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!!

Boffin - you were NOT overreacting at all! If I'd come home to find that particular scenario, I would have lost it in a MUCH less graceful way than you did...

Had my Mum on the phone from South Africa earlier... she's booking her ticket to come visit, arriving 2 weeks after EDD... and has already started to tell me how the baby should sleep (on its tummy?!), feed, be washed etc etc... I love her lots but this is gonna be painful... [sigh]

Bleuravin, I wasn't trying to worry you! It's just I'm thinking that it's possibly an issue for me - I'm always thirsty, needing to wee & still being sick fairly often (& generally nauseous quite a lot). Will speak to the midwife on Tuesday, I suppose.

Boffin, it really was quite something. I was going to say that it was like I wasn't there - but that's a lie. I was most definitely in his way

Don't feel guilty about your au pair! You didn't at all overreact! She was very unprofessional, spent the whole day running behind & DS1 is only 11! He's still a child! Bless him. I hope he's calmed down now xx

It's good that you can put it behind you & hopefully she'll learn from it. But definitely don't feel guilty!

I know it's ridiculous feeling guilty but I do, because he was so upset. He now wants me to take him to the village panto tonight, and I am saying no because I am tired after hydrotherapy (they gave me chocolate biscuits and an engineering mag to read while I was waiting today - Boffin heaven), and I feel even guiltier. Maybe I will have to relent.

I had a fantasic dream during my nap which you reminded me of Kitty; My mom and four sisters all came to visit just before the baby was born and were giving me things and telling me how great I was doing as I was laying on the floor surrounded by pillows and blankets with my knees propped up... We were laughing because one of my sisters pulled out a sexy outfit 'for after the baby' and I had said if you ever think I'm going to fit into somethng that small again you've got to be kidding me.' -Not that mom would have been laughing about a sexy outfit, she's far too 'proper' to talk about such things...
But it was so nice to have them all around me. Miss them.

Well I think I'm done this evening; managed to get through all the baby stuff which is quite good I think. It's all on the shelves, still a bit messy, but I need to wash it all yet anyhow so that's no big deal, but it's all in piles organised.
Sprite already has a big box full of toys too, kinda scary considering she's still in the womb...

Now I'm laying on the floor in the nursery staring at it all and thinking... OMG I'M GOING TO HAVE A BABY... while I try to stretch out my very tight and sore lower back. 11 weeks + or - 2...Oh how things are changing...

Right, once more unto the breach....

I have a doula for the birth, she's called Mum and she doesn't mind being sworn at during transition. God I was a cow.

Purlease - I can't believe you got to 28 weeks without the need for maternity clothes. Amazing!

Nutty - Stop the spending, you seem to be going mad girl. Every time you do, I want to. Bad, bad influence.

BoffinMum - Am very jealous of your nursery, it sounds divine.

Surprisenumber3 - congrats on your little girl. How lovely to have both now.

Mathsmummy - Congrats on DD's potty success. BTW what is the usual age to start potty training?

Schulte - I swear by Arnica, whether it's a placebo or not. I had horrendous bruising and swelling after nearly 2 hours pushing and an episiotomy, the midwife who came to visit me at the home the next day nearly wept. However within 48 hours of taking arnica I was back to normal again.

Springy and Nutty - You must post pictures of your cowprint clad babies come April. Springy re PJ's I like them because separates are easier and I like vest tops with front opening clasps. Mothercare do ok ones.

Babypringle - congrats on your little boy.

Conkertree - arnica pills not cream

Electra - Here's my brith plan, use lots of gas and air, try not to frighten the neighbours with mooing. Get baby out quickly with no need for stitching. Drink copious amounts of champagne.

Springy - DH will definitely not be cutting the cord, he is terrible with blood.

Barbarella - I want to see The Reader. Was anyone else irritated by Kate Winslet's Golden Globes performance. Silly woman.

Bleuravin - Very impressed at you going swimming. I don't consider it an option now I struggle to shave my legs. I do however love to float in the bath like a manatee for long periods.

BoffinMum- 10 days!!!! It took me four months to pluck up the courage, and energy.

BabyBolat - My contractions felt very different to Braxton Hicks and within half an hour I had a show. My waters didn't break until much later though.

Barbarella/Surrprisenumber3 - I can't see your profiles.

AuldAlliance - Nice to hear from you again. I hope evreythng goes well on the home front, it may be a blessing in disguise and you find somewhere fabulous.

Frosty - Wasn't Braxton Hicks a mentor to Lewis Hamilton? , Don't sweat about the personality changes, you will be your old self again one day I promise. When DD was a few months old DH turned to me one day and excitedly proclaimed, "you're back"!

Purplemonkey - my ribs are aching too. Although less so than my last pregnancy.

For those asking, I got my MatB1 form from my GP last wek. She didn't seem to know about the HIP grant though so shall ask midwife next week.

PuzzleRocks: So are you planning a homebirth then? (re not disturbing neighbours! LOL) I'm hoping for one too - had lovely homebirth last time, and I think midwives are even more relaxed this time round as everything went OK in the end with my last delivery. (I had prolonged ruptured membranes with no contractions for 2+ days with both previous births, so I get lots of fuss about risk of infection etc & had to fight to stay home last time - after having miserable induction in hospital first time - but no problems in the end, so I think they've come to accept that this is just how I do things! )

Boffin - I think you are amazing, if that had been my child, not only would I have flown off the handle in a major way I would have sent her packing (probably with a rather red mark around her cheek!!!) Your child is 11 years old - 11 and riding around on his own - DH should just hush - that is not acceptable and you DID NOT overreact!

Bleu, I am hoping you will inspire me with all your nursery doing... You are making me feel very lazy!

Springy that is classic, my DH is EXACTLY the same, the other day I was attractively vomiting my guts up (first think in the morning which is always bad as you having nothing to remove!)and he as standing in the doorway (looking in disgust) waiting for me to finish so he could and I quote 'use the bathroom!!!' Good job I love him so much

puzzle - well done on catching up!

Puzzle, you're amzing catching up like that, good job.

BB I've only been at it because DH has been driving me a bit and I know if I don't do it now it'll sit and sit and sit and I will never manage to get it done. I'm actually a horrible procrastinator... plus I'm not working atm and I've been laying about the house for weeks...

yup puzzlerocks - very impressed - thats dedication for you.

am also feeling a bit swollen down below - i think i prefer to bury my head in the sand and assume it will all get better after the birth.

boffin - dont think you overreacted either and she obviously didnt either since she came and apologised.

might be asking you for lecturing tips Boffinmum (and Auldalliance) - am giving two lectures next month at Stirling University on the Diploma in Legal Practice course as they use solicitors rather than lecturers (as it's a more practical course to prepare you for working after your Law Degree). Am really looking forward to it.

Congrats, Conker!

Some tips (I used to run courses on lecturing actually!):

Always appear friendly, smiling and human, and remember they are actually an audience and this is a performance. Witty asides are good, as is a twinkle in your eye.

Avoid death by Powerpoint syndrome. If you have to use Powerpoint, slip in the odd cartoon or something to keep them on their toes.

Only give out notes at the end so they pay more attention during the lecture.

Wake them up with a question every 20 minutes because that's the natural attention span of most people.

Never underestimate how simple and clear you can afford to make things. You do not need to sound clever to be a good lecturer.

Use real life examples to highlight theory points whenever you can.

And breathe. Next installment coming up.

Frosty - Your sex life echoes mine. With DD we had no idea which hour she might have been conceived much less which day. This time round it was easier to narrow down as having a toddler put the breaks on somewhat.

BabyBolat - how's the back pain. Hope you are bearing up.

Boffin - How are you feeling too, you water nymphette?! Great news about the DLA.

I'm not even going to discuss my diet. I eat well for breakfast, lunch and supper, but there is a LOT of crap in between.

Springy - your bump is fab. Oh and we need a new shower curtain "femmen Vag" it is! . And how dare you suggest you are becoming dull, that says terrble things for me. God, DH and I were so achingly cool before we had DD , now we sing Old Macdonald rather than going to gigs and that's when she is in bed! . It's great though, I wouldn't swap my life for all the tea in china.

RachelinScotland - sorry to hear you have been unwell. Hope you are feeling better?

Springy - Listen to Nutty, stay away from wallpaper damnit, it's a bugger. Oh and re food, I found Annabel Karmel quite handy before I gained confidence. Unless of course you plan on Baby Led Weaning in which case I believe she is veiwed as the antichrist. For the record DD has a fantastic diet and has never been picky so I do recommend her. Mumsnet also have a recipe section for when he's a bit bigger, I often use recipes from there.
Doh just typed all that out and realised you meant meals for you and DP. Muppet!

Dungungirl - when mine kicks in the bath she causes waves!

Barbarella - Gosh you really overcame some hurdles. It must make these babies seem so super special.

Nutty - Did you get your hat box? I love the smell of that place although they discontinued my fave cinnamon bath melt a few years back. Why do my things always get discontinued??? D&G have stopped making the perfume (By) that I loved. Even DH was sad about it.

Clairey - Sorry you are having a tough tme. Hopefully it will clear up soon. Glad to see you got your swabs.

Bleuravin - That craft website is ace. Thanks for the link.

Yeah, where is LuluBai??

Boffin - Thanks for the post about mattresses. I really don't want to buy a new one as DD barely ever slept in her cot, what with cosleepng a lot, and it is good as new.

Electra - You should definitely complain. Her behaviour was really poor.

Kittycat - I would like to get DH a "thanks for your tolerance and endless footrubs" gift but not sure what yet.

Hi Swaliswan, hope you are feeling better soon.

Boffin - I don't think you overreacted. Poor DS, I would have been furious.

Rachel - Yeah, I hated DH having to leave me at the hospital and I want to be here for DD as much as anything and I just love the idea of being in my own bed after a shower and glass of champagne.
Glad to hear you had a good experience. I may be picking your brains nearer the date.

Aah Nutty. [Hugs back] What was the film?

Good lord, i'm up to date. Yippee.

Conker - I'm taking the ostrich approach too.

Boffin, they gave you chocolate biscuits as well? Good Lord, woman! Never mind your crippling pain, you're just having too much fun now!

Nutty, I wondered where you were. Which film? I expect a full review

BB, I got the disgusted look as well! As if to say 'you're meant to be sexy & ladylike, how dare you be heaving over the toilet bowl? What do you think you're doing? You're ruining my illusion!'

Puzzle, I'm seriously impressed! You've honoured us with that commitment! I love the image of you & DH sitting singing nursery rhymes to each other at night, without DD around. Looking lovingly into each other's eyes, performing a truly heartfelt serenade...

As for your advice on food, I did mean for DP & me, but actually read what you had to say with great interest. I'm a really fussy eater & would love to avoid it for our children (it's no fun for anyone), so will look into Annabel Karmel

Ooh, cross posts with Nutty. Yay for defeating MIL! What's the stuff like?

& yes - how do they kick so low? I don't understand how they can get their feet down there?

Puzzle, we started potty training at about 1.5 and have just about finished..so it took about two years then.

Opinion varies from 9 months to 4 years.

Will you all stop talking quite so much I just can't flippin keep up! And I'm not stopping work until I give birth either so unless I get FAM to start posting for me I just won't have the time or energy to keep up with you ladies

I still haven't seen any of these bump photos people...come on with the technology...

OOH forgot to say got the midwife to change my due date on MatB1 so I can get the HIP grant. Hooray! She didn;t even know about it!