Fab Feb 2009: holy shit, this is it

[chilledmama]

Cause Swampster has a dirty mouth
Wouldn't hear me speaking that way...much
How do we delete threads????

NEW ARRIVALS

TinkerBellesMumandFifi2 - Sian Anne Denise, 4lbs 8.5oz, 02.01.09 (due 01.02.09)

WHO'S NEXT.....

Laidbackinengland - DC4, due: 23.01.09 (age 34, North Devon)
idontbelieveit - DC2 (girl), CS:26.01.09 (age 31, Leeds)
Nkweto - DC2, due: 30.01.09 (age 35, West London)
Oooggs - DC4, due: 30.01.09 (age 34, Cornwall)
Mamagoose - DC3, due: 31.01.09 (age 32, Spain)

LittleMissNorty - DC2, CS: 02.02.09 (age 40, Kent)
Swampster - DC3 (a boy), CS: 02.02.09 (age 40 , London)
MsLucy - DC2 (a boy), due: CS: 02.02.09 (age 38, North London)
Questionkid - DC1, due: 03.02.09 (age 33, Wallington, Surrey)
PinkTulips - DC3, due: 04.02.09 (age 24, Roscommon, Ireland)
Rosieposey - DC4 (a boy), due: 06.02.09 (age 36,Swindon,Wiltshire)
MarkStretch - DC2 (a boy), due: 07.02.09 (age 29, Norwich)
onwardandoutward - DC2, due: 07.02.09 (age 35 South West)
mumoverseas - DC4 (a boy), due: CS 08.02.09 (age 41 Arabia/Crawley West Sussex)
stacysmom - DC1, due: 08.02.09 (age 36, Kent)
KT1983 - DC1, due: 09.02.09 (age 25, London)
KazzaL - DC2 (suprise flavour), due: 10.02.09 (age 35, Cirencester, Gloucs)
littleboyblue - DC2, (another boy) due: 10.02.09 (age 27, Middlesex)
Sorkycake - DC4 (a girl), due: 10.02.09, (34, NorthEast)
McDreamy - DC3, CS booked 10.02.2009 (age 37 Bucks)
jenniferturkington- DC2 (a girl), due: 11.02.09
herbgarden - DC2, due: 11.02.09 (CS 02.02.09) (age 38, Berkshire)
Munteria - DC2, due: 11.02.09 (age 37, Putney)
TheHouseofMirth - DC2 (a boy), due: 11.02.09 (age 39, Wimbledon)
fgpl- DC2 (a girl), due: 12.02.09 planning cs 38 weeks. Age 38 North Yorks
Jellybaby - DC2 (a girl), due: 14.02.09 (age 30, Cheshire)
Justme84 - due 14.02.09
Pempe - DC1 (a boy), due: 14.02.09 (age 29, Greece)
Littlesez ? DC1 (a girl), due: 15.02.09 (age 28, Manchester)
America - DC2 (a boy), due: 16.02.09 (age 32, London)
Scubagroover - DC1 (a boy), due: 17.02.09 (age 31, London/ Kent)
Rachrox - DC4 (a boy), due: 18.02.09 (age 28, Cheltenham)
Catstar - DC2 (a boy), due: 18.02.09 (age 36, Chessington)
Mentalpup - DC2, due: 18.02.09 (age 31, Cheltenham)
Dinkystinky - DC2 (a boy), due: 19.02.09 (age 32, London)
Pluto DC2, due: 19.02.09 (Age 38, Kent)
DizzyBrummie - DC2, due: 20.02.09 (age 36, Berkshire)
Calico1 - DC2 due: 21.02.09 (age 40, West Herts)
mrsy - DC1 (a girl), due: 22.02.09 (age 24, Maidstone, Kent
Neeerly3 - DC3 (surprise) due 23.02.09 (age 32, Mansfield, Notts)
Winemakesmummyclever - DC2 (a boy), due: 23.02.09. (age 35, Manchester) expecting cs @ 39 weeks
Spottyshoes - DC2, due: 24.02.09 (age 28)
Lardybump - DC2, due: 24.02.09 (age 34)
eejaykay - DC1 (a boy), due: 24.02.09 (age 34, London)
Chilledmama - DC2 (a girl), due: 25.02.09 (age 32, Southsea)
Pinkbabybump - DC2 (a girl), due: 25.02.09 (age 36, Cornwall) CS booked for 20.02.09
Cocodrillo - DC3, due: 26.02.09 (age 34 at the mo, London) expecting a CS at 38-39 weeks
ihavenewsockson - DS2, due: 26.02.09 (age 25, Surrey)

whoops! Thanks Swampy. LBB - hope it works for you!
Have not even looked at my lady garden for about 6 weeks. Might have to see what's what with the aid of a mirror while dd has her afternoon nap...

lbb, whatever about looking pretty for the mw (coz lets face it what they see ain't gonna be pretty no matter how little hair) i like to be fairly neat down there as it's more comfortable afterwards with the bleeding.... and especially if you have stitches it pays to be a bit tidyer down below.

just realised i'm supposed to be going to the gp for antenatal today.... it's veering between snowing and raining though and i soooooo cannot be arsed going out i mean kung fu panda's already fully engaged and ready to go.... what are they possibly going to find?

I've just gone for a little trimmage of the pant moustache.

Just hope it will prevent them from attacking me with the regulation NHS plastic razor.

mcdreamy - got the bumgenius cos they looked idiot proof and therefore would make me less likely to give in and reach for the nearest packet of pampers.

I got them from a place called "Nappyeverafter" in Chalton St (near St Pancras Station, though I'm sure there are other suppliers as well.

Pant moustache- ROFL

KT - I'm taking raspberry leaf tabs rather than drinking the tea - last time round someone in my ante-natal group said the tea was disgusting and so I just bought the tablets instead.

chilledmama - we have a 52 plate 5dr astra (no isofix) and an 07 plate zafira (with isofix) - thanks for offering to research for me - I've done some but my investigations were pretty much limited to britax. We're looking for a second Group 12(3) seat for DS as we have one infant seat already and I'm borrowing a friends for the second car - no point buying a second one for 9mths only.

It's so exciting that the babies are finally starting to arrive, it seems like forever that we've all been waiting. Every morning I go into work and at least one person makes a comment about how big I am and how the bump has dropped and they're sure i won't make it till my due date.

someone yesterdray wrote that I must be mad working so close to my due date (4 days) - just stupid and trying to ensure we have as few days as poss paying 2 lots of childcare at the other end once i go back to work and before DS gets his free nursery hours. I'd love to be at home as I;m in agony sitting at my desk all day

KazzaL....in a similar situation as you re childcare.....do you salary sacrifice for vouchers.....you may want to look here

I've taken all DH's shirts to the dry cleaners to be ironed since I went back to work after DS - costs about £1.30 a shirt, but I get 10% discount through work. I don't have the time or the energy to do them and DH wouldn't so the other option is that he goes to work in an unironed shirt, whwihc isn't an option.

he got a promotion on friday which is great as it means we won't ahve to struggle as much while I;m off and maybe I won't have to go back to work full-time - Hurray.

I like Bumgenius nappies - tried lots in my hunt for new ones for DS and these are the one I like the best, leak the least and easiest to use.

LMN I saw a similar thread back in the autumn when the law chnage came in, my prob is that I sal sac for the childcare vouchers & our share save scheme, but then get a car allowance which will continue all the way through both types of mat leave, but the former are more than the later, so I;ve emailed our HR about what will happen when my SMp runs out as then I'll be owing wokr money each month.

Really sorry I missed you London gals yesterday, even if the cake wasn't up to scratch.

Had GP appointment this morning and he has agreed that I should have an elective section and was horrified that the obstetric team were even considering trying for a normal delivery - thanks MOS for your info on bad backs etc.
Must say that I am mightily relieved but have to get my head around having a CS now.

So McDreamy - I might see you in Stoke Mandeville after all as I expect the CS date I'll get will be similar to yours. Glad you had a good appointment there yesterday.

Can anyone tell me how long they keep you in afterwards?

How exciting about Oooggs!

PT - sorry nothing's happening for you yet.

LMN just emailed the doc on the childcare thread to HR - I'll let you know how I get on!!!

Only thing with BumGenius is they get leaky if you use nappy creams with them - perfect excuse to get some Itti Bittis too!

Good news about your doc, Calico.

I got an itti-bitti to try and was bitterly disappointed - leaked everytime we used it - although it is beautiful and DH calls it DS's loincloth. It just seemed too narrow

Ah - the other pockets/aios I lust after are close parent pop-ins and blueberries... not got any... YET!

mark

I've updated the list so that I'm now showing as one of the c-sections on 2nd Feb.......

I'd love to find someone to do my ironing...maybe my lovely cleaner might do another hour. At the moment the ironing board is up permanently in our spare room where the baby (and me) will be and dh irons a shirt every morning for work. Not quite sure where else we'll put it.

I've spent the morning making black out blinds for the babies room so I'm feeling very industrious- It's in anticipation of the clocks going forward in a couple of months - and then the really light early mornings. I know it'll be the last thing on my mind once d day and after arrives. Only way I could get ds to stay asleep longer than 5am !! they were fab and I still use one in ds's room now.

Catch up later.......

NEW ARRIVALS

TinkerBellesMumandFifi2 - Sian Anne Denise, 4lbs 8.5oz, 02.01.09 (due 01.02.09)

WHO'S NEXT.....

Laidbackinengland - DC4, due: 23.01.09 (age 34, North Devon)
Nkweto - DC2, due: 30.01.09 (age 35, West London)
Oooggs - DC4, due: 30.01.09 (age 34, Cornwall)
Mamagoose - DC3, due: 31.01.09 (age 32, Spain)
idontbelieveit - DC2 (girl), due: 02.02.09 (age 31, Leeds)
herbgarden - DC2, CS: 02.02.09 (age 38, Berkshire)
LittleMissNorty - DC2, CS: 02.02.09 (age 40, Kent)
Swampster - DC3 (a boy), CS: 02.02.09 (age 40 , London)
Questionkid - DC1, due: 03.02.09 (age 33, Wallington, Surrey)
PinkTulips - DC3, due: 04.02.09 (age 24, Roscommon, Ireland)
MsLucy - DC2 (a boy), due: 4/2/09 (CS a few days early)(age 38, North London)
Rosieposey - DC4 (a boy), due: 06.02.09 (age 36,Swindon,Wiltshire)
MarkStretch - DC2 (a boy), due: 07.02.09 (age 29, Norwich)
onwardandoutward - DC2, due: 07.02.09 (age 35 South West)
mumoverseas - DC4 (a boy), due: CS 08.02.09 (age 41 Arabia/Crawley West Sussex)
stacysmom - DC1, due: 08.02.09 (age 36, Kent)
KT1983 - DC1, due: 09.02.09 (age 25, London)
KazzaL - DC2 (suprise flavour), due: 10.02.09 (age 35, Cirencester, Gloucs)
littleboyblue - DC2, (another boy) due: 10.02.09 (age 27, Middlesex)
Sorkycake - DC4 (a girl), due: 10.02.09, (34, NorthEast)
McDreamy - DC3, CS booked 10.02.2009 (age 37 Bucks)
jenniferturkington- DC2 (a girl), due: 11.02.09

Munteria - DC2, due: 11.02.09 (age 37, Putney)
TheHouseofMirth - DC2 (a boy), due: 11.02.09 (age 39, Wimbledon)
fgpl- DC2 (a girl), due: 12.02.09 planning cs 38 weeks. Age 38 North Yorks
Jellybaby - DC2 (a girl), due: 14.02.09 (age 30, Cheshire)
Justme84 - due 14.02.09
Pempe - DC1 (a boy), due: 14.02.09 (age 29, Greece)
Littlesez ? DC1 (a girl), due: 15.02.09 (age 28, Manchester)
America - DC2 (a boy), due: 16.02.09 (age 32, London)
Scubagroover - DC1 (a boy), due: 17.02.09 (age 31, London/ Kent)
Rachrox - DC4 (a boy), due: 18.02.09 (age 28, Cheltenham)
Catstar - DC2 (a boy), due: 18.02.09 (age 36, Chessington)
Mentalpup - DC2, due: 18.02.09 (age 31, Cheltenham)
Dinkystinky - DC2 (a boy), due: 19.02.09 (age 32, London)
Pluto DC2, due: 19.02.09 (Age 38, Kent)
DizzyBrummie - DC2, due: 20.02.09 (age 36, Berkshire)
Calico1 - DC2 due: 21.02.09 (age 40, West Herts)
mrsy - DC1 (a girl), due: 22.02.09 (age 24, Maidstone, Kent
Neeerly3 - DC3 (surprise) due 23.02.09 (age 32, Mansfield, Notts)
Winemakesmummyclever - DC2 (a boy), due: 23.02.09. (age 35, Manchester) expecting cs @ 39 weeks
Spottyshoes - DC2, due: 24.02.09 (age 28)
Lardybump - DC2, due: 24.02.09 (age 34)
eejaykay - DC1 (a boy), due: 24.02.09 (age 34, London)
Chilledmama - DC2 (a girl), due: 25.02.09 (age 32, Southsea)
Pinkbabybump - DC2 (a girl), due: 25.02.09 (age 36, Cornwall) CS booked for 20.02.09
Cocodrillo - DC3, due: 26.02.09 (age 34 at the mo, London) expecting a CS at 38-39 weeks
ihavenewsockson - DS2, due: 26.02.09 (age 25, Surrey)

That's better

think you updated an old list Herb.....as IDBI has her CS on Monday and there are 4 of us for CS on the 2nd.

Kazza - I'm speaking to my payroll manager in the morning...only affects me for weeks 27-39 and that's the only time where I only get SMP. Can't believe I'd never heard of this before...

So much for getting on Mumsnet more often! Our Virgin connection decided to pack up yesterday. No broadband and the TV was stuck on CBeebies!!! Nice Virgin man just left though and all fixed.

Swampy, MrsY, LBB, THOM it was great to meet you yesterday and Dinky, good to see you again ! I must apologise for DD's food throwing and screetching (sp?) - that's a new thing only discovered yesterday! She was sooo tired and slumped over her pushchair bar 5 mins after we left. She slept all the way home on the train and bus too! We had a lovely time and 'twas so good to chat!!! My cake was gorgeous! Just looked back at thread and seen the feline comment - that would explain the Bagpuss nickname I was given at school!!!

So, I'm at home and DD's at nursery and it's a case of what do I do first. Getting hospital bag packed is my priority and got a trip to Mothercareworld planned for tomorrow. Midwife appointment this afternoon to check all is well.

Too much seems to be going on to comment on everyone's news - I must try harder to keep up - but I can't wait to hear what's going on with Oooggs! We were only saying yesterday the odds are on for some more January babies.

Catch you later ladies!

Herbgarden - jsut read about the blackout blinds. We just moved DD into the big spare room where there are two windows. We've got wooden blinds at the moment which look lovely but just don't block out the light enough for daytime naps, so certainly not for the early summer mornings! I want to make something that I can just stick or vecro to the window under the blinds - any idea what sort of material to use and where to get it?

Catstar I think John Lewis in Kingston do blackout fabric.

catstar - I did use the roller type black out but all they do is make the room a wee bit darker and I didn't find them amazingly effective particularly in summer when DS was having his daytime naps in his room

so.....I bought black out lining from John Lewis (or any good curtain fabric shop should sell it)

You need to measure the window to the far outside of the frame plus around 0.5cm. I then use "stick and sew" velcro on the window frame - the sticky part on the window frame (if your window frame is painted the sticky velcro can lift the paint so be warned)

I then sew the other part (with machine) all the way round the border of the lining leaving about a 0.5 cm sort of flap from edge of velcro to the edge of the lining. this is so that when you fit the lining onto the window the flap goes past the edge of the window and seems to help the light block out more. If you sew the velcro right to the edge then the light comes in through the velcro.

All sounds a bit drastic but if you want complete darkness in summer and during the day then it was the best way to get total darkness. Some people I know disagree and say that it stops your child being able to sleep anywhere but tbh DS could do buggy/cot/car regardless in the day - I found it more useful for the light evenings and mornings.

You can use the velcro which is sticky on both sides ie on the lining and on the window frame but I found it would come off quite easily - if you don't have a sewing machine maybe a staple gun might have the desired effect to attach the velcro on the lining. Otherwise you'll have to keep the lining up all the time (constant removing and putting up weakens the glue if not sewn on) which makes it feel a bit like a prison. I think last time I could only get velcro which stuck on both parts but just sewed it on anyway.

Right - enough of my ramblings - let me know if any of that isn't clear !!!

MOS is proud to announce the safe arrival of.....
sorry, not a baby but a 'get out of jail card' ie the translated letter which means I can escape the compound! hurrah! DH must have picked up on all the negative vibes heading his way.

Calico, SOOOOOOO pleased you got such a good result at the doctors today. I've been a bit worried about you and your back as didn't want you having the same problems I had. When will you get a date? Hopefully a little before your due date which is an additional bonus.(valentines day baby?) Please don't worry about having a CS, you will be fine. Usually they keep you in around 4 days but it does vary from hospital to hospital.

OOOGS HAD A BABY BOY!!!!!

Luke Daniel, 8lb 6oz. 20.02.2009. 10.42am. Shattered!

Congratulations Ooogs & welcome baby Luke. Excellent day to choose, he shares a birthday with me and my mum

NEW ARRIVALS

TinkerBellesMumandFifi2 - DD Sian Anne Denise, 4lbs 8.5oz, 02.01.09 (due 01.02.09)
Ooogs - DS Luke Daniel, 8lbs 6oz, 20.01.09

WHO'S NEXT.....

Laidbackinengland - DC4, due: 23.01.09 (age 34, North Devon)
Nkweto - DC2, due: 30.01.09 (age 35, West London)
Mamagoose - DC3, due: 31.01.09 (age 32, Spain)
idontbelieveit - DC2 (girl), due: 02.02.09 (age 31, Leeds)
herbgarden - DC2, CS: 02.02.09 (age 38, Berkshire)
LittleMissNorty - DC2, CS: 02.02.09 (age 40, Kent)
Swampster - DC3 (a boy), CS: 02.02.09 (age 40 , London)
Questionkid - DC1, due: 03.02.09 (age 33, Wallington, Surrey)
PinkTulips - DC3, due: 04.02.09 (age 24, Roscommon, Ireland)
MsLucy - DC2 (a boy), due: 4/2/09 (CS a few days early)(age 38, North London)
Rosieposey - DC4 (a boy), due: 06.02.09 (age 36,Swindon,Wiltshire)
MarkStretch - DC2 (a boy), due: 07.02.09 (age 29, Norwich)
onwardandoutward - DC2, due: 07.02.09 (age 35 South West)
mumoverseas - DC4 (a boy), due: CS 08.02.09 (age 41 Arabia/Crawley West Sussex)
stacysmom - DC1, due: 08.02.09 (age 36, Kent)
KT1983 - DC1, due: 09.02.09 (age 25, London)
KazzaL - DC2 (suprise flavour), due: 10.02.09 (age 35, Cirencester, Gloucs)
littleboyblue - DC2, (another boy) due: 10.02.09 (age 27, Middlesex)
Sorkycake - DC4 (a girl), due: 10.02.09, (34, NorthEast)
McDreamy - DC3, CS booked 10.02.2009 (age 37 Bucks)
jenniferturkington- DC2 (a girl), due: 11.02.09

Munteria - DC2, due: 11.02.09 (age 37, Putney)
TheHouseofMirth - DC2 (a boy), due: 11.02.09 (age 39, Wimbledon)
fgpl- DC2 (a girl), due: 12.02.09 planning cs 38 weeks. Age 38 North Yorks
Jellybaby - DC2 (a girl), due: 14.02.09 (age 30, Cheshire)
Justme84 - due 14.02.09
Pempe - DC1 (a boy), due: 14.02.09 (age 29, Greece)
Littlesez ? DC1 (a girl), due: 15.02.09 (age 28, Manchester)
America - DC2 (a boy), due: 16.02.09 (age 32, London)
Scubagroover - DC1 (a boy), due: 17.02.09 (age 31, London/ Kent)
Rachrox - DC4 (a boy), due: 18.02.09 (age 28, Cheltenham)
Catstar - DC2 (a boy), due: 18.02.09 (age 36, Chessington)
Mentalpup - DC2, due: 18.02.09 (age 31, Cheltenham)
Dinkystinky - DC2 (a boy), due: 19.02.09 (age 32, London)
Pluto DC2, due: 19.02.09 (Age 38, Kent)
DizzyBrummie - DC2, due: 20.02.09 (age 36, Berkshire)
Calico1 - DC2 due: 21.02.09 (age 40, West Herts)
mrsy - DC1 (a girl), due: 22.02.09 (age 24, Maidstone, Kent
Neeerly3 - DC3 (surprise) due 23.02.09 (age 32, Mansfield, Notts)
Winemakesmummyclever - DC2 (a boy), due: 23.02.09. (age 35, Manchester) expecting cs @ 39 weeks
Spottyshoes - DC2, due: 24.02.09 (age 28)
Lardybump - DC2, due: 24.02.09 (age 34)
eejaykay - DC1 (a boy), due: 24.02.09 (age 34, London)
Chilledmama - DC2 (a girl), due: 25.02.09 (age 32, Southsea)
Pinkbabybump - DC2 (a girl), due: 25.02.09 (age 36, Cornwall) CS booked for 20.02.09
Cocodrillo - DC3, due: 26.02.09 (age 34 at the mo, London) expecting a CS at 38-39 weeks
ihavenewsockson - DS2, due: 26.02.09 (age 25, Surrey)

I just got some second-hand totsbots from a friend of mine, plus some nature baby wraps. Well, when I say "got", I've posted her a cheque and she's going to post me some nappies. Swamps - do you have a good source for some fleece I can chop up to make liners? She ripped out the fleece liners because they are really annoying flapping all over the place, but still needs the ones she made because she still has a baby in nappies, just not size 1 tots bots any more.

The Lady Garden. As far as I remember, mine is au naturel, but I haven't seen in for some time. Might ask for assistance with a little light strimming, but it won't go further than that (I mean, what's the point in having a home birth with whale song and essential oils burning if you don't go the whole hog with the 1970s feminist hairiness?)

My bump has NOT dropped. I am actually beginning to want this babe to think about engaging, although I understand that 2nd babies don't in the way that 1st babies do. But it'd be nice to think they were just beginning to gear themselves up for action (anything to make my work to-do list into an SEP)

Kazza - I'm going on maternity leave the day before my due date, and only because I have to. I'd rather wait until I have a baby, since I get only 16 weeks on full pay (and remember that I am the sole breadwinner in our family). When people ask me, I say that completely outright - that I get less than 4 months on full pay and I am the breadwinner. And then I say "so I'd rather be large and cumbersome and waiting for the baby but being paid for it rather than large and cumbersome and waiting for the baby and not being paid for it." which generally shuts them up and gets them to move on to less fraught topics of conversation, like whether my department is going to have to install a Stannah stairlift to get my bulk up to the office for the next fortnight...

And ooo oooo ooooogs, it's so exciting!!!! Can't wait for an announcement.