Due November 2009 - Remember, remember we're due in November, but not yet quite ready to pop!

[Fruitpastels]

Hope everyone can find us!

ooh Kyte, your DH wins gold star of the day! (sorry your hips are so bad though)

erika are you planning to use a moses basket first? If so, I wouldn't get the cot for a while as it will only take up space. Not sure if you really want to be convinced out of the posh one, but as far as I can tell all cots are much the same. As long as it is safe ie. bars the right distance apart; it can be lowered for when the baby is able to stand; you have a new mattress, that's what matters. Is it one that looks gorgeous in a catalogue? Does it look lovely because the photo is well lit and the cot has nice bedding? You can do that too! Also, any well-made cot will definitely outlast its requirements with its first family, so look on freecycle, ebay etc - the ones going strong enough to be passed on are clearly good enough for little Bryn! (there, did I convince you? )

beepbeep I always let DD into our bed too. I drive myself mad though! It just seems easier at the time, but then I can't sleep as she rolls about all over the place.

Sorry tabbykat I don't know the answer, but on the front page of my notes there is a phone number for Maternity Assessment Unit, which is who I always call with medical queries (you can only reach my midwife between 8.30 and 9.30am ). It sounds really sore. I hope someone can help you x

tabbycat I am so with you there on baby trying to get out. I was driving to DDs nursery this morning and he was punching me so hard I had to put my hands between my legs involuntarily and winced then quickly realised how awful that would look (luckily I drive a car which is high up so not easy to see into!). Baby is head down, so it is his little fists trying to punch his way out, and it really really does feel like it is right by the 'exit'. I remember this with DD too and think it is normal, baby is hitting the cervix which is why it feels so close down, as it is quite thick. Won't hurt to check it out but don't panic, or else I will panic too!

Pavlov, I hope this day will bring a good turn in your builder story!
scarlotti, that's the second week now that I'm at home and it's a little bit boring. Sadly my husband got quickly used to the fact that I'm not asking him anymore to do anything (as I think I really have enough time at the moment) but well, there are still moments when he spends 10min with cleaning,...
I'm not very good at being a housewife, so the flat is still rather messy and at least he doesn't expect me to change.
As for myself, I'm trying to do something special every day that keeps me busy. It's either meeting a friend (maybe for lunch), going for a walk or doing some special shopping.
Even if your family and friends seem to be busy with their own lifes, I think you should be proactive and call them yourself. I'm sure they will be happy to hear from you.

Well, I'm still househunting, that keeps me busy. I'm very bad at it, always forget to check out very important things (like how the heating works, if there are any risks of "flooding", insulation,...) I guess in London you always have to compromise, it's just impossible to find anything for a reasonable price. At least we don't have a deadline so it is a lot less stressful

Once again, I've missed the last page.
Tabbycat, maybe you could call your GP? But I think it could really be the baby trying to turn and not having enough room. I've heard many times now that being on all four is the best position to allow the baby to turn. Especially now that they have less space letting hang down the bump gives them more room and they can turn (or maybe just get into a more comfortable position?)

scarlotti - where are you based? Close enough to nip down to the south west for coffee? We have sunshine here!

I know what you mean about feeling insignificant and low - I have felt quite marginalised at work since I became sick this pg, as there is not much work I can do, and therefore, no-one feels I need to discuss any of the things relating to the work I used to do, changes, updates or whatever. I just go in, drift a bit, come home. So I am actually looking forward to being officially on leave next week. I have gate fever at the moment and really do not want to go in, where I will do nothing for a few hours. T'is torture.

But I am sure within a week I will feel low as I am at home . I definitely think hormones are playing a huge part of it.

Is anyone else finding it impossible to concentrate on work? My work is so few and far between these days that I've really got out of the habit. I feel like I've given up a bit already - and still 10 weeks to go. I have a BIG interview tomorrow, the kind of thing I would normally have leapt at the chance of, and yet I haven't even started researching it and am on the internet looking for baby stuff. I need to get my head down but... ooh, I just bought 2 grobags and a snowsuit on ebay... (where has my brain gone??)

tabbykat sorry just realised my saying ring the hospital might have been a bit worrying. I ring mine quite a lot, because they're the only midwives I can get hold of and because I'd rather nip my worries in the bud than start googling possible explanations!

Scarlotti I also feel odd not at work and as if I am a kind of non entity, as I think I've said before. Doesn't help that I left work feeling under a real cloud and much earlier than I wanted to! Have been doing nothing but ebaying for the last few weeks, and trying to clear and tidy. Have made flapjacks too. Must get on with some silversmithing, as class starts again tomorrow evening, but there is always other stuff to do- e.g. post office for ebay stuff, washing up, hoovering blah blah.

DS is at school 9-12 then still has a nursery place till Dec so is going there 1.45-5. Do you have dcs at home?

And it's cooler and grey here today and I can't get ANY of my boots on over my ankles.

BUT, there are some big advantages to staying at home... Dr Granger in Doctors, having the time and space to do a really nice Christmas this year instead of dashing around like a loon, being able to go to sleep sometimes in the day... Ursigurke your advice about ringing friends has really rung true with me, I usually feel a bit shy about doing this, but needs must! And a coffee and chat help the day go so much better. hmm, any more? I'm trying to remember all the things I used to curse myself for not having time for when I was at work!!

Is anyone else getting 'period pains'? I am getting waves of that horrible backache that I used to get with periods when I was a teenager.

All you non-working and bored ladies - grab your paint brushes and head on over - there will be no boredom in this house I shall not hear of it

why do i want to stay at work....really strange usually dying to go on any type of leave but finishing in 4 weeks and prospect of a screaming baby and tantruming toddler at home all week in dark bleak winter is freaking me out...know will be fine in reality and loved maternity leave last time but not sure why feeling like this..think reality of pregnancy has just hit me...only taken 32 weeks but think have been in denial...anyone else feel like this??

Thanks girls

i called the midwife and with one week left at work and i was basically told that i needed to finish work now or i can bring on labour so ive had to finish earlier than planned lol

erika ive got tons of those grobags kev went mad a got a bulk load of them lol

xxx

wook our situations are so similar, I too had to leave work much earlier than planned due to budget cuts and it was so last minute that I only had a days notice.
DS is still at nursery full time until the beginning of October and I only keep him home on Fridays at the moment as it's all paid for. From October he'll do 2.5 days so we get to keep the place and I get a break when the baby is here.
I am appreciative of the time to rest up a little and get things sorted, but I have never been living at such a laid back pace!

pav I only wish I did live near you, I'd be there with my paintbrush and also be taking out my yearnings to sort things out on your builder!! I am in the South East so quite a way away.

usi I think I will have to pick up the phone a little. Sadly all my family live miles away but I have been thinking this morning maybe I could go and visit my Mum for a few days. She's about 5 hours away so I'd have to do it sooner than later but it would be a nice break from the norm.

tabby baby won't break your waters by kicking but do call your midwife if you are concerned, they will happily put your mind at rest. I'd echo the others and suggest you start to try and contort yourself into various positions to get him/her moving. Get gravity to help you - are you able to manouvere into a bum in the air, arms on the floor position? Try to think in terms of tipping baby out of your pelvis towards your ribs, then stay on all fours as much as you can to turn baby around.

I've started to have the odd stabbing pains too, am presuming it's stretching pains as apparently baby puts on about 0.5lb a week from now on.

Oh, and for those near a Primark - they have leggings for £3 at the moment. Not maternity ones but I bought some 2 sizes bigger and they're great, will stretch for the last few weeks and then also stretch back down when my bump is a baby and (hopefully!) my tummy starts to recede!!

Thanks for all listening to my woes, it really does help to know I'm not the only one feeling this way as my natural reaction is to look for what in my life is causing the issue - and I never think of hormones/my mental position

We need the stair gates because of the dog - he's worked out how to open the doors He can open doors, but can't remember the word "off" when he's decided to lay on my bed when I waddle to the loo in the middle of the night...

Laugs Thanks for that! I've seen it set up (Its one of the mothercare ones) and its so sturdy - which is why I need to get ones. My balance is so poor even when I'm not pregnant, I'm really worried if I just have in the Moses Basket that I'll wobble or trip and hurt him. I'll probably get the cheapest one from Argos, as that's what I can afford, but am pining over this one hehe!!!

Scarlotti sorry to hear you?re feeling so bad If you ever want some company for coffee, cake and a rant, just yell. Hope you feel better soon. X

Tabby if you can?t get hold of your midwife and you?re concerned, call the hospital. They should have a duty midwife on call that you can talk to about it. Bryn keeps kicking me really low as well, and I mentioned it to my midwife, and she didn?t seem concerned. Hope you can get some reassurance.

Wook Dr Granger ? yum I keep having period like pains too. Ouch.

Pavlov I?d be over there in a dash if I could!! Though I?m only short, could only do the skirting boards

What a miserable day it is down here!! I really fancied going into town ? I try to make myself go out at least once a week so I don?t get frightened of people again ? but if the rain is this bad, the pavement will be too slippy for me. I do prefer the rain though? Maybe if it eases off slightly I shall indulge

honestly, ebay is your friend! I just looked up the cotbed we got for DD: £130 to the average shopper, £20 to us, care of ebay. And I just found out it lasts until age 6 too - woo hoo!

didn't mean to press post then. Meant to say: scarlotti I sympathise entirely. I'm not really the domestic type, and yet find myself spending about 90% of my time at home (the other 10% at the supermarket or playgroups!). I find I really have to get going in the morning, even if I'm not going anywhere, otherwise I just vegetate and feel terrible. Have a shower first thing. DO NOT turn on the tv or it stays on all day (I like the radio though). Get out of the house as much as possible. When you see all those busy people rushing around on their lunch break, try to remember they probably wish they were in your situation as much as vice versa.
I also like giving myself little challenges to do when I have no work on (because I generally hate day-to-day housework, but am still enough of a child that I like to rise to a challenge!) eg. start making batches of meals for the freezer for the few weeks after the baby is born; sort out ALL of something (sort all DS' toys so you have a box of new baby toys and DS' toys are all complete so look new too; find all the pieces to jigsaws etc). God, I am a bit of a loser really .

hey all, hoping everyone slept better last night. (I did not.) was just wondering if any of you lived in/near dorset?

Laugs good ideas, my first week off was fine as I got on with things. Since then I've started to veg on sofa with mn and/or a book after getting dressed and I can waste half a day without thinking about it ... oh, and buy far too much on eBay!
I like the idea of challenges, or at least jobs to do. One of the plus points of me being off was going to be the chance to get the house sorted.
I think I will make a list of things that need to be done and start attacking them on a daily basis.
If you're a loser, then so am I as your toys idea sounds like a goodun to me!!

erika might well take you up on the coffee and cake - waiting to hear about any potential work over the next day or so but hopefully will know what's going on then so will give you a shout.

Laugs total bargin, go you!! I might have to wander on over...

Trikken sorry to hear you slept badly. Am in the South East, sorry!

Scarlotti sorry x-posted. Sure Obviously I hope the work comes through for you, but I have no life so just let me know!

Weston, I hear you on this - "prospect of a screaming baby and tantruming toddler at home all week in dark bleak winter is freaking me out..." Amen, amen, amen. It's not so bad when you can just load them into the pram and get them outside, but when it's dark by four o'clock...

Scarlotti, I have no clever answers as I really struggle with the SAHM thing myself - no adult conversation, no real respect for what you do from anyone, and you almost never get to feel as if you've finished a project to completion. The kids and the housework are always works in progress, and nothing ever gets DONE. I also feel as if I have to put most of my personality into a box and lock it away in order to get through it (as being very competitive and perfectionist is often great in the workplace, but does NOT make you a great mother).

trikken depends which part of Dorset - I am in South Devon. Fancy meeting up? We could meet half way for an afternoon if you are not too far east (or maybe that is me too far west?) .

erica sorry to hear about the rain , (i won't tell you we have glorious sunshine here then . Almost a shame DD is at nursery or else a trip to the beach might have been nice (note I say ^almost). In fact, maybe I shall suggest to DH that we go for a romantic stroll along the beach just the two of us, for a change. Or else, we will decorate and put up light fittings very romantic!

Tamlin hear, hear. Today my accomplishments will be making a beef stew for dinner and going to Tesco .. just doesn't give me the same feelings of achievement as sorting out issues at work, or the same ability to have a decent conversation.

Ahem. And what do you think MN is? If not adult conversation? You can't do that at work now can you ? .

I have to get myself up, dressed and planning something for the day, otherwise I find it is 4pm, I have not dressed, DD has not dressed, she has had peanut butter sarnies for lunch, house is a tip and I have not even considered what to get from the shops for tea! If I make myself get dressed and DD dressed, then we can go shopping for the week/do something constructive, manage to hoover or one peice of housework, and maybe even cook. Then I feel like I have acheived something. Its such an effort though, when there is no-one to kick you up the backside.

One piece of advice for newbie mummies (and other mummies but they might already know) - in order to feel you have had a successful day. Do not try to do lots as you will feel like you are standing still. If you manage to do ONE thing, your day has been successful with a newborn/baby/todder. So, for example, if you hoover, but nothing else gets done - that is a successful day.

Hello all, gosh you talk, talk, talk.

Laugs best of luck with the interview.

Scarlotti you are important for being you. No one else does it quite as well

I am a bit of a wreck this week. Tomorrow morning I have to go to court over ds and represent myself. I tried to keep the exact date from ds but his Dad phoned and told him - nice work! so now I can worry about him worrying as well as worrying about the whole process.

DP went to the courts today and basically begged them to concider letting him in to support me and as he has ds's best interests at heart. He said it almost took him breaking down in tears for anyone there to take him seriously but they went and spoke to a judge who has agreed that he can be part of the case but this could (will) be objected to by ex so now have to serve his solicitors in the waiting room with dp's papers to be involved and watch the fireworks go off.

On a plus note I have phoned midwife for MATB1 which will be ready in the morning and have downloaded MA forms so something is kicking in - at last.

Have a train 7.30am on Thursday to Shefield for filming, stay overnight then filming in York on Friday and train home Friday night then a whole weekend. Woo Hoo! But then another busy couple of weeks. I just don't know when I'm going to get a chance to wind things down? And I don't seem to have any money to my name - how does that figure? Grrr

Tabbycat very hippyish but you could try putting a relaxation cd on, imagining yourself bathed in the red glow your baby sees in the womb then having a little chat with him/her and asking baby to move round if they are able? (I feel a bit like a freak for writing that - I promise you I'm not really ) Oh and as for waters breaking I think the hormone we release in labour is called relaxin and that thins the sack and causes the waters to break so baby should not do any harm with the kicking, just uncomfortable.

Hello all,

Been to see my councilor this morning, I really didn't want to go and spent most of the session trying to convince her that she could discharge me, she didn't go for it though She however say that she could see a huge difference in me and said I don't have to see her for 4 weeks!!

Erika Send some of that rain my way would you please?? Made rain catchers with the ds's at the weekend and they are gutted that we've not caught anything yet!
On the cot front I second what the others have said, check out 2nd hand on ebay etc, ours is on long term loan from my mums friend, this will be its 5th baby and it is still like new!

pav sorry to hear about your builder troubles, takes me back to building site we brought ds1 home to!

tabbycat sounds painful, maybe a phone call to your midwife will put your mind at ease?