*~*~* The Decemberists! *~*~*

[smawfl]

:wave: Smawfl I was just thinking it was about 3rd trimester time for you! Congratulations!! How do you feel? It seems like a lot of women on the forum feel nervous about the milestone, but I'm just excited! When is your 4D scan?

Happy to report not much has changed over here...I don't want to jinx it but I have to say I've really enjoyed this part of the pregnancy. Not too uncomfortable yet and I love feeling the hiccups and wiggles. Looking forward to our growth scan next Friday, hoping he stays healthy and squirmy in there until September and excited about meeting him soon!

Hi Seaweed!

Thank you! I feel really good! I'm really enjoying this stage of pregnancy, feeling Baby move around is the best!!

4D scan is the 7th July, can't wait

Glad you're enjoying the pregnancy too! Exciting for your scan!!

Can't believe September is almost here!!

 

[smawfl]

I'm sure 26 weeks I was an egg plant too?! hmmm..

 

[Pusscat]

Han - sorry to hear about your Grandpa passing away and the car accident It must have been a very stressful time for you. Glad that baby and you are doing well though. And congratulations on your finals results You deserve some good news!!

Smawfl - lovely to hear baby Smawfl is keeping nice and active and looking forward to seeing the 4d scan photos. It must be so exciting having that to look forward to! I don't think we're going to have one as DH doesn't like how the babies look in the photos Egg plant lasts a few weeks I think. I'm very pleased to have turned into a squash over the weekend

Seaweed - not long until your scan and like you say, not long until September Glad you're enjoying this part of your pregnancy. I'm just getting to the stage where I'm not enjoying it quite so much. Feeling big movements is great and love picturing what my baby looks like inside me right now, she's getting so big But also getting to the stage where I can't believe I still have potentially 2 months of baby growing still to come.

I'm feeling really guilty at the moment because I've taken the day off, feeling a bit poorly, and my head has made me feel bad about it I've had a sore throat all weekend and feel like I might be getting a chest infection. If you remember, I had a chest infection for about 2 months over the winter so I'm quite worried about it happening again. Yesterday the cough was worse than it is today and I text my headteacher, warning her I might not be in today. I rang the doctors and I'm going to see someone in an hour even though the cough seems a bit better. Told head this morning and she said it would be difficult to arrange cover for me due to me telling her at this late stage!!!!!!!! But I told her yesterday! I'm the kind of person that has to be really ill to take the day off work and it's taken a lot to put me and my baby first, and her response has really made me feel guilty! Any other time I would have gone in if I felt like this. I need a bit of reassurance that I've done the right thing. Hopefully seeing the doctor will help.

Sorry for the rambling. Need to get it out of my system and it's hard to do that when you're sitting at home on your own and going over and over it in your mind!

 

[smawfl]

I'm feeling really guilty at the moment because I've taken the day off, feeling a bit poorly, and my head has made me feel bad about it I've had a sore throat all weekend and feel like I might be getting a chest infection. If you remember, I had a chest infection for about 2 months over the winter so I'm quite worried about it happening again. Yesterday the cough was worse than it is today and I text my headteacher, warning her I might not be in today. I rang the doctors and I'm going to see someone in an hour even though the cough seems a bit better. Told head this morning and she said it would be difficult to arrange cover for me due to me telling her at this late stage!!!!!!!! But I told her yesterday! I'm the kind of person that has to be really ill to take the day off work and it's taken a lot to put me and my baby first, and her response has really made me feel guilty! Any other time I would have gone in if I felt like this. I need a bit of reassurance that I've done the right thing. Hopefully seeing the doctor will help.

Sorry for the rambling. Need to get it out of my system and it's hard to do that when you're sitting at home on your own and going over and over it in your mind!

I 100% think you've done the right thing!! Try not to feel guilty You are putting yourself and baby first which it the important thing. It's your head's job to arrange cover, and it's her problem (that's why she's head) so try not to worry. I hope you get seen quickly and you feel better soon!!

 

[Pusscat]

Thank you so much Smawfl That is just what I wanted to hear. My head isn't a very good head and I often think I should get a job in another school because of her. I think maybe once baby's here , in a year or so, I'll look for another job nearer home and with more supportive staff!!

 

[smawfl]

Thank you so much Smawfl That is just what I wanted to hear. My head isn't a very good head and I often think I should get a job in another school because of her. I think maybe once baby's here , in a year or so, I'll look for another job nearer home and with more supportive staff!!

You've totally done the right thing. Although I do understand your guilt.

When I had my early scan and was having pains in my abdomen, I needed to stay in hospital overnight and I (stupidly) thought I could go into work the next day. DH had to practically force me to ring in sick (I hadn't officially told them yet as I was only 8 weeks) but I felt like i was letting work down. Really took a while for me to shift my mindset, as like you I only call in sick if I'm REALLY ill. In fact a few months ago i took a day off when I had a cold and that was hard but I was so glad i did, as i really needed the rest, especially being pregnant. So it's important for you if you're not feeling well, to look after your body, and rest.

 

[Pusscat]

Back from Docs and I don't have chest infection, which is good. She thinks it's just an infection of the upper respiratory tract and won't necessarily travel down to my chest and should get better on its own. She didn't want to give me any antibiotics. I think this is all the more reason to stay off work and rest because I just know what happens with my body - these tickly coughs always get worse in my experience. Got to do all I can to not let that happen. Chicken soup for lunch!

 

[smawfl]

Glad it's not a chest infection! Lots of rest and chicken soup

 

[Pusscat]

Changing the subject away from my worries - has anyone bought a baby carrier/wrap? I really like the idea of baby wearing and like the look of the stretchy wraps. There's lots out there though so wondering if anyone has any experience of them or have decided which one they want to use?

 

[smawfl]

No I've not thought about it to be honest. I thinkg DH would like one..

To be honest I dont think my back would cope! Struggling as it is with the pregnancy and extra weight I'm carrying now!

 

[gaiagirl]

Hey Ladies!

Hanyou - sorry you had such a rough month Congrats on the grades though and I'm so excited to see what you're having!!!!!

Pusscat - DON'T feel bad about days off! They're so important to ensure you don't need more time off, think of it as a preemptive strike Our union here has negotiated 15 medical/illness days per year and to take one you just enter the absence in a computer system and it searches for a replacement teacher-on-call automatically! It's actually an amazing system and it really eliminates having to justify yourself to someone which is total crap!

As for carriers, I have a Moby wrap (got it used in excellent condition for 1/2 price) and also a snugli carrier. The snugli will pretty much be our emergency carrier to keep in the car, since it's really not the greatest. Got it for $10 used though.

I'd also like to get a Boba or Beco carrier, not sure if they sell them in the UK but they're the top 2 kinds here. Or Ergo. I think I might wait on those until a month or so after the baby and actually go in and try them on, and see how baby likes it! They're about $150 Canadian so you want to be sure

The Moby will be perfect for the first few months anyways

 

[Shh]

Flying visit as I'm in the middle of painting (the nesting phase is still all go!), but I baby wear (or did, but its been a bit uncomfortable recently), I would highly recommend a stretchy wrap for the first few months, like Gaia said, Moby are good, but also have a look at Je Porte Mon Bebe, I think I'm going to get one of those this time, or a Close Carrier (Caboo I think they're called now), they're more structured than a wrap and may be easier to use, I had one last time and got a LOT of use out of it. In terms of carriers, I would have a look at a Boba 3G, they can be used from birth and have a newborn setting so you don't have to buy a separate insert. If anyone wants help i.e. where to buy them etc, I'll be happy to help.

Right, I'll pop back and chat tomorrow, my brushes are drying out!!

 

[Pusscat]

Gaia - that absence system sounds fab. I hate how teachers seem to be expected to work unless at deaths door! It's good to hear some countries are trying to make it easier for their teachers. I'm sure it'll help cut teacher stress and teacher's going off long-term sick.

I've looked at the Moby and it was top of my list until I had a look at the Je Porte Mon Bebe and love the look of that one even more The fabric looks so snuggly. Shh - what's made you want to swap to the JPMB? And in what circumstance would you use the Boba over the JPMB? Do I need a carrier and a sling?

 

[Pusscat]

Oh, and meant to say hope the painting is going well!!!

 

[Shh]

I've looked at the Moby and it was top of my list until I had a look at the Je Porte Mon Bebe and love the look of that one even more The fabric looks so snuggly. Shh - what's made you want to swap to the JPMB? And in what circumstance would you use the Boba over the JPMB? Do I need a carrier and a sling?

Well, a stretchy wrap is only designed to be used for a few months, the JPMBB is an exception to the rule though as it only stretches one way, so safer to use as they get heavier/wriggle! The reason I'm thinking of changing is because I'm better at wrapping now as I've used woven wraps with DD, they looked intimidating before, the Close carrier was VERY easy to use for a beginner, but I'm sure with tutorials/videos etc the JPMBB would be easy for a beginner too, its all about getting the wrap tight enough. The Boba can be used for a much longer time, well into toddler-hood, the 3G has foot stirrups, which allows it to be used for much longer than other carriers such as an Ergo etc I believe. Its also very 'man friendly', my OH won't use a wrap, although he did use the Close carrier. I find a carrier much quicker to use than a wrap, so better for popping into the shop, going for a coffee etc (I feel intimidated using a wrap in public if I have to take LO in and out of it, sometimes I can get in a bit of a mess with the length of it). I also use a ring sling a lot with DD for this purpose, so will probably try and use that a bit with the NB when it has reasonable head control. The Boba would be a very good investment I'd say, especially if OH will use it, whereas a wrap would maybe be comfier for you both around the house iyswim?

In answer to your question, I've loved having both the option of a carrier and a sling/wrap, but perhaps get one and see how much you're using it before buying the other. The Boba would probably be a bit more 'user-friendly' if you think you'll get in a muddle with a stretchy wrap. Also, look on ebay for a bargain wrap, then you could have a play and sell on if you don't get on with it, I doubt you'll find a Boba on ebay though.

The best thing to do would be to try and go somewhere that you could try a few out. I've ordered from Love To Be Natural and Maverick Baby before, so try them for advice perhaps, alternatively, see if there is a local Sling Meet near you (just google), and then people will bring along some for you to have a look at.

Painting - it was going well until DH put the wardrobe back. Its completely the wrong colour, I'm so cross with myself for not using a tester, this is the third time I've done this! (I've ended up repainting our entrance and a desk, you'd think by now I wouldn't be making the same mistake again!!)

 

[gaiagirl]

Ok ladies...we have a gigantic board of boys names going in our house, it's ridiculous I need to narrow it down.

We aren't sharing the names with any of our friends/family so this is the only place I can get opinions! Please help

I have always loved Finley (Finn).

I am also really loving Grayson right now too!

Thoughts?!?!

 

[smawfl]

Both lovely names!

My vote would go to Finley/Finn!

Would Grayson be abbreviated to Grey?

 

[gaiagirl]

Smawfl that's exactly my one hesitation with Grayson! I love love love the name but I really want a name that can be shortened.

Finley is definitely our top, but I worry that lately it seems to be becoming a popular GIRLS name!?! Arg I would hate him being in class with girls named Finley!!!

 

[smawfl]

I only know boy Finley's!

 

[seaweed eater]

I don't know any Finleys, boy or girl, but I think it's a masculine enough name and Finn is an adorable nickname! (Then again, Munchkin's name is definitely a unisex name, so clearly this was not the biggest concern for us.)
I love both of them, but if you want a name that can be shortened I would say Finley definitely has that advantage over Grayson.