Monday, January 28, 2008 Meet another new blogger: Tamzin!

Hello - I'm Tamzin. I was a secondary school teacher but I have just given up my job (for now anyway) to be a full time mum. I have a one-year-old daughter called Isla-Rose and I'm expecting another girl in May.

All my former colleagues have been back at school for two weeks now - I can’t believe it! People asked how I’d fill my time when I stopped working….?!!! I haven’t stopped. There is always so much to do! I’ve been trying to get the house straight and organise everything like photos and cupboards and baby clothes, things that I intended to do when I last went on maternity leave over a year ago and of course never got round to. I know that if I don’t get them done in the next few months it definitely won’t happen after May when I will have TWO tiny tots!!!

My husband Pete and I have just been discussing how we forget I’m pregnant - this was the result of him sprawling across my fat tummy and hurting me! The baby kicked in indignation but then refused to make herself felt when he put his hand on my tummy – he still hasn’t felt her kick and she’s been at it for over a month now!!

I’ve been going to an osteopath because my back’s so bad. It was the same during my first pregnancy and she completely sorted me out, but this time I’m not getting any rest inbetween sessions so it’s taking longer. It’s a real drag but I can’t complain as I never had any sickness through my pregnancies and I think I’d rather have a bad back than that!! My osteopath said – tongue in cheek – “Well you musn’t pick up Isla or do anything strenuous, get some servants in!” Hmm, that’d be nice I wonder if I can persuade Pete…

I’ve also started fatty yoga (for pregnant people) again. Sharon who takes it is this beautiful, petite lady with a completely flat tum and I think she’s had 3 children! She’s absolutely lovely and has this wonderful relaxing voice. I did it in the evenings first time round and I always used to fall asleep during the relaxation at the end, I thought it was because I was working etc but I still fell asleep at 10.30 in the morning this time!

It was nice to get away and do something purely for me and my well being. Walking the dog isn’t that much of a pleasure at the moment because I can’t carry Isla anymore so I have to take the pushchair which restricts where we go and it’s soooo muddy and then of course I need a wee so frequently!! Ahh the joys...

Rosee tells her workmates the good news...

This week has been an odd one as after much baggy jumper wearing and “no thanks, I’m driving” I’ve finally ‘fessed up and told everyone at work my good news. One person had guessed already, but some of them seemed pretty surprised, which amazed me as I feel like it’s really obvious. I’ve only put on 9lb so far, but it’s all on my bump!

I was glad of the good reaction because I’ve just moved departments. Although I already feel pretty settled in my new job, it’ll soon be time to go. But I’m looking forward to coming back at the end of the year and there’s lots to do before I leave.

It’s company policy to take all your holiday for the year up to and including six months maternity leave before your due date. This means I’ve got 24 days to take between now and June 11 so I can go down to four days a week from Easter, and stop work in mid May, which will be brilliant.

I was worried about how I would cope with working up to my due date, as I only get six weeks on full pay once the baby’s born so I didn’t want to take maternity leave beforehand. Now I don’t have to worry about that and can enjoy the rest of my time in the office. I love my job and the last thing I wanted was to have to drag myself in every day when I got really big!

On Monday I’m having my 20 week scan and also seeing a consultant, as I am at a higher risk of having a breech baby and they want to keep an eye on me. Hopefully it will turn out to be straightforward. I’d really like a homebirth and I doubt they’ll recommend that if there are serious complications.

Still, whatever news we get, Al and I are very excited about finding out what we’re having, especially as it will help to resolve the Great Name Debate. We’ve got a few ideas already but we’ve decided not to tell anyone our name choices to avoid a diplomatic incident. I can just imagine revealing our great idea only to be told it’s the name of someone’s evil ex-boyfriend or horrible boss. This way, by the time we tell people it’ll be too late for them too say anything other than: “Oh how lovely, it really suits him/her.”

I’m all about tactics!

Ria is researching how to bring up baby...

Things are starting to happen with a bit more ferocity now! My belly has been growing daily, and people are beginning to notice more that I am pregnant, although I’m pretty sure I could still be hiding it if I wanted to, which is good I’m also still in my jeans quite comfortably which is great!

School has been tough this week, I keep finding myself going light-headed in the middle of lessons, particularly if I have to raise my voice or do something suddenly. It’s all well and good being able to rest with your feet up while sat at a desk, not so easy whilst running about teaching gymnastics or basketball! My job was advertised this week at school for maternity leave so lots of people that didn’t already know have suddenly become very interested in my growing tummy. We have a huge number of staff between 200-300 and random people who I have no idea who they are have been congratulating me!

Last week I bought the book called the Continuum Concept, which was written by a doctor who studied the behaviour of an Amazonian tribe for 5 years and used her findings to offer suggestions about how westerners bring up their children. The main theme behind the studies was presented in the Channel 4 series called Bringing up Baby, and advocates carrying baby at all times in the first 6 months in a sling, breastfeeding and baby sleeping in bed with parents, so that baby gets a complete “in arms experience” and is satisfied and nurtured, and then at 6 months is confident and independent to move away from mum / dad when he or she is ready to.

We have been researching the elements behind the theory as a lot of what she says makes sense, and we definitely are planning to carry baby as much as possible, but have not been sold on sleeping in bed with her - am convinced we’d squash each other or little one. So we have decided to get the Moffi Oberon hammock that suspends from a stand that can be by the bed…it looks so cosy I’d quite like to sleep in one!

Baby girl is kicking a lot more now, and there’s no mistaking it, I like the feeling of her wiggling about, reminds me that if I’m tired now, it’s nothing to what it’ll be like in three-and-half-months time!

Seven days left for Charlotte....

Well only one week to go until I go in for my caesarean and finally meet my baby!

The work has been manic on the house but we have managed to get the lounge back and so I have been cleaning like mad to have a room that we can all relax in. I think I must be nesting, as I found myself cleaning out some kitchen cupboards yesterday!!

I have been trying to spend as much time as possible with Hayden, I feel like I am missing him already even though I haven’t gone anywhere yet! Consequently he has been a very spoilt boy and having even more attention (if that’s possible!). I will have to stay in hospital for three nights so I will really miss him. However, it will also give me a chance to rest and get to know the new baby. Both sets of grandparents will be around to look after Hayden so I am sure he will be having lots of fun!

I went to hospital to meet with the anaesthetist and a midwife for my final check ups before having the baby. Strangely I am more nervous about having a caesarean this time than I was last time. It felt strange to be sat on a hospital bed knowing that in a few days time I would be going in to have the baby! The midwife was trying to listen to the baby’s heart beat and it had hiccups; it sounded like it was knocking on my tummy!

Well I think I will be having a boy, and Craig thinks I am having a girl so one of us is going to get a shock when the baby is born! The next time I write this blog I will have a bouncing new baby to tell you all about!

Pineapple and curry for Kelly!

Well dancing in high heels at the work party did not result in an early labour after all. Never mind - when the baby is ready I guess she/he will make an appearance. I started to take raspberry leaf tea tablets this week as I had heard that they may help me to prepare for labour. I hope so because at £7.50 they don’t come cheap!

I decided to start doing all the things that the old wives tales say : fresh pineapple, hot curries, raspberry leaf tea and of course the thing that got me pregnant in the first place (not quite so keen to try this though with my bump…). I’ll let you know next week if any of this works - I guess it may help but you can never tell.

Decided to still go to aqua natal this week as thought a bit of activity may help and I do enjoy the feeling of weightlessness in the water and it’s good to get together with the other mums-to-be and have a good natter. Steph is due two days before me and we were both gutted to find that one of the mums due on Christmas Eve had had her little baby before us so we went home feeling a bit frustrated for ourselves but obviously happy for her.

We are trying not to focus too much on our due dates but this is difficult as friends and family are inundating us with texts and calls checking that all is well. It is also hard because you cannot help but think every night when you go to bed “Will tomorrow be the day that I get to meet my little prince or princess”. I am so glad that I do not know if it is a boy or a girl and this is even more intriguing and exciting and I cannot wait to find out nor to find out what she/he looks like. I imagine that the baby will have lots of hair as I have been suffering from indigestion lately and Tim has thick hair...guess I will find out soon.

Because the baby’s head was engaged at 31 weeks I just thought something may have happened by now, but guess the baby is too comfy. You really don’t know when the big event will happen it’s frustrating but terribly exciting. I am not nervous at all and just really want something to happen and for everything to be ok. You can't help but think about it!

Friday, January 18, 2008 Meet Rosee, our new blogger!

Hi, I'm Rosee, I'm 32, and I'm expecting my first baby at the beginning of June. My husband Al and I got a bit of a surprise when I discovered I was pregnant - not least because I was about to start a new job!

I work as a deputy editor for a mountain bike magazine, and am normally very active, cycling 40 to 100 miles a week. Since I conceived I haven't been cycling anything like as much, and I really miss my long rides, but I try to get out when I can and walk lots too.

Cutting out the booze means the reduction in exercise hasn't really affected my weight much, and I'm trying to eat sensibly and healthily during my pregnancy. I'm very into everything organic - my mum has worked in organic gardening for 16 years, so I had the whole ethos drummed into me as a child. Normally that doesn't stop me having the occasional McDonalds, but I've been amazed by how I've completely gone off junk food now, which is probably a good thing.

Having said that, I have been craving sweet things, which is unusual for me. I try to stick to fruit most of the time, but quite a few cakes and muffins somehow find their way into my lunchbox for work each week!

In the past I've been very into yoga and swimming, and I know I should be doing both of these again now, but my job keeps me very busy and I often don't feel like it. I keep telling myself "I'll start on Monday" which is not good enough really.

When I'm not reading baby books and day-dreaming about names I like going for long walks and I love making stuff - jewellery, chutney, jumpers - whatever takes my fancy. I'm also into photography and playing my guitar. Although I'd rather read a book than watch telly, I'm addicted to The Daily Show on More 4.

This year is going to be so different for me. I've got a very full life and I know that the baby will bring a huge change of priorities. But I love a challenge, and I guess there's no greater challenge than motherhood!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Chalotte packs her hospital bag...

This week I packed my hospital bag. I had forgotten how much I need to take for a newborn baby! There are so many nappies, and baby grows and all sorts to remember. The things I have packed for me look small in comparison! I’ve also packed some presents for the baby and for Hayden to give to each other in hospital. The baby has some cuddly toys and Hayden has some Bean Bag Pocoyo toys which he will absolutely love. So hopefully it will be nice for him when he comes into the hospital to meet his new brother or sister for the first time.

A friend recommended that when Hayden comes in to the hospital I should make sure I am not holding the baby so that I can give Hayden the attention and introduce him to the baby slowly. Naturally, I have been thinking about how I want to make sure that Hayden doesn’t feel left out as I won’t be able to pick him up after the caesarean. Craig and I think it’s really important to share looking after the baby and Hayden, so that it doesn’t result in me looking after the baby and Hayden always spending time with his dad.

I treated myself to a spa morning with my friend Lynsey this week. Lynsey is due to have her baby 5 days before me, so we thought we would treat ourselves to some relaxation before the babies arrive when we will have no time to get dressed! I had a massage and pedicure (after all I can’t get to my feet now, let alone see them!!). The funniest thing was that we confessed our choices of baby names and out of all the thousands of names we could have picked, we have both picked the same girls name!! The name is not an every day name either which makes it more spooky!

Only two weeks to go……!

Ria is out on the town....

It’s Sunday, after an evening out (until 1am) and I’m not exhausted! Miracles do happen! Had a hectic Friday and all day at the Rugby in the rain, and by the time Saturday evening came I was expecting to be giving up early and being at home in bed by 10pm! But had a fab meal out with friends - and several cranberry juices later I was still going strong! We were sat outside with everyone drinking very spangly looking mojitos whilst I was supping on a hot chocolate, and bizarrely enough everyone else was jealous of me!

Baby is definitely making herself known a lot more of late, tummy is looking a lot more pronounced now and on occasions I glance at myself and think I really do look pregnant now! She is also kicking a lot more, especially in the evenings, and when we go to bed. I had our puss cat on my tummy the other day when she was kicking and I’m sure Buttons must have wondered what on earth I’d eaten because my belly was going so bonkers! I also woke up this morning and my tummy was really uneven – one side sticking up a lot more, and it felt really hard, almost like her spine sticking out. Suddenly it’s feeling a lot more like someone is in there!

The next few weeks are likely to be really crazy for us and I’m starting to feel the effects of pregnancy already causing stress! I am trying to teach trampolining without ever stepping on the trampoline, and also sorting out my Cheerleading Squad for a performance and am feeling decidedly less bouncey about it than I should be! It’s crazy to think that we’ll be in the third trimester soon, when it seems so little time ago that we were eagerly awaiting the 12 week window so we could tell people…little one is going to be here before we know it!

Kelly is hoping dancing will bring on the baby!

I have finally finished work with 2 weeks left until my due date hooray!!! We have a work party this Friday night and the theme is James Bond. I just manage to fit into a pre-pregnancy black velvet evening gown which is lucky and my bump looks very prominent which is great. We are hoping that having a dance or two and wearing high heels may help stimulate labour as we are getting so impatient to meet our baby and feel ready now……here’s hoping as I really don’t enjoy this waiting game, can you tell I am a bit of a control freak?

The nesting instinct continues to have an influence with cleaning the fridge, dusting, washing, shopping, sorting out, doing housework and baking my Christmas cakes. I have turned into a domestic goddess. Watch out Nigella!

Four of the six of us from our antenatal group have given birth now and it’s just me and Steph left… So far there are 3 boys and 1 girl and Steph knows she is having a girl so if we have one too that evens it up otherwise the boys will be fighting over the 2 girls. They have all chosen lovely names – Ciaron, Polly, William and Sonny.

I saw the midwife this week and she said that our baby has gone even lower and is in the perfect position for birth - let’s hope the wriggler stays that way to help its mum out. I have booked in to see her again the day before I am due for a sweep should I have not given birth by then. I have also booked in for a manicure and a facial to help me relax next week and I cannot wait. I think probably the best thing is for me to relax while I can and the little one will make an appearance when they are good and ready….

The last day at work for Charlotte...

It was my last week at work this week. I made sure everything was up to date for Sarah - my colleague who is taking over my role. Everyone was very kind and gave me a lovely send off. When I left I felt strangely sad. I guess I am leaving my ‘adult‘ life and another new chapter is about to start with the new baby!

I saw my midwife too this week, at 36 weeks. All is well with the baby; he or she is head down in a perfect position for birth! I am still getting lots of strong movements too. They always come at the times when I am resting - particularly when I have just got into bed at night!

I am so big now that just walking up and down the stairs makes me out of breath. A walk around the supermarket pushing the trolley with Hayden sat in it wears me out too! Unfortunately I know I should be getting lots of rest, but Hayden always has other ideas and wants to be doing something! I have managed to distract him for some periods of time drawing and doing craft activities where we can sit down! The hardest thing too is the builders are still finishing the house, so there is lots of disruption and not much space for relaxing!

I’m getting impatient now for the birth to arrive as I am feeling so big but I keep having to remind myself that this is the last pregnancy I plan to have so I should make the most of it and cherish the experience as it won’t happen again! (Well I certainly won’t miss the swollen legs and ankles!).

Ria's little one is kicking out!

This week we have felt the first flutterby kicks in my tummy, at first I wasn’t sure that it was, but there started to become a pattern to it and eventually I could put my hand on my belly and feel it too! I was beginning to feel that we should have started to feeling kicks by now so was glad that we could, Jon keeps sneaking his hand to my tummy and singing to my belly! She doesn’t kick hardly at all during the day, just in the evening when I finally sit or lie down, apparently when you’re moving around it lulls them to sleep so it’s when you sit still that they wake up. I wonder if that’s the same when little one is in the outside world? Probably!

At the doctors this week we discovered that Jon’s blood group is also O negative, so our baby will definitely be rhesus negative like us, so we don’t need to worry about antibodies and having blood treatments which is good. Now that we have had the second scan, we’re just waiting for little one to get bigger and bigger, she is about 21cm long at the moment, and growing a cm a week. My tummy is starting to show, I keep catching the kids at school checking out my belly which is very amusing to me, especially when I catch them and they get embarrassed. I still can’t believe five months have gone already, I really thought I’d be bigger by now, but am not knocking it at the moment.

Jon’s sister is having a wedding blessing in 3 weeks time, and I’ve bought a lovely wrap top from Isabella Oliver that snuggles around bump and shows it off nicely, am hoping that I’ll still fit into the skirt I plan to wear by then!

Since finding out that Mung Bean is a girl, we have started calling her by the name we want to give her. It does make it seem a lot more real, especially now that she’s kicking, but they can never be totally sure when it comes to girls, so we best not get too attached to the name, or we could have a very embarrassed little boy in 4 months time!

Kelly is counting down the days...

I have started to count down the days left at work until my maternity leave begins – only 4 more working days to go!! I feel ok but with hindsight perhaps it would have been better to finish this week with 3 weeks before my due date but at least I only have 3 working days left next week and then I will be off.

We did the hospital tour last week and a top up ante-natal class and this was the perfect time for us to do this as I am constantly thinking about labour and our new arrival. It was both great and reassuring to see where everything was at the hospital and how things work. I would recommend that if you are having a hospital birth that you take the time to visit the hospital in your last month so you know what to expect. We were taken to the delivery suite and then the maternity ward and shown rooms on each. We did not hear a single scream either which was quite calming. We felt an awful lot more relaxed afterwards and I now feel more ready for labour. I am so excited and really hope that everything goes well and that we have a very healthy baby very soon.

Over the last couple of days I have started to get period type pains and my pelvis has become a bit sore especially when I have been sat in the same position for a while. I guess that this is my body getting ready for the big event and the baby seems to be even lower down than last week. I am not suffering from any puffy ankles and I am still trying to be as mobile as possible. I stopped yoga this week as I was going to a normal class and not a pregnancy class so I thought at 36 weeks this was a good time to stop.

However, I am still going to aqua natal which is very relaxing - a bit of a workout and a great excuse to chat to other mum’s-to-be. I have met some great friends at both aqua-natal and ante-natal and although I have lots of friends and family with babies and young children it is nice to experience having a child at the same time as my new mum-to-be-friends. I meet weekly with my fellow ante-natal mum’s and we already have a baby boy and girl added to the group. I have a feeling there will be another addition this week…..

Friday, January 4, 2008 Ria is having a girl!

Mung Bean is a girl!!! We’ve just got back from our 20 week scan, and little one is more than likely a little girl, it would have been very exciting either way but I am secretly quite pleased! I feel as though a girl is best first time around, just because I understand them a bit better! Jon was absolutely convinced baby was a boy, and although he’s not disappointed I know he wants a boy at some stage so the pressure will be on next time!

We had a GP appointment before the scan today, so I have been well prodded and poked, but we’ve heard and seen the little heart beating and all seems well. The ultrasound was a bit tricky as baby was upside down and wedged really low in my pelvis so the lady couldn’t get to measure the head or heart at first. We were sent out into the waiting room in the hope baby would wiggle around into the right position, we thought me being upside down might help, so I sneaked into the ladies and did a shoulder stand for 5 minutes! It seemed to work as on the second go baby had flipped right over!

We saw fingers, toes and everything in between and everything was as it should be so that’s all good. I have been a bit worried that I’m not big enough, as although I have a little bit of a tummy everyone else seems to be a lot bigger at this stage, but she assured me that I was fine and my abdominal muscles were just doing a good job at keeping everything tucked in still!

Our e-Bay scouting for buggies has also paid off, our brand new Quinny Buzz arrived this week, we won the auction for it at £150 less than they cost in the shops and it’s perfect so really chuffed with ourselves. Currently the stuffed monkey my mum bought us has been test driving it round the house, and seems quite content. I’m sure it’s not normal behaviour to dress stuff toys up in reusable nappies and strap them into prams but it all made sense at the time!

Kelly is nesting...

At 35 weeks, I have suddenly started to really feel quite heavily pregnant and the baby is so low down it feels like I am going to the toilet every 20 minutes. I am still not as big as I thought I would be at this stage and have not really put on any weight anywhere else. Although I feel heavier, I am much more active and less tired than I thought I would be in this trimester. The 3rd trimester really is not that bad and I think doing yoga, aqua natal and walking has really helped me to stay relaxed and healthy.

Although I am still at work, I have stopped working Wednesdays for my last month to break the week up. I decided to work until 2 weeks before my due date as I wanted to have more time off with our baby. I am also very active and always like to be doing things so I felt that this would work better for me. I am not working the last two Fridays either, so at least I will only be doing 3 day weeks for the last fortnight at work unless the baby decides to come early of course!!

The nursery is finished – hoorah!!! It looks fantastic and is such a lovely bright yellow and it looks so homely. I cannot stop myself from going in there and looking around as it makes me smile and I am really looking forward to the baby coming. A kind lady at work extended our 'Jungle Fever' curtains as they only seem to make matching curtains for small windows and not older style houses and they look brilliant. I spent hours packing all the clothes and baby bits away and staring at all the tiny vests and wondering what our baby would like in these teeny weeny clothes – aah, I cannot wait. I also packed my hospital bag and the baby’s bag so I really feel that I am getting things sorted. Perhaps the nesting instinct has come early...must start thinking about attacking the kitchen cupboards soon…..or maybe not.

Charlotte wakes up to the benefits of organic milk...

Zzzzzzzzzz... The baby has been waking me up twice in the night as it has now dropped and presses on my bladder! To add to that, Hayden has been getting up in the night due to teething, so I have been getting lots of broken sleep – it’s good training for the arrival of the new baby though! Putting him in the big bed was good preparation for when the baby arrives. When he has got up in the night, he has occasionally got himself back into bed. So I hope when the baby arrives I won’t be spending too much time putting him back to bed at night, otherwise there will be no time for me to sleep!

I have been thinking lately about the challenges I may face getting the new baby to breast feed, and hope that he or she may take to it more easily than Hayden did. Unfortunately caesarean born babies tend to be sleepier at birth so it is a challenge to wake them up and get them to feed! I breast fed Hayden for the first 16 weeks until he was not getting enough from me at each feed. This was so that I could protect him from getting very bad eczema or allergies as I suffer from eczema, asthma and allergies and my partner suffers from allergies too. This is why I really want to breast feed the new baby too.

Unfortunately Hayden started developing eczema at about 6 months (probably when the antibodies from my breast milk that gave him protection had worn off!). Thankfully it isn’t anywhere near as bad as my eczema was as a child. Since he was weaned, I try to give him a healthy diet, so he eats lots of fresh fruit and vegetables (some of which are organic) and organic meat, fish, milk, eggs and yoghurts.

So I was interested to read a recent study which found that children who ate organic dairy produce had a lower risk of eczema compared to children eating ‘conventionally’ farmed dairy. They think that the strong link between consuming organic milk and reduced eczema incidence may be because organic milk has a higher level of omega three fats compared to conventionally farmed milk. A second study also found that breastfeeding women eating organic meat and dairy foods had higher levels of essential fatty acids in their breast milk compared to women eating/drinking conventionally farmed produce.

This has made me think more about what I eat too. As a vegetarian I eat organic eggs and some organic fruit and vegetables, but the cheese and milk that I have is not organic. I have been taking an omega three supplement to boost my intake for the new baby’s benefit as much as my own, but I think I might start drinking organic milk and eating more organic dairy produce too. If I give these benefits to my son why not give them to me and my new baby too?!