Due March 2010 - we're halfway there!

[annamama]

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

Aw, so sorry your lot are all still poorly/in recovery Pacific - thank goodness for small mercies that you didn't come down with it though

IWCAS if your parent are a) able to help b) want to help and c) won't throw it back on your face at a later date (I say this as that's MY mum all over - hence I never ask her for anything, and never accept anything of significance from her) then LET THEM ENJOY BEING GRANDPARENTS!

Yes, they've helped you so far - that's what any decent parent would do if they can... if they want to gift you the pushchair/pram then they may feel a bit offended if you refuse. I think, traditionally for the older generation, it's expected that the GP's WILL buy something significant (much like, traditionally the brides parents pay for a wedding. Sure, things are changing but the older generation still feel the traditions hold true)

Hedgehog How crap to still be throwing up Eh, it's how I was with DD but it was so long ago now I kinda have forgotton how miserable it is. And hearing you about fireworks - I'm at my sisters and she has six dogs; with every bang two of them go crazy barking and two of them cower.

Pixie How funny you should recommend a silvercross! I was at a wedding when newly pregnant and a lady wheeled in her newborn in a SC pram... I rememebr thinking 'Oh, they've moved with the times - I like it!' Of course, when I was a baby in the dark ages, a silvercross was THE standard in fine prams (and, yes, I had one! Bought by my grandparents See, IWCAS? ) but as they were literally carriage built were huge, cumbersome (and, I think, intended to last throughout any babies born to the family!). Really liking the look of the Linear Sleepover! Thanks for 'reminding' me I like these!

greenbeans thanks for your input - the bugaboo is not off the table, by any means (and, yes, I took a look on ebay yesterday and that may be the way I go IF I decide on the little bug!)

Welcome to Dana Good luck with your scan this week and jump right in with the conversations!

IWCAS, I agree with Manda, it?s great if they want to help you.

I?m not British and I?ve moved to the UK 3 years ago. Over the past weeks I?ve been missing my mum, and besides having a fantastic and supportive husband I?ve been secretly wishing she could be here with me to look at the prams, cots, clothes, etc. Everyone back home is very excited about the baby, and they have been buying lots of clothes. I guess that at Christmas I?ll need to take an extra bag to bring everything back

My husband has been looking at prams and so far he likes the Dash model, from Phil and Teds.

Reading about all your prams I started thinking hmm do I need one? And then remembered that we already bought the Jane Powertwin from ebay. So no more pram needed, I repeat no more pram needed! (I think...) I might splash out on some new girls clothes here in Florida though before I go home on Tuesday, I guess the new DD can't wear only hand-me-downs...

I'm so fed up with this heat, really can't stand it! You're a prisoner indoors for most of the day... Or quick transfers to car, shop, restaurant, someone's house. It sucks! I don't think I could live here.

We went to a Halloween party last night, it was full of screaming boys kids. Then we went trick & treating, that was quite fun, was interesting to see how the americans do it, it's a really big deal. DD loved it, she was running all over the place in her little witch dress. She didn't care about the candy though, she was just chasing after the other kids, thinking she was part of the gang I guess.

DH has to stay here for 2 more weeks as he still has lots of stuff to sort out, he's doing things for his anorexic cousin who set fire to her apartment, he's renovating another apartment he owns to hopefully sell it, and some other stuff... Anyway, I'm NOT looking forward to a transatlantic flight and journey home alone with DD, 2 or 3 suitcases, hand luggage, carseat and pushchair. And then the jet lag... and have to get up early for scan the day after we come home! Anolomy scan, am a bit nervous about that, really don't want anything to be wrong now! I know it's unlikely but I guess it's normal to worry.

Ok sorry for long moaning post... hope y'all had a nice weekend.

Evitas oOOOooooh Phil and Teds. DO IT!!!!! they're ace

Pixie - thanks! I'm sure everything will be fine and no there can't be anything massively wrong as we saw the whole baby including heart at the 3d scan. (I knew I didn't spell anomaly right, that's such a strange word.) Sounds like you had a great party, well done!

Annamama, oh, I remember Halloween in the States from when I was a child: it was sooo exciting and such a major event! I grew up in New Jersey, only up to the age of 6, but can still remember being sick one year from too much Candy Corn !
As others have said, try not to get ahead of yourself re the scan, it'll be fine, and it will be lovely to see a great big 20+ baby on screen. They actually look like babies at that point, I think .

Pixie, sounds like phantastic party! Where do you find the energy?? I am very impressed.

We had a few little T+Ters and one drunken teen . Also 1 orange thrown at house, again...

Nevermind, that is now over. DS1 is desperate to go to a Bonfire or Firworks display, so might just have to go along. We'll see, depends also on whether everybody is recovered from whatever horrible bug we've had...

Hope you all had nice weekend!

Oh, I love my Phil & Teds!

Much sympathy to those still suffering morning sickness. I am too. I read somewhere recently that it is really rare for it to go on past 25 weeks so right now I am hoping that is right.

Good weekend here and it even started with a 6.30 lie in yesterday (thank you ds!). Gave us the energy to take him on a splashy walk to try out his very first pair of wellingtons. He loved it and the smile only left his face when we had to point out the difference between puddles and the river. The poor boy so wanted to get closer to the ducks!

Pacific - I asked my DH what Candy Corn is, no wonder you were sick! (puke emoticon) How come you lived in the States? Did you have a happy childhood there? We're actually considering moving to New Jersey in maybe a year's time or so, as we want to try living in the States and it looks like I'm vetoing Florida... My DH is from NY/NJ (but most of his family now live in Florida) and Caitni's DH is also from NJ.

Sariska - at your DS wanting to try out his wellies in the river. My DD has a pair but she's never really worn them outside yet, maybe I'll take her puddle splashing when we get home!

What's the weather like at home now, I heard there was a mini heatwave...?

Hi all, I terribly behind with not a hope in hell of catching up but thought iit better to post than not.

My news is that we had our 20wk scan and the sonographer was 'pretty sure' it's another boy! We're really pleased, I would have been happy with either but he'll (hopefully) be a lovely playmate for ds.

The sonographer wanted to scan me again in 6 weeks as one kidney looked slightly larger than the other . She said it could be nothing but something they like to keep an eye on. I asked what it could mean and she said it could mean things aren't flowing through properly and might mean baby needs antibiotics when born, she said worst case it could mean one kidney is compromised or it could be nothing at all. Trying to put it out of my mind till the next check but it's ages to wait and it's hard not to worry. Anyone else had anything likr this?

By the way, whoever it was that went to see Bon Jovi and touched his hand, was it annamama? I'm v v v v of you, have been a massive fan since I was 14... Swoon at the x factor last night.

Well, i'm full of cold, feeling sorry for myself. Dh's been on holiday for a week, been real busy, went to peterborough for my nieces christening (5 hours away) then scan then ds's 2nd birthay.

He's back to work today boo!

Am gonna do my best to read up on all i've missed at some point today

Morning all,
well, 1 out of 3 of my children is well and on his way to school, yeah! DS2 really is the illest now, he and DS3 are still in bed.

Washing machine is on, must keep up with mountains of bed sheets, towels and soiled clothes, yuck!

Annamama, I have brilliant memories of the 3 years we spent in New Jersey. We went because of my Dad's job. He could have had things extented beyond the three years and would have had a proprer Green Card but decided against it because of aging parents at home..>.
Summers are also very hot and humid, winters really cold with lots of snow. I still miss that, proper seasons (I live in Scotland, so we have damp mild summer and damp mild winter, it is mainly the length of days that changes ).

Ha, Dalrymps, congratulations on your scan. Another boy for the Blue Team, excellent . Try not to worry too much about the kidney thing, scans and their interpretation are not always an exact science and it is good that they are offering you a rescan. Worst case scenario, only one functioning kidney, does not affect the overall health of your baby. But we do not even know that, so try and keep positive. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and bubs.

Hope you all have a good week!

Inset days - what's the point? I'm trying to work from home as have very little holiday left to take and concentration with scooby doo in the background is not good.

Yep - coming on here will really help to get the job done!

Dalrymps - yes it was me who touched Jon Bon Jovi's hand back in '88... oh that concert was fantastic, they played all the hits and he was SOOO good looking back then. What do you mean swoon at the x factor, were Bon Jovi on there? My Sky+ better have recorded it...

I think there's nothing wrong with your baby's kidney, but I understand you're worried. Try not to think about it as there's nothing you can do right now! Congrats on the boy!

Pacific - sounds good about NJ. Yes I'd like proper seasons and kids playing in snow in winter. We had that in Sweden too...

I'm going home tomorrow! Will start packing today, have acquired some extra stuff so hoping we can bring everything we want home. The tiger has to stay here but don't worry, he won't be thrown away like those nasty neighbours intended. The porcelain doll that grammy give DD which is already broken might have to go in the garbage... along with the scary looking baby from the dollar store!

Pacific - Thanks for the reassurance, i'm trying to stay positive. I know people live fine with just one kidney but I don't want anything at all to be 'wrong', suppose we all feel like that though. Fingers crossed.

Hope the illness leaves your house soon and you can stop washing so many sheets!

Annamama - Soooooo , I would have never washed my hand again . Yeah they performed their new single on the x factor results show last night, he's still got it [hwink]

Thanks for being positive about the kidney thing. I'll be wishing the next 6 weeks away...

Bet it'd be sooo cool to live in NJ

Hi ladies
I'm new here, had my 20wk scan today and pleased to say that everything is ok and its a little boy! Its our first and due on 16th March, very happy and excited!

at all you half termers! Half term is just a distant memory here north of the border and we only had 1 week anyway.

Dalrymps, it made me smile that you thing of life in NJ as "cool" (not that I disagree with you personally) as in the States NJ is very much the naff annoying little brother to NYC !

DS2 was premature and had kidney problems, well reflux which had scarred his kidneys, so I have been through the rollercoaster of good news, then bad news, then "we do not know exactly what that means" news. IMO, the only way through it is to take is step by step and to try very hard not to get ahead of yourself. Hard to do, I know, and of course you do not want anything to be wrong with LO.

We are all getting better - I think, DS1+2 are going to school tomorrow, DS3 to childminder who incidently had it too, but is better herself. And DH and I will go back to work as well, sigh!
It has not been fun, I have to say. Cannot remember the last time we were all laid low for so long!

Pixie, it is all our duty to be embarrassing mummies! What else would our children moan about to each other? I bet she is having a great time.

pacific - of course it's cool, Jon Bon Jovi is from there so it has to be . I went on a uni trip to NY years ago and somehow ended up in NJ at 5am after a lot little too much to drink. I was scared no one would miss me and i'd be stuck in the US forever but I made it back to NY and was actually quite pleased i'd accidentally visited NJ

I will try to follow your advice and not get ahead of myself with the whole kidney thing, just wait and see.

It's awful when the whole family is ill isn't it?! Myself, dh and ds all have this blasted cold and we just have no energy to do anything, well, apart from ds who is still like a tornado but with snotty nose. We're just draggind ourselves round behind him trying to clear the chaos he's caused

hello ladies,

i agree with being hungry all the time!!!!!!!lol but the problem is i need to do a big shop and just cannot be arsedbothered!!!!!LOL

welcome to Sara and congrats on your baby boy welcome to the thread!!!

glad to hear your all well again pacific, sounds awful!!!!

i am back to work at 6 tonight and really dont want to go!!!!! boohoo i only have a 4 day week this week though as we are at a wedding reception on friday,

half term end here tomorrow DS is back to school on wed am i must say i am not looking forward to being up and organised so early!!!!LOL

we have Ds's first parent/teacher meeting on thurs too!!!!! so cute!

hope everyone is well and had good weekends, x

Welcome newbies and hello to the oldies and stalwarts!!! Just popping in and checking on our boy/girl ratio....still having a probable girl here and am staring in the face of 17 weeks maternity leave BEFORE babypearls arrives. Madness surely?

Hi, ladies, ages since I've posted, but just coming on to say eek, anomaly scan tomorrow and feeling a few nerves here too. Think we're going to find out the sex too - baby allowing! Had a surprise last time, so makes it all very exciting! Will be on tomorrow to update the pink/blue list!

Minicooper - good luck! When you update the list, please check back and include anyone else who has announced boy/girl/surprise recently!

Dalrymps - sounds like you had a fun night! Oh those crazy times getting drunk when we were young...

IWCAS - yes I see things a bit clearer now and I feel much better! For a while I almost thought me and DH would have to split up over not agreeing on where to live... But now he's accepting that I don't want to live here in Florida, and he's almost agreeing with me as to the reasons why not.

Ok, gotta keep packing... doing ok so far despite DD trying to unpack everything I've just packed.

Welcome newbies! It's never to late to find this thread, and hopefully we'll still post later on the post-natal thread about what our new kids are doing etc...

Keep going with the packing anna - you can do it! I hate packing, me. But at least you're packing for the way home which always seems a little bit easier!

Agree sort of with Pixie in that I want to nibble all the time - but I'm not always hungry, just feeling munchy! However, my usual evening nibbles are being banjaxed somewhat by the return of the dreaded heartburn . It's not terrible yet - just coming and going, but I'm getting it most days and it's enough to make me not want to be too far from a packet of Rennies! I just know it's going to get worse the bigger I get . Does anyone know any good natural remedies? The Rennies seem to be helping and there's always good old Gaviscon, but it would be good not to have to dip into the medicine cupboard every day if it really gets bad. I sometimes drink milk, but dunno if it really helps that much...sometimes just feel like a glass of milk anyway, though, so it's no chore!

To add to the recent pram discussion - I think I've managed to convince DH that a Bebeconfort/Maxi Cosi Loola would be handy for DD2. We've already got the car seat and carrycot for our 3 wheeler (High Trek), but I reckon the Loola wheels and seat unit would be great for any occasion we don't need to go all-terrain! It might not be the lightest, but that doesn't bother me (and we've got a compact pushchair for later on anyway) but it's reasonably compact and I love the reversible seat thing - that was something I found really good about the 3-wheeler - I had DD1 facing me for ages, til she was sick of the sight of me most probably! (In fact, that's always my top recommendation for anyone bamboozled by pram shopping - get one with a reversible seat. Great for really whittling down the shortlist too as there aren't that many with that function) So - I'm on the hunt for a decent sale/ebay Loola now!

Hello and welcome to the newbies, by the way!

hecklephone, peppermint in all its guises is good for heartburn. I have catering sized box of peppermint tea in the cupboard and Gavison on standby.

We seem to be pretty much recovered but my appetite is not back to normal. I strangely feel I would like to eat something, but when I am actually confronted by food - eugh! Well, won't do me any harm!

Hello, all newbies! And good luck to all the scannees! How many are still outstanding?