July 2009 Part III

[Mij]

Hope no-one minds me kicking this one off - 39 pages seemed a bit unmanageable!

Had 20 week scan today. Tiddler unco-operative to start with (although not as bad as DD was - took 3 goes to see everything) and it looks like most of the bits are in the right places. Decided right at the very last minute not to find out the sex. Realised that, if DD thinks she's going to have a sister, that nothing, not even photographic evidence, will change her mind anyway. So stuck with the 'don't ask don't tell' as per first time around and will just have to wait to sort out all the sodding clothes 'til we know what we've got.

Although... What do gonads look like on a scan?! Got a very good look at the hips from underneath, so to speak, and thought I saw two little bright spots, but that could be the sitting bones of course. Anyone tell me what the crown jewels look like on a scan?!

Mij, that's good advice thank you

Lillabet I think Mij's advice is brilliant, will try that myself!! I don't think you sound intolerant at all. There is nothing more draining than a friendship like that. Think you are being very tolerant in fact!!

My Kari Me sling arrived today, £20 off ebay, a result as most seem to be going for more. There was no photo so it as a bit of a risk but fine! Very smelly though so have washed it and will have a play with it and a teddy bear tomorrow!!! xxx

Can't believe how many people due in July! It's taken me ages to read through!

Just a note re: the skinny jeans - Top Shop do some fab denim-look leggings for 20 quid - regular and maternity. Here's the maternity ones

I've got the ordinary ones, and they're great - they look just like skinny jeans and they're perfect under long tops and cos they just roll down, they don't feel too hot and baggy. Top Shops also great for long vests....

Belgrano wow you had a very productive day - and how exciting to get your pram
patchybob I found the videos on you tube helpfull in different ways to tie them.

I have finally got my changing bag off ebay £15 for a skip hop instead of the rrp of £45 so pleased with that - had a recommendation from a MNetter for it so will see when it comes.

I have also nabbed myself a takealong swing for a mere £10

Not much else I need now

Hi all, welcome Liilabet and congratulations to hobnob! Apologies if I have already written that somewhere, I have skimmed the thread but it moves so fast I can never remember what I wrote last!

Belgrano you made me knackered just reading your post! Conrats on the Phil & Teds, what type is it? We are thinking of getting one but won't get it for ages yet due to lack of space. Is there a typo in the list or do you have a DD who is only 2 months old? That can't be right anyway I'm thinking... we're all 5 months pregnant!

I'm now 21 weeks and feeling baby move when my hand is resting on my belly, it's fab! Feeling so big now, my belly feels so stretched...

Well done Queenfee on nearly getting all your baby stuff in! I've only bought 3 baby vests so far but baby will use lots of DS's stuff so we 'only' need to buy a double buggy and new clothes if it's a girl (although I will no doubt get new clothes if it's a boy anyway).

Just thinking though re the crib, for those of you who are using a crib / cot the second time round, will you be buying a new mattress? DS has never peed, pooed or puked on his mattress so do I really need to get a new one in?

No my DD and DS used the same mattress but I know you are supposed to. If they are sleeping in my bed they won't have a new mattress so...
I may be unreasonable there but IIRC its to do with SIDS which I don't have that many worry factors about anyway?
Please correct me if I am wrong

I remember reading somewhere that there are no significant risk factors using a second hand mattress within the same family, ie siblings' used mattresses are fine. I think there is also re-evaluation of that advice anyway, but can't for the life of me remember where I saw it. I think it was when I was reading up on co-sleeping to fend off the onslaught from under-informed HVs!

I think that, also, now we no longer put kids to sleep on their fronts (when we still have control over that] it's less of an issue anyway..? But I'm not confident about that last bit.

lillabet things I couldn't have survived without:
Sling (Kari-me to start with, then a woven wrap, pouch, mei tai, Ergo
Lansinoh nipple ointment - costs a tenner per tube but lasts for ever and I was so paranoid about being without it I bought a second tube to go in the changing bag
Sacrificial pants (huge pack of cheapo knicks from Matalan to avoid the horror that are disposable pants, and doesn't matter if they get stained and thrown out after two weeks.
A properly fitted nursing bra (I almost snogged the NCT bra lady onto her sofa when she provided me with a good one) plus a night bra (even though I don't have big bazookas)
A really supportive partner who gave me lie-ins, did pretty much all the cooking and washing up for the first four months and held my hand when I was having a shitty time breastfeeding (all worked out, btw - still going at 2.8 months!). Sorry, can't tell you where to find one of those
Breastfeeding councellor's phone number.
Baby-bouncer (door-hanging one)

But everyone is very different - the baby needs almost nowt to start with except something to eat, somewhere to sleep and a few clothes. Sometimes its worth holding on until you find out what kind of baby you get, and then trying out equipment at baby groups, although I know how hard it is to contain the shopping urge!

I have just bought my first belly bands and I love them!!! Don't know why I didn't buy them before. Put the dc in the bath and then proceeded to try on all of my pre pregnancy clothes and now have so may things I can wear!!! Very happy!

Had fun with the sling and baby annabel today, haven't been on you tube to look at the videos but thanks for the tip QueenFee will do that. DD is very impressed that I am playing with her dolly!!!

Ahh! just typed all this and lost it so will try again...

patchybob lol I hadn't thought about that 'lets play being mummies together (whilst I borrow your best doll )

I don't think little babies need very much butI guess it depends on your lifestyle and we are all differrent

I couldn't have managed without:

My pram / Car Seat
Muslins (I had dozens in the end)
Changing Bag (I kept it well stocked so if I wanted to go out on a whim all I had to do was grab baby and bag and go)
Cot
My DH (cue barf emoticon)
A cheap phone package (for all those hours spent feeding in the early days)
A network of supportive mums
My Washing machine and tumble dryer

sleeves you are dead right - I have a two year old not a two month old so here is the updated list!
I just won a kari me on ebay too so am feeling well chuffed and fully kitted out for the nipper now with my Phil & Teds (Sport by the way, whoever asked) and my kari me.

25th June - Christiana - DD 3yrs - Surprise
28th June - Woollyjo - DD 2yrs, 2mcs - Having a girl
29th June - Welshlinz - DD 6yrs
29th June - JLo2 - DS 11yrs, DS 7yrs, DS 6yrs
29th June - Highrise - first baby
early July - lyca - 3Dcs
1st July - Rattling - first two babies - Surprise - TWINS
1st July - binkerbeany - DS 2yrs
1st July - Mrsmope - DD 4yrs, mmcs - TWINS
2nd July - Nicky6 - DD 11mth
2nd July - pop1973
4th July - Mum2boys2girls - DS 14yrs, DS 12yrs, DD 7yrs, DD 21months
4th July - ActivityApple - first baby - Having a boy
5th July - soozze - DS 3yrs
6th July - xxhunnyxx - first baby - Having a boy
6th July - Wiltedrose - DD 2.6yrs - Having a girl
7th July - MuppetGirl - DS1 4.8yr, mc and DS2 1yr
7th July - Misspaella - DS 3yrs, DD 17mths - Surprise
7th July - QueenFee - DD 4.4yrs, DS 2.3yrs - Surprise
7th July - thelollipoplady - DD1 6yrs, DD2 3yrs - Having a boy
7th July - Eviebear
8th July - JetLi - first baby
8th July - deleting - DS 5.5yrs, DD 2yrs - Surprise
8th July - rubyriley - DS 21yrs, DS 12yrs - Having a boy
9th July - LargeGlassofRed - Ds 11yrs, Dd1 8yrs, Dd2 5yrs - Having 2 boys - TWINS
9th July - Betsyboo - DS 10yrs, DD 8yrs
9th July - London11 - DS 8yrs - Having 2 boys - TWINS
9th July - bellybaba
9th July - Gillyan - DD 3yrs - Having a girl
9th July - Hobbgoblin - 1DD, 2DS', 2mc
10th July ? Baffy ? DS age 3yrs
10th July - Mij - DD 2.4yrs - Surprise
10th July - Newb - first baby - Having a girl
10th July - SafferUpNorth - first baby
10th July - eveningall - DS 3.9yrs
11th July - Marsmonster - DD 10mths
12th July - Jenny79 - first baby - Having a boy
13th July - Scully - DD1 6yrs, DD2 2yrs, 2 m/c.
14th July - doublehelp - 2 DCs
14th July - Naturopath - ds 16mths
14th July - Dannyg - 2 Ds? - Having a girl
14th July - LittleDoe - first baby
15th July - Accebar - Having a girl
15th July - Lydiathetattooedlady - Having a boy
16th July - BeccaBump - DD 2yrs - Having a boy
16th July - Knax - DS 2 yrs, m/c
16th July - NattyTomAndEllen - DD 18mths, DS 30mths
16th July - SheWillBeLoved - first baby, mmc
16th July - plot2 - DD 2yrs - Having a boy
16th July - Lillabet - first baby - Surprise
17th July - Patchybob - DS 7yrs, DD 5yrs, m/c - Surprise
17th July - Phoenix - DS 3yrs - Having a boy
17th July - alibobble - DD 2yrs - Surprise
17th July - Bozette - DS 14mths - Having a girl
18th July - maxmissie
19th July - Dinkyboysmum - DS 16mths
19th July - busyemma - DS1 6yrs, DS2 2yrs
20th July - LBK - first baby
20th July - Belgrano - DD 24mths - Having a boy
22nd July - ray81 - 2m/c
23rd July - Andie01 - DS 2yrs
24th July - Madoldbird - DC 11yrs & 12yrs - TWINS
24th July - Lastboxoftampons - first baby
24th July - Moominmoma - first baby
24th July - Lyrebird - first baby
24th July - ilikeyoursleeves - DS 14mths
25th July - PrincessButtercup - DS 5yrs, DD 3yrs, m/c - Having a boy
25th July - BonzoDoodah - DD 16mths - Surprise
25th July - Mickeylou - DS 3yrs - Having a girl
27th July - KitCat26 - first baby
28th July - mylilmiracle - first baby
28th July - Cheekycel
29th July - Brainmish - Ds 1yr
29th July - Poppet45 - first baby
30th July - Mavornia - DS 20mths
31st July - madeinamerica - first baby - Having a girl
31st July - littlepipbumpmummy - DS 20mths
31st July - EarthMotherWannabe - first baby

Indeispensible for me was my Fisher Price Bouncy chair this one - my sister bought it for me when I asked for a plain one. I was a bit agast at first but came to love it. SO well designed. All the little things about it were used even though at first I thought the rotating thingie was naff and the bear looked like a psycho. Bit my bit my daughter used it all . And it was a life-saver at dinner time. I'd put DD in it - put on the music and she would chill out and let us eat in peace for 10 mins. And the music was lovely not grating ... sigh. (I don't work for FisherPrice - just loved this).

Hi hope you don't mind if I join you all. I'm due 1st July and in the throes of wanting everything (nursery, redecorating, buggy buying furniture etc,etc,) NOW. I'm a demanding bump carrier right now.
The current obsession is finding nice nursery stuff, bedding,curtains, mural stickers... Could anyone recommend any good websites? I only seem to be able to find neutral things and I'd like to use bold primary colours or will i traumatise the baby?

Welcome trixie. Have you tried Verbaudet? They don't sell the big stuff in this country yet, they do sell accessories I believe. Not that I really know about all that stuff - DD doesn't have her own room yet, at 2.8. Figured she wouldn't care when she was tiny and now she's older I suppose I'll have to bloody consult her before doing any decorating!

I think Cossatto do a bright furniture range but I think you'll have to google that.

Who was asking about a Closer sling? I bought one at the NCT sale on Saturday so I could try it out and loan it out if I like it (cos I ain't letting my kari-me out of my sight for the next 8 months at least). I'll give it a go when DD is in bed, so I can use Big Orange Bear (we're very literal with names in our house) as a stunt baby - he's got just the right sized bum!

trixie welcome! You sound exactly like me at the mo, I feel like I'm a 7 year old child and if I can't have what I want I'm going to have a tantrum! I hate being like this and I have to keep having words with myself! Lol I started crying at weekend cos I want the Icandy Apple pram which I've ordered and put a deposit on but my BF wants us to have the pram which his brother has offered us. I don't really care that this pram was worth £800 when they bought it - I just want MINE!! So I started crying (on purpose) to get him to give in, it worked . I've just become really pathetic!

And now I'm having a strop because I don't like the car that he says he's getting, it's totally impractical and it looks like a chav car! I hate it but it's his money and he can buy what ever car he wants but I feel like I'm gonna have to have another trantum! Am I just a horrible person???

I also like the bright funky nursery stuff but struggling to find many. They do say that the bright colours are supposed to be more stimulating for them.

patchybob where did u get your bump band from? I saw them in Asda a few weeks ago and went to get one yesterday but they'd sold out.

hi hunny I got them from new look, a pack of 3 for £10. Honestly they are fab, even dh is impressed (think more at the fact I wont need to buy lots of clothes and it'll save him money!!) Hope you are getting over the car strop!!!

Mij hope you have fun with big orange bear. I keep trying to tell dd that I don't want to play with baby annabel anymore having tried her out in the kari me at the weekend. Think dd was hoping that we would continue to play!!!

hi everyone - just ordered a mamas and papas joolz combination pram. i got it direct from mamas and papas website and cant wait to see it now!

i had a mamas and papas travel system for DS which is for the mostpart in ok nick so am going to keep that at my mums and have the new one for our house. the old car seat fits on both sets of wheels.

i love all things purple and couldnt resist getting the carrycot in purple too. its a really dark plum colour. (same colour as the bridesmaid dresses i had!! and the colour of my living room ). As we are having a girl i figure its ok to have a purple pram!

DH just groaned when i told him what colour i'd ordered. when we were picking paint for the garage door recently he said "and before we even start - no purple!"

oh, for those looking at nursery decoration. have you looked in the next directory. DS's room has bright green curtains, lightshade and bedding from next.

Hi everyone

Welcome and congrats Trixie

What about painting each wall a different bright colour and buying bright fabrics and making your own curtains and bedding? That's if you don't find anything

My friend gave me a bundle of boys clothes at the weekend (mostly n/b and 0-3) and now its set me off buying clothes on Ebay. Dh will kill me . He'll kill me even more if this baby does turn out to be a girl

I think i'm getting this rocker chair for the baby.

I'm at all the nice new prams. Wish i could have one but there's nothing wrong with the one we had for ds and i have got a brand new Maclaren Techno XT for when i get sick of lugging the 3-wheeler around

I'm dreading Thursday. I'm back at work Can't believe i've already had a month off. I'm planning on leaving mid June so will have 11-12wks to work. Ihope it goes quick.

I know what you all mean about strops over prams. When we announced to (good friends) a couple we know that we were expecting our first - the woman eagerly started talking abou the pram she had (her children now out of it) and how wonderful it was and how we could have it. She got out a magasine which showed it and all the bits and pieces. I thought it was a bit big and bulky myself and although the thought of being given that system and saving some money was a bit of a relief I still felt a lot bit stroppy at having my choice taken away. Anyway the punch came when she said she really loved the pram and didn't want it to go to any old person. She wanted to sell it to someone she liked. Sell. Yes !!!! So we went home and talked about it and said later we'd been offered one from my sister (which turned out to be true) and I didn't have to sulk.

Hi everyone

I haven't posted for a while but I've been keeping a keen eye on it all.

Welcome trixie!

I can't believe I am nearing the end of the 2nd trimester. On the other hand, I have worked out what with bank holidays and annual leave that I still have 58 working days left - which sound ages! I am hoping to finish work in week 35.

I made an appointment to see the midwife next week as she starts measuring me and the baby at 24 weeks. She is kicking loads now and seems to love bananas(love saying 'she' on here as I told everyone that I didn't find out so don't get to say it much!)

Nursery wise - I am struggling to find anything I like. I want something flowery but can't find anything I like. I am thinking I might make my own. We haven't bought any nursery furniture yet and am also struggling on the crib/cot/moses basket issue - there is too much to choose from.

However, I have bought a bugaboo chameleon and a maxi-cosi car seat - both of which I chose in a blue colour which is going to fox everyone - but I liked them!

Also, given I am now the size of a house and can't buy any clothes I like for myself, I have been spending a little too much on little dresses. I am trying to make myself stop now as I know I will only get a few weeks wear out of them but it is making me happy so that's got to be worth something, right?

Hi all, welcome Trixie! Re bright nurseries, my DS's room has white walls but I spent the start of my mat leave (prior to him being born!) painting bright animals onto canvas, I got paints for ultra cheap in WH Smith and canvases in Au Naturale for some ridiculously cheap price and copied lots of different animal scenes from a kids book. He has 6 canvases on the wall and now loves to point at the animals I also got a colourful polkadot blackout blind from Argos, some Peter Rabbit framed pictues on one wall, and a bright caterpillar alphabet thing on another wall. His furniture is white and pine but his room is lovely and bright and loads of people have commented how fab it is He also has a mobile of a plane from the ceiling, a big fish hanging above the cot and an animal mobile attached to his cot. Also, cos his room is white walls we can change how it looks easily without having to repaint it all etc once he's older eg, put new pics up etc. I also have a lovely hanging storage thing from ikea with all his soft toys in it.

All this pram chat is making me want to buy one now! We will need to get a double buggy of some sort but I've not really started looking much yet, liking the P&T though...

Bugaboo Chameleon must be the favorite pram in West London. I spent Saturday morning at Northcote Rd (Clapham) and I must have counted 30 or so... then, on Sunday King's Rd I counted probably double... followed closely by Bugaboo Bee and Quinny Buzz :P

Now that I've done all my research, I can recognize all prams in the street and it's driving me crazy... cause I still haven't decided!

I think I am going for a Quinny Buzz in yellow or red. Found a couple of pretty good offers online for the 2009 3-wheel version, but will not rush into it as I will probably have to store it in the car until July...

Is anyone thinking of baby hammock instead of moses basket/crib? If you have used one before, please drop a line on your thoughts!

23 weeks in now, got my notes last Friday, all going well. LittleDoe what are you having?

ok, what does DD and DS stand for????!!!