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

Mibbes aaw that sounds cute I've got all sorts of hints that baby is on the way but they've been happening for a week now so don't really thinks it means much at all given up really just keep obsesively baking....want some chockie muffins? x

Choccie muffins choccie muffins choccie muffins! Me me me!! I know I said I was going to cut down on cake, but muffins and biscuits are in their own separate categories... aren't they?!?

Bella here's hoping that either you get some decent rest at some point today, or that if you don't it's because LO stops teasing you and decides to put in an appearance! Are you finding any of the breathing tips helpful during BH/contractions? Maybe worth having a go with a tens machine (if you have one) if they're really bad?

Mibbes sorry for the mammoth post! You're right, I seem to bottle it all up them vomit it all out at once! (Charmingly put don't you think?! ) I'll try for the 'little and often' approach, but I don't hold out much hope! Sorry! Am VERY impressed by the half a stone lighter than pre-preg thing btw, even if you do have a wobbly tummy!

What shall I do now? Am shattered today as had to get up (relatively) early... The weather here is attrocious. I might go and check out the sale in a posh baby shop near us which I've never been to before to see if I can find a little something for my friend who had her baby on friday, and then go on to the supermarket to start the freezer cooking frenzy that I've promised myself I'll do before LO arrives... Do any of you have a decent recipe for broccoli and stilton soup?

While I remember, if any of the mummies or mummies-to-be have a birth plan I could have a look at I'd be really grateful. Want to do one but not sure where to start...

Lots of love to all xx

ooh Lola I think you asked me ages ago for a birth plan! Copy and paste this....

Birth Plan

I am keeping an open mind about my labour and birth and may change my mind. However, I would prefer it if:
Birth companions: Partner, and Doula. Also I?d like my Mum to be allowed in.

Induction: I do not want to be induced unless absolutely necessary. I want to be informed as to any steps taken to induce or augment labour. This includes artificially rupturing the membranes or sweeps.

Pain relief: I am incredibly keen to be in water for as long as possible so I will stay at home for as long as I can. I?m very happy to have gas and air. No epidural. I might bring a tens machine with me. I am hoping to be able to get through labour/birth with breathing techniques. However, I?m not ruling out Pethidine but would rather not have it. I would much rather have Meptid if anything.
Monitoring: As little as possible as I will be moving around a lot
I?d prefer not to have continuous monitoring unless medically necessary. I will happily be checked with a sonicaid at regular intervals. If continuous monitoring is necessary I would like the option of telemetry monitoring if possible

Interventions: As little as possible.
C-section: To be avoided. However, if I really need a c-section, and it?s not a dire emergency then I would like a ?natural? c-section:

Lower the screen/sheet between me and my tummy so I can see baby?s head coming out, then leave the body in for longer than normal so that chest gets squeezed (like in a vaginal birth) to expel fluid from the lungs. Then I?d like the baby to be put on my chest. Also please leave the umbilical cord attached for several minutes.

Delivery positions: Any way but on my back. I want to be free to move around as much as possible.

Touching baby: I?d like to be able to feel my baby?s head as he crowns and would like him to be placed straight onto my chest.
I?d prefer all exams and Apgar scoring to be done whilst baby is on my chest. I?d like skin-to-skin at all times unless medically necessary

If baby needs to be taken away then I would like partner to stay with him and maintain skin-to-skin contact with him as much as possible.

Cutting the cord: Please allow the cord to stop pulsating before cutting and allow partner to cut the cord

Third stage: I?m quite happy to have the injection to expel the placenta and happy for the vitamin K injection to be administered.

Feeding: I will be breast-feeding exclusively. Please could you check the baby for tongue-tie? I would not want baby to be given a dummy or bottle without my permission.

Can I please have a virtual Choccy muffin please? Still got about 3/4 stone to lose so can't have a real one

That last paragraph isn't in my birth plan but it is optional

Busy few days here with going to Swindon (the girls were all looking fab and I really enjoyed myself) and then a birthday party on Sunday. I'm finding lots of things to do around the house rather than sitting down and relaxing. Might as well enjoy being able to move before I get any bigger.
Teehee I hope you're having a fantastic time if you're lurking and that little N is being as well behaved as he was on Saturday. L is still going on about him .
Ei How are you hun? Any news from you? Hope your body doesn't give you the run around this month.
Mibbes How is the exercising going?
Fruity Have you recovered from the weekend yet? Am glad to see you warming up for Milan!!
Scully Has C kept up his amazing sleeping pattern? What ever you're doing I want to know...I'm dreading being sleep deprived.
Lola How is itchy tummy? Still leaving you alone, I hope. I wrote a birth plan when pregnant with L but it was such a waste of time in the end because I was induced. I'm not going to bother this time. If I want anything then I'll verbally make it known. They didn't even bother to read my hospital notes - numpties!! (Is that even a word?) Did you go to sale and find any bargins? Eat as much cake as you can - I bet you'll still look fantastic.
Bhudda Have you enjoyed your day off today?
Bella Is labour anxiety keeping you awake? It got me for a few weeks for DD arrived.

DD just gone to bed so I'm parking myself on sofa for the night. My best friend was due to have a little girl on Friday but there's still no sign of her. I keep jumping everytime my phone goes. It's so exciting.

Effing blackberry!!! Deleted my message again! Offered you all a muffin, asked after Lola's health and ability to sleep and updated all on my no show baby! X

hi ladies
bella not long now!! 2 days til your due date?? either way you look at it you have at the most 2 weeks until you get to meet you little lady
hello to everyone
im CD31 and AF was due today (i think) but no sign yet so well see
xx ei xx

EI Sounds hopeful My pom pom dance is working then?
Bella Thanks for the chocolate muffin
Sparkly I did enjoy my day off thanks, pottered did bits of housework but watched two films, such a lazy mare
Fruity I'm not sure I know half of the stuff on your birth plan, I have so much to learn
Lola I bet you will have one all typed out by now and ready to go!

Has anyone seen seven pounds? I watched it today and sobbed my heart out, it was so good but oh so sad, looked very attractive afterwards Still cooked DH his favourite tea, so at least I did something productive today

Buddha you?re right, I do have a birth plan all typed up now ? I?ve just cut and pasted Fruity?s Thank you for that Fruity, I really appreciate it. Am going to print it out and use it as a starting point in talking to my doula when I see her again next Monday. Am definitely leaving that final line in too!

Ei I?d make a pretty funny looking cheer leader atm, but for you my love I cast all dignity aside! Really hope it works xx

Buddha glad you spent some time watching films, am sure it will have done you good to have a rest, not sure about all the crying though! I watched Dream Girls yesterday afternoon. Thought it was crap to be honest, but then I wasn?t really concentrating. Anyone else seen it?

I went to the baby shop and almost managed not to buy anything for myself? will see if I can find you a pic? No. I can?t. It was an Emile et Rose comforter thingie like this. Only nicer. Naffing white company, have just seen they?ve reduced the cot mobile I bought by 50% How rude. If any of you preggy ladies fancy it I?d say it?s a bloomin bargain now! Anyway, I got a couple of lovely bits for my friend, who I heard this afternoon has called her baby Ella Such a lovely name Would have been tempted by it myself, but not that keen on Ellie - too popular and I suspect an inevitable ?abbreviation?. Can?t wait to see them both!

Bella & Sparkly am ok ta, ability to sleep severely diminished but surviving ok as not doing much while I?m awake! Have bought ingredients for a mammoth cook off tomorrow though! Itchy bump much better as long as I only wear natural fibres. Am keeping on with the Burt?s Bees baby wash and the olive oil as scared of it coming back if I go back to ?grown up? products. Do you reckon stretch marks are more likely with olive oil than bio oil, or that whatever you use if you?re going to get them you?ll get them, and there?s pretty much naff all you can do about it?!?

Bella hope you?re not too uncomfortable, can?t imagine you?re getting much sleep yourself atm?

Night lovely ladies

PS heard from Georgie yday, move went ok I think, she said never again will she move house with a 4 day old baby! Nutcase. They won?t have internet til next week, but she asked me to send you all her love in the mean time

Can't believe Georgie moved house with a 4day old, couldn't think of anything worse At least it's done now, but I know I would have unpacked boxes for years afterwards, if we had done that.
Any day for you Bella, I was uncomfortable with cramping etc for about a week before ds arrived, and had the same with dd2 as well.
Hope you're at home resting and relaxing.
Lola, can't believe you only have a month to go, probably doesn't feel like it but seems to have gone by quickly. I hadn't even realised that I was using ds1, but no, barring a miracle there will be no more children in this house We are done, and very happy with what we have
ds managed to sleep from 8pm to 2am again last night, not sure what we are doing, but it's working well for him and us He was awake a lot of yesterday so possibly that was why. I got him back down by 3am, he woke at 5.30am and has been awake since (it's now 9.30am), having had 150ml of milk. I'm still expressing, tried bf him again yesterday and I just don't have the motivation this time to persevere with it. Strange, as I bf dd2 for 12mths, but I think his jaundice and my bleeding nips has messed me up this time. I can express more than he needs at the moment, and want to do that until he's 8wks if possible, to get him through the worst of winter and flu season here and to when he has his first immunisations. But I think I'm really enjoying the fact that bottle feeding is quicker than sitting on the sofa for hrs feeding him myself, plus I get help from dh and dd1, which I've found invaluable, with 2 other children to look after.
Fingers crossed Ei, I think you're just waiting until everyone else has had their bubbas and then we can all focus on you and your pregnancy, without any other distractions
Suppose I should get out of my pj's now, dh's last day at home before going back to work tomorrow, so I think we're going to a local shopping centre for a look around, and hopefully deciding on a 2nd name today so I can submit all the forms I need to.

Scully how do you find expressing then; i it a lot less painful than bf on the old nips? I remember my sis struggles terribly with that side of things and would express throughout the day and often the next to get enough for a night out! Sounds like you've got it down; any tips?

Lola don't you just love shopping, I think I actually prefer it for baby than me! Not sure how long that will last?? Perhaps only until I stop being soooo enormous. As for your previous question; I do find that the breathing exercises help a lot with the 'bh' when they get more painful, and my relaxation CD too. Can't believe how close it's getting for you now, I really hope you don't go too overdue, I'm soooo fed up
oh and as for the stretch marks I am flumoxed (don't think it's spelt like that) by them as I am covered from hips down from growth spurts as a child/teen last lot I got I was 22, but for some reason (Bella touches wood) i have none on my Belly??? Don't understand it really, maybe all the moisturising worked

Buddha who's in that?

Ei good luck hun, I have all fingers, toes and limbs crossed for you (just thought, I can double that if I have a quiet word with lo too!)

My friend had a little boy last night; 'Arthur', I've been meeting with her every week since we finished work and can't believe she's actually done it, whilst I had all of these hints, engaged head etc she had nothing and then bang; 3 days late she has her little boy! Wow, it really can be that quick when it starts off. I'm really glad she didn't go too overdue as she was told all the way through the pg that baby was BIG and as she used a donor she was a little concerned that she couldn't predict how big it could be! Turns out he was only 8lb 3..not bad at all, I weighed more than that!

Any way, i thought I'd be dead jealous as was having a really depressing day yesterday but it actually lifted my mood! Well done her I say!

Have a lovely day ladies, hope the sun shines on you! xxx

Evening all,
Quick one from me as I'm off out for a meal with the NCT girls. Am really looking forward to seeing everyone and watching them get drunk...I might even treat myself to an extra SMALL glass of vino.
Bella Not long now. Any progress today?
Scully Good luck - it's always scary going solo. Did you decide on a second name?
Lola I used CocaButter (Palmers) when pregnant with DD. I got stretch marks on my sides but not on tummy. Have started using BioOil today but I think if you're meant to get them then there's nothing you can do about it. Lack of itching sounds like a good sign.
Bhudda Think I'll rent film tomorrow eve so will let you know what I think.
Ei Any news?

Bet Georgie is relieved to be in her own place but bloody hell - that must have been tough. Hope you're resting now lady. Look forward to seeing some more pics of Flora.

We're off to West Midlands Safari Park tomorrow. Weather forecast is very poor so we'll be packing waterproofs and prob not spotting any animals whilst they shelter.

We have a 2nd name - Connor Luke
Bella, I'm only finding expressing easier this time as I've hired a Medela double breast pump, which takes about 20min to do both sides at the same time, I do that 4 times a day and I'm keeping up with him so far. I find it a lot easier on my nips, doesn't hurt them at all, whereas feeding for the first 6wks..........
First day with dh back at work going well so far. ds has been sleeping for the last 2hrs, so I've been online sorting through the govt stuff he needs to be added to, now we have a name for him
Have to go out again in 1.5hrs to pick up dd's, so enjoying my peace whilst I can.
How was the safari park Sparkly?
I could probably cook tonight, but am cheating and have one of those fresh tortellini packs with sauce out of the freezer. Last night we had a casserole that a friend made and dropped over, delicious. Have another friend dropping in tomorrow for a visit and she had said she would bring a meal with her, hoping she does, I'm quite enjoying this no cooking malarky for as long as possible

Hi all! Due date reached still here, fat and uncomfortable and very everytime i see some poor parent with a pram! I think I may even scowl at them

Scully lol do you do the job in the milking shed? I have a hillarous visual

Sparkly enjoy the Safari park; I think I went there a few times when I lived in Oxford area.

Bella I feel your pain But I still think having reached your due date is something to be celebrated (remind me of that in 4 weeks please...) so I have updated the list for you! I can imagine the scowling though I went to see my friend who had her baby Ella (possibly Ella Kate - GREAT name!! ) yesterday and I still find it bizarre to think that could will be me soon... on one hand she's so tiny and beautiful, but on the other when I think where she came from and how she got out, she's ENORMOUS! (And she's really not, 7lb 6oz)

Scully welcome Connor Luke! Fab. Love the sound of the no cooking thing, my mum cooked 'too much' the other night (she cooked double ) so we had the rest - it was yum, and as DH pointed out it meant we ate before midnight which we probably would have done if I was cooking... I made my own body weight in chilli yday for the freezer (and that's really saying something atm) but now my hands smell of roasted veggies... yuk. No more cooking today though, meant to be going here but as Sparkly said the weather forecase for later is dreadful so we'll see...

Hope the animals don't mind the rain and pose for pics regardless Sparkly! Let us know how it goes.

to everyone else xx

Jaamy TTC#3 (MC Mar 08 and Sept 08)
HappyAndEiKnowIt cycle 22 (CP/MC april, june08 & april 09)

Infanticipating
BellaHarry 40 weeks pg EDD 29th July TODAY!!
Lola 36 weeks pg EDD 26th August
Piper 26 weeks pg TWINS!! EDD 16 - 23 October
Sparkly 26 weeks pg EDD 30th October
Molliemooma 20 weeks pg (BFP 6th Apr) EDD 16 December

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 5oz
Teeheelaydee BOY! Noah Robert, born 13th April 09, 6lbs 12oz
Scully BOY! Conor Luke, Born 11th July 09, 7lb 13oz
HeyThereGeorgieGirl GIRL! Flora Beatrice, Born 18th July 09, 9.24am, 8lbs 7oz

morning ladies
bella hope you are ok and i suggest planning something that you will definitely NOT be able to do with a newborn in tow that you know you will enjoy for within the next few days as it will tempt the fates and voila! baby born either that or watch a VERY SCARY film and have some pineapple, whilst twiddling your nips and then go to bed and have some nookie and if that doesnt help god knows i did try everything myself and nowt worked except the BIG SHOCK we almost had a head on car crash with some idiot who was speeding away in a race with another idiot...my waters broke the next day (wouldnt say do that but i reckon a shock helps)
hope all is well
sparkly have a great time at the safari
xx ei xx

Well the Safari Park was wet but it meant that there weren't many people there (so no traffic jam whilst looking at animals). They didn't seem bothered by the rain and L got to feed lots of them. She'll soon be in bed .
Ei How are things?
Lola Did you make the show? Did you have lots of cuddles with the newborn?
Bella You've made it!! And, you've done 40 weeks already. It'll be another two weeks MAX before you get to meet your little girl.
Scully Did the rest of the day go ok? I think we'll have a fresh pasta and sauce dinner tonight. I can't be bothered cooking and I haven't even got a newborn.

ei I shall try and get a shock somehow hmmm how can I do that...
Thank you for all the advice ladies, and Lola I shall be sure to remind you of that sane comment in 4 weeks time. Lol I'm sure you will approach the 40 week mark with more grace than I have

I took the asvice so many of you gave and spent today with DH in kingston, shopping and watched a film; the Hangover..very funny! Well worth a watch! [Grin]

Congrats on reaching your due date in a sane frame of mind Bella - have all the BH stopped or are you just soldiering on regardless ?

Lola I cannot believe you only have 4 weeks to go, it seriously seems like no time since you got BFP - this year has flown by for me so far - be warned first time mums, when people say that it goes quickly and that they are not tiny for long IT IS SO TRUE !!

Sparkly glad you had a good day at the safari park. Is L excited about her little brother ?

Ei what news from you ? Any peeing on sticks yet ?...

mibbes the bh I was getting lask week have pretty much stopped!! I still get them but like they were early in the pg; painless tightenings at the front only.

I have a small confession though I made DH have a feel around to see if I have dilated at all and from what he explained it does sound like there have been some significant changes!? Would never tell the mw about this, bet she'd slap my wrist!? I'm having the sweep done tomorrow, toyed with putting it off as Sparkly suggested but I'm just dieing to hear if I have dilated at all.

Not much to report here. NCT coffee morning this am which is always lovely followed by DD claiming to have a bad tummy and insisting on having an afternoon nap (she never does this). What a peaceful 2.5 hours. I had a lovely nap myself and could get used to it very quickly .
Off to make some dinner now but can't see DD going to bed at normal time.
Bella Good luck with the sweep tomorrow. My best friend is a week overdue now and had a sweep this pm. She's 2-3cm dilated so hopefully that'll be enough to get labour going.
Mibbes L doesn't talk about having a little brother much. I suppose that's better than her asking every few mins when he will be coming . We're trying to involve her as much as poss and I'm sure she'll love her role when he arrives.

Just realised - EDD is 3 months today. That seems too close.

Sorry guys, I've been so crap at keeping up lately but check this out
No more sterilising for me, ever again
I also started a thread about it here

I'll catch up with you lot in a bit.....

Bella, so true, I do feel like I belong in the milking shed most of the time, but it beats sore nips that's for sure
Typical, I start typing and small boy starts whinging. He's feeling unloved today and is in need of a lot of cuddles, apparently.....
I have half an hour until dd2, ds and I need to pick dd1 from school, wonder if we'll be on time? Back later.....

Just got babck from the consultant and he did the sweep! Said I was more than 2cm dilated and he could feel the baby's head really well; could even break the membranes if needed. I bled lots (yuk) and he said he would be very suprised if I did not go in to labour this weekend!!! Please, please, please be true! I now feel a bit achey and violated but chuffed at his reaction!

Bella yeay ! Excellent news that things have started already I only ever got to 1-2 cm dilated so you have beaten me already . I really hope that things start to happen properly soon. Have you been bouncing on a gym ball and walking loads ?