Due May 2009 - our bellies are getting as big as Santa's

[FiKelly]

It'll be an alternative merry Christmas for us this year ;)

mmmmm mini eggs. am v all we seem to have in the house is fruit and veg.

Good to hear about the progress with your shop divedaisy hope DH has apologised too.

Hope all are well, such a lot of pages to catch up on in two days!! LOL at the domestic chat. If anyone wants to come and do any folding/ironing/putting away in our house they are welcome anytime. I hate hate hate it! Oh yeah, and am I complete slattern for never ironing bedding?

We've just got back from a weekend away at a friend's surprise birthday. Was lovely to see everyone but its v hard to keep up with the drinkers, was ready to leave the bar at about 9. Think the fact it was central london didn't help either, too many people... don't know what's happened to me I used to love it there!

Am getting lots of kicks really low down at the moment. Most pleasing tho was that the LO didn't seem to like the cheesy party music last night but has been kicking away to Kings of Leon this afternoon! Shares his Mum's good taste obviously

Just getting ready for the week ahead, hope all have a good one.

Oooh, we're nearly at the end of our thread. Anyone got a suggestion for the new name?

divedaisy good for you getting out there feeling gorgeous! Am glad your DH seems a little contrite, even if he hasn't apologised.

We spent a big chunk of yesterday looking at cars. At the moment I've got a Mercedes A-Class which I love but it's just not big enough for 2 adults, 2 children, large dog and luggage on a weekend away. (DH only has classic cars which are no use at all!) So we're thinking about an MPV - can't justify a 4x4 as we live in London (and couldn't afford one anyway). We're thinking about VW Touran, Ford S-Max or Mazda 5. Don't suppose any of you have got any suggestions or comments?

I'm off now - all this talk of mini eggs has got me feeling peckish. I'm sure there's a box of heroes downstairs somewhere...

Emmaline, that's what we're doing too! Stupidly I bought a Fiat 500 last year. I'd had fertility treatment to have DS1 and after 2 miscarriages I really didn't think I'd have another successful pregnancy. The car is the smallest thing ever; fine for me and DS but with baby too, a no no.

DH has a Ford Focus Estate but really needs it for his business, so we are busily looking for a car for me. It really needs to have a big enough boot for buggy and luggage. We hired an S Max on holidays and loved it, and without the extra seats in the back, the boot space isn't too bad. We managed to seat 6 adults and a baby very comfortably.

Because of the deal we had on the Fiat we're pretty tied to them, so looking at the Fiat Sedici.

Emmalina hi - re: cars a good friend of mine had a Mazda 5 seven seater for a couple of years but as she has 4 kids now she found the legroom in the very back 2 seats too restrictive for long journeys for them as they got older. For occasional use they were fine. Otherwise she loved it though. She has changed it for one of those Kia 7-seaters (forget what it's called) but its longer so more leg room and best of all has those electronic automatic sliding rear doors so is brilliant in tight parking spaces as you don't have to get the doors open outwards. IYSWIM!
I have no experience at all of the others you mention tho, sorry.
My DH was recently taken somewhere on business in a Renault Espace. He thought it was wonderful for space etc and comfort. Another friend has a Mercedes R class (well, one friend has a 6 seater version and one friend the newer 7 seat version. Both love it). I think you can also get it with 5 seats and a shorter wheel base. Beautiful and very comfy interior. You might get a good deal if you trade your Merc up to one of those, although there aren't many used ones around. They are on the pricey side though.

Sorry just realised - huge post. That must be because I had Jeremy Clarkson on in the background!

Plus, as you prob already know there are some fabulously cheap deals out there on new and used cars at the moment. We were looking at changing to a new Volvo around Christmas time (but decided against due to current financial sit) but were offered £9,900 OFF a brand new one. Bargain, bargain then bargain some more I always say! Make them sweat ! (well, I always do anyway - DH makes me do it as he's too embarrassed- hee hee).
Also we recently discovered a website (which has good customer reviews) called Autoquake. They sell ex-fleet cars at a good discount and even at the moment seem to have a high turnover of stock. Might be worth a browse.......

Just popping in to say hi. The pace seems to have picked up on here again! Hope all is well with everyone.

DH is skiing this week and I am a bit and and miss him like crazy! (We are newly-weds) So, I am staying with my parents for a week and getting thoroughly spoiled. Went to a baby shop yesterday and saw the OutnAbout Nipper double again - 3rd time I've had a look and still loved it. When we came out of the shop, Dad said if that was the one then he would buy it for me. Dads are lovely no? So we've ordered it today to be delivered while I'm here this week

hello - i posted a couple of times when everyone was waving their BFPs but got lost in the sheer volumn of posts and posters and havent checked in for months.

am due 29th May. Getting fatter by the day. That'll be all the food. Blue veins pumping away on neck and clevage, forgotten about that. And (sod it... will re-join the thread with a fanfair of TMI ...) I think I have piles. or a pile, certainly. feck. wheres the dignity?

Been struggling to get to know who's who here (no list!) but nice to see there are a couple of people hoping for homebirth and detsy i have to check in with a fellow clastrophobe

swottybetty welcome back! There is a list, scroll back a bit and you'll find it.

I'm really struggling tonight. DS has been a nightmare this evening and will not go to bed. I don't know how I'm going to cope with a newborn as well, as I'm usually on my own in the evening. I was nearly in tears at one point as I've got loads to get done this evening before work tomorrow, not least finding something to wear. He seems quiet now but he would not stay in bed and I know it won't make any difference to the time he wakes up tomorrow. It'll still be 6am.

Hi Ladies - quick post before i have to have some honey on toast...

Hallo swotty glad I'm not the only claustro nutcase on here!!

1st MrsF enjoy the week of being spoilt - sounds like luxury to me!

We had a row last night as I was shattered, hormonal and tearful and DP had told the gaggle of neighbours we'd go and have drinks and take out...grrr. I knew DD wouldn't settle in her travel cot and she was also shattered but refused to lie down in her cot. I left at 10 with my baby and we both collapsed into our respective beds. Anyway we have now made up and I've told him I need to be looked after and not to be expected to make ALL the decisions ALL the time..... hmmm rant over, sorry!

Carwise we're looking for a VW Touran rather than the minibus-y Sharan . We've looked at Kia Carens (no boot cover), Renault Grand Scenic (good but expensive repairs), Ford (minibus-y again) and Vauxhall Zafiras (cheap but less reliable and less flexible seating).

I've just eaten the creme egg I have had in my handbag since Tuesday. Yummy. Definitely vote Creme Eggs over Mini Eggs. Creme Egg was my first food after giving birth to DD, and we saved some especially for after DS who was born in July.

Pramwise please just make sure the handles of the pram go high enough if you're tall. Very very important. Heard MandP aren't great prams and rubbish customer service when they go wrong. Most prams do extend handles....by about 2 flipping useless inches.

I suggested - We're well on the way to May - as next thread title in absence of anything else - think we'll need something soon!!

I'm still undecided about a double buggy - which way does the outnabout thing face?

Wow, so many messages! Don't have time to read them all now as I'm really tired but hi everyone. Hi to swottybetty - I'm due on the 29th too!

I just noticed Jennster said make sure you get a high enough pram if you're tall - something we've been talking about today as I'm 5 ft 10 and DH is 6 foot 1. Might this be a potential nightmare?! I think we'd better start looking realy soon as I also want one that's not too heavy, folds up easily etc etc....

xx

Bugaboos have extendable handles...

Thread titles Not ours but what a good one!

Jan 09- Baby this is Davina, you have been evicted from the big mother house. You have 5 minutes to pack up your things and leave - I'm coming to get you

Msg I'm 5'10'' too dh 6'. I have a PhilnTeds which doesn't fold up small but is fab especially if you have 2 of different ages and has a narrow wheel base, and Maclaren Techno XT with a buggy board. Quinny Buzz (very wide wheel base) and Bugaboos both have very high (and low) handles.

Cheers - I just thought, there must be plenty around as I'm hardly a giant and there are loads of women taller than I am. But the ones I've looked at, which are limited so far, haven't been tall enough yet. Will check out the ones you've mentioned - thanks!x

New thread title- how about something along the lines of:

Due May 09- yes, it's nice to be able to feel you moving little ones, but do you have to kick us in the fanjo?

or

Due May 09- is it us or the babies that are craving creme eggs...mmm...

or

Due May 09- now our bumps are getting bigger our thoughts are turning to the birth experience- oh no!

Nothing to rival the Jan 09 title, but we haven't got many messages left so need to choose something quickly!

pulapula I like the 2nd one! Though I like mini eggs better!

It took me a while to catch up. I've been working a late-early-late and had a posh ball to go to inbetween, so I haven't been near a computer since Thursday evening.

I don't know Nikkie, but happy everything is OK all the same.

LoobyLou36 Re Maternity leave. Yes: apply for a year and then about a month before you intend to go back, write to your employer to confirm your exact date of return. This gives you the flexibility to change your mind, because it will really take you by surprise how difficult you'll find it to leave baby behind.

Ah weight gain. I'll probably end up topping the chart on that one. With ds and dd I gained 4stone (25kg). With ds I blamed it on the pizzas and the 2 scoops of vanilla with chocolate AND fudge topping each day, so with dd I decided to be a bit more healthy and I still gained the same weight, so now I blame it on my genes. This time I'm 24 weeks and already I've gained 10kgs, which I suppose is 22lbs, whatever that is in stones. So I think I'm well on my way to gain another 4 stone. My ds was 8lb7 and my dd was 8lb2, this one already feels bigger, but I did have easy births before so it doesn't really bother me. I've seen women struggle to give birth to teeny weeny babies and 11 pounders shoot out with no problems or even no tears, so size alone doesn't really give you any idea whether your birth will be easy or not!

Mrs G I'm 5'10 and yes handle height is a nightmare in prams. There doesn't seem to be an awful lot of prams out there with a good handle height. I've found most of the McLaren strollers are OK. The M&P Skate, which is the one I've chosen, has got high handles too. The Quinny prams are quite good too, because it's a Dutch make and the Dutch are tall and my brother had one and both he and his girl friend are over 6 foot. The problem is that altough lots of prams have adjustable handles, not many adjust high enough, because if that was the case I'd gone for the Loola. Your best bet it to go to a pram shop (not Mothercare, their choice is quite limited) and have a try with all of them.

Thanks for the info, Belgianchocolates. Going to go to a decent pram shop soon I think!

My acupuncturist who's a midwife told me they are no longer concerned about how much weight women put on in pregnancy as they think it's not relevant to the size of the baby. In fact I was only weighed at my booking in, just to get my BMI. I would have thought they might be concerned if someone was putting on like 10 stone or something though? I think I've put on just over a stone so far, but am only 21 weeks so I am sure it'll double or triple before the end. xx

Morning Ladies... here is a draft of my maternity leave letter to my boss. Do you think this covers everything? Really appreciate your input.

I am bricking it about handing it in tho - not exactly the most approachable person in the world

Dear

Please find enclosed my MATB1 Form. With regards to the above matter I can confirm that I am pregnant and my baby is due on 3rd May 2009. Consequently, I wish for my Maternity Leave to start week commencing 27th April 2009. In addition to this, I wish to take two weeks annual leave week commencing 13th April 2009. This makes my last working day Friday 10th April 2009.

I intend to take 39 weeks Maternity Leave Allowance returning to work Monday 11th January 2010. Should I wish to return to work sooner I will give you the required notice.

I would be grateful if you could confirm my return to work date and maternity entitlements. Many thanks for all your support at this time.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Yours sincerley,

looby I haven't been in a job since before having DS but your letter reads well. I'm sure one of us here who is employed will tell you if there's something you should change...

Re weight gain.. i'm doing much better this time.. weighed myself this morning and i've put on 10lbs over just over 23wks. I put on a mountainous amount with DS due to my main craving... I went chocaholic. Thankfully this time no chocolate cravings... just starchy stuff and dairy.

Swotty so glad you've mentioned piles... discovered mine are back too . DH had to go and buy me germaloids ointment yesterday and hoping to sort it out before it gets bad.

For next thread title... how about
Due May 09 - We're tossing and turning in bed all night with our babies gymnastics.

thanks fikelly we are only a small company so I feel guilty about asking for so much time off. I have been here for over 16 years tho.

here we go new thread

LoobyLou36

I would change "I wish" to I would like to request...or something along those lines.

bye bye this thread. time to move on!