Due May 2009 - Bring on the Creme Eggs, mooing and choo chooing

[Jennster]

Thought I'd better start this soon.

Detsy,

I am tempted to book a 4d scan for this LO. I just looked at local prices and its £150 including photos, CD and DVD and they can check the baby's sex too (I could check this is a boy although it looked pretty clear at 20 weeks). They recommend anytime between 26 and 32 weeks is best. Will see what DH thinks tonight, although i dont mind paying...i could use my £190 maternity grant (although think i've already spent that on ebay byying baby clothes!)

Detsy,

I am tempted to book a 4d scan for this LO. I just looked at local prices and its £150 including photos, CD and DVD and they can check the baby's sex too (I could check this is a boy although it looked pretty clear at 20 weeks). They recommend anytime between 26 and 32 weeks is best. Will see what DH thinks tonight, although i dont mind paying...i could use my £190 maternity grant (although think i've already spent that on ebay byying baby clothes!)

Detsy- you have also inspired me to tackle my linen cupboard at the weekend- I can never find what i need and its all a crumpled mess.

Detsy glad you're feeling better. Am of the 4D scan. Are you going to the place in Stockport?

I really want one but we are having some financial wibbles at the moment as DH's business is so quiet. It's not so much the amount he's bringing home (for the time being anyway) as we have my salary, savings and our outgoings are not outrageous - it's more that the business costs several £k per month to run, so we have to think about how long we are prepared to support it with our savings &/or get into debt before we would call it a day He does have a few potential orders though and hopefully there will be enough to keep things going.

On a brighter note, a close friend has offered to give us all their baby stuff, including an expensive cotbed. They even have a M&P travel system (not sure which one) that's hardly used, though I'll probably still get the Bee as it's more suitable for our needs - plus my Dad has offered to pay

Hormonal rant alert!

The other reason we probably won't get the 4D scan is that DH says he doesn't want to - he says it'll spoil the surprise. The other week he was speaking to someone who was 'totally shocked' we found out the sex because it 'spoils the surprise' [ and - I wouldn't express an opinion about someone else's choice] and I can't help thinking he is now spouting the same stuff. Am very tempted to book one anyway and tell him he can choose whether he wants to come or not, so there!!

I had a 4D scan with DS and it was the most amazing experience. We already knew the sex, but actually seeing the scan, and seeing how babylike he was, really brought it home to us that we were actually having a baby! We've still got the DVD somewhere to show to DS when he is bit older.

My sling arrived yesterday, which is pretty amazing service from John Lewis as I only ordered Monday evening. I had fun trying to work it out but I think I'm there now.

Off to a farm today with DS. It is his bribe reward for staying in bed last night. Just got to think of another reward for tomorrow! And to think I decided before he was born that I would never bribe my children to do anything!

I just need a bit of a rant...

I know I'm lucky to get maternity pay, and I think I get about 4 months on full pay or 90%, but I think I'm going to have to go back to work quite soon after that because although we're on fairly decent salaries, our mortgage is pretty high. I know this situation has all arisen from choices we've made, but I'm starting to feel really upset at the thought that I maybe won't get that much time with the baby before having to go back to work. I suppose we'll have to work out the finances properly before making any decisions. But I'm worried that I will find it really difficult being separated from the baby when he/she is still so young. Anyone else feeling the same? I do know I am in a lucky position compared to lots of people so I hope I don't sound moany and ungrateful.

Also, my ankles have started to swell and I have trouble with one anyway from numerous sprains. It's been really aching. They're both a bit swollen all the time, not just in the evening or anything. I try to put them up when I can but I work at a desk and it's not practical to raise them really.

Whinge over. x

Dandy - ooh, I can be enigmatic too (from under my huge pile of unironed washing ha ha) - is it my name beginning with 'D'? If so hands off, it's mine, all mine (although as everyone else on the thread hated it I don't think there is much competition). We also still like the 'R' names and one beginning with 'H'.
See, two can play at that game
Might have to name change to enigmaticoldbag - hmmm

(have to cheer myself up somehow, just back from v,v,v stressful meeting.)

Oh and Detsy I'M OVER HERE .......
[hand emerges, waving from utility room full to the brim with washing of all descriptions]. Haven't had time to do anthing useful in the house for over a week, work is calling me. Thank god for the cleaner. I wish she would move in.

Salami sandwich is calling me.
Byeeeeeeeeee!

Good afternoon all

Feeling sooooo much better today, after DH smothered me in Vicks gave me a sensual massage last night. Bless him, he did my back and then said 'ooooh time for the exciting bit now' with what can only be described as unadulterated glee and proceeded to 'do' my front. Oh they are so sweet and so very easily pleased by boobage .

I am looking forward to the weekend with mounting excitement, as I have not done any washing/folding this week and it all awaits.

Hi all.
Exciting, getting 4d scans. I can't wait tohear about them. I would love to find out the sex of baby3 but can't be £150 bothered to do it.

Just had our victorian house assessed for damp and the prognosis isn't good . but hey, that's the 'perk' of living in an old house with character (isn't it ).

dd2 home from nursery today. 3 in the 'under 2s' room have this hand/foot/mouth. she's well in herself just has a spotty rash over her hands at the moment.

she's now down for a nap... what do I do with my 2 hours: work (should be one of my workdays), going on MN/Facebook/email friends, etc, tidy my linen cupboard, have a nap [yawns]?

I really want to nap, actually, but think it will have to be work since whatever I don't get done will have to be done in the evening. how exciting.

I think mmy favourite baby name at the moment is Frederick (Freddie) which also happens to be DHs dad's middle name. I am also thinking (to even things up) to have my dad's firstname as the middle name. So DS2 would be Frederick Michael Foster (Freddie Foster). My only concerns are 1) a close friend has a Fred (and we may end up calling ours fred too at some stage) and 2) Does Katie, Ben and Freddie sound a bit too similar to Rod, Jane and Freddie (from Rainbow!)?. Any opinions?

Am also thinking about Edward (Eddie/Teddy) and William (Will) and Charlie...

Why all this talk of linen cupboards? I never even gave my a second thought until recently and now every time I open mine and see a jumbled mess I feel guilty and inadequate. I blame frazzledbutveryenigmaticoldbag

DD is also having her nap now. I was thinking I might tackle that airing cupboard but, sod it, I'm going to have a nap too!

Detsy started the linen cupboard guilt-trip!

She even prompted me to look at how to fold sheets properly and I have been googling and u-tubing videos and as a result my DH is going to be very impressed tonight with his neatly folded tshirts (the "japanese way"), sweatshirts, jeans and pjs (I got a bit side-tracked!) I have practiced folding one fitted sheet (these usually just get shoved in) and have folded all my pillowcases although one video i found showed how you should fold your co-ordinating duvet cover and pillowcases inside your flat sheet, which seemed very anal but also very appealing! Maybe i am morphing into Anthea Turner.....

MsG,

Could you consider a short mortgage holiday (3 or 6 months) so that you could have more time off from work? A few months is tiny in the grand scheme of a 25 year mortgage.

When you work out your finances, remember that you accumulate your annual leave entitlement whilst on maternity leave, and also that you are entitled to SMP of around £115 a week. I had less mat leave with my first (6m) than with my second (9m) but it was still a long enough time to bond with LO. It was hard to leave DD so young, but in some ways easier than a few months later when their separation anxiety peaks.

This is the best website i found for folding clothes www.videojug.com/film/how-to-fold-a-t-shirt-in-2-seconds-explained as i find videos easier than written instructions. this is for fitted and flat sheets www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jy7w3-iK4w although i did my own variation on the fitted sheet as I got a bit lost! Good luck!

It's very quiet. Is everyone off folding sheets or napping?

Hi everyone. I'm back online after suffering from a broken modem for a whole week. Oh how I missed the internet. On top of that our central heating stopped working, so it was freezing as well. Luckily everything is fixed now and we're back to normal: warm and online.
I had a physio appointment today and have been given a very sexy tubigrip thing for my bump and hips to help me with my SPD. Not sure how bump will like it, but walking has become a bit easier. I'm counting down my last weeks at work: 4 more weeks to go woohoo.
Anyone else getting kicked in the ribs yet? I'm only 26 weeks and it's already started. I can't remember my ribs being the target this early in my other 2 pregnancies. I have a feeling this is going to be a BIG baby.

pulapula I was just reading up on everyone's news and was about to ask for your bookmarks for the folding laundry etc... when hey presto further down the page there they are... I'm definitely going to have to try them both and the T-Shirt one is so quick!!! I didn't have the sound on so the lady doing the sheets looked v funny it seems so easy that i'm wondering how i didn't see it before! OCD tinged DH is just gonna love my new linen folding.. he'll be amazed... shall i tell him the secret?

just finished photographing the next batch of stuff i've got to list on ebay tonight... at least the clearing out & selling is funding my baby girl ebay clothes purchases

I have just awoken from a very pleasant nap. Linen cupboard still in happy disarray.

pula either you are morphing into Anthea Turner or you have far too much spare time. You are scaring me.

Welcome back Belgian!

Welcome back Belgian!

I too am wearing an attractive Tubigrip.

The best bit is the ridging marks when you take it off at the end of the day.

So very attractive. But, it does ease the pains a bit. I had to wear one with DD2 throughout a warm August. That was pleasant

I'm looking forward to wearing it for work tomorrow to see if it makes life easier, on the other hand, I'm not looking forward to being hot, because this thing will make me sweat, I know it will, the ward is always so hot. I have noticed a difference already though, a shame they can't invent anything that takes the pain away altogether though.

Hi Ladies - I had a look online at all the fabulous changing bags. I didn't realise there were so many trendy ones out there! SO much choice!!! I thought getting a pram system was difficult - now I've to decide on a dedicated carry-all'n'change'n'feed'n'lookin'good-at-the-same-time-bag!!!

I am so so tired today and feel like getting a chinese on the way home...

speak later ... if I can get DH away from the laptop! He hugs it when he gets home!