Fabulous 40+ and Proud: Mum and Mums to be Part 2

[Kaz1967]

Ok we have talked to the end of the topic so here is a new one

jeanjeanie are you living in a parallel universe to us ooop north? It's been blue skies here today. Actually, you sound a bit like a character out of a film I once saw....are your neighbours looking a bit like a scarecrow or possibly a cowardly lion ????

I've already added the vinegar to my shopping list for next time. I take it, it goes into the softener drawer? All my things from www.babeco.co.uk arrived today. I'm so very pleased with everything I've bought Thanks for the link.

Oh aren't children so fab at crapping/farting/spewing bang on cue at the most inopportune moment? I do hope the old dears weren't biting into an egg custard at the time

I've had a lovely afternoon at the Trafford Centre (bit like Bluewater) having some retail therapy. And now I'm back and cured! Spent some time in Gap, then M&S then on to Zara and ending up in Next...more cutie babygros for Katherine now she's grown a size She's in new baby size now!

Yep, she's getting a little porkster but I'm really not surprised the way she guzzles her milk. Only 4 weeks to due date so hopefully she'll be home by then..if not sooner (what a bonus THAT would be!!!).

We've had the tree surgeon man come and look at the big uns in our back garden and D Day is Friday. One of them is coming down completely. I'm a bit sad to see it go as it's nice and leafy but too bloody leafy as our sitting room is like a cave even in the middle of a sunny day Anyway, this guy really really loves his job and after we'd been shown several clips on his phone of errrrrr trees being chopped down, and him enthusing over them, he said that instead of digging out the stump, he's going to carve the stump in to a toadstool for the children How wonderful is that?

(re last sentence, I obviously need to get out a lot more).

johnworf The drops numb the area as well as dilating the eye so it should not hurt them and I have seen worse things done to a baby but I would say nothing that makes your baby cry (which this will) is what A Mum wants to see if they do not have to.

re the milk I know how precious it is

Had 2 shocks today went to the breastfeeding support group and was the only Mum there and we had a photographer from the local paper said they could photograph Kezzy but when they came to take the pic she was eating so they took a pic of both of us you cannot see anything other than a babies head and me but really did not want my photo taken but was in such a position when I could not say no

Anyway we are sitting there chatting talking about the benefits of breastfeeding the peer support they want to set up etc and my phone rings and it is Mum her and Dad are in Boston now she said they were coming up either this week or the last week in August but not which one.

kaz1967 yep. I've seen the drops go in and I'm ok with that one (although katherine isn't that ok with it). But I've seen the aftermath of the swollen eye lids. Looks likes she's been in a boxing match.

I'll just hover as I said and be on hand to comfort her after the ordeal. Just wish this bloke would stop booking them every 2 weeks as I know we'll have to keep going through it. Next one co-incides with her second injections too and I remember it took her days to get over the last round of them together.

Hopefully now she's bigger and a bit stronger she'll take it in her stride

kaz1967 couldn't help smile to myself when you said you and kez had your pics taken whilst you were feeding her. I hope you didn't end up on page 3! Still, revel in your notority whilst it lasts. Cut out of paper for Kez when she's older and totally not interested. But mum will treasure forever. I would.

I take it parent visit is a bit daunting or is it just a bit unexpected?

Hi All!

Fortified;Thrilled to hear your wonderful news. hope you recover quickly. Enjoy your gorgeous bundle of joy and the being waited on (while it lasts)

JW; sorry poor Katherine has been through it again and has to suffer it yet once more. She is looking so bonny now...we'll be splashing out on more of that bubbly stuff to celebrate the big unspoken "H" word before you know it!

Kaz; hope you'll post the "pics" on here. By the way I'm not ignoring you on face book,honest, just not able to spend long enough on there to answer all my messages and invitiations etc etc etc...

Sorry to have been absent,we are still struggling with demolishing my Mums living room and wont be on much over the next few days unless we are very lucky and my dogs' terrier instincts finally show themselves...My Mum has got an evil little visitor in her garden...a mink...yes a mink!...it has been murdering the fish in the pond so if we are going to save any I'm going to be spending the next few days down at hers catching them and transferring them all to tanks in the house and emptying the pond to deprive the vicious little b*s#a!d of its food source because there are no authorities willing to come and trap it...wish me happy paddling in her 12ftx9ftx4ftdeep slimy pond in this delightful weather [not!]

Afternoon all. JW well, it's lovely and sunny today - yes, Bucks is indeed a parallel universe...and we're so high up a hill that the wind howls like a Kansas tornado...so, yes, I suspect a tin man and a scarecrow probably DO live in the street. Haha....see, now you know where I got the ruby slippers I sent you (link only I know!) for you birthday !

OOooo, a tree surgeon - was he gorgeous?? I though ALL tree surgeons were suppose to be yummy!

Kaz stop getting your norks out for the papers Ah - JW is right - file the cutting in the 'proud mummy' box. I've got one of those. Trouble is we need to get Verity into the papers or mags - as she'll be left out. I was in The Sun when preggie with Iris and we were all in YOU magazine - and Iris was cover star of the NCT mag...so really should make sure Verity gets a look in!!

kaz are the parents being in close proximity a scary thing? Is mental preparation required? How's life with Kez? Are you getting any sleep yet? We're having mammoth eating sessions again - I'm suspecting a growth spurt. She's 12lbs now...quite a lump!

Hiya Floriatosca blimey ...mink catching. You win the prize for most bizarre activity of the day Now - Mink...just the one? Mmmmmm.....not enough for a coat....perhaps enough to trim some gloves....

Hope you catch the mean little blighters. I shall think of you in your mum's slimy pond!

I'm off to pick up a friend...she's 84 and amazing. Such a woman. She wants help with her computer! And she's staying for dinner which will please Iris who adores her. Gawd, I wish I had this woman's energy at my age....she walks at least two miles a day - and I've seen her run !!

jeanjeanie I can't run down the stairs (let alone up them). I'm mightily impressed with your older best friend. Although I do think you've gone to a lot of effort to ensure you're the thinner/younger/better looking of the two of you on a night out

Wow FloriaTosca a mink!!! We just get ferrel cats and tramps high on White Lightening round my neck of the woods. Aren't you lucky/unlucky to see something so wild, scarce and coat like? Poor fish though Hope you've dug out your waders. Now you can use them for what they're really made for

Hopefully we'll be uttering the 'H' word sooner than we think then it'll be sherbet dabs all round ladies

Tree surgeon guy is well...err, not my cup of tea although he seems like a terribly nice sort of chap. He's not your 6' 3" bronzed adonis with rippling muscles you have in mind jeanjeannie. Think more along the lines of a younger Ernie Wise in shorts then you're there!

I'm doing a big cook up this afternoon. It's what I planned to do about this time in my pregnancy to load up the freezer for DH and DSS for when I was in hospital having a rest. That's kinda went pear shaped didn't it? Anyway, body is obviously still partly in nesting mode so I'm just going with the flow.

DSS is decidely bored today and told us over lunch that he's 'stressed'. HTF can an 8 year old be stressed? Tales of atrocities in Georgia ensued and 'you don't know you're born' lecture from DH.

afternoon all...

well it's been piddling it down solidily since about dawn here in York so I have embarked upon my new bus to work/taxi home from work routine for my remaining two days. The two-mile bus journey took nearly an hour and I arrived at work at 11.15 - and late for a meeting with my new boss. I was not bothered a jot however and to be fair neither was he.

35 weeks today ladies!! never thought it would arrive. Have just walked into town for lunch probably for the last time for ages. Have been feeling sick this last couple of mornings and together with the hurty ligaments it is very slow progress.

Today I have been mostly worrying about Stre B infection. I am still waiting to be told what my water infection is and I just looked in a thread on here about urinary infections which mentions this horrible thing. Do we not get screened for it since it seems to be so dangerous?

Hope all are well and LOs too!

mrsboogie nope. We don't get routine screening for it although I think some hospitals are screening new borns for it but as it stands, normally, newborns aren't swabbed for it (I know that SCBU does routinely but that's it).

No rain here so far and sun is semi-out.

Waiting for plumber as relatively new loo has leaked through to kitchen (new ceiling too ) so DH is hopping up and down. He's gone out on his bike to calm down and left me to sort out plumber man

mrsboogie kiss your former life goodbye and embrace the new one.....harrassed and messy lunches only henceforth

oh how irritating jw!

ah yes, permanent residence on the sofa, with the computer set to MN and the kettle on the boil...

I will not be out of my jammies until they cart me off to the hospital

Knew parents were coming at some point just expected Mum to give me a date

mrsboogie they took a swab from me in labour for GBS guessing it was neg as heard no more assuming it it may be routine. it is relatively uncommon so I would not worry.

mrsboogie when I had my bit of bleeding at 17 weeks I had some swabs and mid stream sample taken. At the time I had no idea what for. They just told me 'the usual things'. It was when I rang back for results and she told me I didn't have chlamydia I was most surprised to know I'd been tested. Lord only knows what else they tested for....wild beri beri, St Vitus Dance??

Off to see the boss shortly and give her a bath, chew the fat and give her a bottle.

Woot!

hello all. v quiet on here today...

its my last day at work, thank buggery!

hope all are well.

mrsboogie.....it's 8 mins past five....I do hope you've finished work Ooooo, now you can start nesting and get into those pjs!

I've been sans laptop all day as DP ran off with it...his excuse? Work...pah...I reckon he's been surfing porn !

johnworf how's 'The Boss' doing?

Hope the plumber sorted out your Loo vs Kitchen Battle. Toilets and food...Mmmm, not a winning combo!

Well, went to farm today - Iris FREAKED out when she got near a lovely, cuddly sheep and it belted out the loudest ..'BAAAAAAA' you've ever heard. She jumped out of her skin and fell on the floor...and it kept on going...she was sat there frozen to the spot. Awwwww...bless. She then hated everything. Even the chickens upset her.

It's the weekend....and I've got a curry tonight.....I can smell the dhansak from here!!

aye jeanjeanie - was out the door by 4.15!!!

and am in the jammies as we speak...

poor Iris - she'll never be able to look at a sheep the same way again

Thanks for good wishes. Hugo is doing well and gaining weight after a slow start (he was more interested in sleeping than eating for the first couple of days). No poo stories yet, Jeanjeannie, but we are having to get used to the little boy effect when changing nappies. DH got a thorough wetting the other day.

None of us are used to little boys and their bits. DD saw a photo of him being weighed when he was first delivered, and asked "Why has he got a strawberry on his [front] bottom?".

mrsboogie you are in the final stretch now! Enjoy your maternity leave - take it really easy. I found online shopping very relaxing!

johnworf I could really do a trip to the Trafford Centre (or a local equivalent), I'm already getting cabin fever from not being able to drive. (DH doesn't drive.) New Boden kids catalogue just arrived - dangerous timing. Glad to see K looking so well.

Oooooh Fortified glad to hear that you and LO are doing great Hmmm new Boden catalogue is a very dangerous item to be in charge of esp if coupled with a credit card

Am I correct in thinking that you've had a CS Fortified and therefore cannot drive for around 6 weeks? Oooh if OH doesn't drive that must be mightily frustrating for you. Still, I'm sure you'll be able to get the pram out very soon and at least take some air with LO.

LOL @ strawberry on his bottom. What a lovely way to put it. Out of the mouths of babes

mrsboogie hope your feet are well and truly glued to your sofa now you've finally finished work. Make the most of it as you won't get them back on the sofa for some time (unless you're snatching 40 winks of lost sleep).

jeanjeannie loo is indeed fixed - thank goodness. DH finally calmed down on his return and was as nice as pie to the plumber. I'll have to post some pics on my Facebook of our cut down tree episode. We've got a large mushroom type sculpture in place of large Beech tree. Garden seems a lot lighter now and men did a great (and entertaining) job of shimmying up and down trees with knives/chainsaws etc. DH and DSS were beside themselves at the windows with excitement. Doesn't take much does it??? Anyway, we got the trees done for half price as the boss man wanted a website doing and DH is doing it for him so everyone's a winner huh?

Katherine had another blood transfusion y'day as her hB got down to 7.4 and her reticulated count (no, I don't know what it is either apart from it's the red blood cells factory in her body) was 3.6. Hopefully this will be the last one as she's 36 weeks now. Her gasses are a bit off as well but the doctors think that she's just set herself different targets now and it's normal for her. Bottle feeding is wonderful and she's taking it like a dream. However, we have to have a cough and a splutter after first couple of gulps as she always forgets to breath (in her haste - prem babies have poor co-ordination). But still, it's going in and coming out the other end so that's good. Always sad/funny when we have to wrestle remaining contents of bottle off her as she'd have the whole lot if left to her

Evening all. I'm still up ....just!

Had lush curry last night. Left DP with the kids and milk was all nicely defrosted for verity. Got back at 11.30pm....and Verity had been asleep all eve....WHAH!! DP had enjoyed a total hassell-free eve which meant as soon as I got in....she kicked off. And carried on ALL night...feeding every 90 mins I felt sick - I was soooo tired all day.

Dragged self out to a party this afternoon - where Iris grabbed a glass - drank beer threw it all over the floor and then fell down the steps into the garden. I need a BAD parent badge.

johnworf hope Katherine had a more settled day today.....but good to see that white stuff is still going in there.

Love the idea of tree-shimmying and it sounds like every garden should have a tree- stump mushroom.

fortified gosh no car for either of you for a while....yes, that's the hard bit. Good to hear the weight is going on him...bless.
Boys are a complete mystery to me when it comes to their 'baby bits'. Seems to me that anyone who has them gets sprayed regualarly when changing nappies

Off to bed as eyelids are drooping cartoon-style x

jeanjeannie when you say 'drank beer, threw it all over the floor and then fell down the steps into the garden'...I take it this was IRIS and not YOU??? Or was it you as the token drunk to lighten to mood???

Fairly awful day y'day which I managed to blow out of all proportions. Basically nurses felt Katherine had been pushed to the max on her nasal oxygen and needed a rest as her blood gasses were not bad but not great either...so last night they announced that they'd not only be carrying on the midnight - 4am on CPAP but also doing it from noon until 4pm too. Well, my face nearly tripped me up and I was actually very curt with the nurse (who I normally have a jolly old laugh with). It's not her fault but now we're over 36 weeks and going backwards. Big stylie. So came home and laid into DH who was annoying me anyway during the day by doing bugger all i.e. sat in front of the olympics most of the day. Big row ensued and announced I'm looking for a flat for me and Katherine. Of course we're not but I get myself in a tizz. I'm sure we've all been there

Anyhoo, no weight gain news as yet but she'll be weighed later this morning. Hopefully a good un to cheer up her old ma.

Just Katherine in Room 2 now and the big crying Chinese baby in Room 3. All the rest have gone home

We're off for her ECG tomorrow at another hospital some 15 miles away so I'm meeting them there for her 'outpatient' appointment Another finger crossed

Ok advice time; I washed all my all in one nappies the other day and found I have the actual nappy, hemp boosters and liners plus the fleece liners. When I come to use the nappies I know I'll need the booster insert to go in the pocket. I'm confused with the liner bits....Do I use the hemp liner under the fleece one or just the fleece one and what do I use the hemp liner for???? And if I use both isn't the nappy going to be really bulky?? Gah, I'm going insane thinking about these.

Oh, and I'm thinking about getting some motherease wraps and rikki's. Any dealings with either of these items and if so, for or against?

Hello all! am not up to date with this thread at all, but can I still gatecrash?
I've had family here and much toing and froing and never seem to be able to get online...

Hope all are well.

I'm feeling exhausted so quickly now which is freaking me out slightly, I still have a lot I want to do in the house....
This feels harder than last time 8 years ago!

my mother is here so I'd better head off for antenatal yoga...

Ipanemagirl HOWDY!! I was thinking about you the other day - wondering where you were and how long you'd got till d-day! How long is it now? I know, the exhaustion is horrid. First it's the sickness....then getting fat...followed by barely being able to stay awake....ah, it's a joy! Hope yoga was fun - not pulled anything out of place

johnworf Ah...poor you - having a crappy time I'm sure Katherine will rally round and come through it all smiling. You must feel sh*tty though...a small blip and this stage must be horrible, especially when you're mentally putting her in the car-seat and taking her home. Hopefully Princess K has piled on some pounds today. Keep us posted on her tests tomorrow....and don't go leaving DP and moving into a flat - there will never be enough space for all her stuff

nappy advice Righty ho - liners. Well, they're a question of preference. The hemp and the fleece will do pretty much the same thing - you've just got to decide which ones you like best and when. So, if hemp does a better job of catching the big poos then chuck those on when she's most like to need them. Or visa versa. I wouldn't use them both together - although some folk do. I find it too bulky. It's all a bit trial and error.

Personally I've become a fleece woman myself.

Another tip for fleece. They make fab alternatives to cotton wool...! Baby-Wipe shaped pieces of fleeces dunkened in water and used to clean up bum are great. Chuck them in the bucket with the nappies...hey presto.

As for Wraps....well, I don't like the Motherease (fit was weird and tough going round the thighs) Never used Rikkis but mate swears by them. I'm a big fan of Nature Babies www.naturebabies.co.uk Lovely fit - especially round the thighs. Also good fasteners for small adjustments so you can get a really good slim fit. LOVE the patterns too!! Have a look - see what you think.

Must away - off to MILs for dinner...yee ha...another day without having to cook

jeanjeanie! hello! I'm due Sept 14th but can't believe I've got another month of feeling this exhausted!! Is that normal??? I find I can do a couple of things a day and then I'm wiped out. Particularly around 4 pm, nauseous and keeling over and have to sit still to revive myself for a bit. Quite fancy just going to bed for a month! That sounds fab.... If only I'd bloody spring cleaned the house when I had that fab 2nd trimester!!! I'm such a slattern!
Did you use the NappyLady to order your nappies? My sister is evangelical about her (as she is about flylady.... my sister is a little scary!)
All the best to everyone. My m is here so I never get to catch up with this thread properly!

Hi all,
Just wanted to pop in and say Hi. Had a v. quick read of all the updates:

fortified many congratulations and love the name Hugo - wonderful news.

johnworf hope Katherine is now well on the up after a couple of horrid days. You are both so resiliant and feisty, and jeanjeannie I love reading you and jw's crazy messages - you make me smile

Hello too to all kaz - love the story about the photo and mrsboogie not long to go and also ipanemagirl and hedgepig and floratosca and who else have I forgotten?? Hello All!

I'm ok - still very up and down I'm afraid. Cried all day today after being good all week. Actually thinking it's hitting me a bit more now Before it's just shock and numbness and today all I could think of was the scans - the first so fab and happy and the second so dreadful. Anyway - won't go on and spoil this happy thead but miss you all quite a lot actually and wanted to pop my head round the door, so to speak.

Will pop back again xx

ps - babycakes you gave me your fb name but when I went on there there were loads with the same name and I didn't know which one was you.... shall I give you mine? - when you next pop in here let me know and maybe we can sort something out?

Hello pwcbird thanks for your message, massive hugs to you!

pwcbird I feel like a right prat when I think of what you've been through and I'm prattling on about nothing in particular I was thinking of you the other day and wondering how you were doing. If you want to add me to your facebook buddies, then I'll reveal my real self to you....

'ello all

I posted a great long post yesterday but as I had ALMOST finished it the laptop switched itself off without as much as a by-your-leave so I had the hump with it for the rest of the day and refused to switch it back on.

You're all probably sensibly in bed now but I have turned completely nocturnal on account of henceforth officially being a lady of leisure DP is most jealous. It is only starting to sink in that I have work to go to for the next six months.

pwcbird - glad to hear from you - please don't be thinking that you are bringing a negative vibe to the thread - it isn't just about the happy times on here after all.

Gawd did anyone read about the 40 stone woman who gave birth to triplets? It cost the NHS 200K and they had to build a special operating table and a hoist for her belly as it weighed as much as a person. There were armies of midwives, docs and the like present. Apparently she is the heaviest woman ever to give birth to twins, and the scanners couldn't even penetrate the flab to see how the babies were. She had been seeing their father for 5 months but dumped him after he suggested gastric surgery. And they'd have you believe that it's nigh on impossible to conceive if you are a couple of stone overweight.

JW - sorry to hear its been a bit fraught - hope K's back on track now. Hopefully these are just a few niggles before she makes that final leap to being ready to go home...