Due April 2009 - Tralalaboomdiay, our bumps grow every day!!

[BabyBolat]

Place your bets on how long this thread will last, my guess is two weeks!!

Purlease, Pumpkin Patch have great stuff in the sale at the moment. Most of it would be suitable for work (eg smart black jeans, white shirts, smart sweaters). It is all particularly comfortable, I have to say - I tried some jeans on and refused to take them off last time I went in, because they looked great but it was like wearing pyjama bottoms.

Nutty, I think doulas are £10-£15 an hour for domestic stuff (usually a minimum of four hours in one go) and £750-ish if they act as a doula at your birth (a kind of birthing coach for you and DH). It is expensive but if you haven't got an extended family it is a brilliant idea IMO. So many of us are just left to get on with it these days, without any help at all (round here you now only get 3 postnatal m/w visits, for example). They should have NHS doulas!!

www.doula.org.uk/

BB, 40 years ago my German grandma bought a set of lovely green and white wooden nursery furniture for the room I stayed in at her house, and my kids are still using it, so it's all been set up ready for DS3. The house we moved into here already had a green and white Laura Ashley 'Elephants' border up, and a lampshade, which coincidentally matched the furniture, and I bought matching curtains and fabric off Ebay for next to nothing. I then painted below the border in Farrow and Ball 'Jade' and this has brought everything together. It really looks unusual and very stylish - no pink or blue in sight. This will be the first time I have ever had a nursery to put a baby in - before there was never a spare room at the time one arrived. Sometimes I go and sit in there and contemplate what is to come, and it's lovely to do this. I also have a White Company swinging crib my mum bought for the last arrival, all made up ready with lovely little sheets and a blue and white lambswool blanket in our room.

Hello! Haven't been around much lately, been SOOOOO busy but my how time is flying...soon be April!

Had a 4D scan yesterday and SHE is definitely a GIRL! Also my last two scans and nuchal scn (and dates) all match and are different from the dating scan I had so my date has now been changed to 17th April.

Oh and my little girl weigh 2lb!! Hope that's an ideal weight for this stage. I myself have only put on 3lb so far so that's prob baby and waters!

Will update list and then get on to reading what you've all been up to.

Anyone starting packing their labour bags yet? I actually bought some maternity towels yesterday, lol.

Updated!
Mar
25 Mar : Jumbs: DS 15 months
28 Mar : AlexandraPeppernose: DC no 3
29 Mar : Gemzooks: DS 1.9 then 2 m/cs, age 32, live in Holland
29 Mar : WhatFreshHell, DS 2.4 born on Easter Sunday
30 Mar : BabyBolat: 1st timer
31 Mar : Cosmogirl: 1st timer

Apr
01 Apr : Rachelinscotland: DD 2 years 10 months, and DS 18 months
01 Apr : Chickenbalti: DS 4 years DD 17 months
02 Apr : BoffinMum: BOY! dd(21) ds(10) ds(7)
02 Apr : MathsMummy27: GIRL! DD 3 years
03 Apr : skiingone: DC1
03 Apr : nzbabies: DS 21 months
03 Apr : purlease: 1 m/c, 1 DD 3 years
03 Apr : Kalikaroo: SURPRISE! (28), 1st timer, lives in Scandinavia (but too shy to say where!)
04 Apr : mizzannie: first timer
04 Apr : Bleuravin
04 Apr : Bumpalump: DS 2.2
04 Apr : babypringle: 1 DS 2yrs 1 month
06 Apr : ToastnHoney: first timer
06 Apr : Diddle: DS1 2yrs, DS2 10months 2mc's
06 Apr : PintofStella: DS 5.4
06 Apr : Mummyontherun DD 22 months
07 Apr : Bethdivine: DS 18mo
08 Apr : LuLuBai: 1 DD born 02 Apr 07
08 Apr : Pinkdolly: (age 27) dd 6, dd 5, dd 2, 1 m/c January 08
09 Apr : Oddeyes (30): GIRL! DS 17 mths, 1 mc. London
09 Apr : Nigeltuffnell
09 Apr : Soundbites(30): DD aged 18 months
09 Apr : Barbarella: 1st timer, TRIPLETS
10 Apr : hopeful1
10 Apr : BinkyB(30): TWINS 1st timer, lives London
11 Apr : BellaMummy
11 Apr : Teeheelaydee
11 Apr : mrsfossil: 1 DS 6.5
11 Apr : Dungungirl(30): BOY! 1 m/c, DS 3.5 years
11 Apr : Bubbaluv: 1 DS 1yo
11 Apr : SpringySunshine: BOY! 1st timer.
12 Apr : daisycat01: DS 6yrs, DS 3yrs
12 Apr : Salstars (34), 1st timer
12 Apr : Brettgirl, 1st timer
13 Apr : April2009Baby:
14 Apr : girlylala0807:
14 Apr : AuldAlliance: DS3.8 BOY!
15 Apr : claireykitten: GIRL! DS 12 months
15 Apr : VixterB: first timer
15 Apr : electra
15 Apr : Sarahmum: DS 10yrs
16 Apr : tristaleejac(25): 1 ds, 3 years
17 Apr : lou031205(28): DD age 2.8, DD age 1
17 Apr : Glaskhamhasoneintheoven: DC3, have one of each already.
17 Apr : Surprisenumber3(32): DS1 9 DSS 9 DS2 5 GIRL!
18 Apr : mumsoon: DC1 GIRL!
18 Apr : minouminou(37): due April 18-19 (i think). 1 DS, 22 months
18 Apr : salbysea: (28) 1st timer
18 Apr : loobee: DS 22mths
19 Apr : gingersarah: 1st baby
19 Apr : Kittycat8 (29) 1st timer
20 Apr : v1kk1m: BOY! 1DD 5 months
20 Apr : MegBusset: DS 18mo
21 Apr : B52s: DS will be 2 and a quarter
21 Apr : Festivedollyx: DD9yrs DD7yrs GIRL!
21 Apr : Staryeyed
21 Apr : Schulte
23 Apr : chloemegjess
23 Apr : katiepotatie
23 Apr : Reesie : DD 20 months
24 Apr : PuzzleRocks: DD 19mths GIRL!
24 Apr : conkertree (26): DS 12 months
24 Apr : Bronze (Gawain) - 4th DC
24 Apr : Frekkles
24 Apr : EsmeWeatherwax (36) DD 17 months
24 Apr : SnoozyVic: first timer and semolina-monster
25 Apr : Swaliswan: DD 17 months
25 Apr : ReallyTired
27 Apr : Bicnod
27 Apr : Carameli
27 Apr : longlegted
27 Apr : SatHereSitting
27 Apr : purplemonkeydishwasher DS 3yo
28 Apr : Laulau27
29 Apr : lauralou1 1st DC
30 Apr : Nutty Taff 2nd DC GIRL!

Labour bags - I thought I'd just pack a toothbrush and some nappies this time round I never used even half of the stuff I took with me last time!

DD hast been jumping around in her cot for over half an hour, she's supposed to be sleeping. Hmmmm guess I might not get a break today!

I am all packed now, labour wise. Bought a nice dressing gown from Mothercare and some reasonably attractive pyjamas to match. Even had the foresight to tuck a glamorous pashmina in there for night feeds if necessary.

I am very tempted to go for a 4D scan. It's a bit of an indulgence, but despite DH and now my mother's polite enquiries about the possibility of Baby No 5 (!) I think this may well be the last time I do it.

Boffin- DS2 sounds quite cute and sweet. Pity about the thyroid. Mom has had trouble with hers over the years and once she got it sorted felt much better. Also good job with the leftovers, have say we don't use ours up quick enough typically.

Nutty- good job with your filing I have that to do yet too. Dh wants me to save 5 years worth of stuff which is a bit daunting...it's just going to end up in a box to go up to attic with the rest of the pile. My little one is kicking down there too. ow! Hard to explain the discomfort to DH, but I've tried. You must be relieved to get so much shopping down.

BB- must be nice to be able to go through things from your childhood. Most of my stuff is gone or still back in at my parents. I'm hoping to get some of it if and when we visit in the summer after Sprite is born.

Labor bag- I'm so not sure what to do about that I've got the physical bag (it the one Mom made when she was preggy and each of my sister's have used it for their pregnancies)but I'm not really sure of the items to put in it...I'm going to look into it this aft since Dh is gone cycling. The biggest thing the PJ situation...not sure what type to get really.

Doula's sound great.

3lb!!!!

The burlesque was for my sister's birthday, she wanted to do somethin different so a huge group of us went to an afternoon of tea and tassels - genius!

I am SO EXCITED - DD has had a major issue with pooing for about a year, only did it in nappy and in hiding etc (v common but oh so frustrating) and I have finally managed to get her to do one on the potty. Sorry first-timers if it sounds insignificant/tedious/TMI but the old hands will know it's a major achievement

Maths- Yeah for pooing on the potty! My oldest sister is struggling with that with her twins. You must feel so proud.

Bleuravin, I think I posted my list on a previous thread, but here it is again, in case it is helpful:

For me:
Pyjamas suitable for bf
Lightweight dressing gown
Slippers
Thick socks
Lots of pants, including j-cloth pants in case of CS
1-2 nursing bras
Breast pads
Slumber mask
Pashmina
Wax ear plugs
Toiletries: deoderant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair product, face cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, Kiehl's lip balm, all packed in one of those little flight bag things they give you on planes (acquired from British Airways, actually).
Hair brush, hair scrunchie and travel hairdryer
Maternity pads
Feme pad
Neal's Yard lemon face spritz
Change purse with about £15 in it in random coins.
Ipod
Reading matter
Big bath towel and several flannels for keeping fanjo area pristine without staining bath towel (can also use hairdryer for this)

For baby:
2 babygros
2 vests
Hat
Mittens
2 cardigans
6 nappies
Travel size baby toiletries
Little baby towel I had when I was a baby

And here is the hospital bag we were all coveting at the time even though it is hopelessly impractical:

www.huddleandbliss.com/h-and-b-48-hour-mama-and-baby-bag.asp

Boffin-Thanks so much! I was just trying to think of things. I didn't think of the change purse.
What are j-cloth undies?

And I forgot about bringing things for the baby I guess it still hasn't quite hit me...

They are stretchy pants that look singularly unattractive but which are soft on cs scar. If you don't end up using them you can always recycle them buffing up your silverwear!!!!

www.nctsales.co.uk/prodshow.asp?id=59&cat=308&scat=311&parent=308

Re: Change, the Patientline TV costs £3 or so a day to have access to, and you need to buy a little card for this. You will also need to raid the vending machines for snacks at some point, and possibly also pay parking fees at the hospital in the region of about £3 or so.

OMG they area attrocious! Lol Mom did say that when you're pregnant you need the most ugly things to make yourself comfortable. When I was trouble findng a comfortable bra she said find the ugliest one you can chances are it'll be the most comfortable...

Nutty, I fancied the beanbag too but consoled myself with the fact that I would never be able to get up again most probably.

I currently trying not to buy a rocking nursing chair and stool - I have seen one for £80 but don't know where I would put it.

Mum has just sent me a lovely white waffle Moses basket via John Lewis and DH has picked it up this afternoon from the depot - it is so lovely. He also acquired a really lovely free mahogany coffee table from the rubbish dump, that mysteriously someone was just trying to abandon as he drove up. As some small boys smashed our last one (£5 from another rubbish dump) sitting on it whilst doing compter games, this was a very good find. It was in fact better than the one they smashed! He is a very good hubby and certainly would have been a good mammoth hunter ina previous life, no doubt.

Anyone else planning to take a CD player into hospital? I would love to listen to my own music during birth but last time they couldn't find a CD player for me although there's supposed to be a couple of them on the labour ward, so I ended up listening to the radio on patient line instead. Have fond memories of pushing DD out to Ravel's Bolero... a piece I normally hate... getting all excited about the birth again! Anyway I haven't GOT a battery powered CD player so if anyone has any suggestions where I could buy one really cheap???

One other thing I am planning to take this time is antibacterial wipes... I ended up spending a lot of time on the loo during labour and really don't trust those hospital cleaners.

Oh one more thing... arnica... it's supposed to help with internal healing. Not sure it actually does but can't hurt and I must say last time as soon as I started taking it I did feel better. Might have been a coincidence of course!

Evening ladies

About another child - I occasionally already get broody about the next one Originally, DP was dead set on only having 2, but he's raised the maximum limit to 4 now. It depends when I'm thinking about it as to whether or not that seems a good idea - sometimes I don't know how I'm going to manage this one!

I really want a doula. I have an excellent family, but they're all so far away. I'm not even that worried about the birth (or at least I am, but I don't think that a doula can help unless she's going to push the thing out of her herself ) but afterwards... I think I'm just being a bit greedy, though - DP & I will both be around most of the time after the birth (he has exams straight afterwards ) & can't really make excuses for needing one.

Boffin, what makes jammies suitable for BF? Just like buttoned ones that you can open? Or is there something else I should be looking for?

Nutty, I'm definitely buying one of those cow print rompers. I had a bit of a cow print thing as a young teenager (you have no idea) & I showed the picture of the romper to DP & he agrees that it's a must-have

Nutty, great idea, yes baby wipes, I use them for absolutely everything. Will also have a look for CD players in Tesco. The problem with ipod is that I have to carry it around with me and DH won't be able to hear - and the poor man got so bored last time

You can buy iPod speakers - a very quick Google brought this up, for example. I'm sure more research could probably produce something better