Due March 2010 - we're halfway there!

[annamama]

... this is a new thread following on from the last one, welcome oldies & newbies ...

Arcadie Apple Sourz (as I've learnt it's spelt) is a vodka based drink, used by most people as a cocktail ingredient (including Nigella's Apple Martini). However, it's quite a high percentage I think (I'd never heard of it before DD1 told me about it, nevermind drunk it), and so teenagers drink it, so as to get as drunk as possible in a short amount of time.
I think DD thought it was like Cola Cubes or Pineapple Cubes, or something!
Do you particularly want a girl, then, Arcadie? I must admit I wouldn't have minded having boys, or even one of each, just to even things up for DS! I don't really mind, though - it's been enough of a shock as it is!

Hecklephone - your business name could be Hecklephone!

I want to be on the boy/girl list too! DH might have to stay longer here in Florida to sort out some stuff, so he might miss the scan... We are debating whether to have a private scan here. I didn't want to earlier, JUST in case something was wrong, I'd rather not know until I'm home. But we might do it next week or something. Will obviously let you know if we do.

Otherwise nothing much to report. Grammy has bought DD a baby doll, which she is completely ignoring. I can't blame her, it looks frightening and very cheap, probably from the dollar store...

Presume they don't actually serve apple sourz at your dd's school disco, Pixie, and that the drinking happens illicitly??? In my memory, teenage discos meant a small paper cup containing an inch of lambrusco poured out by someone's dad who knew every kid there so there was absolutely no chance of getting a second helping. Anyway, I reckon your dd has guts: it takes a lot to stand firm against the teenage crowd, particularly when it's something like drinking.

Hi, all, nice to read all your posts.

Apple Sourz - hmm, I cannot even contemplate alcoholic drink of any kind, never mind heavy duty cocktail ingedients ...

Rindercella, I am sooo glad your sister saw sense and changed her date. I have not commented before because I did not trust myself to remain civil sensible . At least the date for a wedding is moveable, once a baby has been started the 9 months wait is kinda set in stone (well, more or less)!

I had my detailed scan today, bubs was very active and cooperative. He seems to have the appropriate number of things as intended by Mother Nature: you know, 1 penis, 2 legs, 4 chambers to his heart etc ..
The appointment was a bit emotional for me as it was the last time I will be attending the hospital that looked after me through all my babymaking problems and successes. But parking was once again so frigging awful that I am sure I've made the right decision to change to our local hospital, even if it is just a District General and not a Tertiary Referral Centre. As this will be a very straightforward VBAC specialist services will NOT be required...

So scan was all lovely, however I also have a middle ear infection , probably due to my white cell count being really low again, grrr!! Can't say I am feeling brilliant, but hopefully anti-bs will sort me out again.

Love the name "Hecklephone" for a virtual PA business - go for it!

Have a nice evening all.

pixie you can feel blessed your DD has a head on her shoulders that she'll use to think for herself. In her defence, there ARE some sweets called apple sours! Hard boiled things, and disappointingly not very sour at all

Damn 'b' key is sticking. Dare I prise it off to see what glorious sticky and or hairy thing is making it so tricky to type words such as 'bubble'?

Not now though - I'm due at the dr within an hour... (sorry if tmi) having a few niggly symptoms that I think may indicate uti (despite no stinging or frequency or urinating), and after two very vigorous bouts of sex within a 12 hour period I'm also kinda concerned I've lost a little of my mucus plug. I know it regenerates, but having quite a few braxton hicks the last couple of days so it won't hurt to get checked out. Uh, better have a quick dip in the bath incase they want to have a quick look-see. Blurgh.

Congrats to everyone on their scans so far! I can't wait for mine, next Tuesday, same as Manda's I think. I was feeling particularly anxious about it this morning and for some stupid reason decided to google all the different anomalies they can pick up with a 20 week scan. Not recommended!!

Am jealous of everyone's nurseries and nursery planning. We live in a one bedroom flat so babywalnut will be sharing a room with us and may eventually get his/her own corner of the living room.

Anna I hope you're having a better time in the heat. Feeling down on holidays is awful. Have you made a decision about a private scan?

And Manda hope all goes well at the drs. Can you tell me what braxton hicks feel like?

I having been downing orange juice and eating oranges by the bucketload. Just seem to want them all the time! My DH pleaded with me to get some different juice but standing in the juice aisle yesterday everything else just looked REPULSIVE! I ended up getting him a litre of apple and another 3 of OJ . Baby seems to like it too - I also get a bit of movement when I have OJ or oranges!

Manda! aren't you and Mr Manda a pair of wee rabbits! You must tell me how you're managing it...I'm just soooo NOT in the mood these days... Seriously though, hope all is well and that your niggly symptoms will turn out to be nothing worth worrying about.

Thanks anna and pacific for the name encouragement! Perhaps you're right and the name was staring me in the face all this time! I'll definitely put hecklephone on the shortlist.

walnut for me, braxton hicks is when my whole bump suddenly seems to tense up and go really firm. It's not painful or uncomfortable or anything, but you just get this weird sensation that everything south of your boobs has just gone rock hard!! I've been getting them very occasionally already, I think, but they're more common a bit later on in pregnancy.

Hi everyone, great to see so many scan results coming out, I haven't got mine yet but I imagine it helps with name suggestions and preparing nursery stuff especially if you're going to re-use things from other your other DC.

hecklephone love the idea of a virtual assistant, I would advise that you select a memorable name that describes what you do and the value that you add for your customers (I used to be a business consultant - love this stuff)

xxxx

Just back from my scan. All well and it looks like it's one more for the girls' list (updated list below). The question for me now is how strictly I adhere to my "I'm not buying anything new for this DC unless it's absolutely necessary" rule . Lots of DS's baby clothes are perfectly usable for a girl, I think. Very few of them are pale blue; I am a big fan of bold bright colours, which I think will work well on a girl too. Reasonable, non?

GIRLS

Pixie (x2)
Puree
TwoFalls
Don't Try
Lemonade
Hecklephone
Iwonka
Rebeccacad
Sariska

BOYS

Pacific
DrSkid
Becky7000
EmLou
Sarah
Tigress
Sco oby

SURPRISE
Caitni
Arcadie

Congrats on the good scan and girl Sariska! Yes I agree, bright colours are great for both sexes. (In Sweden baby/childrens clothes are much more unisex than here, I always stock up when I go over...) But hey you can always buy a few cool girly things too, rules are made for breaking!

Hi Walnut - I feel ok at the moment thanks and no we still haven't decided about the private scan, I'm not too bothered but if DH wants to I'll happily bring the bump there...

Mmm, googling not a good idea! I do it lots myself... but I'm not going to nick your idea and google anomalites!

We got a life size white tiger this morning! Only in America... Me and DD were watching the "trash truck" and saved it just in time, the neighbours were throwing it away! Not sure what we're doing with it when we go home, it might need quarantine...

hi ladies
had my 'official' 20 wk scan today and asked specifically about the sex after saturdays failure..

Squirmy Siamese yet again crossed his/ her legs and revealed NOTHING! Am i the only person to have such an awkward DC at such an early age??? We've said right from day 1 we wanted to find out, and obviously squirmy has other plans and we are going to have to wait!!!

has cunning plan ping over head like light bulb Wonder if a 3d scan would have the same result? Or am I getting obsessed with finding out the sex?

In other (tmi) news i too think I have a UTI and have had to invest in the tena lady until my nurse appointment tomorrow.. unless being incontinent is a regular symptom of pg you guys arent letting on? Manda - what were your niggly symptoms that made you go to the Dr if you dont mind sharing?

Congratulations, Sariska!
The drinking was done illicitly - since the school don't allow discos actually in school, they have it in a village hall, and the PTA runs it, so there is very little control over what happens, I think - so although none is sold, they all stand around drinking it. I've thought about complaining, but they'd just drink it before the got there anyway, wouldn't they?
DD1's having a sleepover on Saturday night anyway, with some ballet friends, which makes up for it a bit.
I would dress mine in bright colours, too, I think - it's nice to dress them in a variety of things until they can choose, and means that they don't have a personality forced on them IYSWIM!
I've just realised that I've written my whole post to Sariska - sorry the rest of you! I'd better go and sort out some snacks for my lot, and then get DD1 to ballet!

Siamese sadly incontinence is a perfectly possible part of a normal pregnancy. Even your first. Something to do with all the extra pressure on your pelvic floor and all your muscles / ligaments softening over time.

Pixie Yes would much prefer a girl as DS will be 4 whereas DD will only be 2 and would therefore be much closer in age. Also DS has a best friend boy cousin who lives around the corner from us and is very close in age, whereas the closest female cousin is 8 so lovely for DD to play with but they're not really peers. I just can't see myself with a boy again.... but whatever they hand me after my short and painless natural labour will be just fine.

Girls, have been on the high street today and thought I would let you know I got sale items in Gap AND Bloomin' Marvellous. Am lucky enough that Guildford has both of these shops so did browse them in search of bargains.

Just a thought.

Am putting my work suits away tonight for a very long time as they are now officially too uncomfortable to wear. TBH they have been for a while but when I stand up in them they are fine, it is just sitting which lets face it we all have to do at some point in the day!

Good bye normal clothes, hello massive baggy maternity stuff, how long will the "Middle" stage last!

Hi all

Sariska - exciting news on your scan!!

Siamese - shame you can't find out if you would really like to know. We didn't decide for sure until we walked into the scan room!! With a bit of luck his/her shyness will be sign of things to come in his/her teen years- better than the opposite!!

I had to give up on work today by 11am - got sent home for looking tired and crap!! Just not sleeping well at all and so knackered. Don't know whether it's just bad luck or worth mentioning to GP?

Someone from DH work appeared yesterday with a moses basket and two huge bags of clothes. Whilst it's a nice thought I can't really be bothered to sort through someone else's crap ( is that terribly ungrateful???) I don't know them at all and DH barely knows them. We don't know if they are smokers or anything and some of the stuff on first glance will be no good as too used. Feel rotten for being ungrateful but I'll be getting loads from my sis who I obviously know very very well and know it's all well loved and hardly used. Soz to whinge.

Bought pram today - absolute bargain. We had decided to buy silvercross freeway which is reversible. Although quite big and bulky it was just fab value for money at £400 inc footmuff, changing bag etc etc. We had been waiting for the 20 week scan which has been now and happended to drive past our local baby boutique which had the pram in the window. I have to be honest I've not been in as I'd presumed (wrongly!)the shop would be expensive. They had the same pram on offer (sliverx current deal til end of Oct!) for only £300. We did get temporarily distracted by an Icandy Cherry which was cool and funky but trying to be sensible I bet like everyone else it doesn't get much use when it's big enough for a collapsible stroller ( which we also bought at half price!)so just didn't feel we could justify £300 for what essentially does the same thing (althoug granted looks prettier!!) In the end we stuck with the silvercross. Value for money was too much to ignore. The £300 will just be sepnt elsewhere on cute outfits or similar!!

Are most of you going to sort your nurseries in advance or are you superstitious about such things?? We are hoping to clear out our spare room at the weekend to let a breath for a few empty weeks prior to a nice paint job but don't now when is reasonable to build furniture. Maybe thinking early Jan?? I know he wonlt be in it himself straight away anyway but it would look a darnsight nicer than boxes stacked up in the corner. Plus DH will have time to build them in Jan which he might not when he arrives!!

Hope you're all well and feeling far less tired than me. DH upstairs asleep in prep for nights later. I was too uncomfortable to join him (must be why I can't sleep- can't imagine how tired i'll be when really big!!) so decided on chat to you guys. xx

Hello all

Well, the Dr reckons that (I quote) [I] don't have anything major that is screaming to be treated but am [I] allergic to anything?

Yes, penicillin.

Oh in that case, I suggest you drink more cranberry juice, and I'll send your sample off to see if you need a specific antibiotic.

Thanks. So, I have a little something, and if I wasn't allergic to penicillin sounds like he'd have given me that to cover the main bases. Grrr.

siamese it was the sudden appearance of lots of braxton hicks along with a dull achey feeling in both kidney areas (also the underneath of my bump would on occassion feel draggy? Just, not right. I'l give the cranberry a go and just harrass return to the Dr's if I don't see an improvement. I'm not the type that usually runs to the dr at the slightest hint of anything (really can't remember the last time I had anti-b's... oh, wait. Yes I do. About five years ago when I soldiered on despite feeling like utter death and coughing up my lungs. After a couple of days of coughing up blood I finially went to the dr. Pneumonia for one. Quite nasty and ended up v.close to hospital admission (did have a lung x ray though). That's most women, though, isn't it? Just pretend it's not happening and carry on in mother/wife/colleague mode?). I feel strangely...fobbed off. It's like, I know somethings up.

Speaking of the sudden appearance of braxton hicks, walnut it seems hecklephone has given you a pretty good description of what they're like. You'll notice a tightening of your whole uterus (that shouldn't be painful, but may feel odd/weird) which if you touched/prodded it feels like it's made of rock! It's bizarre how firm it goes!

heckle, I know, we're still at it like rabbits . Probably because we've only been together (almost!) a year. And, yes, this was 'soon' to plan a pregnnacy but a) we've known each other for about 13 years and so didn't have to go through that whole 'getting to know you, getting to know each others family' stuff that most new relationships go through. We knew each other well (and many of our family members) already! and b) I'm very nearly 36 (he's my toyboy - 32 ). We didn't have, it felt, years to establish our relationship - we both felt we wanted this and so had to take a leap of faith. So far... no regrets from either of us!

That said, I have a theory about my sex drive (which is pretty healthy - even with exDh it was still nearly every day and we were married for 13 years!). I have pcos and as my dr nicely pointed out after one of my blood tests when I was being tested for it 'abnormally high levels of androgens'. Read in laymans terms, too much testosterone. Which is the main male hormone and responsible for their sex drive. Makes sense to me, anyway (I'm not prepared to entertain the fact I might just be 'weird' :P). So my secret? Oh, just screwy hormones. Not really recommended, actually

sariska Congrats on your little girl!

walnut indeed, my scan is Tuesday too. It seemed SOOOOO far off when it was booked at my NT scan but it's actually only four more days for us to get through. Agonisingly long but in the same breath it's come so quickly too. If my baby is as stubborn as siameses I really will have to shell out for a 3/4d scan (was considering it, still am... that would tip the balance) as I just HAVE TO KNOW if I'm making a hotdog or a hamburger!

Annamama, if you're going to have a private scan, you knda in the best place for it... compared with what you'll pay at home its positively cheap there! And, y'know, it's something to do

Pixie that's a tricky situation. Nobody likes a 'busybody' and, besides, didn't we all experience underage drinking (although not under the watchful eye of the PTA?). I'm not saying it's right by any means but I think in these situations the best we can do is educate our own kids and they'll hopefully make the right decisions. Your DD has already shown she's able to say no when she doesnt feel comfortable so you're already winning My DD has enjoyed a glass of champagne on a couple of occasions but with ME and I'm very confident she wouldn't be interested in indulging outside the safety of my care. I just... know her. She's a sensible kid too. You're also right about 'where there's a will, there's a way'. Sheesh, my son may be a different matter though. He's not shown any interest in alcohol (at almost 12, thank goodness!) but I don't have the same utter confidence in his abilty to not be lead by the crowd. I hope he'll surprise me by proving my doubt wrong

scooby might be worth mentioning to GP/midwife - the exhaustion may be anemia developing.

In case my burning issue of the day was bothering anyone (sticky B key) you'll be relieved to know it was simply cat hair and all is now well with my keyboard

Ugh, this canberry juice is not my thing at all. Leaves my mouth all dry feeling which is unnatural for a drink!

Hi scooby sorry you're not feeling well, I read last night that the middle trimester can bring about extreme tiredness and breathlessness for some. Just take it easy, make sure you are eating and drinking properly. I would say that if you are still feeling crap after 2 days go and see your GP. Would also say that it was a nice gesture for someone to give you their baby gear, probably took them some time to sort it out for you and bring it in to work, don't be too hard on them x Nursery wise, we did ours at 29 weeks last time and that turned out to be way to early as DS1 didn't arrive until 13 weeks later

Thanks for shopping tips Tigress at you only just putting away your work suits, I had to get the big momma pants out at 8 weeks!

Siamese don't worry it's very normal - just keep doing pelvic floor exercises - I can't stress how important they are (I didn't do them 1st time round & I'm paying for it now)

xxxxxxx

evening ladies
I hope you don't mind a gatecrasher at this late stage.

I am expecting DC2 on 07/03/10.

I have one DS who will be 2 in June so am having a slight panic about having 2 under 2 but only for a very short period of time.

You will probably not hear from me now until I go on ML as I had to go back to work FT, DH has just got a new job (nightwork) so I never get time to sit and surf)
As well as that I am a guide leader and volunteer for the NCT as a postnatal supporter

Have my 20 week scan tomorrow so may report back if I have time

Siamese - I can't believe your baby was so un-cooperative! Hmm you can always have a 3d/4d scan later, they're not that expensive. We did with DD, it was pretty cool but a bit freaky.

Scooby - see if there's anything you want, give the rest to charity shop or bin it! We got lots too, I only kept stuff I liked, got rid of loads, even some new clothes. Congrats on being a pram owner!

The official advice is that the baby should sleep in your room for the first months, so no urgency for a finished nursery really... as long as you have a changing table!

Manda - mix the cranberry juice with water, and get the sugarfree one! Oh and go to the loo lots as well so that you don't have wee in your bladder for too long. I used to get UTI quite often so a bit of an expert... Never took antibiotics, always cured it myself. Haven't had it for ages touch wood. But I use preventative measures: always wee and wash after sex, go to the loo often, drink lots of water. Good job that you fixed your keyboard, things like that are so annoying.

DH is on the phone to different ultrasound places, sounds like we can't get a proper medical one, you need to be a patient... but now he's talking to a 3d/4d one. Oh, he's booking it for Tuesday! Exciting... The main reason is he will most likely miss our scan at home (as he has to stay here), and we wanna know what it is!

Evening, all.

Very annoying when babies do not pose cooperatively for scans, siamese, sorry you could not find out what "flavour" baby you are expecting. Hope you'll get a chance later .

When I had my scan yesterday the consultant who is (almost) an old friend as he has seen me through 8 pregnancies played around a bit with his fance ultrasound machine and showed me some 3D/4D footage of bubs. I thought is was technically amazing but did not think it looked particularly nice. DS4 looked like Skeletor on a bad day !! Whereas on the normal black-and-white scan pictures his looks quite cute, well, I think so anyway. DS1 and 2 were very interested to see the scan pictures. Apparently the 3D/4D images are better the later in pregnancy the scan is done. Good luck, annamama, hope you have a great scanning experience with all the answers you are looking for.

I am still on anti-bs, my ear is no longer sore, just dull and feel weird when I bend down/blow my nose. Now I am waiting with bated breath for the inevitable thrush to set in ...

Have a nice evening all!

Doh, didn't preview, pardon the typos .

And ment to say, welcome, hedgehog!

Thanks all.

Mumbot- I'm sure you'e right. Probably took them ages and I'm a hormonal tired grumpy cow!!!

Annamama - Thanks for observations re nursery. I suspect we will keep baby in our room until he outgrows moses basket around 3 mths - but I can't be doing with mess and stuff lying around. Hence desire to just build furniture when appropriate than leave in boxes looking cluttered!!! And good luck for Tuesday!!!!!

Welcome HEDGEHOG - good luck for tomorrow.

Manda - did wonder if it was something like anemia(?) think I'll do as suggested and see how I am after weekend off. I was knackered last week and took the friday off as leave but can;t keep doing every week

Night night all xx

Random here- HEDGEHOG, Congratulations and where the bloody hell have you been? (I used to be Flosspot and we were on due in June 2008 thread a lifetime ago.)

Great news about all the scans and babies

Scooby- keep what you like an junk the rest. A couple of washes with non-bio and a day on the line airing and it won't matter where they came from. Likewise a new mattress for the Moses basket. Pram sounds like a bargain. FWIW last time I started buying straight away as there were offers on then put everything in the loft until 7 months. This time I've been just as sad organised...

waves to all. Second 20 week scan on Monday- hope to confirm my 'probable' girl. Dh can't make it so am taking brother.......

Annamama- great news about DH sorting your scan- you are in the home of the hypochondriac medically aware. I've heard the services in the States are awesome.

Lots of good scan news! I had 20 week scan on Monday (haven't been able to post before as have had to prioritise watching 13 episodes of series 4 of The Wire in one week as that's all the library would let us have it for, so Bump probably now thinks the sound of gunfire is quite normal. Honestly, you move out of Hackney to get away from such things and then take it with you...).

Anyway, Bump was very unco-operative and wriggled around like a loon BUT all is Ok and it's a BOY! So no disappointment after all. My father-in-law apparently burst into tears when he heard, so no pressure there then. And I got to say hello to Tigresswoods briefly in the waiting room.

Anyone else's hospitals insist on MRSA screening? I sneezed for about an hour having been forced to swab my own nostrils so they can check. If positive, I am to be "decolonised". Sounds like a painful bowel operation to me but I don't think that's what they mean. I hope it isn't, anyway.

And the other triumph of the week is someone actually gave me a seat on the tube. True, I was wearing a tight top so it was very obvious, but still, result!

Better go to bed as I have an early start tomorrow morning. As long as I sleep and don't spend the time peeing/wondering whether or not to have the swine flu jab, then all will be fine.