"Does anyone else not test early" Refugee Club

[Noo]

I think baby showers are seen in the UK as asking/begging for gifts a little like carol singing or trick or treating... I have a baby box at work though that the manager puts out for mummies going on maternity leave. Then colleagues can choose whether or not to add a gift/card/message to my box and I'll take it with me when I finish at the end of the month... I suppose it isn't much different really though that way people feel they have more of a choice whether to bring a gift or not and don't feel obliged to buy from a specified list.... I HATE wedding gift lists! They really boil my piss....

 

[more babies]

I'm so excited for you Lotus! I can't wait for your post saying things are really getting going!

I do too find it odd that baby showers aren't more common over there. Here they are expected for your first and nowadays people have them for each child. I had a small one for DD1 (also a surprise) but I was very young then so also slightly uncomfortable. With DD2 I didnt have one (nor did I expect one) and we still had everything from DD1. Lots of people stopped by with small gifts after we had her though. With this one I didnt expect one either but my friends wanted to do one for me given the age gap and different sex. We had already bought all the big things ourselves anyways and like I said people got us mostly clothes which is fine because I wasn't expecting anyone to do anything as far as a shower anyways. It was definitely nice to be thought of though and to see and hang out with everyone!

Mrs. Eddie glad to hear you had fun at the party! When I went to my friends bachelorette party I only went to the house before and then dinner.

AFM I had my 2 week check up today and I somehow gained 6lbs in 2 weeks! Its weird too because I just said to DH two days ago that I hadn't noticed myself getting any bigger lately so the gain was quite a shock. I'm now extra anxious for my scan on the 10th and hopefully he's measuring a good size so I know where some of that weight went!

 

[more babies]

Noo its good to hear from you! How have you been lately?

 

[more babies]

Here's me and my bump at 34+4 and now 31lbs heavier Makes it hard to believe I only gained 14 & 18lbs with my other two.

 

[Noo]

Noo its good to hear from you! How have you been lately?

I'm doing okay thanks. Shattered and looking forward to finishing work now. I don't really have much time to get on here much anymore as work takes all my energy!

 

[Mrs. Eddie]

A baby box is a nice idea too; I like the idea of people leaving you encouraging messages as well.

I have always loved buying presents for Baby Showers so never even thought of it as a hassle. I guess it would be kind of weird if someone organized one for themselves or something but as they are always put on by family or close friends I've never really thought of it as the person asking for anything, though I guess they do often make a registry... Funny how different traditions are viewed in various places.

Morebabies, like you, I too have always also brought gifts after the baby is born as well, (first visit). With my friends and their kids (since there are so many now), we generally just do presents for baby shower, (so far only for first children), first visit and then first birthday but then that's it. Otherwise I would be broke buying things for like 12-14 kids every year

Also, there was quite a large age gap between my youngest brother and the rest of us and my Mom's friends also threw her a shower too. I think its pretty common as most people think you probably don't have any of your old baby stuff (or it may need to be replaced by that point anyway).

 

[Mrs. Eddie]

And you're still looking good Morebabies, I can't believe you've gained 31 lbs, it doesn't look like it. Maybe a lot of it is boob weight, that's what I try to tell myself to make me feel better

Noo, sorry work has been so tough, hope that you're done soon!

 

[Noo]

I wish we did have baby showers... with an 8 year old we're starting again for this baby! Eek!

 

[Mrs. Eddie]

I wish we did have baby showers... with an 8 year old we're starting again for this baby! Eek!

I can only imagine how expensive it must be to prepare for a baby without one

 

[Noo]

On the plus side... My blankie is coming along nicely

 

[baby1wanted]

Mmm I guess the baby shower thing must be variable in the UK. I've been to 3 so far this year, there's another 2 in the diary and friends/family are already talking about planning mine!
Blankie looks lovely Noo.
New issue here for me is hip pain. I have had bad hips for a while and was on crutches for a few months last year with my left one. I've had them nicely under control for a while but have always been worried how they would cope with a pregnancy. But I certainly didn't expect anything to start this soon Stupid relaxin! Oh we'll it's going to be a case of Physio heal thyself... Exercises start this evening...
Have a lovely day everyone

 

[Toms Mummy]

Oh dear baby1! Could it be spd? Aggrivated due to your bad hip? I hope the physio helps! My friend was on crutches with both her pregnancies from early on, but as soon as babies were born she was back to normal

When's the wedding mrs eddie? This weekend?

I went to my 1st yoga birth class last night. It's about how to use yoga techniques and breathing in labour, the teacher is a midwife as well as a yoga tracher It was really good and I can't wait to go again next week!.... Not much more to report really, I hit 24 weeks tomorrow so will be viable yey! My next milestone is a midwife app in 4 weeks when I will hear heartbeat

 

[Mrs. Eddie]

Beautiful blanket Noo, I wish I was that crafty. Thankfully my Nana has made me a beautiful blanket for Isla!

Sorry about your hip pain Baby1; I really hope you can find some way to manage it.

Tom's, glad that you are loving prenatal yoga. It is very calming and does help use muscles that you will likely be using during birth. Our prenatal instructor told those of us who were doing it that it would likely be helpful during labour. Also, I can't believe that you are already 24 weeks; your pregnancy is really flying.

No weddings this weekend; the two that I am supposed to attend are in August. One is on August 4 (my sister's, I am the MOH so need to be there), and then my good friend's is on August 17 I am really hoping to be able to make it to both; hopefully I still feel well enough to attend the one on the 17th. We've had a ton of stuff going on this summer and my friend's wedding is the last thing on my "to attend" list before Isla is born...she can come anytime after that though

 

[Noo]

Beautiful blanket Noo, I wish I was that crafty. Thankfully my Nana has made me a beautiful blanket for Isla!

You can be! I couldn't even do a line of stitches 2 weeks ago This is my first attempt!

 

[Buttercup2]

Everyone had been so chatty the last few days! It's nice to hear what you are all up to!

I'm in the US (where showers for everything are very popular) but it still always seems strange to me. I've never turned down someone who offered to throw me one though. Stuff is so expensive! I also enjoy buying gifts for people, but it can get crazy when everyone you know is having a baby!

 

[Toms Mummy]

I've been so lucky this time round! When I was pregnant with Tom I knew no one else who was pregnant,, or other new mums for that matter so had to buy everything!..... My MIL and mum helped us out with pram and cot which was great! I bought everything else either brand new or off ebay!

This time round however, I have everything I need and I haven't spent a penny There are sooo many people I know now who are willing to just get rid of everything! I think it's because I'm the last of my mummy friends to have a 2nd (although i was the 1st to have a 1st ) so they're all done and want to de-clutter

I have bought 2 things though.... a lovely Ellaroo woven wrao, which I can't wait to use And some boden girly tights

 

[more babies]

Toms I too can't believe you're already 24 weeks. Time really does fly by!

Mrs. Eddie good luck at your weddings and your shower! Just be sure to stay hydrated, especially in this heat! Thanks re the weight gain and my boobs have been sore lately so I'll go with some of the weight going there

Baby how is your hip? Hopefully the exercises have been helping some!

Buttercup how have you been doing/feeling?

Lotus I hope all is well with you and that your little one makes an appearance soon!!

Noo your blanket is looking great!

AFM I think this crazy nesting thing is kicked in.
Never had it with my other two that I can remember but I have it now and hate it! I hate it mostly because I can't actually do the things I want to do so its just giving me anxiety. I have now talked DH and the kids into shuffling the kids bedrooms around so this one will get his own room and not share mine. Of course this is driving me nuts because I can't help get things done and DH works so much that its hard for him to get it done quickly. I have packed a hospital bag, which is very unlike me as I am normally way too laid back and never prepared early. I installed the car seat base in the car. I also went a little crazy ordering things because I feel very unprepared and feel like I need to have everything now. So that was pretty much my day yesterday and I'm pretty sure I ended up giving myself contractions by the end of it. They certainly weren't the normal BH I get but they seem to have stopped after laying down for a couple hours. Having that happen just adds to my anxiety because now I really feel like I can't do anything. I think I'm seriously losing it!

 

[Toms Mummy]

Aww Morebabies, I'm sure you've got everything you need! And if you don't the shops are always there when baby has been born ..... Hope you're taking it easy now! It mus be exciting now you're getting closer to the end!

Yeah I can't believe I'm 24 weeks either! I'll have to take another bump pic later. She's kicking like crazy too!

Noo, I love the blanket. I have been able to knit for a few years now but I thought I'd try crochet the other day and I can't believe how much faster it is! I've recently made a hat and booties Might try a blanket next!

 

[annio84]

Hey girlies, just wanted to drop a quick note to say hi but will catch up later. I'm on mat leave now and despite having the worst last day at work I keep complaining that I want to go back to work til baby shows up!!

At risk of TMI my bowels have been having a serious clean out the last two days and had a lot of braxton hicks as well as the odd period type pain and some pains in my back on and off. Not getting too excited though. Anyhow, will have a good read through later, just off out for coffee.

 

[Mrs. Eddie]

Noo, good to know. I have absolutely no artistic skill at all but would love to try something like knitting as it seems quite relaxing, (if I could get myself to sit still for that long )

Morebabies, I definitely am not in nesting mode yet. I actually felt more inclined to do that sort of thing in second tri; lately I find that my energy is a bit lower, though that may be due to this stupid heat wave we are experiencing again. I am sure it will kick in during the next few weeks!

Tom's, we have had quite a few things given to us as well, which has been nice. My friend with twins has been trying to get rid of some things so we have gotten a number of things from her, (a Bumbo, vibrating chairs, Jolly Jumper). The best thing she has given me though is a breast pump, (saved us quite a bit of money). Our other friends also gave us a bassinet, which is awesome.

Annio, all of what you're experiencing sounds very exciting. I bet you're going to go into labour soon

Tomorrow is my baby shower and I am so excited! Can't wait