Due November 2009 - we just can't stop chatting!

[BeckyBendyLegs]

A new thread!

Weston, yep! Can't wait until it comes through. I think that my 'Health in Pregnancy Grant' should probably be renamed 'Winter Clothing for DS Grant' instead - he needs a new coat, new rainproof all-in-one, new wellies, new jerseys, new trousers...

I can't believe how industrious some of you have been with the DIY. I'm planning eventually on buying a new Moses basket mattress and getting the newborn stuff down from the attic, but I bet we leave it until week 39! (Am dreading getting the sodding breast pump down, how I hated that thing.)

Has anyone read 'Wolf Hall', the book tipped to get the award..? I'm trying to work out if I want to buy it new, or wait a few months until all the copies which people bought now start hitting the second-hand shops.

Finally, I think I'm officially entering the third trimester tomorrow, and according to the scales, I've already gained the recommended full weight gain for the whole pregnancy. Yikes.

tell me about it tamlin i went on hols and sure i came back with stones in my pocket..refusing to go on the scales now..not stopping me eating my weight in chocolate however..can't deprive the poor child now can i..

i think the pregnancy grant has to be spent just on the mum to be on lots of luxury items that they have no need for...cashmere dressing gown etc.....

Hi All

Feeling rubbish here today. Few things at work have made the day really stressful, and it's such a busy day today that I've been running all over the place. DD had to go to the orthodontist so I've had to leave work to take her, then head back all squeezed into my lunch hour. Have a headache from all the rushing around, and then came back to an email from my DB which has wound me up.
Sigh.
My family can be really quite rubbish at times and it's always me that's expected to fall into line/do the running around/accomodate everyone else.
Today I'd like the world to stop so I can get off please.

Sorry for the me post.

Scarlotti, sorry to hear that you are feeling so rubbish today. But there are only a couple of hours left and I hope you will have a nice relaxing evening!
Just got home from a rather stressful and hard day at work as well, so I'm really looking forward to my yoga lesson, hope it helps to forget about work for a while.

Sorry for those with restless leg syndrom but I'm quite "happy" that it is something normal.

Scarlotti, sorry you are having such a rubbish day. I hope it improves soon.

BBL did you get some good books?

I can't wait to get my health in pregnancy grant - how do you get it? Does the midwife have to do something or can it be done online?

Just spent an hour on my hands and knees cleaning up after the workman. EVERYWHERE is covered in a thick layer of sawdust, it is disgusting. And I can't stop sneezing. On the plus side, the new room looks good, we just need to do a lot of painting now!

It's DH's birthday today. I am supposedly whipping up a fancy 3 course meal, involving steak and a birthday cake but I haven't started either yet, although I have spent 40 quid on ingredients... Any cooks out there?!

ninjacat I found you easily as this was in the 'most active discussions of the day' bit on the right hand side. You must have all had a busy day yesterday!

I am worn out today too. I got really used to being able to slope off for a siesta around now, while someone else minded DD. Now it is just the two of us again and I am counting the hours to bed time (hers or mine)

I am thinking of spending my health in pregnancy grant on the NCT antenatal course, but still undecided. Do you think it's a certain type who does NCT? I'm not sure if I mam one of them!

scarlotti only an hour (or so) to go. Hope you manage a relaxing evening. My trick is to go bed really really early, so noone is allowed to bother me. I don't actually go to sleep, just get a bit of time for myself. That sounds quite sad actually... but I enjoy it.

On the subject of books, I've just been given a horror novel to review and I'm such a wimp. I can't read or watch anything remotely scary without having nightmares for ages. I'm hoping it's really badly written so I don't get sucked in. I'll be reading with all the lights on and hiding behind my fingers.

Laugs poor you with the scary book, my limit for terror is The Others which is a 12 certificate film!! The ending of The Little Stranger by Sarah Walters which isn't even really a ghost story as such kept me awake all night!
Tamlin I have also put on the full poundage with 3 months to go- did last time too. It came off in the end.......
Scarlotti I agree with Laugs that early nights are a good solution to crap days!
Ice Age 3 was good fun and ds was in his seat until the last five minutes- result for an overcast afternoon!
Laugs I think the NCT has to be done in a way- people I know have had very mixed experiences, including me- but it is quite an interesting experience.. It sounds a more sensible way of spending the health in pregnancy grant than I was planning, but if I was doing it first time again I would probably go for the NCT again.

Deary dear... at this rate, we'll need a new thread by next week!

I, too, can't wait to hear about your wedding Lemontop!

Katster at your 24 wk MW appointment you'll be given a form to send off to Inland Revenue. I sent mine bang on the day I was 25 weeks (they'll send it back if you send it in a day early...) and a week later the money was in my account. I actually had the money before I had the letter saying I had been approved.

Tamlin oh gosh, the weight... I had a hospital appointment yesterday (for un-pregnancy related cardiac thing that I thought had gone away years ago but has now reared it's ugly head again) and they took my height and weight to work out my BMI... I nearly passed out when I saw the numbers! As soon as I got home I had a quick google and it seems like in the last trimester you're likely to put a bit less weight on than the previous one (average 4,8kg) and if I manage that I'll be at the higher end of the acceptable weight gain scale... somehow I don't think that'll happen though as I can't stop eating. All. The. Time. I'm just so hungry... Luckily, the nurse realized that there was no point working out a BMI for a pregnant lady.

Wook So sorry about your friend! What a cruel coincidence!

Ursi are you sure the pains you feel aren't pelvis related? I sometimes get a really horrid pain down there, but it's definitely not veins, it's more to do with how I've sat/slept etc.

Right then ladies, poll time:
Carseats Are you getting the group 0 (birth to 9 months) and then a group 1 (9 months to 4 years) OR a group 0+1 (birth to 4 years)?

I've just been to Halfords (who btw have a sale on) to physically look at them, and I'm still none the wiser. It just seems to make so much more sense to get the 0+1 seat as he'd be sorted then. But the group 0 ones look so much safer for a new-born. Then again, they're only good for a short time. FWIW, I don't agree with the whole "letting baby sleep in car seat" so I don't really mind the fact that I'll have to take him out of the seat even if he has fallen asleep. AAAH. What are you all doing? Oh, you wise second-timers?

I must get the Moussaka out of the oven, but first... I got out of bed in the middle of the night (yet again, the cats...) and promptly fell back down on my bum as I'd forgotten for a split second that I'm pregnant! Woke DH up as I practically dive bombed the bed with a massive hippo grunt!

Thanks Broodzilla and sorry to hear about the cardiac thing. I hope you're OK. I don't actually have a 24 week appointment - here, you see the MW at 22 and 26 weeks - I'll be 26+3 when my next app is, I hope this isn't too late, I want the money!!

I must say, DH has a feast for supper Have made the most spectacular cake and we're having fillet steaks with creamy mash and mushroom sauce. Yum. Unfortunately, I have been snacking all day, so am not hungry

I hope your evening is better than your day was, Scarlotti. Wook glad the film was good... Am trying to find an excuse to go Thankfully DP is an overgrown child as well and would enjoy every minute!!

I knew the first day back on my meds would be crappy but still... Been miserable all day, to the extent of thinking when crossing the road, "Could I..?" Ugh, its horrible. So glad DP understands me. Keeps reminding me its not my fault I feel this way and in a few weeks things will settle down. Don't know what I'd do without him.

Am off out in a bit to view some furniture my friends getting rid of - need a chest of draws for baby, and can't really afford a new one, so taking full advantage. Just been given a load of clothes a friends little boy has out grown, too.

Laugs I'm exactly the same, but unfortunately, terribly addicted to them as well, so fascinated with forensics, I can't help it! Hope it turns out to be not that bad

Broodzilla, it's definitely the veins. I've checked with a mirror and I start to understand why people want cosmetic surgery on their labia It does not look good. But if it stays on this level it is fine for me. For everybody who will get it: try to keep moving the pelvis a little bit (little round movements or back and forth) or do some pelvic floor exercises even when seated. I think that keeps the blood flowing.

Three other good things I would like to share (especially with poor scarlotti):

• I really have to recommend pregnancy yoga, I felt so bad, tired and stressed before, and afterwards I felt soooo good, like a different person.
• A homecooked meal (katster, I'm sure your husband will love his birthday dinner): After a couple of days on countryside and only pubfood (and stupid fried snacks on that not so fancy wedding), it tastes even better!
• Chokini: At the moment my favourite biscuits. They had been sold out in the only shop nearby where they sell it. I really thought they had stopped completely and today, I checked (more out of habit)... and there they were....

Ursiguke Sorry to hear about your veins, sounds painful. Oh the joys of pregnancy eh!

Katster Happy birthday to your dh! His dinner sounds scrummy and is making my mouth water, just waiting for my pizza to cook, not very exciting compared to what you are having!

Broodzilla Hope you are ok now after your hospital visit and your middle of the night tumble. I often wake in the middle of the night needing the loo and go to jump out of bed, forgetting my huge tummy and the fact that I can't move quickly or roll over easily!

Had a very unsuccessful shopping trip this morning, drove all the way to Bluewater (45 mins drive away) to buy some maternity clothes and a present for my friends new baby but came home with nothing. The shops are full of crappy old sale stuff, couldn't find any nice babygrows in the size I wanted and all the clothes I tried on looked horrible. Rubbish!

This afternoon I checked out a nursery for ds to go to. He seemed to quite like it so am going to book him in for two mornings a week. Feel a bit sad though, like it's an end of an era for us both, but I know he'll really enjoy it and I'll enjoy the rest and then time with the new baby.

Hope everyone else is ok. pavlov how is your dd today? Has she got over the upset about her room? Did you get any sleep last night?

I bought some earth shoes!! They were half price so figured it was good value and would help out the pain I'm in so an investment actually!

Not caught up on the days posts yet as dd being a pain and not going to sleep but will be back later!

Evening ladies

Thanks for all the nice messages, feeling much better now. Luckily my afternoon meeting went well and I've got some support to help sort out the crap from this morning so that made me feel better.
DS now in bed and DD upstairs doing the teen thing, DH out with work people so I have the lounge (and the remote!!) to myself
Might go make a milky coffee in a mo, yum!

usi a friend of mine, and her sister, both suffer from the varicose thing during pg. It goes afterwards so try not to worry, and in the meantime rest when you can as being on your feet a lot can aggravate them.

We went to see Ice Age 3 (3D!!) last week and I really enjoyed it! DS (3.7) sat through it well, although watched it without the 3D glasses!!

Broodilla not sure how the group 0+1 seats work. I do like the group 0 ones, and initially that will swamp your little one so are the 0+1 seats any bigger? Also, car seats expire after 5 years of manufacture so something else to consider. Our seat from DS expires next Feb - great.

Erika hang in there and hope you feel a little better every day. Be proud of the fact you've made it 26 weeks without meds, so Bryn's organs are all now fully developed and he only has another 13ish weeks to go, so the chances of side effects are greatly diminshed than if you'd been on meds from day 1. I was going to put a changing bag on freecycle - if you want it, then let me know and I'll get it to you if you let me know where you live. I might well have some spare baby clothes too as we've been given more from family and still have stuff from DS.

Laugs liking your 'early night'!!

Just bookmarking. Now I'm going to read the million posts! Be back soon

DD is much better today, we made a little camp yesterday in our bedroom and I promised to take her to Ikea to buy some things for her bedroom, we talked about what she might like (i of course will buy nothing there, and of course DD knows all about Ikea ) she wants a new picture, something to sit on and a rug. I am sure we can do that. I want a new sofa, a new bed...! She told the builders off big style this morning, she said to them in a grumpy voice with her hands on hips and sulky lip out 'you trashed my bredoom {as she pronounces it!) but all in all, she is now accepting that there is no room there.

No sleep, partly due to the fact that DD really does appear to talk in her sleep and I kept thinking she was waking up, partly due to DH locking a cat inside, not outside like I asked him, so I was badgered by the cat to be let out. DH came to bed late and by the time I finally got to sleep with all the comotion all night, it was time to get up!

She is asleep right next to me now though, I am in bed, she has wrapped her comforter right round her and sleeping with her bum in the air! Beautiful. I really like her next to me like this (won't say that at 3am when she randomly shouts out 'NO meggy poosecat, you can't. eat. my. food.' or something similar!)

Koumack rocket dogs are great! I reckon, with your dress, wear black shoes, bag, pashmena, and the big bold green necklace, I think, it will look fab. You don't want understated when pg, you want absolute glamour! Do you still need the risk assessment? I am back at work and have a copy now, am sorry its been so long, but just say so if you do.

Laugs glad you, and the others have found the thread ok! We are all such gas bags!
usi at the veins! you poor thing, not had that yet, but had serious constipation for the first time ever couple of days ago. I mean real proper like, felt like I was pooing a melon

broodzilla I bought a 0 carseat for DD to go with the travel system I had (m&p) and then bought a maxi cosi Priory 1-4 or whatever the next one is! It is pink, which is a bummer for the new baby who is a boy, he will use it I am considering buying a new 0 car seat for baby though as the other one is tatty, and I am not concerned about letting baby sleep in the carseat for an hour. And I found it easier to transfer from carseat on the floor/bed/sofa into moses basket than from carseat to arms (with bags etc) then into wherever after walking to the location. I am thinking that with a toddler, I would prefer to drag the carseat from car to home than baby, bags, toddler!

Broodzilla = we had a 0+1 car seat for DD & DS (though both started out in a Jane lie flat which they soon outgrew, but not heavy enough to go into foward facing). We had a concord which was great, still using it as a forward facing. Both seemed really comfy in it, even at new born on the few occassions we used it rather than lie flat. I didn't have a travel system that a car seat went onto (I also don't like idea of baby being left to sleep in car seat), so always got baby out of car seat and into the buggy or sling, but never found this a problem. Definately a more economical option than 2 seperate car seats, but depends if you want ease of being able to left carseat out of car with baby in - I never had this option, so never missed it. Also with DS I used a sling for first few months (so wouldn't hve used a carry car seat) as it meant I could keep DD in stroller for as long as poss.

I haven't had a MW appt since 16wks, next one is at 28, so won't get my paperwork for grant until then (or MATB1 for that matter).

Can't keep up, but for those looking at EARTH shoes look here - the sale is always really good and the only time I can afford to buy. They do look a bit odd, but honestly I am reluctant to wear anything else these days. I have strappy sandals and pitas at the mo.

at pavlov's upheavals. I thought I was bad rugdoctoring all my carpets this weekend and dithering over moving/extending/getting a new car. I think we're probably going to make do and suffer for a few years. Now thinking reading your posts that we should move DD's room and do it soon.

But we have less than 2 weeks of holiday left (sorry to those non-teachers), DH is stressed and busy at work and incapable of leaving brain space for family thinking/decisions and DD is pretty full-on these days. And I don't have the car, so I don't see much being done between now and term starting. And life pretty much takes over from there until matty leave. I'll join the brigade for organisation.

SB just seen your post - I hope you love them! They do take a few days to get used to, and be prepared for sore legs until your muscles re-adjust (all that cellulite-busting action, apparently!)

broodzilla I would recommend the stage 0 seats for safety reasons. We forked out for one as part of a travel system (tho rarely used it outside the car), and kept DD in it for as long as physically possible because current research recommends rear-facing until age 4 (oddly British manufacturers don't sell their stage 1 &2 rear facing seats in the UK). By the time her head was poking out of the top of the seat, we'd lost the 'must-buy-everything' PFB frenzy, and went for a Britax isofix stage 1 from the paper for 50 quid. The guy seemed very down to earth and trustworthy so it seemed to make sense to make use of a perfectly good seat rather than send it to landfill.

Ugh, car seats are SO confusing. Trusting my Mum's judgement on them as she seems to know what she's doing!

Went to see the furniture - unfortunately none of it was suitable Friends Aunt had changed her mind and said she wanted the chest of drawers after all, at the last minute. Back to scanning the Friday-Ad, I think...

Scarlotti thanks for you kinda words. I'll be cheeky and say yes please, if you're sure - one less thing on my list would be hugely appriciated. My email address is [email protected] if you'd like to message me on there about contact details. Thank you so much. x

Pavlov awww at your DD, bless her. Though I did giggle at the idea of her telling the builders off.

Katster I hope your DH enjoyed his meal I think after having me around for the best part of two weeks DP has forgotten how to cook

Wook I forgot to say earlier, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. A couple we know fell pregnant at the same time we did, and she lost the baby It was really difficult facing her as I've got bigger but thankfully she's been really great about it. Its such a difficult thing to help with when you know that even the sight of you will be hard for them to see I hope she's okay. x

Bryn is kicking around active as ever, so that's comforting me slightly, knowing he's okay... Working on the theory that if the medication was having a really bad affect on him he wouldn't be acting like normal.

Well it is 4.40am and I am Sleepless in Newcastle. DD woke up around 3, or was it 2, and I haven't been able to sleep since. I'm starving as well, so finally got up and just eaten two slices of toast and a yogurt.

By the way, who else was it who lived near Morpeth? (Sorry - I read that during my 30 page catch up and forgot your name). I think it is only the two of us up here, but we can be a gang of two!

erika Have you signed up for Freecycle? You really should! We have been lucky enough to receive quite a few bits of furniture that we couldn't have afforded to buy. People also give away loads of baby stuff. You do have to offer something first, but honestly, people offer all sorts, so that shouldn't put you off.

pavlov your DD sounds so cute. I love sleeping with DD too, though she tosses and turns like mad.

Your post has got me thinking what we should do about the children's room (feels so strange calling it that!). We won't actually have the baby in with DD until about next May, but I'm not sure whether to move it all around and put a cot in for daytime sleeps before the baby is born so that DD gets used to the idea. Any suggestions?

She has become very interested in baby stuff actually. She likes pretending to be a baby and crying so I have to cuddle her better; then we swap around and she has to comfort me. Today she was lying on the floor: "I'm just being a baby,ok?", then wrapped herself up in a blanket like a cocoon. Out she pops. "I've just been born!"

Oh, if only it were so easy...

Had to lol at the dd's that are doing funny/cute things! Laugs I wish it was that easy! DD is at the stage of asking too many questions about how things work with regard to making/having babies and isn't being fobbed off with a simple answer and moving on! Still not sure how to answer the 'how does the baby get out of your tummy' question as at 5 I think it would distress her rather a lot to actually tell her as she just wouldn't understand. Any advise anyone?

With regard to carseats - we had a stage 0 for dd as part of a travel system which we used until she was about 15 months old (dd has also been small for her age) and her head started popping out the top so we had to get a 0-1 that goes backwards as well as she didn't weigh enough to go in it forward facing. As much as it's not great for babies to sleep in a car seat for long periods, it was very useful for quick trips to the shops etc to be able to leave her in the stage 0 if not out for long.

Oh, and can't remember where I read it (could have been britax somewhere) but it said that the expiry of carseats is actually 6-10 years. The manufacuters tell you 6 as they want you to spend money more quickly I think. Still doing more research into it though.

hobnob I'll try and remember when the shoes arrive that they may take a little while to get used to! Hope they don't hurt my legs too much to start with as had enough of pain for now!!

Off back 'home' to Kent today to see my best friend from school and her kids. She has a daughter who is also 5 and she and dd get on really well so hopefully it will be a lovely day.

Southernbelle glad you feel better..hope today is good too..loved the bit about letting the world stop and getting off...great..I feel like that sometimes!!!
Saw Harry Potter yesterday..great fun..took a cushion to the cinema in case the seats were bad! just nice to get out...

DD has kidnapped the pc...speak later....

Southernbelle When ds was small we had a book called "Mummy Laid An Egg www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=mummy+laid+an+egg&tag=googhydr-21&index=stripbooks&hvadid=32631 36181&ref=pdsl3khve8im6f_e" by Babette Cole to teach ds about baby mechanics. Your DD might find it fun.