On the books front:
I've only ever seriously read G1na F0rd. I know she comes in for some stick but she has been my saving grace when it came to teaching my 2 to sleep. I think if she phrased her routines as "If you stick to these basic principles of Eat, Activity ( for a very short time when newborn), Sleep (for a good 2 hours when little) then your day will look something like this:" rather than 8:15. Brush hair, eat toast. 8:45 darken room, swaddle baby. 9am Baby MUST be sleeping by now. It was a little intimidating, but being a routine person and a teacher who likes the idea of a timetable she was right up my street. In her defence, I knew NOTHING about parenting before reading her books and both DCs have slept unfailingly for 2 hours a day minimum until now (until DS was 3 1/2) and 12 hours a night. I am a lucky woman but she helped.
MatB1 forms: I have one. MW told me to send it off. Where to????? I'm a SAHM now whcih I told her but she still said I should send it off. When I was teaching I just gave it to the Bursar. Any ideas?
Siamese Sorry you're poorly but congrats on the norkage. Lucky you!
evitas and IWCAS Any useful "anti rib pain" stretches you can recommend from yoga?
Caitni Never apologise for loving the Nappucino. They're great.
Mumbot Ideal baby present if we didn't already have one would be a) portable black out blinds (e.g. Baa Baa Blind), a Bumbo and tray and a Totseat (portable highchair). We do already have all of those so I'm going for Chocolate. And some Pregnancy Massages.
EmLouT What's a maternity nurse? (on 3rd child and clearly so much to learn emoticon)
Manda DUMBASS consultant. Complain away and get someone who listens.
Pacific and Afribaby Apologies for the obvious German. Ich mochte ein Stuck Schwartzwalderkirschtorte mit zwei Bretzen und ein Grosses Weissbier. Is that better? (Brother lived in Munchen for many many years and I still crave KaffeeundKuchen time and my hourly intake of Beer and Pretzels). Think you should have campaigned for Wunderschnitzels Anonymous as the new thread title. Maybe that's the one I'll start now that ELK has peed all over my angel.
RebeccaCad Hope you find a good Doula. I was one for my chum and she was one for me. Not sure what diff between an empathetic girl chum birthpartner ( both our DHs were present for the respective births) and a Doula is. Are they just MUCH more experienced?
smac Good name.
annamama ROFL at Spaceman comment.
Don'ttry Congratulations on the wedding. How lovely! It IS a big deal. have some non alcoholic champers on me.
Right. I'm off to watch tv and print DDs birthday party invitations. Silly child being born 2 weeks late has got a very annoying Christmassy birthday.