Due November 2009 - who is going to go 'pop' first?

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Here it is!

OMG! Congratulations lemontop What fabulous news and a big welcome to baby Isaac (gorgeous name too)

Well, that has really made me think I should pack the hospital bag now! Seem to have sorted most stuff for when he gets back home, but nothing for actually having him and being in the hospital ... sub-conscious avoidance of the inevitable maybe??!

Ah, the market hall in Ikea ... where the lovely blue bags must be filled!! Luckily our nearest is in Croydon and a real headache to get to so we don't go a lot.

Likely to be away now until Monday - IL's staying in the spare room which is where the pc is. have a lovely weekend all and speak Monday

Broodzilla - yes we're watching it too, DH is a real foodie so we seem to watch all things like that, have bought the book too, but it's in the bottom of the wardrobe for DH for Christmas!!

I NEED to go to Ikea! We're miles from any of them here, but up to York in a few weeks so hoping to pop into Nottingham one as wanting a couple of wicker chairs (one for nursery & one for DCs room) and whatever else jumps into a big blue bag!!

Scarlotti - have a good weekend

Lemontop wonderful to hear you are first to have 'gone pop' and that Isaac is doing well. Congratulations!!

Went to midwife this pm and have come back very confused!- I have too much glucose in wee (for fourth time now!!), with ++++ but also am measuring at 31 weeks when I should be 36, also period pains and horrendous spd pain like someone sawing pubic bone with a red hot saw. Plus still the anaemia and breathlessness. Baby's head is 3/5 engaged. Midwife was worried so she rang ante natal clinic at hosp and they said to ring delivery suite, so she rang delivery suite and they said they were up to their necks and to ring ante natal clinic again- [hmmm] so now have consultant appt on Tues which I am not sure what the point of is- are they going to scan me? Give me a GTT? both? neither? Do any of you know what might be in store? All I am left with is a feeling of vague concern! And my next midwife appt is not till 40 weeks Confused!

All the cooking going on sounds yummy yummy. Had veggie shep pie tonight, autumn weather= autumn food!

wook that does not sounds good - you have to wait til tuesday? that is ridiculous, what did your mw say about it? If she was worried, they should have seen you today. Are you concerned? if you are at all concerned phone up maternity unit directly for advice and say either they see you now or you are going via A&E. ++++ is a lot in your wee. And if baby is measuring small they should be checking it out now. DD was measuring small when I was 36 weeks mw had come to my house on a saturday and she had me in labour ward hooked to a machine to check all was well, and a scan done, that day. (all was fine, but she got it done there and then).

I think I know why DD has been playing up, especially in reference to sleeping. She has missed her mama! We were up early today after she crawled into bed with us, cuddled into me and started her early morning'I am not going to stop talking at you no matter what'. I got annoyed, as usual. But instead of moaning about it when she got upset, which seems to be all too frequent in the wee hours, i got up, we got dressed and we went out and spent the morning out and about, to the aquarium, we went on a bus, we walked through the barbican in Plymouth, crossed a lock, played with children. Then, because DH is not well (tummy bug) and crashed after doing too much, we snuggled and watched tv and both ate tortilla chips and dip, she had a bath and we splashed with her new bath shark, I cooked her tea, fed it to her, got her ready for bed, read her bedtime story and then I stroked her hair for 20 mins and la'd brahms lullaby to her like i used to (she has been asking for me to sing her a lullaby recently and she loves this one in particular), she closed her eyes, held her hands in prayer (she falls asleep like this when she is particularly happy and relaxed, just like me) and she fell asleep. No tears, no fuss, no arguments, no daddy, just me and DD and it was lovely and I realised how much I have missed it recently not being up for doing much of her bedtime routine.

I feel both really crap as a mother, and very very happy that today I had enough energy to look after her all day and put her to bed and that she got to see how much I love being with her.

Pavlov - don't feel crap, I think life just runs away with us all sometimes and we forget to slow down and spend quality time with the little ones. I love it when DD and I have days like yours, she can be so lovely, but then life does go on and unfortunately chores have to be done, but it does make me think I should make time for more days doing things she wants to do.

I think i'm going through a bit of a 'guilt' stage as weel, I remember it when pregnant with DS, then I felt guilty that DD was so young and that we should have spent more time with just her etc, now I'm feeling guilty that DS is even younger than DD was when he came along and that now he's going to have to share us with another sibling. Rationally I know DD has benefitted so much from having a sibling and they are great tgether (most of the time!), but it's a feeling I just can't shake at the moment - maybe it's tiredness!!

kyte am sure it won't last, tomorrow will be back to normal but at least one day is something .

Your curry sounds great, see, was worth it eh? and not compromising on your ethics, which you would have, if you had eaten the pie!

Fire works sounds great, i like your cunning plan to get a seat through guilt . Would not count on it though. I was on the bus at 9am this morning, only had those fold up seats in the disabled section, driver did not wait for DD and I to sit before he pulled off and everyone just watched us attempt to pull one down for DD while she could not find anything to hold on to, and then get her seated and me seated on one too. I made a point of tutting loudly and when she shrieked 'GREEN -GOOOOOOO' RED - STOOOOOOP' at the traffic lights, at the top of her voice, for all the sleepy workers to hear, I did not stop her [grin}

I'm not sure you could say Halal is any more humane? But maybe the blessing that is bestowed on it makes it more appreciated?

Thought I'd share my cake recipe with you because it was yum (and all gone!!!)

130g butter
creamed with 130g caster sugar.
Whisk in 2 eggs
Fold in 130g of flour and a tsp of baking powder
Put in cake tin
Chop any fruit you need using up and toss in a little sugar (we had a pineapple so that's what went in)
Put fruit on top of cake mix
bake at 180 for 50mins
Mmmmm Simples

that sounds lovely, and the best bit about that recipe? Dh hates fruit in a cake. So it would be all MINE I might share it with DD, but only if she knew!

Thanks so much for all your kind words. Too many posts to reply to everyone!

What a week! We were so shocked on Tues when we got to the hospital and they said I was already 3cm dilated. I thought it was wind and I'm pretty sure the doc thought I was lying about having contractions! I'll save the birth story for another thread but to summarise it was a 25 hour labour with just gas & air(!)

I'm doing ok but it's really hard having to leave Isaac at the hospital now I've been discharged. He's sleepy all the time so is not really interested in feeding so they're feeding him through a tube in his nose. He was on a drip yesterday but they've stopped that and he's taking 8x more milk so doing well. They're also monitoring him for infection due to my strep b and he might have a little bit of jaundice. I've tried expressing today but only got a tiny bit. will keep trying but might have to go on to bottle. He wasn't small though, 6lb in weight! He's like a giant compared to some of the tiny little babies in SCBU.

I'm keeping everything crossed that they'll let us bring him home in a few days. Right now I need some sleep!

Flip, it's taking me well over an hour a night to keep up these days!

LEMONTOP Congratulations on your early arrival! SO glad he is well after such a sudden arrival. Don't beat yourself up about the BF, and cherish the time you get with him (and the rest you get at home). Lots of snoozly hugs

easyeggs I'm glad that things went ok yesterday for you.

Cbeebies - DD has watched so much of it recently (she no longer wants to play with us when we get home, she just wants to watch TV ) that I think she has started talking like one of those godawful waybuloos. It's a very strange, almost posh English accent she's putting on with certain words and it's driving me nuts.

pav I think DD is suffering similarly from our distraction with organising the house. She is really cranky these day, and on top of that had a suspected UTI this week too (or just had a random day of incontinence and withdrawl yesterday). I'm taking her into work with DH tomorrow - it's open morning and the Nursery is participating, so she'll get lots of play with and lots of attention and croissants from the French department! Better than sitting at home watching cbeebies while DH busies himself. Not sure if my lab being next door the the nursery is the best plan though- we're dissecting lungs and hearts

Knackered tonight - that Friday feeling. And a morning of work tomorrow . But only 4 days left to go in next week .

hobnob what on earth do you do? dissecting hearts and lungs....sounds like fun though can I come in .

Its tough on the little ones isn't it? But I guess they are going to have to get used to it, seeing this is how it is going to be from now on, only having half of us!

lemontop I am so pleased he is ok. And what a great size! DD was not that when she was born and she was full term! Jaundice is common I beleive - is he having to go into the 'sun lounge'? DD had to do this, she had these little sunglassed on and looked cool as under the blue light (thats what I told myself to stop fretting!), got some amazing photos of her, arm up the air, looking like she was on a beach in Ibiza!

Really hope you get to bring him home soon x

Biology teacher. Dissections are one of the few perks... unlike having to go into work on a Saturday morning and pander to the public. Need to go to bed soon so I can manage a smile at least!

Morning all, I can?t sleep. I did go to bed about 10 mins after ds last night so at least had proper sleep. Dh is away working today, so would?ve woken me up early anyway. I think he left after 6am.

I shall have my cup of tea in the dark quietness of what feels like very autumny house, very windy in north London today. How I wish I had a wood fire becky!

We will be having a busy weekend. Swimming this morning, then a birthday party to go to in the afternoon and I wanted to squeeze in some shopping too. Tomorrow we are having harvest festival at church so should really be cooking or baking something for that too and then another birthday party to go. Early night both nights me thinks.

Congratulations lemontop!!! I can?t believe I am 3 days late with news like this!
Isaac welcome to this mad world. I hope you are both well and at home soon! How marvellous. I am in tears. Our first baby! Its all happening now isn?t it?

wook I wonder if you are next?

Happy birthday tigger! And belated birthday to beepbeep!

Love the poem becky, you do realise you set yourself a standard. Now each of use will be expecting one too!

ninja loving the name for new thread.

ursi new house how exciting!

tamlin I am admitting to wearing a fake engagement ring as couldn?t put my ?real? rings on the other week so gave up. Its bit sparkly but I love it! Dh thinks I am mad. What can I say I like being married and hate people looking at my bump and then missing ring! Sad I know.

Talking Ikea. Anybody wants to come to the Wembley one with me? I love that place. I could do with some meatballs too. Never mind its not even 7am and I have not had breakfast yet?

Great weekend everyone!

Mmm I love Ikea meatballs too. And Tamlin last time I went there were so many pregnant women, myself included, wandering around in a bit of a daze.

wook I hope everything is ok and that you managed to speak to the ward if you wanted to. Hopefully the fact that they made the appointment for Tuesday rather than yesterday is a sign that it's nothing too serious.

beepbeep and tigger am I right in thinking it's both of your birthdays today? Happy Birthday!!

becky LOL at your and DH's thoroughly modern relationship: he sent you an instant message to tell you the house was on fire

lemontop It must be really hard not being able to stay with Isaac. Have they said how long he's likely to be in for? When DD was born she had blood tests every 4 hours for 3 days to see if she was jaundiced, but was fine. What a good weight too!

skorpion and broodzilla I tried on the black dress last night with 2 massive flowers (1 red, 1 fuschia) pinned to one shoulder and with fuschia tights. I think it looked ok. DH said "quirky but nice". It definitely didn't look sombre at least. Also, we won't know anyone there, except the groom (only met his partner once) so if I look a fool, at least they'll never see me again.

DH and I went for a lovely meal last night . It was so nice to get out on our own; then we realised the last time we'd been out together was in March!! (the night I found out I was pregnant) I can't believe it's been so long. I've decided since he treated me last night I am going to surprise him with a night out when I get paid.

Lemontop wow - 6lbs is fantastic!! It must be so hard having to come home on your own, but it sounds like he is doing so well, and should be home soon. Is he at King's? I just remembered I think you are in Gypsy Hill? If you are (and I have not got confused, which is a distinct possibility) and you need anything, I am sure you have had millions of offers, but could easily pop round with something, eg food! I am only down the road.

Talking of Ikea - have you ever had the Swedish Dime bar cake they sell?!?! It is so gorgeous. I always buy one and a spare for the freezer. So hard not to eat half of it at once though!

Not much on this weekend thank goodness. Really need to clean the house, and have bought some non-bio washing stuff so may make a start on washing baby things. I am so disorganised though. Had planned to do everything at half term but worried that may be too late now! Either that or I'll be too knackered.... Can't believe work only just put in the ad for my cover

Becky hope no more accidents at your house! Have you moved the basket?!

Broodzilla where is the cider from? I am on the hunt for nice non-alcoholic drinks! The non-alco Becks is OK but as I don't really like beer it's not great! V disappointed with the non-alco chardonnay. Tasted of grape juice. Hmm.
Will catch up properly, been bad this week at checking in, sorry.

Lemontop hope Isaac can come home soon!

Had a bad night last night, dh forgot to bring any Rennies home, so I was really acidicy and sick last ngiht. plus i had just got to sleep just before 2 and BIL phoned my mobile asking to talk to dh, as he needed his dad's mobile number, he was really upset as he'd just caught his girlfriend sleeping with someone else.
Mil phoned us just before 6 too saying she cant have ds tonight as she wants to look after bil, which is fair enough but we were supposed to be going for mates birthday meal tonight and my parents are away for the weekend, so unless my sis is free tonight looks like im missing another evening out. I will send dh though cos he works so hard, he needs a night off.

Lemontop it must be very strange to be out of hosp but Isaac in- not long now though until you have his homecoming- wow that will be really special. 6lb is a fab size. Hope you can get plenty of rest.

Pav I went off to bed really early and dh rang the midwife while I was asleep as he was worried (aaah!) She said I would be having a scan on Tues and more tests and that if anything happened with less movement, more pain etc over weekend, to get straight up to delivery suite for check- apaprently if you self refer that is fine- but if the midwife wants to refer you it's a different matter!!! Madness! Anyway, I am not too worried after a good sleep although Koumak that was a scary thought!! I'm happy to go by the list which suggests that it's your turn next! As my birth phobia is gathering pace the closer I get to the due date, I am happy to wait!

Katster Dime bars! YUM!!

a belated congrats to lemontop on Isaac's arrival! It must be so hard to leave him at the hospital - hope you get to take him home soon.

I've settled on Beck's Blue myself when I need a non-sweet faux-alcoholic drink fix. DH and I get endless amusement out of the fact that they still print that "Please Drink Responsibly" message on all the bottles and packaging - what the?! Trying to imagine irresponsible ways of enjoying non-alco beer...

Sorry to hear about our BIL, Trikken. I hope you find someone to look after DS so you can get out this evening.

I've managed two decent nights' sleep in a row - woo hoo! Life's little victories.

Can we all stop taking about such yummy foods please? I can't keep up with my own cravings

beepbeep glad to hear about the birthing center that's fantastic news

Scarlotti I hope you have a have a fab weekend.

Lemontop I'm so pleased to hear he's doing well! It did cross my mind yesterday, I wondered if they had the facilities for you to stay with him, sorry to hear otherwise. Photos soon please!!! Hope you get some well desereved rest.

Katster that cake sounds fantastic...

Tigger happy birthday!!

Ninja YUM!!! That might have to be desert for tonight...

Sorry if I've missed anyone, am on DPs lappy and its not as functional as his other one. We had a lovely evening, early night, lots of cuddles - and he's stopped drinking!! - until about 4am when the alarm at the doctors surgery opposite went off. And kept going for about half an hour. Not impressed.

I had a total hormonal flip at him last night I thought he was laughing at me trying to get comfortable, which of course he wasn't, so I burst into tears. He did roll his eyes a bit, but still hugged me better and reassured me he wasn't laughing at me Plus side though, once I mentioned how painful my back and hips are, he's been giving me a back rub every time I move now

Ohhh it feels like it really is autumn now! Can't believe I only have six weeks left, this year - especially the pregnancy! - has gone so quickly... Is anyone else wondering if they have misplaced the past 12 months?!?

Hope you're all well. x

Erika - you just made me smile, had to read your post twice, I read it that you were on your DP's lap and it wasn't as functional as his other one !!

Tigger - hope you're having a lovely birthday!