Grab a seat, a double chocolate brownie and lets roll the wagon as we wait for more babies to arrive

[GYo]

New thread!

IDOB- dont worry about you're feelings... when PG with DS (DC1) i so desperatley wanted a girl that when they said it was a boy i was a tad dissapointed... took me a few weeks to get my head round it to be honest as i thought i'd be a bad mum to a boy, i had sisters and it felt right for me to have a girl- but i'd not change him for the world- he was brilliant, and i'm pretty sure i'm just as good a mum to him as i am with my girls!! and saying that when i was told DD1 was a girl a little bit of me had a panic that i wouldn't know what to do with a girl!! And this time round i was desperate for another boy, but i wouldn't have it any other way!! Its quiet normal to 'expect' you'd be a better mum to one over the other but dont worry- being a mummy is the same wether for a boy or a girl!!

Ruby keeps smiling away all the time- and even tried a bit of babbleing this morning- its very cute!! Gets me exited when she's awake as she's just so smiley!! Dont want to tempt fate but we've had a good week sleep-wise from her too... she's going 4hrs then 3hrs and 2-3hrs again, so is normally only up twice in the night then up in the morning, quite happy with that rather than the 1-2hrly feeding she was doing for a few weeks!! Oh and she's trying to lift her head up when she's led on her front... had the HV (i'm so lucky she's actually VERY nice!!) here yesterday and she spent 1.5hrs here just chatting away, she's very happy with her development and was saying that if the SCBU nurses are trying to pressure me into giving formula again after they've really mucked up her bowels and my supply with it already then i should put in a complaint. She said Ruby is my baby and its up to me how she's fed, and as long as ruby is happy and healthy then thats all that matters. And both of us being happy with feeding etc makes all the difference!!

Kayz- your bike looks good!! I have a bike for me and DH but they're in my mums shed 10miles away... will have to collect them sometime and start cycling with the DC's once ruby's big enough for a bike seat!!

Morning star!! x-posted i was typing so long!! trying to check emails and place a tesco order too!!

Morning!!

I made DS2's christening cake yesterday!! I'm hoping it will taste nice!

I also lost my wedding ring but luckily found it again. I was in floods of tears and thought it had gone forever.

IDOB, Yay for good scan. But don't worry you'll love her once she comes. Plus you still have the rest of your pregnancy to get used to having a daughter.

Hope everyone is well!!

Good morning

IDOB, as everyone says, you will love that little baby more than you even thought possible, and give it less than an hour after she's born, you wouldn't change a hair on her head - I promise! Congrats on the healthy scan, just think, the next time you see your baby she'll be in your arms!

Ses, did you make it home? Hope everything is still going well

Kay, glad you found your ring

Mikey went completely through the night again! 8.15pm till about 6.30am (DH's alarms woke him up!), but he didn't even start for his bottle till about 7.15am! Could start getting used to this, just hope he isn't teasing us And surprisingly, he seems to have popped that same tooth out over night, whether it's out to stay this time who knows? But if he can sleep through that, I'm hoping that means the 10-11pm bottle is no longer needed.

Morning!

Left hospital about 5pm yesterday.
Diege - you're right, it doesn't feel like we've only had him since Sat.

Another challenging night. He seems to sleep about 8-10pm and then wants to spend all night feeding with another sleep about 7.30am!
In the end last night we decamped downstairs. I sat in the armchair feeding and dozing when I could and DD slept on sofa. Came back upstairs at 6am. He fed til 7.20, fell asleep til 8am, fed til 8.50 and is now lying across me asleep.

Feel like I've learnt lots in the past few days but also got loads of questions. Current top question is..

• if i'm feeding him this frequently and he's only got access to colostrum, will he get loads of wind?

DH slept on sofa!
Don't worry I haven't suddenly got a DD too!!

Ses- to be honest i doubt he'll have any wind even on colostrum, the wind comes from them swallowing air, and if he's got a good latch and isn't sucking madly when he's not latched then technicaly he should be fine, if it makes you feel better try and wind him and see if he brings anything up. Mine have never brought anything up, with DS i winded for the first week then gave up, with DD winded her once i think and didn't bother again, and this time i've never attempted to wind her after a BF!! You sound like you're doing really well!! The rate he's feeding sounds normal for a boy of his size too, he's only 1oz bigger than DS was at birth and he fed almost constantly for the fiorst few days, then once my milk came in he was more satisfied after a feed and started going longer and longer between them till he was going 3hrs easily.

Morning! Bit of a computer glitch this morning - think it's on its way out, so don't panic everyone if I'm off for a few days - I won't have gone into labour (touch wood).
Yay for being home SES. For a baby just a few days old I think the feeding pattern (bf) is pretty normal. I wouldn;t worry about wind, as if you've got the latch right shouldn't be the constant feeding itself that is causing wind. How are you feeling today?
NAT, I remember contemplating dropping the late night 11pm feed and feeling extremely worried if it 'didn't work'. In the end I just went for it and I don't think any of the 3 actually woke hungry if I remember.
KAYZ, I'm sure your christening cake will be fab - you are very talented!
IDOB, as others have said it can be a little disconcerting when you have a certain sex of baby in your mind, but they are all little individuals and will be 'themselves' and not (usually) some sex role stereotype. Mine have all been through the girly stage, but we have one firmly established tomboy (all her clothes are from the boy's section etc), one 'gender neutral', and dd3 is just dd3! (currently into dinasours and lip gloss). TBH I have struggled a bit myself with having a boy this time after 3 dds. I'm glad I found out at 20 week scan, to get my head around it, and while we are of course delighted, I have if I'm honest had a few shaky moments with it all. Stupid really, as they are all individuals and the dds really want a brother! (we haven't told them yet!) Congrats on the good scan too
Right, better get on!

Thanks Glask. That really helps.

Last night it didn't feel like we were doing well! Was about 2am before I suggested going downstairs. I was really starting to worry I had no idea what I was doing. The initial latch on can be a bit painful too. DH told me he'd be ok if I resorted to FF but I don't want to and hopefully perseverance at this stage will pay off.

We're currently lying in bed so he can try and latch on / sleep as he wants. I need to try and get some sleep too really and put this phone down! Glad I posted though.

MW due at some point today. Will try and get back on later.

First though, IDOB - I was sure DS was a girl for the first 6 months I was pg and then tried to persaude myself that I was having a DS incase! At the end of the day though, when he was born, he just became "Owen" and the whole DD / DS images I'd had disappeared.

Morning Diege - xposts!

The pain of thefirst latch sucking- can be normal for you're first- i had pain in the first 2 weeks of feeding DS, and his latch never changed and he was feeding correctly, i think it's just where you're nipples toughen and get used to the constant sucking that they've never had before. If you start to get cracked nipples (which you most likely will) use Kamilosan nipple cream after every feed and it should help the healing, and trust me- it will all be over if you just ride throguh it!!

You sound like you want ato make a success of BFing and you just have to work throguh that initial teething problem. I found that wiggling my toes as i latched him on and counting to 20 helped as once he'd got the initial latch the pain had gone by time i'd finished counting... But DO BELIEVE ME when i say its normal and it will be all over very soon!! Just keep thinking about how easy it'll be once you're out of the first stage!! I know lots of friends who have given up in the first week due to cracked nipples when if they'd carried on a few more days they'd have been fine!!

You sound like you're doing brill anyway!! co-sleeping is very good with your first when trying to establish BF, its new for both of you and you need tospend that time together bonding with your DS. And without sounding strange try and limit his contact with other people exept you and DH to a very minimum as it'll help the bonding process for him, and will help his latch and feeding too!! Aswell as help your milk to come in etc. And at the same time lying in bed will be good for you to rest your wound.

Did you have stitches or staples? If staples you might be worrying about having them out like i did but i barely felt a thing!!

sorry- i'll get off my soapbox now!! I think i get a little too passionate about BFing!!

Morning!

Ses - glad you're all home and doing well. Well done for perservering with the breast feeding.

IDOB - Hooray for a lovely scan! I echo what everyone else said about the gender - and think of all the lovely clothes you can buy for her! Don't worry about being a good mum - you'll be great!

Glask - glad to hear Ruby is doing so well and is so happy. And nice to hear there are nice HV's out there!

Nat - yay for Mikey sleeping through the night!

Diege - your descriptions of your DDs are too funny! Lip gloss and dinosaurs! LOL. And so nice that they'll be surprised by their little brother!!!

Kay - glad you found your ring! I'm sure the cake will be delicious!

Morning, sounds like you're doing well Ses, you've certainly got the right idea, stay in bed and let you and DS find your own pattern. Your milk will come in soon and the feeding will settle down. I have very badly cracked nips with DD2 (the reason I gave up BFing) but that was due to a bad latch I think, so as long as you establish a good latch, any pain should (like Glask says) be temporary.

NJ, for sleeping through, I hope it lasts!

Miracle of miracles here - I've put on a pound! I lost 4 but have now put 1 back on - hoorah! Either I'm doing something right (vit b6 etc) or it's a boy (eeeeeeeeeeeek!). I know I'll love it whatever it is, but the thought of having a boy does freak me out despite having 2 brothers and growing up in a very male household. I know what I'm doing with my girls, they're easy! Oh well, only 10 weeks till I find out

Hello!

Hurray for being home Ses! Sounds like you are doing brilliantly, hang in there on the pain on latch/ let down, it really does get better, and its completely normal/ ok to feel like you dont know what you are doing at the moment. I remember similar nights downstairs (only my dh was in bed asleep!!)

Huuray for wt gain Moosy! how are you feeling toiday?

Glad you found your ring Kayz

Hi Nat! very exciting about mikey sleeping thru... i dream of those days! having said that i really have adjusted to batches of 2 or 3 hrs sleep in one go!

I am very excited off to see Gruff and her cub this afternoon! with the small giraffe!

Hi everyone else, one handed typing is not so good!

Hi Moosy! Good that you've put on a pound. Are you still feeling sick despite the B6?
GYO, have a lovely time with the gruffs! You need to take a piccy and put on wagoneers fb!
SORKY, thank you so much for the lovely outfits/birth ball/wedge - arrived this morning . You are so kind
Lol at Parcelforce man (through gritted teeth) who said 'so you're still hanging on then!'. Um yes, just 6 weeks left to go.... Bless him .
Train tickets just arrived for Sunday trip to cardiff - quite excited about overnight stay actually, just hope it's not too tiring!

GYo- its amazing how you suddenly adapt to very little sleep- its much easier than 24/7 sickness tho isn't it!! Say hello to Gruff for me wont you?? Hope you have a nice day...

I'm getting very exited for York meet-up!! I may even buy a new outfit!! haha (any excuse)... though i want to wear my lovely summer dress i bought last year and only wore a couple of times because of falling PG in July and having a bump by 8 wks!! It'd have to be nice weather... may buy a new outfit as a back-up for bad weather... think i just wanna go shopping TBH!!

The DC's are driving me mad (bar the baby who's sleeping) they trashed the living room then it took an hour for them to finally pay attention and tidy... then on top of that DS said he had a tummy ache and didn't actually look himself first thing so kept him off nursery only for him to perk up by 10am!! Then he's spent all morning spoiling things when DD1 has been doing jigsaws etc, then bullying her loads... is this constant sibling rivalry- even when playing nicely- normal? its only on his side, DD1 gets really upset and wound up by it and he loves it and does it even more!!! I'm sat here with my i-pod on (have one headphone out so i can hear if DD2 cries) but trying to blank out the older 2!! Otherwise i'd end up tearing my hair out trying to stop them all the time!! Grrrrrrr!!

afternoon all. Ds slept 12 hours last night. For the first time ever I woke up in a pool of milk and my boobs were killing me!! I managed to express 8oz milk and feed him this morning . I know it is just because of his jabs but it was so nice!! He is sleeping loads today as well only waking for feeds and he has not been sick very much at all......

I have also worked out how to get him to take a bottle. I have to heat it until it is really hot and then for some reason he will take it. If I try to give it to him at normal temp then he screams his head off and wont touch it. So I am doing that with an oz of milk with his gaviscon in it and he is taking it really well (much better than me squirting it down his throat!!!

I am going to get him weighed this afternoon so will see if he has gained this time...

One last thing I found blood in Owens nappy this morning it had clearly been in his wee. I called the Dr who said it was nothing to do with his Jabs but didn't seem that bothered about it, just said that If I am worried he can give me a sample bag to collect wee in to send off. Has anyone with boys ever had blood in there wee?

Ses DS gets lots of wind and I have to wind him many times through out the feed. He lets me know he needs winding by getting very fidgety (sp?) and keep coming off and on.....

Glask - just a quick post, don't have experience of this sibling rivalry with my two yet, but from what I remember of my childhood, one of my Mum's favourite phrases was "just ignore him, he'll get bored and stop" - to me when my brother was winding me up. Not sure that helps when they're still so young though - sorry!
Good idea with the Ipod.

hi

nat - glad he slept through and hope tooth stays
ses-glad you r home take carex
kay-cake sounds good glad u found ring
idob - i have a boisterous active dd1

my mum has nearly finished first coat of wall paint in brackens room

dd1 got on ok @ drs no wee infection dr thinks anxiety with being longhsighted and new sister etc

LB glad you got a good night's sleep, and glad you've got him to take a bottle too. Long may it last Sorry I don't know anything about the blood in wee thing, I think I'd send a sample off just to be on the safe side (but them I am a hypercondriac! )

I'm feeling a bit better generally these days so long as my neck doesn't stiffen up, that seems to make me sick . I have the most awful back/hip/bum-cheeks ache today, I have no idea why, I certainly haven't been exerting myself!

Hey, thanks for all the reassurance guys.

After a good sleep I am much more relaxed this morning and I am really excited about meeting my little girl (or boy, I won't forget Gruff cub) in a few months . I think yesterday was just a bit overwhelming over all - we had guests all weekend so I was tired then we went to see the new house, had the scan and midwife appt then rushed to visit the nursery at work I have registered with. We were trying to get everything done while DP was here on a week day but we were dashing all day and seeing the nursery in particular brought on a major "OMG, we have no idea what we are doing or what to look for in a nursery" moment. I'll have to get used to these little panics, I guess they are part of the (first) pregnancy package. I think I was feeling anxious about moving and being a parent and having had less to do with wee girls than boys I found it harder to picture myself with a girl. Like you all say all DCs are different so now I'm just looking forward to getting to know my LO.

Ses - yah for being home! It sounds like you have the right idea resting as much as poss with DS and finding your own patterns.

Gyo and gruff - have a great afternoon.

Moosy - yah for weight gain, are you feeling a lot better these days?

Diege - thanks for all that, I love the way you describe your DDs and its good to know the nervy moments are normal.

NJ - hooray for sleeping through, long may it continue.

Thought I'd update now the shock has worn off .
Ses - I haven't added Owen yet as I thought you might like to do it yourself but if it's hard from the phone just post the details and I'll stick them on the list.

Births:
Kay - 12th December - 6:49pm - Dylan George - 10lbs 5ozs
Teuch- - - boy
Pop - 23rd December - twin boys, Hugo & Henry
Nat - 27th December - 8:36pm - Mikey Bradley - 6lb 10.5oz
Gin - 16th Jan- Girl - 7.25am- details tbc
Tink- 19th Jan - Girl - 1.51pm - Bracken Hope Willow - 8lbs 7oz
Astarte - 16th Feb - Girl - 8lb 12oz
Glask - 20th Feb - Girl - 7.47pm - Ruby Marie 4lb (8wks prem)
LardyBump - 21st Feb- Boy - 8lb 12oz
HappyNappies- 27th Feb- Boy - 12.01am 9lb13 Edward James Roy
Playing - 4th March - boy - 5 lb 12 oz - Edward Lewis Stainer
Starshinetiger - 15th March - girl - 7lb 1 oz - Charlotte Carys Rose
GYo - 22nd March 9.55am- girl - 10 lbs 12 oz - Beatrice Victoria
Cosmo - 2nd April - girl - April Victoria - 8.51am - 6lb 9
Gruff - 15th April - boy - 8lb 2 oz - 6.02am Zachary John Graham

Weeks list:
MINM- 36 weeks, 4 to go Surprise(19th May)
Diege - 34 weeks, 6 left to go. Boy!!!!(21st June)
LBOT - 29 weeks, 11 left to go BOY! (24th July)
KookyKid - 22 weeks, 18 weeks to go (2nd Sept) BOY!
Idreamofbeanie - 20 weeks (due 27th Sept)
LaTourEiffel - 10 weeks (due 8th Oct)
Sparklytwinkletoes - 16 weeks (due 6th Oct)
BB - 14 weeks (EDD 30th oct)
Claire236 - 5 weeks (EDD 7 Dec)
Moosy - 10 weeks (EDD 9th Dec)

Girls = 8
Boys= 9 (3 more still insitu)
Surprise = 10
Unknowns (yet) = 3

Scan list:
STT - 20 week scan 21st May
Moosy - 12 week dating and nuchal scan 27th May
BB - 20 week scan 11th june 09 (not finding out sex)

MW apps list:
IDOB- 24 week apt 9th June
BB- 16 week apt 15th may, Antenatal clinic 15th june
LBOT - 30 week appointment, 18 May
Diege - 34 week appointment, 14th May.

Mat leave countdown:
Ses - on Mat Leave!!!!
Diege - WFH!!!.
LBOT - last day 17 July (I think!) 40 days to go (including holiday!)
STT - 4th September (141 days and counting)!
BB- AGES!!!
IDOB - 4th September, 17 weeks.

Babys Age
Kayz's Dylan - 16 weeks
Tinks Bracken - 12 weeks
Glaskham's Ruby - 9 weeks
Gyo's small giraffe - 5 weeks

MINM'S SYNDICATE - EDD 19th MAY

DD1 4 days over 7lb 4.21am
DD2 8 days over 9lb 1.5oz 12.30pm
DC3 due May 19th

Glaskham - May 21st 12.37am 9lb 2oz Girl
Ses - May 23rd 11pm 9lb 2oz Girl
IDOB - May 24th 10pm 8lb 10oz Girl
MINM- May 25th 6.37am 9lb 5oz Boy
tink - may 25th 1am 8lbs12.5ozs boy
GYo - May 25th 8.45am, 10 lbs 2oz girl
Moosy - May 26th 5.16am 8lb 5oz Girl
Kayz - May 27th 8.43pm 8lb 7oz Boy
Diege - May 28th 10.15am 91b 2oz Girl

Glad you're feeling better IDOB! I still have the odd panic, but am really looking forward to meeting my little boy!
MOOSY, good that you're feeling a little better. Maybe it is a boy!!! You have 25% chance apparently according to my consultant (I had 12.5% after 3dds). Not sure I hold much stock in his 'theory' though!
GLASK, I think a good shop is in order! Hope the weather is nice for the meet-up, alhtough I must say that my once exapansive maternity wardrobe is being depleted by the day owing to my whale-like bump. Good job I bought all those jeans, as only one pair fits now
LB, I think I'd also get ds's sample tested - probably nothing, but might be a urine infection that would need treatment.
Feeling pretty rotten after having an afternoon nap...did anyone else have them in late pregnancy??Thought they were supposed to revive?? . May try and miss it out tomorrow as I'm not getting to sleep til midnight, and then of course tired the next day, and need a nap..
Right, dds back any minute as dh has 5pm meeting. Back later hopefully

Just updating Ruby's age (as of this coming friday):

Births:
Kay - 12th December - 6:49pm - Dylan George - 10lbs 5ozs
Teuch- - - boy
Pop - 23rd December - twin boys, Hugo & Henry
Nat - 27th December - 8:36pm - Mikey Bradley - 6lb 10.5oz
Gin - 16th Jan- Girl - 7.25am- details tbc
Tink- 19th Jan - Girl - 1.51pm - Bracken Hope Willow - 8lbs 7oz
Astarte - 16th Feb - Girl - 8lb 12oz
Glask - 20th Feb - Girl - 7.47pm - Ruby Marie 4lb (8wks prem)
LardyBump - 21st Feb- Boy - 8lb 12oz
HappyNappies- 27th Feb- Boy - 12.01am 9lb13 Edward James Roy
Playing - 4th March - boy - 5 lb 12 oz - Edward Lewis Stainer
Starshinetiger - 15th March - girl - 7lb 1 oz - Charlotte Carys Rose
GYo - 22nd March 9.55am- girl - 10 lbs 12 oz - Beatrice Victoria
Cosmo - 2nd April - girl - April Victoria - 8.51am - 6lb 9
Gruff - 15th April - boy - 8lb 2 oz - 6.02am Zachary John Graham

Weeks list:
MINM- 36 weeks, 4 to go Surprise(19th May)
Diege - 34 weeks, 6 left to go. Boy!!!!(21st June)
LBOT - 29 weeks, 11 left to go BOY! (24th July)
KookyKid - 22 weeks, 18 weeks to go (2nd Sept) BOY!
Idreamofbeanie - 20 weeks (due 27th Sept)
LaTourEiffel - 10 weeks (due 8th Oct)
Sparklytwinkletoes - 16 weeks (due 6th Oct)
BB - 14 weeks (EDD 30th oct)
Claire236 - 5 weeks (EDD 7 Dec)
Moosy - 10 weeks (EDD 9th Dec)

Girls = 8
Boys= 9 (3 more still insitu)
Surprise = 10
Unknowns (yet) = 3

Scan list:
STT - 20 week scan 21st May
Moosy - 12 week dating and nuchal scan 27th May
BB - 20 week scan 11th june 09 (not finding out sex)

MW apps list:
IDOB- 24 week apt 9th June
BB- 16 week apt 15th may, Antenatal clinic 15th june
LBOT - 30 week appointment, 18 May
Diege - 34 week appointment, 14th May.

Mat leave countdown:
Ses - on Mat Leave!!!!
Diege - WFH!!!.
LBOT - last day 17 July (I think!) 40 days to go (including holiday!)
STT - 4th September (141 days and counting)!
BB- AGES!!!
IDOB - 4th September, 17 weeks.

Babys Age
Kayz's Dylan - 16 weeks
Tinks Bracken - 12 weeks
Glaskham's Ruby - 12 weeks
Gyo's small giraffe - 5 weeks

MINM'S SYNDICATE - EDD 19th MAY

DD1 4 days over 7lb 4.21am
DD2 8 days over 9lb 1.5oz 12.30pm
DC3 due May 19th

Glaskham - May 21st 12.37am 9lb 2oz Girl
Ses - May 23rd 11pm 9lb 2oz Girl
IDOB - May 24th 10pm 8lb 10oz Girl
MINM- May 25th 6.37am 9lb 5oz Boy
tink - may 25th 1am 8lbs12.5ozs boy
GYo - May 25th 8.45am, 10 lbs 2oz girl
Moosy - May 26th 5.16am 8lb 5oz Girl
Kayz - May 27th 8.43pm 8lb 7oz Boy
Diege - May 28th 10.15am 91b 2oz Girl

Diege... what size maternity clothes are you in now? I have a lovely DP dress in a size 12 which i only managed to wear once if it'd fit? you're welcome to it... though i'm sure you're very tiny/slim, thought i'd offer just in case...

IDOB- glad you're feeling more relaxed about a DD- she'll be the apple of your eye when she arrives!! Though i'd swap you for DS the way he is right now