right, off for a piece of DH's birthday cake - yum!

Forgot to say - both DD and I are massive marmite fans - love marmite on crumpets, DD always eats all mine though. DH hates marmite, he is always moaning about "marmite contamination" hee hee

...still snowing

rray morning
nct sounds good with massaging

mm - glad ds1 better hope that ds2 gets better soon.
glad that sheep outfit arrived, hope that he makes it maybe if it doesnt you could let them borrow it @ school for another child

lol @ dh with ski outfit and ice

gtdab - poor dd definetly lots of sickness going around @ the mo

i do crumpets dont have them often as so messy hate in when butter all leaks out of holes
luv marmite
hate peanut butter and avocado together or seperate

poped to tesco got frozen
really pleased have seen bits for after birth to put in my bag
lovely white slippers that mould to your feet tried them on so comfy
need them for now as lost slippers ages ago
pack of to nighties for £5 to wear after birth for £5 usually a size 10 going for 12-14
and slipper socks for £3

only need for bag:-

camera
video camera
mags
drink
choccy and crisps
hairbrush

Snow No snow here! Looks Cold (havent yet ventured out) but Very sunny!!

Am going to have to buy crumpets after talk of Crumpets.

Going into town shortly, so will buy last bits and bobs for hospitial bag. Woo!

Tinks- you are far far to organised, you put us all to shame!!!!!!!

Be careful in that snow those of you that have it!

ohhhhh, and who has their tree up?!?! We do! x

gtdab, your poor little girl and poor you too. Its so awful when you can't make it better easily. Ds2 couldn't keep his medicine down either at first but is managing to now, although still can't really eat anything. Make sure you get plenty of rest while she's resting (should be taking my own advice but am no good at sleeping during the day).

School secretary says they are finding it impossible to break the cycle with these viruses as parents keep sending their kids back too soon. Particularly with the sickness bug where they are not allowed back until they have been clear of d&v for 'at least' 48 hours. Apparently lots of parents have been keeping them off for a day and then sending them straight back while they are still shedding the virus.

Really want to put together a basket of stuff for the home birth and a just in case hospital bag now I have all the stuff, but think I should wait to get baby related stuff out of what will be the baby's room (still a bomb site atm) until we are clear of all these germs. Tink, am very of how organised you are.

Absolutely adore lemon & coriander hoummous and avocado on soda bread, its one of my favourite treats. Will have to add constituent parts of that particular delight to my shopping order now!

Has snowed but not settled here.

moosemama sorry to hear about your trip to the doc - hope you got your mince pie in the end!

tink tesco nighties sound good at that price, might get a couple for actual birth - can't believe I am thinking about what to wear when I haven't even actually contemplated the mechanics of how it's going to happen!

rray very envious of your tree - I have to move into the new house first before I even think about christmas decorations... I LOVE xmas trees though, we always have a real one, and our family has a tradition of opening champagne while we decorate the tree - very decadent but feels like an official start to the season!

Off to Clapham today - Yummy Mummy central -- to visit a friend and her new baby, very excited. She had a dreadful birth experience though, so will avoid details. And then for dinner with another girlfriend. Then OH arriving in London to help me with packing before we move to Wales in 10 days time... I am going to get serious about baby stuff - cute clothes alone is not enough!

miss jackson wedding pics are lovely. love the colour of your dress.
gtdab when ds had measles (despite having mmr jab be warned!) it was the neurofen that made the biggest difference to his temp. am sure you know as you sound like a pro but the alternating between that and calpol/mediced really did the trick. the only nice thing about them being ill is having to lie on the sofa/bed and cuddle when thats all they want to do. guess not so easy when you have more than one. jealous of you watching wall-e as not seen it. makes me miss teaching when i hear of al the nice things going on at schools.
tree to go up at the weekend. mil having ds for day on sunday so dh and i are going for a nice lunch and then xmas shopping. unfortunately we have to go meet fil's new girlfriend afterwards for dinner but mil having ds overnight so getting some much needed quality time and a lie in
my sis who is a primary teacher has bought aquadraw for ds for christmas. not really sure what it is but she promises it will keep him amused long enough for me to do a bf.
moosemama lol at your ds and sheeps outfit.

gtdab, doc told us to give watered down fruit juice in a drinking bottle with ice cubes added as this feels nice on the throat and encourages them to drink as well as helping to cool the body's internal temperature. Has really helped to bring ds2s temp down.

Was pretty much thinking of similar stuff to hospital bag for my basket. Have been having so many nightime anxiety attacks I thought putting everything neatly in one place would help calm me down. Don't know about what mw will want us to get, seeing her re homebirth next Tuesday.

My list, although by no means comprehensive and definitely subject to regular fiddling and change is as follows:

For baby:

1. A couple of sleepsuits and vests, in two sizes just in case (worried she will be too big for first size).

1. Plain cotton baby hat and mittens.

1. A few nappies, some cotton wool and tupperware pot for putting the cooled boiled water in.

1. Baby blankets x 2, one suitable for swaddling.

1. A couple of dark coloured bath sheet type towels for baby straight after delivery.

For me (in no particular order):

1. Bottle of water and some glucose tablets/sweets.

1. 2 nightdresses, 1 for birth, 1 for after.

1. Tankini top in case I do go for the pool.

1. 2 large bath sheet towels in dark colour.

1. A couple of flannels for cooling down if necessary.

1. Hair bands for keeping my mop out of the way.

1. Maternity pads.

1. Breast pads.

1. New feeding bra.

10. Big fluffy dressing gown and slippers.

11. Large soft blanket.

12. A pair of soft warm socks.

13. Tens machine (when we get round to hiring one!)

14. Paracetamol

15. Arnica 200c

16. Post natal bath soak.

17. Tea tree (to add to post natal bath).

18. Possibly a nice bar of chocolate -to-- reward myself afterwards to raise my blood sugar after the birth! (Might keep this in fridge actually!)

That's about all I can think of for now, but am very, very tired and am sure I have missed a few things out. Going on past performance you don't use half the things you pack in your hospital bag and being at home I should be able to find anything I want or need fairly quickly anyway. (If the house is put back together before I go into labour that is!)

Got to go, ds's temp spiking again and he's gone all delirious and out of it!

Got as far as Oxford Street, where I bought a present for my friend and her new baby, and then realised I was way too ill to make it down to Clapham! Let alone turn up on her doorstep with a stinking cold for her and the baby.... So aborted mission and back home now, drinking honey and lemon.

The cleaner had been in my absence, so everything is lovely and tidy. When we move, I don't think I can really justify a cleaner as I won't be working, which is a sad thought. Even though she only comes for 3 hours a week, it makes all the difference as it means the bathroom is always clean and everywhere gets a hoover at least once a week. Hopefully my Mum will be up for some cleaning! She'll only be 15 minutes down the road (completely by coincidence OH's farm is just 20 minutes away from her in Wales - she's over the moon!)

Sometimes I think that going back to work would be by far the easiest option, but there is no possibility of me going back really -- I work in television, which is mostly London-based, and there are no real part-time opportunities anyway. It's going to be a big shock for me to be at home all day with a baby in the middle of nowhere! But hopefully I will love it.... [fingers crossed symbol!]

Thanks MM for posting hospital bag list, seems like you've got it covered. I must get onto that this week!

Now I really must stop posting and START my tax return!

Thanks ladies for the warm welcome!

Sorry to hear that some of you have sick little ones - its hard work when their aren't well!

Going home tonight to (finally) pack my hospital bag. I'm sure I'll forget to put something in it though - this is third time round for me but the last two times I've gone early (2 weeks and 5 weeks) and didn't have a bag packed so DH had to make a dash to tesco for the things I needed!! Trying () to be more organised this time round!

Soooo sleepy today, I just wish I could get a good nights sleep where I'm comfy and not having to pee every 10 minutes (or feel like I need to pee but when I get to the loo there is nothing there!!) Roll on 29th December!!

missJ Sorry to hear your feeling sickly, but agree staying home away from the baby obviously the best plan! Amazing that your moving so close to your mother as co-incidence. Thats one thing i am going to miss when our baby arrives, we're 2 hours away from both sets of parents. That said, if i had to have a C -section for some reason, i know both mothers would take compassionate leave to ensure i wasnt alone too much. Also feeling your tax return pain, i have been super organised & just finished OH's.

oopsadaisyangel I have been having the most awful nights sleeps too. If i'm not waking up to pee, then its just insomnia because i can't get comfortable. To lie flat on my tummy to sleep will be a DREAM. Although from what i gather my boobs will be rather tender for that for a while.
Do i remmeber rightly your being induced early? Do you mind me asking why? Now i sound like a right nosey bugger! just Curious!

Have just ordered a holistic remedy kit for birthing. Contains lots of herbal remmedies for taking during and post labour, including arnica. Thought was worth a shot?!

Must get mini toiletries for post birth. Am going to lakeside on sunday with girlfriends (OH away for weekend) so shall buy some LARGE knickers and a nightie or two. Then i think we're pretty much there!

Question for second plus timers.... Should it occour that for some reason breast feeding just doesn't work (i know you must keep at it for a while) but if for some reason bubba wont have or something.... Will the birthing centre have some emergency formula, or should i get some just incase? Already have a few bottles, as planning to express a bottle a day for OH to give once breastfeeding established, so thats not a problem, but wouldn't want to be stuck middle of night with boobs that don't work & no milk for baby, can't think of any 24 hour supermaket within 30 mins or so?

OH is planning to pick up a Dominos Pizza on way home. Mmmmmmmmmmmm! Think i remmeber someone else mentioning they had one the other day...Pepperoni Passion with LOTS of the garlic and herb Dip. Not at ALL good for you, but SO yummy!

Well, just made a complete idiot of myself at the school. Went to talk to ds1's teacher about how he coped today what with the lack of sleep etc and to explain that he might not get his homework finished on time this week. Started to speak and burst into tears, so embarassing, I am not a big crier, ever!

It was probably because I haven't had a minute to myself to think over the past couple of days (other than the odd minutes I've quickly checked in on here), arrived early at the school and sat on a bench thinking about everything. Then when I tried to speak to the teacher it all just bubbled up.

Luckily she is lovely and was very sympathetic and the other y2 teacher distracted ds1 for me so he didn't seem to notice. I think it was mainly about how worried I am about ds2, just can't believe he will have been so ill for four nights tonight and we are still struggling to control his temperature. He is in so much pain with his joints and keeps crying for me to make it stop. I'm not at all sure there won't be another dash to the hospital tonight, but will be the Childrens Hospital in the centre of Birmingham and they will admit him.

He's ok'ish while the calpol is working, but as soon as it wears off, which is long before he's allowed any more, he's back into the raging temp, delirious, full crisis mode. I'd be happier if he saw a doctor again, but DH thinks it isn't necessary as we've been through similar with him before and he tends to suddenly turn the corner and improve. Also, think DH is exhausted and doesn't want the disruption and complications another trip to hospital would bring only to be told there isn't anything they can do and be sent home again. Its ok for DH though, its not him thats sat with the poor little thing all day and night watching him suffer an not being able to help.

Oh, and to cap it all, my Mum has decided overnight that she is also really ill and is being all pathetic. To be fair, she did come and sit with ds2 while I went to the school and I am grateful for that, but she spent the entire time moaning about how ill she feels and suggesting ds2 has the same thing as her. (Mild cold that appeared overnight vs ds2s symptoms, I think not! Frankly, I was furious she could even consider suggesting it.) PIL also refused to come out and sit with ds1 when we went to the hospital last night. Am beginning to feel like there wasn't much point moving back to be near family.

Sorry, am moaning again. Just feel so fed up now, really have had more than enough.

Moosemama- Please stop applogising for "moaning" This is what mumsnet is for! Feeling for you... i'm feeling sorry for myself pregnant with nobody else to have to look after, let alone having to look over DC ill, and a "sick" mother! I was about to say "if theres anything i can do to help..." But realised

a- i'm a little far away
b- forget this is sort of a virtual thing. ha!

But hopefully things will be better soon.... but for now, please don't worry about bursting out in tears, or letting off steam in here.

Thank you ray, the sentiment is truly very much appreciated.

rray - no snow here either
we have tree up 2
we had pepporoni pizza last thursday that garlic and herb dip is divine

i'm not going to breastfeed thought no harm in packing a tub of milk powder as

a) the hospital may provide one may not be brand i was planning on using
b) they may not have any

mm- list looks good
it is understanable that you are feeling like this when they are ill it is so stressful

miss j - sorry that were 2 ill 2 visit friend

givetd - we never get snow either just sleet
glad that dd is getting better

qumps - hi

Those of you over snow - please bring your buckets and take it all!!! We are well and truly stuck! Don't think my car will get off the drive for a few days and DH's pick up struggled up the lane plus our oil is running low and we haven't shopped since last Thursday so running out of bread/milk/veggies. Aaarggghhhh!!! Fortunately freezer is stocked with things I've cooked ready for when the baby comes so we should be able to survive off the hearty stews, casseroles and pasta dishes in there for a while What's worst is forecast was for rain today - tomorrow and Thurs it's for heavy snow am hoping they've got that wrong

Rrrayray - I formula fed DD as I couldn't bf due to meds I was on at the time. I bought a few cartons of ready mixed formula (the little ones are best since they hardly have anything in first few days) and just had those in the house for when I came home. DD drank about 1-2oz (30-60ml) at each feed for the first week or so and fed every 3hours so one of those 150ml(think thats what they were) cartons would last most of a day! Think they are around 60p each so a lot cheaper than buying a tub of powder for about £7. If you are wanting to give breastfeeding the best chance then might be worth searching out all your local bf counsellors now and making a list of numbers you can call for help and when they are available etc so you know who you can call at 3am if needed. Also might be worth getting in touch with one of them now and introducing yourself so that if you do need their help in the first weeks you can ring back and say "Hi, I spoke to you when I was pregnant, please help with... " and will have a familiar voice on the end of the phone if/when you are in a panic.

Lenni I am a bit over the snow but thanks for the PITA reminder - like you I have nothing warm to wear so being outside for any length of time is not a very attractive proposition.

missj you look lovely in the wedding photos! I hope your packing & move goes really smoothly and you can get stuck in sorting out a Christmas tree as soon as possible!

Moosemama hang in there. you are doing a tremendous job, it must be so stressful with poor ds going so up and down. please keep moaning at us!! especially if it is any help to you at all. I think you are rather fab to be coping with all that and still helping us by writing out homebirth lists (which I am making full use of, thank you )

oopsadaisy Hello! (not sure if I said hello before ) you're used to early babies then?! my first was 2 weeks early but stupidly I've got myself into expecting this one to be too, so even if s/he is on time it will feel late... doh!

rray I'm going to get the formula cartons ready just in case. Had a friend who got mastitis and had to send her dh on a 3 hour round trip in the middle of the night to get some milk, while her baby screamed with hunger. ouch.

I had a mw appt today and baby is head up!! I know there is still plenty of time for it to shift, but does anyone know if I'd still be allowed a homebirth if it doesn't? Or have any tips on how to get back to head down? S/he had been head down, diagonally across for AGES and mw thinks it was all the activity in my guts from my tum bug that shifted the bean so dramatically after no changes in position for so long. I hope I don't have to get sick again for bub to shift back