Northern Ireland anyone?

[iamfabregasted]

Would anyone be interested in a Northern Ireland meet up?

Imminent but not quite imminent enough!! Where is this baby?? lol

Sounds like everything is going great mamamary, I'm really apprehensive about bfing because all I've read online is about all the problems people seem to have with it Glad it's going really well for you tho! And I wouldn't feel guilty at all about finding it hard going at times, def make sure you have plenty of magazines, trashy paperbacks, fresh fruit, cookies, chocolate to nibble on while you're doing it

Never thought I'd say this but thank god I still have dry, boring, academic style work to plough through and keep my mind off looming due date lol

Was in belfast yesterday in the HiPark getting my extensions done.

The saga of the cheeky child from next door continues

Mother has now decided that she's not talking to me because I shut the door in her daughters face that night when she came to ask to take DD1 to the pj dvd party. And daughter is not allowed in my house, but mine are to come over to hers.

So, I have told my two this morning that they're not to go in there if its not to be returned. That did not win me any mummy brownie points

TLC, thanks - that's very reassuring. I know in the grand scheme of things this is only for a short time (even if I get to six months like you - respect!) and it's worth it for my daughter's health. But it's good to know not everyone finds it 'easy' or enjoyable. She's just one hungry little girl!

Tee and LMSS - good idea re the treats. I'm getting lots of reading done (books kindly supplied by my mum who frequents our local library - anyone read the latest Margaret Atwood?)

LMSS - hat off to you for persevering with your thesis at this late stage of pregnancy!

mamamary, glad you are having such a good time (physically) with bf.

if i remember right i think i found the growth spurt stages the most demanding. around 6-8 weeks and then again around 16 weeks, which actually lasted quite a while but i am happy to say that once we got past the 16 week stage it has setltled down very well. milk supply levels out to suit what claire is taking and at about 6 months i found that my supply pretty much matched demand so no more leaking (yay).

have you got a local BF support group? i found that really helpful in the early days as there was always someone who was that bit further on to give a bit of advice.

Just in to add my tuppence worth to mamamary on the bf issue (how apt is your name now ?) You've already had good advice from TLC, tee and booy, but here goes!

First off, yes, what you're describing is normal! Bf can be bloody hard work & can be very time consuming (I'm lucky I didn't get bedsores from sitting on my bum on the sofa!). It can feel like all you do is feed & change nappies. I remember thinking 'they just cannot be hungry again!' LOTS. And lots.

I too remember longing for spoonfeeds. So that someone else could feed them... So that I could wear a bra with some fecking support... So that I could wear a top that didn't need to be hiked up...

BUT

Now my boys are taking just two feeds a day, I'm already starting to miss it .

So, it works both ways!

To make feeding more comfortable, I second a feeding station. Food, fluid, books, magazines, phone, TV remote (preferably with Sky+, DVD boxsets so you're not stuck watching Jeremy Kyle!) all within easy reach. And drink lots of water. And eat, lots. Preferably cake, chocolate, ice-cream & Pringles. Feel free to modify my 'the babies want onion rings & Ben & Jerry's Phishfood' mantra!

Rest while you can; bf is draining (in more ways than one!)

Yet again, the length of my post might rival the length of LMSS's thesis

MamaM hope our experiences are teaching you that you are 100% normal, as is your DD.

I haven't read Atwood's newest book, but 'Surfacing', 'Interlunar' and 'The Handmaid's Tale' are 3 of my fave books :)

DD`s and I are on final count down to school starting again DD number 2 has 5 sleeps, DD number 1 has 6 sleeps and DD number 3 has 12 more sleeps...

My DD1 starts Big School tomorrow.

She's getting just a little bit nervous.

Only a half day though.

BTW - more BF "advice" MamaM - its hard work, its demanding, and the baby NEEDS Mint Matchmakers - in my experience

Booyhoo, there is apparently a breast-feeding support group that just started up in Antrim. Apparently attendance was low at the first meeting according to the HV, but I definitely intend to go in September (it's monthly). It can feel quite isolating, as I've no close friends who either have or are bf or even have small children. The wife of a good friend of my DH's bf, so I intend to talk to her soon too. Meanwhile, thanks for all the support from you MN ladies - it's very helpful. WhenKevinMetSadie, I can't imagine bf twins - while I am now convinced that anyone who sticks at bf deserves a medal, you deserve an extra shiny one :)

TLC, if you liked The Handmaid's Tale, you'd like The Year of the Flood. Quite sci-fi but compelling.

Bottyburp, yes I think you must be right re mint matchmakers, ages since I've had them but DD needs to be introduced to them surely? :)

marymary haven;t read the new one yet but loved Lady Oracle and the Robber Bride! Getting through a stack of trashy paperbacks from the library myself

Back and wrecked, SPD-riddled pelvis killing me today and DH came home from work in a stinking mood and has stomped off to gym. I could weep - if gym doesn't get rid of his bad mood i'm stuck in a house with him all night cos i can't drive anywhere. the joys (!!) of living in a tiny terrace. ho hum. come on baby!! arrive!! pregnancy hormones now in complete meltdown lol

botty my dd number one is going into second year at big school.. your dd will be fine after a few days....

mumoffour - yeah I know - I have two older boys who have done it, but for some reason she seems to be stressing more.

Is it a girl thing?

must be a girl thing although not for dd number 1 she didnt stress at all.... But my neice is starting big school this year and she is completely stressed out about it...

DD1 home and happy.

All went well.

YAY!!

sneaks back in, nobody missed me anyway

was off on hols and had no threads at all, so found you all

Actually, Plum, I was wondering if we scared you off after the meet up.

Botty glad DD had a good day!

oh yes Tee I was a quivering wreck so had to go off to the sun to recover

Go anywhere nice Plum??

went to portugal, loved it going to try and go back next year although I want a baby too so not quite sure how that will work

Birth announcement

Dara Christopher Gerard, born 12:07 on Mon 30th August

Labour was epic! Kicked off on Saturday morning at 7am and no baby until 53 hours later lol But he's perfect!!

WHOOHOOO LMSS!! Congratulations!

Just in time to bring him to meet up next week.

53 hours...::Faints::

Welcome to the world Dara Christopher Gerard!!!

WOOP WOOP LMSS

You are bringing him, aren't you??

aww LMSS CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

well done you and welcome Dara to the world. no pressure but will he be gracing us with his presence at the meet up?

Thanks everyone! We would love to come to the meet up next week but I'll have to see if I'm standing by then lol - after the 53 hour epic labour, horrendous episiotomy and general opiate binge I'm still a bit woozy but if I'm not there next week me and Dara will def be at the next one :)

So excited to introduce him to everyone! And especially mamamary's little Claire he he

Oh well done, LMSS! That sounds like a fairly arduous labour but I'm sure little Dara is worth every second! Love the name, btw (Dara was on our shortlist!).

What weight was he?

Am also very impressed at your ability to MN so soon after giving birth