Heeereee comes June, its the home streeeeetch!

[Tee2072]

Here ya go, new thread! We're almost there!!!!!

tee and bunnymother many thanks for the welcome. this thread certainly does move quickly!!!

Bunnymother thank you for your sympathy. I'm 5'4" and very short-waisted so there just isn't much room for baby and guts and it's bound to be squashed. Gaviscon Advance does do the trick but it's so thick and um gluey that it's very hard to get down. Yuk.

evening all

had my physio appointment today and was given 2 splints to wear at night time and during the day if i need them. I was also given a big tubi grip for around my bump as i had a sore back last night and today, do feel that it gives me extra support. Going back to aqua natal after a 2 week break so here's hoping i wont be too tired...who am i kidding

Just finished baking some cakes which I'll scoff as I'm off choc and crisps and its killing me

I'll catch up later but bunnymother congrats on the offer being accepted that must be a load off your mind

hey all
bigcar & bunny- at the whole ring thing I am not sure what is up with dh at the moment all though I do think he is not entirely to blame I am just on edge right now with everything so therfore I have been a bit of a moody cow! Oh well just had 2 donhuts & a mug of t and a 2 hour 'nap' so things could be worse! Oh & I haven't mentioned THE July stag do I guess I am kind of hoping dh will WANT to be at home with me & baby either way I am not in any way shape or form staying with his mother while he gets drunk!!
Bunny- big on your offer!!! I am so happy for you! Let us know how everything progresses!

Another niggle- honestly how many kicks a day do you feel? I am now paranoid as I am not so aware of kicks I am hoping it's just 'all the drama' but am not sure please let me know what you think?

June- loving the sound of your strange sarnie! Nowt wrong with banana & ham!

To all those ladies who have been having problems getting gaviscon down so to speak what I do is hold my nose them when it's gone have a swig of fruit squash on hand & quickly take a gulp! No more anaseed sick flavour for me!

Hey ladies, greetings from Rainy Spain just wish I had some wellies for DS and then I could take him out puddle splashing?! Went to look at another apartment today, it ticks all the practical boxes but I didn?t love it, maybe it would look ok with our stuff in it.. the estate agent thought I was mad measuring the width of the lift and of the front door but if it isn?t 80cms the double buggy isn?t going to fit and that would be a nightmare! Hope everyone is well, will catch up now

juicygirlpink I am not sure I can answer your question. I haven't actually counted! I have read, however, that so long as you are feeling at least one kick every 24 hours, everything is okay.

Of course you need to measure mrsmj! Seems perfectly logical to me!

Glad things went well at physio laura. I hope the splints help.

Juicy ? sorry to hear the baby show was a let down for you the bibs sound interesting. The biggest issue I have with DS is trying to keep the things on him, he can un-do most types! I know babies who wore bibs from day 1 but DS only really started wearing them when I started giving him solids at 6 months. You did well with the Avent stuff though My sister lent me her bottle warmer (can?t remember the make now) but it didn?t work sadly as there were times that it would have been very useful. The glow in the dark dummies are great, we use them for DS and they make all the difference in the dark! Ignore that MW, it is so much better to have the equipment there in case you need it in a hurry (I did!) those dark lines on your boobs sound like veins, I have them, not particularly attractive are they? I really wonder what is causing all your pain hon. Stand your ground on Thursday and try and get some answers. My DH was on a Stag for 3 nights in Milan over our 1st wedding anniversary and I was pregnant! He also went to a Smoker overnight when DS was a week old, I was quite proud of myself for coping all alone. I think your DH can kiss goodbye that Stag in July, that?s one too far in my opinion! Libido zero here too my rings don?t come off anymore

Lauraloo ? April is probably a great time to go to a baby show, you?ll know exactly what you still need by then and what makes you like Glad you got your footmuff ordered, I am still waiting for a response from GPC about the carrycot I want my dreams are getting worse, last night I was the one having an affair ? with Archie from Balamory ? FGS!!! Glad you got the splints today

Ermintrude ? LOL at your post, you have just described weeks 40, 41 and part of week 42 of my last pregnancy! You only left out the daily pineapples! Not had one since either! Someone told us that ingestion of sperm orally is more effective ? think that was made up by a man don?t you? Thanks for the compliment by the way

Bunnymother ? thanks for your kind words how is your pain now? I am definitely slowing down too. I know I began to feel like this at this stage last time as well. So you are also flat hinting. Its tedious trying to fins a suitable nest isn?t it?

Tee ? LOL at the shaved legs and the will for action!! Hope the OB appointment goes well, try no to worry about days of lesser movement, babies are just like us, have quiet days too

Hey Daisy really well said on the parenting front you have an excellent point, many people do use children as a weapon to vindicate their own feelings but as you say Looouise does not have that aspect to her r/ship with the babyfather

Hello and welcome Naat really glad you came to join us! Sounds like you have your DH well trained with the massages and the hair stroking

June ? wow, that was a big shop! fabulous, how exciting! How awful about the payment nonsense similar happened to me recently, the helpline couldn?t help at all and then I got a letter the next day from the Fraud department who had been alerted to a fraud with my card, I am glad they acted quickly but it would have been nice to have been given that information when I called. Sorry to be so square the banking lawyer in me is still somewhere beneath the surface.. what do your Ts&Cs say about single transactions? I seem to remember a lot of business banking clients requesting limits on transactions in case of unscrupulous employees. The limits were set by the individual company in the original agreement and signed by the directors. Glad the BBQ went well but your guests were very rude not turning up!! disgusting sandwich hon!!

Looouise ? I just had a result with one of my slings I was given it with no instructions and didn?t have a clue how to tie it (it?s a ring sling) I emailed the company who sold it and they sent me a PDF of instructions! Really pleased! It?s a Freedom Sling and is meant to enable you to BF on the go.. we?ll see! Can?t say I?ve had much more sex than you since 18 September poor you with all those worrying thoughts about the future, I think pregnancy hormones do make you worry more, I?m sure you?ll strike a wonderful balance as time moves on

Ineedmore ? your nursery to be sounds fab and DS will get used to his big boy room! I remember Cote getting a little irate but didn?t think it would stop her from posting here

Hey there Littlesarah

Hello and welcome Tibsy so what are your age gaps?

Bigcar ? really good point to Looouise about the baby?s surname. How the GTT goes ok.

Hi ladies,
Thank you so much for offering me so much reassurance - I think you're right: there's no acrimony here at all and all of these 'shared residence' scenarios are clearly just the products of manic extrapolation and catatophising.
LittleSarah I think that your arrangement would suit me fine: every other weekend allows you to have alternative mum time and LittleSarah time, and exbf having dd in the week means that he experiences her routine time as well as her leisure time, which is equally important for dads to witness. I'm sure I will find separation hard at first, but I will no doubt value the lie ins and may even actually manage to get a ruddy boyfriend at some point (and oh! sexual intercourse!)
daisy your "rosy" post about seeing your dd bond with dp is lovely, and of course, I do want my dc to know and love their father, and because he's an old friend of mine, I know what lovable qualities he has. And I appreciate your "not so rosy' post too - tbh, I wonder how many dads genuinely seek shared res anyway. There's not many men I know who would actually choose to singlehandedly load a washing machine, wash up a packed lunch box, book a piano lesson, supervise a bath and investigate tomorrow's PE kit seven days a week anyway. The only man I do know who has a 7 days here 7 days there arrangement was independently wealthy and didn't have a job. And, funnily enough, also fucked off to India for 3 months a year for meditation. For all my panics, the reality is that most men would not dream of making the sacrifices us women do (which is depressing, and the main reason why I'm a 100% committed feminist who feels there's so much more to be achieved in gender equality).

So, that's a long winded way of saying thank you and you're all right, and I was insane. There is no Kramer v Kramer situation going on here.

Don't get me started on the insomnia, tiredness, absentmindness, leg cramps, revenge of the nausea though!

Juicy - keep that ring off until the stag night is off I say!

Ermitude - sister, I would moan like MAD if I'd had nausea since week 7. That sounds awful, you have my total sympathy.
bunny - congratulations on your flat offer! And I took absolutely NO offence at your 'stable' parenting comments, fear not! Thank you for thinking of me.
Lauraloo - the splints sound very Victorian, you poor, poor thing. Take lots of photos and be sure to tell your child how you suffered when they grew inside you. Great ammunition for horrid teenage moments I reckon!
MrsMcJnr Fingers crossed for some sunshine tomorrow.
Night everybody, and thanks again for the wall of support! x

Hello everyone, rainy here in the Midlands but I've just finished a big piece of work and am demob happy - determined NOT to spend the day catching up on laundry and cleaning, but not quite sure what to do instead.

MrsMcJr I've also heard that oral ingestion of semen is better for getting contractions started than shooting it right on the cervix. Hmm, I'm not convinced - it reminds me of my first bf who told me it tasted of strawberry milkshake . Since I find it hard to swallow Gaviscon at the moment I don't see it happening.

Lauraloo splints sound like a bind but I hope they're effective. And that the cakes were yummy.

Looouise glad you're feeling a bit more optimistic about things. Like with all our physical aches and pains (and nausea!) we just have to keep our eyes on the prize and look forward to June. I'd so happily go to sleep and wake up with a week to go and miss out the real waddling hippo stage...

On which note, for those who are feeling their bump is a bit heavy, you could try a support band. I got one from Mothercare but I think Boots do it - it's basically a sling of fabric with a firm elasticated strip that sits under the bump and velcros in the small of your back. I've been using it in the afternoon when things start to feel a bit draggy, and it does give light relief without going the whole hog with tubigrip.

Oh, and I've ordered a lovely new Petit Planet changing rucksack from Ebay for only £6.99, cheaper than buying something that's not specifically for changing. It's grey with a bit of turquoise detail and DH has given it his manly blessing - and said that even if it falls apart in a year it's worth getting it. Ebay is worth checking out for the big names too, from good sellers - some nice Graco and Mamas and Papas on there for a snip.

Have lovely days ladies.

Good morning everyone!

MrsMcJr I hadn't heard of that one, nor of ermin's addition hahaha I laughed so hard at the strawberry milkshake comment, did he really think so? OR, how on earth did he know?

Lauraloo I also hope the spints are effective, they do sound very Victorian, as looouise said.

Loooouise I'm glad you're feeling a bit better and reassured about the "post-natal parental arrangements"

Now I have a question, for all of you who know the UK tenancy system (unlike me ) I'll make it as short as possible, but I need some advice on this.

Due date: 12 June
End of tenancy agreement: 31st May

We don't want to renew the contract for maaaaany reasons, so the other day I sent an email to the lady from the letting agency telling her about the dates above and asking (as a sort of favour) if there was a possibility of our landlord agreeing on us staying March and April and leave on the 30th of April instead of on the 31st May. Basically I didn't want to move days before giving birth! Especially when you don't know if the baby would like to "come early" to this lovely world...

I also told her that they would of course be able to advertise our flat so as to start showing it to potential tenants etc etc (something they had already agreed to when we asked them 3 months ago (!!!) to move to a ground floor, of course they never showed the flat and we're still on a second floor).

I got an answer from another lady from the letting agency saying that "we were welcome to leave the property on the 30th April provided that the RENT and BILLS were paid until the 31st May, which is when the tenancy agreement finishes. Kind regards"

Of course this is not an option... it's not like we're floating on money or completely skint, but we wouldn't be able to pay for two rents AND two sets of bills in a month! Besides, I don't quite understand why she thought that was a completely reasonable and doable offer (but maybe that's just me, )

So, am I completely screwed and there is nothing I can do? Or can we ask for this provided they advertise it and find someone else for the flat? Is there ANYTHING I can do? (This is adding to my insomnia...)

Sorry for the length... but I'm desperate... DH wants to call them in response to their email but we want to have something clear before doing that... Thank you very much in advance ladies for any advice you can give

Naat I wonder if there's a housing or legal thread you might be able to ask about this specifically. BUT, having been a landlord myself years ago, I'd say that if you are asking to reduce your tenancy by one month then it all depends on how kind your landlord is. Someone nice like me might try to get new tenants in to suit your timings but the average letting agency doesn't give a hoot, and they are entitled to demand you pay up to the end of the agreement and obviously won't want the property not being let for a month.

Can you try to get new tenants in - or at least introduce them to the landlords/agency so you can say - look, here are people who want to take it over.? We used to let on a joint tenancy basis and so it was up to the tenants to replace those who left, provided we were happy with references - this maintained our income, which was paying the mortgage, whilst allowing them some flexibility. Otherwise, provided your tenancy is legal, I don't see any way around either risking moving out very near your due date or paying 2 rents.

Anyone got any other ideas?

The current recession probably isn't helping, I guess.

Had the same problem, but landlord was a bit more receptive to the idea of us helping her to find the next tenants. What part of the UK are you in and if London, north, south, east or west? There are some good online services these days, but if you are a 'foreign national' I guess you know about Gumtree.

I guess subletting for a month is not an option? I guess you would want to make sure they were reliable as tenancy agreement would still be in your name.

Don't know if any legal grounds involved. I know some people who moved a month after their baby was born. Essentially husband and his friends did the moving while she stayed at friends for the weekend. Could you stay one or two months longer and then move?

Thank you for such quick answers!

Ermin, yes, I thought so. The thing is, the landlord AND letting agency were very keen and nice about us moving to a ground floor and they said "no problem at all, we'll start showing the flat, or if you have any friends who are interested let us know". We don't have maaaaaaany friends but the ones we have either own their property or didn't need to move, so that route was a short one. With the email from the other day we realised that maybe they were not that keen to help as we'd be moving to a flat/house not rented BY them. But it's good to know we can still offer them to "find someone realiable/that we know" who is interested in renting it... I just didn't know if that was "legal/possible", thanks!

Daisy, we live in the North, in West Yorkshire (we settled here as the uni where I came for my MA is up here). I don't know Gumtree, no. What is it?
I don't think they'll like the subletting idea, and TBH, I don't want to be thinking about strangers smashing the place in a month, given the fact I'll be so close to the due date, that's something I can't have in my head . Yesterday DH and I were talking and we said that if there was no other choice, then we'd get a couple of his friends to help him do the moving...
We cannot stay longer as my parents are coming in June/July for the birth, and then DH's dad and his wife are coming in August... And, I have no idea, but I guess that moving with a newborn is much harder than moving with a bump (?)

Morning all

loooouise, glad you're feeling a little more positive

MrsMcJnr, lol at least Archie is a real person, could have been worse, could have been iggle piggle Good idea, measuring lift and doorways, the last thing you need is to be struggling with 2 los, bags and a folded pushchair in a lift!

Naat, sorry you're going through this, unfortunately I know nothing about tenancy agreements.

Tee, juicy, you're supposed to feel at least 10 sets of movements a day Although how my brain is supposed to manage to keep count over the course of a day, I haven't figured out yet

ermintrude, join me! I'm having a cup of tea with my feet up in front of the tv until I have to pick dd3 up from preschool at 12 Laundry and cleaning will still be there later, unless you're lucky enough to have one of those cleaning and ironing fairies my dcs think live under the washing machine

Naat - I take it there is no provision in the lease to terminate early on giving notice? I know that if it is a short assured tenancy (think the words are another way round in England - I'm Scottish) then there generally isn't a get out clause for the first 6 months but there should be after that but there may still be provision in your lease so best to check it, the agency are just going to look for the easy way out so don't take it from them. Hope you get something sorted out

My washing machine would cost a fortune to fix and so we are not going to do it so I have the prospect of the laundrette or hand washing for 7 weeks great! like I don't have enough to do with being pregnant with a toddler....!

Bigcar - if you have any of those fairies going spare I could do with them!

Bigcar, don't worry about it, thanks for the sympathy anyway

MrsMcJnr, nope, there is no provision for termination. And yes, I think so too, they won't "move their bottoms" for us if they can help it.
So sorry to hear the news about the washing machine! You could really do with a Spanish Freecycle right now, at least to get a temporary washing machine... I really hope you don't have to do hand-washing and that you can get some fairies to help you instead

Sorry Naat, I don't know anything about tneancy agreements. I would be like you and want it sorting before the due date. It's such a massive upheaval having a baby anyway, that the added stress must be really getting you down. I hope you find a resolution soon.

Sorry to hear about your washing machine MrsMcJnr - I'm also pregnant with a toddler and I'd rather go without a TV / microwave, anything than be without a washing machine.

All good here, at work so I can't post for long. It's my 'long day' (teach 6 periods) and I'm knackered. I've also just been called 'pathetic' by a shitty Y11 boy so my day is going well. I felt like telling him to 'fck off, you fcking f*ck' (tho' I managed to restrain myself). Ho hum! Roll on 3.10 when the kids go home!

naat you probably don't have an out to leave early, but if you can stick it for another month or two, maybe they will be willing to do a month to month after your lease is up? It is easier to move with bump rather than baby, but personally if I couldn't move with bump, I'd want baby to be at least a month old before attempting the move!

Our lease is up 31st June, but we've already told landlord we'll stay another year. They seem happy with that. Bit worrying since there is a 'you must inform us of any children' clause in our lease. So we informed them and they seem okay with it!

Naat - Poor you! I tried to get out of my six month lease at my last flat early and they said we'd have to pay for the advertising of flat and then basically hope that we got someone otherwise rent/bills still on us. Seemd such a hassle I stayed but didn't have your due date! Not sure what to advise, you need someone nice and helpful and your agents don't sound it...

ermintrude - Good idea about ebay, think I will getting a few bits on their in the coming months!

Louise - Glad things are looking happier, no point worrying unduly.

MrsMcJnr - Poor you with your washing machine, what a bugger. Ours broke recently and did a couple of laundrette washes. Was nice in a way as all done with little effort from me but wouldn't want to be going down there all the time!

All is work work work here. Had two interviews yesterday, for my articles, have another today (after work), then I am taking part in some market research this eve, then tomorrow morning I have an article interview then research in National library for dissertation, essay planning/researching on Thursday am, another article interview then a dissertation interview OUT of town pm! Lol. Then work Friday. I can't wait to get some light in this tunnel ladies, hopefully around about 10th April!

naat - I'm in the North West and anything to do with property is not great around here is it. I'm kind of not surprised they won't release you early.

It might not be so bad. The odds are that baby will come anywhere between a few days before up to 10 days afterwards. The blokes will do all the tough stuff. Probably easier to move before than afterwards.
My neighbour would not do much at all from about two weeks before the baby was due, and she arrived two weeks after due date so all in all a month doing nothing so she was bored to tears.
The hassle would be if you came early, but really it's not the end of the world. People have a habit of helping out - dh will pull all the stops out, friends might help(?).
Believe it or not, you can live with a little chaos when the baby comes, they don't need that much, breastmilk, sleep etc. Your parents will help out when they arrive won't they?
Maybe start packing early on and do it slowly and don't stress.

That's all I can really think to suggest.

Daisy, you're a sweetheart! Thanks for those words...

Yes, I'm getting used to the idea of not bothering and just moving May 31st as the minutes go by... I actually hate to be hassling people and begging for things when I know they won't make an effort...

DH is an angel, really, he's telling me not to get too worried or sad, that we'll come up with something and his usual phrase "everything happens for a reason" came up as well. We already thought of two friends of his who will be willig and happy to help him move everything. I'm just praying the baby will arrive on or after the 12th

And yes, my parents will help for sure (they know that's the main reason they're coming hahaha, not only to see their granddaughter).

I'll take on your advice about packing early, leaving everything ready beforehand so as not to stress too much. Thank you all again for the support and advice!!!

mrsmcjnr ds is 14, 15 in August and dd will be 3 the week after him!!! teenager, terrific 2+yr old and a newborn, huzzah!!!!

naat to hear that lovely, no advice i'm afraid, but sympathies. hope you get it sorted soon

ineed - hi and about your day and shitty yr 11 student. just what you need hey??

littlesarah, phew i'm exhausted just reading that!!

and hello to all you other pregnant ladies

was just wondering whether i could ask a question to those who have 3 or more children? i've heard mixed stories about the 3rd labour, and as i'm planning on a homebirth again (had one with dd that went really well), i'd just like to get myself as prepared mentally as i can for all eventualities. does that make any sense???

hope everyone having a lovely afternoon, despite the rain

Ineed, I can't believe the nerve of the boy (or should I say brat!)!!!! I taught for 10 yrs (not here though) and usually had to put that poker face and not react like one wants to in those cases...

Littlesarah, I'm also in "dissertation process" but not in such a hectic stage as yours... I second Tibsy, I got tired just reading what you had to do this week . Sending strength for you

Naat We did this a few years ago so it can be done. We'd just signed a 6 months extension to our contract but 2 months into it we decided to move closer to work.

We asked the agents to find someone, we put a lot of pressure on them and the landlord. To our advantage the landlord had never given us an up to date gas certificate which we'd been asking for (so we were saying that was invalidating the contract) AND we were paying a lower rent than what they could potentially get so it was an advantage for them.
For the agent as well, they can get their commisson early if they find someone else for the landlord.