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

CAKE

"someone left the cake out in the rain, and I don't think that I can take it, cos it took so long to bake it and I'll never have that recipe again...Oh NO!"

Actually, that's not true - patently not true because the cake is in the kitchen and it looks very nice indeed. I used the wholemeal flour milled at our local Mill....[smug Nigella emoticon] I've even hoovered the rug! So yes, I took your advice and the cake won!

Oh hedgepig it's so horrid when a smell overtakes you and the urge to surge vomit happens! We had a green waste bin introduced just after i got preggie and i can tell you - than bin smells rancid after two weeks Has the nesting urge taken hold much this time round?

johnworf great that the night shifts are working. That actually sounds like a bloody good idea...win, win all round.

Yep - I just think breastfeeding kids is an odd thing. I can remember very clearly being 3 years old and i don't think I'd want to remember hanging off my mum's boobs! Oh - that's it, I'm now yearning for my tiny, compact 34b boobies.........*sigh Will I ever go running again without my norks smacking be in the head??!

mrsboogie is there a littleboogie yet??

mrsjupiter how is the dim sum diet?

pwcbird BIG shout out to Croydon !

jeanjeannie I'm now expecting phrases such as 'not in my manor' and 'random' or even 'the milton keynes massive'

Impressed on the wholemeal cake however, when I've used wholemeal for light tasty comestibles, they always turn out like bricks so I go back to my highly processed, bleached, full of GM, MSG etc white self raisers. Oh that's it! I'm throwing off my domestic mantle as I simply CANNOT compete with you JJ Harrumph!

Glad you liked the used nappy site hedgepig I've bought a few off there and the re-sale value seems to be very good. Mine will be going on there when K grows out of them.

hedgepig are you enjoying putting your feet up with piles of OK, Heat, Readers Wives magazines etc and eating your own body weight in sugar? I bloody well hope so girl

DH has had a run in with his sister today as she insists on ringing every day (sometimes several times) to check on how we're doing....like we're home alone 7 year olds. Cross words were exchanged and yikes! plumber language too

whahahahaha johnworf I'm not that far from Milton Keynes........not sure if there is a 'massive' there though Although I'm not as old as Westwood - so perhaps I'll wait till I'm 50 before I see about pimping my Citroen Berlingo - I have a few ideas that involve crystals, reclining chairs and corduroy

BTW: Do not be hasty to throw off your apron in a flouncing fit...........I don't think the cake was up to much. It was that blinkin flour very heavy....way too heavy. From now on I'm going bleached white all the way

Now, remind DH that Katherine is libel to pick up on bad language - she's probably very advanced! Hope tonights shifts go ok.

Afternoon all.

How is everyone today? johnworf how did the night-time job share go?

kaz1967 is all well with you? How is the flat coming along?

Verity slept all night - had to wake her at 7am ss my norks burst ! Feel human now!

Hello everyone,

Croydon calling.
Just popping in to say hello and send you all love. Here is the news:
It is raining here.
Took Joseph to new toddler group this morning. He loved it and thew a tantrum when we had to leave. He even pulled my hair. . So, it's true about the terrible two's then!
I'm mainly cooking muffins right now - orange ones and banana/honey ones. They be deeelisshhhusss.

Hope your boobs are ok jeanjeannie

kisses to all and Princess K of course x

Hey! pwcbird Isn't is lovely when they have those tantrums? You'll be finding yourself in the supermarket next giving evil stares to old ladies who are tut tutting at your LO as he's throws himself headlong onto the floor, screaming his head off. Ah, the good old days with my older 3 and I'm sure that Katherine will not disappoint. Btw, she sends you big fat kisses today. Especially now that she can see you (although you're a tad blurred). We've just returned from follow up eye appointment and consultant has discharged her from his clinic at St Mary's NICU to his out patients clinic at the Royal Manchester Eye Hosptial. RESULT! No signs of the ROP and although still a bit of swelling at front of the eye, it's clearing nicely. Just need to get the pressures down now which is why we're being reviewed week Tuesday. She was ever such a brave girl but the medieval device they use to keep their head still has given her bruising on her arms (?) and forehead. A bit like tiny burst blood vessels under the skin

jeanjeannie, Katherine's language is a very strange one indeed. We have taken to calling her a Mogwai as this is what she sounds like, even in her sleep. However, when I was at the clinic today, all the other prem babies sound the same so guess it's normal

Nocturnal routine coming along nicely and added bonus now of no 2 hourly eye drops - gone to 1 every 6 hours which is manageable.

DH and Katherine both sound asleep at the moment. I'm working so it's alright for some

Hi all.

Birthday went well and the tea was a success. Even though I got home from work feeling so nauseous I had to have a lie-down first. Finally started making Delia's all-in-one Victoria Sponge at 5.15. That cake is foolproof by the way, it's never let me down. Grace (the newly 12 yr old) helped bake and MIL kept Elizabeth (the 17 month old) from getting under my feet so we miraculously managed to get everything done by the time the family descended on us at 6pm.

Am feeling really tired after my 2 days of work! Have to go to a Key Stage 3 information evening at Grace's new school at 6.30 followed by a social evening for new parents. I'd really prefer to sit at home with my feet up. Will need to apply some serious make-up in order to make myself look presentable. At the moment I not only feel tired but I look so blinking tired too. I'm convinced that everybody I know will guess I'm pregnant due to my expanding midriff, the bags under my eyes, the rather greyish complexion and the real giveaway, the cessation of my drinking. Haven't I painted a pretty picture? Anyone get the idea I'm feeling ever so slightly sorry for myself?

Happy to hear that everybody's getting a bit more sleep in the johnworf household. I like the rather navalesque idea of you and DH being on different watches during the night. Excellent news re the less frequent administering of the eye drops too.

Have I got time for 40 winks before giving Elizabeth her tea?

Zzzzzzzzzz

Oh thanks pwcbird is that what I've got to look forward too? Come November - Iris will turn into a hysterical, tantrum-throwing, hair-pulling little loon eeek!

We also went to a new toddler group today...snap! It was fab - and it came with free tea (endless amounts ) plus as much fruit and cheese as your little one could munch. Iris took this challenge very seriously and was fast asleep in the car on the way back and refused lunch as she was stuffed....RESULT...all for a £1 And she tried to steal the little push-a-long pram - hid it outside and then tried to grab it as we left. kaz1967 will testify that she tried to nick a pepper grinder on our jaunt in High Wycombe....popped it in her backpack - only found it by chance....

johnworf no ROP visible...hip hip hooray That's brill. about the bruising but about the 6 hourly eye drops!

LOL at the Mogwai.....how weird!

DP has just made me a fab airer with pully for our utility room extension - oh lordy - am I really getting excited about something that involves housework

jeanjeannie I used to have one of those old Heath Robinson pulley contraptions in my old house some 23 years ago. I did see Kirsty Allsop buy one from the owner of a house on Location Location as she loved it. Miss mine but am envious your DP put the time and effort in to make such a wonder thing (call me an old cynic, but is he after something? )

We're away with the real nappies today and I must say, Katherine feels like a 'real' baby in them. Don't ask what that means as I just cannot put it into words. I'm trying out Burt's Baby Bees diaper cream and although it's on the expensive side, a little goes a long way. Interested to know if anyone else has used this and what they think. If not, any other good bum cream (although not the greasy sort as this isn't good with real nappies apparently).

ladymac sounds like you have your house well run Also very naval. Btw, love the idea of a crowsnest at the top of the stairs. That would be fab Anyway, as you know by now, the first 12 weeks rush by (with head down pan) before you know it, you're having a completely different set of pregnancy curses (we've all been there and done it!) I had a multitude of lies excuses until I was sure that it was 'safe' to tell everyone.

Oh, and I almost forgot, bought some nappies in ASDA other day for hospital and got chatting with the checkout lady. When I mentioned 'baby' and 'nappies for' in same sentence she immediately put 2 and 2 together and made 'grandma' I suppose I shall have to get used to it come school time......

Hoping that pwcbird will post me one of her wondrous orange muffins to help me get over it

Evening all.

ladymac I'm in awe of such superb timing in your party preparation - like you say - very naval. Was it a gong or a whistle that you used to alert the other shipmates that the sponge was ready? Hope that the parent's eve went ok....and your make-up cleared away the grey complexion! Aww, I remember that feeling so well - personally I never bloomed while preggie

johnworf I can definatley recommend the Waitrose bum cream...but apparently, due to MNetters recommending it for their face, it actually sold out in stores and made the national press!

NO, NO, NO I can't believe someone woman thought you were a grandma WRONG! I've seen your piccie - you look way too young. Ah, you were in Asda....now, if you'd been in Waitrose - or M&S you'd have had a more polite class of check-out person.

Yeah - love reusable nappies - soft, fat bottoms - so pleasing

Ah jeanjeannie read about the furor on Daily Mail's website about said Waitrose cream. Shall give it a punt anyway.

Obviously there are places in Manchester or any other place in the UK where 42 would pass as a grandma (heck, there's places in Manchester where you should be a grandma or great grandma at that age - I kid you not). I've forgiven her though after her million apologies and bright red face Oh I like squirmy...hehe.

Having good time trying out the different nappes I've got but have feeling that DH is perplexed/frightened of them as they're not made of chemicals held together with paper. Today he begins his crash course in AIO's, wraps and boosters

Routine went to pot last night as DH feigned deafness/coma like state so I got up but tbh, I love spending the extra time with her..I think I've fallen headlong in love with this child (and doesn't she milk it for all she's worth - pardon the pun).

Just waiting on visits this morning from community special care nurse and health visitor so that'll be fun

hello Ladymac I wish I had read your message about Delias all in one sponge earlier. I#m trying to make cakes for the WI cake stall tomorrow and I am having a disaster with my Victoria sponge (I should have stuck to lemon drizzel). Sorry you are feeling sick, it will get better

Good news about Katherine's eyes JW bad news about DH forgetting to wake up.

back to cake baking, see you later

hedgepig I'm institutionalised and a woman so can you please send me a cake (note the pleading on bended knees)?

Many thanks in advance

hedgepig you'll never win prizes at the local fete if you don't iron out the Victoria sponge disasters. Otherwise you'll be a one-trick-pony with your lemon drizzle cake and heaven knows you'll end up positively terrified of a fruit loaf I'm only teasing...I'm now a member of the Wycombe Society - and I'm the youngest by over a decade!! We have the Mill open day on Sunday and making a cake for that would be WAY too racey

johnworf my DP was always rather too fond of the Nappy Nippas....it think it cos they are sharp and dangerous! Bless your DH - it's funny when you can smell the fear off them. My DP keeps forgetting the liners.....nice

Hope your visits went ok today and Katherine behaved herself.

Verity has slept right through the last 2 nights very nice. Iris however has had screaming fits - bad dreams I think. She's usually standing at the end of the bed looking freaked out

This afternoon we're going to be mainly drawing with Iris's new crayons

JW you don't want one of my cakes they are so flat that I would be able to post you a Victoria sponge at standard postage rate (ie It will go though the width test no problem). That said the 2nd attempt with Saint Delias all-in-one recipe did rise and if I cover it with butter icing it may look 1/2 respectable in the right light. I', m making flapjacks now surely even I can make those go wrong

where has the day gone? It's nearly time to do the school run and it's is raining again so no chance to take Ben to the park after to get rid of some of his energy.
JJ those nappy nippers always looked a bit complicated too me, but not as scary as really nappy pins.

hedgepig scrummy flat cakes I'm sure second attempt cake tastes fab and oh! I adore butter icing (feels weight piling onto hips as she merely utters the word 'icing').

Hope Iris like her new crayons and mummy likes contents of her rainbow poo nappy the following day. Ah well, they're non toxic and taste ok-ish I suppose.

Don't use nappy nippers at all. Poppers and velcro only as I'm not allowed sharp objects although, I did use the real pins years ago for my other children, along with the terry squares I can even do different folds. Like origami with terry cotton although never did get the swan with flapping wings to fit on either of them.

I have firmly told DH he will be having crash course later on how to do a nappy (I kid you not). Also to expect divorce papers sharpish if he does another 'I never heard the baby crying' routine, tonight

hello all! One has today been released back into the community complete with sprog (more of whom in a sec)

Induction definitely not something I would wish to repeat, ever. (Anyone expecting to have one probably shouldn't read this bit ) Had four doses of prostin over Tues and Weds - which had absolutely no effect whatsoever until the final double dose on Weds afternoon. Prior to this they had been telling me that if it still didn't work by the fourth dose they would give me a couple of days' rest then try again. I said no way - if it doesn't work you're doing a ceasarian - I'm not staying in here until the weekend and still not in labour. Anyhoo, fourth dose worked immediately - great except I went from a standing start to full on labour in half an hour with contractions every 2 mins. Very intense pain, very tiring and constant throwing up. Between 6pm and 10pm I was 6cm dilated - and was transferred to labour ward. All going well until 4 or 5am when, fully dilated, the cervix having done its work, contractions stopped. This was because they had decided that I didn't need the oxytocin to give me uterine contractions because I had already given birth once before. Methinks they were wrong, cos I was left with fading ten second contractions every three or four minutes - not frequent or long enough to push him out. A doctor was consulted and she said it would have to be a forceps delivery with a spinal block or an emergency cs. Extremely distressing and painful internal examination of his head followed - to determine whether he was far enough down to be extracted by forceps. Way more painful than labour itself and I was begging her to stop. Whizzed off to theatre for a spinal block (oh what bliss when it took effect) and into theatre by which time baby's heatbeat was half what it should have been. Pushing while paralysed from the chest down was an odd experience but it worked and he was out in a couple of mins. Massive team of doctors etc around - all very kind and helpful and good - to not sound totally negative. After that the placenta refused to detach so had to be "manually extracted" which I had never heard of but got the idea quickly when one of the doctors watching said to my surgeon "oh my god you're in her right up to the elbow - how have you got your fist up there?"

TMI section here endeth.

The little fella was fine if a little stunned and we are ok now although I threw up all the next day as well. Oh and the "huge" baby they kept threatening us with? he weighed 7lb 15oz!! He was so not ready to come out and the placenta was clearly in perfect working order too. He could and should have remained in there safely for another couple of weeks.

Onto happier subjects - little Darragh (Irish sp of Dara) is perfect and well and very chilled out and the spitting image of his dad who has been absolutely brilliant throughout (I have to fight him off to get to the baby) and although I feel like I have been trampled by a herd of elephants I am otherwise fine - just v. glad to be home and all safe. Just hope no infection sets in - due to the severe invasiveness of the procedure there is an increased risk but I will be on the watch for it. I will put a picture of Darragh up soon for you all to see.

Havent had time to read back on what's been happening with you guys - but hope all is well and Katherine is thriving at home jw

pic added - will add better one when I get a chance...

congratulations and jubilations tra la la la etc

well done Mrs B and hello little Darragha BIG WAVE to the little man.
Sorry you had to go through the mill with the induction and forceps but at least no cs. Going to look at the picture now, but will post before I do in case I loose this.

lovely picture, what a sweetie pie he is. You will feel much better just to be home, hopefully you can get some rest and be fussed over. Got to go to sleep now, a big decorating day ahead of us tomorrow. Congratulations again I'm SO excited for you. 37 weeks for me tomorrow so it won't be long.

Hello all! May I pop in again? I couldn't find the thread for ages but thanks to hedgepig I did.

I'm due on the 14th ish and am feeling very odd today. Baby seems to have moved and I'm much shorter of breath...
Farily tearful and a bit in a panic of how much to do before I'm ready for lift off. I keep telling the bump 'not yet!"!Congratulations to all new babies. I have to catch up properly in the next few days!

Hello girls! Hey to ipanemagirl You'll be fine dear and sounds like you're getting ready for LO to make his appearance. I was due on 14th (which is tomorrow) so Katherine is nearly term. Very odd seeing as she's also 3.5 months old as well.

mrsboogie so well done old girl. Did mention beforehand that contractions are on the intense side when you're having an induction but didn't like to scare you. I had the James Herriot experience too when I had Katherine as she was bottom breach so evil witch of SHO also put her hand in to pull her down. Honestly, I could have smashed her teeth down her throat. Oh the agony. Still, once they're here it's all forgotten And my, what a little smasher Darragh is Gorgeous and fresh and new. Hoping you're putting feet up now and enjoying everyone running around after you. Just savour him being so little as it seems to fly by and before you know it, he's smoking woodbines, buying you a cinzano down the pub and growing a beard.

Also didn't like to mention before that sizing scans are notoriously inaccurate but hey ho, 7lb 15oz is a very respectable weight

Congrats once again.

((hugs))

HELLO and WELCOME young master Darragh Oh well done mrsboogie he's gorgeous....edible....scrummy

But bloody hell.....the birth
That sounded most horrid of the highest order - and as for the hands up to the elbow comment - OOooo, I came over all queasy! You've a brave lady indeed.......make sure you get some rest and enjoy your handsome new man.

And yes, scans seem notoriously inaccurate - I was supposed to be measuring big with verity - but just 6lbs 9oz when she arrived. blinkin HUGE now though

hedgepig it's getting closer! It makes me broody again - thinking about what you've got to look forward to...and I only popped 3.5 mnths ago!!

ipanemagirl well hello and welcome back. Missed you. Gosh - you're almost there...fear, intrepidation and excitment - yep, that sounds about right!

Actually I saw you on the radio 4 message board - good to see a fellow lister! I should've hijacked it and said hello - sorry!

Well, keep us posted, let us know the moment you get a twinge !

Off to The Henley Show today - tractors, animals, show jumping and lashings of home-made jam not to mention the caged-birds marquee....Oh it'll be grand! And apparently it's going ot be sunny Just off to make our sandwiches....not paying Henley prices for scran!

There's a Radio 4 messageboard? Why was I not informed. Off to find it.........

JJ have fun at Henley with all the posh people. Don't forget your Hunters/Barbours

Hello All! Lovely to see you Johnworf, I can't believe Katherine is 3.5 months old, that's amazing! it's gone so quickly hasn't it?
I shall see you on the Radio thread, I have to rant about the Archers, it's a great joy to me. it's a new thread come about from popular demand!

mrsboogie! wCongratulations on the fantastic young Darragh! But what a lot to go through! Why were you induced again? Were you very overdue? I was induced with ds (7) at 12 days (my waters had broken a little bit 36 hrs before) so they gave me prostawotsit when I felt labour was just beginning. He came the next day like a bull out of a gate and it was very shocking and extremely painful, I tore quite badly and was pretty traumatised to say the least! I really want to avoid being induced this time if I can manage it... maybe the baby will come early, I'm due on 14th so we'll see, I have a feeling it might not be long tho.... Well done you though, that's quite a marathon!
jeanjeanie see you on that R4 board!
This baby won't come today will it I have a few more things to do!!!!
all the best to all