Due May 2009 - Childbirth is getting closer and it's giving us the (blue) willies!!

[SpangleMaker]

In honour of llareggub's DS's painting experiments........

LoobyLou36 I suppose how it will be will depend on whether you've had the baby by the time half term in may comes... If you haven't then you'll be really tired trying to occupy a 10yr old and if you have had the baby you'll be exhausted with looking after a new born... night feeds etc. If it's right after the baby is born you'll need a hand at home i think as you'll be getting used to being a mum, everything it entails and your body will be needing some tlc... mind you your dh would be off straight after for at least 2 wks? so he'd need to take the active role in looking after his DD and help you with your new LO... after all he's done it before

divedaisy ikwym about the dog/poo/garden thing. I'm the one who pretty much takes our 15yr old dog out to the garden every time... DH only lets him out when he gets up for work at 5am and occasionally in the evening if asked by me if i'm too shattered... but usually I just struggle on rather than ask as I hate the huffing and puffing he makes about it. Douglas was my dog previous to my meeting DH so i bear the bunt of the responsibility... I don't have a problem with DH not picking up his poo though... thankfully... unless it's so dark we have to wait till daytime for me to find it!

We decided not to re-new his pet ins this year as the premiums had got ridiculous and he had so many exceptions on his policy now it seemed pointless. We decided to pt the money the insurance would have cost each month into a new savings account so if we needed cash for him it was there but if he didn't need it at least the money wasn't going down the drain. I have thought about re-housing him at times... mostly when he had the last bout of urinary tract infections last nov/dec and was losing control of his bladder and bowels all over our flat. It ran me ragged and he spent a lot of time in the kitchen in the end with a wipeable floor until the anti-biotics kicked in. i couldn't cope with the extra workload of scrubbing carpets all the time with DS running about and me trying to keep him away from the mess. I've also been wondering how i'll cope with a newborn baby, toddler and old dog who when he needs to go out has to go yesterday! Would be easier if we were in a house but we're in a 1st floor flat and I have to traipse up and down our stairwell each time douglas needs into the garden and take ds with me... which usually means getting him dressed again 1st... with #2 it'll be more lo's to get dressed!

momino, polony and Fikelly - thank you for your sympathetic words about my dog dilema!! I posted this on the 'pet' thread bit and have received some harsh responses. I really didn't expect everyone to support or even understand my situation. I think I am trying to do the hardest and most responsible thing. The dogs don't have a horrid life - I just feel they could have a better one elsewhere. DH probably wont let them go, but I am going to ask my Kennels friend to put out feelers and if someone comes along I think I'll tell DH a wee white lie that my friend has been asked if she knows anyone with xx dogs... Im just fed up with it being left to me. It;s not that he wont do it - he just doesnt think/remember/see that it needs doing!! Even feeding them - the amount of times I have asked/told him to feed them when Im putting ds to bed. I come down and their bowls are still empty. He's worse than DS at listening!!!

My DH often forget to feed douglas too... maybe it's a man thing?!

Just over half way through hoovering our flat in readiness of the viewing tomorrow am. DS is trying to help me and i'm finding it tiring... he even has a replica dyson of his own but constantly wants mine instead... he'll only let me push it forwards... so it's taking an age to do what should be a quick job!

Looby - aren't you organised!! God I really should be doing the same, but I can't gee myself up! Cooking, menu planning etc is not my top thing at all. I suppose all I'd have to do is just make extra.... then freeze it.... then forget it's out there!!!

I went to the hairdressers this morning and got a full head of maji mesh putting in a lighter colour (blondey gold) and a darker colour (chocolate) with the copper from last time. So I am pleased with it. I'll go back in about 6-8 weeks and get more of the same in so hopefully when this one comes and I can't get the time to go to the hairdressers the regrowth will not look too bad! I did ask my haridresser to put in grey instead of the blondey bits, but she told me they can't do grey!

Off to get DS homework done!! Then give him an 'Indiana Jones' haircut for the family photo tomorrow night! (TOP TIP - if you cut your childs hair at home and they get bored easily or are wriggly - put on their fav DVD and call their hair cut that - eg you're getting a Bob The Builder haircut etc!! It stops boredom, keeps them looking in one direction and stops you chopping off an ear or two!!!)

Good evening everyone,

Re dogs, pets actually. I think men are like that, they're just not used to caring for beings (of the pet or human variety). My dh is the same with the chickens. He's totally focussed on locking them up at night so the fox doesn't get them, but never ever cleans out their pen or food and drink bowls. So if I wasn't around they'd probably be safe from foxes, but would die of thirst and respiratory infection from being in their dirty pen!

Re raspberry leaf tea: it worked for me. I started taking it at 39 weeks, because I'd only heard of it late with my ds (I wasn't a mw yet) and 2 days later he was born. My mw at the time told me not to take it ever again with my dd because it worked a bit too well So as I'm already fed up with being pregnant I'm planning to take it from 38 weeks, because I don't want to go into labour before that. I have to say though, I'm someone who tends to respond very well to herbal medicine/herbal teas.

2 more shifts and I'm off on maternity leave, whoohoo, counting down!

I was just having a look at the list. I think the dates are out. I'm definitely 29 weeks tomorrow and it says 28+2, if anyone else out there thinks it's wrong to I'll go and change it.

Hello!!

divedaisy - really difficult one with regard your dogs but from what I've read, it may be best to be honest with your DH and talk about rehoming them.
We have 2 cocker spaniels and they do take time, money and effort. I'm lucky that the eldest one belonged to my DH before I met him and he dotes on them so does do most of the walks, poo clearing and feeding. (They are lovely though!)
Hope you manage to get it resolved.

Belgianchocolates - I'm due 10th May and think I'm 28+2 but the list has 10th May as 27+5. May just be that the dates haven't been updated?

I'm quite jealous of all of you on ML already. I don't start mine until 3rd April. I am on leave for the rest of this week though
Tomorrow I'm having lunch with my Mum and going shopping; Thursday I have a facial and eyebrow shape booked; Friday I have a hair cut booked and then DH is taking me to London at the weekend as it was my birthday on Sunday. We're going to go and see The Mousetrap in the West End and stay the night in a hotel!

Hello everyone...last day in work tomorrow!

At least, it is kind of my last day, but I have a scan and a consultant appointment in the morning, a leaving lunch and then a couple of hours in the afternoon to kill. I'm glad I took the decision to go early. I'm so tired at the moment, and even though DS actually slept last night, I still had to have a 2 hour nap this afternoon!

I have my brother, SIL and their 3 children descending on us tomorrow, so it will be chaos here with a six year old, a three year old, a two year old and baby in the house. All good practice, I should imagine. I won't be online much over the next week as we are going away for the weekend, so have a good week everyone.

ses sounds like you're in for a great weekend etc.. have a fantastic time!

re raspberry leaf tablets etc.. i was going to buy a bottle again for later.. maybe i'll actually get a chance to use them this time! but bit worried if they can cause more blood flow though as i had a pph after my cs last time.. is that a definite?

llareggub i'm tired just thinking about your full house of family.. have a great last day tomorrow and weekend away too

Hallo Ladies - quick post as I have things to do (like retail therapy.. )

Re dogs - god I sympathise so much - I'm struggling to look after 2 goldfish properly so I can't imagine anything bigger. DH wants a dog but I keep saying no way as I know what will happen!! I agree with both Belgian and Dandy (if that is possible!!) - I do think blokes will generally take the easy option as they know that if they don't do it someone else will likely do it for them which we women tend to do as its just easier to do it yourself sometimes. This drives me NUTS but happens a lot in our house (hence the gaffer taped up cot, yes still taped up...) I have to ask about 4 times for anything to get done urgently and ongoing things - well they can take YEARS quite literally So after that ramble, I think its the choice of Daisy's DH - either he takes responsibility, does the poo and the walks every day or sadly the dogs go elsewhere. It's a horrid guilt ridden situation but I wouldn't want my LO and baby anywhere near dog poo.

Spangle re this weekend - as i thought with my sieve brain - having some tiling done on Sat and don't want to leave tiler and DP to it. But Sunday should be ok for me, Macc is fine but Sandbach is even better , its tiny so very easy - let me know!

Jujube bags - I want a be prepared but I can't find the one I want in the UK anywhere - anyone got any ideas??

Blue team - its a def blue team player here - I still wasn't convinced but had a growth scan today and asked them to confirm and saw all the bits so no doubt now!! Need some more blue stuff now so I can start nesting properly.

I think RLT and caulophylum are worth a go but like you say only from 36 weeks - I think anything is worth a try for a better birth!

llare woo hoo for the ML! I was wishing I'd started mine today but seeing as I can work from home pretty much, I think I'm going to hang on in there for a while longer anyway.

Hope you have a great weekend with the guests - have fun and try to chill out if you get the chance!

I am jealous of all you starting to think about mat leave already. I am working up until the end this time as we need the money. With DD I finsihed at 32 weeks as I took full mat pay and it was such a nice time lots of yoga and swimming and sleep ins.
I'm not planning on going back to work this time so I will try to work as long as poss. I have 6 weeks then easter hols of 2 weeks off then I hope to go back for at least a week or if I still feel ok 2 weeks which will take me up until 30th april and I'm due 8th may. Hope I can do it. I'm a teacher and working 4 days a week but don't have my own class so work load is managable.

DUE 1ST MAY: 29
Yawningmonster (36 will be 37 when dc arrives DS age 4)
Sahbear (DS age 14 mo)
farrahgillani (1st Child)
Brightsideoflife
Reggiee (ahem 30 April but want to stay - DD age 22 months)
Aquababe, (DD age 2.9) BOY!!
Evergrounded
Momino,(DD age 2.5 and DD age 1) SURPRISE!!
Loulabela
AAL, (DS age 4)
Olderbutnotwiser , (DD age 21, DS age 19, DS age 16 DS age 4, DD age 2)
MissyK , (DS age 4) elective cs - BOY!!
bantam73 , (dd , age 3 + dd 16.11) from Leeds
JosieC , (27, 1st child, North London) BOY!!
Tummum, (DD age 4 and DD age 2), BOY!!
DUE 2ND MAY: 28+6
Heverhoney ,
SpangleMaker , (first child) BOY!!
DUE 3RD MAY: 28+5
LoobyLou36 ,(first child)
EmmalinaC , (DD age 2.4) GIRL!!
Gert2a, (first child)
DUE 4TH MAY: 28+4
Inni , DS age 2.9 and DD age 1)
Ceeceeanne ,(DD age 9)
DUE 5TH MAY: 28+3
Chicadee , (DD age 6.5)
Overtiredmum , (DS age 3)
Hopefullypregnant , (DD age 10.5m)
DUE 6TH MAY: 28+2
Gibsongirl , (DS1 age 5 and DS2 nearly 2)
BrownieBells ,(DS age 2.9)
lauralou1 , (first)
Jael ,(DD age nearly 3yrs at mo)
belgianchocolates, (ds age 7, dd age 5), SURPRISE!!
DUE 7TH MAY: 28+1
leakyR,(DS 21 months) SURPRISE!
DUE 8TH MAY: 28
Detsy ,(UK, Cheshire - DD will be 18 months) BOY!
Flippineck ,(DD will be 2yr1m then) SURPRISE!!
Febes , (DD age 12 months). SURPRISE!!
DUE 9TH MAY: 27+6
Carol7 , DS age 16 DD age 12)
Jennster , (DD age 2y7m, DS age 13m) GIRL!!
sebandelliotsmum ,ds1 5 and ds2 20 months
DUE 10TH MAY: 27+5
Missblythe , (DD age?)
Superdenki ,(DS age 2.5)
Ses, (1st DC) SURPRISE!!
DUE 11TH MAY: 27+4
Pinkcandyfloss ,(DS1 age 5 and DS2 age 1.7)
Mootie ,(DD age 2.4)
DUE 12TH MAY: 27+3
llareggub ,(DS age 2) BOY!!
Minimenace , (DS age 13 months)
DUE 13TH MAY: 27+2
Millionsaway , (DD 20 months)
Mammajamma , (DS1 age 4, DS2 age 22m)
lilyjay09 ,DC 3)
Daisydoo ,(DS age 2) SURPRISE!
DUE 14TH MAY: 27+1
Divedaisy ,(DS age 6; 3rd preg) SURPRISE!!!
Wobblypig , (DS 1.11)
Looneywoman ,
Lazzer SURPRISE!!
Zuka , (first child)
1stMrsF , with non-identical twins (first pregnancy, Surrey) TWO GIRLS!!
chocolatefrog ,(DD 19mnths)
DUE 15TH MAY: 27
FiKelly 38yrs, (DS age just over 2yrs) GIRL!!
Nauseous,first baby, SURPRISE!).
DUE 16TH MAY: 26+6
Bekkaboo , (DS aged 2) GIRL!!
Frazzledoldbag ,(DD1 age 7, DD2 age 2) BOY!!
Bluebell82 ,(dd age 7 months)
umamimama , (dd age 16 months)
DUE 17TH MAY: 26+5
Bigtree ,(first child)
HtheH ,(first child) BOY - they think!
DUE 18TH MAY: 26+4
cece,(dd age 7 and DS aged 5) SURPRISE
DUE 19TH MAY: 26+3
Tigergem ,(DD 18m)
GreenFingeredMummy ,(DD age 15m)
DUE 20TH MAY: 26+2
Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa ,(DD age 10, DD age 4) SURPRISE!!
DUE 21ST MAY: 26+1
Mags98 ,(first child)
DUE 22ND MAY: 26
2beautifulgals ,(2 dds?!)
Moonlit , (DD age 2.8) SURPRISE!!
DUE 23RD MAY: 25+6
halfmumhalfbiscuit , (DS age 2)
Agooboo ,(DS1 age 6 DS2 age 2)
Runningmonkey ,(first child), probably BOY!!
DUE 24TH MAY: 25+5
Swottybetty: ,DD , 6mths
DUE 25TH MAY: 25+4
DandyLioness , (DD nearly4) BOY!
Alapala , (DS 1.5)
rubysmom, (DD1 will be 16 months ) GIRL!!
pulapula ,(DD 4, DS 1.6, Sheffield, elective cs) BOY!!
DUE 26TH MAY: 25+3
rosielady,(DS age 3)
DUE 27TH MAY: 25+2
citybranch ,(DS age 23m)
Sausagenmash, (first baby)
Imnotok
Polony, (first baby)
DUE 29TH MAY:25
SweetBROODY, (First Child) MAYBE A GIRL, MAYBE A BOY!!
MsG, (First child) SURPRISE!!
DUE 30TH MAY: 24+6
MrsExton,
euromum, (DD age 18m), BOY!
DUE 31ST MAY: 24+5
MatthewAndBumpsMummy , (DS age 3yrs 6mths), BOY!!
Rek, (DD 13 months)
milliemoocow (DC?, DC?)
CoteDAzur 37,(DD 3) BOY!!
MrsG ??????

Belgianchocolates - I usually update the list every Thursday/Friday when I change weeks - cos then I recalcuate everyones according to mine. If you want to go ahead and redo the whole list I'll not stop you cos it is a bit time consuming! When I last updated the list I did say I wasn't ammending the weeks - I was 'redesigning' the look of it to make it a bit easier and quicker to update...

Re the dogs - I appreciate you all making your views! I have spoken about this on numerous occassions to dh and am weary of hearing his promises. He does work very long shifts and his excuse is that I am at home and have 'all day to do it'. But my point is that they are his dogs too and it's all being left for me to attend to. His excuse for not lifting the poo - he doesn't LIKE doing it and thinks because I trained as a nurse I find it tolerable!!!!!!! I have told him before that I was going to ask my Kennels friend to look out for a new home for them and he told me not to. DH doesnt think anyone would take the oldest one because of his age and he doesn't want him 'put down' - but I'd make sure it wouldn't come to that. FOr sure they will not be replaced. The 2 of them are lying contently at my feet beside the radiator! I do love them, but sometimes you cant be selfish...

Detsy, I got my "ju ju be all" bag from this website although they only seem to have 2 ju be prepared bag designs in stockwww.jellybeangroup.co.uk/display_category.php?cat_id=8

My "ju ju be prepared" bag from ebay arrived today- its great- its second hand (still cost me £50 including P+P) but is good as new and i like it more than my "be all" bag- still not as big as i thought it would be, but big enough for a trip out with 3 DCs. Worth checking out ebay from time to time as they do come up there.

Ah Daisy, I really feel for you hun but had to snort out loud at you being able to cope with dog poo more as you are a nurse

I just updated my details on the list re boy and DDs age - think you do a fab job with this list, its way beyond my comprehension to keep everyone up to date!

Pula is the be prepared the biggest one they do? I want a patterned one (I think) and jellybean only have the plain ones

So you are pleased with it and it does have lots of lovely pockets and handy mummy sections?

Will keep an eye on ebay as you suggest - otherwise it'll be a trip to the states (joke obv!!)

Yes, think the be prepared is the biggest, but its not ginormous so could be used as an everyday bag. It has a big open pocket in the middle with lots of little mesh pockets round the edge to keep things tidy. Then 2 open envelope pockets, one for changing mat and one for magazines (on the offchance your DCs sleep whilst you sit in a nice cafe eating cake- fat chance) and a mummy pocket, again with mesh and other pockets for your sunglasses, mobile etc. 2 insulated drink pockets on the outside too. Ahhh, bliss, can't wait to use it.

detsy trying to remember who of us lives in usa.. cause if they didn't mind you could paypal them funds..