June-ior middleweights - fighting on through the second trimester (Due June 2010)

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Here we go ladies - I'll C&P the stats in a tick. Don't forget to add the gender on if you find out at your scan

We put DD in a cotbed from a crib. We got a cotbed rather than a cot in the hope that it would be more cost effective. LaT my DD does the same rotating in her cot thing and often likes to hold one of the bars while falling asleep so we won't be removing the bars anytime soon.

Summerhols I stopped working 4 weeks before my due date last time. Have quite a long journey all via tube so was heaven to not have to do the commute. I didn't get bored at all. I did lots of little jobs at home, re-arranging cupboards, cleaning, batch cooking and freezing meals. I went on maternity leave a the beginning of December so it was a nice month to have off and get all my Christmas shopping done, wrapped, delivered. Also planning on stopping work about 4 weeks before this time too.

WWISA poor you, glad the doc reassured you.

Saucepanman sounds like you could do with a nice rest. No fun not being able to do things for yourself.

I'm still eating like there is no tomorrow, lots of fruit for snacking. No matter what I bring with me to eat I always seem to want something else too

herewegrow - I know what you mean...constant desire to eat (anything) and yet, and yet,...I wander around the supermarket collecting random foodstuffs that I think I might want to eat, but then its never what I fancy by the next snack time.

Chocolate raisins are going down well today though

Saucepanman, of course you were missed...just not explicitly !

By the way, maternity leave - I'll be using annual leave until my due date (as it gets cancelled, not paid or carried over at end December 2010) regardless of when flump makes an appearance....early or late, mat leave will probably start on my due date (which is a Monday) or the week after (if possible), to extend it as long as possible

Ladies, I am in love....
With a buggy. I haven't used it or even seen it in the flesh, but if I can get hold of one (rare over here, but think I have found a source) then I am going to buy it without a test drive - something which I never thought I would do! It is the Baby Jogger City Select. This, with a comprehensive review here, and a good set of pics of all the diff positions here. Am phoning now for a price, although the google shopping result said £579 (which is cheaper than the i-candy peach blossom).

Ok, just spoken to them, and it's available in UK from June - order now to avoid disappointment!

CSWS Oh no I had just been looking at pushchairs online. I have a P&T's but not really that keen on using it for a newborn. We had a Quinny 4xl Tandem when DS2 was born which was fab. Then when DS1 was 1 we sold that and got a P&T's.

I too, am now in love

CSWS - that was going to be my buggy if we'd had twins (put two eggs back in so there was a chance - not randomly researching lol).
It looks fantastic and everyone i know who has a babyjogger loves it.

Hello all - just checking in quickly here because my internet connection is down and I'm in a local Starbucks. We're actually moving to a different flat in the same building in a couple of weeks, and I think the fact I have notified our internet provider that we want to switch providers may be the reason the internet was down all day yesterday and today.

I too am now 27 weeks and still feeling well - although I haven't had a checkup for a few weeks and will have the glucose test and the anti-D shot on Friday, so will have an update then.

madamefreckle I too am having a tough time with DH at the moment - he has been busy at work and has been bringing stuff home at the weekend which he absolutely needs to lock himself away to do, while I am on my last legs with tiredness and in desperate need of respite here, far from family and with no childcare. I don't mind this, but I just feel that there is always some reason he can't pull his weight with the children, and there is almost an underlying snobbery that his interests / obligations are more important than mine. The double-whammy is that he can also be quite scathing about how I do things with the little ones which makes me feel incredibly small. Our DS1 has a cavity and my husband tore me to pieces about his diet & brushing etc, and told me he doesn't want the same thing happening with DS2. It all came across as an employer / employee conversation rather than a partnership. It is our wedding anniversary on Thursday and I know he is expecting me to sort out something special, but I'm just finding it hard to summon up the enthusiasm this time and am prepared to just let it pass.

CSWS - I see alot of the baby jogger city prams here in New York and they are fantastic. The mini version is used as an alternative to the Maclaren because, while it is more robust, it folds down just as easily.

We've also had a little sunshine which has been really uplifting and I really hope it signals that Spring is finally here. Hope you all have a lovely week!

I think I am starting maternity leave asap, 29 weeks purely because I want the time with my older children before the house is turned upside down and I'd like some decoration and roof stuff sorted before he arrives too.
With my eldest I worked until 36 weeks and then I physically couldn't haul myself out of bed, even getting a taxi to work, quite an indulgence didn't help so I gave.
Am impressed that some can work to until the last minute.

CSWS We have ordered a Baby Jogger City Mini double, and I've been all over the BJ website so know what you are saying! I in fact fell in love with the BJ City Elite double, as it's packed with amazing features plus it's a super tough all terrain which we really need on the tracks around here. Sadly, it also weighs 19 kg!! Like, there's no way I could possibly lift that into the car! Hence we've gone for the compromise of the City Mini, and we'll just have to bump along the tracks. I'm also holding on to the Quinny Speedi for when I go walking with just one of the LOs (or can convince MrP to come with us and carry DD in the back pack!).

Hi everyone, haven't been on for a while as have been looking after my Mum following her knee replacement and her internet connection doesn't work and then I took DH off for a pre-baby flingette.

Loving the pram chat. The baby jogger looks fab CSWS.

Feeling pretty good at the moment. Since I haven't been sitting in front of a computer for a while my back feels a lot easier. Like you though, Filly, finding pilates so helpful. Mampam so sorry for all you have been going through and the lack of support. Really hope your complaint will lead to better care for you.

I'm planning on finishing five weeks before and using up some annual leave because of my back issues. I have a mad idea that I'm going to be able to waltz down to my parents in Devon and lie in the sun for a few weeks before my life changes forever. Oh well, I can dream!

Have been reading quite a few parenting books. Not sure if we're allowed to talk about parenting gurus on here. They actually made me feel quite depressed because they were so problem-focused and concentrating on ramming home how difficult / stressful / exhausting being a new Mum is. Guess I also wanted to read about how wonderful and special it is to have your LO.

Off to look at the London meet up now.

Sun see if you can find any of the Best Friends guides by Vicki Ivoinne, much more positive and funny in places.

I second MillyMollyMoo, those books are good.

Am at the MW tomorrow for a check up, nothing exciting! Am expecting my BP to be high though, BIL is still here after nearly 7 weeks

Hi all, not been around for a while

Just got my CS date for June, so all suddenly v real

CSWS thanks so much for the tip off re Baby Jogger - it looks fab. Was all set on Mountain Buggy until I saw your post and looked at the links. Am v tempted

Sun you are so right about the parenting books. If you are planning on following any sort of routine, I wouldn't worry about it until your LO is at about 6 weeks. The first few weeks are just about fumbling through, marvelling at your little bundle at every moment and just going with the flow.
One book I found really helpful was "What to Expect - the First Year". A sensible, all-round help manual.

The two books we kept (everything else got freecycled!) were the 'Birth and Beyond' book by Yehudi Menihin which covers everything practical and is particularly good at what to do for children's illnesses and suchlike (and includes pre/post natal yoga exercises, homeopathic medicine advice and a million other useful things!), and 'The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer' which we felt trod a reasonable middle ground between practical problem-solving and respecting the baby's need to express itself and develop. In fact, we're big Baby Whisperer fans in this household - but it probably depends on how you are wired. DH and I like to be semi-in-control but not bossed about (hence no Gina Ford!) and felt reassured by having a loose structure (not timetable/schedule) when looking after a new baby for the first time. We found the trouble with just sitting and marvelling at our baby was that we were never too sure what we were supposed to be doing next, every time he cried...so having a relaxed routine helped take some of the panic guesswork out of the equation. Calmer parents = calmer baby, so was good for all of us. But much as I bang the BW drum to all my RL friends (who mostly have done the same thing ) I totally recognise that this doesn't suit everyone

I thought Yehudi Menuhin was a violinist?

(waves back at filly) I am really struggling at work ladies,i wanted to start maternity leave perhaps the end of May,but i'm going to have to bring it forward to the start of April,i'm really not coping(tearful as i'm typing )Its beacause i am on my feet all day with only half hour break,its a very phsyical job and today i've realised i just cant do it for much longer,even though i only work 3 days a week.I feel dissapointed with myself that i cant cope with it,but i have to listen to my body.

saucepanmani am with you on the sock front,i had a massive fight with my leggings & socks yesterday trying to get them off

Dinosaur I can relate to what you say about feeling that there is an underlying snobbery that dh's work etc is more important. My dp is like that as well - "Well, I have to support the family!" he says ... hmm...I don't think he's cottoned on that I earn more in 3 days than he does in 6. I look after ds whenever i'm not working, I deal with all childcare issues, household finances and bills, spending hours on phone to insurers, mortgage company etc etc, vast vast majority of housework and yet he says...."So you didn't notice that I just did the washing up then..." grrrrrrrr

As for the tooth brushing thing...I'd be fuming!

LittleRobbo - You must feel gutted but try not to blame yourself. If you've got a physical job and there's no way of making it less physical (such as being allowed more breaks etc) then please don't beat yourself up about it. Far better to listen to your body. Is there any way you can take time off as sick leave if your doc says you are unfit to work?

Oh littlerobbo, try not to be hard on yourself, it sounds like you are doing the best thing, and there is no point in pushing on with work if its exhausting you. I'm sure you'll feel a lot more positive once you've got a chance to put your feet up.

Playftse - when is your section booked for? Curious as they keep on saying I'll not last to 40 weeks but I don't know what my hospital policy is on term for twins. (should have asked I suppose - doh) I was offered an elective section today by the consultant. HAve yet to decide what to do for the best. Will probably wait an see what position they are in and see if the decision is made for me

OMG! I'm sooooo tired I just don't know what to do with myself.....but I can't sleep because I'm so bloody uncomfortable. For once it's not because of the SPD it's because the muscles in my legs hurt so much.
I lay on one side until the muscles hurt then turn over to the other but now they are just hurting anyway.

I don't think I can go on with this pregnancy, I know I'm probably only saying this because I'm so tired and emotional and I don't actually have a choice now anyway! This has been the longest drawn out pregnancy ever and I know I've only got 13 weeks to go (12 if I have CS) but I don't think I can cope for that long. I even asked DH to comatose me earlier on, for at least the next 10 weeks but he just looked at me blankly and said he didn't know what I meant

And is it awful of me to hate DH right now? He's fast asleep, snoring and looks really comfy snuggled under his quilt on his sofa (I'm on the other sofa). Everytime I drop off he f*cking disturbs me.....going to the loo or fiddling with the curtains to reach onto the windowsill to get his bloody drink then gulping and gulping it down really loudly! I'm really thirsty too but daren't have a sip of my drink because it'll mean even more trips to the loo.

Right I'm going to see what excitement is on TV now. Will catch up properly in the morning when I've snapped out of 'whinging and whining' Mampam at 3.08am and turned back into 'had some sleep' Mampam at a decent hour of the day.

manpam hating DH entirely reasonable. This whole tiredness / thirsty / peeing calculation is totally annoying and it's only made worse when somone else is asleep and comfy. Hope you eventually got some sleep

little robbo others are right - you mustn't beat yourself up and you do have to listen to your body if you can possibly afford to do so financially, or maybe even if not...

Just off to negotiate with my new HR manager about my new job contract. Am sure no HR process known to humankind has been followed with me, but fingers crossed I am going to get some of the things I'm asking for.

A quick one on books - agree with baby whisperer, but only other one I've kept is Penelope Leach, I really like her because she is humane and compassionate and reassuring. Also agree - DH and I were talking last night about how long we just go with the flow before thinking of much routine at all, and we both thought six weeks and then reconsider

filly - need to check with my DH but think London meal a possibility for me - will go on that thread to confirm. Thank you!

mampam I feel your pain re sleep- for me it's restless legs, endless loo trips and waking up every time I turn over. I am also not liking my DH at the moment. Hope you ended up getting some sleep

Oh mampam you poor thing, the thing that struck a chord with me from your post is the LOUD SWALLOWING of water! What's that all about? I can't BEAR it - is it that hard to swallow quietly??? You poor thing getting all worked up at 3am - i hope there were some other mnetters around to chat to otherwise things can seem very bleak at that hour. Hope you're feeling more positive today.

I second the Baby Whisperer books although I attempted to follow Rachel Waddilove's book as it was reccommended to me by a friend with perfect children! It was good as a guide, particularly after about 6-8 weeks as others have said, but trying to follow a book does have its drawbacks as you question yourself/your baby when things don't go as they're 'supposed' to. I quite enjoyed the Yummy Mummy's Survival Guide too.

littlerobbo what are your options? The priorities here are you & your baby, not the job.

dimb hope things have calmed down a bit & you have something nice planned for tomorrow.

Should really get on with some work as i have not managed to get in on time once yet this week - oops!

morning ALL.

mampam hope you managed to get some sleep.

some nights are worse than others for me, i hate trying to turn as my pelvis aches and my hips ache then i get shooting ligament pains in my sides.
and the loo trips..im trying to time my turning to only when im getting up to the loo. 16 weeks to go i cant wait(planned c-section) so it really is only 16 and im delighted. i feel like im 90 years old already at 23 weeks

DH works nights every so often so i enjoy having the bed all to myself then, no one is teasing me with their easynight of sleep