The Zoo!

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

Is it feeding time yet?

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

Meeow You are a brave little soldier. It sounds like you kept really positive throughout and must have been so relieved when gorgeous I arrived. So glad the BF is going well, keep at it. My milk came in early and so far N has been great, quick at feeding if a little shall we say, vigorous!

Hyena Harass them until you see someone good! Poor DD and poor you. Hope DP is taking his share of the work. If mine was snoozing and reading that would annoy the hell out of me. Luckily he has been really busy smartening up the garden. mamafox seems to be an expert on getting DP/DH's to do stuff if you need tips.

Wolverine Glad that you in laws have done something as remember it's not their strong point and bet you never thought that looking after only one DD was a holiday! (you know when you were young and drinking cocktails and smoking fags - ah those were the days)

Penguin If you need any further nappy advice I'm sure my nappy lady would oblige by e-mail although my tip would be to wait until Pingu (geddit) arrives so you know a bit more about what you need iyswim. Mostly they are too small for alot of reusables to begin with and you'll have enough on your plate.

Hippo How was your exercise class. You're right about lack of sleep being the worst thing as I had another good night last night (woke for a feed at 2 and then no peep until 6:30) and feel like a different person. We seem to have some good and some not so good so I think we're turning a corner.

Nemo I think I'm with DH on this one - love the roasted brown but then I'm a bit of a brown fan as you will see from my choice of colour. Good for both sexes though and as Hippo says a bit more interesting than black. I did like the pink one though!

Friutbat Did you find some shoes and how is the search for bridesmaid dresses going. I will message you with the video tips but prob after the weekend.

We are in full party prep mode. Have both families coming on Saturday for a BBQ to celebrate DP's birthday but mainly for Aunts and Uncles to see N. It will be the first time that all 4 parents have been at the same event and we've been together 13 years - not bad going hey?

Giraffe I think I'll do just that. I can understand why they don't want to rush with giving the antib but he didn't even test her wee . DP hasn't been too bad. There's not much to do around the house since I've been spending lots of everyday sorting, tidying and cleaning....oh the joy! Good luck with party prep.

Just added bumpy pic to FB for anyone who fancies a nose.

Hyena you look fab in the FB pic ! The very embodiment of a glowing pregnant lady

evening ladies
hope all is well

i am thinking Ov is imminent so DH and i will be ahem...SWI (thats shagging with intent i heard it around here somewhere)
hyena poor L!! GPs are generally poo!! i hope she is feeling better soon xx
hello to everyone else

Is it sunny anywhere else? It look as though it was threatening to rain her all day but has since brightened up. DP and DD off at the park so I've done some cleaning and ironing . What a way to relax.
Have been with my friend all morning and her newborn. She's so weeny and gorgeous.
Tigger Happy BDing. It HAS to be your month!!!
Hippo Thankies. I'm looking quite pale the last few days. Should have 28 week blood results fairly soon. Wondering if my iron level will be low like it was at this stage with DD.

Hi to everyone else - get posting .

Morning girls,
Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine I'm sure the forecast said rain and gloomy weather Thank goodness they are wrong
Tigger I love the new BD word SWI I am keeping everything crossed for you this month, I need you to get a BFP very quickly so I can stop worrying about you
Nemo Everything OK your end? Still in one piece? Did you pick a colour?
Hyena Will have to check FB out to see latest bump picture, is L as taken with your friends baby as she was with N?
Meeeow Have you still got your new mummy glow?
Giraffe I might FB you re the nappies as I have a few quests and don't won't to hijack the thread. Glad to hear N is settling back into a better pattern
Wino How long til the wedding now?

I'm looking forward to the weekend, let's hope this weather holds. Not got much planned but intend to take it quite easy and put my very fat feet up!

Just for Nemo

SWI
Tigger CD? cycle 24 (CP/MC april, june08 & april 09)

Incubating
CaptainNemo 38 weeks pg EDD 26th August
Turkleton 28 weeks pg TWINS!! EDD 16 - 23 October
Hyena 28 weeks pg EDD 30th October
PenguinPoo 22 weeks pg EDD 16 Dec

Yummy Mummy's
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 Aug 09, 3.09pm 8lbs 9oz

Oh a list. It starts getting scary when you move towards the top!

SWI wink
Tigger CD? cycle 24 (CP/MC april, june08 & april 09)

Incubating
CaptainNemo 38 weeks pg EDD 26th August
Turkleton 29 weeks pg TWINS!! EDD 16 - 23 October
Hyena 29 weeks pg EDD 30th October
PenguinPoo 22 weeks pg EDD 16 Dec

Yummy Mummy's
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 Aug 09, 3.09pm 8lbs 9oz

Just back from having routine anti-d injection. Ouch! . Talked to MW about having a homebirth but I'd still have to go to hospital afterwards for anti-d as they're not allowed to give it at home . A brand new MLU opened this week in Cardiff so I think I'll have a look there before making any decisions.

DD's urine results came back and she DOES have an infection - not that I needed the results to know that..an so at GP for leaving her with an infection and in pain all week given her history. He should be struck off - it's one thing sending me away and refusing to send me to EPU during mc but he's gone a bit too far by ignoring a child.

Penguin It's cloudy here - boo. Hope DH has made it back in one piece. Think I might have had another missed called from him but was in hospital at the time.

Thats crap about the anti-D injection, I wonder why they can't do that at home Must be nice to have a choice of venues, we just have grotty hospital (came very high in the dirtiest hospital list not so long back) or home, you know me not very confident don't think home would be an option esp as rhesus negative too
DH's parents decided to come down to cardiff, it's their wedding anniversary so they all went for lunch and they are giving him a lift home. Thanks for helping though
I hope you are going to make an official complaint about GP It's not the first cock-up he's made Do it do it do it!

penguinpoo thanks for doing the list, I needed yo see myself graduate not so sure I'm glowing

Hyena was alovely day here yesterday, shame I can't go out

Tiger have fun!

(pause, I crying)

...nope still sleeping, where was I?

wolverine yup I'm settling in to this mummy thing, how's things with little F?

Havingagiraffe vigorous; I know what you mean there! ouch! did N suckle for comfort lots too? I'm debating a dummy?

On that note; what is the advice on dummy usage with bf? so far I doesn't seem interested and I don@t want to forse it but when she is windy she only wants to feed and that makes her worse obviously, we end up in a cycle of feed, wind cry feed etc etc!

I keep crying at the mo especially when I reflect on the c-sec, feel like such a failure that I couln't birth my baby normally, I hate that no one can tell me exactly what happened, if it was my pelvis (not my fault) or if I chickened out too soon???

Nemo thinking of you, hope you're coping ok with big bump and hot weather? x

Meeow I offered L a dummy from about 5 weeks. I was determined not to give her one but eventually couldn't avoid it because she was feeding ALL the time and I wouldn't have been able to leave the house otherwise. Don't beat yourself up. Most important thing is that you and I are fit and well - you are not a failure. That is the best possible result.
Penguin Glad he didn't have to pay for a train!

Meeow those pesky hormones making you cry - I cried loads for the first 4 weeks then gradually got better. Please don't feel like a failure - your birth story sounded fabulous and you wouldn't have been given a c-section if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Like hyena says you have the best possible outcome, healthy mummy and baby

v/quick but Meeow you did a marvellous job and the crying is totally normal what with the sleeplessness and the hormones, but keep an eye on yourself. It sounded to me that you made the best of the situation so be kind to yourself.

RE: Dummies - I waited until about 3 weeks to make sure BF was all OK and it's been fine - no nipple confusion and he has a bottle of EBM each day and switches between the 2 fine - I found it helped calm him in the early days when he had wind and now he uses it to get to sleep.

V quick post but wanted to post for Meeow - so not a failure! As hippo says, they wouldn't have given you a c-sec just cos you felt like it! They must have thought it was necessary. If I's head was at the wrong angle it seems to me if you'd carried on the "best" you could have hoped for was a birth like the one I described to you the other day - remember? 4th degree tear, haemorrhage etc? I can see no way in which that scenario would have been better for anyone, certainly not for you or I who are the only 2 who mattered (that's little I, not me! ) Either her head turned at the last minute or your pelvis was too small, either way not your fault. You have a gorgeous, healthy baby girl, NOTHING to reproach yourself for! Damn horror-mones! Hope you're ok xx

Penguin thanks for the list! Feels like I've waited a long time to be top of one of these! Wonder how long I'll hold on to my position for... Then, Hyena, we all know what happens next! Do you mind if I change it from 'incubating' though? something about that word that makes me feel a bit ill, sort of alien connotation somehow... (though do recognise am odd! )

SWI
Tigger CD? cycle 24 (CP/MC april, june08 & april 09)

Infanticipating
CaptainNemo 38 weeks pg EDD 26th August
Turkleton 29 weeks pg TWINS!! EDD 16 - 23 October
Hyena 29 weeks pg EDD 30th October
PenguinPoo 22 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 Aug 09, 3.09pm 8lbs 9oz

Meeeow I still feel like that, even after 2 sections (you'd think I would've learnt by now!). It gets easier to come to terms with and you mourn (I think that's a good word for it) less each week. The breast feeding made it especially hard, I still want to scream:
A, Why can't I conceive easily like everyone else?
B, Why can't I give birth naturally?
and C, Why can't I breast feed?
Then I think how beautiful my boys are and how easy they are. Plus and this is a biggun, jut 100years ago my boys and I wouldn't have survived. I would have died in childbirth and my boys (if they survived the birth) would have failed to thrive. Think of the bigger picture, it's really hard and I struggle with it every single day when I'm confronted with women who can do all these things but it does get easier. You won't think so but just look at your beautiful daughter and you will feel better instantly xxx

I'll catch up with you all in a bit, just doing my dinner

Thank you so much for your words of support ladies, it means a lot. And you're right the most important thing is little I who is gorgeous and healthy x

Meeeow Oh please don't feel like a failure chick, you have done the most important job in the world and you have conceived, grown and brought I into the world, OK so it wasnt the natural birth you wanted, but she is here, she's adorable and none the worse for it. I hope you feel better about it all soon, don't let this wear you down x

Hello ladies, I've been neglecting you this week Not intentional, but I check FB and my emails, do some internet banking or pay a bill and then I run out of time to come on here.....it's 9.52pm, dh is at a stag night, children are sleeping and I'm off to bed in a minute as well
ds is 5wks old today, have put some new pics on FB. He's doing well, was weighed on Friday and is now 4.59kg or 10lb 11oz. I stopped expressing this week and had a few uncomfortable days but all ok now and he happily bottle feeds with dh or dd1 or myself, so nice to share it, especially as he likes his cuddles
dd's are still besotted with him, just have to stop dd2 from disturbing ds when he's sleeping, otherwise he has just fitted into their lives like he's always been here.
meeow, hope you're not still down about having to have a c/s. I know it can take a while to get your head around things not going how you thought they would, but the longed for healthy baby is the best outcome, and a nasty tear and really long time trying to deliver dd doesn't sound like much fun at all
Went for high tea this afternoon for a friend who is getting married next week. Was my first outing without ds since he was born and the first time I have worn non-maternity clothes, and they fitted Was very excited about that
Hi to everyone, sorry can't remember what I have just read, and am still having trouble remembering who is who......

Thank you penguinpoo x
mamafox still feel a little down but I m keeping focused on my beautiful dd and with every little gurgle I do feel so much better.'High Tea' how posh! I'm not sure when I'll pluck up the courage to venture out sounds scary?

Meeeow I remember when dd1 was born, I couldn't leave her for ages. She was born in April and the first time she was babysat by a good friend, was when she was 3mths old for our wedding anniversary in July. I think I left her one other time with dh in June and that was probably it until I went back to work in November. Definitely easier with dc3 to go out on my own for a few hours, necessary for my sanity I think, more to get a break from the dd's and their demands
dh is at work at the moment, he got home from the stag night at around 3am.....a bbq at a friend's house 5min from here, so at least he didn't spend hardly anything and only drank beer so no nasty spirits hangover....
It's my nephew's 25th bday today (my eldest sister was young when started her family, and she is 9yrs older than me) so I think we're getting together for an early bday dinner tonight, for him. My sister and bil were o/s when ds was born so they haven't met him yet, neither has my nephew. The photo on FB of ds with 2 of his cousins are my sister's other 2 children (aged 27 and 21 so also all grown up) who drove 1.5hrs each way to come and meet him the day after he was born. ds should be in his element this afternoon, so many people lining up to cuddle him
Have you sold the pram yet Wino? I would have thought P&T's were more reliable than that.
Can't remember who asked about dummies, but very few babies have nipple confusion, even my midwife sister agrees that it's not as common as some midwives like to make out. dd1 wasn't a sucky baby but dd2 was and it definitely gave her comfort, without being attached to me constantly. ds is offered a dummy but doesn't want it most of the time, but I have no probs with it if he does want it, anything for a bit of peace if he's fed, changed, had lots of cuddles and needs a rest but won't settle.
Good luck with the SWI, Tigger Great name for it too
Probably shouldn't tell you that it's a lovely winter's day here, sunny and 26deg....bit concerning as I'm hoping this doesn't mean summer is going to be stinking hot, if winter is so mild
Hope you're all having a nice weekend

Morning. Yawn. Not a great night at Chez Wolverine. DD3 was very unsettled. I'm giving her more bottles now as my milk really isn't coming as much as I'd hoped and I think her little tummy was very windy. poor love. I think it's a combination of being dog tired, not eating properly and racing around doing stuff for the house and the other DD's. But, am trying to take my own advice and not beat myself up about it. Sods law really as I am enjoying BF, but just don't have the time to sit on the sofa for an hour and BF. Still, it's better that's shes got a full tummy and not howling. And there's still enough milk for a couple of feeds. DD3 seems to like her dummy. And it does soothe her, so we'll keep with it. Although I am trying to get her to suck her fingers/thumb so she can self soothe. DD1 was a thumb sucker and DD2 has a muzzee.

DH and I off to pick up the girls this arvo and Mum has cooked roast pork and all the trimmings for us. Yum!

Got a text from our lovely nanny who is on holiday with her other family in Spain. She's got Swine Flu . Poor love is in hospital and not able to fly back home for another week. She's OK, but a bit scared.

Meeow I second everything that has been said. You're by no means a failure sweetheart. I think what you're experiencing is a classic case of 'mothers guilt'! Get used to it because it stays with you for ever! I'm not being flippant, honestly, you'll be feeling guilty about everything you do and don't do for I from here on in.

Mamafox Ooo, High Tea. That sounds delicious. And fab that you can get back into normal clothes.

Tigger How's the SWI going? Not too many details please .

Wino Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday. I'll have all 3 DD's with me. Eek.

CaptainNemo Hello lovely lady. Can't believe you're top of the list. And not long to go either. Anything nice planned before LO arrives?

Hello to everyone else. Hope you're all OK. xxxx

Hyena Forgot to say, how's DD now? Stupid GP should be strung up by his bollocks.

Afternoon one and all,
Am popping in for quick catch up as we're off to London tomorrow for a couple of days.
Have spent the last two days nesting even more - sorting out the nursery which had become a dumping ground. DP spent some time this morning building the cot and the nursery furniture is coming on Fri. I love organising!!
Wino I will give you a text when we arrive. We are planning to go to the Aquarium on Tues and Lion King on Weds.
Wolverine DD is MUCH better thanks. No more crying - thank God. Hope F settles for you this evening. You must be shattered . Don't forget to upload some new piccies when you get the chance. Dying to see her.
Mamafox Enjoy your meal out this evening. The weather here is so poop so am very of the sun you're having. I'm sure I'd soon get fed up of it though.
Nemo How are you feeling? I can't believe how soon your LO will be here. V excited for you.
Meeow How are you feeling today? How is little I?

Hello to everyone else. Hope you're having a fab weekend. Will be back on Thurs if not before. Have a good week all.

P.S. If I have to listen to DD saying 'Mummy, can I have this for my birthday/Christmas anymore then ...... .

Evening ladies, sorry I've been neglecting you a bit too. I thought being on holiday with lots of willing babysitters on hand would give me more free time but that doesn't appear to be the case Still, I can't complain as I don't have to cook or wash up and I've been spending lots of time with E. Thanks for the lovely comments about the pics on FB by the way
Still no crawling yet but I don't think it will be long! She's loving the beach and splashing around in the sea and the weather here has been fantastic which always helps.
Right, now to catch up with everyone!
Hyena Have a fab time in London. I saw the Lion King a few years ago and it's great, really well done. The way they do the animals is very impressive. I'm sure DD will love it. So pleased she's better btw but at your GP for fobbing you off. I had repeated UTIs as a child so I know exactly what the pain is like - horrible On a brighter note, glad you're getting organised for LOs arrival. I think DH put up our cot 2 weeks before my EDD!
Talking of EDDs, not long to go now for Nemo I'm so excited about your baby's imminent arrival! Hope you've been enjoying your last few child-free days and getting lots of rest. It struck me the other day that if you have your LO on or before 31 August then all our LOs will be in the same school year - how strange! Apart from Hyena's and *Tigger"'s that is.
Tigger Your new nickname always makes me smile because E's comforter is a Tigger! Hope the SWI is going well.
Wolverine Hope the lovely roast dinner made up for the bad night. I also hope tonight is quieter for you.
Mamafox Hope you enjoyed your nephew's bday dinner. Am very of the 26 degrees in winter! Although it's been 31 degrees here for the past two days and that's just too hot. Glad all is well with DS
Meeow Hope you're feeling better. I wanted to post the other night in response to your post but never got the chance. I second what everybody else has said - your doctors would not have delivered I by cs if there was any other way, it's not a decision they take lightly. You did all you could but sometimes baby just doesn't cooperate. I had a similar experience with E getting stuck when I was so desperate for a home birth and having to transfer to hospital as a result. I also felt like a failure, especially as by the end I was begging the registrar for a cs. However, I had a really nice mw on the ward who talked through things with me and made me feel a lot better as she reassured me that I'd done all I could and there really was no other option. I assume you're still having visits from your mw at home? Can you talk to her? Otherwise once you feel stronger you could ask somebody at the hospital to go through your notes with you if you still want to. But please don't feel like a failure - you have little I and you must be so proud of her. As for venturing out, you just have to bite the bullet and do it, even if it's only for an hour. It seems really daunting at first but it does get easier, trust me. Go and see Wino for example or arrange to meet in the park.
As for dummies, E was a very sucky baby but refused a dummy. Hope you have better luck than me! Agree that mws make much of breast/dummy or teat confusion but most babies don't have a problem. Hope you're feeling better today anyway.
Hope everybody else is OK too