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

[Fruitpastels]

Hope everyone can find us!

Mumsie poor you - I hope you are feeling ok now.

Pavlov I think everyone is giving good advice for your friend. Routines do work for many babies. DS1 was a nightmare with colic and lack of sleep and the first month with him was pretty challenging to say the least, and a routine was exactly what he needed (I used The Baby Whisperer as guidence and it worked brilliantly with him) - he still does love his routines. DS2 was a much easier baby and when I tried to put him into a routine he just wasn't interested. But he didn't need it so much anyway. Now he's Mr Chilled and no doubt will be the one partying all night when he's older while DS1 will be tucked up in his little bed with his book by 10pm!!!

I'm eating grapes. Yum.

Thanks for advice for my friend all. I mentioned food to her and she said her sister also mentioned onions garlic and spice. She said she has only had 2 curries since last week and nothing spicey, but I wonder whether she even considers half the food she eats as being highly flavoured she puts chillies in her side salads when she makes us curry and does not tell us as she does not think of it ffs!

She said baby is more anxious and stressed of an evening, in discomfort, pulling legs up. She thinks she has found something to help the night, which is to not change her nappy, as this was waking her and sort of reminding her she had wind. She just fed her last night in the night and she went back to sleep ok.

I have just had a spoonful of some absolutely fantastic damson crumble that my friend has made for me. it is glorious, but it has set off the indigestion, god it burned . I have had milk (thanks for that reminder tamlin) and it has eased it nicely, and without that horrid gloop of gaviscon.

DD has gone to sleep, finally at 8:45am. Poor thing. She does not really have a proper routine with her things around her anymore. But soon. Its almost time!

I might go and buy a moses basket to cheer myself up a bit

I've tried my best to catch up but I just CAN'T . Far too much galavanting and not enough MNetting.

I'm still marvelling at how different this pg is to my 1st. Has anyone got a linea nigra? I had one with #1 and realised today I don't have one now, but can't remember when it appeared last time. Yet another weird difference. I keep waiting for the bubble to burst (tho the SPD is really threatening just now).

Update at hobnob towers: DH wrote a big list of jobs after the emotional fallout of reading my posts on here. He's making good progress. I went away for the weekend with DD and he emptied and painted her new room, we put the bed up last night and she is currently fast asleep in her new "purple" (pink) bedroom. The rest of the house is a bomb site with junk that has no home now, but we'll deal with it at some point... Extension still hasn't been signed for but he's promised to do that before the end of the week. Decking got oiled tonight and there was some talk of repainting the shower room ceiling (1st mooted 2.5 years ago) soon. I'm afraid to breathe in case it all stops...

Can't recommend freecycle enough for de-cluttering. Except that folk aren't always great at turning up when they say they will.

Is anyone finding that the position of LO can have a huge effect on your feeling of wellbeing? Having had 2 weekends of long car journeys, the days after I find I'm really struggling. LO can't seem to get into a comfy position - either lying quite still in a position which makes my stomach muscles feel like they are tearing or its kung foo fighting, all the while I am feeling like I have been physically hit by a bus and my head is filled with concrete. Then a day or so later I'm fine again. And sometimes I think the baby must be pressing on an important vein because my head feels like it's filling up with blood and I'm about to pop as I hear my pulse getting louder and louder... then a wriggle from the tum later I'm back to normal. Makes you want to get a big pokey stick and tell LO to sit still!

ninja so sorry to hear about your muscles. It's called diastasis rectus I think. I definitely have it - it never really healed again after DD but I wholly recommend pilates after birth to deal with it. Otherwise you end up looking 5 months pg the whole time...

I'm still to busy sorting out this house and working to come to terms with the fact I'm having a baby soon

Love to you all.

Goodness, ninja, that sounds horrid, poor you. I hope you heal quickly - I'd leave the dishes.

tigger that's strange. My MW didn't mention anything being wrong with my iron at 10.6, just said keep up the tablets. I hope this is OK and that I won't be prevented from giving birth in the unit. Haven't even considered looking at the hospital.

pavlov my yoga yeacher mentioned apples as being a good treatment for indigestion. I haven't tried it out yet, as mercifully it's not been too bad since last Friday. I take gaviscon tablets, you can chew them. Can't stand milk I'm afraid, would cocoa do the same?

All those tips for a colicy baby sound great, I'll have top commit them to memory. I hope not to have to use them though.

pavlov we struggled terribly with DD's 'colic' only to find out that months later she had an allergy to cow's milk (via breast milk) and months after that again that she was also sensitive to gluten in BM. They gave her terrible wind, nasty poo and silent acid reflux which I think we can all sympathise with. Ask your friend to watch out for any arching of the back during feeding/burping. DD used to pull her legs up and then arch like a ski jumper, and really struggle to pass wind. If that's the case, go and be insistent that she sees a doctor and that the doctor tries an antacid. Cow's milk is a common trigger, so cutting it out (a real thought, but worth it) is worth a try too.

I wondered about something: when will my belly button pop? I'm coming up to 29 weeks now, it certainly is getting more and more shallow. But then I expected to look properly pregnant much sooner as well. Just impatient, I guess.

Ninja sorry to hear about your muscles, that must be terribly sore.

I find apples make any heartburn much worse as they're acidic. Youghurts are good, as is milk (skimmed if I'm drinking heaps!) and also coffees or chocolate made with milk. Been my staple diet for the last couple of months!

hobnob great news on your dh, long may it continue

pavlov I know of some parents who've had colicy babies who just won't settle, and a session of cranial osteopathy has really helped. Might be worth a try?

I will talk to her about the milk, she said her baby has been arching her back, usually about 15 mins after taking milk from the breast. And the cranial massage, have heard of that before actually.

Some great advice here for us too!

I just heard a thud and went into the bedroom. DD had fallen out of her bed and was getting herself back into bed, climbing very carefully. No crying. I went over and asked if she was ok and put her blanket back over her 'yes mama i fine mama, i just fell out of my tree, and hurted myself, i ok now' with eyes closed and snuggled under blanket. I don't think she really woke up . I stroked her cheek and she sighed and it was lovely. And it reminded me of why I am doing it all over again she is the best.

Mumsie sorry to hear about your fainting Hope you?re feeling better now.

Ninja that sounds horrible! You poor thing, no wonder its been hurting you so much? I hope the treatment they give you will help. I always found physio painful but very beneficial when I had it on my back. Ouch

Hobnob glad to hear your DH is helping out

Skorpion I?ve been wondering too? I still have my belly bar in, have only just changed it to a maternity one, more because I thought I should than needed to!

Pavlov awww at your DD, that?s so cute.

Can I have a mini-moan?? Some arse man on the bus tonight booted me in the leg as he was getting up - OW!!! - and then turned round as if he was going to apologise, looked at my belly, then at my face, then at my belly again, tutted, and turned away How damn rude was that?? UGH.

Bryn has been up under my ribs today. Ouchie. And seem to have an incredable amount of pressure on my pelvis. When I've described it before MW said its him pushing on my cervix. So he must be stretched out of he's reaching both!!! Though I'm pretty small, so...

Hope you're all well.

Morning ladies

Hope everyone is well this morning.

Erika at the man on the bus, some people are just so rude.

pavlov how lovely with your DD. My DS comes into our room in the morning and climbs up under the covers, then either strokes my face or lies next to me and puts his arm around my neck. Absolutely lovely

Bit of a rough night this end again, obviously overdid it a bit yesterday with the house sorting so lots of twinges going on in my pelvis today. Seem to be waking around 4am too because I'm hungry!!

Might head into Primark today and see if I can find some cheapy trackie bottoms or something for the last few weeks/first week or two with baby. Lots of my t-shirts are now too short and so leave a bit of bump exposed - and it's getting cold!
Might look at feeding tops too - anyone else bothered with them before? I've heard bump bands are good for feeding too as they keep your belly covered and warm - anyone done that?

Thank you to everyone who has enquired as to how I am - I'm feeling much better.

Has anyone had a re-surfacing of MS? I'm retching all over the place, it's crazy. Joy's of the 3rd trimester.

Scarlotti I'm due a visit to Primark too. I look a right state at home - T-shirts are all too short and I'm wearing the grubbiest ketchup stained tracky bottoms ever which alas are far too tight. What with the protruding bump - I have to check who's at the door now before opening it so I can make a dash and get changed if it's anyone who isn't used to seeing me in such a state! So some new tracksuit bottoms and comfy tops are in order me thinks. I also want a button up night dress for hospital bag as looked at the ones in M&S and they are the most depressing sight ever - dreary old things. If anyone knows where I can get a nice (read 'cheap') button up night dress please let me know.

I never bothered with feeding tops as I found I didn't really feel that exposed in normal loose-ish tops. The baby's head covers all the interesting bits anyway! Shirts and blouses are bad though as they put your other boob on show!

Ninja that muscle thing sounds incredibly painful At least it's good to know what's going on though. I don't think it's lazy to be getting some rest, it sounds like you need it!

tigger I got a letter yesterday saying my iron levels are low too. I need to go and pick up my prescription for iron tablets, but I'm a bit worried as I've had really bad constipation and am already taking Fybogel daily. I spoke to the GP about it, but he said taking the iron's more important, so I have to live with it really. I've also been really craving green veg recently, so I wonder if that's why. I hope this is why I've been so tired too!

broodzilla was it you who suggested getting up and down on the toilet? I read yesterday that pregnant women should rock back and forth on the toilet to empty the bladder. In the middle of the night last night, I was sitting there, eyes closed (so as not to wake up), bathroom light off, rocking backwards and forwards on the toilet seat! I burst out laughing thinking, 'if anyone could see me now...', which of course added to the mad woman effect

pavlov is your friend's baby about 3-4 weeks old? DD didn't have colic, but I think I'd just remind her that with all the sleeping in the day/ waking at night stuff, that is normal. It's still really early days and, exhausting though it is, I think it's reassuring to know that that is how babies behave at this age! Is she sleeping when the baby does, even if it's daytime? I think when it is so small, the baby should be taking the lead. She will look back in another 4 weeks and see how far she has come.

mumsiebumsie glad you're feeling better, that must have been really scary! Primark is my suggestion for all things cheap and cheerful. Ours has a huge nightwear department too. It's weird having to buy a nightie. I had to get one last time as I literally didn't own a nightie. I ended up with one from H&M, which I found out later (from photos ) was way too revealing!

Laugs oh dear that sounds hilarious! Please post pics on your profile! Just kidding .

Good morning! Yep, Primark for me too tomorrow. I've magically run out of space in my gym bottoms and most of my maternity clothes are summery. Also, I will keep an eye out for those bras mentioned on here earlier. I only have three tesco sports bras so am very ready for something new.

Very exciting day today - I'm picking up my new car! My old saab's gear box only gives me gears 1, 3 and 5 and we were quoted £600 just for the new gear box , I don't think the whole car is worth that much! So, what with the scrappage scheme and all, I'm getting a dinky hyundai. It really is dinky, but I need a reliable means of travel, especially as I'll be ferrying a baby around. Picking it up at six, can't wait.

I hope your day is going nicely wherever you are. Sun is shining like mad in Oxford, shame to be stuck in the office. xx

hobnob, in my case the position definitly makes definitely a big difference for myself. Yesterday for example, every time I stood up and started to walk, I felt like I had to pee immediately, it almost felt like an infection as it was really painful. When I was sitting or lying, everything was fine. And today it seems to be "normal" again. And I also get heartburn only on certain days.
Laugs, I don't remember who started about the moving on the toilet thing but for me it really works. Actually the best position for me at the moment is leaning forwards and rather on the right side. I have to lift my left hip a little bit. And there is always something left in my bladder! So I guess, you have to find your individual position.

skorpion such a coincidence - we're picking up our new car today as well! It's a Vauxhall Vectra so firmly in the "family" car arena . Feel like such an old fuddy duddy as last car was a 2 seater sports car.

And now we have to consider things such as boot space and safety features and whether the baby seat can fit - things that would never have crossed my mind 6.5 months ago! But of course it's totally worth it.

Enjoy your new car!

Scarlotti Primark pretty much only have the three quarter length ones in at the moment. Peacocks and Sport and Soccer however, have a lot of tracksuit bottoms, very cheap, too I've got to do another raid at some point, these are getting a little tight

Mumsie for nightdresses, Peacocks (I could so be a sales person for them right now, but its true!!) and George. Glad you're feeling better, too.

Skorpion enjoy picking up your car!!

Hmm... You remember that thing with the photo company? I still haven't heard back from them. My last letter to them is dated 17th August. I hate it, as every day now when the post arrives my stomach turns, worried there will be a letter, but at the same time when there isn't, I worry as to what they're doing having not replied!!! UGH.

DP went back to doctor today, saw a nicer doctor, who has doubled his dose of both meds, so hopefully they should kick in soon

Have been having a bit of a freak out over the past 24 hours - nine and a half weeks left, and that doesn't really feel like very long..!!!

Thanks mumsie - you too!

Sorry for not reading everyone elses posts yet, but need to moan!

I've been sat on the floor for hours sorting out the bottom of the wardrobe! I am in agony I am just so silly and knew it wasn't a good idea, but wanted to get it done and knew it wouldn't if I didn't do it! Still, at least things are getting done!

Ah southern I can completely sympathise. I spent a lot of yesterday emptying an old cupboard and boxes and I did suffer for it in the evening Hope you feel a little better later on. I found that moving about a bit helped actually, gently though, as it stopped me stiffening up.

Today so far I've spent sorting out paperwork as I can sit on my backside doing that on the lounge table!
It's so strange not being at work (apologies to those of you still struggling in) as I've never really had any length of time off without a newborn. Am enjoying pottering around getting things sorted without the rush ... does my DH realise the implications of all this time off I wonder?!

I know what you mean scarlotti, I've not had a long stretch of time off since college! I am really looking forward to my six weeks off before D-Day. Not feeling constantly that there aren't enough hours in the day, taking things nice, slow and gentle. Before the bomb goes off

southern ouch! Do you have a ball you could sit on instead? It sort of keeps you mobile then, with gentle bouncing. It may of course not be doable if you have sorting out to do. I find that I'm starting to need a crane to get up off the sofa sometimes, let alone the floor...

Southern owwww!! Hope you feel better soon.

southern hope you feel better. So frustrating not being able to get things you want done.

I've got a moan too! Went to diabetes clinic today. Doctor had written a prescription for some medication without even seeing me even though my blood sugar had only slightly gone over the limit a couple of times. It was my first week of testing so I was bound to get my meals wrong occassionally. I'd written notes next to the times it had gone over so I knew which foods to avoid. I'd really rather avoid taking unnecessary medication.

I rang my doc to get more test strips but the receptionist told me I had enough ( I haven't) so that's another appointment to add to my list.

On a plus note I'm 32 weeks today. 80% of the way there and only 8 weeks to go or less if my mother's predictions are correct.

Just got back from docs - my iron leves are low too and i've been prescribed iron tablets - has anyone come up with any ideas for relieving the inevitable constipation??!! I have it already, without the additional iron tablets!!

Thinking about bringing my mat leave forward, am due to finish 3 weeks b4 my DDate and am thinking i would quite like a bit of time to myself, so think but bringing it forward by 2 wks. That would means only 9 days to work - tho they are spread out over next 5 weeks!

V jealous of people picking up new cars - ours was meant to be ready for collection at the beginning of the month and still not heard anything. was looking forward to having it for trip to centre parcs in 10 days, but does't look like that's going to happen!