Dec 08 Mums - Onwards and bloody well upwards!

[Beans36]

How's this? Thought I'd just press on with it!

Sorry to disappoint ladies it was actually okay in the end . Phew!

Although I did make a point at sitting at the other end of the table to BIL and I ordered what I wanted . I also had a few pre-meal drinks when I was getting ready so I was pretty 'relaxed' by the time we arrived. FIL ended up paying for the lot and someone is going to 'work out' what everyone owes...joy. Oh well at least it was avoided on the night.

We have bought FIL a hot air balloon ride over The Lakes which he was suited with so that was good.

I ate too much though. Must get my head back in the diet before Christmas.

Vag, have a good run!

Kayz, hope the impending teeth didn't keep you awake last night.

Why has the word 'diet' been linked to in my last post I didn't do that!

Awww, Deids, I was relying on you for a really good story this morning! In seriousness I'm glad you had fun.

Today is DH's gran's 92nd and we are going to lunch with 20 members of his family. His parents and siblings all know about my pregnancy but not the nuchal result. The plan was to tell is gran and others today (the baby will be her 10th great grandchild and she has been going on about wanting to get to 10). DH wants to go ahead and announce despite nuchal, I kind of want to as well but what if it's tempting fate? We did tell our girls on Friday and they are SO excited. DD1 keeps asking to see the scan photo and everytime she sees it she kisses it. It's all sonlivrly but could turn so terrible. I couldn't sleep all night thinking of it.

Sonlivrly was meant to be "so lovely".

RT, how hard for you. Do remember, though, that the "odds" are just that. If you had odds of 1:50, that means a 2% chance of a problem which is actually very low. You wouldn't put £££ on a horse at 50 to 1 would you? Also with N you had a similar problem which reduced to 1 in 5500 after the FMC reading so chances are the same will happen here. All will be well. Try to relax and enjoy your lunch. Huge hugs XXXX

RT: it's easy to say not to worry and nigh impossible to do it! A friend just had a v similar experience, only more worrying scans and an immediate CVS. All fine and it is such a relief.

Jam: I think it was you who recommended Vimto squash yonks ago. Have finally found the sugared version (we have the hard stuff here ) and it is fab. Especially hot if you have an annoying cold.

What are the symptoms of a blocked duct or mastitis? Right boob hurts and is quite warm to touch as well. It's on the outside. Near where the wire stops if you're wearing an underwired bra. I feel fine so don't think it's mastitis but not too sure.

RT, hope all goes well today.

If you have a lumpy, sore, hot bit then there is likely a blockage, you need to feed feed feed as much as possible on that side (though not at the expense of getting engorged ont eh other side and causing problems there). Try if possible to feed with her chin pointing towards the blockage which may involve some acrobatics but from what you;ve said rugby hold should work. If you start getting flu type symptoms then get yourself to the Dr as that would be mastitis.

That is just what it is like. Lumpy hot and sore. Will get feeding then.

Blocked ducts: you can also try massaging it under a hot shower (or hot flannel in the bath).

It's all been said start feeds on the effected side, feed often every 2 hrs if she will take it. Hot shower and gently massage pushing in towards the nipple from the sore bit. if massage hurts get a comb and just gently push it across your boob from the outside into the nipple. Drink loads and lots of fruit & veg if you can. Take some paracetamol to help with the pain but just still keep an eye on yourself for any other symptoms. They can come on quite quickly, the paracetamol may mask a temp but you should still feel the fluey, tired feelings. If you do need ABs get some acidophilus powder as well, will help you both cope with them and reduce tummy trouble for her.

DB I can't help but be disappointed, I try to look on the bright side and think "well at least DB had a good night" but it's not cutting it, I wanted family carnage. RT your MIL is a bit mental isn't she, any new stories, where is WG & her toaster cleaning fanatic.

RT I think it is good to tell everyone. Sadly if there is a problem it is already that way now. You can't make it more likely by telling people. At the end of the day statistically there is a very high possiblity that grannies 10 grandchild is a perfectly healthy little bean, so she should get to hear about this happy occurrence. In fact while it won't change results, announcing your pregnancy now should he auspicious. Think of it as a good omen. (By the way auspicious is one of my favourite words, thank you for the opportunity to use it).

Had a great race, it was very windy, raining & cold. It was also a very hilly course and the last 2.5km were on the beach but DH managed to pace me for at least the 8 km of it in the time I wanted. Unfortunately, the beach & the cold got the better of me and we slowed a bit at the end and did it in 57min rather than the 55 I wanted but I think if it had been a flatter road race I would have done it. I will see what my standing is to decide if I'm really happy with my result as it was a very good field of runners, & we all ran the same course.

I saw WG last night - (and Kiwi, Lady and MrLady) at recording of WG's DH's show. Was really great, even thought I had to leave early, leg it to train and still got back v late. Another tick for moving back to London, I s'pose!

Was v strange realising I'd never actually met Kiwi before, we'd just spent the last 3 years interacting online. Had a lot of job chat - for those not on Fbook - I was offered the job I wanted but had to turn it down as they wouldn't budge on any working from home arrangement .

RT, what a difficult situation, you must be in bits. I think Vag has very sage advice, though. Your DD1's kissing the scan is a lovely mental image, makes me smile.

Vag, check you and your racing out! Am v impressed.

Sooooo tired, B's sleeping is just doing us in. Hoping it's just a phase. (a two year phase it would seem...)

Hello Spot, how are you? WG's DH thing sounds fab. Sorry about your job. Flexible working (or lack thereof) is a bummer, and puts the kaibosh on so many women doing valuable work. I am very lucky to have it right now, but have been told it's got 18 months left before back to 9 to 5. In which case, I'll be offski. Don't know what I'll do instead, but i'd barely see my kids if I did that, plus I'd never keep up with my house chores or indeed my social life, so that clearly won't do!

I have never met you either, Spot or Kiwi, which is a huge shame and very odd since we have been pals on the thread for ages. I hope we can make it happen before too long. I don't think I can do Fri 23 now as it's a good pal's birthday and she is in the throes of a divorce, so I probably need to be cheerleading here. Can we do a different day?

RT, thinking of you and hoping today was OK. This time next week I hope you will have reassurance. And still thinking of lovely Beans, and dear Lady as you remember your dad.

I really hope we can all get together soon. Need my Dec 2008 ladies fix. Do you realise we have been on the thread together for 4.8 years?! Wow, and we still fill a thread every couple of months.

Love to you all XXX

Not a catch up but just wanted to say it was lovely to see Spot and KP last night - a rare public sighting of me and DP together, might I add! Glad you got home ok Spot, was a bit worried.

It was a good end to the weekend as having my stepmother was a bit emotionally draining (not her fault at all, I think it was more that the anniversary was emotionally draining)

Yikes, Sybs, I didn't know that about your job. Crumbs - do you think you'll make a big change?

Am just getting the girls up to bed but more as soon as I can, lots I wanted to respond to. And yes, our thread is BRILLIANT and we should all be vvv proud of it.

How do I get DS2 to sleep more? It was about 11 he went to sleep last night and he was up at 6. He's exhausted but won't sleep. He's back at nursery today so I'm hoping he won't be too bad for them. He gets so grumpy when he's tired.

Sybs, I hope you get something sorted with work. I love our thread, often wish I was closer to London so I could meet you all.

Glad you all enjoyed WG's DHs recording. How is WG?

Kayz, I wish I knew the answer to the sleep Q as I'd make a fortune! Everyone in our house is grumpy and baity if underslept too, esp me of course. It can be very random in our house when people go to sleep, so I try where possible to encourage exhaustion by making the kids do a lot of exercise in an attempt to tire them out. Doesn't always work, and often makes me more tired than them, but they often sleep better if they have walked a long way or been to the park. Chances are DS will be tired after a late night, compounded by nursery and so will sleep well tonight. Fingers crossed.

How is your boob by the way? On the mend?

So mcuh to do today, but might treat myself to a swim whilst DS at nursery in the morning. Haven't been for a fortnight, what with half term etc so hope it's not too hard going.

DD lost a tooth yesteray and the bloody tooth fairy (DH) has only just worked his magic, despite reminders. He's also forgotten to take the actual tooth! Doh!

How are you doing RT? Hope you are managing to get some rest in and are not feeling too stressed. This time next week you will probably feel much reassured. Hang on in there. Big hugs XXX

Thanks Sybs, the biggest problem is that he will want to nap after nursery so then we have to try and keep him awake or then he won't sleep tonight and it all starts again.

Boob is still fairly painful. I keep feeding her on that side but trying not to neglect the other side.

Thanks for asking Sybs. I'm not doing great actually. I thought I was feeling much better about it than with DD2 as I'd been through it all before and had a good outcome. But last night DH gently asked what I'd want to do if we get a diagnosis of Down syndrome (or other disorder) and we had THAT conversation and it was hard. Then I dreamt the test results were so slow they didn't come through until a few hours after the baby was born and I thought he had been born healthy until I took the call and then I was devastated. I woke at 5am in tears which I had to try to stop as I didn't want to wake DH becUse I really didn't want to talk about it.

Now I'm typing this on the Tubesnd tearing up again which is just embarrassing. Most of the time I'm fine. Luckily I'm very busy at work so have to get on with things. I just wish I could talk to my close friend about it but obviously she's going through her own stuff. And I wish I could talk to my Mum but that will never happen. And for some reason I don't want to talk to my DH or my other friends about it.

Anyway, onwards and upwards as our thread title says. Please, please let's fix a date for the meet-up. Sybs cam you suggest other dates? I can't do Fri 30th now but can do most other dates.

Oh RT lovely, I wish you didn't have to go through all this worry. I hope that work can keep you busy and your mind of it all for a little while at least. We are always here to listen. I know our response may not be instant but we are all here for you. Hang in there. Big love.

Sybs, DD has her first 2 wobbly teeth, at last! I think she's the only one in her class to have not lost a tooth yet.

Gosh RT that is such a painful & vivid dream. This waiting is so agonising for you. Also what rotten timing that you & your best friend need each other more than ever right now but you can't help each other. Have you heard how she is? I remember when two friends of mine, got pregnant at the same time we were all so excited. They were one week apart, then when one was 27 weeks she lost her baby, we were all devastated for her, but a week later our other friend delivered her baby prematurely, 29 weeks in fact. It was such a shock and so hard supporting them both, I think in a way the friend who lost her baby got a bit neglected. You just don't expect such devastating life events to happen all at once.

Crikey I just found this I had started writing it ages ago then must have wandered off. I'm at home today with poor DS2 he has a very bad belly. I was up to my elbows in it yesterday as he had several accidents due to the speed at which IT ejected itself from his bowels, then last we had several sheet changes. Then this mornin I went out early for a run and got back to find poor DH cleaning up what I can only describe as a spray painted toilet wall (sorry). He had a skin infection around his ear and he finished the ABs for it on Sunday so I'm assuming it's caused by them. He has been having acidophilus but I think that will only help pick up the pieces, not stop the carnage.

So anyway it's another week of him only in peuters one day as today was his morning at peuterschool. He is only there another month and I feel like the last 2 months he has been off so many of the tuesdays that it's hardly been worth it. Next Tuesday I start a Pilates class on Tuesdays so fingers crossed he is all good for that day.

I can't believe he starts school in January! We will be getting his school acceptance letter soon, argh where did my baby go?

Hooray for wobbly teeth DB, ds1 was late too, but was late getting his teeth in the first place.

Sybs how did you explain the tooth still under the pillow?

AAaargh, still can't get on for a catch up but wanted to say to Arti - you poor old thing. The waiting must be torture, I know how I felt when I was waiting for my CVS then waiting for the result (it takes 2 days). But listen - you know from DD2 that you have had similar before - maybe you just make babies that have a thicker nuchal measurement at this age. Just like my DD1 was slow to grow in her nosebone - a strong marker for Downs, but something which can just happen for no special reason. The nuchal scan at the FMC is much more sophisticated and accurate (it really saddens me that the NHS one is so much more of a blunt instrument) and they are brilliant there. I can't help but be hopeful for you but I know whilst there is that doubt you won't be able to relax. I just hope the time passes quickly. We are all rooting for you and I know it's easy for me to say but even at 1 in 45, the odds are massively on your side. But I am sure you will end up with a far more favourable result from FMC. And I know it's a cliche - but if you think about it, it's a waste of stress hormones to fret about what MIGHT happen when there's a jolly decent chance all will be well (though we all do it!). Bon courage.

RT. I can't think of anything to say to make you feel any better. The wait must be horrible. But if possible try to remember that DD2 was fine despite a high measurement.

I hope being busy at work can take your mind of things for a bit.

What? Did RT find out the flavour? I missed that. What is it?