The 11th Gemini bus - Trudging through the terrible twos

[AGnu]

Can't believe you're talking about TTC again agnu. Exciting!

Don't worry too much about fertility at your age! Sound like you don't have any issues in that area. I was 35 conceiving C (after 3 months trying) and 38, almost 39 conceiving current baby (after 4 months TTC) so it's not all doom and gloom!

Yes, I'm 40 this year

I loved catching up with all these new posts!

Oh my life pear your mum sounds hilarious! I loved your "rocket up the bum" comment.

Birth Skills is a great book. Highly recommend it. Nothing wrong at all with an epidural. Your birth, your choice on what you'd like to do. Sometimes they do increase tearing from a couple of reasons; the position of pushing while laying on the back puts a lot of pressure on the perineum, and also without the intense feeling there to stop pushing and to let it stretch in between pushes the perineum often doesn't have as much time stretch on its own which can lead to tearing. Massage is good with scar tissue, helps to keep it soft and easier to stretch again with the next birth. Midwives often advice coconut oil or olive oil. Up to you. I have never heard of a correlation between epidurals and reflux in babies before. That would I would definitely want to read more research on.

I loved being in the MW-led unit with #1. I was just left to get on with it during labor, which was what I wanted really. Once we got to the hospital it all happened quite quickly though, so I can't say what laboring there more than a couple of hours would be like. Afterward I got shuttled up to the PP ward which was probably one of the worst nights of my life. I got no breastfeeding support, my husband got whisked away, the room was stifling hot, no one to talk to, the midwife never came to check on me, and I had no idea what to do with this THING that wouldn't let me put him down in the bassinet. It was hellish. And I was ravenous but the midwife never came to help me out It was just horrible, horrible, horrible.

Keep us updated on the TTC Agnu! I love it! Sorry to hear about the grandmother and the funeral. I'd say well done on the hat search though!

I love my new hat. I'm feel a little sad that I'm not going to get to wear it anywhere where it would be socially acceptable for me to be proud of it. "Yes, terribly sorry about your mum/aunt/grandmother... but isn't my hat cute?!" I might have to wear it around the house a bit... I'm sure I can convince DH that hats need wearing in...

So, eh, I just had a baby! A boy. Details to come but all good. Never made it into the birthing pool so roared him out on all fours. He's lovely

Eek! Congratulations! Photos as soon as you've got a spare minute please!

Wow!!! Congratulations Lor Amazing amazing news!!! C is now officially a big brother Have a very happy baby bubble few days (if that's at all possible with no2!!)

Wow lor!! Huge congrats all details please I love a good birth story he's come a little early then aswell
Pear ooohhh do exciting for you scan please tell me your finding out sex?!?!
I've never heard a corolation between epidural and reflux either I had one both times no other drugs as I knew I wanted just that from the beginning had no problems pushing either times and could feel contractions kitten was pushed out in 5 mins
I'm Cheshire pear no idea if that near I didn't think so but it's still cold to me I think we've had 12 degrees but quite frankly if it's not in the 20's to me it's not warm lol
My mum bullies dh too pear ha ha
What would you do about HS Agnu if you were to TTC now? Still plan on it as calf would have been due this September to go wouldn't he
Tiger has done so well this year given she's the youngest I'm amazed at what she's accomplished
Bring how exciting to be an auntie again new baby cuddles soon

Omg I honestly don't know what to do Had a tiny bleed last night, tiny tiny and so as that is now two fresh bleeds since I left hospital I rang up the hospital for advice. Obviously they give me no advice and just say they want me to go back in for observation. I had a nurse check my blood pressure this morning at the GP and it was absolutely fine. They won't move my scan forward so what exactly can they do for me at the hospital??? Nobody will answer this question because I know EVERYONE is just covering their arses Nobody is thinking about the fact that I have no childcare as I can't keep asking my mum and the upheaval that it causes bpear when I abandon him overnight. Arggggh! I just want to know if this is normal circumstances for someone diagnosed with cervix ectropion and nobody can tell me that. Yet Google says some people bleed for weeks and this is normal If someone in the medical field just said "I could bleed small amounts and hopefully all will be well" then I would be absolutely fine!!

I can't wait to hear more from Lor too

Ahhhh! Yay! A new baby on the bus! Well done Lor!

Yeah that does sound really frustrating Pear that you're having these symptoms and while they've given you this diagnosis, it just sounds like no one can tell you what to expect. That's pretty shitty. I do hope your scan goes well though. Thinking about you and little babe. Hope that the bleeds stop for you so at least you have peace of mind about everything.

Thanks bring! Nice to know someone understands my situation even if it's not in RL

Nothing to report from last night so I'm clear to be home today TG!

Kitty - Yes, I am praying that baby will not be in any awkward positions as I want to know now!

Anyone watch Five Star babies born in Portland Hospital last night? Was interesting to see how much money people can splash out on births.

I'm in decorating mode. Starting to look ideas to decorate bpears room and the nursery. Might even get a IKEA trip out of it soon...Woop!

And look, I've finally learnt how to highlight names Frus, Agnu, bring, Lor and kitty

Hooray as bpear would say! Friday is finally here TGIF!!!

Just to kill some time whilst everyone else is still sleeping... has anyone used one of these? I was wondering whether it would be any good for bpear's potty training since he loves the independence of climbing into his car seat and pram. What do you think? Just another pointless gadget? Baby Toddler Ladder Step Potty Training Toilet Seat / Potty train ladder Toilet seat... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00A1FAY6Y/ref=cmswwrsmssawd_ZWhexbCGZHW3G

I'm just a little bit in love with Pin Interest this year. This week I got the tip to put all my kitchen herbs lying down in a draw so I don't have to fumble around searching for the right one in a cupboard...genius idea. It also meant that I threw out about 12 bottles when I realised most of them were out of date by a year I blame it on having children!! So much stuff you I stop sorting when you i have a baby

OK, I'll be back later with updates Pray that all goes well!!!

That does look like quite the contraption for potty training. I wonder how it is setting up quickly though? Or if you have to leave it on and squeeeeeze your bum in between the handles when you gotta go? M was a last-minute kid so we'd have to literally run to the bathroom to catch it when she said she had to go, but maybe it's helpful once they get the hang of it more? I'm not sure tbh. The boys took months and months and months to finally consistently get on the toilet. My eldest took a year until he could recognize his body signs for a #2 and even then being the total control freak that he is he would try to hold it in until it was absolutely impossible to do so and we threw away a whole lotta underwear! Kid 2 was a little easier just because I think his personality is way more easy-going and he had some warm-up watching eldest with the whole thing. Plus he was in childcare at a young age and they just rock at potty training kids in nursery. I think M actually has it down in just about 2 months which shocks the pants off me! She hasn't had an accident in about 2 weeks and now she's totally fine to go #2 on her own too. NO MORE NAPPIES! HUZZAH! Good luck pear! It's one of parenting's finest and most infuriating moments. The complete paranoia and mistrust of a small human to not pee on everything or when you're out in public. Heck of a good time let me tell ya!

Ha, yes Pinterest is ridiculously addicting. That's a good tip actually. I just wish we had the drawer space for it. Our kitchen is seriously lacking in that department.

So big changes heading our way with the house. We are remodeling the basement and putting up a big backyard fence so we can just be a little more content with being in this house despite the crazy drivers on our road as we've decided to stay and not try to move anytime soon. Can't wait to be able to just relax outside with the kids in one spot and I don't have to run after M all the time so she doesn't go running down the road.

This is one way to add drawer space in the kitchen...!

pear how did it go?

Ha ha , I'm loving the storage talk that I have started. AGNU how spotless is your kitchen and how on earth do you stop your boys attacking the plates in the bottom draws? Bpear would do some serious damage in your kitchen Thats some good draws that you've got going though!!

Bring woohoo for the fence. That's a big life changer for you! It will be amazing once it's done. What will the basement become? Ahhhh that's a very good point about bpear not being able to rush to the loo or more importantly me ha ha! Just as well I haven't brought it yet. Definitely worth me seeing how this all pans out. I think I'm in it for the long haul!! Hope I am proved wrong!!

I'm on cloud 9 I had the most amazing scan experience. We were in the room for over an hour and the kind sonographer lady talked us through absolutely everything from lips and heart to toes and kidneys! We got to see everything and I enjoyed every second :-) The best news is that everything is looking perfect at this stage. No sign of any bleeding or cause of bleeding. The placenta is high. We're feeling truly relieved and blessed. The scan ended on a high when she revealed we're having a girl. So very happy with all of it To top off the excitement my mother drove bpear back to me and handed me a gift that she brought at the start of the week. A gorgeous pink baby grow with matching hat and mittens and white knitted cardigan. The best leaving hospital outfit I could have asked for

The outfit

Awww Pear!!!! So very excited and pleased for you. You truly deserve this great experience after the past year and the annoying trips back and forth to hospital for bleeding. So your mum just totally knew all along! However crazy they are, they just tend to know these things. So so happy for you!

Amazing news pear

Things all good here. Will come back to tell birth story but for now we're all doing well. E is feeding really well. I'm pretty engorged but managing it OK. Establishing feeding has been SO much easier 2nd time around.

C has been at nursery the last two days which has given us a chance to rest a bit and sort things out. Next 4 days will be chaos I reckon

Awww thanks ladies. I could barely sleep with excitement! Bring that's really kind, thanks It has cheers me up no end knowing that everything is OK, I was so worried. Kept having bad visions. I can try and enjoy being pregnant again!

Bridesmaid fitting today...god help me lol

Lor Lovely news that you're doing well and amazing that breast feeding is smoother this time round, what a bonus!

Happy baby news from both pear & Lor has made me smile!

pear that sounds like the best scan experience ever! Trying not to be jealous of the girl news! Also, that is most definitely not my kitchen! I'm pestering DH to build me some underneath drawers but he's not convinced. I'm saving my convincing powers for other purposes atm! Hope the fitting went ok!

Lor hope the next few days aren't as manic as you expected. Looking forward to hearing about the birth but I'm v pleased feeding is going well!

Ahh pear wonderful news so glad everything is well and a little girl, how exciting. The outfit is beautiful you've made me super jeleous!
Good to hear all is well lor, yes please update us soon

Thank you Kitty!

So nursery has begun for us again this week. They asked me to take him into the classroom and find something to do. Of coarse right away bpear started shouting "no go mummy" and doing his usual hysterical pulling on clothes crying. I was pleased though that they didn't make me stay as it only makes us both anxious. They text me to say he stopped crying in 5 minutes and he was having a lovely time exploring. I then collected him at 11:30 and he was a very happy boy. He didn't want to leave I'm so happy that I took charge and started the term this way. Hopefully he will start to settle very soon as I do find the pulling clothes act very sad. I went and had tea and cake at the garden centre whilst I was waiting to pick him up

Other news...we've had to start CIO sleep training again which I hate Since I went to hospital he's just been so clingy at sleep times and started to expect us to stay with him for a good hour so we've had to start the training again this week which I hate. DH is so annoying as I'm basically training him to do it the nights bpear chooses him to to do the bed routine so he gets used it with both of us. I do wish DH's didn't always need training and that sometimes they could use their own brain Anyway, this training was well needed because no way will we I have time for the 20 minute hug that he requires before going down when baby is here!

I haven't had any bleeding for 3 days now which is the longest time yet. I've had to dodge bpear so many times and basically be far more sensible when it comes to choosing tantrum battles! DH has already had a bit a go at me for over cramming this week... It's not actually that crammed though so I don't know what he's talking about lol Tomorrow afternoon I'm at the hospital to see a consultant about the 4th degree tear history so that's not exactly hard work!

Apparently I'm in charge of fancy dress for the hen's and bride on the hen party I hate dressing up so this is my worst nightmare. Going to trawl pininterest for ideas tonight.

How's everyone else doing?

Wah-hey Pear! So glad the little guy had a good time with nursery today! They usually do settle if you get the heck outta there quickly and they realize that there are fun things to do instead of cry. Here's to moving forward!
And om YES to having to be the one to tell everyone how to do everything. It's so freaking annoying! We had to learn things through trial and error, dude, man up and figure out for yourself!

Wow, fancy dress huh? I've only been to two while in the UK (I think they're a bit more common over there than here. We usually just dress up on Halloween). One was boat-themed as we took a river cruise down the Thames and the other was 60's-70's. The boat one my friends and I dressed up as 50's sailorettes with cute navy blue skirts and a striped shirt with 50's curled hair and sailor hats. The 70's one I just found a maxi dress with B&W print at "Downtown" in Lincoln area and got some hoop earrings, parted my (then) very long hair down the middle and went as Cher.

How'd the bridesmaids dress fitting go, btw?

DH is currently in NY for the weekend so it's just moi and the kidlets all weekend. Should be interesting....

Ahhh you sound like you ace at fancy dress bring! Urrrr I am so v envious of your DH I love NY! Can't wait to be able to return when the kids are old enough to appreciate it and not totally ruin it for me ha ha!

I should be sleeping but I'm on a total high as we stopped at a fancy dress shop on the way back from hospital and thanks to the lovely shop assistant I've totally sorted everyone's outfit! Woohoo!

Hilarious time at the hospital. Turns out I've had a little memory lapse I didn't have a 4th degree tear...I had a 3b tear Just a tiny bit of a difference! Consultant totally freaked me out by starting the conversation with "you'll need a c-section" when I've already been told at recovery that I didn't. I nearly burst into tears So, this possibly explains why I've been given 2x free physio birthing classes to attend in July and a one-to-one session with a specialist to talk about tearing prevention. I would still like to go to these things as I still feel I need to be better prepared. The consultant told me there is nothing I can do to prevent it happening again other then massage! Not sure I completely believe her

So, I'm thinking about keeping quiet about my little boo boo and keeping the one-to-one session in hope that I don't get into trouble! I also want the free birthing sessions otherwise I have to shell out £100 for a Hypnobirthing class or £40 for a NHS active birthing class when it sounds like these two free classes that I've been given cover all the necessary topics! Who wouldn't choose the freebie I'm sure I know all of it anyway but I think I need the refresher and it would be good for DH nearer the time.

Oh so the bridesmaid fitting went OK. I mean, as good as can be expected. The seamstress had loopy ideas for alteration but luckily even the bride put a stop to it. I managed to convince the bride to take out 2 layers of netting for each skirt so that will help a tiny bit. Basically I'm wearing a size 16 so right now it's a tent. Hard to explain but the plan is to unstitch the waist bit and fold it over so I have more bump showing before the skirt starts so it gives me shape rather then me just looking fat underneath a big tulle skirt. This means my dress will be slightly shorter then the others but this is no bad thing as I'll probably be wearing smaller heels. Depending how big I get I think I'm going to pull this off. I certainly walked away feeling better about it. Or maybe the spring weather is helping and I care less because I'm just thinking about my baby girl?! I've been told I'm getting a hairdresser so that is a massive relief as it makes such a difference when you don't have to do your own hair! Everybody looks at hair!

Oh and today I tried to plant sweetcorn with bpear who has zero interest and just wanted to flood the garden with the hose Just realised I've left the plants out when they should be indoors and DH was telling me earlier that we still get frost in the morning...whoops!!!