Minsters Side Car - Thread 7 - annoying neighbours, second hand bargains and how many sleep suits should we buy again?!

[larrythelizard]

Babies due in 2022

@Lexber 20 April 💜💙
@DKDK123 12 May 💜
@bez91 14 May 💛
@Minster2012 22 May 💜 (C-section the week before)
@whatwonder 5 June 💛
@feliznavidad2 5 July 💜
@SWAttempting 23 July (will be delivered in June). 💜
@paintfairy 24 July 💜
@Vil10 1 August 💛
@Juno231 11 August 💜
@kaylsd 15 August 💛
@larrythelizard 18 August 💛

@Kirky658 11 August 2021 💜
@Kate105 14 October 2021 💙
@Justanothercyster 10 November 2021 💜
@2020Mission 27 December 2021 💙
@blackcurrantqueen 17 January 2022 💜
@Crazydoglady123 29 January 💜
@Haiyaa 1 February 💙
@becarefuloutthere 26 February 💜

@Vil10 seconded on the MAM bottles but also be aware that if you are using them for breast milk you don't need to sterilise anything! You only have to sterilise equipment used for formula. So maybe wait and see how you go before you commit. I had a box of the ready made formula bottles for emergency but thankfully never needed it.

I just have a cheap Haakaa like @2020mission and a couple of sessions with that on one boob while PTSD feeds from the other gets me enough for a bottle which I give him later in the day. You're usually advised not to start expressing/bottle feeding BF babies until 6 weeks and your supply has regulated a bit. That's what we did and it's worked ok for us but I am religious about PTSD getting his lunchtime bottle because I'm terrified of him rejecting the bottle if he doesn't get one regularly 😂 I need my freedom!

No news here, weekend away was fab and PTSD was mostly a dream. And he's tanking purée like there's no tomorrow 😂 poos less alarming now he's not eating exclusively orange foods...

@larrythelizard glad baby news is all out the bag now 🥳 wahoo to the boobies though. I feel like mine have disappeared these last couple of weeks which is weird

@DKDK123 it's so so tough wfh with them. You can't be the best at both but you got this for the next couple of days!

@Vil10 I have a pump from last time as I was expressing from the get go as she struggled to latch but I wouldn't say it was mandatory as a lot of hospitals will lend you them and they can be bloody expensive, always had to supplement with formula so didn't get a prep machine until around 3 months which is a lifesaver but as Amazon prime is also a lifesaver I wouldn't worry too much as stuff is so easy to get however your feeding goes! Also, got a Hakka this time like a few ladies have mentioned as was cheap and the MAM self sterilising bottles which weren't around when I had DD which seem flexible for BF or FF

Took DD to a theme park today which had a massive soft play, me and DH tag teamed as he's still exhausted after getting over his manflu and I am absolutely knackered after following her round. Having so many twinges and braxton hicks which I never had last time, would recommend to bring on labour for sure!

Oh and the nursery we viewed this morning... no. The staff seemed great and the activities. But it was about as big as my living room and consisted of "rooms" ie baby room, toddler and preschool just split up from each other with a baby gate. The manager said she rents an office across the road for all the extra stuff that doesn't fit in the nursery and they rotate it. All seemed very manic and crowded and apparently today was a quiet day so looks like we'll stick with where DD is now and just stump up the extra money 😬

@bez91 I did look at your Insta soft play thing & think rather you than me 😂I bet you are feeling it now!! Have to say the nursery really doesn't sound good so I'd def stick with DD's!

@Kate105 I'm beginning to think PTSD isn't actually the pope but an 😇. He sounds a dream I gotta say. Also I have the same fear about wanting baby to get used to a bottle so I can have some time out

Having said that I couldn't find any nice clothes at the weekend I went to Morrisons earlier & got a really nice long dress which I could do smart or casual I guess, a loose shirt for with leggings & button up pjs for my Hospital bag all for great prices of course.

Also just seen this & contemplating it for ultimate zip down boob out comfort 😂

https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/s/apricot-uk/painterly-dot-zip-front-dress/5051839524576Size14.html?GSC=NEW20&gclid=CjwKCAjwxOCRBhA8EiwA0X8hi6GJ6uHansFEmrHmI0liSuB71WCdprOZoJJpW8MBPM7Hms1WHHMrBoCmS8QAvDD_BwE

@Vil10 on the clothes, Rihanna is making some lovely choices of wardrobe, 😂sorry, couldn’t help it
@DKDK123 wow, trying to work and look after toddler, so hard
@bez91 sounds like they are trying to make it more fancy, doesn’t sound great and I wonder how often they rotate from the other side of the road,

Nothing new here, just enjoying my limbo

You thinking about testing again @Franklydear?

I love Rihanna's pregnancy style actually, I think she looks great - I wouldn't but I can appreciate it on her!

@Minster2012 that does look very zip down useful! I'm in two minds about breast feeding - despite my best efforts it didn't work with DS (possibly due to his traumatic birth) and bottle feeding ended up working well for us as a family - would quite like to try again but unsure if it's feels bad to treat second child differently to the first?! And also watching friends with EBF babies who won't take a bottle is a bit terrifying...!

Sounds a lovely weekend @Kate105!

Boobs were big to start with @bez91 so now I think they can be seen from space! Good plan for getting baby out when it's time! Have noted that as a plan if I don't go for ELCS!

Also another vote for Amazon priming the stuff you deffo need post birth @Vil10 - you can buy single use ready made, ready sterilised little bottles of milk so if you wanted to get anything in case your milk doesn't come in straight away, I'd get those, then you haven't forked out on bottles and steriliser and stuff before you're ready.

@larrythelizard I'm exactly the same as you on the BF, having had a wonderful FF baby I too am very reticent. However I want to try but I def want to get on the bottle too so it's not all on me & cannot be left. It worries me that I can't escape a baby due to BF.

Also yes to the priming stuff. Hopefully got those screws coming today so let's hope they work to build the cot.

@Haiyaa how you getting on btw?

@Minster2012 yes I will need a carrier. No idea which one though! I'll also need car sun shades. Did you just get the basic ones? MAFS last night made me realise that they don't show people in order they actually spoke to them. Mel had a sticker on the bottom of her clearly new shoes that kept coming and going, and it really annoyed me. 🤣 Frustrating about the screws! I haven't cried much, that just came from absolutely nowhere! 🙈 Changing bags are crazy priced! I'll be getting something cheap and cheerful. 🤭
@Lexber baby shower pics look great. I'm confused why there was a bath though? 🤔🤣
@Vil10 I've sent sets from £200 - £300 on marketplace? I keep looking but can't buy until we've somewhere to put it.
@larrythelizard did you just buy a normal wardrobe then? I'm not even sure what the difference is? Obviously a baby one is smaller but can you get as much stuff in a normal one because its not laid out for a baby? Your boobs are bigger than your head? What?! 😱
@2020mission good point about the double pump. I'm confused about the whole sterilising thing though. Do I need one? That's one of my query items on my list! And also confused about the more than one way to do it!
@bez91 hmmm, the nursery sounds bizarre! Having never been to one though I'm not sure what the normal is! But that doesn't sound ideal at all. The soft play sounds like hell. 🤭
@Kate105 with you on the bottles.......

I felt really sick when I went to bed last night. 🤮 But feel ok this morning. Got the stupid consultant appointment though, so I don't feel OK about that. Baby is moving much more now and I feel it every day. Oddly only on my left side? I never feel movements to the right? Is that normal? 🤔 I had more second hand baby rompers turn up yesterday (didn't need them but I like them) and mum pointed out I'll never need wash and iron baby clothes because I've now so many they'll only be worn once. Oops. A friend also donated me some (her child is now 6 so I didn't think she'd have any) and there's some bigger over 3 month stuff which is useful, as I've not got anything bigger yet. I'm running out of space though to put things! Really need the bedroom scenario sorting out. 🙄

That looks good @Minster2012 and perfect for summer regardless whether you're getting boobs out or not! Hopefully we'll have a lovely summer

What CD are you now @Franklydear ? That's super frustrating 🤦🏼‍♀️

@paintfairy it's probably babies position as to why you have more on one side than the other, good luck for the consultant appointment whatever it is you find out they need to see you for!

I'm off this week so trying to get stuff done, I have a long list of boring life admin and doing a bit of meal prep. We went out for dinner last night and some idiot scratched all the front of the car, no cctv so need to get that priced too 🤦🏼‍♀️

FFS @bez91 that's a nightmare! You've got a good week off if the weather is like this for you...glorious down here, I had an option to unofficially roll holiday to April though so have done that as there's various things happening in April i need to be off for.

@Minster2012 it's hard isn't it?! Will deffo do colostrum as a minimum though as I think the evidence is very clear for the benefits of that.

@paintfairy tbh I've never been in a baby/toddler wardrobe but I don't really know how different it would be - it's not like the baby/toddler will get their own clothes out! We found one at ikea that's a mix of hanging bits, drawers and shelves that fit perfectly into the alcove in the littlest room - pretty much looks built in. Good luck with the consultant today!

I have my eye on one of those tiba and marl changing bags @Minster2012 - given how little we need to buy (assuming it's a boy!) it's quite different than last time! Have decided against a custom hood for the pram, don't think it'll add that much to my life!

Oh no @bez91 that's really shitty 🤦🏼‍♀️ I have such an old car some scratches would probably improve its appearance 😂 if you could spot them amongst the rust patches!

@paintfairy PTSD basically lived on my right side and I rarely, if ever, felt him on the left side! He obviously got comfy and that was it...

Yes @larrythelizard and @Minster2012 i can definitely see where you're coming from. I had some real bad patches to start with when PTSD wouldn't take a bottle and I felt horribly trapped. Genuinely thought I'd never be able to leave him. This was about the same time as I went to the earth mothers baby group and they all seemed to WANT to be BF all the time, 24 hours a day, until the babies were 25. However, if you can push past that it does work out 😂 if you do BF though I would be religious with a daily bottle if you can manage it. We've never had any shenanigans from PTSD refusing a bottle since we made it a daily event. Also it's less faff not sterilising stuff!

I've been weed on twice today so far. Happy Tuesday!

🤣🤣🤣 I know the type @Kate105!

DH once famously accidentally weed on DS @Kate105 - sort of payback?!

Adding daily bottle to the list then @Kate105 thank you 😊 see I know several ppl who seemingly don't care about just being a milk machine in fact positively encourage it. Martyrs to motherhood. They aren't my ppl. I'm with @larrythelizard def on the colostrum then we'll See how it goes, but DH loves feeding DS before so that's also a positive

@larrythelizard totally need the rest of this story then DH weeing on DS? What?? Ooo let us know which bag you get they are lovely

@paintfairy the carriers are hard, it might be best to get a stretchy one off marketplace to start with then seeing if you can try a few others if you have a sling library near you. On the car shades yes basic ones are fine for babies long as they are UV 50. DS needs ones now that the window can open so I've got curtain type ones that fixes with magnets (he'll prob pull it off but I can but try!) sounds like you've got clothes sorted & I still feel movements mostly one side so that's fine

@bez91 I have ordered that dress and will report back. Feeling very self conscious over my arms being flabby now I've stopped doing exercise though 😬 god that's so frustrating on the car 😩

Catching up on messages whilst eating lunch at work. Saw friends at the weekend who have now tested positive so have to eat desperately from my colleagues whilst close contact as work in healthcare.

Any update @Franklydear?

I often send a preggo friend Rihanna's latest looks and joke we could replicate. 😆

Following with interest about the BF @Minster2012 & @larrythelizard also had massive problems feeding DS, including tongue tie and severe jaundice... and poor milk supply following the ole shit storm that was his birth. I'm feeling more optimistic this time as know that if it doesn't work out, formula doesn't cause babies to have two heads and worked well for us last time.

Bet the nausea is hormones again @paintfairy I had it a few weeks ago and it was awful. Shifted now though. Re. Carriers, we used a second hand Close Caboo for DS and then got a Beco Gemini for when he was older. I've bought a second hand Izmi wrap thing as it said it was good for in the heat, and then we'll use the Beco Gemini again when she's bigger.

Sorry to hear about your car @bez91 but good luck on your productive sounding task list! 👏🏻

Feeling huge today. Some of you ladies up the list are getting really close, is it beginning to feel real yet?!

Eating separately** not desperately 😂

@bez91 oh no. Not good about your car! 🤬
@larrythelizard DH weed on DS?! What?! 🤣
@Minster2012 yes I think the stretchy wrap looks best for newborns from what I've worked out. There is a sling library that's not too far away (not close) that I think i could go to, nearer the time. I did see those shade things that got to the outside of the window and cover it all, but that seemed a bit odd if it might get wet? So I thought a normal one would do.
@feliznavidad2 yes a close caboo seems a good alternative to a stretchy wrap, if that doesn't work. I need to have a look out for something second hand i think!

2 hours i was at the hospital. 🙄 They were checking my cervix, which it turns out didn't want to be seen really. So although she thinks it's OK, who really knows! 🤣 I have to go back in another 2 weeks. 😫 Its interesting how much the measurements and centiles of the baby change in just 2 weeks? But still all OK for now. I did manage to get my mat b1 form though, so that's sorted. There was a long wait for whooping cough vaccine so I didn't bother. I might have to just get that at the GP i think.

I also spoke to a friend earlier (starting to tell more people now) and it turns out she's also d negative and had to have the anti D injections. Let's just say I'm now not looking forwards to that! @Minster2012

Yeah @paintfairy I saw loads of shades that go over the window & didn't want that but we had the stick on type all until this year when DS needs a bit more cover as he's a wriggler. 2 hours to check your cervix what?? See I've got another scan through now too & although I expected one every 4 weeks the next one is 3 weeks time after tomorrow's so now I'm just very confused! Good thing you got the mat1 form

@feliznavidad2 it's feeling very real for me now as I feel huge too & humphing so much when I get up for example 🤣DH says I'm snoring really bad some nights, I just can't breathe. DS def does not have 2 heads or any lasting results of being FF 😂& my friend who had a baby in Dec & he's just FF is also a dream sleeper so it's like hmmmmmm, really hoping you can avoid the covid 😬

So I've just got the second smaller pram sorted & checked all bits there. Taken the fabric seat off so it's like a slimline racing pram 😂
Here's the 2 together, the black small carrycot can go on both frames, the red on the smaller only. Now it seems very real!

So. Also, trying to get organised, I know @bez91 said you'd been doing some batch cooking...what have you made? Keen to do the same so thought stealing some of your ideas would be good?! 🤞🏻😇

Loving all the advice about things I’ve never even thought of! Thank you @2020mission @Kate105. Also, I think earth mothers are my worst nightmare.

@larrythelizard so cute of DH sharing the news and being excited! Hope that you’re not worrying about it though. My boobs are also pretty big now… dreading to think how they’ll end up!

@bez91 oh god. That day sounds exhausting even not pregnant! The nursery sounds awful too! Also the car situation is not okay. People are shit. Hope you’ve enjoyed the rest of your day off.

@Minster2012 excellent new dress! It’s really pretty and practical. Very impressed at the prams too!

@paintfairy glad that the consultant appointment was okay. I hope that this time they were nice to you. Do they know that you have a bus full of ladies ready to defend you?!

Oh no @feliznavidad2 are you okay? Rubbish to have to eat alone as well!

So, I think I’ve joined in the delights of symptoms with either trapped wind or constipation. Does it feel like a stitch, but less powerful. Like tender? Bloody annoying today- really panicked me! Also, I went to the chemist, told her I was pregnant and after something for it and my FIL who I’m really, really close to was behind me. Not sure how much he heard… we weren’t planning on telling them until 12 weeks just so there’s no disappointment.

Sorry- that is a a mammoth message!

@BellatrixK thanks I hope the dress looks halfway decent on 😂🤣hmmmm so FIL didn't spot you & say hello first? Hopefully he'll do the discreet thing & if he heard he'll just keep it to himself until you want to say something to them 🤞🏻😬I'm afraid everything feels like trapped wind or constipation at that stage. I was WAY more bloated the first trimester than any of the second

@paintfairy I forgot to say about the bottles/steriliser thing, you can leave it def & see though I have to say we have a cold water Milton sterilising bucket & we found it really useful to Chuck teething toys in too, or stuff that's been in the floor after being washed, but again that's for a couple of months in

Come on @larrythelizard WHERE IS THE WEE STORY

@franklydear I hope you soon get out of limbo land :(
@larrythelizard I’m also pro Rihanna for her style in pregnancy however I don’t think I could get away with wearing crop tops n chains around my bump as much as she looks fabulous without getting funny looks 🤣
@paintfairy I’m glad everything went okay ish at your appointment damn your cervix hiding! When I go for smears or speculums they say my cervix likes to jump out of the way 🤣 fingers and toes crossed it appears on your next appointment!
@minster2012 eeek very official now your prams are all out and ready for your little girl! How beautiful is your nursery colour walls, saw it when I had a quick flick on IG 😍
@bellatrixK I still have issue with trapped wind now so I’d like to say it gets easier 😩🥺🤣 fingers and toes crossed your FIL didn’t hear too much although we told our families earlier well MIL/FIL and my mum around 8 week just incase we needed abit of support :)

Surfaced from my nights ladies! Jesus this stent was draining I had around average 13 hour sleep over 4 days, yesterday I finish in the morning and had just over 1 hour sleep when I got in so slept solid for 13 hour last night to play catch up 🥺 my manager said if they are getting too much on me he’s happy to pull me off them which is kind of him so we shall see! Been out for afternoon tea today with some of my friends which was nice 😋 cannot beat it! I’m in a uncomfortable stage a little bit where quite a lot of clothes feel abit right now and uncomfortable to wear but haven’t got much maternity wear other than leggings 🤣🙈 maybe I should consider investing! Today I feel like my belly has all of a sudden popped out (although it is post food baby 🐷), will attach pic ignore the mucky mirror though and a little mable photobomb😩🤣

@larrythelizard nope, finger firmly in my ears, lalalalalala....
@bez91 cd 40 or cd14 from the last spotting, who knows cm not giving me any answers really
@feliznavidad2 all the same, starting to think it’s all in my head, the cramps, the heartburn, but boobs definitely bigger still
@Minster2012 fed is best, I only managed to mix feed but later found out it’s the autism so I was fighting a losing battle, pics of dresses please
@BellatrixK I wrote a long post with many answers and lost it, so you’ll get the slim version

We’re off to London for the weekend for anniversary / Mother’s Day, so I’ll enjoy my limbo a little longer

Oooo London sounds lovely @Franklydear I've got a weekend off as DH taking DS to his "extended family weekend" and I'm staying at home 😊

@kaylsd you look fab!! Yessss for being off nights come on! I have just had to go through my clothes as at over 31 weeks I need to admit I can't now fit in my "normal clothes" I've been wearing. Will see what the dresses & bits look like & report back

Ladies I'm so annoyed. The set of screws I bought today look the same for cot bed but aren't. DH is also now mega pissed off. WE TOOK THE BLOODY THING DOWN IN SEPTEMBER (ironically the fertile week this one was conceived was when it was moved) they can't have disappeared, we AREN'T THAT STUPID ARE WE??? Where the f are they??? The wardrobe ones are in a bag neatly labelled in the wardrobe drawer. Was expecting the cotbed ones to be the same in the cot bed drawer. NOPE. I've never been so annoyed I could cry. Googling is sending me nowhere. It's from 2008 ffs.

But oh yes
WEE story @larrythelizard you don't say that then not tell us