Dec 08 Ladies - Maybe this thread they'll ALL sleep through the night at the same time!

[Beans33]

Apologies for rubbish title, couldn't think of anything - mind is totally riddled by hormones...!

Well done invisible! That is fantastic. You must have done an incredibly impressive job.

rubes DH sometimes does that with the snooze button and it drives me to the point of utter madness . Set the alarm for the time you want to get up... get up. How is that hard?!!

summer Deep breaths, the house will all come good in the end. House buying is hideous but it won't last much longer and will be a distant memory when you are all settled in.

mom Good to hear all is good with you. I'm concerned about you doing the wee tests though. They might be lighter due to a dilute wee or something and really frighten you. I'm sure my second test I took with DD was lighter and scared me half to death.

kiwi I hope you are going to have some impressive lie ins when your DH gets back. He owes you loads!

ladyT I love 'oh dear, dear' . DD says O-oh if something gets dropped or when she does things on purpose, like throwing soil out of the bathroom plant like she did this morning. She ran to DH, held his hand and brought him into the bathroom saying O-oh and pointing to the mess .

Back to work.... Oh loved the campsite ZJ, very jolly .

Don't know if this post will work but just to Mom - hmm, can't think of anywhere within walking distance of Moreton...don't know if you could get to Daylesford for lunch - check the website. When you whistle through Charlbury, the stop before Moreton - that's my stop! And Invis - the good old Bank of Karma!

Hello lovely ladies,

thanks for all your support during my terrible day on Tuesday. I think the combo of having to confront the nanny, humour my mum's old friend who was staying and observe the anniversary just got too much. I had a terrible day at work too which involved asking my job if I could go down to 2 or 3 days from January and getting a less than enthusiastic reaction. Anyhows i survived and yesterday was my birthday and I had a lovely day plus a night out with girlfriends and many bottles of the cheerful stuff (the nanny also bought me a pressie and baked me a cake so I think she is trying to make amends).

Now I am going to try to remember some things I have meant to post over the last week but failed to.

Spot - Ages ago you asked for recommendations of places to stay in Normandy. Have you ever looked at the Baby Friendly Boltholes site? You can search by region in France and I remember them having some gorgeous places in Normandy.

Urbane - I am sorry you aren't going to get to work for the GLA after you decided it was what you wanted. It's nice that you got a promotion though. Just such a shame they packaged it in such a demoralising way.

Daisy - I am sorry you don't feel free to post right now. Am thinking of you and really hope you have a good holiday with your H.

Effie - how horrid to have such headaches. Might it be partly weather related? I rarely get headaches but have had a few recently and blame the weather. Alternativly you could try an osteopath in case it's down to a neck misalignment or something.

Summer - what a nightmare about the house. I would play hardball and say they have 48 hours to exchange with your completion date or your pulling out. They will be too scared of a double dip recession (hopefully).

Kiwi - hang on in there!

Invis - what fab news about that client. Is that a fulltime job? Will it be ok working alongside the old boss who has so peed you off?

ZJ - love the campsite. I have glamped in Feather Down Farms and highly recommend them.

Hello to PD and Turnip! I live it when you gals pop in.

Evening all. Had a truly awful morning - after DD's 5am start she was really really grumpy and difficult. I ended up having to put her in her cot - cue howlfest 2010 - just so I could get dressed. Then she went all quiet and went to sleep so I left her until last minute when I had to leave. But when I went into wake her/ pick her up there was blood all over her cot. I totally freaked out but there wasn't a mark on her, I think she basically knocked her gum/ bit her gum or something - there was a tiny bit of blood left in her mouth. She seemed absolutely fine afterwards but I felt so awful. Have felt guilty all day.

On top of that our TV is broken so a) my evenings suck even more than they have been and b) no Night Garden/ morning Charlie & Lola for DD. I ended up buying her some DVDs so we can watch them on the XBox.

Off to have supper and wallow in some more maternal guilt

Oh Kiwi love, please don't feel too guilty, I can't think of anyone on here who hasn't had one of those "oh shit I shouldn't have ignored the crying" moments. I'm sure DD is fine, but you need to give yourself some serious cheerfulness with supper, also to make up for the lack of telly. How can tellies break in this day and age? Glad you have the DVDs as back up though.

Avo I'm so glad you had a nice birthday after such a nightmare start to the week. What's the situation with work? Have you made a formal application which they will "consider" or is it more relaxed than that? Is this instead of or in addition to the career break idea?
Thanks for the baby friendly boltholes tip, I did actually look there but the holidays were £££ and they wanted 300 quid for the ferry alone! I think we shall be staycationing this year.

Feeling tres sorry for self today, had a bad night too (not T-related for once, think I'm still processing all the drama of the last week), then T decided not to nap all day until we were out at 4pm so I didn't get a rest at all really. This buggering sinusitis just ain't budging. Did someone say you can have Beconase during pregnancy?

Went to doc for T, expecting referral to allergist, but this doc (about the 9th we've seen in the same practice) reckons it is asthma after all and wants us to go with the inhaler on a daily basis and is re-referring us to the respiratory specialist we saw in March!

effie so glad the codeine worked. I hope they get to the root cause too rather than just treating the symptoms.

Jam, I can totally sympathise about the night waking thing, have had loads of that recently and it seems to have righted itself. Not sure if there is anything to "do" unless you can see an obvious cause (teeth, thirst, hunger, heat etc). Hoping you get a better night. And indeed everyone.

Rubena you poor thing with your awful heartburn, you're really suffering . Are there any alternative remedies you could try?

Summer, ditto above, and hoping your house process gets sorted soon. Time for hardball, methinks.

Veggie you are a true inspiration, you have a shit night but you sound perky as after a few coffees! Sounds like DS2 switching rooms might be a good plan all round.

Happy belated birthday avo! Glad things have settled with the nanny. It sounded like the last thing you needed this week with the anniversary of your mum passing away. Sorry work weren't more enthusiastic. Can they not advertise a job share?

kiwi You poor thing. Please do not beat yourself up about it. As spot said, we have all done something similar or actively injured our little ones by accident. The first time I ever saw DD bleed was when I cut her finger when cutting her nails.

spot I would have thought it would be worth seeing an allergy specialist too if they suspect asthma. I know asthma is hard to diagnose in babies but they do seem to be messing you about. How does T get on with the inhaler?

veggie Have you seen the news story about home births supposedly being more dangerous for babies than a hospital birth? The NCT person called the paper bad science so all is not as it seems perhaps. Some of the data relates to other countries so may not reflect how safe a British homebirth is with well trained midwives etc.

daisy I forgot to say before how I hope you are OK and that things are all well.

Night night ladies, fingers crossed all those unsettled babies have put their heads together today and organised to sleep through. It sounded like they were all in cahoots last night.

Kiwi you poor bugger!!! I think you deserve a new tele. I realise the amount of time your DH has been away is way more than my DH is ever away, but I always find the last couple of days the worst, whether it's 2 weeks or three days he is away the last are the hardest. I think because I know he is almost home I start getting impatient and just really over it. A bit like when you need to a wee a little bit, then you get home and start unlocking your front door & suddenly your desperate to get to your loo. Also as you know I recently squashed DS2's finger in the door of the bedroom and left the door closed not realise that his screaming was due to his finger being in pain. It's a terrible thing to realise you've left them in pain but it's done and she's survived and still loves you. For all the amazing things you do for her every second of the day, this one small thing will be drowned out.

Spot I just love coffee and as much as I hate lack of sleep the upside I get to drink more coffee.

Invis that is cool to get that great feedback from the client. Can you do the work? Do you want to. Well done, you know you did well, but it's awesome to get such a good rep for it.

I went shopping tonight while DH tried to put the boys to bed. DS1 isn't a problem, but DS2 wasn't having it. I came back at 8 and he was not happy. Oh well only first try it will happen eventually. Shopping trip was depressing at first bit turned out well. I started out at Zara but everything made me look fat. Lots of long flowy tops that are designed to cover the fat but actually made me look like I could be huge. Next stop was Esprit. Totally different I tried more tighter figure hugging clothes IYKWIM, & felt much better. I'm clearly no supermodel but the stuff I tried helped to show my more ample curves which I'm still not used to but may as well flaunt. I spent a small fortune but I really like what I bought. I finished off with a little cake and coffee in one of my fav centrum cafe's.

I set myself up for more late night shopping trips by giving DH a little sugar after the boys went to bed .

Meant to say AVo sorry your boss wasn't receptive. Also so sad that your birthday came just after such a sad event. How long is your mums friend around?

Effie glad the GP finally prescribed some codiene, it's the goods!

Jolly, I haven't heard about this study. There was a very recent Dutch study, were 30% of births are HB's which showed that in the 80% of uneventful pregnancies there was no difference in outcomes for babies between hospital & homebirths. What it did show was that babies born in hospital to this low risk group are more likely to have a medical intervention like ventouse or forceps, compared with interventions required for homebirth. They believe because homebirth midwives are so experienced they can usually try different non medical methods to safely deliver the baby if difficulties arise, whereas in hospital there will be differing experience level with the midwives and generally Doctors go straight for the procedures they have been taught to use when any difficulty arises. Technically they actually showed better outcomes for homebirth babies but the amount was considered statistically insignificant so it was just rounded up as same outcomes.

Besides why do they have such a problem with HB's. It should be an option for women just as any method should be as long as it's safe. It is way safer than CS (sorry that's not a dig at CS it's just statics) and had been proved time & again as a great option but the always get down on it as some hippy option. Also the government likes it because it's cheaper. The only ones that don't win are the people who profit from the use if the medical equipment and drugs used in hospital births & I really don't think the amount of HBs that happen are really going to encroach on their profits.

Kiwi - Veggie and the others are quite right. Don't feel bad. We've all accidentally done horrible things to our DCs who never think twice about it. And why do TVs always break at completely the wrong time? Last time ours did that, it was over a Christmas break.

Avo - sorry work aren't being much help, but v glad to show the nanny is trying to make amends - that is a v good sign. Belated happy birthday - glad you had a good time.

Veggie - the HB thing is newly published today. I think what they are saying is HB produces better outcomes for mums, but potentially worse outcomes for babies - so we can all be guilt tripped from day 1 . There was an article about it in today's guardian.

Thanks all for the cheering on the work thing. I never dreamed this would happen. Basically it is potentially quite a big job, not full time, but quite a lot of work of the course of a year, worth £££. It will massively strengthen my hand in getting another job. Working with ex-boss will be "interesting" but should be possible - I guess it will have to be on a completely different basis as I will be in some kind of advisory role rather than working for her. It was almost funny - she was all of a sudden trying to be nice as pie. Its potentially all a bit embarrassing for her.

Sorry, to avoid being confusing, it is not a "job" in the sense of employment, but it is a piece of work I could take with me to a new employer.

Ah I see, so now they are complete with the guilt research, we can now feel guilty if we have a CS, a natural hospital birth with drugs, and a homebirth. I guess a natural hospital birth without drugs is about the only birth they can't make us feel guilty about. Thankfully Rubs, LadyT (dispite the efforts of Rubs MWs) don't feel guilt about their births and I'm fine with my birth as is Kayz & JJ so it's not really working. Gosh no wonder we feel guilty about our kids at the drop of a hat. It's drummer into us from prebirth! Better go make some more muffins to assuage my guilt.

How was everyone sleeps? DS2 woke up with the screaming demons again. Feeling a bit sluggy and in need of coffee. I have a no coffee before 9am rule so I have 8 minutes until I get to drink the beautiful black liquid.

Right off to turn the coffeemachine on.

not a dig at home birther's (I'm quite glad not everyone wants a CS)or studies etc but I find it hard to believe. But besides these random studies, even if there was a potential problem 1% of the time - I can't believe the outcome wouldn't be far worse if the mum and bub wasn't near a hospital. I know where I'd rather be. It's just circumstantial. Probably not making sense but I know what I'm trying to say! Sorry another appt with my pathetic excuse for a suped up nurse with a chip on shoulder midwife yesterday and I officially can't stand them (except one lovely one at my hospital)

Vagina, don't worry about Zara. Their sizes are WAY smaller than regular. Staff in there told me it's casue they are Spanish and all that but their size 10 for example is more true to an 8

Hi Veg

All good here, except for DD2 coming into our bed at about 5. Not a word from the other 2 til 6.30 tho, so mustn't grumble.

Am a bit pink after my day doing school runs etc yesterday. It's amazing how much one can catch the sun without realising. And I wore sunscreen.

Avo, I am so sorry that the last few days have been so tough for you. Hope you have something good planned for a birthday celebration for the weekend.

I'd be up for meeting next Fri and will just have my younger 2. Are there any plans for where and when? I quite fancy Battersea Park (where they did the Cbeebies summer song) if anyone else is up for it? We could picnic and let the babies toddle round. I still think of M as a baby as he's my last but I suppose he's not really. Hope we can sort something out.

Glorious day again. See you later.

Veg, Zara sizes are mini. Spanish ladies on the whole tend to be rather diminutive and I always find Zara clothes short in the sleeve etc as well as tiny sizes. If you ask for anything over a 38 (5)in footwear in Spain, you get the raised eyebrows and "miu grande" mutterings. So don't worry. And shop more but in different places.

Hi Rubes, how are you in the heat? AM thinking of you and all your fellow preggos. Not long to put up with it now. Have you an actual date yet?

Rubs I think the best course of action with your midwives is a good headbutting. Maybe when they come in close to do the BP. That's if they even can do a BP, the NHS midwife I had before I swapped to a proper one for DS2 had an assistent to do her patients observations & when the assistent said she was having trouble getting my BP the MW said 'well don't look at me I won't be able to do it any better'!!!!! Suped up nurses who can't actually carry out any nursing skills. I shouldn't be mean my MWs were amazing but so many of them are just terrible.

I think Rubs what your saying is theoretically there is a chance of damage on those small percentage of cases where there is problems with the baby. However, so far there is no evidence to really back it up which I think is down to the fact that midwives who attend homebirths are very good at observation, emergency
services like ambulances are good & fast, and when called ahead everything can be ready in hospital. Basically and this is completely true, it takes the same amount of time to get a HB mum into theatre for a CS as it does a hospital mum. If a theatre is available for a CS it takes 40 mins to get it ready and that's if all the staff are onsite which is vary rarely the case.

Basically it all boils down to choice, we should all have the choice to birth how we want without stupid stigmas from society, like the too posh to push thing or the bloody sandal wearing hippy thing, and we should all thr information available to us ie risks etc without the bias of the health professionals treating us putting there own 2 cents worth in.

Sybs small feet must be a European thing the Dutch are really tall but they have really small feet. DH & I really wonder how they stay standing. I'm a 39/40 & that's considered big many shops don't have that size and the guys!!! Put it this way, if the foot size thing is true with men these Dutch boys must have small .......

thanks for all the lovely messages guys, really appreciate it. Veggie you are SO right about last few days being the hardest - the end is within sight and I've sort of collapsed in a knackered heap.. Just the weekend to get through and then DH is home early Monday morning. CANNOT. BLOODY. WAIT. Poor man, he'll get straight off the plane, get home and be promptly handed DD while I say 'sod the jet lag, I'm off!"

Talking of which I am off actually - well, only for one night but was offered free pampering trip to a posh hotel so hell, was hardly going to say no was I? So I'm off to Jersey for a night next Wednesday. Christ knows what DD will make of it - having had nothing but mummy for the last month suddenly no mummy, no mummy milk and just Dada to put her to bed. Hmmmm THis is the first night I will ever have spent away from her (aside from a few times when I got home after her bedtime, but was still there in night/morning) so will be quite interesting to see how she copes. She's feeding a lot less now and happily drinks her oat milk at nursery so I guess we'll just have to pray that out of sight = out of mind with mummy milk!

Veggie I second about Zara's comedy sizing. I am a small almost everywhere, or even extra small in some places, but still definitely a medium in Zara. And even then I'm sure some of their skirts I could easily wear a large. Crazy Spanish skinnies

ps Veggie from my perspective with size 41/42 feet, yours are so miniscule it's a wonder you don't just topple over.

REminds me of a joke my ex-boyfriend once made. During the solar eclipse years ago he rang me up. "Kiwi" he said, "put your feet down!"

Yeah Vag, that's what I'm saying, and that's why I'd rather be already planned to be on the table (with staff rostered on) well before labour begins Nah I know what you are saying, and also agree yes they shouldn't put their 2 cents in either way. Unless we are talking about elsmuggo

Hiya Sybs! We still need a date! I must admit I am hard work at the moment (ask dh) I'm fed up so I hope if anyone meets up they can tolerate me! I might be ok for the 9th? Are people meeting in Battersea Park then? I have been waiting to get my hair appointment set up with my friend and then a date with another friend to go up and see her and new bubba too who haven't got back to me but I'll chase them! Can't be having these God awful roots on bubs birthdays Gawd I sound shallow - I don't care

That's kiwi!! (sorry) but how on earth does mini you have feet that size? Mine are 39 I think - is that 6? I dunno they are 8 back home I think.

free pampering Kiwi that sounds nice. I want some

Haha Rubs as I was typing that post I was thinking this is going to make Pubie glad she chose a CS . Still think you need to head butt, pre root re colouring of course. I can't recommend having your hair done enough before birth I didn't and now sadly none of the immediate post DS2 photos will ever see the light of day. Vain I know but I pushed him out so I decide which photos people see.

Gosh Kiwi you do have lovely large feet, you would have to get shoes imported here. That spa break sounds exactly what you need, shame it can't be longer.

yeah agreed Vag, but I'm not quite as bad as a friend of mine. She booked a full Brazillian plus a spray tan and then at 3 in the morning when she started contractions she reached for the hair straighteners, and went in when she was all ready! (She is my hairdresser too oh and then went on to have a 10lb drug free water birth not even close to elsmuggo though - just elluckyo

hi everyone,
Rubes, how was your heartburn last night. Mine was a bit better, no chucking up and only a few swigs of gaviscon. My joints are so flexible though, I'm sleeping on my side and I wake up every couple of hours feeling like my shoulder is killing me and my arm is about to pop out of the joint! And I have leg cramps all the time (varying between proper wake you up and make you scream cramps and a dull ache that doesn't go away). I am definitely falling to pieces! This never happened last time well not at this stage anyway maybe in the last week!
so our house buying has gone completely tits up, we have refused to move house after 15th July (I will be 37.5 weeks). Our seller, who told us that he would be out of the house way before we wanted to move in (at the beginning of july) and who had his finances sorted and didn't need to be in a chain, who also reassured us that if something went wrong and he wasn't out he would move into his second home, has acquired himself a complicated chain and is refusing to budge. He is trying to persuade us to move on the 23rd july, and then this could slip. He says we are being unreasonable. What a fucking c*. And you can take that c word to be either of the obvious options. I am so bloody angry. Anyway he is trying to sort it out but he's whinging that no-one is willing to be flexible except him, oh ffs. Well don't sell your bloody house based on you not being in a chain, you twat. I'm not being unreasonable am I?? I don't want to move house at 38.5 weeks pregnant, 37.5 is pushing it as it is. We have told him that if it doesn't happen on this date then it will be the end of september and then it might not happen as our buyer may not wait.

In addition the council have told us they are closing our road for 6 weeks. SO how we will move if it happens I don't know, and although they are saying there will still be access for residents I am sure the parking is going to be a nightmare, which will be just wonderful at 40 weeks pregnant.

I must go to spain, I have size 35 feet and can't ever find anything to fit (especially as they are super fat wide too). DS has inherited them, his feet are still size 3.5.

Anyway being nagged to do some work (the cheek of it!) must go. Though Invis I just wanted to say I like your work Karma situation!