Due October 2009 - Feeling better and feeling baby!

[princessmel]

I have started the new thread

Not posted for a while, but have been following. Yesterday drove all the way from Edinburgh to Aberdeen having contractions at about 4 minutes apart! Wasn't sure whether to stop off at the hospital when I got to Aberdeen. Been having loads of Braxton Hicks but these were quite painful. It eased up once I got out of the car thankfully so must have been the postion I was sitting in. Phew! I do think my bump has changed shape though, so maybe the baby was moving downwards. Is it to early for the head to engage? I'm 31 weeks. Obviously don't want to be having the baby quite yet although DH seemed mildly disappointed I wasn't going into early labour, we're starting to get impatient to meet it. Almost of boob knowing she'll see the baby in about 6 weeks.

Having said that, we haven't decided on a name (for either sex, we don't know what it's going to be), and it's making me feel really unsettled. I woke up thinking about it the other day. I want to have decided. I'm curious to know how everyone else is getting on with names. We're between two for each sex, so we're close, but can't quite decide and to make matters worse, anyone we've mentioned the names to (it's useful to have a sounding board) hasn't been very enthusiastic about them which is disappointing, but we just can't think of any other more socially-acceptable names that we like. I have posted about them on baby names though where they got a much better response than in RL!

Hi Kleinemaus - I know what you mean about wanting to be settled. We know (well she was about 95% sure) we are having girl and it took ages to find any names we could agree on. In the end we finished up with a short list of about 3 but DP has taken to calling the bump Caitlin which one of our choices and talking about Caitlin's moses basket or saying "when Caitlin arrives..." so I think that's the one we'll go with, probably with Abigail as a middle name. We'll be totally lost if we finish up with a boy though as we have no names at all. I know a couple of people who had a boy after being told girl at the 20 week scan but we just can't motivate ourselves to think of boys names.

On the being settled front DP and I spent most of the weekend buying and putting together drawers etc for the baby then unpacking the piles of baby stuff that had been lying in the hall (my DB and SIL passed on loads). I just felt a sudden need to have everything organised and tidy and tbh I didn't fancy waiting until I was bigger to do it. We washed and put away all the baby clothes and blankets which was lovely and just a bit scary - now all the baby stuff is in our room it seems more real than in a couple of months we'll be parents to a little baby who is going to fit in to these tiny clothes. 31+1 today so not that long to wait - oooooo, how exciting and scary!

HC - glad you have made up
HT - glad midwife appt went well and I hope LO doesn't get too big!
wibblydibs your SPD sounds awful, is there nothing they can do for you?
LMB - I'm bored of being pregnant too and don't want to have to think about induction. Sometime around 38 weeks would be perfect for me - let's work on some (slightly) early vibes. Hope your buggy arrived.
Calypso - hope your neighbour is okay and your cat lets you sleep tonight. Had a funny image of you telling the baby they'd have to go out in the garden with the cat if they didn't stop crying.
Hi to everyone else

names tricky one - we've decided to not mention any until DD is born, and then present it as a done deed! I think so many people are expecting something slightly exotic (I'm part French Morrocan / Spanish) that I think there'll be some disappointment with the name we're most likely to go with!

birthing neighbour had text from her husband after I posted this morning. Said that they had baby boy (would have been extra lovely to have a girl next door, but chuffed to bits any way!) but "birth was very traumatic, ending in a c-section at 5:27am"

I had my c-section at 5.30 too! I reckon they think if things aren't going too well its best to get you in before the elective caesareans start for the day!

Names are very tricky, have decided on George for a boy, but girls names I like seem to be really high in the popularity stakes like Ruby, Lily etc. I was one of 8 in my year at school and would prefer my children not to have to share their name with others. I don't want an unusual name, just not that common. I like old names too, what's the name of everyone's grandmothers?

Smallone - my grandmothers names are Margaret and Maggie-jane. My great-grandmother was Beatrice (that's the only one I know). I shared my name with 5 others in my class in middle school and at one point we fostered a girl with the same name as me so I totally know how rubbish it can be if your name is too common!.

Grandmothers in the family,

Jean, Joy, Ivy, Dorothy

We have our boys name but its a secret, not having anyone put a dampner on it!

No delivery as yet!

Had a nap with ds today bliss, I haven't really done much today just read a few stories, played inside with ds but he has been mainly in the garden on his push along horse all day. So feeling a little refreshed but lathargic all the same. House looks like a bombs gone off. I usually tidy through out the day, but have just let the toys, crumbs, clothes, cushions and bowls settle where they may! Better get the hoover round before dp gets back from work!

flame Glad to hear their baby arrived safely, shame
about the traumatic birth though.

smallone I like George for a boy. My grannies' names are/were: Mary and Elizabeth, not terribly inspiring I'm afraid. DH's dad has been doing his family tree and the name Maggie-Bella came up quite a few times and we thought of it for DS. I remember we mentioned it to my mum and she said 'I hope you're kidding.' Not a popular choice then!

Littlemissbliss you're probably right not to tell anyone your chosen name in case they spoil it for you. I just can't resist trying to guage what the reaction is going to be. Although I'm sure most people will be polite about it to my face at least! Except my dad probably.

smallone 'grandmother' names in my family are Eva, Nancy and Brenda. We're considering using Eva for this one. I also know a 2 year old Nancy-May which I thought was a bit weird at first but now I think it's quite pretty. Also we would be having a George if this one was a boy, tis a girl though and we really need to decide... only nine weeks exactly today till my due date

wibbly it was me asking about sore hips. It has been better recently, but I may still try the duvet under the sheet thing. I hope you get the treatment you need.

hc pleased things are good for you again, it's never nice having marital strain.

fidelma lol at the banana dream.

mehim I am due 15/10 and go on mat leave 26/09, so just under three weeks. I may have to go slightly earlier though, as I am knackered already!

Been really suffering with tiredness and hormones lately. Up until now I have had a very easy pregnancy but in the last week I haven't been sleeping well and feel really tearful and hormonal all the time. I left work to go home at lunchtime today and have just been lying down all afternoon feeling sorry for myself. I have to snap out of this!

On the names front, one Nana was called Lillian May (which I think is now popular again, or at least Lily May is) and Elizabeth. Grandpas were Alex and Alan.

Twinkle Eva is on our list too (have we already had this conversation?) but I also like Ava. DH likes Mabel which I'm not sure about, it's a bit too old school for my liking. I like names such as Joy and Hope.

Boys names are hard aren't they? A colleague has just gone and called her little boy my fave boys name (Stanley) so that's off the list. I think we'll go with Charlie if it is a boy. Popular but it goes everywhere and is a classic. I have an unusual name myself and it can be hard at school.

I'm only discussing names on here, not in RL.

Names - My name is Italian and still fairly rare so people are expecting something a bit exotic. We're pretty settled on Gabriel and have both been calling him this for months now. Have told my mum and sister who were banking on an Irish name (H is half Irish) and are a bit about it due to possibility of him being called gay at school. H a bit worried about this as well but we figure kids will find a way of making up nicknames for any name so we may as well go with one we like. Also liked Isaac, Joseph and Raphael (Rafa would be v popular here in N west). Can you tell we're Catholic? .

smallone - grandmother names in our family are Dorothy Kay, Mary Margaret, Maria (?) and Rachel Anne

grandfather names - 3 x John and one Hubert

Calypso- really pleased your neighbours baby was delivered safely, hope recovery from the c-section goes well.

You have all been busy chatting.

Have got my bag down ready to start packing it. My dad has hired a beach hut for a week so we took the girls there today and I felt my pelvis grind, almost heard it. Soooo painful. Had this at 34 weeks with DD2 but put that down to being overweight but seems I am suffering it again and at 31 weeks. Need to rest up tomorrow ready to visit the beach hut on Weds, Thurs and Fri. Did rain quite a bit.

Calypso-glad your neighbour has had her baby and all is well.

theboob-you haven't got long at all.

Some lovely names being discussed.

Big wave to all.

HC
x

Thanks for the granny names! Love Eva but dd's name starts with E so might be too confusing. Am wondering about Mary, but again our surname ends -ins and don't want to sound too Mary Poppins-y. Quite like Dorothy.....hmmmn will have to ponder on it some more I think.

I've decided to only talk about names with people who I know will be diplomatic. ie not my sister who says "oh no you can't use that, its the name of so and so's daughter" (who I don't know!) or just says no, without giving a reason.

Started thinking about bits for my hosp bag but nowhere near packing it yet. Am 3/4 of the way through crocheting my baby blanket. Am off camping on thurs for a week so concentrating on that for now, then its my 30th on the 19th August so will get that out of the way and then I'll turn my attention to the baby properly.

Oh and I'm definitely losing my mind, I got the plates out to serve up dinner tonight and then realised that I hadn't actually turned any of the pans on so nothing was cooked! aaggghhh!

evening all
grandmothers name's in my family are Mary and Betsy, we gave DD Mary has her middle name we have chosen Madison Rose for baby , love all the names mentioned here , also love the name Eva but a no go for us as it's our surname
love the idea of an air bed as i'm getting no sleep at the moment, having to much fluid is like a constant pressure in my stomach and can be very uncomfortable, baby can also move around more freely which can also be a pain, have packed my bag ready as i'm at risk of premature labour and you just never know, have cons apt in 4 weeks and i'll get the exact date of induction , i am really excited but by 38 weeks i really will be ready i think
HC glad things are back to normal for you now
it seems we are all finding it hard to sleep etc at the moment
hope everybody else is well , and those of you who are working until a few weeks before the birth i think you deserve a medal

Hi all

just catching up quickly and am off to research washable nappies.

DP's operation date finally came through as 1st Sept which means he can't drive for 6 weeks after that (which brings us to the week before my due date so hopefully the little one won't be early!). Has really concentrated the mind on replacing my beloved sports car with something more sensible and child friendly (this for me is the absolute worst bit about having my baby!!!), buying a car seat etc.

anyway, have a good week and catch up again soon

We have given the children our parents names for middle names and luckly we have mamaged to get all 3 that we needed.Marie,Shelagh and Raymond.My grandparents names were Harry x2, Sophia (called Cissie terrible) and Ann.I know a 3 year old called Maggie very sweet.(I don't know who mentioned Maggie)We know lots of little Evas,Avas and Evie.Lovely names.I think we are still on for Connor or Iona and pehaps DHs name for a middle and mine for a girl(middle).

If I had had my choice of names I would have Poppy ann for a girl and Jack for a boy.Infact I would of had Poppy for DD1,Daisy for DD2 and Holly for DS3 (which would not of worked for a boy)However DH sadly doesn't like flowery names so I don't have any of them!

Found out today that I will get my old sling back from my mums friends daughter.I would of never asked for it back but she has ofered it.Very pleased as I have used it for all the others.Baby Bjorn it is.

So as I don't have to get a new sling I think I will get a lovely cot bumper and quilt from susiewatsondesigns

I am up late at the moment as I am having a sleep during the day and no getting up for school.Bliss

HC glad all seems well with you.

My G/parents were Rachel, Sarah, Samuel & Thomas, we gave DS middle name of Samuel. My SIL has just called her new baby Eva-May. We will be calling this little one Faith Scarlet for sure, if she had of been a boy we would of called him Dexter.

Got scare yesterday, pain was so bad in pelvis, though i was going to hospital, but thank god it was because i was doing far to much...had March-out, so i cut grass & deep cleaned the house, big mistake! Also my boobs must of grown overnight! Ive been left with 2 bad burn marks were my bra rubbed against my skin as it is far to small all off a sudden! How strange.....

Im going to have a PJ day today....i love those! lol...

MHCB...hope your DP will be ok, very stressful for you with it being so close to the birth!

Morning all.

My grandmothers names were Dolly and Kathleen
on dp side it was Hannah and Annie. If this is a girl we ae going with Annie Delilah.
I think we have decided on Conor for a boy although dp likes Perry and I like Rowan.
I know a Gabriel and we call him Gabes, lovely name.

Hi my grandmothers names are Anne-Marie and Anna,great grandmother Eva and Frieda.There seem to be lots of Evas around.
We`ve got Nathan Alexander for this one I really like Nathaniel but DP prefers Nathan.What do you think Nathaniel or just Nathan?

Dont tell people in RL what names you like its your choice and theyll just put you off.SIL said she doesn`t like Nathan and are we still planning on going with that this really p*** me off.Only reason she knows name is that was our boy choice for dd.Hate it when people stick their nose in other peoples buisness.

Went to Ikea on sun and got lovely Baby mat to play on and wodden stand thing where they lie under.Also some lovely hooded towels.I know wouldnt be your first choice for baby stuff but saw it few months ago in there and so had an excuse to go again its my favourite shop.Did feel dizzy and sick though all day.Went into Mothercare to get carseat and rest of baby stuff but bloody seatbelt too short and bloody sales assistant couldnt get it in and said we needed base with it that cost around £70 extra.
Im sure I would have managed it.So didnt buy nothing in there as it just annoyed me so went home was sulking all day stupid hormones.
We do have a M&P carseat with big base from dd that I gave SIL.Guess will have to use that but I hated it as so big but at least fits in car,was looking forward to getting new one.Well will save me £200 and could get something else with it or just save it.
Will have to appologise to DP was shouting my head off at him yesterday when he said he was bringing the M&P seat back from SIL,so he left it there.Going to have to grubble to get it now.

Sorry about long me,me,me post and all about carseats.Hormones driving me up the wall.
Have a good day.
x

Bella - we were Ikea shopping at the weekend too. We went to get drawers for the baby's clothes etc but also came home with a big playmat. Wonder if we picked up the same one - ours is a big blue mat with leaves, ladybird, caterpillar and sun with mirror. I loved it and think it will be good for getting the baby to spend some time on her tummy. We are going to get a car seat from DB and SIL (soon hopefully) but I hadn't considered it not fitting the car - maybe I should check.

I'm shattered today, no idea why really. We had a busy weekend but I slept fairly well last night (well I had to get up to wee about 4 times but was still in bed for about 9 hours). Thinking I might go home early and have a nap.

BTW I really like Nathan - I like Nathaniel too but I think people are likely to call him Nathan anyway. I hate people in RL commenting though. My mum has this irritating habit of just saying "oh, that's uh lovely" with a look on her face that clearly says she is just being polite and thinks it's awful. Luckily she quite likes our choice but she drove my DB nuts.

Bella and Beanie - we bought that playmat from Ikea too - got lots of stuff from there, including the wooden baby gym that you got, Bella, and also the cot and nursery furniture.

Have been doing lots of shopping over the past few weeks since DH passed his exam - and I would say we're 90% there with everything we need. I know it's early (not even at 30 weeks yet!) but since my friend had her baby seven weeks early a few months ago I decided I would make sure it was all done early! I'm glad we have, because I'm finding it increasingly difficult to walk for long periods now due to dodgy back and hips. A colleague of DH's also told him to shop early - he and his wife made the error of leaving it until she was about 35/36 weeks and she could hardly waddle, had to wee every 20 mins etc and it was a nightmare apparently.

Can't remember who it was who said recently they were going to research washable nappies (sorry ) but I would be interested to hear what you concluded. We went to see our local Lollipop lady and ended up buying one of five different sorts of nappies - three of the all in one systems, and two of the ones you need a wrap over the top with. Our plan is to use disposables for the first five or six weeks, anyway, on the basis that washing nappies will be one less thing to worry about in what will no doubt be a tiring, hectic and baffling time, to say the least! We'll try the five we've got a few times in that period and then buy some more depending on what works and what we like. Some of them are so, so cute!!

Talking of nappies, I was appalled to find that when I went into Tesco a couple of days ago to buy a pack of disposable nappies, to start stocking up, that they don't sell ANY environmentally friendly ones at all - I think that's terrible - hardly encourages anyone to do the right thing, does it?! Mind you, should have guessed, considering their terrible range of organic meats.

Anyway, sorry for waffling on so long!

Hi all,
Just a quick one,

With car seats, sometimes the belt is longer on one side of the car than on the other, so its worth trying both sides. Also check the instructions for the fitting as I know at least two people who have been shown the wrong way by "trained" assistants. Inevitable really considering they all go in differently! We have a maxi-cosi infant carrier and it fits every car I've ever tried. (tho strangly not rear passenger side of sis's focus - hence trying both sides! )

We have totsbots fluffles which I love, they dry super quick and have lasted from about 2months to training and will do for this one too. I will say their liners aren't very good so worth buying those elsewhere. We'll be using disposables for the first few weeks too, mostly because even tho its a birth to training nappy, with dd we felt there was more nappy than baby and thought it was restricting her legs. Also you really don't need any extra work in those first few weeks.

Waitrose sell naturebabycare nappies which I really like, and it gives me an excuse to go to waitrose! I tried the moltex with dd but didn't find them very absorbant.

Maybe this wasn't such a quick post after all!