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!!

rachel, just post when you can Sorry to hear that you've been ill - just think of it as a shortcut to getting back into your clothes in a few months

Nutty, that's a good idea actually... Everyone wins that way

True... But they're on painted backgrounds, too. They wouldn't look half so good on just plain walls. Who'd have thought that this nursery business was so stressful?

I wonder what everyone else with a separate nursery is doing?

Oh, we could, yes. But it's a rented flat so would have to be painted back before we moved out. Which isn't a big deal, but then I think that we might as well do something else, like wallpaper, in that case... I don't know. I think my brain's beginning to nest before my body has the energy

separate nursery?

What's that? LOL Already have 2 toddlers (well 3yo & nearly 2yo) in a small 2 bed house! So no one gets their own space here! But hoping to try and get a big room added on downstairs (if get planning permission etc), which will hopefully make a big difference. But still no room for baby on it's own!

We have a two bedroom flat. It's not exactly large, but it's sufficient for now. We'll have to move before we even think about having another one (but that'll be 4+ years at least) & there's not lots of room for lots of huge toys, but it'll do for now

& I think you're right, Nutty. Just that nice nursery wallpaper will at least look good - whereas we're imbeciles who'll easily mess up the sticker thing The cheap paint / stickers probably is what we'll end up doing, though. & it's only temporary, I suppose.

Haha! You should've made him do it - it's not like he's not tall enough!

I'm going to go to bed now - DP has an exam in the morning & I always drag him to bed when I go, so it's only fair (even though he's insisting that I can stay up - I think he's trying to earn himself freedom from my bedtimes, but fat chance!) & I'm hoping that I'm going to get to sleep a little earlier tonight than I have done recently

Another question to keep you early birds occupied at work tomorrow morning: I've been beginning to wonder about what to make & freeze for after the baby arrives. I think it's probably still too early yet for most things (or am I being a bit precious about it?) but would like to have a plan of what I'm going to produce so I can seek out recipes, etc... What are you all doing?

Thanks xx

Ooooh, I'm first one here this morning! That's new!

Oh Nutty I can't say much about it, because I'm obviously only a first-timer. But I've read quite a few things on MN about very similar situations & I really don't think that you're alone.

I suppose to DH, it is all a bit 'old hat' & although he'll love the baby, the pregnancy isn't exactly a barrel of laughs - the same as we find it, really. I try to explain to my DP that there are 3 of us sharing my body at the moment - me, the baby & the pregnancy. I adore the baby, but I can't wait for the pregnancy to be gone! Unless pregnancy is one of those 'magical' times where you've 'never felt better' (), I think every woman feels the same. I'd guess that it's the case for him as well, but that he's being a bloke & not doing very well at articulating it.

All he can see is that you've already done all of this before, so it's not a wondrous new experience, but that it's also causing you - the woman he loves - a huge amount of pain & discomfort. It must be difficult for him to feel enthusiastic about that, as well as the other, more practical, reasons as to why he won't touch your bump, etc.

Try explaining to him that you know that it's all a bit crappy at the moment, but that it'd mean a lot to you to think that he was bonding with the baby a bit more. You know that he's going to be a good dad again, but he needs to look past the next few months to when he's holding that gorgeous new little girl of yours. That's what this is all about & he just needs to keep that in mind, I think.

Also, as for the 4D scan, I don't think that it'll freak DD out. Everything I've seen other people saying has been about how their young children have been really excited about the baby in mummy's tummy instead of the abstract concept of a future sibling. & if you think that it will freak her out, don't let her see it. You should go if you want to, because God knows you're having to put up with enough of the rubbish side of pregnancy to justify something nice. (& who knows, maybe DH will get excited about the baby as opposed to the concept!)

Nutty - DH is definitely less interested/involved this time around. I think some of it is just a case of practicalities - he's not come to appts because he's either been looking after DS or at work and needing to be there so he could leave earlier to pick up DS from nursery. When there was just the two of us we'd spend hours lying on the sofa with DH stroking the bump and discussing baby names, but to be honest there just isn't the time at the moment - I'm often doing jobs or going to bed earlier because I'm exhausted and DH is bringing lots of work home.

Could your DH also just find your DD more interesting than the prospect of a baby?? DS is at a fab stage of talking lots and in comparison a baby who just feeds, cries and poos is nowhere near as exciting?

BTW, DS (2.5) loved the 4D scan - although he is now convinced that the baby will be gold because that was the colour on screen. He wasn't scared at all and being at the scans seems to be helping him with the idea of the baby - he's been better at not jumping on me so he doesn't hurt the baby and that sort of thing.

Just wanted to stop in and say 'hi' I'm going to try and be very productive today even though I'm feeling a little weird- like I did in the first months again. (DH thinks I'm not getting enough energy during the day and kept trying to push his cycling drinks on me this morning, I'm going to just try to get small snacks again every 2 hours or so however)

Some 'catch-up comments'
Paint rather than papering definitely

Can't imagne 4d scan would freak a kid out...they see stuff like that all the time on TV/movies- would think it would make it more realistic for them.

All the bump pictures are beautiful! I will try to remember to get one taken...Tho I am really rather camera shy...and you can see how fatty mine looks in comparison.

Men are a bit strange about their women in pain, being uncomfortable, I think it comes from their desire to protect us from bad things and knowing they cannot, so that might be something which is causing the 2nd pg withdrawal. (in addtion to what others have said)

Right, I'm off to do some DIY (will not be waiting for DH to do it as he's just too busy- but no worries I'm not in the attic or up any ladders, I'll just use a stepstool if need be and I'll have the phone in my back pocket just incase). Hope everyone has a good day, and those of you feeling poorly yesterday feel miles better today!

P.S. has anyone's DH/DP been telling them that they smell different? Better? DH keeps saying he cannot get enough of being near me because I smell different... ??

oh! i just remembered the dream I had last night!
gave birth to a lovely little girl. perfect birth, no tearing. and the ward was full of MNers!

a girl can dream can't she??