D'y ever wonder how life got like this?

[FrumpyGrumpy]

New to MN but like what I read so far. Struggling to get by day by day at the minute and feeling isolated but not enough to make the effort to join in the 'groups' the whole world seems to think are just what I need!!!!

Have daughter of 4 and girl and boy twins of eight months. Not had time since they were born when all three kids have been well, am I just cursed? Throw in a house move that took 6 months, a partner that works away most of the week and a mother-in-law I can wait another lifetime to deal with and I've ended up the sort of person I used to look at and wonder how life got like that.

Anyone give me hope that when the babes are eighteen months I'll feel better?!! If not, anyone tell me that alternate nights of gin then chocolate is an ok passage through?

lol, part two isn't half as interesting! I ended up 38 weeks pg up ladders rushing like a maniac painting the flat. I spent £300 in a charity shop and furnished the flat, together with some bits and bobs from good friends.

Things settled into a nice routine, I could come and go as I pleased, and ds was a very easy baby. I started my law degree. Once he started sleeping through I had a best friend who would come over thurs nights and we would have a glass or two and chat. We both got some mobile phone contract which had free internet minutes, and I met dp on a chat room on there. He seemed a nice guy, wanted to take me out for valentines.

Valentines we met up, he wasn't quite what I was expecting! He had told me an english nickname and hadn't mentioned that he was Indian. I was expected somebody somewhat paler. We had a lovely evening and one thing led to another. He left uni, and got a job down in surrey so I moved to Croydon. Got pg with the dts the first month we were there. His family were getting sick of him being away every weekend and gave him an ultimatum - me or them, and he chose me and moved in.

It's taken a year and a half to now get to this stage, I met his bro last week, and this week I've been invited to meet the rest of them. Aaaargh! I'm terrified but they are really keen to move forwards now. I'm desperately trying to learn a bit more gujarati - his gran doesn't speak english much. It will be nice to have soem family nearby, as mine are 200 miles away and as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I've hardly spoken to them since Xmas. Thats another story.

Someone elses turn now....

Ooh I'll have a glass of red... though actually I probably shouldn't.

I'm off to play doula in a wee while. My lady is having twinges and so could call any time now!

However, I'll be logged in until Kelly tells all.

Love the image of your kids. I have DT2 snoring in his buggy (have to wake him now), DT1 jumping all over the place and calling for "drawing mummy, paper", DD1 at youthgroup, DS1 attempting to ignore his homework and DD2 just bounding about The joys. Best pop some tea on I suppose!

crossed a few posts there! I could fancy a nice glass myself. Get the hoard to bed then look for that jacobs creek I think!

awwwwwwwwwwww that's lovely. I'm so happy for you kelly. I'm really praying that it all works out! That's so fab! I've a tear in my eye and a sigh on my lips

just reread my post and realised I come across as a bit of a dubious cahracter!

one thing led to another - over 6 months or so - not that night!

And should also add that the twins were a pleasent surprise, contraception failed.

Aw I just love a happy continuation!

I'm so glad his family are keen to move forward. If they don't love you straight away I'm sure they will soon. If they don't, then tell them you have a saggy bodied, wrinkly boobied, hairy scottish freak of a thing that will flash her body at them unless they give you half a chance, AND I won't change my pants. I won't even pluck the hairs on my chin.

So where and when is the meet? Do you have an outfit? Kids be there? More, more, more.

My life is dull in comparison and I neeeeeed to get out more, my heart is just anchored to home.

Y'see its such a life story that we're all here, at the same time, I don't think thats happened before!

Doula huh. That's brilliant. I nearly hired one each time I waas pg. Did all the research.... Such a lovely thing to do for a girl. Will you be there for the birth then? Are you a birthing doula only or will you continue for a few weeks?

Yeah, and I'm running baths now, can't you tell?

the call has come will chat later!

Ive sat down with my glass now, hope the birth goes well mars!

Hi Ladies - just checking in see lots is going on! Just thought I would enlighten you of the news that I am 7 weeks pg with number 3!! At least I am assuming it is only number 3.....stille arly days so trying not to get too excited but cant help myself! Feeling pretty crappy though so that keeps me on an even keel. Wish I could join you all in a meet up and a glass of vino but geography and state of bod keep me from it!

Hi HM, congratulations you brave thing!! I can't wait to hear how many !!!! Go for quads and blow us all out of the water! I'm looking forward to hearing all.

Are you just gona get a horse and cart then? Seems the easiest way all round, no prams, buggies, car seats, slings etc and for holidays you just put a couple of extra packets of biscuits in .

Mars is having a baby. Yeah, ANOTHER one. Tonight!

Two of my three are ill so I'm in bed having an early night, can't you tell.....

Hi FG, thanks for the congrats! I am convinced this is just one as although I am feeling queasy, I have not actually thrown up. With the DTs it was all day every day and I lost a stone over the first three months. This time I feel ill in the morning and dont feel like eating but by the time I get to work (about 10) I have a banana and feel ok. We will see at the 12 week scan - as I live in North YOrkshire they are a bit rubbish and only give you a 20 week scan so I will have to pay for a private one. Bit of a bummer but I would rather do that and make sure all is ok, cant wait until 20 weeks to see the outline!!!

Cant wait to hear how Mars' doula role went!

wow harrogatemum, you are a glutton for punishment aren't u! Big congratulations and hugs to you. The lack of sickness could mean maybe it is twin girls this time.

Good luck with the scan, fingers crossed for you that there is just a singleton this time around. I actually knew by the time I had the 20 week scan there was more than one. How old will the dts be when this one arrives?

Congratulations HM

Well done you! Oh that's just so so so so so so so so exciting.

Okay... last night. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I arrived to find A having consistent, frequent contractions. They weren't lasting long enough (but that changed soon enough! lol). She had been busying about and her contractions kept stopping so I told her to sit down and rest. I got her a drink and we just chatted and watched one of those "sell you house" programmes. Her DH was making calls and being quietly excited. (It's their 3rd). Anyhoo......... I arrived at 6.45pm and by 9 the contractions were getting stronger. She called the hospital who told her to hold on for a while longer if she could. Within 15 minutes the strength and length of the contractions built up. Her DH had a bath (I was wetting myself.... people deal with "stress" in different ways ). Then as the contractions got to be good strong contractions he popped out for a curry. A and I were laughing so much labour almost stopped!!!!!!! We went into hospital at 11pm. She went to a midwifery led unit. If I were ever to have another child (no don't even think about it people) I would go to a midwifery led unit. The midwife was so lovely and so gorgeous and so non-invasive. She gave 1 internal to establish whether or not A could go in the birthing pool. Once in there (after some really good contractions) A took gas and air. She was so calm and peaceful. It was a joy it really was! Suddenly her calm sweetness was drowned by her groaning into the gas and air. Real deep groans (I'm sure you know ladies). Then she gave a huge push and said "is it out? Is it out?" but it wasn't. Poor love. She started to cry and suddenly the midwife said "Lean back, lean back and catch your baby". That was it. A beautiful wee girl came into the world at 12.25am. 7lbs 2oz. They had already got 2 sons so this daughter was a special one.

I feel so privileged and honoured to have been a part of it. I'm still on a high. I'm so glad that I've decided to do this. My heart keeps leaping I got a fabulous compliment from the midwife as well. She asked me what I did for a living and I told her that I had just done some training to be a doula. She said that she was going to tell me to be a doula and that she thought I'd make a fantastic one. What a compliment. From a midwife! She gave me a couple of tips as well which were fantastic. And I've adopted some of her phraseology for myself.

I got home about 4.15am. It was a truly magical experience and I can't wait to do my next birth.

Once the DTs have gone to playgroup I'm off to my bed! I'm knackered!

Wow that sounds like an amazing experience! I'm rather I would love to see a baby born. I couldn't do midwifery in a million years though, I really admire those who do it. I guess I'll have to wait till dd has kids, unless you could be persuaded to go for no.6 for me to watch....

thanks all. May be premature congrats though as have had a bit of bleeding today.

Just waiting to see if it gets worse before I ring the doctors.

sorry to hear that, hm. Put your feet up and get some rest. Try nto to panic yet, I found worrying made it worse. I've bled through all of my pregnancies, it is very scary. I was told I'd most probably lost dd, but she hung in there! Will be praying for you.

thanks Kelly - when do you know if its enough blood to worry? Sorry to bring the thread down...its just been a few spots so far and been back to check and nothing. Dont know what to do!

rest HM. That's all you can do. I'll be praying. You're not bringing the thread down. We're here to support one another.

I know it's hard, but try not to worry.

hm, a few spots doesn't sound too bad. You really can't say though, I was literally pouring with dd (sorry if tmi!), I had to sit on a bath towel and she was still ok. Thery think it must have been a bit of lining that came away or soemthing. When bleeding I was told to watch out for cramps, fresh blood and clots, but having said that I had all three every time. There is nothing you can do except rest. I found even light exercise aggravatd the bleeding.

HM honey, you're not bringing the thread down (I swing on it!) it just billows around going wherever its needed. Sorry to hear you are bleeding a bit. I had a low lying placenta with DD and that can cause bleeding (esp if it grows over the out door) but luckily for me it grew up one side. Take it as easy as you can and keep us posted, sharing makes it easier when you feel like its a waiting game you don't want to play.

Mars, I got the tingles reading that. Esp bout the babe being a wee girl they were so ready for. Yesterday was Kelly's manuscript and today this. I'll have to think of something monumental for tomorrow!! Men and curry, nothing parts them!! Was this your first birth? (Well, I mean after your own 5!) Thats great the midwives are so encouraging of doulas, I think its a great thing. Up here it tends to be midwives that do all the births bringing in docs only if there's a problem and I had all of mine with midvies only. A horror first time round and one for DT1 followed by another two when DT2 was ready. That time round they were just lovely, all calm and sweet and joking. I'm ok with injections but I couldn't administer them so thats me out with the midwife career but many years ago I did fancy it. There is something so special about that moment of birth, emotions are high and can go anyway (tears of joy or panic or fear) but still something magical.

Right Mars, bed. Right HM bed. I'll do your dishes and make the tea, I'm good at that .

I know, I do have something special! DD was delighted this morning that her big toe nail fell off! She lost all ten fingernails (after being ill, and most have grown back) and she lost nine toenails. Today, after a two week wait, number 10!

I knew I had a lovely story to thrill you all with .

And the DTs still have temperatures. DT2 better but DT1 miserable.

awwww thanks girls. You have cheered me up. Wish I could go to bed but got another hour at work to get through.

Had a little bit more spotting but not really fresh red so trying not to worry. If it continues into tomorrow I will go to the docs tomorrow (I hate making a fuss about anything and that even includes this, arent I a sad case)

lol at fg's dd!

Does the hospital have an early preganncy unti, hm? Sometimes you can go directly there. If not, it might be worth seeign your gp. I was always referred for scans, which really helped put my mind at rest. I've got a full album of scan piccies somewhere, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, etc! Plus you'll be able to find out if it is quads this time.