November 05 Babies, they're on a roll......

[Busyalexsmummy]

Here, thats better!

Afternoon. Belated Happy Mother's Day to one and all

Just done our creative bit (more Easter bonnet preparation!) so Tessa is flaked out in front of CBeebies and I'm flaked out up here avoiding the fact that there is yellow paint to clean up downstairs - I have already cleaned it from her hands, face and hair but it may be a permanant fixture on the t-shirt and jumper. Don't believe a word when it says 'cover-all apron'

BoB - go for a homebirth, best thing ever. Ours was through the NHS and they were brilliant but you can always use an independent midwife if the support isn't as good wherever you are.

Londoner - I never did read your birth story, any chance you could point me in the right direction, I'd like to see how we compared?

ChaCha - sensible advice on here as always. Only thing I would add is do a written pros and cons list with your DH, I always find my mind much clearer if I have things written down.

I did amazingly well at the NCT sale on Saturday and Ash now has more clothes than he can possible need for the next 6 months or so! Someone obviously has a son a bit older than him and was selling stuff for silly prices - Next short sleeved shirts for 50p, 4 pairs of Next trousers for #1 (sorry no pound sign on my keyboard - Londoner you have a Mac don't you, any idea where pound sign might be?), 6 Next t-shirts for #1, etc. All in virtually new condition. Spent #17 in total, which included a few storytapes and books for Tessa and toys for Ash. Still glowing with pleasure as I do like a bargain

To add to Nova's freebie list I now have a virtually brand-new pale blue and white Next t-shirt (6-9mths) that says "I'm Trouble" on it. Nothing wrong with it, I just don't like it.

BEKS - Asda have some nice boys stuff if there is one near you.

Beartime - it might be worth trying Caleb with a bottle of EBM though expressing is another learning curve (as are bottles)! We gave Tessa her last feed of the evening as EBM from about 11 weeks so DH could feed her and she was fine. Ash, however, hasn't been so easy and is currently refusing to take a bottle which is a shame as I think both Tessa and DH would like to be involved. You have quite a while to get him used to it. If you do try it my advice would be to let DH give it to him from the outset.

Nova - when is your DH back, I know you have at least another week as its the wedding this coming w/e isn't it? I always found w/e's the hardest, especially Sunday nights (and this was pre-baby). Sounds like you are doing what I always did - planning nice things to do and eating well, shame the Portland party was rubbish but M&S food will do it every time

Right, better go and tackle yellow kitchen

Afternoon :)

Oooh at all the soon-to-be TTC ladies How exciting!! I actually had a dream about the pg lady with the 11 wk old - It was Chacha! And I had trouble this morning in my half asleep state wondering if it was true or not!! Who is it BTW?

I'm trying Operation Beaker this week and so far it's not going v.well. She seems to hate it! Going to try every lunchtime this week. Are any of our babies drinking out of beakers yet? I've got a magic Avent cup, which were brill with ds, but J is being a bit more of a challenge!

Bob, great bargains! Were you not tempted by the Gina book? Sounds like too much hard work to me! Sorry Diege/Bear

Just been reading through the letters page of dp's Viz and it had me in stitches I might post one for you later if I dare pluck up the courage.....

I've tried a wide variety of beakers, and am now about to try a basic tommee tippee one as recommended on another thread. The other thread said to steer clear of the avent magic beakers as a first cup as the babies have to suck to hard to get anything out of them, but you may have disproven that theory if they worked well for your DS. I'm only trying to give water in it at the mo, will try milk when weaning is a bit further along and she's not so reliant on it.

DH is back in body a week on thursday, but it will probably take a little while longer for his mind to catch up.

Diege - after talking to others abt it I think introducing expressed milk would be too much hassle as I'd have to get him used to a bottle plus keep up a bottle a day to keep him used to it - and I can't be bothered!

ChaCha if it was me I'd bust a gut to stay at home even tho' I might like working more, as I think the LOs need it but i know most would disagree

BoB - I would def go for a homebirth next time - if only for the reason that you get a midwife who is with you the whole time.

Tessasmum - apart from not being bothered I'd also be v. to give up bfing the last feed so I dunno...

Don't worry about gina jabs - I like it too much to care! Although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't want to express until abt 8 wks.

Londoner - I can put my address on here to save you the CAT money unless yu've already subscribed for the year?

Thanks for beaker info Nova, which does Nat take to best (if any!)? You're probably right about the avent ones, I have tried taking the valve off but it goes everywhere! So might try it without again tomorrow with J wearing next to nothing :)

Right, those Viz letters - I apologise in advance if they offend!

'Why is it Tampax ads always show women ice-skating, dancing or playing volleyball? The only activity my missus partakes in at that time of the month is biting my head off.' - Tony Moon by e-mail

'I'm shocked that George Michael has been accused of doing drugs. I know that he has sex in toilets, but it's still a bit of a shock isn't it?' Andy Sands by email

'If only the government had banned cigarette smoking in bars and restaurants in 1968 instead of legalising homosexuality. Then we might still be hearing the dulcet tones of Roy Castle playing his trumpet and Michael Barrymore would be behind bars instead of making a successful comeback.' Chris Keenan by e-mail
(That's the worst one isn't it - sorry)

Hi all,

beartime- thanks, have already sent you my email
tessa, my birth story is \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2290&threadid=119096&stamp=051126034753\here, on November 19th....}
What about yours?
Hi all...hopefully catch up more tomorrow....

LOL Rodeo! ; haven't seen viz for years; good to see the standard is still as high!
Re: cups/beakers, I've always loved the Heinz baby ones (nice soft spouts, and easy to drink out of). Really hard to get hold of now apparently, but luckily have still kept tiny beaker from dds. DD1 had beaker from 4 months - had totally forgotten about them (3rd child syndrome!) - thanks for reminding me; will try Libs tommorrow I think .
Jabs tommorrow ; that goodness it's the final set though
Diege

Wow Londoner your birth story brought tears to my eyes I didn't ever read it because that was after I'd had Caleb and didn't have time to catch up ever. Have you read books on natural births and if so what? Cos if I get preg again I am DEFINITELY going to read up on it as my midwife was hopeless with any help - need some people in my head! I bet if I'd done that pelvis thing it might have helped me along too - and I didn't know you could have the cord wrapped round your neck and still be OK - Caleb did which is what they said caused his low heartbeat with contractions (leading to episiotomy grrr)- but one mw who came on home visits afterwards said the heartbeat dropping might have been him going into the birth canal - I wonder... The memory of hearing his heartbeat going so loud and so slowly is a nightmare though.

Oh Londoner! Couldn't find your birth story but that link certainly brought back memories!! WOW

Yes, think I might go beaker shopping tomorrow, yippee(!).

I don't usually read Viz (honest!) but that, Private Eye and Autotrader are dp's toilet reads (quite literally) and instead of chucking it like I usually do I had quick browse - it's got to be better than Jordan!

Good luck with your jabs Libby :)

Right, off for bath and bed, night x x x

Awww, feeling all nostalgic after reading our birth stories again...I waaant another baaaby!!!
Agree that LONDONER'S story is truly inspirational; would love a home birth (my midwife actually laughed when I suggested it - she knows me too well . I suppose the only thing that would put me off it would be the neighbours with glass against wall, and the fact that at least I got a bit of a break from it all being in hossie for 2 nights!
Right, bed beckons (had strange dream of a sexual nature about that bloke from Eastenders last night - the one with daughter Ruby? ewwww!!!).

No,nothing beats Jordan

Evening all.

Beartime, there is another MNer called Kama, which could be a tad confusing. Hope my dry sense of humour lives up to your expectations at the meet.

Rodeo, thanks for the Viz letters. As I'm a Geordie, I particuarly enjoy the Fat Slags & Sid The Sexist. Yes it really is like that in Newcastle. I've often said that the reason Newcastle doesn't have a prostitution problem is that the girls give it away for free. In the words of Tracy - "Eeee man, ya spillin me chips!!"

Nova, I was going to buy that Tommy Tippee one but opted for the Avent one with the valve as the spout looked nice & soft. Might have to get the cheap one after all.

Chacha, good luck with the job decision. Can't really think of any better advice, I'm afraid.

Bob, dryclean only for clothes for a baby???? Has the world gone insane?

Tessasmum, well done at the NCT sale. I keep meaning to get myself along to one. Just found out my neighbour is pg so I'll be keeping Ella's stufff for her in case she has a girl.

Speaking of which, I've introduced her to MN & she's due in Nov. I asked her if she's seen the mum who has an 11 wk old baby & she has! I think I may have shot myself in the foot as she & her dp know my dp very well so I can't very well come on here & rant about him now. We may have to sign a pact not to snoop on each other's posts!

Blimey, can't believe some of you might actually be TTC soon. I'm 100% certain Ella is my last, we have 4 children between us & we live in a 2 bed semi, yikes. When I finished BFing DS all those years ago, I felt really sad as I didn't think I'd ever have any more babies, (DH & I were separated)So I'm really happy now that I've got my little Ella & we both enjoy the BFing.

Got a new handbag from DD for Mother's Day today. DP wanted to get it on Saturday but I was in a very bad mood, see prev. post re. snoring. It's pink & gorgeous just like DD!! Will bring it to meet.

My bloody AF is all over the place Had my first one 6wks ago followed by another smaller one 4wks ago & should really be getting another one now but nothing. Wish DP's snip would hurry up as this will cost me a fortune in pregnancy tests. Now that would be scary!!!

Off to do dream feed. Couldn't be bothered last night & she woke me up after I'd been asleep for 10 mins.

Yeah, agree Viz is great... used to laugh my head off (ha ha bonk, a la Spike Milligan) at that 'logic' fella...Roger? Oh no, that was 'Roger Melly - man on the telly', and the pathetic sharks too, giggle....
Rodeo, agree the old thread was a real trip - looks like everyone's v. broody too! Apart from you and I of course. LOL about 'toilet reads'.... auto trader etc, v. good...... we have a book called 'Boring Postcards' in our bathroom it's hilarious and contains exciting postcard images of hotel lobbies (sp?) and motorway junctions etc... oh and of course my latest copy of Vogue.
What can I remember about cups? Hmmm, think I ended up using all sorts but liked cups with two handles best, not a great fan of lids....... I hate it when they're all chewed and the plastic is 'fraying', yeuch...... mostly taught them to drink from 2 handled cups (and straws at 10 months which looks funny!).
Diege, good luck with jabs tomorrow...... we haven't got round to the 2nd set yet...... have been skiving.
Beartime, thankslike you I found I needed a voice in my head for this labour and turned to Sheila Kitzinger and
\link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0752861379/qid=1143496651/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_3_2/026-4503984-7357239\this book} which helped me more than anything, and restored my self confidence which was waning after the relatively large gap since my previous birth, and feeling a lot older. I found it really really interesting, although I know many think her utterly mad and unhelpful, and perhaps if I had read her before experiencing childbirth I might have thought her bonkers too, but I really took on board the things she said about pinpointing particular muscles 'down below' whilst pg and experimenting with tensing and relaxing different muscles in preparation and it honestly worked for me. Perhaps you could get it out at your local library and see what you think?
Diege - aww, thanks, know what you mean about worrying about the neighbours, felt the same but talked myself round by reminding myself that I really wouldn't care a jot about any noise I made once in labour. As it turned out the neighbours didn't even realise we had a baby for weeks but had noticed that the other kids had been quieter........ everything back to normal now though. Oooh looks like you might be joining me with a 4th then, wow, I can only recommend it.
Karma, so glad to hear you're enjoying little Ella so much and nice to have a pg neighbour too. You've got your AF while bf? Isn't it amazing how different everyone is, I don't get mine back(usually) until a month after dropping the last feed. Having said that, I am not taking anything for granted, lol!
Hope you all have good nights....... How bizarre, Elizabeth seems to have gone to bed at the same time even though the clocks have changed! What a treasure!

Beartime, cord round the neck can be dangerous but not always. It depends how long the cord is, and at which part it is caught..... it's only if it gets pulled tighter during delivery that I think it's a big problem. My cord was super long (they really vary in length and tend to be longer on female babies..... think I have this right) so I was lucky it did not bother E much.

questions for those with cats - how often do you hoover? how much hair are your lo's exposed to? are you able to/do you try to keep the cats away from your lo's play things, esp. things on the floor?

lol nova..no cats but my hair seems to get everywhere these days..it got really thick when i was preg. and is starting to thin out now

londoner...beautiful birth story! i would love a home birth next time..we'll see

either way i want it to be very different to O's birth as the care during and after was appaling for us

O has jabs this morning too...poor little mite..

Hi
Nova, have been thinking about this too..... I tend to wash anything that has fallen on the floor so could be 'catty'. I don't hoover very often as I struggle to find the time and am no Anthea Turner . I think if the cats are wormed regularly then it's okay? Have found the occasional cat hair in Elizabeth's nappy! And sometimes she might have one in her finger..... how about you, what are your thoughts?

well it never used to concern me, but now the weather is getting warmer the cats seem to be shedding a lot more. The house gets hoovered twice a week, but really the downstairs could do with being done everyday. I suppose with floorboards the hair may show up a bit more?

The cats aren't allowed in the nursery, but their hair still gets in there through Nats/my clothes.

I find it really hard to keep them away from her play things, in fact they seem to make a bee-line for it. I bought a large foam jigsaw play mat, and it's now the favourite sleeping place for one of our cats.

I suppose I shouldn't be too concerned, I was brought up with a pet dog and I don't seem to have suffered for it (now this is a bit but I remember I used to eat it's food out of it's bowl when I was small). Just wondered what everyone else was doing.

nova..my parents use one of \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000640V1S/202-7249179-0082253\these}
to pick up dog and cat hair between hoovering.
we have one too and it's fab for wooden floors
lol at eating the dogs food..my sister did that with cat biscuits
i once ate cat worming tablets when i was little..eeek

does everyone have kids off school because of the strikes today?
my little sister just called to excitedly tell me about her 'free' day off

lol

you're so right BoB, I should just get a floor duster for the in-between times - doh!

Real quickie,

How to be a Yummy Mummy! Coming up next on the Wright stuff.

Nova - first heard that term from from you :) Sticks in my head.

Morning everyone! Just back from the jabs ; tried to talk nurse out of it as Libby has a cold, but she was having none of it! Glad that they are over and done with now, though the new one that's out in the summer (meningecocal sp??) will be 'backdated' to include out lot apparently!
On the cat front, big cat's hair is shedding a lot too at the moment. Libby's clothes always have the odd hair, and I too have found them in her fists and nappies . She does tend to grab out at him when he passes, pulling out a fistful of his hair, and he doesn't help by 'scenting' her constantly with his chin (to conform his place ahead of her in the pecking order apparently - in his dreams ). He also has the habit of sleeping in her car seat, and looks dreamily at the lamb skin. Not worried, as doctor has said babies and children exposed to dogs and cats in the home have a lower level of allergies apparently . I used to eat mince morsals, and the white 'bone' dog biscuits apparently! (my parent bred pekinese, so always at least 10 puppies/dogs in house ).
Have to hoover virtually every day downstairs though .
Right, better attend to her majesty!
Diege .

lol at your post nova. BoB, no school strikes here... ChaCha, please pass on the yummy mummy tips......

Hi diege.....it's that spooky cross-posting again! , at hoovering every day..... diege turner?.