March 2010 - Babies: "Climbing like an evil genius". Mummies: "Avoiding the Shred DVD"

[Arcadie]

Welcome to those with a March 2010.
Happy Easter from me....
Unwrap it quick!..

Oh, it's a new thread. I was hoping for chocolate.

Arcadie, I think the jump from level 1 to 2 is bigger than the jump from level 2 to 3, if that makes sense. It's the chair squats with V-raises at the end that kill me, but all of it is pretty hard going. There's no shame in going back and doing a few more days of level 1 if you want/need to :)

Afternoon ladies

Well, I'm pleased to say I just seem to grow big babies. Got my GTT results back today and no gestational diabetes for me - woo hoo! I've been in suspense over it for the last week or so, so glad to be able to move on with things (am 30+3 and 27 working days left before maternity leave starts [counting down every second emoticon]).

Fliss glad the BP has settled down and still plenty of time for bubba to switch from breech. Am sure you've looked at it already, but I love the spinning babies site. Not sure how your midwife is but my midwife always goes on about how roomy my womb is now - eg "wow, that heartbeat sounds distant, baby must be right at the back of your womb, things are a lot roomier in there now". Makes me feel like I've got a giant womb or summat! Anyway, my bubs is transverse (DS was head down by now) and she assures me this is perfectly normal for second/subsequent babies and plenty of time to get the right way around. And so with you on going in labour naturally this time - I reckon we may just be longer gestators (though of course I hope I'll be lucky enough not to go to 42+ weeks this time!).

Manda sorry to hear Germany was a bit urgh - hope all bugs are gone now. I'm a definite easyjet fan btw - definitely the best of the no-frills airlines and pretty family friendly (compared to the evil empire that is Ryanair, who I hate!). And congrats on having another boy! How lovely. How many weeks are you now?

MissP hope the sleep training is still going well. And seeing you and Arcadie talk about the shred is as close to exercise as I'm getting at the minute!

Big waves to everyone else. I'm keeping in vague touch on FB, but have been rubbish at keeping up. Can't believe our babies will be 2 soon [denial about time passing].

I had some bad news today - an old school friend was kidnapped yesterday in Yemen (where he works for the UN) by a group affiliated to al Qaeda . So am addicted to FB today for updates on his situation. Please keep your fingers crossed he'll be released soon.

xxx

Thoughts with your friend Flip - I saw your status update earlier and wondered what that was about :(

Apologies for the short reply to your post Flip, a toddler and packet of wipes are never a good mix!

So pleased that the GTT came back negative

I think you're right about us being longer gestators, and there seem to be more of us about than you'd think, so we can't be that 'abnormal' (given normal pregnancy seems to stop at 42w!) although try telling the NHS that! Once again I've not seen the same midwife twice - I've been allocated to a team of three (plus the SoM), I've seen all three of 'my' team and one other MW and that's in just 3 antenatal appointments. I've seen the same HCA twice, and she remembered me between appointments so if nothing else I can build up a rapport with her if no-one else.

Have seen the spinning babies site but don't think I'll convince DH that me half hanging off a chair is a good idea, and I don't fancy doing it without him around just in case I get stuck or DD decides that climbing on Mummy would be fun I daren't even get on all fours during the day as DD seizes the opportunity to climb on me and tell me to gee up. No wonder this baby's being awkward, it can probably hear her and is thinking a day or two of peace and quiet in a hospital might be quite nice (ha, it's in for a shock if it thinks hospital's quiet!)

Flip - . Fingers firmly crossed. Very frightening indeed.

Good news, tho, on your diabetes result.

Fliss - I did the spinning babies stuff with DS, who was breach until 34 weeks and then transverse for another week or two.

Urgh to sickness bugs, manda. Hope you and J are both feeling better now.

Well, Arcadie, you made it almost to the end of the thread before you succumbed to the Shred..... I don't think I could be a Shredder but should probably do something after Christmas excesses. Two pairs of jeans are not exactly comfortable and I am not buying new ones.

Nothing much to report here. Currently in the midst of my first essay crisis in a Very Long Time and not thinking about long term new career plans. Anyway, like the idea of being around to settle DS into school in September. Can't believe my first baby is nearly 4! The time has gone in a heartbeat. And, yes, all our thread babies are coming up to 2 - although is V two already, evitas? Sometimes I really really wish I could rewind and live the last few years again. That adage about the days being endless and the years fleeting never seemed truer than it does right now to me.

Hello MMMMs! CoffeeMummy (previously hecklephone) here to check in with you all! I realised it's been FAR too long since I dipped into this thread so I thought I'd say hello

Glad to hear all babies are cooking nicely, I hope everyone is feeling well.

Flip glad your GTT was clear - reminds me of when I was PG with DD1 and had to do the test after one unexpectedly high sugar urine test...turns out I'd eaten far too many Crunchy Nut cornflakes before visiting the midwife

All is well here. DD2, like all of yours I imagine, continues to grow upwards and more vocal! This is a fun age, I think...although I can't believe some of our babies will be 2 next month!!

No travel plans/babies/mad exercise plans here - just a pretty constant obsession with getting a job, or regular paid freelance work - getting a bit fed up of, well, not doing - or earning - very much really. Still. I should enjoy the extra stay at home time with the DDs while I can..

Right. Got to go and knuckle down to the little bit of paid work that I have got - will try not to leave it so long til I pop in again!

Just a quick check in from me, too. Happy New Year and Happy Christmas, everyone!

All good here: v relaxing Christmas with completely marvellous in-laws running around after all of us, one bout of shingles (me), one bout of chicken pox (Alex, bout no. 2, caught from my shingles - how's that for mummy guilt?), one birthday party (DD), one new job (me) and the builders started last Monday. Chaos, as usual.

Alex is so cute at the moment though, I love this stage when their personalities really start to emerge and yet they're still small enough, just, to pick up and move. Don't get me wrong, he can be completely terrible twoish when he wants to be, but generally the cute wins over the strops.

Flip, what a horrible thing to happen, "fingers crossed" sounds so inadequate. Please keep us posted.

Manda, what a shame about your poorly holiday but I hope you're all better now.

Scooby, am of your skiing.

It's lovely to hear the news of growing bumps even if they are growing at the rate of Flip's!

Still haven't succumbed to this Shred thing, although the shingles have knocked me for 6 so I need to get back into the exercise thing quick. Maybe next week when we've finally finished this thread so I can do it without breaking thread rules,

Hi all, quick check-in while Izzy sleeps. Izzy and I had a lovely few days with my parents in Edinburgh and managed to catch up with some friends that I don't see often. It's so cold though! I always forget how much noticeably colder it is than London. Travelling was fine too; we flew up (tube to Central London, train to Luton, plane to Edinburgh), on the way home my Dad drove us to visit Uncle & Aunt in Northumberland, then trains home the next day. I upgraded to 1st class for £10, which was possibly the best £10 I've ever spent! Free food and drinks, much more space and the carriage was only about 1/5 full at most. Izzy spent a good bit of the journey playing with her Duplo figures, which is so funny to watch. She 'walks' them around, going "do do do do do", and they have little conversations: "Hello.. yes... oh no, boy hurt! Doctor look at it. Mm, yes.. ok. Medicine. There, better."

Back in London, we've been to visit a friend who had a baby last week (she also has a DD Izzy's age). So teeny! He was a good size really, 8lb 9oz at birth, but compared to a toddler he's miniscule. Very cute :)

The sleep training seems to have worked. It was disrupted a bit when we were away but she's settling back again now. For a couple of days before we went she actually slept through the night completely. I wish we'd made the effort 6 months ago, as it's been fairly easy.

Flip, glad to hear the GTT came back negative. Any news on your friend?

Sariska IIRC evitas' DS was born on Feb 6th. You are so right about "the days being endless and the years fleeting", btw.

Hope you and J have fully recovered Manda and that you're over your shingles Bluey. Manda how lovely that you're having a boy :)

Actually I was almost convinced that I was pg last week. Period late (but then they're still irregular since coming off the pill), felt a bit nauseous in the evenings and then in the mornings, had some very light bleeding which I thought could be from implantation. But it was red, and apparently implantation bleeding is pinky brown. And BFN when I took a test, so that's pretty conclusive. I was a bit disappointed, but actually the longer DH has been off his medication (for arthritis) before conceiving, the better.

Hope everyone else is well :) Oh, and did anyone else watch OBEM last night (apart from Dalrymps, who mentioned it on FB)? I was in bits at Trisha's birth. Proper. Sobbing

MissP It won't be long, I am sure :)

I watched OBEM this morning and was joining in with all their tears - and how utterly gorgeous was the tiny Elizabeth?! I did feel sorry for Isabella though, one day she is probably going to watch a recording of the show and hear that they were going to be disappointed to get another girl, and hear her sound of the disappointment in her mum's voice when she said 'I can't believe it's another girl' :(

Glad the sleep training is going well - nothing like a proper night's sleep to make you feel normal again. Then again, that was the point we decided a second one would be a great idea

Nothing to report here really, DD like so many of these other March babies is a little chatterbox, and hearing her talk away is so sweet, even if she doesn't stop to take a breath from wake up until bedtime. She's not happy whenever we suggest there may be a baby in Mummy's enormous belly though. Nononononononononononono is the response we get, rather like cat. 30 weeks now, so she's going to have to come round to the idea pretty sharpish although she does get very excited when she sees the babies being born on OBEM and Home Birth Diaries.

Flip Any news on your friend?

Morning ladies

Just a quick one from me to say that I found out this morning that my friend in Yemen has been released after nearly 2 weeks. To say everyone is relieved and happy is a massive understatement . Am just so happy for him and his family.

Fliss DS is also not too interested in the baby in mummy's tummy. He's in for a massive shock! Though he's pretty good with his monkey (his constant and bosom companion when at home - I don't allow monkey out of the house for fear of losing him [benevolent house arrest emoticon]) - feeds him, gives him milk, changes his nappy, soothes him and is gentle with him (when he's not carrying him around by the tail...). Hopefully he'll love his new little bro or sis just as much as monkey! Agree that spinning babies is a bit extreme - I'm doing some all fours time each evening instead - surprising comfy for watching telly! - along with using the ball and going to yoga every Sat. The home birth sites stuff about optimal fetal positioning is a bit more sensible. Feels like baby has moved down a bit but hoping he/she is no longer transverse at next week's appointment (will be hanging off a sofa otherwise!).

MissP I upgraded on the train when I was coming back from that York MMMM in 2010 - twas great! Highly recommend it, especially with a small person in tow.

Sariska hope essay crisis eased (or that you're over the next one - studying is one essay crisis after another!).

Bluey agree that we need a new thread title soon! Wonder if RKD will break her internet fast to come and launch us into a new thread?

Big waves to everyone else.

Nothing new here. 32 weeks now. We've booked a doula, as I reckon her support will be helpful in having a vbac. Am booked to see the consultant midwife at the birth centre on Monday, who will hopefully sign off on me booking in there. Then my consultant again next Friday for a growth scan. Wonder how big bubs will be then!

Otherwise counting down the days til maternity leave - 20 working days/5 weeks. Woo hoo! Still have a mountain to climb in terms of getting stuff done though [head in sand].

Flip so, so pleased for your friend and all those who have been thinking of him! How fabulous

Understand about the house arrest, we have bunny who is also on house arrest now that twin bunny is lost, DD also has a two bears which can be taken out of the house though, but apparently the bear is not as comforting as bunny and of course, H&M stopped making the bloody bunnies shortly after we bought the spare (which is now lost). Am hoping baby has shifted, one minute I think it has and then it does what feels suspiciously like trampolining on my cervix although they could be punches.

Today is turning into a Good Day. My friend who I CM'd for (our DDs are only 10 weeks apart) had a baby boy this morning - 8lb 12 (ouch!). DH has an interview for a HoD job which is excellent as we fear that redundancies are looming AGAIN this year at his place and the Supervisor of Midwives is finally coming out in two weeks to complete my paperwork for homebirth :)

RKD definitely needs to break the self-imposed ban in order to start a new thread. Can't believe how long it's taken us to fill this one, given how quickly we seemed to get through them in the early days. Although I suppose once Maternity Leave ended and everyone slowly got pulled back to 'real life' then it's a given that it would happen :(

That's great news about your friend Flip.

Fliss, what's your H&M bunny like? We have a small, sleeping one (as if sleeping in a hammock, iyswim). If it's the same you're welcome to it, Izzy's doesn't seem to be particularly precious to her. And good luck you your DH for the interview :)

MissP Thank you for the offer (and for the good luck for DH!) , but this is one of those flat 'comforter' type ones - with the head and paws and the unstuffed body? I've even emailed H&M Head Office to see if they have any more in the back of a warehouse somewhere, but no joy :(

Excellent news on your friend, Flip. So pleased he is safe.

Oh, how annoying on the lost bear, Fliss. My DD lost her first favourite toy ages ago (an M & P lion that Siamese very kindly scoured her local factory shop looking for a replacement). Her current favourite is Iggle-bloody-Piggle and, at that price, I am not buying a just-in-case spare. She has already lost the blanket and periodically says, " Where Iggle Piggle's b'anket. Want it."

E'burgh trip sounds good, Miss P, but I'm with you on the weather. We go there a fair bit and I always have to remember to pack plenty of sweaters.

Glad to hear that our 2012 thread babies-to-be are continuing to do well. Hope they are listening to all this talk about optimal positioning! Oh, and re toddler indifference to new baby sibling, my DS was exactly the same 2 years ago. Even though he was very verbal at not quite 2 yo and we'd read all the books "Spot's baby sister" blah blah) I don't think he had the slightest clue until faced with this tiny baby in the hospital. (The conversation went something like: DH: "DS, do you want to come over here and meet your baby sister?" DS: "No." Me (with relentlessly cheerful grin plastered over face): "But, look, she's brought you a little car. And chocolates!" DS (easily bribed): "OK".) But hey ho, they get on very well now.

Actually, ashamed as I am to admit it (ashamed because it was accidental), I think I recently had a very early m/c. Hadn't tested and didn't go the doctors so can't be certain but lots of blood and clots over almost a week. Heavier and longer than a period (and later, I think - although impossible to be sure as cycle not regular). Probably for the best as I don't think we'd cope with a 3rd.

Other news: essay crisis over with for now. DD succumbed to chicken pox the day before I submitted the last one. She wasn't really ill but her sleeping went to pot (she thinks 10pm is an early night ) so I am tired in consequence.... Today is her first day back at nursery so I am having a quiet, catch-up day - hence this mammoth post.

Hope you're OK, Bluey. Shingles is no fun. And how is the new job going?

to everyone else. Oh, and new thread title should definitely say something about all the new babies expected. Ideas? Arcadie? Arcaaaadie??????

Bear? Bunny? I did read your post, Fliss, honestly. Well, my eyes did anyway. Think my brain has gone AWOL. Perhaps to bed....

I feel premature announcing this but I posted in Conception and feel I'd be betraying the MMM sisterhood if I didn't mention it here too. I got a faint BFP this morning. So pregnancy suspicions not entirely unfounded after all. Very early days though, feel like I need to test again in a few days to be sure.

MissP

That is all, as you were ladies.

MissP woohoo! Totally great news

Yay MissP!!!!!!! Fingers crossed.

And such good news about your friend Flip.

New job is, well, interesting. Having only half my house because of builders is also interesting. Life's never easy dull, is it?

Sounds like the Next Generation are all doing well and fair play on the home births. Maybe that should be the next OBEM series?

I'm going to bed, the earliest I've been to bed in years weeks. Wonderful.

MissP That is truly BRILLIANT news. Well done you. Here's to an entirely uneventful pregnancy and a super happy family of 4!

MISS P- yayyyyyyyy!!! Many congrats!

You even managed to drag RKD out to celebrate! ( knew shed be lurking like the rest of us! ;-) )

Bluey I think you might have found our next thread title: "March 2010: The Next Generation"

Thanks for the congrats all. I hope my post didn't seem insensitive after Sariska's mention of her m/c. I wasn't really thinking straight (still getting my head round it actually, but had stronger BFP this morning and saw GP to arrange booking in to hospital.)

:)

Hello and Congratulations on your bfp Miss P :) Great news
And Flip about your friend.

Not to compare, but it does seem that everyones March DC seems to be a bit chattier than Charlotte. She has a few words but none strung together yet and only few are very clear. Im not sure why, and Im sure she'll come along in her own time - she certainly is quite quick and clever in other ways - can work an iPad and iPhone, can definitly make herself clear to me what she wants (Im fluent in babble) and has a good memory - even remembers where people live when we drive by in the car.

Ive spent the best part of two years avoiding pink and princesses and all of that stuff, not in a militant way but I wasn?t brought up with it wither. However, it seems it's innate in her, and she now loves baby ballet and will swarm instantly to a pink car over a red one. And wants clips in her hair and can say 'gorgeous' :)

Just normal little girl things really. I don?t mind! Although I am totally over her obsession with George Pig - for a few weeks every word was 'George' - she even called my friend's little boy 'George' for a whole morning (his name is Joe!

Cant remember what else I was going to say - still avoiding the Shred but starting Zumba this week!

Congratulations missp !!

Glad all the other buns in ovens are baking nicely too.

Great news about your friend flip

siamese as you already know its all about fireman Sam for DS! Today in Tesco's he would not stop screaming Sam until I agreed to purchase the 'Sam' t-shirt he spotted!

On the words front it seems to vary so much my NCT group is a real mixed bag in terms of speech. Some say very little others like DS never shut up. I know what you mean about the memory they are like elephants especially when it comes to remembering that you promised chocolate!

Oh and I do Zumba, it's brilliant fun, not the most strenuous exercise I have ever done as you have to concentrate on the choreography too much sometimes!

We will be needing a new thread soon

Totally flying visit from me (must do some work )

But Siamese my DS is really not a chatter. Well, that's not true, he's a great communicator and constantly babbles (and seems to grasp abstract concepts and has a good memory) but has relatively few clear words and most words are unclear, but obvious if you listen to him iykwim. His words are (slowly) coming but he's not like the rest of the NCT babies in my group (who all seem to be stringing together loads of words and having proper conversations and have been for months [sigh]). No combining words/sentences yet. Apparently that usually happens once toddlers have 50+ words. I was a bit stressed about it before Christmas and bought the excellent It Takes Two To Talk (as recommended on various threads in behaviour/development). Which has helped us in terms of how we speak to him (basically shorter sentences/more single words and trying to encourage turn-taking/conversations by offering choices/pausing in rhymes/stories/games etc) and made me more relaxed about the whole thing. Though we have done a no screen rule since early Jan, as his ipad usage was getting ridiculous (he had discovered the iplayer app so could watch In the Night Garden/Chugginton/Bob whenever he wanted!). He only gets to see the ipad now when we skype his grandparents in the States.

OK, must get this nose somewhere closer to the grindstone (Friday will be 4 weeks til my maternity leave!)