Due in Nov 05 - Part IIII!

[rodeo1]

Here we go -

Hpoefully in this one we'll all get to feel those kicks and turns if we haven't already, some of us will go for our 20 week scans, and we might get to look preg instead of looking like we've eaten too many cream cakes!

No more scares in this one though please!

x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x

ps, yes this heat is a nightmare, thats partly why i was up so early, i managed to get a fan in woolworths that clips onto something-ie a table, reduced from £6.99 to £3.99 and it clips perfectly onto the handle of the pram so have been walking around all day with that to help keep me sane in the heat, being stopped by everyone going-ohhh, thats a gd idea! lol
we had ds's paddling pool out too this afternoon , I was nearly in there myself!

OMG!! we've got a water shortage, theres no water in the taps and the toilet wont flush! the water company have delivered a massive tub thing outside by the road, full of drinking water for people!!?! and about 2 hrs ago some silly tw*t was washing their car-theres always one isnt there!

This is great, its like having a conversation with my self......

How are you liz?

hmm, not too bad...yourself?......

Quick hello from South Africa. Over here visiting my parents. Weather has been great. Had a scan to introduce baby to my mom and they gave me a video of the scan, fantastic.

Haven't managed to catch up on all the messages yet. Only have access to a computer at the weekends. Sounds like everyone is doing well. Congrats to the new ladies.

Keep well.
CADS
19+1

Hi girls, hope you're all well. I'm getting a little bump now, everyone keeps saying I'm 'neat' though !!? Back to work tomorrow after a lovely week off boo hoo !! Don't know about anyone else but I'm on countdown to leaving for a while at least !! Does anyone know about a £500 maternity grant my uncle told me everyne gets it but I think it's not, anyone shed any light please ?
Take care x
sharon
18+2

sharon, that £500 hes on about is I think the sure start maternity grant, which you get if your on benefits, ie income support. I dont think you get it if your on tax credits, or if you do, I havent been told about it!

Hi ladies,

Beautiful weather isn't it! Spent a lazy day in the garden with the paddling pool and lashings of suncream, have even had a couple of shandy's! Naughty mum!

Cads - Was wondering where you'd vanished to! Only the other side of the world!! Hope you're having a lovely time, come back soon!!

Hamster - well done on getting a deposit on you're pushchair - just googled it - it looks brill! What colour are you getting, the one's I saw were red or blue? I'm going to do a bit of research now - you've got me in pushchair/pram mood!

Busy - Are you down south? Watched some weather report and they said the reservoirs there were really down this year and they were worried supplies for over the summer. But well done on your bargains though!

Sharon - Good to hear from you, it won't be long til your maternity leave - I'm sure it'll fly by. Have you decided when your going to start it?

SarahSaus - nice to see you're still with us!! So are you going for a VBAC this time then? Good luck if you are

Glad to hear everyone getting cute bumps! I'm loving showing mine off!!

Hope everyone else is well,

Speak to you all tomorrow

20+4 x x x

morning all. well its blue sky and sunny here again (whats going??)
Has anyone decided when they are going to take there maternity leave from?? i was thinking of about 32 weeks or am i been unrealistic???
any ideas please
twinkle
17+4

Morning all, sounds like everyone had a good weekend. Too hot for me though! Had an impromptu bbq with my brother, s-i-l & my nephews yesterday and had friends round saturday night.

Ben made his daddy a card at pre-school on Friday and we brought him a computer game (as much for Ben as for Daddy) and two dvd's for Fathers Day and the cheeky monkey said when we've got two kids do I get twice as many pressies!!!

Had a bit of a nightmare morning so far as ds woke up with a huge nose bleed, great way to start the day but he was a real hero and didn't panic too much. Luckily there was a thunderstorm to distract him for a while.

Cads you lucky beggar, how wonderful are you originally from South Africa or have your parents moved out there recently. Scan sounds excellent and how lovely to have a video.

Busy loved the talking to yourself bit, we were all here really just thought we'd let you get on with it!!! Great shopping by the way.

Twinkle I finished work at 36 weeks and was kept in hospital the day before I was due to leave so got out of my leaving presentation - bonus! Worked as late as possible to give me longer at home after Ben was born and a friend of mine worked till 38 weeks so it really depends on how you're feeling and what you do for a living.

Right better go as ds is in the bath singing Knick Knack Paddywhack! Have got to get him dressed so that we can go and buy a little treat for being so brave before he goes to pre-school this afternoon.
Speak to you all later Beks 19+1

Morning all! Great weather but I think id enjoy it more if I wasnt stuck in an office all day. Twinkle- I had been planning on working for as long as I could but the way im feeling at the mo I wish I was finished already and im only 19 weeks. Beksmum is right I think it depends on how you feel yourself. Sorry cant be of more help

Hi all
Would be interesting to find out more on that £500 grant - a friend did mention that to me but can't remember if it was relevant to my situation or not. Mawbroon shed lots of light on this subject a while back (entitlements etc) perhaps we could give her a call over on the October thread.

Had a look at maternity wear yesterday - didn't find anything that i particulary liked, but my DF bought me some nice tops and skirts from mothercare so they are fine for just now. Have bought a few linen skirts (elasticated waist) as i'm a big linen fan and they seem to do nicely too. What's everyone else living in these days?

Twinkle - I will be finishing work at 21-22weeks. I'm a teacher and am not going to re-new my contract so last day at work is 3rd week July. To be perfectly honest - CANNOT WAIT! I love my job but am looking forward to lots of valuable 'ME' time before the baby arrives. Have heaps to do in the house & also want to get away for a week or two with DH without stress of work or being too big to enjoy it. I'm really excited about being home - i've been working forever. (Pls feel free to remind me of this when and if i complain that i'm fed-up!)

Everyone seems to be enjoying the hot weather, I could not sleep last night, between asthma, hayfever and feeling like i was in an exotic location - didn't get much kip! Now must decide if i really want to go and buy those new shoes i saw yesterday ..

Oh hello. I am lurking today.

Re the grant. I have a really useful leaflet from the Social Security office Leaflet BC1 Oct 2004 called Babies and Children. I guess it might be online and I'm sure that the benefits etc are not devolved to the Scottish Parliment, so you guys down south should be on the same system.

Anyway....It says under "Sure Start Grant" that you are eligible if you or your partner are getting income support, income based Jobseekers Allowance, Pension credit (maybe Rod Stewart might qualify!!), working tax credit where a disabiltiy or severe disability element is included in the award, child tax credit at a higher rate then the family element.

You can claim from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due, until 3 months after the baby is born.

I really would recommend that you get this leaflet as it covers all sorts of stuff like this and you guys are rapidly approaching the time where you have to start applying for this stuff (around 26 weeks)

My goodness. I sound so sensible!! but you know I'm right

Hope that is of some help to you!
MB

Hi All...hope you had a good weekend (and did not overheat !)

Welcome firstbabyandnervous! My first baby too...due 11th Nov.

had a hectic weekend as went to an engagement party for my bro-in-law which started early and did not finish until VERY late last night....I am dead on my feet today! We also bought a sensible car on the weekend and said goodbye to our two seater convertible .....

I have had a terrible time sleeping this weekend...partially because its hot and also because of the fact that I am itching all over at the moment. Have broken out in ezcema in localised spots which is painful and I dont want to use steroid cream so I am stuck . Plus I have a got a nasty red rash on my belly....feel very unsightly at the moment .

Afternoon all,

Phew, too hot again! My back is still red raw from Saturday. Poor DS isn't getting on with the weather, it's his first summer and I bet he can't wait for it to be over!

Didn't go to work this morning, had been feeling incredibly sick all night and this morning, blaming it on the weather. I thought it was supposed to to rain/thunder today?

Rodeo-I'm getting the red and black one-it's so funky I can't wait to get it! Never thought I'd see myself with a 3 wheeler.
What do have your eye on? I definitely do not recommend Mamas and Papas freestylers, we had one at first, and as soon as ds was big enough we sold it and got a stroller. Did not get on with it at all. Too big etc. Still I'm sure there's tons of people out there who's opinions differ.

Twinkle- I'm going on maternity leave at 29 weeks(as early as possible) Last time I went at 36 weeks, but my hours were a lot different and I had no ds to look after. Now I do early mornings and cycle, so esp with the weather to consider and ds, I think the earlier the better this time! I think you should go whenever you want-you need to make the most of your time and your time with your family as it is now, before baby gets here!

Well, off to do some gardening I think-with LOTS OF SUNCREAM ON!
Have a great day all
x

Hello everyone!
In work, but enjoying looking at sun out of the window. Got very hot and bothered at a christening yesterday, not helped by wearing of gorgeous gold wedges!Back in my Birkenstocks today! Bains - know what you mean about rashes. My ezcema has been really bad - on chest and bump (lovely), and also heat rash on back of neck. Any recommendations girls for safe anti-itching lotions?
Twinkle: re maternity leave, I finshed at 38 weeks with dd1, but did feel a bit resentful that I'd missed out on relaxing/planning of the last few weeks, particularly as had her 5 days early. With dd2 was signed off work with high blood pressure at 30 weeks. I felt fine, so was able to enjoy the time off, though ended up lolling about on sofa rather than do all the things I's planned (aqua-natal, gym, sort out cupboards, fill freezer). I suppose I'm naturally lazy, so never feel I make enough of any time oiff (looking back). With this one, wouldn't mind being signed off (naughty I know!, but if not will probably finish 36-37 weeks. It shouldn't be a factor, but money concerns will have to guide when I return back to work, so really want to maximise time at home after birth.
BTW, anyone read about that new reality show on ITV with pregnant first time mums and partners in house? It's on this summer, and follows them up to birth and beyond (so you see the birht, and then they come back to 'Bid Mother' house and cope with first few weeks (with everyone watching!). Sounds horrendous, but I'm going to have to watch!
Any A'level teachers out there? While I'm HE, I mark some of tge A'level scripts. Don't suppose anyone else is a marker for AQA? (I'm open to bribes...).
Hoping for another thunderstorm...
DiegeXX
19 weeks and 1 day.

sorry for awful spelling!! It's my new acrylics . And I'm supposed to be a teacher!

Hi! Im suffering with the same sort of rash its terrible annoying.Im using a spray called Eucerin.Its great for cooling down the itch and safe to use when pregnant.

Thanks firstbaby! Will pop into Boots later and see if they have it. Can't stop scratching!!Arrghh!!!!!!

Hello - yes it's another newby to the thread

This is me:
Age: 29
DH: 39
Location: West London
EDD: 5th Nov (my 30th)
Job: Lady of leisure

I have not enjoyed the first 4 months of my pregnanacy, was very very sick and had to give up my two jobs. Had my 20wk scan last friday and feel like i've turned a corner. Sickness is still with me but not as bad, I still can't deal with food, although this means that so far i haven't gained any weight. I have a neat bump, and people seem to delight in telling me how pregnant i look. Having baby privately at the Portland with their Midwife led team, so get spoiled with scans and care. Had a bleed scare at 18 weeks but all ok. Not finding out the sex, even though it's very tempting. I've been hit with constant nasal congestion, back pain, and a very hairy belly.

Well, thats me in a nutshell, i've read this entire thread so feel like i know you all already.

For skin problems, get 'Fresh Farmacy' from lush. It's designed as a face cleanser for problem skin but 'cures' eczema (sp?)

xx

Welcome novadandypowder! ikwym about the sickness.Im 19+1 and still getting it the odd time but then ill feel the baby kick and its all worth it

I spent a few weeks having acupunture to help out with the sickness, and it seemed to ease but i'm not convinced that was down to the sessions. The best thing the acupuncturist advised me to do was to avoid eating or drinking anything cold (i know it's hard in this weather). I've tried every trick in the book to try and ease the sickness, but i have yet to find a remedy that works. My DH has had to fend for himself as I still can't face cooking very often, and there are lots of trigger foods that i can't bear the thought of let alone the sight, smell or taste.

This is my first baby too, and i did tell DH that i would never go through it again as i felt so rubbish, but I must have perked up as we're discussing how long we should wait before having another!

Welcome Novadandypowder! Hopefully you are over the worst of the sickness.....I had it pretty bad too but it seems to have died down. My hubby was struggling on coming up with food each night as like you I was unable to stand the smell of food....I guess being sick has its positive sides, I got out the cooking! .

Right off to try and get some of this Eucerin stuff that's been recommended as I am itching all over....hopefully it will give me some relief...