Minster's 9th Side Car - who runs the world? Girls! (Where are all the boys?!)

[larrythelizard]

Babies Due: 👶👶👶

@feliznavidad2 5 July 💗(induction towards the end of June)
@paintfairy 24 July 💗
@Vil10 1 August 💛
@Juno231 11 August 💗
@kaylsd 15 August 💛
@larrythelizard 18 August 💛
@Inkypaper 28 October 💛
@BellatrixK 15 November 💙
@Somatronic 2 Jan ish (I think!) 💛

Babies who are earth side:

Kirky658 11 August 2021 💗
Kate105 14 October 2021 💙
Justanothercyster 10 November 2021 💗
2020Mission 27 December 2021 💙
blackcurrantqueen 17 January 2022 💗
Crazydoglady123 29 January 2022 💗
Haiyaa 1 February 2022 💙
becarefuloutthere 26 February 2022 💗
Lexber 14 April 2022 💗💙
Minster2012 29 April 💗
bez91 8 May 💙
DKDK123 10 May 💗
whatwonder 7 June 💗
2under2 10 June 💗

A travel counsellor @larrythelizard what is that?

@bez91 yep AF still def here, more wine drunk 😂, I've also sold a lot of stuff on vinted, I find it easy to take pics at times that suit then load up at times like these sat in front of tv or when feeding or on dog walk I'm most productive 😆can't believe she's busting out most of the 0:3's! I think she's def got a long torso though...don't know where she gets that from 🤔

@paintfairy yes you can buy handle hooks, @Juno231 put a pic up earlier! Mine has these clips so it just does it itself, it's had 4 hard years this bag can't believe it's still going strong as in between it's been X's nursery bag! The stuff under the pram doesn't get as wet as the stuff on top if it rains so by that stage you hope you are getting to shelter soon! But yes we have a rain over for the "carrycot" then one for the "pram" (but long as you've got one for the carrycot that's all you need for now.) I def what B to stay small forever ( in theory) but i love the noises. But you wait till you have one, see what you think. It can be dull. So now she's "doing stuff" and starting to make noises & react it's at least a bit more interesting. Some ppl might hate me for saying that, and don't get me wrong, I love newborn snuggles, but I love the interactions that come later & sitting up and things not just "lolling around" but I'm just being honest. 3 outfit changes today

@bez91 I think your right with that one being a myth because mine has done the upside down and back around and back so many times I can actually tell the difference in my bump shape when they are doing it! Just continuing as I am with the exercises and gentle walks and bouncing on the ball and it’ll be what it will! Glad your DH bought you a fan he didn’t have a death wish after all ;)
@inkypaper wow 24 weeks already I feel like your pregnancy is flying girl! I keep checking the weather app daily to see if there’s a influx of snow predicted… how disappointing 🥵🤣
@larrythelizard your pool pic looked so delightful I’m tempted to go raid Tesco to see if there’s any on the shelves just so I can lay in one but then I’ll also need new swimwear as nothing will fit me no doubt 🙈
@paintfairy that sounds better in morning pre heat Haha! I’m the exact dilemma I’m packing my hospital bags today and the outfit DH originally bought for me does not suit hot weather at all so wondering if I should invest in a nice maxi t shirt dress something breathable 🧐 and a polite shut up or prepare for a massive battle if he disturbs your naps 🙃
@minster2012 I’m abit hit and miss with love island this year it’s been more of a love hate relationship, I can’t see anyone genuine one it, I like davide but I think he’s too much of a showman now! What’s your vibes? I hope you enjoyed your wine from your DH! Glad to hear b had a more settled day for you 😘 how exciting that you can start looking for your first family holiday as a 4! What kind of vibes would you like sun relaxing holiday or activity’s ect?
@juno231 I second the crazy movements last night it was over a hour until bubs settled down from doing rocky balboa on my internal organs god knows what position they were trying to be in! Your feet look really swollen I’m presuming your Mw knows about them? Get them elevated girl! Your bump is so neat and tidy - beautiful 😍 around my area too there is no free parking at any of the hospitals & there’s no staff car parking unless joining waiting list over 5 years so every shift I pay full day rate to work 🙈
@somatronic I’m sorry to hear your dad has covid hopefully it’s a mild case and he feels better soon :( the cases are scarily on the increase, look after yourself the best you can 😘 I had covid and pregnant for second time at 20 week and my MW wasn’t too concerned or my GP

This weather is just 🥵🥵🥵 on a lighter note by the end of today I shall have my hospital bags packed and set! Our nursery gets carpets in tomorrow so then DH can start building furniture tomorrow.. it’s starting to feel so real 😍🥺

@Minster2012 My bag has those clips! 🥳 Who knew?! 🤣 So that's useful. I've checked the cover. Its a universal bugaboo specific one. It does actually fit both the carrycot and the other part. But on the carrycot it only covers the top part and not all the way down the sides to the bottom of the bassinet, if that makes sense? So baby would be dry but if raining bad then the sides would start to get wet. However maybe you wouldn't go out in rain anyway? 🤷‍♀️ Plus I was wondering how they breathe as it has no air holes really and is plastic? I could get some kind of universal one from somewhere no doubt, should I need it? Everything is so complicated. 🤣
I can see maybe newborn stage would get boring if stuck in that phase forever. So I guess that makes sense. New puppies etc at least still play. New babies just don't really do anything. 🤣
@kaylsd I keep wishing for snow too. 🤣 Sounds like you are getting there with things though. Paying to park to go to work is definitely not on! 🤬

I actually kind of slept last night. For the first time in I don't know how long. Must be a miracle! 38 weeks today! 🙈

Lol at the free hospital parking, ours requires a second mortgage. It ain't all cheap up north! However, it is very pleasant here- 20 degrees and sunny so it's just right!

I have got some from Wuka @paintfairy so interested to see what they're like! However who knows when I'll get to use them. Still haven't had AF yet and was convinced it was coming this week but I've actually just ended up with loads of discharge so perhaps I'm a couple of weeks off. It'll turn up eventually!

Ooooh @Minster2012 I love holiday planning! We've just booked flights to France in Oct 🥳 what sort of holiday are you after? Beach/lazy hol or are you more of the sightseeing types?

@Juno231 your poor feet, get them elevated and rest! I echo what @larrythelizard said, just make sure your midwife is aware of your feet swelling to rule out pre-eclampsia just to be on the safe side.
On the pram hooks, try get the D ring style like this, I got the hook ones similar to the ones in your pic and they velcro round the pram handle but as soon as any heavy bags were on it the velcro couldn't hold them closed and they came off. The D ring clips are solid and have held very heavy shopping (tho just remember to counterweight and put something heavy under the pram too if you have a heavy bag on it so the pram doesn't tip).

@Minster2012 did you come up with any ideas for your family holiday? Gran Canaria's nice (I'm bias as I lived there tho 😂) but the flights not too long, sunshine most of the year round go outwith summer and it's hot but not too hot and nice beaches for the kids to play on.

@bez91 are you finding things are selling on vinted? I have a bag of DDs things waiting to be photographed and put on I just haven't gotten round to it yet

@kaylsd exciting stuff on the nursery coming together and getting your bags packed today, another step closer until you meet your wee bundle too

@paintfairy treasure that good night's sleep, it may be a while before you get it again 😂 Although I can't complain, E slept from 11pm-4am last night which was bliss, and DS whos usually a 6am riser didnt get up till 7am must be the heat knocking everyone out.

@Soph0105 France in Oct is something great to look forward to once the darker days and miserable weather starts to kick in, whereabouts in france are you going?

On the AF chat I think mine has started but not 100% sure, I had cramping and AF style bleeding just before 6 weeks. All of my PP bleeding had stopped by then but it only lasted 2days and seemed early for AF returning (tho I know it can that early). Had EWCM this morn at 8 weeks so I'm guessing it could have been AF, we'll see in a week or twos time 🤷‍♀️

I wish we had it just 20 degrees @Soph0105 it's mega hot here but I've been out in the garden in the shady bits doing gardening from early this morning & now we are on our way to friends for bbq. Yay for holidays!! We are going with my parents then meeting my bro & his family wherever we go (they emigrated to Canada) so 6 adults, one 2 year old, one 4 year old & Bronte so we are thinking renting a villa somewhere is easiest. It's def not sightseeing with the kids. 😂Maybe Portugal? Maybe Ibiza? Just not Majorca as we've all been there loads, if anyone has been to Puerto Pollensa it's those vibes we want (basically there but elsewhere)

We are wanting to be able to walk everywhere so walking to a beach, restaurants etc (but can be 1km away) so yeah not easy I guess), not more than 3.5 hours flight ideally from Leeds or east mids @DKDK123 yeah grab canaria in the mix too

@DKDK123 @bez91
so weird that we are all having AF around similar times then!!

@DKDK123 how's the breastfeeding going again?

@paintfairy well now you know on the raincover at least, it's more to shove in so that if you go out & get caught out rather than specifically going out in the rain! Weird how it doesn't cover it all though??

@kaylsd yeah I don't think anyone is genuine on LI either & I found it really weird the whole Paige thing the other night. We def want lazy vibes for holiday but with a 4 year & & 2 year old it basically cannot be lazy anyway 😂but least by going with family we can tag team childcare so we all get a bit of a break 🤞🏻the nursery how exciting!!

Also this morning we moved B's changing unit BACK into her room from ours. As she's now in there full time I had to put changing mat on floor for night changes & it was necessary for the drawers so the next thing is to take down the next to me & that's it she'll be officially out.

Ironic as this week I'm missing the first class in my local community centre baby classes. I'm having my hair done, B being looked after by my parents. Ironic as apparently the first class you discuss "taking care of yourself" (yep, I'm having my hair done), and going over safe sleeping again (yep well I'm ignoring that clearly as she's out) 😂😬

Honestly you lot need to listen to the parenting hell podcast season 4 episode 44 with Josh Pugh. I was laughing out loud 🙈

Sympathy to you heavily pregnant ladies ☀️ 💕

Minster2012 I'm with you a bit on that, it is more rewarding when they interact more. Z has found his hands are attached to him which is causing issues 😂 we booked for next year, can't afford this year now as we need to replace a massive fence which will cost a few thousand 😫 will you take X out of school? Save you a bit, we'll be doing that in future providing they're not really behind as it's ridiculous

@DKDK123 hit and miss on Vinted but I think they key is to get as much on of the same things ie same sizes at the same time so people buy bundles from you. As it takes so long when looking after Z I usually put them on and hide them and then unhide them all at the same time if that makes sense

@kaylsd good luck on the bag packing! I love Davide and EkinSu I think they make a good old married couple. I don't like Luca, never have, I think he's fake. So I don't really like any other couple. I'm hoping Jay pursues Paige

Riding solo again today as DH has lots of call outs but managed to get the paddling pool up (tried at 7am this morning and the one from last year had a puncture 🤦🏼‍♀️) so rushed out for another. of course after all my efforts migrating us outside in between feeding Z, getting him to sleep etc she now doesn't want to go in the pool and wants to go inside - ok see you I'm enjoying the weather 😂 would I be bad to open a kopperberg 🙄 it's post 12noon

Still reading girls, had a bad Thursday when noticed F hadn't done many wet nappies at all; rang midwife who weighed her and showed really minimal weight gain over six days. Hence BF not going as well as I thought. 😭

Now introduced expressed top ups (and colostrum from my hoard in the freezer) but it's running out soon so adding in a bit of formula too. She's gained double in two days what she did in six so it's definitely helping.

Seeing BF counsellor woman tomorrow but am keen to take more care of mental health this time, I know our DS thrives on formula but just hoped this time would be better for us breastfeeding wise. Promise to try and catch up properly later or tomorrow.

Nearly there @paintfairy and you guys @Vil10 @Juno231 @larrythelizard !!! X

Thrived* promise our five and a half year old isn't still on formula!

I am reading along but my brain is pure mush in this heat 🫠🙈 cannot cope, I need it a max of 20 degrees please 😂

On the covid side, given what happened in my family (the long story short is the my unvaccinated SIL nearly died of it last year and has been left disabled and incapable of looking after herself as a result of it all) I'm all for erring on the side of caution and getting vaccinated because I'm well aware of the consequences if it all goes wrong.

Big hugs @feliznavidad2 try not to beat yourself up about it ❤️

I can't believe how big the babies are getting @DKDK123 @Minster2012 @bez91! Time is FLYING!

I'm also one who likes it when they start to interact more @paintfairy - much prefer a baby you can play with to a little potato baby!

They're independent travel agents @Minster2012 who basically scout out the best option for you. Unsure if they do villas but I'm going to email the lady that sorted out Majorca holiday next week to ask as I seem to have acquired finding some options for a villa holiday with DH's family next May.

Whoop on bag packing @kaylsd!

BF is so tough @feliznavidad2 - it's so much harder than you ever think it will be and that's without all the mental stress.

I wondered how your SIL was @InkyPaper 💔

Hot hot hot here again today but I have either been wallowing in the paddling pool or the shade in a bikini (need to get some use out of the bits I bought for holiday!) so im quite happy!

MW appt earlier, have been itchy so she took some bloods in case it's cholestatis but given that it's gone away I doubt that it is. Better to be safe than sorry.

I have a scan, a consultant appt and a MW appt all in the next 2 or so weeks, all feels like it's hotting up!

Have started sorting stuff out in the house though so by next weekend latest we should be able to get stuff out of the loft and find the little car seat, baby clothes etc etc!

@Minster2012 BF is still a bit of a mixed bag at the moment, it depends on what mood she's in. Some days she'll happily feed away on the boob other days it's too much like hard work for her and she'll scream the place down until I replace it with a bottle. I just go with the flow, if it's a day she wants a bottle I don't feel bad or guilty giving it to her, if she wants the boob however I am secretly relieved there's no bottles to wash and steralise after that feed 😂 Today however was not a successful day, we went to the park and I decided not to take the bottle, sat under a nice shady tree while DS played in the park. Got the boob out to feed and of course its the time she decides to refuse it and screams like I'm torturing her making everyone look 🙈 Had to eventually give in and go home for a bottle. Got that nice new HV coming out tomorrow tho so maybe she'll have more tips.

@bez91 I hope you cracked open a nice chilled kopperberg in the end

@feliznavidad2 hope the BF support tomorrow is useful but as you said don't let it be to the detriment of your mental health. If you read my reply above I'm also doing a combi formula/bf mix. Was also hoping to only BF this time round but it didn't work out that way, I am however far more chilled about it and not beating myself up the way I did when I couldn't BF DS.

@InkyPaper was your SIL the one who'd just had a baby when she caught covid? That must be so tough going and a mega adjustment for the family if she can't look after herself anymore 😢 My Dad has long covid, luckily nothing to the extreme of your SIL but the damage to his lungs is severe and nearly 3years on he's still not allowed back to work and struggles to play with DS any longer than 5mins which I know crushes him. He's desperate to go back to work as he feels so useless but every time the doc is just about to sign him as fit to return to light duties he's caught another chest infection or his health declines again and the doc has refused to allow him back. Poor guy is getting really depressed and feeling useless as he's worked since he was 14 hes a proper old school grafter. So I definitely am wary of covid too.

@larrythelizard time is definitely flying far too fast for my liking. I remember it feeling like the days went on forever with DS but second time round maybe because I know its my last and I won't get all these little steps again it just seems to be all happening too quickly for me to soak it in, shes proper lost the newborness already and im just not ready for that yet. 😢
All ramping up for you, not long to go! 😊

@DKDK123 she caught it before she gave birth which then triggered the emergency C-section when she started going downhill and the baby was struggling (he's perfectly fine now though). It's been a life-changing experience for the family. That's so horrible for your Dad, I hope his health improves ❤️

@larrythelizard she's much better than she was but she'll never be the person she was before. It's all about adjusting to the new normal really

@InkyPaper i also wondered about your sil, hope she has good support, mental health too, same as @DKDK123 dad, I was quite ill/useless in my mind for 7 months, I am now back to my lower normal, which is better but not by that much, so yes, careful with covid, you might be alright but you don’t know, better not try

all of you with breastfeeding issues, fed is best, don’t torture yourselves, as much boob as you can, formula as needed, I say that as someone who tortured herself and then found out there was a medical reason, and my failure was indeed a gigantic success, I took my medal now, thank you

took ds and one of his friends to Jurassic park, it was great but don’t recommend it in the cinema with two autistic kids, one for home, me thinks, then park to run out all that energy and home for pizza, luckily they are both perfectly behaved kids so not as torturous as it sounds

loving the insta baby spam, really lovely to see them, thank you

www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/4584093-husband-leaving-me-struggling-with-the-shock Omg

Just a quick one because back to work today 🤪 how did that happen?! Only until next Weds though and then it's summer 😂😂😂 daddy daycare is in session!

Happy birthday @Minster2012 🥳

Happy birthday @Minster2012 🥳🎂 Hope you've got a nice day planned.

Goodluck on your first day back @Soph0105 fab timing with the summer holidays!

Running on less than 2hours sleep here today as DD must have had a tummy bug last night (or maybe a delayed reaction from the jag as i know they said its live in their system for 2weeks) ,she had the runs and projectile vomiting (way more than her normal reflux) so I was afraid to sleep last night, kept a constant watch on her incase it got worse and she needed to see the GP as she was refusing to feed or when she did she was spewing it up. Seems to be out her system now tho and she's back to feeding fine so I think its passed 🤞 but I am beyond shattered today. 😴😴😴😴😴😴😴 DS will be getting babysat by the big rectangular screen on the wall and nourished with haribos today 😂

Happy birthday @Minster2012 🥳🎂🎉 hope you have a lovely day!

@Soph0105 hope your first day back at work goes well!

@DKDK123 big hugs, that sounds like a horrible night - glad your DD is doing a little better this morning though!

@Minster2012 happy birthday! Hope you have a fabulous day!

@Soph0105 good luck going back to work! Thank God it's only for a short spell!

@InkyPaper I'm so sorry to hear the update on your sister in law. I hope she continues to recover.

Well I'm pretty sure I have covid. If not covid some kind of upper respiratory infection. Terrible headache and sore throat since yesterday and today my ears are bothering me. Antigens still negative. I was meant to work from home today but I've called in sick. Fuck them. I'm sick and pregnant and feel like I should stay in bed all day. I had my booster in May so if it is covid I reckon I'll be OK.

@Minster2012 happy birthday! Gorgeous lady
@Soph0105 good plan, back for a spell and then hols
@Somatronic take care, and good decision, take the day off and look after yourself
I am knitting gloves and eating watermelon, the heat is killing me and we haven’t got to the worst of it yet, very meh

@Somatronic excellent plan! Sod work, you need rest and recovery time 🤞🏻 you feel loads better soon

@Minster2012 happy birthday mrs minster! Hope you have a lovely fun filled, sun soaked day! ☀️ 😎 🎂 🥂🍾

Happy Birthday to the Queen that brought us all together @Minster2012 🎈🎈🎈🎈

Oh man that sounds tough @DKDK123 - rough night. Hopefully she's through the worst of it now.

Sorry to hear you're poorly @Somatronic i felt pretty ropey but was OK in March when I was 18 weeks pregnant. It's probably worth checking in with MW or Dr, some people have been prescribed blood thinners. Stay hydrated and lots of rest.

I was all in for the heat when I thought it was short lived @Franklydear but now I'm not so sure! Have a load of random cooling items on their way from Amazon!

Enjoy a couple of days of work @Soph0105 - sounds ideal to pop back in for a couple of days before the summer!

I've emptied the nursery and cleaned it this morning, started sorting some of the shit in DS' room but think I'm done being useful now, need to do a bit of work and I think I might also need a nap today. Slightly crazy preggo hormones appear to have kicked in, I think DH is slightly alarmed (i can tell this as he agreed with everything I said earlier 😂)

@Soph0105 I don't think I would be wishing for AF to hurry along at all. 🤣 But definitely interestedin the pants. Hope the first day at work goes OK!
@DKDK123 I'm afraid the happiness about sleeping was very short lived. Last night I had 3 hours 10 minutes according to my fit bit. I just couldn't get comfortable at all. 😫 I've never been to gran canaria- only island there I've been to is tenerife. But I think those islands are good for weather yet not too far away? Boo for AF, if it is that.
@Minster2012 Happy Birthday! 🥂🎉
We went to Puerto Pollensa when I was a kid. Never been back. 2nd week we were there it was some kind of monsoon weather, we got stranded out somewhere in the car and had to be rescued by the army (or whatever they were) in 4x4s because it all flooded. So my memory of there is maybe nothing like yours. 🤣 I am dying for a holiday. I don't know if we'll afford it end of this year/early next with me being off. And I would like the flight situation to settle down before going. But I really need a break!
None of the bugaboo ones seem to cover all the bassinet having googled. Definitely odd! But yeah you are right- i won't be planning to go anywhere in bad rain. I don't now so I'm not about to start.
@bez91 agree with the bundles on vinted. I usually buy from people with other stuff i can buy. Makes the postage worth it. I've still never sold through it but I think once I have a baby I might have to! Rubbish on the paddling pool puncture! Not convenient at all! 🥵
@feliznavidad2 2 weeks for me! Actually terrifying. Oh no, that's not good about F. But at least you realised there was an issue and it can be sorted. Hopefully things will pick up really quickly?
@InkyPaper I did wonder what happened to your SIL too. That's really terrible luck. I just don't get why some people were so affected and others not at all. Must be awful for her family.
@Somatronic definitely rest and take it easy. I think I had it in March. Never got cold symptoms but just felt rubbish. The worst passed fast but I was tired for about 2 weeks after. Drink plenty too. And yeah, bugger work!
@larrythelizard my useful phase seems to have passed. I now want to sit doing nothing. 🤣 Weather is hardly helping mind. It needs to do one.

So work have decided that Friday (my last working day, 1 week before my DD) would be a great day for us all to go in the office (not been since covid began, bar to empty my locker) so I can do a handover and we can have a catch up. 🤦‍♀️ Firstly- do they not think babies might come early or i might have got ill? Everyone else i know at my work finished before planned for various reasons. But also I'm not sure, with a week to go, that is a good time to start mingling? Especially given one of them was of with covid only last week! 🤦‍♀️ So I don't really know what to say?
I have had zero sleep. Bloody weather. But also uncomfortable baby. And this morning I woke and I swear she was pushing up that hard, my stomach looked like mount everest. 🤣 Not impressed. We dtd though, as I'm trying to get her to evict naturally.......