Emmsys Weebles planting up the greenhouse for Spring...

[cupcakefairy]

...tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers... and more BFPs please! :)

Get comfy girls, the evenings are not so dark anymore so we'll be passing round the wine soon

Sorry for all the grammar mistakes, im trying to type fast, cook dinner and watch the news Clearly i can not multi task...

Bloody volcanos and their bloody ash. Will be back later to catch up xx

barbie your stories are priceless, thanks for cheering up my day!

I am going to straight to work after my appointment on Friday as its first thing in the morning, so thank you for saying you will be around, but unfortunately I wont be. Thank you everyone for saying you'll be thinking of me :)

Hehe I also read Judy Blume, Ralph is a definite no imo

Just got on here and then we had a power cut, the elements are against me at the moment

Anyway power is back so here goes...

Wow qa I can't believe you are 17 weeks already, that is fab news , the wobbling and weebling never really goes away, but that's what we're here for, when ever you feel a weebling moment coming on, pop into the greenhouse

moon I (hopefully) won't be here on friday, but I will be thinking of you. When I (hopefully) get back I want to hear all about your new PLAN

blue I am (hopefully) wearing my maxi that I wore to a friends wedding last year, I have just bought new jewels to go with it
I was in St Andrews on friday night, it is such a nice place, from what I saw, and we plan to go back and explore properly one day

louey are you back from your appointment yet? Hope everything is ok.

monkey I will be in Middelburg (hopefully) .

barbie come talk nonsense with me

mermaid how are you? I hope you are ok.

4ever another fronked cyber aunt here, sitting in the corner with her new jewels on next to the rouged up blue

I'm gonna hit send now before the power goes again.....

Oh no vjay does that mean your flight is buggered?? I hadn't remembered why Ralph was so funny until barbie mentioned Judy Blume. Anyway, DSis has already told me that is her top name so no way can I use it. I think she was a bit young and missed the Judy Blume phase. Better not remind her I think.

barbie fab stories as always You don't need to shift weight, just tone a bit to look fabby in your new dress and that will come if you are doing all that exercise, I promise you. Am at your christian laboutins.... Re hats - do you know whether anyone else will be wearing one - if so, then I would go for it. You don't get many opportunities to wear hats. Where is the wedding, is it over here? No news on KL then? Forgot to say that DSis is doing well, having a scan a week (another one tomorrow) and is 10wks now. Fx she gets through the nuchal and we can all breathe....

moon you will have to text one of us to let us know how your appt has gone, we can't wait all day to find out!!

Right, have spent all afternoon at hospital. Argh. Did manage to see my lovely consultant which I am pleased about as they had previously told me that he wasn't going to be there. Anyway, he said it was a significant drop in growth, and when I looked at my notes, JC has only put on 300g in the last month which is quite frankly awful (although I know the weight estimates are pretty crap). He wanted me monitored today as well so I had to go upstairs and then spent ages on the monitor because the little bugger was moving around all over the place and they kept losing the trace and having to start again. I have also had 1st dose of steroids, 2nd tomorrow in case they have to deliver urgently. Consultant said there is very little chance of getting to 39 weeks and they want me to get to 36 at the moment because then the baby is likely to need little help breathing. I have another scan on thursday to check blood flow and fluid levels and they are taking it on a day by day basis. I am in every day this week for one reason or another this week. So much for having a rest! In amongst this I am still trying to organise Isaac's therapies and various meetings about his school move. I will try and post my boys name list (all of which DH has vetoed) later on so you can see the sort of names I like. I don't mind telling you lot, have not told anyone IRL.

Oh louey what a stress, but they are really looking after you which is good. How many weeks are you now exaclty, so how many weeks til your 36 weeks?
Ralph does make me laugh, sorry, .

My flight is on Thursday from Aberdeen. I have no idea what's happening yet, though they say that the ash cloud will reach northen Scotland tomorrow. I'm hoping by Thursday they've got a massive chuffing plug and plugged the volcano!

Another v quick one from me

Louey sorry you're having such a worry, but I hope that your little JC stays put for as long as possible. I have everything crossed for you that you get to 36 weeks uneventfully!

Barbie Thanks so much You are just lovely, but I did laugh at the Cath Kidston comment, I wish You should see the house now - it's an absolute tip and I just can't be ar*ed to tidy it! I LOVED your story and seeing that pic you linked to made me guffaw out loud, just priceless!!! Your dh must have so much fun with you around!

VJay You'll be about an hour and a half from me..... Let me know if you do fancy meeting, or even if you'll have chance. DS and I are not averse to a bit of driving

Cupcake Bet Jude's room is going to look gorgeous!! Lucky him I too love the name Ezra, but it will forever remind me of the blind guy in Nine Pounds (with Will Smith). Have you seen it? I start to choke up just thinking about it.

Am sure I had more to say, but think dh's car's just pulled into the drive so better go Love to all xxx

Can't sleep so have resorted to nesting instead...

I'm determined to knock some things off my list this morning.

Boys name list for you to ponder over, need inspiration and DH needs a good kick up the bum to actually think about it seriously

My list:

Charlie
Jake
Fred
Oscar
Joseph
Nathaniel (my current fave)
Louis (love but can't use as a first name as it's too close to Luke)
Theo
Noah
Joel
Felix

DH's list:

Reginald (his current bump name)
Sidney
Cyril
Michael (family name, all the men on his side are called it, very original..)
Margaret
Lynne junior (after my mum, purely to wind her up )
Giddy (don't ask)
Eric
Ernie
Xavier

Most of them are joke names, he came up with Xavier on sat night which is the only one I would even vaguely consider but am worried about the fact that everyone will wonder why we've picked a french name. We can't use William, Edward, Alexander, James, Oliver, Sam, Jack, George as they are all family names or DTs middle names.

Oooh names, yay! Your dh's list is hilarious louey but I love yours!
Really like Joel, Fred and Theo (can also be shortened to Ted/Teddy...my absolute favourite boy's name that dh has forever vetoed :()
I would say no to Noah as it's absolutely exploding in popularity (unless you don't mind that) and same with Joseph, though to a slightly lesser degree.

I think Isaac, Luke and Freddie is a really cute combination. Such a cheeky name Freddie...my BIL is called Freddie and he is ace. You're probably gonna have a girl anyway!!

barbie your stories cracked me up especially sneaking over to get sweets then dropping them all so what I would do!!

vjay hope you can still fly if only you had your own presidential jet to arrive early a la Obamas!

louey - every day in the womb is like five in the world - so my paediatric nurse friend told me.. Hold on for another week and it will make all the difference. Sending keeping bun in the oven vibes xx

Eric and Ernie? surely you should have used this for the DTs??

I LOVE Nathanial and like Felix and Oscar. You've gone down the biblical route with the DT's so I'm throwing Seth, Jacob, Eli, Ethan and ....Benjamin into the mix . Like you I've got trad. middle names (James and Charles).

Now, girls names please! Elizabeth? LOVE it and shortened to Lisbet or Beth... Goes well with your I and L.. Still love Imogen although name is getting a lot of press due to Gyan Riggs . Baby girl names doing the rounds up my way are... Sophia, Olivia, Skyler, Eilidh (pronounced Ayley Gaelic for Helen), Grace, Hannah, Evie, Mia, Aimee, Kirsty, Emily, Lara.. I love Shakesperean names like Ophelia, Jennifer and LOVE Genieveve...

Barbie - you are a one woman whoopie cushion . Falling out your car (loved the link ) and getting caught steeling sweeties - as the Mastercard ad says - priceless

Vjay - really hoping your lack of posts = off to your wedding!

cupcake - I love Babar .

monkey - chips and mayo - yes please!! Had them in Amsterdam years ago and they were a revelation (was v. stoned at the time so probably fall into the munchies category ). Your Charlie is so like my Isaac in his Crocs and funky t-shirt via his lovely thick wavy hair and dashing good looks . Our good friends had their two DD's thought IVF (DH was infertile due to chemo years ago but had banked sperm). It worked first time both times and she said it was OK not too horrendous horomone wise.. If you do go down that route you will handle it with great aplomb. WE'll be here for hand holding and there are lots of 'assisted conception' threads on MN for your to get good advice and tips..

moon - will be thinking about you on Friday.

Definately need black card as its been v. dark again due to awful weather and lo Benjy has slept to 6.50am... Damn that morning sunshine! Reminds me of doing the 4am breastfeed last year, hearing the birds start to sing and going noooooo!

Hello!

louey Really pleased that have decided to continue to monitor you, whilst preparing in case you need an early delivery.It is good they are taking care of you and your precious bump. I will keep everything crossed that the scan later in the week is more positive. You are doing some juggling at the moment, make sure you make time to get rest whenever you can as well as all this rushing to and fro. From your names I like Theo, Joel, Joseph to go with your DT's names. Your childminder sounds lovely btw!

PFJ Have you gone a spent a small fortune on PG tests? Hope you are ok, it has been a tough ride for you, hope your little Jack is helping you get through.

moon Bet this week is going so slowly for you while you are waiting for your appointment. I think your idea of what will happen is what I would expect in your shoes too. hopefully you will come away with a clear idea of what is going to happen next. Good luck x

LBM Hope you enjoyed your weekend camping, don't know how you manage to fit so much in!

blue I laughed at your 'tatties haven't chitted yet' comment and agree that scunnered is a great word! Love your birthday season plans, sounds like you have got a fab time ahead of you and your Dh has got an expensive time ahead of him.

4ever nothing better that a homemade cake, summer will love it. Only 2 more sleeps now until the big day I predict lots of tears and laughter in the 4ever household. Agree with monkey about the mixed emotions of your Lo's 1st birthday.

monkey Sorry that your 2nd cycle wasn't successful. Glad you have got a midwife that managed to reassure you a little. Keeping everything crossed for you.

cupcake Can relate to the welling up at the NCT party. Some moments are just too perfect and you step back and see just how magical it all really is. Your plans for Jude's birthday also sound lovely, what lucky babies you all have. I don't know about the Ralph thing, just shows how difficult choosing a name can be

Barbie have you got a link to your new dress? i have a thing about dresses as I never get chance to wear one, I sometimes lurk on Style and Beauty and love it when they all pile in with dress suggestions for someone. The call to prayer wake ups would be seriously getting on my nerves (whilst also of course respecting and celebrating the cultural differences ) no wonder you are keen for a move! Classic barbie moment, don't your friends and family follow you around with a video camera in the hope of getting the footage and sending it to you've been framed?!

vjay The wedding sounds like a great chance for a bit of R&R. So hope this ash cloud doesn't make it difficult for you. New 'jewels' (you sound like the Queen! ) are a good way to make you feel good about wearing an existing outfit. Hope you have a great time, have a drink for me and get well and truly fronked.

Thanks to you all for your messages, loved all the faces at me being 17 weeks, think that's more a reflection of how long I was away, rather than how quick it is going, though I must admit to getting excited about getting to the 20 week and it marking half way, that's until the sensible side me kicks in and tries to sow the seed of doubt. Right Dh has just made and [biscuits] so must go

Ooooh louey I've always loved Oscar, but dh would always say no, I also like Nathaniel, Noah and Joseph too . As for your dh's list, Cyril, Eric n Ernie, and Giddy!!!!!! he's a comedien that dh of yours

monkey I didn't realise you are so close to where I'm staying I fly out tomorrow morning, then have a family gathering Friday, wedding Saturday, then I'm flying back Sunday, so won't be able to meet up, unless I can escape the clutches of the faaaammily

Ash cloud has gone from over Aberdeen so looks like I'm going . Up until now I've not really thought about it, but I am a nervous flyer, and going on my own is making me increasingly anxious today. Any tips???

Just have 5mins to pop in and echo LBMs lovely words, that here we are on the eve of Summers birthday, and I still pinch myself every day and cant quite believe that my dream finally came true, and I have my beautiful little miracle girl after not daring to believe it would ever happen for so long... What we went through to have her just makes her all the more precious, and only you lovely ladies truly understand what that was like.. Without you all I think id of been slightly insane, you supported me more than you will ever know through the heartache of desperately wanting a succesful pregnancy, to then being a weebling anxious wreck for the whole 9months when I did have a succesful pregnancy! To have shared the most amazing journey of my life with you all has been such an honour and a joy, you have helped wipe away tears, steady my wobbles, and been there to celebrate the best thing that ever happened in my life, for that I cant thank you enough!

Bit emotional! Keep thinking back to this time last year! Its also 6yrs today that DDDH and I got together! I understand the mixed emotions you have all felt as well, about Summer not being my little baby in arms anymore, the fact she is walking around and so very tall makes it hit home even more! However I am also very excited about her party tomorrow, have just baked her cake, now just need to ice it, decorate it and cut it into a 1! Also printed out large pics of her to put up inc some newborn ones, which just highlights again how big shes grown! Just hoping that it doesnt really rain cos want to be mainly in the garden, as there will be 8 oth kids, typically today it is glorious!

Anyway, just had to share that and to say thank you again for being such a wonderful kind bunch! Love you all lots x x x x x

{{{{{ 4ever }}}}} a big huggy hug for you
I won't be here to post tomorrow so will wish my beautiful cyber niece a happy birthday for tomorrow

Talking of birthdays, a big happy 40 for blue, my lovely cyber buddy, this weekend too

vjay I am so pleased that you are going after all! I looked at the news this morning to see whether it looked like they were going to open the airspace and had my fingers croseed for you. Hope you have a wonderful time Yes my DH is a comedian, although I have to say the joke is wearing thin now. Just would like him to agree on one boys name.

4ever oh what a lovely post bless, its so exciting being 1 isn't it (for the parents I mean ) We want to see pics of the cake when its finished please! Hope the rain stays off for you. I've just realised that she shares her birthday with my MIL, which means I will now never forget it again! I hope you all have a really lovely day tomorrow and I will be checking in to post special happy birthday wishes to your little one year old cherub

QA I've found some nice(ish) non-alcoholic wines if you are interested...let me know if you are and will send you the details. Have you had any kicks yet? It does take an eternity to get through to 20 weeks, but after that, it will suddenly speed up and you will wonder where the time has gone. What's your EDD?? I can't remember if you've added yourself to the bigpanters list yet?

PFJ any news - did you do another test (or three?). Hoping you are just too busy to let us know.

blue you definitely need some kind of blackout blind. We've got a temporary one up in the boys room as well as very dark curtains and it makes a massive difference to their wake up time. I've just been and ordered some new curtains for JC's room (which was the boys room) and have got blackout linings for them. We used to have some lovely matching but totally impractical curtains in there which didn't stop any light at all. Think my attempt to co-ordinate got in the way of practicality (not for the first time ) DH called the DTs Sidney and Cyril all the way through, despite thinking we were having girls . I'm not sure if that means we are having another boy as he insists on calling this bump Reginald. He has vetoed Nathaniel on the basis that it is too biblical (and he is an atheist) and that he doesn't like names that can be shortened. Funnily enough, Elizabeth (nn Beth) was the top of my girls list but he thinks that's too dull. Sophia is also very high up but he is a bit lukewarm about it. We do have a girls name which he has sort of said he thinks is ok, it was my favourite originally but its got quite popular which put me off a bit (in top 20).

cupcake clearly we have great taste in names The problem i have is that most of the names on my list are going up in popularity, I know Theo is getting fairly common around here, probably more than Noah.

monkey I have some more chocolate orange thought you might like some

Today's update is not quite as good and I'm feeling a bit wobbly TBH. BP/urine all fine. Went on the monitor and the first 10 mins were ok, met the criteria and the mw said that she wanted to leave me a little longer and then would take me off. I thought I was going to get out quickly. Then I could hear the heart-rate getting slower, much slower than normal. MWs kept checking the trace and saying it was ok, but I could tell they weren't convinced. Then they said they wanted me to stay on for a full hour. The baseline heart rate was above the criteria but only by 2 bpm. They were sufficiently concerned that they took it to a consultant to sign it off, which he did but they have really drummed into me that any change in movements at all and I have to come straight in and to carry my notes around at all times. Now measuring 29cms (which is smaller than I was) at 35 weeks and I really don't think I am growing at all. I have a feeling the scan tomorrow might show things are getting worse. Very glad I've had the steroids. Just have a sense of foreboding that this baby is going to be out soon and its too early. As you said blue another week could make a massive difference. Am going to put my feet up this afternoon and try and take it easy!

louey was hoping that today would have reassured you, not made things more difficult. Every day really is making a difference though. 35 weeks is early but it is on the later side of early iyswim. Must feel very strange to be facing an early birth again and can only imagine how anxious you are at the moment. Hope you id manage to put your feet up this afternoon x Yes please to the non alcoholic wines link, though understand that you may not get round to it.

vjay glad it looks like you will be ok to fly I am not keen on flying either. My tip would be to take a really good book and try and imerse yourself in it to take your mind of the flying

4ever lovely message can tell just hoe excited you are...only 1 more sleep!

blue xposted with you last night! Hope you are spending your time pampering yourself in preparation for your birthday!

Going to try for an early night tonight, seem to be waking up quite a bit during the night, pregnancy book says its normal and I do remember this with DS, but think it started later once I had become uncomfortable. Sure it is natures way of preparing you for the proper sleepless nights of a newborn.

Hello all sorry been off the radar for so long been busy at work tying off loose ends before I finished today! Louey have text you so hoping things go well for you tomorrow. Qa can't believe how far you are along so pleased for you 4ever can't believe its summers birthday you must be so excited

Got to go and make tea will try and catch up properly soon

doing too much as ever. louey hope everything is Ok with the scan tomorrow
4everyou'll have me crying too in a minute - have a wonderful day with your beautiful girl.Take lots of pics and have lots of cuddles - she is most definetly yours and you most definetly deserve her
Love to all else - need to get back to the grind stone

Louey - what a worrying few days you are having... 35 weeks is very good gestation as it stands so any extra day is a bonus. Do they have a thought as to what is causing slowing in HB? Really glad they are monitoring you daily though just to be on the safe side. Hope you managed some feet up time today xxx

4ever what lovely words . Enjoy every inch of tomorrow with Summer and your family. You never gave up and look what you got . I won't make it on tomorrow as its a 'Mummy day' but you will be in my thoughts. Piccies of the cake soon please!

Gotta go, dying hair for b'day weekend, dripped on ears already - lovely

Happy birthday Summer and congrats to Mrand Mrs4ever on surviving the first year - a total breeze after all you went through before.

In middle of exam marking drudgery at the moment but will be back soon.

Big waves to everyone else and a special hug for Louey

Happy Birthday to Summer!!! and 4ever I hope you all have a lovely day despite the very un-summer like weather (boo).

Thanks to you all for your messages and texts. I am feeling ok, had a much better nights sleep last night and JC is moving around a lot this morning. DH is coming with me to the scan this afternoon and is going to work from home tomorrow in case any drastic decisions are made. He has also admitted that there are 2 names on my boys list that he doesn't mind....so we may have a name after all. Need to think of middle names to go with them though. Am not spilling the beans yet, you will have to wait and see

BQ I'm so pleased you've finished work. Hope you have a lovely few weeks to rest and nest at home.

blue how did the hair dyeing go? Brave lady, I am useless at that sort of thing! I did get the immac out yesterday afternoon to (ahem) tame things down low in case I get whipped in over the next few days. It was a massacre, cream everywhere!!!

neeko hope the exam marking finishes soon

QA thread here on alcohol free beers and wine I've posted near the end. Can definitely recommend the white. Hope the sleeping improves soon - it took me until past 20 weeks before I felt vaguely normal this pg.

Right, I'm off to sort out correspondence shred a few things

Internet connection is playing up but needed to wish our lovely summer a very happy first birthday, hope you got my text 4ever? Wanted to do a long post but doubt the connection will last long enough to post....

louey my thoughts are with you, i hope it all works out ok..tis a worry but we are all here for you. Ill keep my internet on phone on standby so i can keep and eye on you...

Will update tomorrow.

Night y'all xxx

Happy birthday to our gorgeous Summer! :) Hope she's having a lush day 4ever
Your post was lovely...you've helped us all through a million and one wobbles too so thanks right back to you :)

monkey I forgot to say the other day that yes I have seen Seven Pounds- v sad film :( but had actually forgotten there was an Ezra in it. Do loooove that name, but could never use it cos is weird to say with our surname :(

louey how exciting dh is finally conceding on some names! Can't wait to hear the choice :) I find this really interesting - it's the top 100 names of 2009 but shown in proportion of how many times they were actually used. So for example, even though Jude is in the top 100, it's teeny tiny on that list so there still aren't actually that many Judes around. I can't find one for 2010...

Hi bq! So exciting you've finished work :) Eeeeeep not long now!!

Happy Birthday Summer I hope you've all had a wonderful day and that the party went brilliantly, can't wait to hear all about it! How did the cake go? Your post was so lovely and so heartfelt, and as cupcake said you've been there so many times for all of us. We are very lucky to have found each other Please give little Summer a huge big kiss from me, and tell her that dh, ds and I wish her a massively happy birthday. May she forever feel as cherished and happy as she is now xxx

Louey sorry to hear that it's wasn't better news from the monitoring, but it sounds as though JC is doing fine, kicking about in there! Fingers crossed that tomorrows appt goes well xxx

I'm afraid I don't have time now for more personals, am off to bake my first ever made-to-order birthday cake Don't know what came over me this week, but I've thinking about making celebration cakes for a while now - you don't really get lovely british style cakes here, so hopefully there will be a bit of a market for it! Will post a pic when I'm done, provided that it doesn't collapse

BQ Hope things settle down now that you have finished for maternity leave, you can really look forward to your LO arriving now. How have you been feeling?

monkey Sounds like you have spotted a niche in the market, would love to see your pics when finsihed, good luck with your 1st commission

cupcake That illustration is really good, I love anything to do with names and followed all the threads on here when the top 100 names each year comes out. Had a quick look and couldn't see Jude, so it must be a very small number

neeko Hope the marking isn't taking it out of you too much, roll on the summer hols...

Blue Hope you're matching your hair colour to your MN nickname I have never dared to dye my hair, just know I would make a mess of it.

< waves to Barbie and LBM>

4ever Happy 1st birthday to Summer!!!! Hope you have a fantastic day and that the weather was better with you than it was near me. What a lucky girl she is to have such loving, caring parents.

louey How did you get on this afternoon? Been thinking of you today and hoping that things are a little bit brighter. Really pleased that you have your DH with you for support. Impressed an you 'preparing' yourself for labour, perhaps you could get vajazzling in honour of Vjay and give the midwives a shock Thanks for the link to the thread will have a look later and try and get some this weekend.

Another wakeful night, felt like having a nap at work Will check back later to see if there is any news from louey