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

jw why do you keep making me look at the bloody Daily Mail website? It's horribly addictive. I had to see why you were discussing Kerry Katona so I read the article. Anyone else laugh at the following quote - "She also admitted she is still smoking, despite reports she was warned that it could cause her nipples to fall off." Well if that didn't make you give up smoking there is surely no hope!

We had our first visit from the Hearing Support Team this afternoon. They will come to us once a week or so until Elizabeth is 18! I found it so helpful to ask all the questions that I've been bursting with since we got the diagnosis. She said I am a born communicator (!) and that I talk to Elizabeth in just the right way. She also said that E is making lots of sounds which is a good sign. We are going to learn some sign language to help with communication but something called Sign Supported English rather than British Sign language. It uses the same signs but you sign the key words rather than every word. She was so nice, very warm and friendly and lovely with Elizabeth. We have also got a date for when she gets her hearing aids fitted - mon 10th nov at half nine - so not too long to wait. Feeling more positive and stronger emotionally about it all as time goes on, though my lip still quivers a bit when I tell people about her hearing loss.

jj wish i lived a bit closer so that I could take the girls off your hands for an hour or two. Can you fit 3 gingers in a Phil and Teds? Is it legal? I laughed at you dreaming about the Restaurant. Was it just me or did anyone else feel really pleased for Alistair that he got praised for the first time ever? I mean pleased for him in the same way you feel pleased for your child the first time they manage to pile 3 bricks up.

Have just eaten 2 slices of cheese on toast to keep me going till I eat out later. It's my last meeting as a school governor after doing it for 6 years so the Headteacher is taking all of us out for a Thai meal as a thank you to me and another retiree. But by the time we've finished the meeting we won't be in the restaurant till about 9.30, which is way past my current bedtime of choice. Might have glass of wine to pep me up a bit!

Wow ladymac, life in the fast lane! You're as bad as me...well actually, nope, you're not quite that bad. Yet

LOL@DM website. The Katona person talks about the doctors telling her to give up smoking or her nipples could fall off in the OK! interview. But she wasn't that bothered as she's still doing it I think the whole family/friends/hangers on/publicists etc are a car crash. I pity the poor children with parents like them.

Sounds like you're making headway with the hearing arrangements. I'm sure after Betsy has had her hearing aids on a week you'll hardly notice they're there. I've almost forgotten that K is on oxygen apart from when I have to lug the cylinder upstairs to change her It'll become 'normal' in a short space of time. Whatever normal is.

Oh god, Alistair. I just see incompetence. He really frustrates me and I want to shake him. I think the woman with the medusa hair will win. She's very astute playing up to Msr Blanc (it's what I'd do to win as well!)

Nipples dropping off... How queer! I don't think I'd notice.....mine are so numb from feeding anything could have happened to them...

ladymac hope you enjoy your retirement party!
I wish you lived near to me as well if you're offering to take the girls off my hands I reckon 3 gingers in the P&T would be possible - not comfy, but possible!

Wow- you're really getting ontop of Betsey's hearing troubles...that's cos you're a natural communicator.....we think so

jw how long is Special K needing the oxygen for? Or is it a suck-it-and-see thing? I love the fact you take her upstairs to change her.....I now feel tres lazy... I've got a changing mat on the sideboard......

Well ladies, what do we feel about the Restaurant final? Me thinks the boys are gonna take it.........I can see their prize now...."Blancs Burger & Bacon Butty" van...Brasserie chic on the move. Coming to a town centre on a Friday night near you!

hahaha@butty van. And even then they'd manage to cock it up....wheel fall off it? I've taped tonights and I'll watch it tomorrow with DH so I've got fingers in my ears (or eyes) so I don't find out what happens

K is doing pretty good on her O2 and is weaning down nicely. She's on 0.04L at the mo and when she gets down to 0.01 she's virtually having someone blow in her face. Medically what she's on at the mo is bugger all but it's just that leedle bit extra she needs until her lungs grow and mature. We don't know how long she'll be on it but she's been coming down a notch a fortnight so far. Doesn't mean it'll continue but it could do so we'll have to wait and see.

I do take her upstairs to change her as I've got one of those changing stations. Never had one on any of my other kids (the floor or my knee sufficed). It's really good though as all her nappies etc are underneath it and everything is actually to hand rather than on my other 3 where everything was flung to the 4 corners of the earth. Plus it converts to a bath. Again this is good because a) at the right height instead of breaking my back and b) we don't have a real bath in our bathroom c) it has wheels on it so I can wheel it from bathroom to bedroom without the water slopping over the sides. Marvellous invention (oh, and it matches her room as it's Millie and Boris - saddo alert but it was second hand and only £15).

I'm trying to get into Silent Witless but failing. They change all the bloody leading characters each new season. I'm now seeing the quite nice looking Irish actor who was last spotted cracking us as an alky in Holby City and slashing Nurse Chris' face up! I'm completely lost now

I dunno if my nipples have fallen off as I have no reason to feel them and also they're so far headed south, I'd need someone to lie on the floor looking upwards to be informed of their position.

OOps nearly forgot. Started K on gripe water today. She's burping and farting like a good 'un. It works!

Hurrah!

I've had a bottle of gripewater chilling in the fridge for Darragh for weeks (I didn't think it actually worked but I love the smell of it and really associate it with babies so had to have some in just for the look of things) Will have to give it a go though if it actually has a beneficial effect!

ooh a changing station eh jw? there's posh I just use whatever's to hand.

Can't get into Silent Witness at all - but am a big fan of The Family on Channel 4 and Beautiful People on ITV on tonight. Weds and Thurs are my fave telly nights.

woppee I have managed to get to the computer.
so much has been going on and ladymac I too am becoming addicted to the DM web site ekkkk must get a copy of the Guardian today to counteract all this
JJ how was the night? did you manage to get any kip at all last night?
MrsB I have to ask you this after the organic comments below, do you happen to work work for PSD? Although I agree totally with what you have said I am toying with getting a veg box just so we have some food in the house, and there don't seem to be any conventionally grown boxes (the veg not the box I must say).
Here has been a bit stressy all week since the HV pitched up on Tuesday. Oliver has been loosing weight (100g in 4 days) and so I seem to be spending all my waking hours trying to wake him up to stuff some more food down his neck. I'm off to a BF support group this afternoon to see if they any cunning ideas.

hedgepig first rule of thumb 'get stressed by all means but don't let LO know you're stressed as this is counterproductive'.

Easier said than done...yes.

100g in 4 days...hmmm. That's 4oz's in old money. Not the end of the world. Did he lose much in his first week of his birth weight? What does the oracle HV have to say about the weight loss? Did she have any suggestions?

I think once you get on the losing weight treadmill it's hard to get off as you fret, they pick up on it, and before you know it the whole bloody thing is off kilter.

My advice FWIW...formula feed him or do EBM so you know how much is going in. If it's an issue of him being sleepy, then all the tricks in the book come out; change half way through feed...bathe before the feed (obviously not every feed), put the tv/radio on so there's background noise etc.

hedgepig you do also know that some healthcare professionals are of the habit of scaremongering? Don't take everything they say as gospel. Go with your instinct or get on here and ask someone who's been there and done it or ask today at your BF support group

thanks JW I was very blubby on Tues Weds but I'm more philosophical now. So basicaly I'm BF each feed then topping up with formula, some times having to sneak formula into him as he snoozes. I would like to BF long term but if it isn't going to work then pfwww (that is a French shrug of the shoulders by the way).
I just plonked him in the bath to wake him up, and he kept snoozing!!! he is a very laid back boy I am sending some of the sleepy vibes to JJ

hedgepig I had no choice but to do half and half; EBM and formula as K wasn't putting enough weight on with the EBM alone. It's down to BM not having the same fat content as formula. Basically formula puts the weight on them. Prolly why you don't get many obese BF babies. K came out of it ok as she got my antiB's and she's gaining weight. Oh, and if you're freezing EBM then that loses even more fat content once it thaws out (top tip there from Worf Towers).

It's up to you my dear but don't worry yourself silly about it...do what you feel is right for you and for little Oliver and don't beat yourself up if you're not living up to what others think is right

Just chuckling at him sleeping through a bath. Wow, he's really laid back. He's the opposite end of the scale to Verity.....they need to meet up and swap notes!

Hi guys

Well, got the official results from the doc today. Yup, preggers. Good thing since I am eating like 15 times a day and still hungry!

Now if I could only sleep past 5am, my world would be good!

Anyone have any exciting weekend plans? Me? I'm getting my haircut tomorrow...and maybe going to look at maternity clothes.

No plans here. Same as usual but with DH distracted by a day of football on the tv

I would like to have some retail therapy but not sure I can be bothered going out into the cold ...and I can do it online anyway.

Congrats on the official verdict of being up the duff Was it a surprise?

Yes, JW HUGE Surprise!

oooh I like these

Official congrats tee

I have weekend plans!! yes sirree. Goin' out for dinner tomorrow night with OH, my sis and her BF to what is supposedly a fab new restaurant. First outing in aaaaages Altho' tbh I wd prefer to stay in and rest...

hedgepig in response to your question - lets just say that although those are my personal views they are.. ahem.. very well informed

Good news - my little man has started doing lots of lovely smiles and is now feeding every four hrs like clockwork - so at least we know where we are with him at the moment. Just been out in town for a couple of hours and managed to get home before he woke up for his feed. All this buggy pushing is bloody knackering though - is it harder than walking or am I just really really unfit??

{hgrin}

they don't work for meeeeeee

you used { instead of [, mrsb!!

aaaaah thanks tee

Ah yes, smilies. Real ones that is K has been doing them for a few days but DH kept saying 'it's wind'. Well, now even he admits the cheesy grins are not just wind. Luvverly. Was worried she wouldn't be smiling by now as a) prems are prone to lagging in developmental milestones and b) her vision. Makes it all that more special.

Glad to hear that Darragh is towing the proverbial line now that you've had words with him. It's all coming together ....just need to get Verity sorted and then fandabidozy!

Yawn good morning all.

Up at 5:45 today! 45 whole minutes more of sleep! Yaya. [sarcastic emotion]

Off for hair cut and shopping today. May be time to take a good long look through Mother Care!

Anyone else have any plans for the day?

Morning all............I see the halloween hats are back Time to reinstate my themed name me thinks.

I ran away yesterday - to bed. DP did a half day and I mooched in bed and went to the park with Iris while he held onto the wailing milk monster. Felt like I had jet lag and a hangover all in one

hedgepig bless you. I know the weight loss must be stressful but LOs are naughty like that. I mix fed a sleepy Iris and yes, it does often affect your supply - but JW is right about the calorific content of formula. Had to laugh @ Oliver asleep in the bath - we've got pixs of Iris on her back asleep in the bath with DP at about 2 months old! How did the BF clinic go.

tee yee haa - it's official - well done you! Now sit back and enjoy the ride Hope haircut looks fab.

JW Ahhhh - I bet it's not wind. Awwww - smiling...makes yer melt. So right about prems not hitting milestones on time. Even though Iris was just the 7 weeks early - she's still behind everyone else. Hahaha letting the others do the hard work first!

mrsb Every 4 hours - oh you lucky, lucky girl....come round here and sort Verity out could you! Hope your night out was scrummy

We're clearing out the back room today to give Verity a nursery. Bye, bye study. Where the reciepts, tax and VAT stuff is going to go I have no idea.....oh well. Oooo more coffee...MMmmmm

Morning all. Early start today and in Primark at 9am on the dot. Got a few bits and pieces but a lot of it is crappola. And all the things I liked were only in a size 8 or a size 18 with nowt inbetween Oh and John Lewis man brough my handbag this morning.....at 7am! I was still in jammies feeding bubs upstairs...how very dare he!

Ah a nice haircut always makes you feel like a new woman Tee. Hope it looks fab and makes you feel like a seksy laydee

JJ Trying to not get hung up on milestones with K as it's not worth the heartache. She'll do it when she does it. I did read that smiling for example, at 6 weeks. I am to take the 6 weeks, add half of the time she was early by and that's apparently when she'll do it. By my mathemications, that's 14 weeks Blimey. Although my HV told me that prems are supposed to plateau out and catch up with term babies by 18 months but that doesn't sound right at all to me

Good luck clearing out the stuff. Stick all the receipts in box, put in loft and promptly forget about them until the day before VAT return is due. That's what my DH does

K slept through from 11pm to 7am again. I love this girl

Back and my hair looks fab! Never made it to Mothercare, as by the time my hair was done and the grocery shop done I was exhausted and my back hurt.

Got home to find my first antenatal appointment letter! I go 4th November for my booking in. I'll be just over 6 weeks, but I get to go earlier than most because I have diabetes.

Now it really feels real!!

Time for lunch and then a looong nap!

Hi all. Have been in hiding as I sky plussed The Restaurant and knew one of you would give away the result. Anyway, watched it last night so I can return! Shouted at the TV when Russell the little mouse and his wife Medusa were the first ones through to the final. I had grown quite fond of Lindsay and Baldie, thought they had a warmth to them that was lacking in most of the other contestants.

hedgepig try not to worry too much about the weight loss. It has happened with all of my children. They start off quite big then drop down to a centile where they feel comfortable. I just stuck with the BFing with all of mine even though there was a huge amount of pressure to give them formula. I did however start them on solids quite early.

Talking of weight my HV asked me to take Elizabeth to be weighed and as she'd been so helpful with all the hearing stuff I relented. That was a bit of a mistake as now the HV is fussing as she only weighs 19lb 4oz. I was a bit worried she may have slipped off the chart but hoorah, she's lurking somewhere around the 2nd centile! She weighed 8lb 2oz at birth. She eats really well, can polish off 3 fishfingers in a sitting, eats veg and fruit, has a bottle morning and evening, licks the butter off her toast, loves biscuits and cake (of course, she is her mother's daughter) and is also partial to a pack of hula hoops. She is just under the 50th for her height which sounds alright to me.

HV is going to tell my GP, as if we didn't have enough medical appts at the moment. Don't know what I can do other than slip some lard into her yoghurt. She already has full fat everything.

Oh bugger, window cleaner is here and I'm still in my pyjamas. Must rush and make beds as I'd asked him to do insides too this month.