emmsy's new one... only one left...

[HappyandEiknowit]

hi girls

come on and get your pom poms out and help me get to the finish line

xx ei xx

Aw Bella! Is there no way at all?
You will come to Georgie's extension warming though won't you? No excuses this time lady, not even having a new born holding you back!

Lola Where do we start with that list of venues?! Maybe we could start a thread asking for recommendations?

Sparkly Ok smart arse How exactly do you pronounce that?
How lovely to get a visit from our lovely Mollie! So Mollie, do you live near Sparkly then? Don't you live near the Cotswolds? And most importantly, have you stopped looking at your scan pics yet? Get them up on your profile!
Sparkly I wish I could put you and L up that night but unless you come out partying with me then you might be a little bored in my DP's company. Of course you know you can come out partying but I'm guessing you'd rather not in your condition?

Well this BabyPlanner idea has already started off on a bad note, I've just bought myself one of those Bug mattress covers - I reckon it could be the start of bankrupsy for me!

I have another business idea - which probably won't ever happen. There's a small building in the local park which is currently a nursery school. The nursery is closing down in July s the building is available.
My friend and I were talking to the park warden discussing the building being turned into a cafe. He reckons we should start it up. I know, in the summer months, it will do very well as there are no decent cafes in Colliers Wood and certainly no parks with cafes (except Morden Hall Park)
Not sure what'll happen in the winter months though. Been thinking of having a children's play area inside the building to attract people when it's raining/cold.
We're thinking of combining our names and calling in Lollies

So, two business ideas to get my head around

Fruity I'll tell you when I see you. Sort of like c-u-tch. Love you business ideas. I'd love to do the play cafe thing - I know the insurance can be an expense but it sounds as though it would be a popular venue.
Teehee You've really got the hang of this motherhood malarky.
Bella Sorry you're not going to be able to make it.

Am off to NCT coffee morning with DD. We still do them when we're all free. I'm going to a ball on Saturday so I'm going loaded with the possible dress and shoe combinations. I've bought a maternity dress but can't decide whether I like it.

Enjoy the sunshine all - think this might be the last of it.

Sparkly what a lovely way to spend a morning! Sounds like heaven!

Sparkly/Fruity the way we used to pronounce it was similar to the way you pronounce the word cook but with "tch" on the end instead of "k" - does that make sense? And is it right?!?

Teehee more than happy to meet you at Liverpool st, will look for train times now. Am guessing we're looking at meeting some time soon after 12 if that's when Ei's bus gets in?

Will also go and get the list in a minute - Mollie do you feel ready to graduate yet? I won't graduate you, but maybe once you get your blood results...? Up to you

Jaamy TTC#3 cycle 21 (MC Mar 08 and Sept 08)
HappyAndEiKnowIt TTC#2 cycle 19 (CP/MC april & june08)

BFPs
Molliemooma BFP 6th Apr TTC#1 Cycle 6 (mm/c Jan08, mm/c Aug08 & CP Oct 08)

Infanticipating
HeyThereGeorgieGirl 34 weeks pg (BFP 3rd Nov) EDD 10 July
Scully 34 weeks pg (BFP 8th Nov) EDD 13 July
BellaHarry 32 weeks pg EDD 29th July
Lola 28 weeks pg EDD 30th August
Piper 18 weeks pg TWINS!! EDD 16 - 23 October
Sparkly 18 weeks pg EDD 30th October

Graduates
Emmsy GIRL! Amy Louise born 7th October 08 5lbs 12oz
CriCri GIRL! Elise Vivienne at 0630am 4th November 08, 7lbs 15oz
Mibbes BOY! Evan, born 3rd December 08, 6lbs 5oz
Fruity BOY! Jack, born 18th March 09, 8lbs 50z
Teeheelaydee BOY! Noah Robert, born 13th April 09, 6lbs 12oz

teehee trains are dead easy. I can get to Lpool st for about 11.30? They seem to be more or less every half hour so let me know what suits you Am guessing it'll take us about half an hour to get from Lpool St to Victoria? (if that's where we're meeting?)

tube map

very really want to come definitely want to make it to Georgie's house warming..thanks hun xx

Somebody please tell me that this tiredness will go soon! Sorry I didn't get back like I promised but I hope I make up for it by putting a pic on my profile

I've been looking at the trains but like EI can't really afford the £51 train fare and unfortunately like a fine wine I don't travel well on a bus, so won't be able to make it, but I hope to get to the next one
Fruity I live in Hereford which is near the cotswolds and about 1.5 hrs from Sparkly and as I had my scan in Cardiff I thought it would be rude not to drop in Like the idea of the cafe/childrens play area and as for the baby shopper I hope you will give me some free advice as a novice!
Lola Hopefully I'll graduate after the bloods are back.

Right off to do the internet shop before I fall asleep or throw up it's usually one or the other

Mollie it will go..and then return with a vengence...nice break in the middle though, yes x

Calling all mums, please can I have your advice on which cot matress to buy for this cot there's some they suggest further down the page. I can't bleieve how many there are! AAAGHHH

Mollie FANTASTIC pic!! Yes the tiredness will improve a bit. But not much Although you might be lucky. Hopefully you should stop being sick soon too Gutted you can't make it on 20th, but I couldn't manage it if it was £50 either. And I certainly couldn't do the journey on a bus! Bleurgh!! Have been meaning to ask you, did your mum go to your scan with you in the end or not? Still can't believe Cardiff was the closest private clinic!

Bella I meant to say before, so sorry you can't come
So far as the mattress is concerned, we're getting this one from JL. After doing some mn based research I decided I wanted a sprung mattress rather than a foam one, and one which comes with a washable cover, as I've heard that can be pretty important! As far as I can see from the mothercare ones, the equivalent is the coolmax sprung one because I'm not sure the other sprung one comes with a removable cover does it, it's just wipe clean on one side? The coolmax one does seem a bit pricey though, ours is £58.50 and the coolmax sprung mattress appears to be £99.99, although maybe that's the wrong size? The nursery advisor we spoke to said not to worry too much about the anti allergen stuff unless one of you 2 is quite badly affected, because the protectors etc you can get are anti allergen anyway. This is ours - but hopefully in the right size! HTH! However, I'm sure some ladies who actually know what they're talking about will be along in a bit

I'm no matress expert I'm afraid. I just bought the most expensive one for DD and it's lasted over three years. I'm pretty sure it;s sprung with some foam on the top. I'll need to do some reading before buying for #2.
Mollie Had already seen your lovely pic but great to see it again.
Kate Your explanation makes far more sense but it depends how people say cook. I.e if they say it like coo (pidgeon) then it wouldn't sound right. I really am spending too much time thinking about this.

Mollie Great pics - it is baby looking already. Yes the tiredness will go but will come back in about - ooh 6 months but you won't care as you will have your little precious bundle here. PS-gutted you aren't coming on the 20th but we are coming your way in July so wondered if we could meet sort of half way?

Bella We got a cotbed so went for a sprung mattress/nicest one we could afford as Noah will be using it for some time. So it really depends how long you're expecting Imogen to be in it.

Lola Thanks for the offer to meet us - I'm going to take the plunge and get some tickets sorted - will have to book times though so will aim to get to LLS for 11:30

fruity Great idea to start a thread for venue - and there was something else I was going to say and it's disappeared from my mind and my battery is going (mine and my computer )

Night night........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hello lovely ladies, I'm so sorry for neglecting you over the past couple of weeks. I can't believe I haven't posted since coming back from France I've had a long job on and have just been working whenever I could get access to the PC. I need to have a think about all this because I'm just getting no time to myself at all - I'm either working or with Elise. I love doing stuff with her but I still need a bit of time to myself occasionally.
Anyway, I had a catch-up of the thread last night and I just wanted to say at Mollie's scan result. I'm so so pleased for you, it's wonderful As the others have said, hopefully the tiredness will ease soon and you'll start to feel more human.
Meet-up I'm definitely still up for this.
Teehee We could travel up on the train together if you like - hopefully we'll find some willing people to help us negotiate steps etc and we could share a cab rather than struggling on the Tube? What do you think? Alternatively I'm happy to drive and can pick you and Noah up from Colchester station.
Venues How about one of the parks if it's nice? St James's is close to Victoria and there's plenty of room for the DCs to run around. There's a cafe in the middle of the park too, although it does get quite busy in the fine weather. We could all grab sandwiches etc rather than trying to struggle to find a restaurant that will fit us all in. Not sure what we'll do if it's raining though... The National Gallery has a cafe right at the top which is quite spacious for prams/pushchairs etc. but not sure how much entertainment there would be for L and C I used to work near Trafalgar Square so I'll have a think and see if I can come up with any more ideas.
Sorry Georgie and Bella won't be able to make it, although I'm already looking forward to going to Georgie's in September!
Fruity Your business ideas sound great! Love the new mum shoppper idea - I would definitely have used you! Thank goodness for MN is all I can say and all the advice from this thread and my AN thread about what to buy.
Mattresses We got a sprung one, although we quite liked the idea of a Purflow one, having seen it in one of the baby shops. However, Elise is now 7 months old and she's not used it as she's still in our bed at night. She obviously prefers our memory foam mattress
Hello to everybody not mentioned - must run as she's waking up! Talk later.

Morning

My lazy little boy didn't wake up until 8.30! And I've ha a full night's sleep
It's all the fresh air and attention he got yesterday at DP's Grandad's wake
He also had a very late bottle at about 10pm as we didn't get back till then.

Mollie Your scan picture is amazing! So, what do we all think, girl or boy? I'm going for boy
Shame you're not coming to the meet-up . I really hope you can make it to Georgie's in Sept. I keep thinking I should come to see you when I got to Friday Island next but we usually spend the whole day sorting wedding stuff out. How far from Cirencester are you?

Bella I would go for a sprung mattress. IME The foam ones tend to dent easily (where their head lies usually). Like Lola says, I wouldn't go for an anti-allergen unless you or DH has bad allergies which are likely to pass onto Immy

cricri The park is a fantastic idea. DP suggested Hyde Park to me yesterday but if St.James' is nearer then lets go there
Lets find an alternative in case it's pouring with rain.......
Very reassuring to know you would have been my 1st customer Now I've got to work out where to start ...........
So Lola you've also heard of this cwtch word too?, so it's not a Welsh word then? Why have I not come across it?

Morning lovely ladies. Lots going on on here. Really pleased that the meet up is going ahead.Don't feel so bad for bailing now. And rather chuffed (in a paniced type of way!), that you'd like to come to the house in Sept . Better get the old marigolds out and get cleaning!

DH has a new nick name for me.... WOLVERINE IN MARIGOLDS .

PG hormones and the stress of getting the house finished are begininng to take their toll on me. Opps. Poor Parcel Force guy got it both barrels on Wed . Had a screaming match with him because he wouldn't let me check the contents of the package he was delivering (v expensive light fixture) to make sure it wasn't broken. Ended up having a tug of war on the door step with me screaming, 'do you want me to go into labour'!!!!!

Promise I will catch up properly tonght. But, just wanted to say what a lovely, lovely vibe there is on here at the mo. Am really loving that everyone is happy and content.

hi ladies
so i had my HSG and all seems ok. the lady who put the dye in said that it looked on the xray that i may have had a little bit of mucus in one of my tubes which has been flushed out byt he dye the lady then when i was on my way out said 'i have to warn you that there is an increased risk of pregnancy following this procedure' i answered 'fingers crossed eh?!' you should have seen her face!! like i had 2 heads haha...then again she had just looked up my spout haha anywho i will be taking advantage of my new found super fertile status this cycle
hope all is well with everyone
im still working on my meet-up travel arrangements
xx ei xx

ei great news that there was not major blockage then? fingers crossed it's just a matter of time.

Thank you to all you wonderful ladies for your mattress advice, you truly are wonderful. I am now sure what to buy and I really didn't have a clue before..I love mn Lola the one your getting seems like it might fit my cot too I think, cheers for the link had;t considered JL but there is one in Kingston so not out of the question.

Well I had a thoroughly annoying visit to 'mw' apt at GP surgery today, firstly it was done by a GP who didn't tell me anything not even baby's position! I had to ask an then read her scrawly notes after I got home. I mentioned that I had been getting frequent and sharp pain in my cervix and was obviously a little concerned..now even if this is nothing to worry about you would have thought that she would at least try to reassure me rather than say 'mmmm'. She sisn;t even follow up the info saying I had been experiencing depression in pregnancy and took it upon herself to write 'all well' anyway, now as it happend I am feeling tonnes better but shouldn't she check? Any way whilst checkign back over my notes I notice that it had said 3/5 in the 'engaged' column...is this good??

Sorry don't mean to moan, all is really well just feeling the pg hormones, like Georgie

Hello lovely ladies!
can't re-read all posts as way too much to read.

Mollie your scan picture is beautiful, really pleased all is going well. I loved how you turned up at sparklys door at 9pm, I am always in my jimjams by then! I have her address and one day hope to turn up 'out of the blue' and meet my lovely welsh friend. Was this the first time you have met in the 'flesh'?

lola I got very excited before, I was reading your post and thought your meet up was in Liverpool! Then realised it's the name of one of your London stations.

Ei hope the dye has flushed you out (so to speak!)

The 20th is a busy day for me, we have our school summer fair on that day (I will be helping out!) and I'm off out to a 40th fancy dress party in the evening, can't wait, how sad am I, getting excited about a night out, was never inn before kids came along!

must go now, feeling really tired, hope you all have a lovely weekend XX

Emmsy, I'm in my jammies long before 9pm, don't worry about that Hope you have good weather for your school fair.
Annoying when you aren't told anything isn't it Bella. I've got better with each pregnancy with asking questions and not worrying about what they think 3/5th engaged means the baby's head is in the right place, heading south, but still has a little way to go before being full engaged, or in the lowest point of the pelvis.
Good news the hsg went well Ei, fingers crossed your 'spring clean' will help with the super fertility
Well done for the great scan Mollie, hope you're starting to enjoy it all now, with the new reassurance that everything is ok
You're having some great business ideas Fruity, the play area one sounds promising
Had a busy day today, my back is stuffed but got so much done. dh would rather have sat on his arse all day but was persuaded to get off it every now and then to help
It has rained here on and off for 2wks now and as I don't have a dryer, I had 3 loads of washing to do today, as it was nice and sunny. Took dd1 to gymnastics for 1.5hrs & came home to find dh had done nothing in the 2hrs I had been out of the house Got him up putting the carpet tiles down in the garage and then took the dd's out with me, to a nearby baby shop, where I ordered the moses basket and cot mattresses and bought this as well. I have cot top changer and don't have room for a change table, so this will keep everything handy, hopefully.
Came home from shopping and then starting moving the large toys out of dd2's room on the newly carpeted area in the garage (blackboard, kitchen, rocking horse, table and chairs) and then moved the cot into dd2's room after hoovering it. Any wonder my back isn't happy with me tonight, but I am feeling happy that the cot is up, the mattresses ordered and I've even started packing my hospital bag Have only managed to wash 6 babygros so far but baby washing is on my list for this week......
Have a lovely weekend everyone

Morning ladies

I am baby free for a little while so thought I would take full advantage and although the ironing is calling this is FAR more important don't you think.

Ei Great news on the tubes, a sentence I never thought I would say Seriously hoping that this is the month for you and have everything crossed for a BFP. Are you still on for the 20th?

Cricri It must be so hard to get time to yourself when you work from home. So tempting to work in your small Elise breaks. Have you come up with a solution yet? Meeting at colchester for train or car would be great. Whichever you prefer is fine with me. How were you planning to travel?

Sparkly So, what did you eventually decide to wear? Any chance of some pics so that we can also check out you ever expanding bump? I'm so glad that you still meet up with your NCT buddies. We have got a regular Thurs am thing going on at the moment, which is lovely as I know that even if I do nothing else that will a couple of hours to chill out.

Lola I was asking DP about non-vista laptops and he did say you can get XP 2nd hand and just get a laptop with nothing on when you buy. I have Vista and although I like how it looks I don't think it is particularly reliable.

Scully I think you've finished work now, although I have a very sketchy grasp of time at the moment. Did they give you a good send off? With all you chores crossed off the list and work finished you should be able to really enjoy your mat leave and have a break - well as much as you can with 2 demanding girls!

Georgie Hope you are managing to hold on to what's left of your sanity and humour. I guess someone had to get it and better that it is the Parcelforce man than DH or one of the girls.

Fruity at your 8:30 lie in. Although I can't really complain. I've been expressing a bottle of milk a day and DP was doing the feed at 10:30 but I was having some problems in the night getting Noah back to sleep so we've swapped and DP is getting up to do the 2:30am feed. He's up, done and back to bed in about half an hour and I get to sleep from about 11ish (when Noah doesn't decide to arse about until gone midnight) to about 6:30. Still though I thought this morning that it's a shame babies have no concept of the weekend!

Bella 3/5ths is how engaged you baby is. My MW didn't bother with how many fifths as she said it's either engaged or not so she just wrote engaged or not. It's a good sign though means your LO is going in the right direction, ie; down and out! Can't believe how useless your GP was on the other stuff though. It just shows how specialised MW's are, it probably wasn't that he was uninterested, just uninformed, not that that is an excuse though.

Mollie Are you still floating on air? I can't believe you had to go all the way to Cardiff for your scan, but worth it so see our lovely Sparkly. BTW - how is work? Was going back OK?

Noah has his jabs on Monday, I'm sure I'll be more bothered than him. He'll be 8 weeks - can you believe it? I certainly can't, time has seriously flown by. Also a friend turned up yesterday with her 'close' baby sling - so I now have 3 FGS! Fruity I will review them for your shopping service if you like!

Right - I don't think I can put the ironing off any longer.... how dull

Hello to any lurkers oh and I don't think I mentioned but I've put some new photos on FB as they took too long to load on here.

Scully x-posts - you really do sound as if you are getting organised. Washing of the babygros suggests the final stretch. That storage thingy is rather snazzy too.

I bloody hate it when I leave the house and everything is exactly the same when I get back. It drives me mad that unless I leave specific requests nothing gets done! I think your DH sounds very similar to my DP - He will get on and do things but not without instructions and a push (or kick up the arse!)

Hello ladies I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.

Ei GREAT news on your hsg! Really glad it went well. Your DH will be exhausted in no time!

Emmsy & Cricri lovely to see you both back

Just a quick one from me as loads to do... But have been meaning to rely on the collective wisdom of the thread to ask what bits & pieces I'll need to have handy in my changing table? We're just going to adapt an old console table from ikea and put baskets on the shelves. Obv I'll need nappies, I'd worked that out , what do we think about using wipes?? cotton wool (am guessing pads might be easier than balls?), some sort of cream/lotion - I've heard the Burts Bees one is really good without containing too many yucky chemicals - here, muslins maybe?.... but what else....??

Will post properly later, have to go and make lasange now as we have DH's parents, sister, sister's husband, aunt and uncle coming for dinner.... lucky me!! It's all go in the fast lane you know

Just a quickie while I think of it re: changing table. One thing I've found really useful that I never would've thought of is hand cleaning gel (it came in the bounty pack) Really handy to clean your hands as you can't leave baby while going to the sink. I now keep some in nappy bag too for changes on the go!

On my shelves I have pile of muslins, baby wipes (supermarket because why splash out when they are for poo clearance!) baby lotion, (although at first we just used olive oil and I only use the lotion when he has dry skin, which is rare) cotton wool pads (for eyes), massage oil and sudocrem, which came in Bounty bag and is a tiny pot but hardly ever have red bottom problem (Noah - not me! ) so should last ages.

Lola You really don't need any lotions and potions. Forget the cotton wool and water - why make life hard for yourself?
There's nowt wrong with babywipes! They are a godsend. Just bog standard Boots fragrance free 3 packs for £2.70. The midwives at hospital will probably use cotton wool and water but seriously, what a faff!
I don't put anything on Jack's bottom, only if he gets sore (extremely rare) then I use Sudocrem (Like Teehee says, you'll get this free in your Bounty pack) or Bepanthen. It's a good idea to get some Metanium (sp?) just in case baby gets a really sore bottom - it's the best stuff.
If your lo gets dry skin just use olive oil on a cotton wool ball.
It is handy to get some cotton wool balls. Just in case baby gets a sticky eye.

Also, am I the only one who doesn't wash baby clothes before the birth? Never had a problem with Jack or Charlie wearing stuff not washed first. Obviously I wash them when they get dirty but I mean before it's been worn.

Ei I'll be watching this space! Remember I finally got pregnant really soon after my HSG

Gonna pop back in a bit, gotta sort C out..........

Scully yes it was very annoying I think I need to get a bit more confident with asking questions, I always feel like I'm being silly By the way that is a really cool little storage thingy you've bought

Teehee I think I have contacted you on fb?? You probably will be more bothered by Noah's jabs than him; my mum still remembers taking all 3 of us for ours aaaw. P.S thanks for the 'heads up' on the 'head down' 3/5 thingy

Fruity did you manage to check out the Next suits...quite cute I thought but not great for mucky littlens I thought

I went shopping today as I got the HIP grant, bought things for hospital bag etc...managed to spend £50 in Mothercare! Got the Quinny out of the attic now, love it still pheew!

Bella Yes, just had a look, very cute! I think I've got something for Jack to wear, just got to get C something. I really like the ones in M&S.
Also, re the engaged thing. Babies can still pop in and out so don't be shocked if she's not as engaged next time. It's all good though, she's obviously heading in the right direction!
Scully What a handy little storage box! and slow down a bit! You need to put your feet up lady!
Hey Emmsy Lovely to see you what are you going as to the fancy dress? Do you ever get scared you're being wound up and you turn up the only one in fancy dress That would be quite funny
teehee Jabs already! Jack's not had his yet. He's having his 8 week check (and jabs) when he'll be 12 weeks Ooh, just realised that must be next week!