The Zoo!

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

Is it feeding time yet?

pull up a rock or patch of grass and get comfy in our new enclosure!

L is 4 today and woke up at 6 to remind me. Am shattered now after family visits, trip to the cinema to see Fantastic Mr Fox and now she wants to go to town to spend her birthday money. I'll sleep well tonight.

Penguin Sorry to hear you're suffering. How many weeks longer had you planned to work? Scan is this week isn't it?
Hippo I can't believe it either. Time seems to pass so quickly. When did your waters go? Were you induced then? Bad memory here.
Panda Glad you;re enjoying new job. Best of luck to your sis.

DD is pestering me to dress her Polly Pockets - new toys are great and not so great all at the same time!

Hippo yes there's a bit of that with my DH too, he insists on giving her a big prickly kiss before he leaves too (seems mean to complain) my sis said she banned her DH from kissing their daughter goodbye because she was such a light sleeper!

Penguin I have managed to get DH to only drop his crap in his office...then i just shut the door and aahhh

Right i have to share my news! Last night 'I' slept through!!!! I put her to sleep at 7pm, gave her a dream feed at 10:30pm then she went right through to 6:07am (i did have to give her a dummy at 2:30 and 5:30) that's good right?!! now we have to work on getting her to have a proper nap at 2pm

hi ladies,

just a quick post, two babies finally home! now the madness starts. have put photos of baby reunion on fb.

hyena hope l had a lovely day
penguin glad your dh on the mend, hope the pelvic pain is not to bad, the only thing that worked for me was baths, lots and lots of baths
fruity sorry to hear your dl is being an ass

Yey for babies being home Turk. Looked at the pics on FB. The ones of them sleeping face to face make me want to melt. How are you feeling?
Meeeow Yey for the sleeping through. How old is she niw? How was last night?

Birthday celebrations were tiring but DD had a good day. Was awake from 1am with period pain and backache but it's come to nothing thus far. Max of 17 days until induction.

Hooray turk! I'm just going to pop over to FB to check out the new pics....

oh I so hope you don't have to be induced Can't they leave you as long as possible with monitoring? Or is that something you want?
I was desperate to be induced with C but after that, I think I'd avoid it like the plague!
Let's hope he comes along on his own

Meeeow I'm so pleased 'I' slept well, hw was she last night? Gina Ford seems to be working terrifically! I don't know why people are so against her, all babies are different, some need a strict routine more than others

Off to look at turk's pics and research mega cheap boilers..........

Sorry, I meant to say, I've got so much going on at the moment what with trying to find the cash for a new boiler and DL trouble.
I know I keep saying this but I promise to catch up soon, I'm not ignoring any of you!

Hi ladies, sorry I've been neglecting you so badly but have been away at Center Parcs and before that there was the inevitable rush/chaos to get everything ready. Had a great time and will elaborate later but.....

....wanted to say how gorgeous gorgeous those photos are Turk just so lovely all snuggled up together. So glad that A is home with her sister now and they are back together.

Penguin Glad you are back home. How long would you have worked for?

Hyena Am working on a new song and dance for your little boy to come on time - Penguin any ideas? More jazz hands perhaps.

Fruit that you are having such stresses. Agree with Penguin that some stability would be good for you. No more rollarcoaster. Bloody DL - get him to pay for the blardy boiler!!

Meeow Marvellous another baby smaller than N who is going through the night - great! Seriously, now I have taken off my head, that is so lovely, enjoy the sleep and your clever little girl.

Having said that mine is having "the longest nap in history", mind you he does have a cold so probably needs it.

Will try to pop back later with raspbery leaf tea and a curry for Hyena

Giraffe I haven't bothered with the raspberry leaf tea this time. Am immune to spicy food after growing up being fed chillis and such - although Friday night is curry night so we shall see what happens on Sat. Glad you had a great time. I love CP.
Fruit I was induced last time at 15 days overdue and really didn't want to be but would never have forgiven myself if I'd refused and something had gone wrong. I don't mind being induced so much as it taking a long time and having to stay in hospital without L for a few days if it takes a while to get going. Still, I've got 2 weeks Thurs until that happens. Am still very happy to be pregnant so we'll see if I'm a raving looney by then! Why am I so convinced I'll be induced again?! Any boiler luck?

Well after not sleeping much last night, DP took L to a play place so I could have a nap. Snatched an hour and then made lunch, cleaned, hoovered, ironed and so on. Am now thinking of washing the floors for the second time today - not because they need doing but because I don't want to drive myself insane. DP and DD have gone to Blockbuster to get a DVD so a nice peaceful afternoon (hopefully!).

Morning all,
I've got far too much time on my hands . I'd better not get used to it!
We're up, dressed, organised and I'm going to meet some friends for lunch. DP is going to be looking after DD.....
Have a happy Wednesday all x

You're all so quiet!

GUESS WHAT??!! My lovely lunch was cut short.....nope, not by labour but by L and a sickness bug. Yum. Have spent my pm up to my elbows in poop. Hopefully back on back baby has turned after spending ages on my hands and knees cleaning up after her .

Last night 'I' slept right though agaun! This time without stirring! However the night before (I think) she was up for whinge at 3 and feed at 4:30am, so we're not completely there yet.

turk off to look at your pics now! Glad A is home well!

fruit if you need your booster before Mon do let me know!?

hyena I see your desperatly trying to distract yourself with mumsnet! Poor L! And poor you too! That's not what you want to be doing in your condition! Sounds like your almost there though!

giraffe 'I' was always a sleepy baby though, and I limit her naps to 3 hrs so that helps! How was Centre Parks? I went to one in longleat when I was 10!

Hyena just popping in to see if there is any news. Poor you having to clean up L but at least time on your hands and knees may move baby and even encourage labour... everything crossed for you!!!

Meeow hurray for sleeping through - it is sooo good when that happens

giraffe E always has monster naps when ill and he tends to wake up much brighter, hope N feeling better soon.

Fruit sounds like you are having a tough time missus between DL and boiler - big hugs xx

Right!
I'm back.
I think we've finally found a plumber who will fit us a new boiler relatively cheaply. Have to forfeit my dream honeymoon though. I suppose heat and hot water is far more important than a luxury holiday
I'm sure we'll just have a cheap family holiday to Spain or something instead.

I'm so sorry I've been so crap lately. I'm still not happy with DL. Feel like I've lost all romantic feeling for him. Not sure what to do really.
You know me, I won't do anything about it. I just wouldn't know where to start. Councilling is too expensive - although we could forfeit our cheap family holiday too (or my Bee ) - just feel I want to be on my own. I could buy what I like, do what I like, decorate my place how I like, raise my children how I like and be far more in control of money - I could finally work towards getting out of debt! I just can't take them away from DL.
That would make me the bad one.

Anyway, this will probably go on and on and on and, tbh, I'm sick of thinking about it. My brain is going to explode soon, it's crammed with boilers and money problems and DL. I just want to scream!

When are we all meeting up again? I really need you all in real life! - and cuddle all the lovely babies

Hyena how are you feeling my lovely? I feel like we've really lost touch. I know we're both very busy but it'd be lovely to see you soon, when bubba is here. You were the first Mner I ever met
I hope L is ok after her sickness and she's not passed it on to anyone else

Giraffe at Centre Parks! DL would never go. Maybe I should go on my own with the children How's N's cold? J has had one on and off for ages He seems to cope well though, Olbas Oil really helps at night.

Penguin how's it being back home? DH ok now? Or is he milking it? I'm sorry you're having to go through all this pain, it's not fair Is there anything that helps?

Turkleton How's your busy life treating you? The pictures are gorgeous!

Panda how's things with you my lovely? Still battling on I hope! xx What book is your sister writing?

Nemo Where are you? How's little T? I can't wait to have a cuddle with her! Can we all put a date in the diary?

Meeeow Very impressed with I's sleeping! Looking forward to Monday

Hippo Any news from you lately? How's E?

Does anyone know what's going on with MN? Looks all weird. I want the onld one back - I don't need this stress!

Hyena Have you stopped bloody cleaning yet???? Hope L is feeling better? Are you ready to drop tomorrow?
Meeeow Fantastic news on the sleep front, I'm very impressed you may have to move in when I've had mine and get them into a routine for me
Turkleton I just love the pictures of the twins on FB, how are you coping now there are two at home?
Giraffe Hope you had a really good time at Centre Parcs, I got a bit confused by your post not that it takes much these days I am still at work at the moment, last day will be Friday 20th Nov, which is 3 weeks tomorrow (not that I'm counting!)
Fruity Glad to hear you have good news on the boiler front, hope you can get some on the DL front too? It has been lovely being back home, DH is fully recovered and back to looking after me, bless him!

Well we had a scan today (33 weeks) the placenta has moved a little but not as much as they would have liked so booked me in for another scan in 2 wks time. As it stands they wouldn't let me have a v/birth only a c/section at the moment. DH is now desperate to find out the flavour but I don't see the point when we are so close now, I'd rather wait. He's hoping that at the next scan which includes a growth one he might get a peek, maybe I'll ban him!
I've had yesterday today and tomorrow off as pelvic pain has got a lot worse down the inside of my leg and then feels like a knitting needle up my bits so taking it easy, but hope to go back next week.

Oh and trying to chill out that I don't have a birth plan, no ante-natal classes booked and no idea what to expect! I'll just have to wing it!

L seems better today. I'm so relieved not to be cleaning up after her. We went to Pizza Express for lunch so she can't be that ill anymore...
Spent the morning cleaning out/hoovering/bleaching inside/on top of the kitchen cupboards. I don't think it's a nesting thing. I've been meaning to do it for ages and wanted to stay busy.
Penguin Sorry to hear the pain is getting worse but great news about having another scan. Haven't stopped cleaning but L is better. Still two weeks til d-day!
Fruit Sending you loads and loads of love. Keep your chin up. You're such a fighter. I'm feeling fine. Quite happy to still be pregnant and still keeping another two weeks in my head - I don't mentally feel as though anything is about to happen.
Hippo How are things with you and gorgeous E?
Meeeow The routine def seems to be working. The odd sleepless night is easy to accept if you can have a couple of nights of peace.

Seeing MW tomorrow afternoon. Was going to ask for a sweep because of being overdue last time. I really don't want to be sitting around in hospital waiting for induction to be successful when L and DP are at home but doubt a sweep would do anything if I wasn't favourable anyway and would rather not have my ladygarden prodded .

SWI
Tigger Cycle 25 (CP/MC april, june08 & april 09)

Infanticipating
Hyena 40 weeks pg EDD 30th October
PenguinPoo 33 weeks pg EDD 16 Dec

Yummy Mummies
E GIRL! A. born 7th October 08 5lbs 12oz
Impala GIRL! E. at 0630am 4th November 08, 7lbs 15oz
Hippopotamum BOY! E. born 3rd December 08, 6lbs 5oz
WinomoreTheFruitbat! J. born 18th March 09, 8lbs 5oz
Havingagiraffe BOY! N. born 13th April 09, 6lbs 12oz
MamaFox BOY! C. Born 11th July 09, 7lb 13oz
WolvernineInMarigolds GIRL! F. Born 18th July 09, 9.24am, 8lbs 7oz
Meeeow GIRL! I. born 6th August 09, 3.09pm 8lbs 9oz
CaptainNemo GIRL! T born 28th August 09, 5.19am, 8lb 9oz
Turkleton TWO GIRLS! K & A born 8th October 09, 4lb 9oz & 4lb 5oz

Oh my god what have I done!!!! I've just read this I want my mummy!

Penguin You'll be fine! G&A is great fun and epidurals are easy to come by. You might still end up with section and by pass the fun anyway . DO NOT PANIC

Can't stop as N just woken up - Boooooo!

but Penguin I told you - they are like stubbing your toe

Bloody DP, he went to Beer Festival today 10:30 til 2:30 and was then going for a curry. I told him he could come home and have a kip. He's still not home and I've just phoned and he is only just getting something to eat Why do they always have to go too far!

Giraffe ...because they are men and don't think. Can you imagine doing that and just assuming he would take care of N all day not knowing when to expect you back? Nope, me neither.

Giraffe They always push their limits they are more like children than children Although saying that mine is wildly excited in the kitchen about cooking in his new pan!
I still feel traumatised and am sure that I will have some bad dreams tonight after that thread!!

Penguin don't panic, labour is what you make of it, if your scared it will hurt more, just remember it's positive pain, each contraction brings baby closer! I found if i counted to 10 by the time i got to 6 the pain was on the way down already, and like hyena said, there's edidural if you've had enough xxx

fruity what can i say, it pains me to think of you so unhappy xxx

Hyena sweep, sweep all the way! I swear by it! big sweep and then a mamouth walk!

Giraffe of that sounds way tooo familiar! Men!

Fruit that things are still not feeling right between you and DL. Can you chat without the councillor? Hopefully as your anger subsides you will start to feel differently, but if you don't you would cope/survive/be happy again.

Penguin Meeow is right about the positive pain, although to be honest at the time I found all that rather annoying. People kept blathering on about how I was one step closer to meeting my baby and I was thinking "I don't give a s**t about that I just want THIS to be over" I tried to avoid too much discussion from others as found it just stressed me and out and everyone's experience is different. Hated the ante-natal class where people with babies came back.
Ultimately it doesn't last forever and you do get through it. Don't panic. Actually shall i send you copies of Hippo's Hypnobirthing CD - it really helped me. If I can find it

Wotcha! I'm so sorry to have been away for so long. I've really been missing you all, it's really tough, if I manage to post then I feel like a crap mother/wife for neglecting my daughter and generally not pulling my weight around the house, and if I don't I feel like a crap friend... Ah well, they tell you the guilt starts pretty much straight away don't they!

Impala am so sorry to hear what you and your DH have been through, must have been incredibly scary for you. How is he now? Glad to hear he's home safe and sound xx

And speaking of home safe and sound, WOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO for our latest arrivals! Congratulations Turk & MrTurk you have 2 very beautiful girls there! Really love the pics, and am totally in awe of the fact that you've managed to post on here and on fb! Hats off to you both!

Fruity am gutted to hear that DL is up to his old tricks again when will that boy GROW UP?!?! Would love love love to get a date in the diary to meet up, it's already been far too long and T needs a cuddle (or a cwutch if Hyena's coming) from all her new aunties. How about sometime in the new year? January's always a depressing month, be nice to have something to look forward to. Having said that, you're welcome down here any time if you can face the journey. That goes for all of you

Penguin hahahahahahahahhahahahaha!!!
But seriously, yes it blardy hurts, but at least you know it's not going to last forever. And there are drugs if it seems to be going on forever. Am prob not the best person to talk to if you want reassurance about it being "not that bad really" () so will leave it at that Although will say that if you look on threads with titles like that you only have yourself to blame for your nightmares young lady! Don't panic about not having gone on any courses etc, whatever questions you may have the mighty combined wisdom of this thread is bound to have the answers! And my birth plan for "next time" is very simple: GIVE ME AN EPIDURAL NOW - am going to go to hospital at the first twinge in the hope that it won't be too late then. They wouldn't have given me one this time, no matter how much I begged...
If you want reassurance I probably shouldn't tell you about the conversation I had with my GP at mine and T's 6 week check:
Me: I think I may have had some spotting lately
Her: Well you may have a period even though you're still breastfeeding
Me: when I do, is it ok to use a tampon?
Her: Yes. But it might fall out.
Me: OH DEAR GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE?!?!

Am going to request a referral to a ladies' health physio for help with my non-existant pelvic floor. I DO NOT want to become a buyer of tena products in years to come!

Panda sorry to hear things have been so up and dpwn in the Panda household, though glad to hear things seem to be looking up, both in a clomid and an employment sense! Will they still make you pay for the clomid privately?

Meeow glad to hear I is being so well behaved, I think you and I have both been lucky to have quite settled babies by the sounds of it (most of the time, touch wood etc etc) T has generally been a good sleeper so far, although having said that she had me up for an hour at 3.50 for a feed this morning. For a while now she's generally been going down some time between 10pm and midnight and then sleeping til any time between 5 and 7am. We realise we're very lucky. Am starting to try to get her down a bit earlier in the evenings, hence managing to post now. She's not normally grumpy in the evenings, just awake while I try to cram as much food into her as possible to try to get her to sleep as long as possible (selfish mummy!) Am hoping she'll sleep til 11 or so now so I can give her a dream feed, wish me luck!

Hyena I can't believe you're due TOMORROW!!! That's only 3 hours away!! Am so excited for you - some time within the next fortnight you'll have your beautiful boy in your arms! Am also very of your incredibly neat bump! As Fruity said, classic boy. I'd was too fat to even get in my mat jeans by the end Am also a fan of sweeps, but you're absolutely right, they only hurry along babies who are almost ready to come anyway, if he doesn't fancy eviction aint nothing you can do to persuade him imo! Reckon you're right to just try to enjoy the rest of your pg, however long it may be. Lots of love to you chick, and calm labour vibes to you.

Big love to everyone else, would like to catch up with everyone properly, but as this is the first time T's EVER been in bed by this time I think I really ought to go and spend some time with DH - although he might be not so D H by saturday, I've got my first solo night tomorrow, he's going out with his best mate and staying away over night. Am dreading it, but he can't see why I'm bothered... Wish me luck ladies! xx

Evening ladies
Just popping in to see if there was any news from Hyena. There was, but not what I was expecting! Hope L is all better now.
Fruity Sorry you're having so many problems with DL It's draining to be thinking about all those worries all the time. A meet-up sounds like a great idea though and January sounds good to me! Can't wait to see you all again and all the babies too.
Penguin Glad DH is all better but sorry you're still in such pain Glad the scan went well, bet it was nice to see your baby again I had extra scans at 34 and 37 weeks because of E's kidney problems and it was lovely to see her again, although it was different to the 12 and 20 week scans obviously because she was so big by then! As for the birth, it's so different for everybody that it's impossible to predict how you're going to react once you're in labour. Just wing it - birth plans are overrated in my view
Turkelton Lovely pictures of your DDs on FB and so pleased they're both back home with you
Meeow I'm also very of I sleeping through. E had her best ever night last night - 7.30pm to 3.40am... A week shy of her 1st birthday I thought she was going to do the same tonight but she woke at 10pm for a feed. Oh well, I'm sure she'll sleep through at some point!
Giraffe Hope your DP is sleeping on the sofa after all that beer and a curry!
Panda How are you? You've been very quiet lately.
Nemo Lovely to see you and it sounds as though T is doing really well on the sleep front. Hope she slept until 11 for you! Good luck with flying solo tomorrow night too - I remember the first time DH went to work on the night shift - I was petrified! All went very well though and I'm sure it will for you too.
All well here thanks, DH is fine. He has to go back to hospital in a couple of weeks for tests on his heart, but nothing major, just to rule out any possibility that his incident was a minor stroke. He feels fine and hasn't had any recurrence of his symptoms. It was very scary though and it shook him up quite badly, understandably.
We've got a busy weekend planned as it's E's naming day on Sunday Everything is under control, I'm picking up the cake tomorrow. I'll post pictures on FB for you all to see. On Saturday afternoon/evening we've got family and friends who have come over from France and Holland for her naming day coming round for a get-together/early birthday party for her so that will be nice too. I can't believe she's nearly one! And tomorrow night we've got an NCT girls' night out - not the best evening for me with everything else I've got planned but it was the only one everybody could make. So if I don't get chance to get back on between now and early next week, hope you all have a fab weekend. I will try to check for news of Hyena though!