The one where Emmsy's friends say, 'if you're names not down, you're not coming in!'

[HeyThereGeorgieGirl]

What do you think?

xx

You lot have been gassing away!

First of all, a huge welcome back to Mollie So pleased you're back
Now gotta get Ei, Piper and last but certainly not least Sparkly back into the swing of things over here

Lola Excellent news about the scan! No picture? Love the day bed btw, will come in handy when baby is up all night teething

Mollie I didn't realise you work in a Jobcentre. Must be incredibly stressful. A friend of mine used to work in one and was often threatened by people - usually drunks/druggies Don't do anything that's going to cause you even more stress!
Deanna plan?

Mibbes Re the nipple theory, it makes perfect sense. If it's so natural then why don't we all get dark nips? Mine certainly didn't get darker and I really struggled to make any milk at all - might buy some boot polish this time

Cricri Oh I do hope it's nothing too serious, I can't imagine having to go through anything like that Keep us posted about how little Elise is doing.

teehee glad you're feeling better about it all today

About the grossness I found in the Tesco meal, I phoned the Merton Environmental Health dept just now but unfortunately I (stupidly) didn't keep the outer sleeve, I only have the container that you microwave it in. So they can't get any info from it The lady said I could still take it back to Tesco and see what they say. I'm not really bothered about compensation as it'll only be minimal anyway - I just worry about the whole batch, what else could be in it?

I've spoken to the Midwife in Charge of the Carmen Suite again today. She said she spoke to her manager who says I can't use the pool. Now they're using the excuse that DS was such a big baby! He was only 9lb 12oz and that's only because he was nearly 2 weeks late ffs! He would have only been under 9lb had he been on time! That's certainly not classed as big. They have to be ove 9lb 14oz to be classed as big. They're just looking for excuses now
I asked her if I can bring a birth pool with me if they won't let me use theirs. It's either that or a homebirth! She said she would ask her manager....

Anyway, Head of Midwifery also called me but she had to go as she had an incoming call so I'm waiting for her call back hopefully anytime now.......

Also I'm trying to get hold of my notes from DS's birth but apparently it's going to cost anything up to £50 to get them! I think I might go down there and just have a look rather than get a copy. I just don't remember much about DS's birth and would find it really beneficial if I knew exactly what went wrong.

Why is it so bloody difficult to get the birth you want? I reckon after all that time of TTC the least I should be offered is the birth I want.

Anyway, I'll let you all know what HOM says if she ever calls back

Oooh I forgot Bella I'm free to meet up one evening now I've been paid. Can you have a look for those cheap meal vouchers? Perhaps we could do one night next week?

TeeHee Thanks for reminding me I have to start with the vits again, oops I'd completely forgotten, I have got some left over but all donations gratefully received Hope maternity is going well, have you finished my blind yet?
Lola I will see what I can do about Sparkly coming back, will try working on her on a daily basis I love the name Honor, can't you just steal it too? On the name front SIL was talking about names for her 2nd one (due June) the other day and said one of the names for a girl she liked was Grace, which we've had on our list for over a year! Cheek! I think my face said it all and she quickly backtracked, fortunately scan last week showed another boy! Hope the trial isn't as bad as you thought x
Georgie Have you thought of any names you like so far?
Mibbes I looked into hypnobirthing ages ago and thought it sounded good (with you Lola on alternate therapies) so it's fab to hear someone who's actually used it in RL, in my new positive attitude I would like to bagsy the copy in 9 months time please when everyone else has borrowed it
Bella Quinny
CriCri Sorry to hear that you're having more complications with Elise's kidneys, is this something that is treatable?
Scully Hope you are feeling better today and made the most of the air conditioning!
Fruity £50 for your OWN medical notes, bloody hell! Can't believe the fight you are having just to get the birth you want, what a nightmare.

The Deanna Plan is this DH is very keen on the try every other night from CD8 bit, typical

hi ladies
just thought i would stick my head round the door to say hi!
life is not too good at the mo as my DHs grandad died this morning after a very short battle with cancer we were very close and he was like my own grandad so needless to say we are devastated
i will come in and speak to you all soon when my head is retracted from my arse
love and hugs to one and all xxx
xx ei xx

EI So sorry to hear of your loss It's all a crappy for you at the moment, hope you feel better physically and emotionally soon x

Ei so sorry to hear that hun, take your time to grieve and come back when you feel ready xx

Mollie let me know as soon as you need the CDs, hopefully soon - there is one for early PG and another for birth preparation. There is a birthing music one (which I didn't listen to as had no plans to actually use it during labour) and a postnatal recovery one which is really relaxing. I just bought them when I had a total 'middle of the night panic' about labour at about 20 weeks - the intention was to relax me and it worked .

So Mibbes, you think the hypnobirthing helped during actual labour? I looked into it with dd2 but didn't end up using it. Now I know what to expect with labour though, I'm thinking about it again, for this time.
So sorry about your loss Ei, take all the time you need, and look after you
Do you still have the receipt for the meal Fruity? Paying for your own records, that's a bit steep Tbh though I can sort of understand the hospital's reluctance to let you use the pool, it's such small % of cases where there is a c/s scar rupture but I guess they need to be prepared just in case. Do they want you to have a cannula put in? Would they agree to 15 or 30min monitoring rather than continuous? I thought some of this was interesting here
or there are some good contacts mentioned here
Would dp consider a homebirth?
I felt much better today, I'm sure because I was out of the heat and wasn't being harassed by dd2

oh Ei I'm so sorry

Scully yes I have the receipt somewhere I think but the environmental health lady said it won't make any difference as they need the batch number etc...
Might be useful to take it to Tesco with me though. I should try and find it.
I can also understand the hospital's reluctance but surely as I'm hospital grounds and one floor away from the labour ward it shouldn't be a problem. I spoke to the HOM btw, no joy at all I said I'd be forced to have a HB but she didn't seem bothered about that at all - said it was my choice. I said I'd rather be on hospital grounds just in case. I'm now waiting to here from the midwife in charge of the labour ward about bringing my own pool, HOM doesn't think I'll be allowed due to health and safety/liability.
A c-section really f*s up things - I didn't realise at the time and to be honest I would have had DS out of my ear by that point if I'd had to!

hear not here

Oh blimey, I've missed so much. And I've missed you guys. All going well here (at last!) but up to ears in making decisions for the build. It's lovely to be so hands on, but rather tiring and doesn't leave me with much time for personal stuff.

Just wanted to say hello to everyone and I will catch up properly on Saturday when I get some free time (what's that?!).

In the meantime, I am lurking and trying to keep up with everyone.

But, here's a lovely calorie free, fat free, guilt free chocolate cake to keep you busy until I can get back in here properly.

Oh, and the MS has finally buggered off. Woooohooooo.

xx

HTGG lovely to see you, glad things are going well.

teehee drop me your address on FB and I'll pop that CD in the post.

scully I only used the hypnobirthing CD for relaxation during PG, I had no intention of trying to use it during labour. I found it a good relaxation tool but nothing more than that really.

Very angry and moody today as wearing under bump and VVVV uncomfotable, my bump is very low you see Grrr. Fruity I'm on it x

Fruity deals are: Monday night only at Frankie and Benny's (there's one near you I think?) 1/3 off bill between 5 and 10pm or BOGOF on burgers at Gourmet Burger Kitchen (there's one in Wimbledon)???

Bella just buy some over-the-bump trousers. FAR more comfortable . My over-the-bump are now almost under bump and are digging in. I'm running out of clothes to wear. Managed to rip a hole through my fave jeans at the fly when I was tying to tug them on I can't sew either.

Just gotta tell you about my fab bargain I got on Ebay. It was a Tiny Love play mat 2nd hand for 7 quid! Just got it this morning and it is in such amazing condition, in it's original packaging, no fading, all toys attached, annoying musical thingie works beautifully too I saw the same one in Hamleys the other day for £60

I've also bought an apron for the bugaboo carry cot on Ebay for a tenner. Bug was originally black all over. Now it has a red hood (bought in Peter Jones sale) and a red apron - just gotta buy a red cosi toes and it's like a different pram Just can't wait to use it again!

TeeHee ? I?ve been thinking about what you were saying ages ago about being petrified about the baby coming. I?ve tried to remember as many words of advice, pearls of wisdom and bits of great inside info that I?ve picked up over the years. Maybe some of them will help, maybe some won?t. But if any do, then I hand them on to you with love.

1. Tomorrow is another day. You will never experience a day like today again. Even if it?s been filled with crap, you can learn from it and move on.

1. Don?t get sucked into competitive parenting. It?s easy to do. But just leads to angst for you and the baby. Take it from me. Poor DD1 was always compared to a friends baby. I didn?t realise I was doing it until it was pointed out to me. DD1 chilled out a lot after I just let her be herself.

1. Don?t be afraid to cherry pick from different ?experts? books. DD2 was sort of G Ford-ed and sort of Penelope Leach-ed. I just took parts from each and adapted them to suit her.

1. Never presume that you have all the answers to all the question on rearing a baby. Just because you are a women does not automatically mean you have the answers! You can read all the baby books til you are blue in the face. It?s a totally different matter when you?re faced with a real live baby.

1. DO NOT hover over DH?s shoulder whenever he?s with the baby. It will lessen his self confidence and make him reliant on you. Let him get on with it ? just like you have to.

1. Allow yourself to go into ?free fall? for a while after you have the baby. Nothing will ever be the same again and it takes a while to get over the shock! It?s a bit like drowning. Once you surrender to it, it?s actually quite a pleasant experience!

1. Do not assume that the professionals have all the answers. You will know what?s best for your baby once you get to know him/her. Sometimes you will have to trust your gut instinct and go with that.

1. Do not believe that you will enjoy every single stage of mother hood. It?s OK not to. I?m not great with new borns. I find the lack of communication really frustrating. But I love it when they are 2 or 3 years old and they can talk; even though this is when they have the most tantrums.

1. Never, ever beat yourself up for not doing this or that. If you want to BF, then BF. If you want to formula feed, then do that. Dummies, thumbs, co-sleeping. The list is endless. Do what it right for you and your baby. Have the courage of your convictions.

10. Be aware that as soon as you give birth you will get, ?mother?s guilt?. It never leaves. You constantly question yourself, your motives, everything to do with your mothering skills. Learn to dial down the volume! I?ve only just been able to do this. It?s a bitch, but it?s here to stay! At least until they are 38 and have left home!!!

11. Baby?s bounce! They are a lot more resilient than you think!

12. And lastly ? YOU JUST HAVE TO BE GOOD ENOUGH. You don?t have to be perfect. Some days you will feel that you?ve been a brilliant mum. Some days you?ll feel like jacking it all

.....in.

See point 1 and repeat ad infinitum!!!

xx

Fruity I seriously gagged when I read about the toe nail. Ugh. I would have been sick on the spot. GROSS. Love your ebay bargains. Might have to have a little look myself. How are you feeling? Not long to go now. Really sorry that you're having so much trouble getting the birth that you want. Can't be fun being pushed into doing something you don't want. Any more news?

Ei So sorry to hear about your DH's grandpa. Very sad news. I hope that you're bearing up. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Scully I can't remember what part of Oz you are in, but it's not near the bush fires is it? Are you safe? And, have you managed to get this 2nd trimester surge of energy? Keep waiting for mine and it's not coming! Bloody knackered all the time.

MOLLIE Welcome back dear heart. Very very nice to hear from you. And fingers crossed that you get the all clear from your con's appt. How's the new motor?

Kate When do the bloods come back? Am really hoping that all is well this time. Fingers, toes and legs crossed for you hon. How's the case? Are you coping with the work load?

Mibbes Wow, you're one strong lady to keep BF. I admire your determination. Like Scully says, hopefully the nipple shields will help. Apart from that, how's Evan?

Cricri How's Elise? How frightening for you. Really hope that everytihng is ok.

Bella It's over the bump trews all the way for me. Under the bump ones make me feel as if my knickers are constantly falling down!

Supper time. Must eat.xxxxx

Georgie Love your pearls of wisdom for Teehee - have made a mental note of some of them for my own use!
Ei So sorry to hear about your DH's granddad Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Bella Agree with Georgie and Fruity - over the bump far more comfy! Had some under the bump jeans and even towards the end they still felt as though they were about to fall down!
Fruity I ran out of stuff to wear by the end of my pregnancy. Couldn't wait to get back into my pre-pg clothes, although it took a few weeks and some trousers still don't fit now
Scully Glad you had a good day yesterday
Thanks for your concern about Elise ladies. We have to go back to the hospital for more blood pressure monitoring next Monday, using a manual machine this time rather than the automatic one You'd think they might have tried that the last time we were there wouldn't you if they thought it was an issue. Plus the nurse who rang up today said we were supposed to have come in last Monday as an appt had been made for us. Perhaps it was, but nobody told us! Am rapidly losing confidence in the doctors at the hospital what with one thing and another.
On a brighter note, we went to Bluewater again today to meet 2 ladies from my AN/PN thread and had a lovely time, bought lots of stuff for Elise and a lovely jacket for me
Hope everybody else is ok.

Hey guys! Great advice re the over the bump ta! Bought some online, should be there tonight on my door step! Georgie lovely wisdom there read it and took it in!

Fruity what'll it be then Mon or Wed eve? x

It's rained all day today here, and has been at least 10deg cooler than any day in the past month, wonderful Thankfully we aren't anywhere near the fires in Vic or floods in Nth Qld, so I'm just enjoying the change of weather and not needing the ceiling fans on
Definitely over bump trousers Bella, I think apart from other reasons I'm just not tall enough for under bump ones
Georgie, have more energy than at any other time during this pregnancy, but still not running around anywhere near like I was with dd1 or dd2. But feeling a lot more human again which is an improvement Good to hear your m/s has gone, it's such a drag....
Love your ebay bargains Fruity, so exciting when you get something for a great price on there, and it looks new I need to look on there for some more maternity clothes. Started to last weekend but didn't get very far.
Thinking I might visit a reflexologist soon, I saw one with dd2 several times and loved it. I'm in heaven when anyone does anything nice to my feet The lady I've found is a nurse as well, the medical background always makes me more relaxed.

I've had a hell of a morning.
Took DS to his parent teacher review thingie which was great actually so not a complete hell of a morning. Teacher very impressed with his progress
DS's friend (who I have every weds/Fri morning) hasn't shown up. I can't get hold of his mother at all. I 'm really hoping she doesn't expect me to swap this morning for this afternoon (they don't have school today), I'm hoping she'll expect me to charge for this morning as it is in the contract

DS has had a major tantrum everyday this week. Today's drama started off at about 10am and didn't end for about an hour. He keeps finding silly things to cry about and it's really winding me up. At playgroup he was crying because I wouldn't let him have a 2nd biscuit, but every time I went over to him, the baby mindee would start screaming (and I mean torture screaming). I couldn't pick one up without the other screaming. Everyone was watching me - it was so embarrassing. So we left early. Now at home with DS watching Cbeebies and baby mindee seems to be happy so far playing. I'm knackered already and I can't believe it's only half eleven

Scully glad you're getting a bit of rest from the heat.

Bella How about Weds? Nice break up for the week.

I'm going to be so bored next week with it being half term. There aren't any playgroups open during half term so I struggle to find things to do with the children. Plus the local soft play centre puts their prices up during school hols so that's a no go (we usually go there once a week). Hopefully it'll be nice weather so we can at least go to the park!

Georgie Thanks for your thoughts will store them with all the others. Have you got decision overload yet? I struggle doing on room at a time so the majority of a house would make me head explode.

Bella Putting your over the bumps on will be one of the happiest days of your pg! No more hitching your trousers up all the time.

Cricri How frustrating that the hospital are frankly being shit - why can't things like that just be made easier by some competent help - always such a struggle! Aaah thank goodness for shopping to help ease the stress! Must be lovely to start buying for yourself again.

Mollie Send me your address and I will forward the vits to you - they will be out of date before I even need to think about using them again! I did find some OPK's the other day but they were out of date and I thought it's not the sort of thing that anyone would trust if not in date!

Fruity I am so about the e-bay purchase - may have to get DP onto it as frankly I just don't have the patience to search for the bargains! Isn't it typical of both DS and your mindee to scream when you are in public and then be quite content when you are at home. Although you do need to remember that a second biscuit is an extremely important issue! Glad your parent/teacher thing was good though - thought you were about to say that was the nightmare! Next week - Get the Play Doh out! Sorry to hear you are still struggling with your birth plan- let us know how things pan out.

Scully Glad you are coping with the weather a bit better, sounds like you are entering the 'nice' bit of the 9 months - nearly halfway there remember. Are the DD's behaving themselves now?

EI So sorry to hear about your loss, I seem to remember you mentioning a while back he was ill so it must have been a hard few months for you all. Lots of love to you allxx

Just got back from shopping for SIL birthday present - had to get up with DP so could get a lift in, so was in Costa by 8:15 - bit of a shock to the system as I am now a bit of a slacker! Nice to shop for non-baby items actually, although couldn't help a quick wander round Mothercare . Nursery is now painted, carpet down, cot and drawers built! I will upload some photos after next weeks IKEA trip so you can get full effect!

teehee let me know what you need and I'll help you find a bargain

Ei sorry for your loss.

My magic jeans have been delayed! i'm in a dress today, but now my knickers are digging in too! I think I have an especially low bump?? Fruity you'll have to assess on Wed eve. So ut's GBK in wimbledon< 7:00pm to early for you? x

Afternoon all
Lovely to be back with you all again after one hellova week. Am shattered. But the good news is that we have heard from the consultant and all looks good with the blood results He left a message earlier in the week saying it all looked very reassuring and very different from last time, but somehow I just couldn?t seem to believe it without talking to him and getting a few more details. Does that sound crazy? We finally caught up with each other this morning, I?ve been stalking him since Tuesday I think it?s partly cos last time we started to relax and tell people after the 12 week scan on the Friday and then the following Tuesday we got the blood results and our world collapsed. Am just scared of it happening again. As opposed to my mother who has already been out buying baby clothes She told me she had a present and I guessed what she?d done so I asked if it was baby clothes & she said it was, so like the ungrateful witch that I am I told her I really don?t want anything yet. I really thought she understood, but clearly not... She asked when I will want it. I said maybe at the hospital She said not to be ridiculous so I said ok, 3rd trimester, but apparently that?s still ridiculous. Tough! May relent after 20 wee scan...

Anyway, sorry for the whinge .

I found out today that my Down?s risk is 1:19278 which is pretty good, so I guess that?s one less thing to worry about!
Ei I?m so sorry to hear about your DH?s Grandpa. I?m glad it sounds as though you were able to spend some time with him before he died. Please hurry back to us as soon as you feel up to it, there will be a large cup of tea and an even larger slice of cake waiting for you when you do.
Sorry I don?t think I?m going to manage to catch up with everyone?s news right now, although I have enjoyed reading it all! The case I?m working on is the nightmare I suspected it would be, joy of joys. And I?m knackered and grumpy (in case you hadn?t spotted that yet Will just have to think of the money!
Can you wise ladies give me a tip? Have reached that irritating ?nothing fits but don?t look pg? stage and I?m SICK of having nothing to wear... DH and I are going out for a fancy lunch tomorrow for valentines? day and I really don?t want to look hideous, though I think I will. How did you guys get through this bit? Did you find anything useful? I?ve got one pair of jeans which my sister leant me last summer which are fine, but they?re quite faded so not really any good for a posh lunch, and about 2 jumpers which are long enough to wear and (surprise surprise) I?m sick of both of them! Don?t really want to buy any maternity clothes yet, as feel like a fraud/tempting fate but I really want to try to look nice! And I find it hard to enjoy shopping when I?m the size of a small hippo!
Sorry to be such a moaning wotnot today, you?d think I?d be in a good mood, today of all days, I think (hope) it?s just cos I?m so tired...
Sorry for the me-me-me post too, promise I?ll try harder next time

Come and tell us what you?re all up to for V Day tomorrow? Fruity I hope your DP stays out of the dog house for long enough to do something nice for you! I wonder if Mibbes and cricri will manage a romantic evening... Damn sure I won?t ? hence going out for lunch rather than dinner. Just think, by next Valentines? Day we could all have graduated... what a thought!