June 08: I see it, I want it, it's mine!

[spongebrainmaternitypants]

Welcome to our new thread .

You're all very brave with the hair-cutting. I haven't had A's hair cut yet, I think I'm letting it grow, except maybe needs his fringe trimmed - at some point

puree - I also used almost everything from my hosp bag (especially the choc flapjacks I'd been making beforehand), but I was in for ages as well - a week! Oh, except I didn't use the hand fan thingy

amber - hope you get more joy with the doctor today and that Luke starts getting better soon

It's raining again - but on the positive side my new boden raincoat arrived today and I love it, so am oddly quite looking forward to going out

Right that's it - I am off to look at Boden. Never looked at anything other than mini boden so will chekc out the adult clothes.

Thanks for all the support on Luke - I bet I get nothing from the doc this afternoon but I want a referral letter to an allergist as I have found a great one. I won't give Luke his MMR booster until I know whether it was that which caused his problems. We have to have one a month after the first here as we have a lot of immigrants (whatever that means but that is the reason!).

I used jack shit in my labour bag during labour - the only thing that came in handy was my bendy straw - brilliant idea I got from MN. The only thing that I would have used was some way to kill myself as I was in so much pain! Epidurals are my best friend. I even ate half a sandwich after having it. Lucozade was great in the same way as ktpie's glucose tablets. Actually my bag was 3/4 full with sanitary pads and nappies which I didn't need as they provided them at the hospital. I didn't have enough for the baby as I had no idea I would end up with a c section and need to stay for 4 days so I had to send Mark home to get more babygros. It's mad - it almost seems like it happened to someone else and it was only just over a year ago!

I have not touched Luke's hair. He does have a mullet as the top bit just doesn't seem to grow whereas the back won't stop. I like it though .

Jamie also hasn't had a haircut, but then he doesn't need one. He has instead cleverly adopted the 'grandad' style of hairgrowing. It grows around the sides, and on the very top into very tight curls but is still hardly there anywhere else. Dh and I were discussing recently how he looks a bit like a Dr Seuss character. A cute one, obviously

Ahh, hospital bags. What fond memories. I had two huge ones with ds1. One moderate sized one with dd, and a homebirth with James. Both times I went into hospital all I used were a nightie, glucose tablets and the same babygro. All three have worn it as their first clothes and it is now most special.

Amber- good luck this afternoon. You should ask for doc recommendation in the Beckenham area too

Just looking on baby names threads and found this made me laugh.

Amber, sorry to hear that Luke is still suffering. I'm to admit that I still haven't booked A's MMR - I just don't think I can cope with him being poorly at the mo. Think I will wait til my mum is up looking after me while I'm on mat leave!

I'm not sure I should have told everyone about ebay - I'm going to up against loads of competition for clothes from you lot now!

poppy, freecycle is a good place to get rid of clothes, etc - I'm not sure you make enough money on ebay to make it worth the hassle of photographing it, listing it, posting it, etc. As I say, most of the stuff I've bought was for 99p and I was the only bidder! There's just too much on there.

Laughing at all this talk of hospital bags - I can't remember for the life of me what was in mine! Oh, except for my Neil Diamond CD which I listened to throughout the long night . I only stayed in for 24 hrs after the birth though and will probably be even less this time so will try and be frugal about what I pack. Alex's going home outfit is now in his memory box and Bill is having a new one so they don't fight over it!

The shawl Alex came home in was used for all four of us, and Bill will have it too, so that's very precious.

ktpie, I was like you about the epidural needle and told dh that there was no way on this bloody earth that I would let them put that near my back, but as it happened I was completely unable to cope with the pain so felt it was the lesser of two evils . The doctor put it in wrong first time and hit a nerve, but tried again, and once the pain relief had begun to work it was incredible. I'm with Amber, in thinking of ways to kill myself because I just couldn't handle the pain .

Finding all the hair cut talk interesting cos I haven't cut A's hair either - he is also beginnging to get a bit of a mullet thing going on, but his hair is so gorgeous and I just can't bear to cut it! He's the only one of my NCT boys not to have had it cut yet! One of them has had a really short hair cut which I just don't like - much prefer longer hair on small children .

puree, do you think I could get away with Nettle for a boy?! I can't believe that some people on the naming threads don't think it matters what you call your child and they won't mind what name you give them! Of course they will! Although it doesn't have to be just some unusual names that people don't like - my little bro is called Paul and he hates it!

oh sponge your epidural sounds like it was painful - but yes, it's definitely worth it afterwards. I had loads of top-ups - the minute I could feel anything at all I asked for a top-up and luckily had a nice midwife who obliged. I am such a wimp with pain. I actually couldn't believe how painful the contractions were - I actually thought I would kill someone if they didn't give me pain relief soon (and don't get me started on DH being all chivalrous to other drivers and letting everyone out of junctions on the way to the hospital )

Ha ha - my epi had a button on it that you topped up yourself - bliss! Nettle? WTF? A plant/flower name I can understand but at least a plant/flower that looks/smells nice!!! Why not go the whole hog and call your child Weed?

Oh and by the way I didn't feel anything when they put the needle in - maybe I had a really good anaesthetist (sp) but to be honest I was in so much pain if they told me they needed to put it into my anus through my eyeball via my brain I would have said yes and been grateful

Allnew and Amber, you've both made me feel sooooo much better about my contractions and the pain - I was reading a thread on here yesterday about how uplifting and amazing the whole experience of childbirth was and just thinking !!

I also had a button which I could top up myself - dh was in charge of that, and was only allowed to leave the room immediately after he had adminstered the top up, and was given strict instructions to be back within 15 mins for the next one !

Not quite sure why I couldn't press the fecking button myself - must have just been my way of punishing dh for putting me through childbirth in the first place !

Lol at the alternative method of Amber's epi insertion - and at your dh Allnew!! No room for driving manners when you have a wife in labour!

Amber pmsl y your description of the pain- how did doc visit go?

Jabs seem to go ok and no particular Effects yet- in fact we had a nice trip into town. The walking thing silly now as she wants to e walked by me every where cuises around balances without help and climbs on and off stuff yet won't walk.

Oh high/lowpoint of day was when I was walking up my path at half four complete with Edie in sling and huge changing bag some random yob on his bike rode past and invited me to perform a sexual act on him(to use newspaper speak). I wasn't upset so much as shocked as didn't quite hear at first!

Anyway that's my day- oh and ktpie we had two jabs too but luckily when I asked about jabs for hong kong trip next month we don't need any.

As well done all the hair cutters - Edie has split ends but I am too cowardly(I won't even do her nails).

Evening all. Just my usual teatime catch up. I did use lots from my post labour bag, but I was in for 3 days. I did eat lots of glucose tablets during those three days actually to help me through the long sleepness nights!

S had his haircut just before his 1st birthday. It was getting very long with curls growing over his ears and it was pretty unruly. It's v popular in Edinburgh for boys to have very long hair right up to school age which I'm not keen on myself. That said, I do miss his curls!

So nothing of interest to note from the doctors. She's given him antibiotic cream for his spots as she doesn't think it's an allergy and nothing at all for his nose. I bought some decongestent for over twos from boots and took it with me to chekc it was OK as it said you need a doctor's permission to use under six (like most people would bother ). So i'll try that out. She told me to come back in a month if he stiull had it. Hmmm. Cheers.

J really needs his hair cut, even with the curls it's starting to get in his eyes, will get DH to do it, I don't dare!

On the subject of glucose tablets I turned round this morning and J had dug the half a packet of tablets out from the back of a cupboard and was busy munching one, he had a funny look on his face, not sure he enjoyed it!

I found the pain of labour not half as bad as the pain of the piles I had for about 6 months after the birth. Every day I used to wish I could go through labour again instead of going to the loo! Sorry if that is TMI.

Amber - shame the doc wasn't more helpful. A blooming month!

Got J his first shoes today. He was hilarious trying to walk in them at first, like he was stepping over something high for each step.

We tend to go to a baby gym thing on a friday and J seems to have taken a real dislike to the two women who run it, one in particular although he isn't keen on either of them. He cries every time he sees them and gets very clingy. Is this normal? Do others kids act like this? Don't know whether to keep going to see if he gets over it or to stop altogether. We hadn't been for 2 weeks before today and he reacted the same. He used to enjoy going.

DH is busy getting ready for a 12 hour bike race tomorrow, he is setting off from here at 5.30am and is planning on getting up at 4.30, loon.

Snap Ktpie! We got P's first shoes today too. It was a bit of a Peterish experience. In the first shop he was measured as a 4.5 F. Only one pair were in his size and between us we could not even get them on his feet. So I went to a second shop. They measured him again (both fittings were with Sart Rite guages so should come up the same) and he came up as a 5G . The shop assistant produced 4 different pairs. We had a hell of a job getting one pair on. P then stood stock still in the middle of shop with these shoes on and refused to walk anywhere. The shop assistant declared that they were a good fit, and I bought them, not able to face trying any more pairs on. It's not as though he can tell me what they feel like. Once the shoes were off he was charging round destroying their display of shoe polish proving that he could walk. Now we are home he looks hopelessly uncoordinated in his shoes. He can't do much in them apart from lean on the furniture. At least DH approves of the style.

Interested to hear in your hair-cutting experiences/chickening outs. This is the second time I have cut P's hair. I think I got a bit cocky after the success of the first attempt and took too much off this time. I have consulted with MIL who has always cut and permed her own hair (and it looks good). Apparently the key to cutting fringes is not to cut horizontally, but to hold the hair vertically with your fingers pointing towards the nose, and then cut vertically in line with you fingers. This creates a layered effect and avoids the straight, or not so straight, line that Peter is currently blessed with.

Can I just say that my epidural was a bloody wonder. Beforehand I had been being sick after each contraction. Once it had kicked in, like Amber, I was woolfing down the finest tuna sandwich that the NHS could provide. However, the process of the epidural going in was probably one of the most hideous experiences of my life. A midwife had to grab me by the back of my knees and round my shoulders so that I could bend my back enough for the needle to go in. Just grim.

Hurrah! I just won a top for S on ebay. Nice John Lewis l/s for the princely sum of £3.21. Must go and figure out how to pay. I have done it before I think but I may be back for help .

Amber, poor Luke. Sounds like the doc doesn't know what is wrong. Hope it all clears up soon. Good luck with all moving stuff etc - I'm not looking forward to packing.

Ali, love the description as 'Peterish.' B was a bit confused by his shoes at first, but he's fine in them now. Suspect we'll be on pair no 2 before long. Now why couldn't he talk first instead of walking - that wouldn't be costing me £30 every few weeks would it? Still no proper words here - lots of noises and growls, but nothing of any sense.

I asked for an epidural, but by the time the anaesthetist came and explained it all (as if I needed it explaining!!), which took another 20 minutes, I was fully dilated, so it was all too late. The whole experience is a blur now - off my face on G&A and morphine. I think I remember some of it, but when I talk to DP about it, he tells me that isn't how it happened! Weird.

The nursery is making me a bit anxious. They were supposed to be open at the end of August, but they haven't got their building certificate - they have to replace the half hour fire doors with one hour doors. Now they're saying they'll be open by a week on Wednesday - just a few days before I start work! Arggggh!!! This is after swearing blind they would be open at the end of August. No way I can do two weeks settling in for B, I have to start work on the 21st. DP is in the middle of rehearsals at that point, so he can't help either. Grrrr. Knew it was going too smoothly....

Ooooh, Poppy, Hong Kong eh? V - I went for work a few years ago and loved the place, I would love love to go back.

Poppy what have I missed about Hong Kong? Just scanned back and can't spot anything.

Whinegums I use the term Peterish quite alot at home. It means slightly contrary and individual. In our house I could also use the term DHish and it would have the same meaning. They are very similar.

Sounds a bit worrying about the nursery. Try not to stress about it if possible as there isn't anything that you can do to hurry things along. I can't remember if you have GP's around to help out. I am assuming not.

Ah, Ali, the same thing as Peterish - my parents used to refer to me having a Mary Day - my middle name, after my grandmother, who was, shall we say, a little hard work! Lovely, but hard work. What goes around comes around....

No, not much I can do about nursery. No GPs around - there's only my mum left out of all them and as I've said before, she's not keen on coming to visit - won't do anything by herself! DP's sister is a very very emergency back up, but tbh, I don't feel that happy about her looking after B by herself - she's lovely, but not great with younger children. Our babysitter can usually do Mondays and Tuesdays during the days, but that gets quite expensive. Sigh. No point stressing about it as you say, but makes me realise that we are stuffed for a back up plan.

Ali - it's not very comforting when they measure the feet and get different results. J worked out how to undo his shoes in about 2 secs but hasn't managed to get them off yet.

Whinegums - hope you manage to get the nursery sorted.

Just made a vague effort to tidy up as a friend is coming over later for a cuppa. Place is still a tip though. J did his bit by tipping over a glass of water while I was getting dressed and emptying some drawers for me.

Poppy - yes do tell us all about Hong Kong! I need some extra glamour in my life, even if only borrowed

Actually we are going to mallorca next month so shouldn't be grumbling, although I am already dreading three kids on the flight.

J had his Rubella shot today and was very brave. He was too busy checking out the biscuit tin to even notice the needle going in. DD also had her measles booster so we are feeling very up to date as far as jabs are concerned - if a little light in the pocket.

Sybil - did you choose to have indicidual injections then instead of the MMR?

Whinegums - the nursery situation is a mare. Like you we have nobody to help so if anything happened to our nursery I don't know what we would do (well I woud have to take time off).

Sybil - I also would be drading the flight! It's such a small part of the holiday though.

Whinegums - Luke only has two words his first was Car and now he can say 'two' which he always does after I say 'one'. That's it though. My personal worry is that Luke still only has 4 teeth. Has he got the least on MN? No signs of any others either. The baby who lives round the corner and never had any teeth (2 wks older than Luke) now has 14. Should I worry?

Hi to everyone else xxx

Amber Edie has 6 1/2 and last one only just come through so not massively ahead there.

Hong kong - not sure glamour as much as stress - dh old friend getting married (dh lived in hong kong for some years pre our marriage). E is meant to be a flower girl so is having very glam dress made by bride to be who runs a wedding dress business. I have some concerns not least edie can't walk and I am not hopeful of her being able to walk by then. Also I doubt the bride has come across an urchin child like Edie- can just imagine a bunch of pristine children and my dirt ridden urchin.

Also jet lag not someThing I am looking forward to - although you think I would be used to disturbed nights(Edie really upset last night and woke up several times really crying yesterday evening then seemed to settle. Can't tell if it was jabs, overtiredness or missing dh who was out (she is going through a daddys girl / fighting naps stage so could well be that). Seems fine today.

whinegums if you're having a crisis, I can always take B for you on a Mon/Tues.

BDQ I know your pain with the studying. I am supposed to be doing that very thing at this very moment.

Amber Teeth, we have only 4 here too, but lots of nappy rash at the moment, so wondering if another is about to erupt.

poppy We don't do walking either, same thing as you, wants to hang off us and walk, but no inclination whatsoever to let go anfd head off on her own!

words C is very keen on doing cow impressions at the moment, and has now added in sheep and cats. In response to 'what noise do (insert animal name here) make' she responds with booooo for cows, BAAAA for sheep and eeowww for cats. for some reason, cows go boo and sheep shout baa. We've also added my sister's name to our vocab, which my Mum is raging about, as any attempts to persuade her to say Granny are entirely rebuffed!

I'm on call today for the hospital nearest to the Scottish national football stadium. I had neglected to realise that there is a home match on today. There are a lot of loud shouty people walking past the hospital at the moment... let's hope they don't decide to fall over and bash their heads - NHS24 will have them winging their way to me pretty sharpish! (Neenz sounds frightening E's injury - glad she's OK, NHS24 are infamous in hospital for sending perfectly well people to hospital and telling ill people to wait and see their GP - at least they overcalled E rather than under!)

sponge car crash sounded horrific, well donme you for staying calm and coping whuile you needed to!

Amber - we had five teeth here until yesterday when six and seven appeared, so not that different to you until recently.

Poppy - I remember now about E being a bridesmaid,I just hadn't noted that it was on the other side of the world! Whilst I don't envy the travelling, I love Hong Kong. It is somewhere that I would like to live in for a year or two if the chance ever came up. Unlikely though.

Whinegums - I thought it was your Mum who can't really help out much. Sorry to hear that you are short of options.

I have just banished DH and P for a walk as I was a) fed up of P whining every afternoon after his nap. B) pissed off that DH had just poured 4 cans of tomatoes over pork crackling rather than around it as instructed, resulting in crackling that will inevitably be soggy . Essie see another prime e.g. Of men men in the kitchen. C)have been awake since 5.45 and up since 6.15, so cranky and tired.