The wagon needs to make room for the imminent arrival....

[glaskham]

New thread ladies... lets hope its a good un!!

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 -
Cosmo - 2nd April - girl - April Victoria - 8.51am - 6lb 9
Gruff - 15th April - boy - 8lb 2 oz - 6.02am Zachary John Graham
Ses - 9th May - boy - 8lb 9oz - 10.17am Owen Edward
MINM- .......

Weeks list:
Diege - 38 weeks, 2 left to go. Boy!!!!(21st June)
LBOT - 33 weeks, 7 left to go BOY! (24th July)
KookyKid - 26 weeks, 14 weeks to go (2nd Sept) BOY!
Idreamofbeanie - 24 weeks (due 27th Sept) GIRL!
Sparklytwinkletoes - 19 weeks (due 6th Oct)
BB - 18 weeks (EDD 30th oct)
Moosy - 14 weeks (EDD 6th Dec)
Claire236 - 5 weeks (EDD 7 Dec)

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

Scan list:
STT - 20 week scan 21st May
BB - 20 week scan 11th june 09 (not finding out sex)
Moosy - 20 week scan 22nd July

MW apps list:
IDOB- 24 week apt 9th June
BB- 17th july MW, Antenatal clinic 15th june
LBOT - 36 week appointment, 25 June
Diege - 38 week appointment, 11th June.

Mat leave countdown:
Diege - Annual leave, proper mat leave starting 15th June.
LBOT - last day 17 July (I think!) 26 days to go
BB- AGES!!!
IDOB - 4th September, 13 weeks.

Babys Age
Kayz's Dylan - 26 weeks
Tinks Bracken - 20 weeks
Glaskham's Ruby - 16 weeks
Gyo's small giraffe - 10 weeks
Cosmo baby - 8 weeks
Ses's Owen - 3 weeks

sorry -thats really obvious re rash!

Oh yes, sorry LB, DS had heat rash yesterday, was scratching it a little bit. After a cool bath it went away - off to pick him up soon, bet he's really sweaty, poor little love. Sunhats and suncream don't keep your cool, though obv I know they can't go without!

Kayz - I haven't used regalice before, but I know that one of the 'tricks' to smooth out icing, is to dip a knife into hot water and use it to smooth out any bumps - you could perhaps try this on a small patch if you wanted to make it more even. I'm impressed though - I thought when you said you'd had to do top and sides seperately that you were going to have a problem 'seam' where they joined, but that's not the case at all!

Like you say, bit more work with the decorating - then jobs a good 'un! Well done chick! (Where have you found the time?)

Up close you can really see the 'seams' But I was planning on piping buttercream around the edge which will hide that.

Kayz, judging by your pictures I think you've rolled the icing a bit too thin which is why it's stuck to the table. Do you have enough to do another coat? If you do, then I reckon you could get it perfect! It needs to be rolled about 5mm thick. STT's right, a knife dipped in hot water will smooth out any bumps/joins. IME it can take a long time though so you have to be patient with it.

I had it rolled out to 5mm, I have got spacers to make sure it was the right thickness. I don't have enough left.

Oh. Maybe it was the heat that made it too sticky. You're right about the buttercream, that can cover a multitude of sins! FWIW icing a square cake with roll-out icing is REALLY hard and you've done a good job really!

Thanks. I am just worried about MIL. She already has made snide comments before I even made the bloody cake!!!!!

DS1 is in one of those ask a million questions moods.

Back again... it's too hot to clean, I give up, I'll do it all tonight when hopefully it's a bit cooler!

Moos, it sound's like the barn is racing ahead You should have got that Kevin McCloud in to film it I'd let him in any day of the week And who ever he does a program on is always pregnant, or get's pregnant, or falls terribly ill, maybe not such a great idea to get him in afterall

Bump, just watch their temps, sponge down with cool water if need be, watch out for any stiffness in their limbs and neck, and for head achy symptoms, problem is, with this heat everyone feels stiff/tired/head achy. You could watch for any aversion to bright lights, or (unusual) sickness. If the rash is fading under pressure, the chances are it is just a rash, could be anything from this virus to the heat. DS2 has a rash around his neck, am sure it's just the heat.

LBOX, LOL at the rugby ball The Bee is a great buy, I am very impressed with it, only thing that let's it down is the wheels, if they'd have put bigger/air tyres on it, it'd have been perfect, DS3 still bobs about all over the place when we're on bumpy ground (luckily he's not a little tinkler and actually prefers the rough ground to the smooth

STT, maybe you and DH could do with time on your own? Just to chill and relax, talk to each other, is that possible? Explain to him how you're feeling and turn the situation on to him and ask him how he'd feel. He isn't 'winning' because he's working and you're not 'losing' because you're not. It isn't a race to see who has the hardest life. Will warn you though, it took me years to convince DH that not working outside of the home didn't mean that I did nothing all day every day, and if we were both 100% honest, I think we'd agree that he has only really truly believed that I don't have the 'easy option' since Mikey came along, although he did try harder to understand a while before G was born. Am of your chocolate!

All of the above was written out about 2 hours, so have probably x posted a gazillion times by now, but am not risking losing my post by doing clever things with copy and pasting!

Will be back with new post unless the sodding phone rings again, I love my DH to pieces but I do wish some days that his phone battery would give up the will to live....!

Hi! Struggling to keep up at the moment but all well here. Hoping it cools down a bit soon though. DS is just in a nappy sprawled out across my lap with his head in my left hand.

HV has just been and done all the measurements. He's 57.5cm long, head is 41cm and...

he's put on 7oz in the last week and is now 8lb 15oz

STT - I think Nat's advice to try and get some time for you and DH is good. I often find that hard but if I suggest a meal out at the pub, it often does the trick

Kay - I'm impressed that you've even attempted the cake and I really think it will be fine. If your MIL makes any comments then she'll have the wagon to contend with!
I'm cheating for DS's christening cake as we still have the top tier of our wedding cake which we're going to use!

Moos - well done to DD2 and you!

LBOT - you really sound ready for your LO now

Bumpy - it is most likely to be a heat rash but you're right to keep an eye on them.
Frustrating about the car with no tax. I had a similar issue here until yesterday (long story, purely my own stupid fault) but feel free again now I have my tax disc!

Nat - I always wanted twins until I had DS! Really don't know how people manage!

Hello everyone else. Sorry if I've forgotten anything...

Ooh and how about a collective wagon "C'mon Andy!"?!

Ses, We did that for DS1's christening cake!

Moos!!!! You seem to be a cake decorating whizz so I need some ideas. Mum is going to come and help me tomorrow to try again as she has got some more icing. Any tips would be really useful!!

That's such a sweet idea with the top tier of your cake for DS's christening Ses and Kay! Not sure how ours would've fared though - or how guests would've felt about eating cake that's nearly 6 years old!

I've got a question, I think for Sorky...was it you that had weird spasm-like movement towards the end? Sometimes when I look down at my bump I can see movement that looks like I'm panting or breathing fast and shallowly. But it's not me, it's just my bump, and it's usually localised where the baby is. What would cause him to do that/make that sort of movement?

LBOT, I've answered your birth certificate thread.

OK Kayz, firstly icing a square cake is really hard to get perfect, so rather than trying to do it all in one perfect go it might be easier to cheat a little bit. Roll the icing out all in one big piece as if you're going to cover it all in one go, lay in on the topand start to push it down the sides. I have a special smoother thing that's great but fingers can work just as well so long as you're reeeeeeeeeally gentle so as not to put prints in it.

Where you get a fold on each upright corner you're supposed to push it flat but I've never been able to get that to work so it might be better to cut off the excess then you can cover the join with butter cream or piped royal icing later.

Make sure the icing's thick enough to cover any bumps (put plenty of butter cream all over it to help it stick too) but not so thick that it cracks on the folds! Remember to use LOTS of icing sugar on the table when you roll it and keep lifting and turning it to stop it sticking. It if breaks/tears, squidge it all together, knead it a bit and start again (but not once it's on the cake, then you're committed!). If it's coloured icing then the icing sugar will mix in and lighten the colour a bit so best to avoid this if you can.

Most importantly, don't rush anything and be really reaaly gentle, you have to be very patient and light fingered!

Good luck!

Just had my 16 week appointment with the MW (at 17.5 weeks ) and all's ok apart from my blood pressure which is very low at 82/42! no wonder I keep getting dizzy! She's taken some blood to check iron levels too. Heard the heart beat for the first time which was nice though

Thanks Moos!! I have a smoother thing too. Very useful. Glad MW appt was good.

moosy - barn sounds like it is coming alo9ng nicely

bump - sorry for bad day

last box - ye to bee and rugby ball how sweet!! ye for car seat to

sparkly - get well soon - i bought cheap pants when dd1 was potty training and chuked them

kay - well done on cake sure it ill be fine doesnt look that bad

god i hate this heat!!!
builders have finished bricking up our window
in our lounde have tidu up all the mess

dd is back from nursery

I saw, Kay! Thanks so much!

Moos - sounds like a great appointment - and lovely about hearing the heartbeat, isn't it reassuring?

Hi! DS is doing really well this afternoon. He's had two half hour sessions on his playmat. Good job really as one of the dogs has diarrhoea and has twice made a mess in the dining room where she's not been able to get outside in time. DH fed them left overs last night so it's probably that and she seems fine in every other way.
DS has managed an expolding wee on his play mat though. What do you all use to clean up wee and sick from play mats?

Moos - yay for hb . I had low BP most of my pg but it never got that low, more like 52. Some people are more prone and the hot weather won't help so take it easy!

Having more thoughts about TTC. Not sure if we do want to go for it this year or not. Why can't it be simple?

Kayz, chill - plenty of time, nothings going to change between this year and next year in terms of being able to start ttc...so instead of thinking about it now, why not just enjoy DS1 & DS2 a little bit longer.

My gut reaction says that if you don't know its the right time, then you're probably best to wait a little while

I think you are right wise STT!!!

Doh, forgot to scroll up and read other posts!!

Moosy, thanks for backing me on the cake front - its been a while for me and you certainly know more than I do - and an icing smoothing tool? I've always been well known amongst my friends for having every kitchen gizmo under the sun but I don't have one of those(although I fear the collection is somewhat behind the times - I have no pineapple, peeler / corer thingy either)

Also, I can't believe how quickly time has gone in so many respects, particularly from you starting to ttc, then delaying, then starting and getting your BFP, now your 17.5 weeks! Wow!

S'cuse the language but its too fecking hot for me. We go on holiday in Sept / Oct time normally to avoid the heat as DH and I aren't that great in hot weather! On the plus side, the squash guzzling seems to have eased the headache and my nose seems to have dried up in the heat, so at least I feel a bit better on that front.

Hurrah! The skids came out - they had about 18 - 24 hours soaking in the bowl, no scrubbing and then washed them on a normal wash and they're all clean! Glad I've got that sussed as with him being home so much more from now on, it'll be me dealing with it rather than the girls at nursery. (They always send them home pre-rinsed).

I did wonder about getting some of the solution you use when you have reusable nappies, but the ariel liquid / vanish combo seems to have done the trick.

Just writing this whilst eating dinner; cold new pots, cold baked beans, beetroot, coleslaw, tomato and a cheese / spring onion mayo mix. Yum. And at least there's three of my five a day there. Fresh pineapple for pud will help top up a bit....

I've been keeping the curtains closed all day to try and keep the heat out, but they're so cheap thin that they're not very effective. Its finally occurred to me today to peg some old duvet covers up over the curtains and it seems to be helping with the late afternoon sun on the lounge. The back of my house is South facing so there is NO escape! The garden is quite sheltered too, so there's no breeze. What I'd quite like is for DH to get the gazebo out of the loft and erect it for me, inflate my birth pool and fill it, then tomorrow, DS and I can swim in the garden!!!! Hmmmm, now I've written it down, it seems like an even better idea!

I'm sure he's recently bought an electric pump to inflate stuff with too....

Hi all, just having a quick read through before I attempt to make DP a birthday cake . I've always been rubbish in the kitchen and DP does most of the cooking - since I'm now living on my own I've become much more adventurous with preparing dinner but haven't tried to bake for years. I haven't really got him any pressies - I have hired a river cruiser so we can spend a long weekend boating up the Cam instead - but he'll appreciate the cake as he knows I have a baking phobia. Wish me luck! I bought some champagne too (which he LOVES) so if it all goes horrible wrong I'll just let him drink the bottle before showing him the cake .

I'm going to join in with the complaints about the heat too - I'm scottish so I don't do hot weather anyway but just feel so heavy and uncomfortable just now .

Right, sorry for the me post but I had better stop procastinating and go and bake this cake!

LBOT is normal, nothing to worry about. Apparently linked to neuro development, is weird tho I agree

Hi all, just a super quick post as its a bit later than anticipated - its taken me forever, a lot of huffing and puffing and about three laptop reboots (no exaggeration ) but I've managed to upload a piccy of DS and NJ's DS3 from our visit last week!

DS is still talking about 'the baby', poor George never got a look in really, DS was just fascinated. I'm sure it'll be a different story when there's one here for keeps .

Got a great story to tell you about Father Christmas tomorrow, don't let me forget

Night, night all.