40+ mums-to-be and those who've 'popped' - come say hi, pull up a chair and have some cake!

[jeanjeannie]

Hello everyone - yet another thread. I'm expecting a call anyday soon from ITV - as I imagine we'll be prime candidates for taking over the Loose Women slot when they need a break

So, for anyone interested in joining in with us - just jump in and say Hi - we don't bite - unless you're disguised as a chocolate sponge cake

Ladies..................Take it away

I thought greek yoghurt was low in fat?

Never seen the gingerbread latte but it sounds lovely. I also like their chi lattes. I think I'm just torturing myself thinking about having one.

How's the girls today? On the mend?

Hi all
It's taken me ages to catch up with all the gossip. I had a scan again yesterday and my nuchal whatnot was 1.5 for both babies so I am taking the risk and leaving that as a good finding. JJ I have been there with the poo- that's horrid. And the babysitter from hell Bonzo
I actually make cot quilts and bumpers from time to time for my work. Duvets are different from quilts and are heavier and make babies too hot. Quilts (2oz and 4oz wadding) are fine. Bumpers need to be firmly attached and a small gap of about 2" left for ventillation between them and the cot mattress (to avoid any problems with being sick).
I must admit for the first couple of months I will probably have my 2 with me in bed with moses style baskets so i won't need these but my 2 others both had them and were fine.

Glad those nuchals were good Neddie. Mine was 1.5 at 12wks +6 and it gave a good low-risk score. Now, at nearly 27 wks, I can no longer do up my capacious parka and so lots of people in the playground are coming up to prod at the bump and laugh about how big it is... . I must say, the idea of a further 3 months growth is a bit scary.

johnworf Greek yoghurt is natural yoghurt mixed with double cream. Sorry to be the bringer of such very bad news, but why did you think it was so delicious? . In any case, the fact JJ was mixing it with white choc with blueberries (yum!) means she wasn't taking the low-fat option. Good luck with weigh-in today.

Milky coffee drinks are like sick to me, especially cappuccini (frothy sick!) or the ones with weird syrups and stuff in. I like hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, but prefer strong coffee with a splash of milk - one of the few areas in which my natural preference is the less calorific .

Must get on and do some work today - it's overcast here so I'm less tempted to stare at the tree outside my window and think springlike thoughts.

Oh, I'm trying to avoid Starbucks! I love those gingerbread lattes at Christmas, and I love Starbucks coffee - but I'm sticking with decaf.

I like hot chocolate, and we have some - is there caffeine in it?? I'll have to look....

I don't know if it's coincidence, but I didn't get pregnant until I stopped drinking coffee; I had a cup the other day and felt extremely ill for about 24 hours, and had rather alarming womb cramps- it's as though all my muscles react massively to caffeine. So I stick to decaff now if at all.

Good Morning Campers!

Holiday here in grand old Northern Ireland and the Republic. So glad St Patrick ran those snakes (hum, could that be the British ) off the Island!

Of course I'm off this week anyway, but DH is off with me today!

Neddie congrats on the good Nuchal score!

ermintrude I'm not a huge Starbucks fan, but I do love lattes! I just go to my local shop!

triggles unfortunately, all chocolate has some caffeine in it. Not stopping me from eating it though!

duchesse I am also (mostly) off caffeine, except for chocolate the occasional cup of regular coffee. A little caffeine, if you can stomach it, won't hurt the LO!

hello, quick question before I dive out to baby group hope everyone is OK
Real nappy users - I have just got Bens old ones down from the loft remind me how I wash them?? 60 degC or 40 degC and I remember something about vinegar but not quite what to do with it . Catch up later ((waves))

duchesse there was some research a while ago that suggested excessive coffee drinking could contribute to some early miscarriages - but it was many many cups of strong stuff a day before it was significant. Also caffeine, like alcohol, can reduce fertility over a long period of time, for men and women. I have one or two cups of tea per day and one normal instant coffee then have decaff or water (or Ovaltine instant choc malted ) the rest of the time. I couldn't face coffee during my other pregnancies but quite enjoy a little now. I find it's helpful to get me going in the morning

Triggles chocolate has a little natural caffeine in it but I wouldn't worry about the odd cup here or there. Milky drinks can help with heartburn and are soothing before bedtime when pregnant (although they make me produce catarrh and throw up so I only have hot choc in the morning 2 or 3 times a week).

You can tell I don't feel like working today, can't you?

Oh, Tee, I meant to say about my sister's cot arrangement. She says:

"The cot we have is the cheapest Ikea one this one and the mid priced mattress (I think there are three options). We just made it up with one side missing and used cable ties to keep the base attatched to the ends on the side where the bit is missing. The base has metal pins that slot into holes on the ends and wouldn't have been stable enough without securing the base. We then pushed it up as far as we could and made sure that the cot mattress was flush with ours by squashing rolled up towels (actually a fleece blanket I think) on the other side. We did have to drill new holes to make it the same height but it works really well and is better than spending £100 or more on the one from mothercare!"

So a bit of DIY involved but maybe worth considering as a space saver.

Duchesse I gave up coffee for two months before my IVF treatment - I read it can have quite an impact on your fertility (although lots of those studies are a bit suspect). I then didn't have coffee for the first 3 months but caved about a month ago. I just couldn't get out of bed. Now I have a cup every morning with half milk. In fact I'm drinking it now...

hedgepig if they're all white ones (as opposed to coloured ones) then for a first wash out of storage I'd do them at 90 degrees. As long as these are just the nappy/prefold and NOT the all in ones with the PUL wraps already on them. Thereafter 60 is fine although I blast mine once a month with a 90 degree wash. Splash of white wine vinegar in the softener drawer is what you're thinking of hedgepig. That's what I use

I only drink decaff coffee as I'm a lightweight. Seems pointless a lot of people have commented. Well I like the taste just not the shaking

I don't eat Greek yoghurt myself so didn't know it was mixed in with anything. Don't think I will be eating it now I know the facts.

Weight loss for last week was 2lb which is fine with me

Thanks ermintrude. We did look at that cot, but found it be not very sturdy. I can't imagine it being any more so after the DIY! I think we'll stick with the Amby/Cot plan!

JW well done on another 2 lbs gone!

morning all

Still off work today - feeling dead rough, I have now exceeded my previous five years sick leave in one month At least my boss said to me that he knows I never take time off without good reason. When I was in my last month before going on mat leave I used to take a taxi to and from work becasue of the spd when I couldn't cycle. I just don't wnt them thinking I have gone all uselss now that I have a baby...

Good news on the weight loss jw how are you finding the diet? not getting bored of it?

Last night was hard going - D very very restless - we were in bed stifling sniffles and sneezes so as not to woke him but I blew my nose gently and he awoke with a ripper of a scream. In the end he came into our bed at 2am and slept like a log. I thin its the mattress that he's finding it hard to adjust to. Its bloody rock hard.

tee Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádraig

Very impressive mrsb!! Sorry you're still feeling rough!

Can you put an extra blanket or something over the mattress to make it softer for D?

mrsb Yuck. Is it still a cold or have you got anything that the doc could fix for you? At least your boss is understanding. Nothing worse than having work on your back as well as everything else that's going on.

Not sure what to suggest re the cot mattress. It's not as though there's anything you can really put on there to soften it (that I know of, might be wrong though). I had same problem as you as K would only be rocked to sleep in her crib before she went into the cot. We just dropped lucky that she went in ok. What about putting him in the Amby to get to sleep and then lifting him out into the cot - just at first until he gets used to it?

K will not sleep in our bed at all. It's weird as my older 3 wouldn't sleep in their cots, only my bed I'm not sure why she won't sleep with us. Mebbe in the long run it's a good thing but we can't use it as a Plan B!

Not getting bored of the diet yet. Amazed really. Quite spurred on by the 12lbs in total I've lost. I can see it here and there where I'm looking less hippo-like. Of course it's come off my boobs first so they've shrunk to husks. Even DH has commented on it. Also thinking of K's non-christening in May that I don't want another set of photos ending up on Facebook where I look horrendously fat. That is the biggest incentive even more than pooing my pants, which I haven't done so far. I'm with GP on Thursday to get my official weigh in and hopefully a pat on the back. Have to speak to him about my neck too which is still worrying me

Anyway, have a garden man coming this afternoon. After watching Rogue Traders last night I'm going to just get a quote and make no decisions until I've seen some of his previous work.

Hello all

oh so much to catch up on, have I really been away that long

jj I really don't know what to say to you after reading your post about Iris because I don't want to say sorry to hear as I'm pretty sure that you, (the same as I would if it were one of my DC) are not sorry as your family sound wonderful and I'm sure you will all overcome whatever difficulties together, and I have absolutly no knowledge of either of the those conditions to be able to offer any advice.
I have concerns all the time about DT and could very easily find myself in a similar situation and I think the best thing is to know that there are people who care and hope that you get every help available. Thats my hope for you and Iris

tee going back a few days again to your posts when you were feeling very low... I've never suffered from PND or depression but I do suffer with PMDD and for a few days a month it feels like I have every kind of emotional disorder possible and without the treatment I have I would be a completly different person for those few days so I understand how it must be for you to feel the way you did.
I wanted to breast feed but due to an infection I was only able to do so for the first few weeks, its not the end of the world and there are alot more things to worry about so please don't beat yourself up about it.
Hope your feeling better now

bonzo thats just a horrible story! having twins is no excuse, usually if DT wake in the night a little cuddle over the shoulder and a few pats on the back brings a response of rather loud wind and then its back to sleep in no time, it doesn't take alot to check them and I would never forgive myself if it was something more!

mrs for christmas we gave nans and grandads a lovely digital photo frame downloaded with pictures of all the LO, would also be a nice mothers day present

will catch up on a few more recent posts now, been busy with spring cleaning and parents evenings etc... DD2 is staying on at 6th form and wants to be a journalist and DD3 who is nearly 6 is in the top of her class for most subjects

MrsBoogie How about a memory foam matress topper...Alexs matress has an integral memory foam top layer and he certainly finds it very comfortable.
MUM41I'll second your vote for digital photo frames..we did the same as you and gave them to the grans for christmas they were thrilled to bits. For Mums day this year I have been to a ceramics centre and had Alexs hand prints sploged all over cups for them...a fun day out for us and a nice memento of how little he was for them.

We gave MIL & FIL a digital photo frame last year for Christmas, preloaded the little disk thing with pics. We bought a couple spare, so we reload new pics occasionally and swap them out for them here and there so they get new pics regularly. Honestly, MIL doesn't have room on her wall for any more frames, so this worked well.

hedgepig glad you popped in - was wondering where you were.

Mrsb rubbish at being so sick. Hope you feel better. I was going to suggest a blanket under the cot sheet. Have you also thoguht it may be a bit colder in there? My friend's boy hated his new cot but then she borrowed one of my terry cotton sheets and he slept like a log. Whether it was more comfortable or warmer - dunno - but may be worth a try.

Happy St Pats day Tee. M's nursery made us a card yesterday - all green paint and splodges and a big shamrock in the middle - with 4 leaves. Ah well - it's the thoguht I suppose.

jw in awe of your weight loss. Fab.

Laughing at greek yoghurt being low fat - it's about 10% but bloody gorgeous. I buy a bucket of it in Lidl for about 2 quid. Had it yesterday for lunch with Manuka honey and cherries and berries - my sister showed me them and they are little pieces of heaven in a bag.

cot bumpers was a bit vague - I had the bumper across the middle of the cot to make it seem smaller and M had wriggled up and had her head against it and then puked all over it. Then read that babies can get tangled up in them so never put it back after washing the sick off.
I couldn't say anything really to friend - I could only assume baby had been crying herself to sleep. And I phoned her straight away to say baby had been sick and hadn't she noticed and she said not and that baby had cried a bit so she'd gone up and then gone up again a bit later (and moved the sick-covered cot bumper without noticing it). Ah well. She's a mum in our very close group of 6 friends with same-age babies and it was just not worth causing a massive fuss. I just never, ever had her babysit again.

oooh yes I love that idea - the hand prints on the cups - we gave them a lovely big picture of D as a Christmas pressie so wouldn't go down the photo frame route again just yet. Have also ordered a fig tree from Gourmet Gardeners but this would be a lovely present form D.

Will look into the memory foam mattress topper floria thanks for that

I hadn't realised about Greek yoghurt either I have to admit, thought it was just made differently to normal yoghurt.

Wish I could have remained in blissful ignorance

Afternoon all. Just a brief check-in because as far as Verity is concerned it's still the house in Poo corner

jw that's a good steady weight loss - and what better incentive than pics eh?! FOrgot to say - that I reckon your neck will be something of nothing. I know that the neck is a melting pot of glands and hormones; one sniffle or a bit run down and bang, up come the glands. Best get checked out though and if you're going anway - might as well make them work for their HUGE pay!!!

neddie that's brill news on the nuchal

ermintrude I had no idea it was double cream in the Greek yoghurt - WHAH!! Oh the shame of it! Although I have weighted myself and I'm the same as last week and it's period week too...so I'm pleased!

hedgepig yep - I second jw a spot of white vinegar in the old softner tray will do the trick. I find a 40 degree wash plenty hot enough

mum41 thanks for that re Iris and our little traumas! And what a clever girl, wanting to be a journalist....it never did me any harm

ermintrude I'd join you and look out of the window at the tree....but it's fallen over and lying in next door's garden

Oh this house STINKS!

JJ bloody hell! Every bug that's gone around this year has stopped off at your house Poor Verity and her squits. It should be coming to an end (pardon the pun) soon though shouldn't it? It's been a few days now. Sending you hugs xoxoxoxo

bonzo I'm sure I've seen those cherry packets in Costco although not that particular brand. I'm not sure where I stand eating dried fruit. I think it's packed with sugar (natural) so carbs could be high. Not sure on fat though although I'm thinking it's low-ish.

DS#1 has just dropped most of the contents of his flat off and put them in our loft. Jeez. Half of the stuff I gave to him. It should be on elastic

DD#1 rang me last night to see what I'm doing on Sunday and DS#1 also mentioned it which I'm at as he's male and I thought he wouldn't remember. So, looks like might be a small gathering on Sunday. I'm also doing a mummy/daughter #1 day on Friday. Think we're heading into Manchester so might get my Starbucks!!! Woot!

JW I know - I'm going to the docs if she's still yuk tomorrow as all she's taking is breastmilk.

Oh I love dried fruit but I think it's very high in sugar. I like the Costo frozen summer fruits...MMMm. No added sugar and they're just great with Greek Yoghurt Oh and hot melted choccy poured over them Can you see the fatal flaw here?!

Oh - I can't imagine DP getting anything together for Mother's Day.....although there is that gorgeous Sonicare toothbrush to look forward too

Cripes finally caught up, I am very disappointed to know about Greek yogurt as well, I though it was just make with whole milk.

thanks for the nappy advice, I wonder if white wine vinegar OK?? Probably an expensive way to go I will add normal to my shopping list. One last question do you use use a barrier cream or anything like that?

Neddie well done on the nucal results looks good

MrsB sympathy for the lurgy, hope it passes soon

Bonzo about your baby sitting friend, In my book the 1st rule of baby sitting is you do what the parents want even if it is not quite what you would do at home. I have never had cot bumpers, I am a cruel mummy Ben used to sleep with his head jammed up on the rails all the time, doesn't seem to have effected him (too) much

I have got the highchair down form the loft and all the straps have gone manky brown, the sort of manky brown you would pass on an item if it was at a car boot sale. Unfortunately I can't get them off to wash as they are riveted on. I am trying a mild bleach soln at the moment.