All New, Sparkly Fab and 40 + : Mums, Mums to Be or TTC. Come say Hi !

[jeanjeannie]

Hello all - well, this is our third message board..so it's a popular topic.

If you're a fab forty something then please come and say Hi!

The thread lives in pregnancy as that's where it started....but it's certainly no longer confined to just being about pregnancy. It's for anyone whose a gorgeous 40 something. So get a cuppa, bring some biscuits - or cake - and have a chat x

err no jw this is my crap midwife we are talking about...once last week she gave my tummy a cursory poke and said not a word. Today she simply said is your bleeding ok? to which I replied yes as it was at the time. Well, happy to report there is nothing rank or offensive going on - just run of the mill redness and a bit of cramping. I'm not bothered about messy exits - I just don't want to have to cart myself off to hospital with horrendous bleeding or summat. They did say it cold happen if there were bits remaining. Although I would have thought that it would have manifested itself by now.

You must think I am a terrible fretter - I think its just that everything is so perfect right now I almost feel it can't last.

Anyhoo enough of my wittering. Let's onto more pleasant subjects..

Has anyone seen Lost in Austen? I generally hate that type of thing but recorded the first episode and thought it was quite good. Neglected to record the rest of it though :-O

hello kaz how are you feeling? have missed you being about for a few days..

Interesting what you say about retained placenta and milk supply - I couldn't seem to get any milk out and despite trying to express I never once even leaked a drop...

mrsboogie expressing can be tough work, especially at first. I literally had drops coming out the night K was born but hand expressed every 2 hours then went to the pump. Even through the night. Especially through the night. It's darned hard work to get your milk supply established and even harder when there isn't a hungry baby to help you out. Don't despair though. It sounds as though Darragh is more than thriving

Not seen lost in Austen. Fancied it but forgot. I love period dramas and comedy and it seemed like a good mix. I'm watching Tess and funnily enough Gemma Arterton is in both. Tess is a poignant book and the BBC have done a good job so far. I saw the Amazon program again last night and it's very good. Oh and I watached Panorama just to catch a glimpse of Jeremy Vine

Glad to see you around kaz Hows things going?. Are you feeling any better?

We're off to Eye Hospital today. The one hospital appointment I'm not looking forward to as they poke Katherine's eyes This is gonna be a long one too. They told us to expect around 2-3 hours. So that's our afternoon taken care of. Just hoping that the pressures in her right eye are settling. Fingers crossed and all that.

I wonder where mrsjupiter is? I hope that she and LO are ok. Not seen her around for a while (did think of her y'day and hoping that her LO hasn't had this scary Chinese contaminated milk...but not sure if she is in China or Hong Kong).

Morning

johnworf you fancy Jeremy Vine..?? Mmmm, I think there's something a bit tasty about him too Think he lives near hear as my mate keeps seeing him but I've not had the pleasure! It must be age but I'm also starting to get the whole Huw Edwards things too...!

Good luck with the eye hospital. I've got Verity's jabs this morning So i've written off this afternoon in case she's sleepy - so I can make the most of it! She slept for 10 hours last night and is only just stirring - but rarely nods off in the day. Boobs are about to burst though!

Mrsboogie I'm very partial to a costume drama but DP would have none of it. I've converted him the the comedy campness of Corrie but that's where it stops.

If it was "Jane Austen's Ice Road Truckers" or "Emily Bronte's Scrapheap Challenge" or maybe "Charles Dickens presents a one hour QVC Bosh Power Tools special' then I may be in with a shot of watching it! I wanted to see 'Cranford' as it was all filmed round here but didn't see an episode

Yes, Mrsjupiter if you do get chance to say hi and let us know how it's going then please do. And I'm wondering about ipanemagirl too. The LO must have appeared by now - hope it all went ok

I loved Cranford. It was fabalishus. I even taped them all and watched them again just to make sure I didn't miss anything What a wonderful part of the world you live in. The scenery was stunning. Haha@your OH. Thomas Hardy avec power tools. I suppose it could work

OOOh Mr Vine lives near to you??? I'll email my mobile number and you can pass it surreptitiously to him as you pass him in the street. Not sure about Huw Edwards though. His accent is very strange. We can double date and you can have Huw and I'll have Jeremy.

Good luck with Verity's jabs. K's are due next week (we're a week out of sync) but we're having the Bronchiolitis (Synergis) jab this Thursday. Not looking forward to today's stint at the eye hospital. They're gonna poke her eye I just know they are, to see how if the pressure has come down. And, as we're with the Optometrist, I think we'll be looking at specs. I found a baby specs link. I just know you'll all be cooing over this one!

Look at the one titled 'Lillie Swan'. That is just soooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute!

johnworf those pics are so cute. I love the little biogs too. Hope the appointment goes well today. Glad to find a fellow Cranford fan. I sky plused the whole series and have watched them over again. I think it's the best costume drama to have been on the box in an age. Plus I am a bit biased as I got very, very drunk in Vilnius a couple of years ago with Simon Woods, who played the young doctor. He was there filming Elizabeth I, the one that had Helen Mirren in, which was also excellent. He is lovely and very dishy but possibly a bit young even for me!

MrsB I really don't like the sound of your midwife. She makes some awfully strange comments, I mean, why even mention that your face was less puffy? I bet you're glad to see the back of her. Some women just can't open their mouths without saying something bitchy, can they? I think she sounds like she was a tad jealous of you.

Watched a great film last night, called 'Dan in Real Life'. starring Steve Carrell and Juliette Binoche.Got it on dvd from the library. Anyone seen it? It was a real feel-good film without being schmaltzy.

'ello all

Oh yes ladymac I am well pleased to see the back of the midwife. I never got on with her but there was nothing really I could pinpoint to justify asking for someone else. As she left yesterday she said to me - "Well I will see you again if you decide to have another one" - I thought "not if I see you first you bloody won't" dunno about jealousy - just think she is a bit funny.

I never saw Cranford but thought it looked good - perfect opportunity to download it now and watch it when OH goes back to work. Oooh what luxury - period drama and CAKE in the daytime!! I found Lost in Austen quite good - even OH seemed to like it. He would watch any period drama purely for the bodices and heaving bosoms - although L in A is the wrong period for that. It's quite well written and funny though.

Good luck with the eye business jw although you have probably left by now. Sounds very traumatic for poor mummy

Also good luck with Verity's jabs JJ hope she suffers no ill effects.

I have been wondering about mrsjupiter also - I was sure she was in China. I hope all is ok with her.

We're back Just one of the eye drop medicines left now out of the 3 and next appointment in 5 weeks time. So, job was indeed a good un. Very pleased with K's eye progress with no concerns as yet. Keeping an eye on her (pun intended) for short sightedness, squint etc which is more usual in babies like her. I asked about the specs and it seems it's gonna be highly likely she'll have them soon. Those pics are so cute I must admit but that's on other people's babies!

Oh the doc in Cranford was lovely! mutters to herself wish I was 20 years younger It was a great series and I enjoyed Bleak House before that (a while before that). I always sky + them too and watch them over and over. I'm a real saddo. The only one I was not impressed with was Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightley. Didn't think she was cast well in that role and the story went weird at the end. And she kept doing that Keira Knightly pouty face all the way through it....change the dress and it could have been Pirates of the Caribbean!

Decorators have been and gone and I like the finished effects. Asked him for a price for the both living and dining room now as both look scabby against nice new paintwork in other rooms. DH doesn't know this yet so how to break the news .....

Kezzy has learnt to turn over

Evening all.

It's finally quiet - phew. Verity was none too impressed with the jabs and Iris joined in with the shouting....for most of the day. JOY! [exhausted emoticon]

Pray ladymac how did one become inebriated with such a young stud?!! NO - no, best not tell us - leave us to our imaginations!

johnworf LOVING the little specs...sweeeeeet. Pleased it went well at the hospital. Can't bear Keira knightly - she's got a slappable face - and sooooo skinny. Yuk. NO.

kaz1967 Ooooo, watch out - once they've learnt to roll then they're off!! Eyes in the back of your head from now on! She must be doing really well - that's fab.

Verity rolled really early and now seems to have stopped. But she does now take her weight on her legs and looks very pleased with herself as I stand her up

Think an early night beckons

evenin'

oh for an early night...sigh... Darragh has been screeching non stop since 6pm. He did the same last night, eat. screech. repeat.
Now he's just fallen to sleep mid-yell.

Glad he news was good at the eye clnic jw

Another day, another crappy nappy

Off to dentist #2 this morning. Hold me back someone. Small filling today which is preferable to last weeks treatment of root canal. Btw mrsboogie, did you get your freebie treatment sorted out?

OMG - Verity has slept 12 hours I kid you not!!
Pump is on the boil in the steriliser as i need this lot out NOW...I look like a porn star I reckon that jab really knocked it out of her.

mrsboogie Oooo i feel your pain. Sounds like he's cluster feeding - knackering.

johnworf Fillings and root canal - you know how to enjoy yourself

Talking of crappy nappies - do I wake Verity and change her or let her stew in her poo until she wakes.....decisions, decisions?

Off to the most notoriously rough area in our town today to go to a play group. Probably be toy guns and knives - get them used to the replicas before starting on the real thing!

Wow JJ. Toddlers with ASBO's. I'm in awe.

I'd leave her to sleep in her own filth. At least she'll grow

morning very tired today DH has a cough so he coughed all night keeping us both awake. Good practice I suppose. Trying to decide whether to drive into town to but a blackout blind and a curtain rail .... shall I shan't I?????

well done on the eyes MadameK (don't worry all the best people wear specs 8-) special glasses smiley) and well done on the rolling Kezzy what clever girls you are.
JJ what a lovely dilemma you have; to change poo now or later, it's a hard one, well probably squashy really

I'm back and eating humble pie....the playgroup and the people were lovely! Most that I spoke to were totally fed up of out-of-control gangs and benefit families that sold drugs and burnt rubbish!

They were all just like the people I grew up with - normal, working class - nowt fancy but totally into their kids and doing right by them. God, it makes you realise that for the few A*Ses who make the headlines, there are a silent mass having to share the filth that they've created.....RANT!
Have political head on now...gggrrrrr RANT to follow...!!

One of the volunteers was saying it's lack of money - but I'm not so sure. If you've got generations of wayward families allowed to rule the roost then more money isn't going to solve it.

Down our street we've got council tennant families - 3 generations never worked - deal drugs and get up to all sort and have NEW 4-wheel drive cars...........NO!!! I reckon if you've got that much cash then hand over the keys to the council cos you aint poor or in need

Sorry if I've offended any of you nice ladies who may do a bit of dealing on the side or fly tipping rubbish

hedgepig did you get the blackout blind? It's an exciting life isn't it!!

johnworf hope dentist wasn't too painful or ££ !

You'll be pleased to know I let Verity sleep in her poo

Sorry for long ranty post - I'm off to lay down in a dark room and read The Daily Mail

mornin all

no I haven't sorted it yet jw I have an ahem .. feeling that I never applied for the exemption card. I think the midwife gave me a load of stuff at my first appointment which I threw in the bin because I thought I was going to have another miscarriage. Then I forgot about it. I will sort it though as I do need some work done. Root canal. Nice

I have never heard of cluster feeding - jj ..interesting...

ooh a poo question ladies - baby D has not pooed since last night - do newborns get constipated?

just waiting for the health visitor to arrive. House like a new pin (again). Can't wait 'til they stop with all this visiting so I can revert to our habitual slatternly squalor

mrsboogie he's probably not constipated if he had one last night. He'll probably do one this afternoon. Katherine has gone a full 24 hours before her arse exploded and made up for it all. As long as his tum is nice and soft and not distended, he's just saving it up for his mummy

Dentist was fine and all treatment finished. Lovely new teeth now mrsb your GP has the form for you to fill in. I did mine at my very first antenatal at around 7 weeks. I told you, I'm first in line for a freebie.

JJ like the cut of ya gib girl. I used to be a lifelong Labour supporter but not anymore. I voted Tory last time and shall do so again. This country is rubbish and went to the dogs long ago. I don't care if that last sentence upset anyone. Sick and tired of middle of the road bleeding heart liberals, with their soft line on wasters. It's about time those people you speak of JJ were dealt with. And now, as I clamber off my soap box...I have work to do (but I shall returneth)

well, health visitor has been. Nice lady who even managed not to look askance at the age difference between me and OH. She even managed not to ask if he was my son or nephew or a visiting boy scout

She said hungry baby food might cause constipation or a slowing down of the pooing process so that might explain it. Will return to non-hungry baby formula for now.

She also said we seemed very chilled out and isn't coming back for 2 weeks.

But hmmm.. got big lecture on formula preparation and need for not leaving bottles lying around for long. One of the leaflets she gave me said that the water should be cooled for half an hr then used but not left for much longer. Surely if the cooled boiled water is poured into a sterilised bottle it should be ok for quite a long time? Other wise we'd all have had gastroenteritis as babies? Do they really expect you to get up in the night and boil a kettle , wait half an hour to make a bottle with it then cool it to baby temp? The child would have gone off its head with hunger by then? no? Also if going out they expect you to bring a flask of boiling water with you to make up a bottle on the go. Yesterday we had to feed baby D when halfway home from town as he woke up and wanted feeding THAT VERY SECOND!!. How, pray tell, is one supposed to cool a boiling bottle while sitting on a park bench?

Stands to reason jj that the people attending the playgroup are going to be the nice working class sorts. The Karen Matthews of this world are going to be too busy sat on their arses watching Jeremy Kyle and puffing on fags (no aspersions on any of you ladies who engage in either of these activities).

Yeah mrsb. I took great offence to that last statement. I'm always on my 40th or so Benson & Hedges, flicking the ash in K's face and thinking about opening my first can of the day when Jezza starts. And what is wrong with Jezza? It's a factual programme don't you know?

The bottle prep is an enigma for sure. If you followed all the rules i.e. waiting for cooling, but not too long, not making up bottles in advance, you'd be chained to the kitchen. And yes, I agree. When K opens her eyes, she expects the bottle to be 3 inches from her mouth. Ready to go in. It's lunacy all this daft nonsense so I make up 6 bottles in the morning and pop them in the fridge (but not the door of course). I wash them as they're used and sit them on the side ready to sterilise and make up in one go. I couldn't care less what the rules are nowadays. Back when my older 3 were LO's (and I'm sure you're with me on this one mrsb as I bet you did the same) we made them up and they all lived to tell the tale

Oh I AM feeling shirty this evening. Way to go to me!

Meh

I'm opening my fifth can of White Lightening of the day as I type jw...

Totally agree - I did it the old way with my son and he never once got any sort of tummy sickness as a baby. From what I have read its just that they seem to have copped on that formula milk isn't sterile - of course it isn't you open the container several times a day for a week!! and its more common for bottle fed babies to end up in hospital with tummy bugs - well, again yes, obviously.

Also, back in the day the hygiene with dummies probably wasn't all that either - you are told to sterilise them nowadays whereas in ye olden times it was a quick rinse under the tap or kettle.

You are v posh mrsb. What's wrong with picking dummy up off the floor, giving it a quick suck and sticking it back in LO's mouth? (haha I kid you not).

I actually think that kids nowadays are far too clean and sterile. Probably why they're on far more antibiotics than when we were little as they've got no resistence.

K won't have a dummy so don't have that problem this time around. And as for the other 3 they all had formula milk and were ok. I'm sure they just think of things to keep us on our toes.

I'm taking a trip down memory lane now remembering things we did back then; cold steriliser with Milton, Maws glass bottles (think glass is back in favour now) Heinz chocolate pudding in a tin (lol).

I'm getting a bit fed up with Peter's school (DSS). They actually asked him if he'd 'like' to take his arm bands off at swimming y'day. I mean, he's nearly 9 and wearing arm bands. What's with the ask? Just take the bloody things off him and tell him....that's the general attitude nowadays. The kids have all the power and it's wrong, wrong, wrong.

Oh, we're in the news tonight. The school in Bury that's refusing the HPV vaccine is the one where K will be going in a few years. It's just up the road from us. No comments on their decision as I've heard various reasons why they're not doing it (some religious, some not), so jury is out at the mo.

Evening all - I've finished reading my Daily Mail!!

mrsboogie we struggled with the whole idea of making up bottles there and then...so we compromised.

I boiled the water - poured into the bottles and either left them in the fridge or took a couple up to bed with me. I then meaured the milk out into one of those fab dispensers - they hold about five feeds. Baby wakes - flip up lid on dispenser - pop in the powder - shake and feed

I think that the warning is not to let the formula you've made stand too long - so this way is great. All the mums I know do it. Just take the water in the bottles with you and the dispenser with the powder already measured out - problem solved.

Cluster feeding happens usually late afternnon, early eve when they cram as much down themselves before sleep - exhausting!

jw good to hear that the teeth are gleaming LOVE the expression 'bleeding heart liberals'. Bloody loads of 'em when I lived in Brixton...usually wearing hemp, eating/weaving lentils and generally looking palid

Ignore me - I've just realised that the thread has moved on while I waited for MN to load my post.....blinkin hours - what's wrong with this site for goodness sake?!! Ignore my formula stuff - I forget you ladies have children who are now adults. As you were...at ease..make up the milk and store....

mrsboogie White Lightening...MMmmmm, yum yum. I remember student days it was Thunderbird or a cherry B and a straw. Mind you - if it was the pub it would always be a snake bite and black. Then I moved to london and no one would serve it - pah - southern Jessies!

johnworf puddings in a tin...were you a Fray Bentos or a Goblin pie kinda gal?!

Take the arm bands OFF! Ugh - I'm sooo with you on the kids having all the power. Some of my friends literally ask their LOs what they want for dinner..... WRONG! How does a 5 yr old know what it wants?...it's hardly going to say.."I'll have lamb shanks in with roasted vegetables infused in Moroccan spices, followed by pavlova with a rasberry jus" Well, not unless it's a little brat and is due on Junior Master Chef Give it what you're having.

OOoo, Oooo. I'm all fired up....bring it on.

*considers a nice hot chocolate to calm down.