Due August '09 part 2 - 'Bring on the bumps- we're not fat we're pregnant!'

[HeinzSight]

Thought I'd better get our shiny new thread up and running. New title courtesy of BumpBLump

part 3 thread title is bagsy(ed) by kitkatqueen, 'Its the second trimester!! - Does my bump look big in this???'

here's a link to our old thread.

Trixy, I thought the same thing for Chrysanthamum's post, you're not the only one with pregnancy brain! LOL at 'unintentional snot'

Chrysanthamum, I'm completely panicked about money. I'm off sick ATM and if I stay off any longer I will be on half pay for two months, and then only SSP. I hate my job so much anyway--debating just quitting but we can't afford it. Though not doing the 40 mile round trip every day would save ££ in petrol, and I'd not have to buy new work clothes. Wonder if I could make it work. . .

Hi Ladies!

Double buggies can be a tough one there are loads of great brands that are not sold in the rest of the world (sorry!)

If you're looking for a side-by-side stroller check out the Bob strollers: www.bobgear.com/index.php They are super tough and loved by moms over here -also not as wide as you would think!

Here are a couple that are rear facing as well:

The Kolcraft strollers are amazing. Brilliant for twins and everything in between with about a kajillion seating options: www.kolcraft.com/categories.aspx?id=7&strollerTypeID=3

And Peg Perego Duette www.pegperego.com/page.php?pageid=CJVNL001&idf=05&idp=0000000108&cl=N

I don't have tons of UK stockist details (or prices!) but I do know those ones are available in the UK. Another good brand is called Bumbleride but I don't think they're available outside North America at the moment.

Of course there are other, less "designed" (i.e. probably cheaper) doubles - like the Gracos. The twin Ipo, Duoglide and QuatroTour def have their fans!

One thing I would suggest if you're using it with a child who likes to be independent is to try and find one that will take a tow-board (the bit they can stand on by the handles and you can push). That way if they won't sit down you can still pick up the pace!

Hope that helps and wasn't too long!

Sarah the moving thing sucks - we've been here for 18 months and even with good friends I was on findaproperty.com last night looking at places back in the UK. I hope you meet some other great moms soon!

Hi, think you might have updated from an old list, so have taken the most recent one and changed your EDD. Also changed Chrysanthamum's to the 20th.

Clare1234 EDD ?????
Flibertywidget EDD ???????(dd 21mnths)
Skydancer EDD 27th July
2HotCrossBunsAnd1InTheOven EDD 28th July (DS 3.7 DS 1.9)
pussface EDD 29th July (DSS 14, DD 6mo)
Uki EDD 29th July (DS3,DS1)
Nandos EDD 31st July
Hope88 EDD 1st Aug
BumpVLump EDD 1st Aug (first)
Cheekymonkey EDD 1st August (DS
Specialoffer EDD 2nd Aug (DS16m)
nellyup EDD 2nd aug (DD3, DS4)
trixymalixy EDD 2nd Aug (DS 2)
faerieprincess EDD 3rd Aug (DS20m)
gemdangracie EDD 3rd Aug (DD2)
itsamiracle EDD 3rd Aug (DS2)
babylanguagelearner EDD 3rd Aug (DS 12m)
Rachel1963 EDD 3rd Aug (DS 3.1)
Oonaghbhuna EDD 3rd August (DD1 3.6,DD2,2)
Mellin EDD 3rd August (DD 2.4)
LeninGrad EDD 4th Aug (DS 2.9)
Cairns EDD 4th Aug (DS 18m)
moosecat1 EDD 4th Aug
Zorra EDD 4th Aug
TaleofTwoCities EDD 6th Aug (DS4,DD2.1)
nuttygirl EDD 6th Aug
noodle12 EDD 6th Aug (DD 2.5)
PPorgy EDD 6th Aug
Scummymummy EDD 6th Aug
fairylights EDD 7th Aug (DS2)
Mayl EDD 7th Aug (DD DS)
lifesaboxochoccies EDD 7th Aug (ds 2.10)
cakesandchocolate EDD 8th Aug
MammaDani EDD 8th Aug
Hunnybunnyaug09 EDD 8th Aug ( first)
BabyBump2B EDD 9th Aug
sweetiewrapper EDD 10th Aug
LittleFairySmile EDD 11th Aug (DS age 2)
Lyra75 EDD 11th Aug (DS 16 months)
monkeyfeathers EDD 11th August (DS 8)
hencath EDD 12th Aug (first)
fairygirl3 EDD 12th Aug (DS, DS, DD)a
hippyme EDD 12th Aug
Kanuck EDD 12th Aug
Rozebud EDD 12th Aug
Fruitymum EDD 13th Aug DD1 3yrs old
Cazinski EDD 13th Aug
suwoodolf EDD 13th Aug (DD 7, DS 2)
Heinzsight EDD 13th Aug (DS1 12, DS2 9, DD 15 months)
Boogiewoo EDD 13th Aug
babycat EDD 14th Aug (DD)
Picante EDD 15th Aug (DD 2.7)
loopylou25 EDD 15th Aug (DD1 5 DD2 1)
Hawkmoth EDD 15th Aug (DD3)
chocolatine EDD 17th Aug
InspectorGadget EDD 17th Aug
mamamila EDD 17th Aug (DD)
KitKatqueen EDD 18th Aug (3 DC)
Valz EDD 18th Aug
ThePippy EDD 19th Aug
WeAreStardust EDD 19th Aug
Beetlesbugsandbutterflies EDD 19TH Aug(DS3)
Beccylt EDD 20th Aug (1 DC)
motherof2boys EDD 20th Aug (ds1 6 ds2 5 )
MichaelaS EDD 20 Aug
chrysanthemum EDD 20th Aug
Cwtchy EDD 21st Aug (DD 15 mos)
thoughtforms EDD 22nd Aug
Sushipaws EDD 22nd Aug (DD 21mo)
May67 EDD 24th Aug
Sarah76 EDD 25th Aug
rightbobbydazzler EDD 25th Aug DS3 DS6mths
VJay EDD 26th Aug (DS 6)
fustilarian EDD 27th Aug (DD 14mnths)
lea1980 EDD 27th aug (DS 17 months)
olivo EDD 27th Aug (DD 2.6)
readyfornumber2and3 EDD 30th Aug (DS

oops baby brain strikes again!

Hope people are feeling better!

hippyme DH wants 4D scan too, I like the idea but don?t want to find out gender. I think DH hopes (secretly) that we?ll ?accidentally? find out if we have the 4D scan!

BB2B heaps of info there ? great!

Anyone else thinking of a buggy board? I already have a good travel system (with infant carrier and pram bit that can attach) so don?t really want to spend out on a new system. Was thinking a nice two step thing. I know using a buggy board may invalidate my buggy guarantee but we?ve had it nearly three years now, so guarantee ended ages ago!

Morning, have been following the buggy/pram debate with interest! I can feel myself being tempted by a new all singing all dancing pram/car seat combo. We have a Maclaren Techno buggy which we used for ds and dd from newborn but it's going mouldy in the shed. Got it out few weeks ago and it smells! Can't envisage poor newborn dc3 going in mouldy buggy!!!

We had buggy board for ds on the back of the Maclaren. He was around 2.9 when we started using it. Loved it! I could chat to him so easily and he could walk, then hop on at will. In the end we had to wean (bribe!) him off it when he got too big.

Prior to the buggy board we had baby in sling and ds in the buggy. That worked well. Can see us doing that again. Oh and I did have a side by side M&P Aria twin second hand for about 2 months. Hated it cos it wouldn't go through the front door without being collapsed and so tricky to steer.

I don't think there is one buggy/pram solution that will go from newborn through to toddler tbh! Everyone I know seems to have at least 2 prams/buggies to suit different scenarios!

.....as well as the Maclaren techno we have a triumph and a volo which the grandparents use!

LittleFairySmile We will be getting a buggy board to go on the buggy as DS only likes to walk so far before being asked to be carried!
We have a jane powertwin pro and luckily jane do a surfer board which fits perfectly and doesnt invalidate the guarantee.

Hippyme DP would like us to have a 4d scan aswell but only because he likes technology lol. I dont think they do them until about 28 weeks though so you will find out quicker with your 20 week scan.
I know what you mean about being impatient to find out though lol, luckily as we are having twins we will have to have regular growth scans so if they dont cooperate at 20 wweeks we have another scan at 24 weeks lol

Feeling knackered here. Think all the crap from IL's at the weekend has caught up with me. Haven't slept well for the last few nights (well, worse than usual!) and feel like crap today.

Enjoying the pram/pushchair talk but we're not getting a new one. Bought the M&P Aria last time and it was fine for us. We've also got a M&P pushchair that folds much smaller that we bought to go on holiday with and then started using full time cos it took up less space in the car. It was pretty cheap cos we live near a M&P outlet shop.

We were thinking of getting a buggy board but tbh I doubt dd will use it, she loves walking. Went for a sling in the end cos I figured it would be more useful to have baby in a sling so I can run after dd

We have a couple of Mei Tai slings and have bought a Close sling for this baby. We had a pouch sling for Erin but she hated it. There's a local shop that sells the Close sling so dh & I both got to try it on and were happy with it.

Feel a bit like we don't have any big stuff to buy for baby so I seem to be buying for the birth instead. Have decided on the La Bassine birth pool and will be ordering it on Monday.

Nuttygirl sorry your feeling so tired Hope you start sleeping better soon x

I was thinking of getting a sling when I first found out I was pregnant but now its twins its slightly different! They do do a twin carrier but its £115 and there doesnt seem to be any 2nd hand on ebay and as money is gonna be a bit tight its probably not gonna be an option.

We had a 4d scan by accident last time!!

I thought they looked a bit creepy so didn't want one last time.

We had to pay for a 20 week scan and DS wasn't playing ball and wouldn't move into a decent position for the consultant to take a picture, so in the end he did some scanning in 3d.

When we got the DVD home which we were expecting to have a couple of stills on, it turned out he had basically recorded pretty much all of the scanning he'd done.

I keep meaning to go back and watch it and see if it does look like DS.

We're pretty worried about money as well. My initial calculation that we could afford to live on DHs salary alone didn't include the redundancy payment protection we have taken out on his salary and the extra we will have to pay for nursery fees. Plus I am going to be made redundant straight after so at the moment we are trying to desperately pay off all our debts.

I think we're going to try a buggyboard for DS as well. Do the pram experts on the thread know of one that fits to a Micralite Toro?

Trixymalixy I have just been made redundant and am unable to claim anything until 29 weeks when I can claim MA so know the feelings of money worries.
Are you being made redundant after your ML?
Come April 6th you can ring tax credits and demand they put you on current year figures which may help ease some of the financial worry? plus aslong as you have paid all your ni contributions for the last 2 tax years you can claim contribution based JSA -its only £60/week but may help?

I will be served notice immediately when I return from mat leave. There will be no office to go back to so I will be on garden leave.

Probably not the right place to ask this, but what happens about NI contributions when you are on mat leave? If that is counted then I will have had a break on the unpaid bit of mat leave.

Sorry about your redundancy ready. It's going to be so much harder for us finding a new job after being on mat leave.

hello everyone. all thistalk of scans in making me - another 8 weeks till me 20 (21 1/2) one! I think the 4d ones are amazing. Unfortunately, DH is away for my next one, I'm pretty disappointed.

I have been vomiting since late last night and am shattered; there seem to be all sorts of bugs around. I think, touch wood, i am just starting to keep down water. I hope the baby is ok; I amstill weeing a bit so I guess some water has been absorbed. dhhis away and the 3 hours before nursery this morning were hell!! Just waiting for dd to get it now .....

Its the 2 tax years before you claim so if you claim after april will be 2007 and 2008, When on mat leave you get credited your NI by the government but for pension only not benefits (thats why I cant claim!) so aslong as you claim before april 2010 you should be ok!!

I am going to have a nighmare finding a job, there isnt much going round here anyway but having a 3year old and newborn twins will make it even harder! Even if I can find a suitable job its affording the childcare! My Mum is disabled and unable to do much care for me and the ILS live hours away so will have to pay (hopefully we will get working tax credits though)

Sorry you are having these worries too, I am just taking every day as it comes and hoping things work out

Hi all, apologies for not being on for ages.

Wow this thread is getting great for buggy tips and slings.

We're going for the Phil & Teds Sport, this seeme to be the best option, the thing I like about it is when DD is too old for a buggy it can be used as a single buggy.

I like the idea of the close sling. We bought a Baby Bjorn carrier for DS2, admittedly this was 10 yrs ago, but I never got on v well with it, it caused me terrible backache!

Still no news on the job front for DH. Still hoping something will come up soon.

I've developed a v noticable bump, I'm 16 wks tomorrow, I've also noticed flutterings which is making this all seem SO REAL! Fortunately the nausea has gone and I'm not feeling so tired, so it's all good at the moment.

Hope everyone else is doing well. x

Just want to add, I'm sorry to hear others are having redundancy and money worries. It's truly crappola to have this to worry about when there's a new mouth (s) to feed on the way.

Sorry to hear of the money worries. We have this too, I get panicked everytime I look at my budget spreadsheet. We're doing ok at the moment with both of us working but I'm on a temp contract so no guarantees of work there or anywhere after maternity. At the moment am very lucky to be earning enough without having to do the long London commute and doubt if I will get something as good locally next time. Perhaps I won't be buying a new buggy if I think realistically...

nuttygirl and olivo sorry you're tired. I keep waking up dead early in the morning needing the loo and then flaked by 8.30 in the evening.

Heinzsight - great news about the bump and movements. I think I can feel some kind of internal prodding going on which is exciting. We had a Baby bjorn too but I gave it away thinking we weren't having another! Can't believe how expensive they are. Great to hear some advice on different ones as I didn't find it particularly comfy either and this is something will def need to replace... I dread looking in the loft as I can't remember what else we gave away and will have to reacquire (sigh).

Have a good afternoon everyone.

I don't think I will be eligible then ready as I was on mat leave for the whole of 2007.

What a bugger!! I have paid NI for 8 years without a break and then just because I go on mat leave I make myself ineligible for any benefits when I'm made redundant!!!

olivio i hope you feel better soon, my DH and my DPs were all ill with a bug last week, but Ds and I seem to have escaped it so far (fingers crossed!!).

Really to hear about all of the money worries and redundancies, so far I think we are OK, but I do still worry as DH's job is finance related and all of this doom and gloom on the news does cause you to worry.

The feeling movements thing is funny. I went to see my midwife on Friday and she asked if I had felt much (I hadn't) but when she put the probe thing on my tummy to hear the heartbeat, the little bean started jumping like crazy ... even the midwife felt it.....

I'm also buggy hunting, I love my travel system that I have but also unsure if a buggy board will fit on the back, plus we do walk quite a way to toddler groups etc, so I probably do need a proper twin (although will need to be inline). DH won't allow me to get a spanking new one, so ebay it will be. I have been looking at the P&T's Sport too, but when I sat DS in (he is a big boy!!) he was already too big for the toddler seat when it is used in the mode with a baby in the back (fine if 2 toddlers are in though). I also tried the P&T Vibe and that was a lot better with the seat sizing... but v v pricey and new nothing is on ebay!. I currently have the Icandy apple as my travel system, so I could upgrade to the pear but when I checked how much it cost to upgrade I was , more than a new pram....

I didn't get on well with the sling with DS. I tried two (both borrowed) but hated them as they were both such a faff to use, I used the mothercare own one and the chicco physio. A friend on mine used the bushbaby cocoon and swore by it, as it is so easy to lay your baby down once they are asleep, so might ask to 'borrow' that this time.

Cairns that sling looks great, thanks - I have bookmarked it for future reference! Haven't seen that before. The movement thing is funny. I feel something then I wonder why I don't feel anything else for ages. I'm hoping it's because the babies are still quite small so can only feel some of the more vigorous kicks. Probably I'm remembering and comparing against the later stages in my other pregnancies when you get bashed all the time!

Trixymalixy It really pisses me off too! I have worked full time since I was 16 (27 now) apart from maternity leave in 2006 and am not entitled to a penny (and the benefits people were very rude about it too )
I cant claim income based benefits due to DP working, but they dont actually care how much he is earning just that he is!!

HeinzSight Very exciting that you are feeling movements and getting your bump I keep feeling the odd flutter but nothing regular yet

Cairns lol at baby jumping around after being probed (probably found the gel too cold lol)
Hope you manage to get a buggy in your price range its amazing how much things cost these days!

Ooooh, I'm jealous of everyone who is feeling movements! Think I will have a long wait ahead of me due to being a first-timer and obese.

I have a huggababy and it's great, but I think it'll be a bit hot in the summer. It felt very comfortable, but I got sweaty wearing it with DS in autumn! Anything like it out there but in a lighter fabric?

I also didn't like the backback type carrier thing, so hard to wear and hurt my back. A proper sling felt more natural!