Due in September 2009: we are now officially blooming!

[StealthPolarBear]

Even if it doesn't seem like it most of the time

congrats Iamamummy!!

at sideways exits... Yay to choice - completely see why you're sticking to the CS Neddie.

The Zoo was awesome & weather was fantastic too (meant to be even better tomorrow). I saw the tiny meerkat baby, and the otters had me in stitches of laughter - think they're my favourites. Somehow there wasn't time for an ice lolly though, and the freezer is bare! dammit

I need to dye my hair too. DH says the grey is nice, but I utterly disagree. 'What to expect' says that dyeing is ok, so I might make an appointment.

Congrats Iamamummy
Peachygirl - glad you enjoyed the zoo and dd enjoyed her ice cream
Thusnelda - why the aversion to St.Georges? Just interested because that's where I'm booked.

Tiger, I used a Daniel Field hairdye (no ammonia or peroxide) when I was 11 weeks pg and have used Nice n Easy Root Touch Up since (which is a permanent dye). Didn't have a bad reaction. My hair is dark brown but my roots are white and come through every 3 weeks, so I really can't leave it iyswim.

Up at an unreasonably early hour today! Sun is shining,the birds are singing...grass needs cutting and we need to go to Tesco!! Ah well...

Glad you had a good time at the zoo Liz, saw meercat babys in Longleat once - sooooo cute!

19 weeks today

Off to dry and straighten hair now, back in 4 hours..!!

Ladylush, I have no idea what the maternity ward is like at St. George's - it may well be very good.
It's the Ear, Nose & Throat ward that holds traumatic memories. It's just not very nice, the dayroom is about the size of a double bed with a malfunctioning TV and a dying pot plant and the rooms are mixed - sometimes with one lady and three men, one of which had a police man attached to him by hand cuffs... Compared with the Royal Marsden, where my boyfriend had had his chemo therapy previously, it is really a let-down. The Marsden has got a patient's pantry where you can store your icecream in the feezer, a conservatory and a terrace for patients' and visitors' use and it's all well-decorated and clean.
On the bright side: the St George's Friends' Charity shop is delightfully old-fashioned, so if you might like a hand-knitted loo-roll doll or a Danielle Steele or two, you're in the right place.

Hi all, been popping by periodically but not a lot of anything interesting to add but glad everyone is doing well and glad to hear about the blue and pink scans. We're not going to find out - loved the surprise last time but equally love hearing about everyone else!!!

By the way - Thusnelda, sorry about your boyfriends experience at St G's, I've heard bad things about their chemo department but Ladylush, on a more positive note I had my first there and am booked again. It definitely is not plush or smart but I wouldn't go anywhere else....I think Kingston is meant to be more comfortable but for us the shorter drive was a big plus. Also on a less positive note it has a fantastic intensive care for babies so should anything happen to our angels that's a great place to be in my mind...so if you can be pleased with your choice, there are pros and cons to everywhere there is no doubt but St George's will hopefully do a good job for you and the decor will be a minor detail on the day!

I'm 20 weeks or so now I think, and wish you all a happy sunday and a good week ahead.

Hi everyone. Just got back from leading at a kids holiday retreat in Somerset, absolutely knackered but had a good night's sleep last night and feeling better today. Not had a chance to catch-up on all the posts so hope everyone is okay and great to see some of you know your baby's gender.

We've got our 20wk anomaly scan on Thursday and hoping to find out if it's a girl or boy. We've got a girl's name all sorted which we both love so hoping for a little girl but will be equally happy with a boy (although cue way more baby name books!).

Definitely looking pregnant now (odd in just one week). Had to leave my button undone on my jeans all last week. Good job I told work before going on leave otherwise it might have been a tad obvious when I'm back in tomorrow.

Evening all

Congrats to those of you who know the sex of your bubbas. My scan is a week tomorrow and i cant wait. We have chosen our names and have a dinner riding on the outcome. I think it's a boy as i keep wanting to say he/him and dh thinks a girl because of my sickness. Really dont mind either way.

I definitely look pg now and seem to have grown loads this week. Baby is kicking away like mad and gets really cross if i sit forward for too long! Feel totally knackered, but to be expected as i have had a busy week with 2 more to follow before we head off to Florida/Disney for 3 weeks. Bought some super sexy sheer flight socks in boots today Will probably need a week of sleep when we get home as its not a relaxing holiday but one that we and the kids love.

Bought some really comfy cropped trousers from JojoMamanBebe the other day and they have an offer on tops, save £5 when you buy two from the same range. H&M also have a few nice summer bits in as well.

Those of you on numbers 3+ did you find your 2nd pg easier to get through than this one? When pg with dd/dc2 i dont remember being so knackered. This time i am permanently stressing and feel like an old woman (which i am not at only 28 )

april, this is my second preg, and it's definitely harder, more knackering!!

Hope all you ladies had a lovely weekend, We did. The weather was gorgeous so we managed to sit out all day yesterday and had a bbq, I also managed to eat 3 ice lollies

Got all the way to nursery with DD this morning and she threw up just as we walked in. So just sat at home watching peppa pig now waiting for my brother to arrive so i can go to work

Morning all.

Lovely weekend.
We went pram and car shopping. Having decided that there is no way that us, baby and stuff will fit in our current car we've been looking for bigger models.

Congratulations to all those with scan results. My scan is on Thursday - very excited, although we're not going to find out the sex.

Good morning.

My scan is still 3 1/2 weeks away! Can't wait. My mother will be here then too, helping me sort out the house etc. I've just been on the phone with her for an hour. My brother is thinking of getting her a computer camera or a video phone - it will be so much better with a baby then to try and get it to gurgle into the receiver! Yes, there is something to be said for modern technology. As long as it works. I get incredibly short-tempered when it doesn't. (There are a few broadband helpline people who can testify to that)

My boyfriend is actually thinking of getting rid of his car. He has a company van to get to work and the car is just rotting away at the office. We could use a car share scheme when we need one, or hire one.

April - I have found this pregnancy (my third) way more tiring, sick, uncomfortable than my second or first. But hey ho - I am nearly 4 years older than I was last time, and I wonder whether that has anything to do with it?

Scan this afternoon. Still think we wont find out. I have been googling images of boy/girl scans though, just to give me a few pointers

Oh and am still blushing from last night's bedtime conversation with dd (nearly 6). She wanted more info than just the "mummy has an egg that's turned into a baby". Way more info!

Thusnelda - sorry to hear about your negative experience at Georges ENT dept lol at the old fashioned shop selling knitted dolls and Danielle Steel books
Evie - glad your experience at the maternity unit was ok I fought to get in there so I found your post reassuring. I haven't been on a tour yet but I found the staff at EPU very supportive. Also the work in the main reception area is finished and there is now a M&S food store and some nice seating areas outside. Looks like quite a lot of money has beeen spent.

We had a nice weekend. Went to Richmond yesterday to visit friends. Spent the afternoon sitting by the river. Allowed myself a glass of Pimms

Ladylush - haven't been since reception done but sounds great - I'm there on friday for my scan so will be popping along to the m and s food!!! I am in full agreement with the EPU staff - they deserve medals in my book for being totally lovely and kind and helpful and the fact that you can just tick a box that says you want a scan for maternal anxiety says an enormous amount I think. (sorry for my long post about the joys of St G!)
Good luck to those on a pram hunt - I adore my micralite and am gutted I'm going to have to get rid of it now that we need a double - would so love to keep it but not sure I can justify it.

I agree with pooka I am also feeling more drained third time round and it was 4 years ago that I did all this last time as well.

Evie - I agree. My initial scan was for maternal anxiety, the subsequent ones were for bleeding. It's the only EPU I know of that you can self-present at for a reassurance scan and even open on a Saturday! I hope they continue to run that service. It's invaluable. Good luck with your scan on Friday So you're not going to find out the sex - I admire your willpower I haven't decided yet. My scan is in 3 weeks time.

LOL My scan is 3 weeks on Thurs and we can't wait to find out the sex! We're both so impatient and due to the huge age-gap we want to be more prepared this time around.

Thusnelda go for the webcam - Skype is great. It's totally free and dead easy to use. DH went to London recently and we used it to communicate while he was on the train...

How big is your age gap blue76? There will be just over 5 years between dd and this one (dd2). We still have all dd's baby clothes etc so one of our reasons for finding out was so that we knew whether to hang onto it all or clear it out.

I'm only on pg number 2 and I am knackered, constantly, permanently. I am 110% sure that I won't be doing this again

Have been taking Spatone since friday now and there is definately a difference,I'm tired, but not exausted anymore,and can now stay up til 10.30 and feel ok! And I'm hardly getting more than 3 hours sleep a night either! My sister has been diagnosed with anaemia and has also been taking it,she noticed a big difference after the first day. She says NEVER drink it on its own though! I take it with 200ml orange juice and cant taste it at all.Dont know if this is something you would try TigerFeet? Was about £8 for 28 days worth.

Scan 11.30 on friday - am on pins now! Have taken a pic of the little bump and will put on profile if can figure out how!

Hope everyone is as blooming as possible ! and good luck to all those with scans this week! x

I have taken spatone before but haven't recently... I will have to get some more. Orange juice is the best way to take it, for flavour reasons and because the vit C helps you absorb more of the iron. Apologies if I'm telling you what you already know! Also, you should avoid tea as the tannin can restrict absorption.

Blue, I know! I use Skype and iChat with my brother and one of my friends in Hannover - just hoping my mother will be able to cope with the technology! Come to think of it, I should get my father to use it too, surely he'll want to see his only grandchild more than once or twice a year!
I'm already pondering whether to go to Germany for Christmas, possibly by train. I think we should, my grandmother is 94 and should get a chance to meet her 10th great grandchild!
Well, ok, a bit ahead of myself now. I've also bought my first 3 baby grows yesterday, since I found another Fara baby Charity shop! It would have been churlish to just walk past... There is one in Ealing and one in Barnes that I know of, in case anybody else wants to have a look!
Five months exactly til EDD - plenty more baby shopping to look forward to.

Ooh just wondered if anyones nails are growing faster yet? Just want to see if its worth stopping biting mine can never be patient enough to wait normally!!

Thanks for the advice re the tea TigerFeet, have just started having my cup of tea again so think I will give it a miss now! Would rather feel more awake than have a cup of tea