Bump Watch - week 22

5 months today!

Meet Dylan Henry Ivor Davis - scan pics from 24th August 2009

Dylan gives a wave
Spot the difference?
This one needs a little explanation. Bottom foremost in the picture is his bottom cheek, with a leg coming up and out to the left to the knee, then doubling back on itself and hooking behind the umbilical chord by where it says 'it's a boy'. By the big X is his willy (isn't he a big boy!), with the scrotum beneath, forming a kind of diamond shape. His other leg isn't visible.

So there he is, our gorgeous 21 week old baby boy!

*Sigh*...

... God being in London is depressing. People just act as they please and don't care about anyone else. They play loud music at all ours and let their dogs fight in the street. I can't even watch telly in my own home as the 16 year old scroat downstairs won't listen to music at anything approaching a reasonable level, and won't turn it down to a reasonable level when asked. Roll on the move. Roll on escaping to civilisation for the weekend.

God I'm so tired, Dylan woke me at 6.30 this morning, and I won't get any sleep with Ganja boy's tuneless bass soundtrack. I could cry, but I'm too tired...

More Freecycling

Some lovely folks on Freecycle have just given me a couple of clothes, from premature through to about 6 months! Thank you!

I'm going to give them all a good wash next week (when boiler-geddon is over!), sort them then pop some photos up of all the clothes I've been given/bought for Dylan so far.

Bump Watch @ BBC 27 August 2009

"By now, you won't be able to keep your pregnancy a secret – you will have a clear and definite bump on show to all, unless you hide it with loose clothing (all the time)" Not unless yo have a spare tent I can borrow?

Balls!

A lovely kind lady on Freecycle has given me a gym ball, which is identical to a maternity ball (the latter deflates slowly if popped - i'll just be careful!) It's going to be a gods send! I wnated to get one for my third trimester and the birth, as it's good for stretching out your back and also apparently helpd disuade baby's to lie in the breech position. My back has been murder recently, as limping seriously strains the muscles up the right hand side of my back. I've got to wait until all the boiler work is done, and the flat is less chaotic to try it out - I can't wait!

Helen's financial tip - buy Rennie shares

OK, my heartburn is out of control now. It's been getting worse for the past few weeks, but now I can easily get through a half dozen Rennies a day, and still be massively uncomfortable. I'm sipping milk too, but nothing seems to ease it for more than about ten minutes.

At this rate, Bayer Heath Care who make Rennies are going to post record profits this year!

Eco nappy samples

Ooooh my eco nappy samples have arrived - they are SO TINY!

I've been looking into these, and there is a little snag. Recent research speculates that due to how densely packed landfill site are, that anything biodegradable simply doesn't. I won't bore anyone with the science, but this article here was very interesting, and would love to hear evidence supporting and to the contrary on this. However, I think we've found a good solution - compost. Apparently these do very well in compost bins which, as we want one when we move and have a garden, is not a problem. Plus both sets of Grandparents compost, so we can always offer them some compost material! lol

Hopefully there won't be too many of these. I'm getting really excited by cloth nappies. If you prepare (which to be fair I have the time to do!), they aren't that much hassle. It's just a case of keeping a wet bag in the changing bag for damp nappies (solids are flushed away with the disposable liners) and a nappy bin to soak the nappies in until there's a washload full. I'm even looking into the possibility of making reusable wet wipes. They just get lobbed in along with the nappies, so shouldn't be much of a chore. I just hope that I'm not being too idealistic, but with some preparation, it looks more than practical!

The joys of being smart arses!

Al and I wrote don what we thought we were having, the day before the scan. Looks like we are psychic!

A Huuuuge thank you to...

... Auntie Lucy's mum who came across someone selling a moses basket and stand at her work, and has very, very kindly bought it us as a present! How sweet is that?! We should be getting it via Lucy courier next time she goes oop t'north, and we'll be sending a huuuuuge thank you with her!

What a star!

Adventures in brick dust

Stage one of the 'get the hell out of London' scheme as started - the new boiler is going in. Work started yesterday as it's like a martian seaside in this flat. Every surface in the kitchen was covered in a thick layer of brick dust from where they've bored the new floo pipe through the external wall. Washing up liquid and tea cups left little halos when moved. Every footfall round the flat is recorded by an orange smudge. Just what you need when you are nearly five months pregnant (yes five in less than a week, can you believe it!)

The front room looks like the weirdest bring and buy sale, with old boilers fighting with boxes of pot and pans for space, tool boxes jostling with packed boxes. Poor Elsie the cat yesterday didn't know if she was coming or going! She howled at the drill and cowered at the commotion. To be fair though, she only did this when she knew we were looking at her, I think a lot of it was for show - it sure hasn't affected her appetite which normally is the first sign of her stress! Drama queen!

So, I'm currently boiling kettles to get enough of a dribble in the bath to have a wash. Fortunately the plumbers don't arrive until 10am each day, so I don't have to drag the bump out of bed too early! Aaaaah, this is the life eh? I'm just thinking, for living in carnage now, Dylan might get to be born in the homelands, the Midlands (well, technically the Shires, but Al gets cross when I claim that Worcestershire/Worcestershire etc aren't really the Midlands, you want something far more Midlands-y like the Black Country or Brum for that! But he gets cross, so I'll shut up!)

Elsie is not impressed by the works

Right, kettle's boiled and there's no cup of tea in the offering... where's my towel?

God of the sea

As Dylan means god of the sea, does that mean I can buy this? Al and I saw it in Mothercare ages ago, should I???

Leg warmers

No, I'm not auditioning Dylan for fame, but I have just bought him hat are essentially leg warmers! They're called Baby Legs, and they are designed to keep baby's legs warm like tights, but without having to take them on and off everytime you need to change a nappy, like with tights. Plus they are cool and red and stripey!!! Oh, and only cost me £3 inc postage, when they are over a tenner with postage normally - whoop!

I'd like to joyfully introduce you to...

... Dylan Henry Ivor Davis, a beautiful hiccuping, big willied boy to be!

It's a boy!!!

Scan went perfectly, all healthy and right on target. The little lad was kicking like a pro, sucking his thumb and hiccuping at the Diet Coke I drank to make sure he was awake. he's kicking all hell out of me now in fact, so he definately had as good an afternoon as us!

Scan pics to follow when we can get hold of a scanner!

And the results are in...

According to you all, baby Davis is going to be...

...a boy!

Final results are:
59% Boy
41% Girl
13-9 votes

Pretty close, a Dylan then...just! Let's see what the scan says in an hour and a half! We're going for drinks after, so if you want to know the gender, you'll have to text/call me, or check my Facebook page!

Scan nerves

Oh God, the scan nerves are really kicking in now! Will he/she be healthy? Is it a boy or a girl? Is the baby too big? Wil they move my due date again?

I'm driving myself MAD! I'll post the poll results in a minute!

Bump Watch - week 21

21 week bump...

Scan - 6.5 hours!

So excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited!

At the moment I'm feeling boy - hopefully not long until I see if I'm right! :-D

Big kicks

I felt a very big kick last night, an I've had a few today. They actually feel like my belly is being moved rather than a feeling of a kick or movement on the inside, if that makes sense. I'm sure if I happened to have my hand there, I would have felt them externally, but as soon as I do, (s)he stops - typical! Hopefully this means we are getting into proper kicks territory now, and that they'll be both visible and and Alex will be able to feel them. All he can feel at the moment is me going 'prod here, this lump might be a finger'. A proper kick he or I can feel from the outside will be such a milestone. Fingers crossed!

With 24 hours to go...

...here's your last chance to vote:

Vote here

Oh God, I'm turning into a hippy mum already!

Oh God! I've already made the decision to be:

1. A baby wearer - ie use a sling to carry the bubba round. It's already bought off ebay and it's FABULOUS. I was a pin in the arse as a baby, to the point that I would only be carried facing forward or I'd whine to death. I figure by sods law, my baby will be that same. Plus I like the idea of having as much body contact with the bubba as possible, to reassure him/her and myself. Also it keeps your hands free and is a lot easier to manoeuvre around than a pram (not that we won't be using one mind, but the sling will just be more flexible.

2. A real nappy user. I'm really going to try and stick to real nappies. I can't bear the thought that when our little one is my age, his/her nappies will still be lying in a landfill somewhere intact, if we use standard disposables. Plus the cost an absolute bloody fortune. I'm hoping to use a combination of cloth nappies and eco-disposables for awkward moments, like 4am changes! I've off to a real nappy event on Friday to learn all about them, and get my £30 voucher. The lovely lady off Freecycle gave me about a dozen shaped terry nappies and liners when we got the baby gyms and steriliser, so other than disposable liners and waterproof outer wraps, according to what I've been reading, I'm fairly set up. I just need to sort a nappy bin and sterilising powders to soak them in... unless we go with another type of cloth nappy that is!

3. Breastfeeding - I'm at least going to give it a try, but I'm well aware that with all the best intentions in the word, sometimes it's just not meant to be.

These are apparently core values of 'natural parenting'. So yes, it looks like if all goes to plan, we're having a hippy baby! lol I think it's kind of cool though. Hopefully for a bit extra effort we should have a happier baby. I just hope I'm not being too idealistic! And no, the baby won't be wearing tie-dye...

Bump Watch @ BBC 23 August 2009

"You may have an ultrasound scan around this time. The scan can check your baby's spine, internal organs and growth are normal."

Just a day out there Mr BBC! God, I can't believe it's the scan tomorrow! FINALLY! The wait has felt like FOREVER! Just 27 hours to go... eeeeeeek!

Bump Watch @ BBC 22 August 2009

"Are you worried about stretch marks appearing? Rubbing in creams to moisturise the skin feels good, but there's no evidence they protect against stretch marks – they happen deep in the skin, where creams don't reach. Sorry..." I'll give you bloody sorry BBC... well, they seem kept them at bay on my stomach and boobs, shame I forgot about my thighs - doh! I'm sure it's a matter of time before I start looking like a cross-processed photo of a tiger!

An Omen?

I received a private scanning leaflet in the post today. It's probably because I'm so tired and exhausted after my Lewisham hospital adventure, but it feels like an omen, like we're not going to be able to find out the gender on Monday.

I'm so excited about Monday. To me, it's so important to find out the gender. As for the surprise aspect, I figure it'll be as much a surprise tomorrow as it would on labour day. Plus, labour day is going to be so tiring and emotional, I just feel already having a concrete concept of the baby's identity will help with the inevtitable shock of meeting a brand new life. Knowing I'm about to meet Dylan or Seren to me is an easier concept than meeting 'baby'.

Plus I can start stocking up on the occasional pink and blue items. I'm mainly going to go for cool, brightly coloured clothes I think. Hopefully they won't go as wishy-washy in the wash as pastels can, plus baby's gotta look cool and funky!

Anyway, I hope my sleepy brain is just being paranoid and baby Davis gives us a nice open leg shot at 4pm tomorrow! Of course, it goes without saying, as long as its healthy, it doesn't matter if it's a girls or boy.... but I REALLY want to know!

Problems with your leg? Oh, you'll be wanting gynaecology!

Just been discharged from Lewisham Hospital Gynaecology ward. Nothing wrong with the baby, just a dodgy leg. Quite how I ended up in Gynae is, well, baffling!

Went to the docs yesterday with an infection in the back of my knee, in the surgery scar; and some seriously impressive swelling from knee to toe. I mean an elephant's leg would be anorexic in comparison. Plus a hot knee and an ice cold foot. Anyway, Dr Useless sent me off to Lewisham Hospital to have a DVT scan. Anyway, it's a long and boring story of lost blood tests, eliminating whether it was a post surgical infection, crying and boredom. About midnight, life came back to my foot, which was nice, but the waiting continued. They spent about five hours deciding whether I was surgical or medical, only to hand me over to Gynae. Apparently the fact I'm pregnant overrides the gamminess of the leg and off to Gynae I went.... well, actually they finally moved me to the ward at a very tearful and over tired 3am. After a massively painful injection at 4am, I caught a hefty three hours sleep.

Again today was boring, waiting round for my DVT scan, the DVT scan being f*cked up, crying then eventually getting down for the scan at 3.30pm, a mere 7 hours after it was requested. All is clear, looks like it was a temporary arterial clot or something.... they didn't really care, just as long as it wasn't DVT!

Anyway, finally back home after an exhausting, miserable and confusing 22 hour stay in Lewisham Hospital. I've learnt one key lesson though.... I reeeeeally don't want to have my baby there!

Bladder Football

This is a game for one player, played for 24 hours a day. The rules are to stomp up and down on mummy's bladder until a) she swears at you; b) you make her go to the loo, even though she knows her bladder is empty as she emptied five minutes ago, for the 78th time today; and for bonus points c) catch a nerve so she jumps in surprise. Game is particularly a-foot (pardon the pun) when mum is walking down the street, or trying to have a nice lie down.

The game ends... well in about 4 1/2 months. Not available on any Sky Sports channel, and definately not Satanta.

Real nappy confusion

Woo hoo! Hopefully my real nappy confusion will soon come to an end. The Real Nappies for London scheme is holding an event at Lewisham library on 28th, demonstrating and explaining different types of real nappies to idiots like me who don't have a clue! Plus, if I take various bits of ID, I'll get a £30 voucher - which with an estimated cost of £120 for the first child, is a whacking great 25% off (I hope, or has my maths gone 'bad' yet again? £120 sounds a lot, but the estimate you'll spend at least £500 using disposbles - ouch! I think an extra washload per week might be worth it!

Bump Watch @ BBC 19 August 2009

"Think about where your baby is moving – near the top, or the bottom? See if you can work out if it's a hand or a foot you're feeling. Babies move around a lot at this time, and they're not settled head down (the usual position for birth) for some time yet." I have no idea. I just get poked and prodded. Could be a finger, coluld be a toe!

Alex's Tuppence Worth @ 19th August 2009

Boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl..... The question that seems to be consuming just about everyone that questions me on impending fatherhood, particularly in light of next weeks scan. But why oh why do people keep saying "I bet you're hoping it's a boy, Big Al!"

I can say in all honesty that, throughout Helen's pregnancy, I've had absolutely no preference or hope for a particular gender with our child. Since we first found out we were going to be parents (and particularly since Helens accident) my main concern has been that our baby will be healthy. With parents like us it's already pretty much doomed to have an obsession with music that borders on the fanatical (Helen tells me it was jiving like mad during last night's Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain BBC Prom) and that's a unisex hobby if ever there was one.

"Are you going to find out the gender?" is the other poser that keeps coming in the run-up to the scan. Hell yes! It's not like I've not had enough surprises this year already, and a vague hint towards the sex of your child does at least mean you can purchase baby clothes in colours other than white and yellow...

Rant over. Back to work - 'Sister Act: The Musical' at the moment. There's one area of repertoire that my offspring can discover for themselves - and if any sons happen to naturally gravitate towards musical theatre then it might turn out we've got a big girl after-all!

Alex aka Babydaddy

Bump Watch - week 20

Another week, another stupid grin!

Baby Davis needs YOU...

...to vote! Are we having a boy or a girl? In anticipation of our anomoly and gender scan on Mondy 24th, I thought I'd see what everyone thinks we're having - a dude or a dudette!

Cast your vote NOW!

Is Baby Davis a boy or a girl?

• 
  
  Boy


• 
  
  Girl

view results

Bump Watch @ BBC 16/17/18 August

Oooops I'm a bit behind, better do some catching up! I also need to get a pic of the bump up for the weekly pics bump watch. Will have to get Alex to do that when he gets back from MOTing the deathtrap, I mean Concorde the Scooter. Anyway, I digress... some bump watch!

16 Aug 2009
"Your baby weighs about 400 grams (about 14 ounces) and is about 25 centimetres long." Wow, that's nearly as long as a school ruler - eeeeeeeek!

17 Aug 2009
"Your baby's muscular development is rapid, and there's a lot of amniotic fluid and space to move around – so movements can be very active at times." Oooooooooh yes, though (s)he still manages to find the bladder/trampoline most of the time!

18 Aug 2009
"You may find your breathing is affected a little by your growing uterus – extra effort may leave you slightly breathless. This is because your uterus is pushing against your diaphragm, leaving less space for your lungs" Nope... but I have 'big lungs' PMSL (actually PMSL is a bit too close to the truth with my bladder at the moment!)

Zooby

I've found the cutest unisex cot bumpers and blankets etc in Boots. It's a range called Zooby and it's non of your unusal anaemic colours. Can I justify spending £40 on a bumper and blanket, even if it does have giraffes on it? Hmmmm, noooo. Might hit eBay and see what I can find!

It's official...

...I have stretchmarks :-(

As I've got them THIS early, it really doesn't bode well for the rest of the pregnancy It's so odd, I never got any during puberty and never got any whilst I've gained and lost weight over the years (I've been anything from a 10 to a 16 over the past ten years)... why now!?

I am NOT happy!

A present from Auntie Lucy

Bump got his/her first present over the weekend. Lovely Auntie Lucy bought these gorgeous clothes from M&S. There's a bib too, but I forgot to photograph it - doh!

Thanks Auntie Luce!

Oh god... please may I just be paranoid...

I've found some weird lines on my thigh and arse. Never hd them before so I don't know if they are, but am praying theya are not... stretchmarks! Surely it's too early? Surely they'd be on stomach?

Argh. Hope I'm being paranoid!

More bad maths!

Hmpf! I was soooo smug that the BBC would be wrong and today would be the halfway point. I mean, 20 weks, 0 days... it just sounds like half of 40 weeks and therefore halfway. But no, with my due date at 4th January, I'll be pregnant for 39 full weeks and 1 day (ie 40 + 0), which by my (probably incorrect) mathematics, puts the halfway point back at the 14th (ha! BBC you said 13th! Ha! (I shouldn't be smug with my history of bad maths!))

Anyway, enough digression! Today's still important... one wek until the anomoly and gender scan!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!! I am SO EXCITED! I can wait a week! A week is a waitable amount of time! "Only 7/6/5/4/3/2/1 days of not knowing if it's a Dylan or a Seren" (currently the girl' nme front runner) I can say to myself.

SO EXCITED!

Bump Watch @ BBC 15 August 2009

"Your baby develops his own 'waterproofing' in the womb. A creamy-coloured greasy coating called vernix is made from the sebaceous glands and skin cells, and covers his body."

Nice

Halfway? Belated Bump Watch @ BBC (13th August)

Not sure how I missed this, but according to the BBC, I was halfway through the pregnancy as of yesterday! I just assumed this point would be at 20 weeks, but apparently not! Whether it's correct or not, basically between yesterday and Monday, I'll be over the halfway mark...... scary.

How I pass my days part 2

Yes, I did another one...

This is how I pass my days...

I get very bored recuperating at home, so other than watching my ever expanding belly, I spend a lot of time on t'internet. I love the 'surprise squirrel' story doing the rounds at the mo. If it's passed you by, the story is here. Anyway, in honor of the original image (below), here's my tribute, featuring my favourite girlie and boy (below that!)

Yes, I am THAT sad! :-D

Bump Watch @ BBC 14 August 2009

"You may see your navel flatten out, or actually pop out (depending on what sort of navel you have). This happens because of the way your uterus is growing upwards and outwards. Your navel will stay like that until after the birth. You are kidding right? My innie is so deep you can go potholing in it! It's going to be a loooooong time before and if my belly button pops out!

Postal arrivals

After yesterday's postal strike (I thought it was today too, but apparently not as the postie's just been twice!), lots of exciting stuff arrived in the mail today! Well, when I say lots, other than my new Boots card, there we two very exciting bits of mail.

The first was my sling off eBay. It's absolutely fabulous! So well made, in perfect condition and sooooo comfortable. The reason I know this is because I've just tested wearing it, substituting baby for, I'm almost ashamed to say this, a biscuit barrel! Al suggested I try the cat, but I don't think she'd be up for it somehow! Photos to follow...

The second bit of post was the confirmation pack from the National Childbirth Trust regarding the antenatal course I've booked Al and I on. We start on 14th November in New Cross. I figured I'd book it for New Cross and if we've moved, I'll just come down and stay with friends (translation: impose myself on them!) There are four 3 hour sessions, a three hour women only session, a two hour partners only session and a breastfeeding session - yikes! How much is there to learn if we need 19 hours? Surely the labour will be that long!?

The best thing, is that I got the £240 course fee reduced to £24, as I'm on benefits. This is a LIFESAVER! We could never have afforded £240 and I'm not sure if you can even get antenatal classes on the NHS anymore! Either way, these classes look amazing, covering all aspects of labour, pain control and even early days with the baby. I'm so excited - I want to know now! I don't want to wait until November!!!

God I'm impatient...

Bump Watch @ BBC 12 August 2009

"You'll probably have a routine antenatal appointment around now. Don't forget to take a list with questions on it, so the thing that was really bothering you doesn't slip your mind." Now? Try in three weeks time! 

It was bad enough when the appointment was at 21 weeks instead of 20, but as she's shoved me back a week, i'll be 22 weeks by then. That's the standard of care you get from Lewisham midwifery... sorry to swear but it's SHITE. As the move to the Midlands looks ever uncertain, I'm dreading being stuck with the worlds worst midwife service! Plus, I need to ensure that they know under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will I be delivering at Lewisham Hospital, as its reputation is appalling. The midwife should have discussed where I want to give birth by now, but surprise surprise, she hasn't. I suppose I'll have to wait until my 22 week appointment, unless she cancels again.

God, the though of another 20 weeks again of Lewisham midwifery makes me want to cry. Other mum's to be have been to see maternity units. I struggle to get an appointment. I've never once had an appointment or scan on the correct week. Depressing...

(Justified) rant over.

Preparing for fatherhood

Al's been very busy preparing for fatherhood. His first act? Testing the travel baby gym: 

You've gotta love him!

The fruits of my eBaying and Freecycling!

My fabulous giraffe changing bag arrived today off eBay and the two baby gyms I got off Freecycle are now dry after a trip in the washing machine, so I thought I'd show off my acquisitions! Hopefully the baby sling will be here soon to join the collection. Problem is, where the hell am I going to put it all!?

Changing bag includes giraffe changing mat, insulated bottle bag and a cute dummy holder that looks like a giraffe's bottom!!

Bump Watch @ BBC 11 August 09

"Ask your doctor or your midwife for form MAT B1 this week. This is the certificate that 'proves' you're pregnant so you can claim benefits and maternity pay." Does the ever expanding bump not prove this? lol Plus, it's actually from next week, once I've hit 20 weeks and it won't affect any of my benefits until 25 weeks, so no rush then!

Bump Watch - week 19

Not the best picture in the world this week - it's late and I've been cleaning and sorting all day. Buy hey, here goes...

Bump Watch @ BBC 10 August 09

Well, it's 19 weeks today. Just tow weeks to the scan, which still feels like a lifetime! Al's at work, so no bump pic 'til later. In the meantime, some bump watch I think!

"Mid-pregnancy means you have an increase in the amount of blood circulating round your body – and that can mean you get hot quite easily. Wear loose clothing in natural fabrics and stay cool." In this heat.... duh! Ah well, can't knock it - who know how long this decent weather will last!

Baby on Board

Even thought I'm not able to use the tube at the moment, I'm havign a bit of London Underground themed day. Well, when I say day, I woke up at eight, then went for a nap after my bath at 9ish and woke up at 1pm!!! Anyway, the first thing I've done is requested one of these:

They are part of a scheme to encourage people to give up their seats to pregnant women. I'm OK at the moment, the crutches and leg brace pretty much guarantee me a seat, but a) I want one because it's cool and b) In the winter, my bump might be under a big coat, so it'll help! OK, it's mainly for reason a), but there must be some perks to being knocked up and uncomfortable!

The second thing on the theme is, instead of Mind the Gap, I found this rather awesome tshirt!

Right, lunch I think! Bye...

What's in a name?

Well, we've made some progress on the name front. We've had our potential boys' name for ages now - Dylan Henry Ivor. Here's what they mean (Dylan is especially rather cool!):

Dylan - It is derived from the Welsh elements dy, meaning 'great' and llanw, meaning 'sea'. In Welsh mythology, Dylan was the god of the sea, accidentally slain by his uncle Govannon. And no, it's not after Bob Dylan, we just both love the name.

Henry - derived from the Germanic name Heinrich, which was derived from the word elements heim, meaning 'home' and ric, meaning 'power, ruler'... or 'ruler of the home' then! Chosen after Al's maternal grandfather, whom I sadly didn't get to meet, but sounded like a pretty cool chap!

Ivor - Means 'archer's bow', quite apt really as the name is chosen after my cousin, a professional viking, who died in September 2008. I would highly recommend taking a few minutes to read his Guardian obituary here, it's fascinating and the man was an utter legend.

Now, we've finally found a couple of potential girls names. The current two contenders, and their meanings are:

Seren - popular Welsh girl's name meaning 'star'. Alex vetoed my suggestion of using the surname 'Dippity'! lol

or

Cate - originally a short form of Catherine, meaning 'innocent' or 'pure'.

Just two weeks and a day until we hopefully find out the gender and can name the bump!

My wonderful freebies!

God, I love Freecycle! For those who don't know, it's where people offer stuff they no longer need, to avoid it going to landfill, on the proviso that the person who wants it, collects it.

Anyway, I answered a post offering a bottle steriliser and two baby gyms. The steriliser is a good Philips one, so I just have to get Philips bottles when I buy them. The baby gyms are AWESOME. The first is a big green lamb (Lavender Lamb by the Early Learning Centre, I used to have a toy one!) which will be great for at home. The second is a travel activity mat, which zips in half and takes up no space at all. It's going to be idea to take out and about with the travel cot, as it's so slimline. I found some pics off t'interweb, as I can't be bothered to fanny about with photos on a Friday night!



I'm so pleased, along with a bag of terry nappies, I've got some lovely stuff for the bubba, for free! Happy, happy, happy!!!

Step away from eBay...

Ok God, I've bought something else! This is not sensible behaviour for a dole bludger! Just won a sling on eBay, for a bargainous £8.50 inc postage. It's a fabulous Freedom Sling, made in bonnie Scotland. You can check it out here. Both Al and I can use it and it's so much more flexible than one of those horrible dangly things which straps the baby to your chest and dangles the baby's legs down. This you can use as a sling or to carry a bigger child on your hip - winner!

Right, someone take my laptop away from me to stop me ebaying! I've spent £40+ in a week... I only 'earn' £64 a week... I need help!

PS Yes I know it's blue again, fate might be telling me something. However, today's gut feeling is.... *drumroll*.... girl! But it'll probably change again tomorrow!

Music

Just been playing some music to the bean and (s)he went NUTS! Jiggling and poking about!. (S)he especially Liked Madeleine Peyroux 'You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go'. Unsurprisingly, with Al as a dad, clearly likes the jazz! Bean clearly has great taste... had to post this video, as I found the song with an amazing animation. Shame it's not the whole song though...



Bean was even jiggling as soon as I started playing the video! Obviously has good hearing already... or it's a coincidence!

Baby shopping list - anyone got a spare £million?!?!

Well, I've been knocking up a shopping for the bubba. Nothing fancy, just essentials we'll need immediately for the birth (so not even including stuff like baby monitors and high chairs yet.) Anyway, here's the list so far so you can see how daunting this all is. I'm just glad bubba's due after Christmas, I'll be begging people to get us baby stuff rather than present for us!!!

OK, deep breath, here goes...

Bedroom
Cot 1
Cot mattress 1
Waterproof mattress protector 2
Cat net (cot) 1
Changing mat 1
Cot bedding 4
Cot bumper 2
Blankets (cottton cellular) 6
Mobile 1
Room thermometer 1
Play mat 1
Baby first aid kit 1
Laundry bin 1
Black out blinds

Nappy/washing Stuff
Disposable nappies
Cloth nappies
Nappy liners
Nappy nippas
Nappy wrappers
Nappy bucket 1
Sterilising powder/liquid 1
Pack of newborn disposables (for emergencies) 1
Wet wipes 2
Nappy cream 1
Baby bath - got
Johnsons baby wash 1
Towels 2
Face cloth 2

Feeding
Steriliser 1
Bottles 6
Breast pump 1
Nipple pads ?

Out and about
Car seat 1
Pram 1
Travel cot - got!
Baby suitcase 1
Changing bag and mat - on its way!
Sling 1

Clothes
Sleepsuits/baby gros 8
Cardigans 2
Scratch mits 2
Hats 2
Winter coat/Snow suit 1
Vests/body suits 4

Other hospital bag stuff
Camera 1
Nursing bras 2
Bag or case 1
Labour bag - 2 large tshirts, sponge or water spray, music on mp3 player 1
Front opening nighties/pyjamas 2
Dressing gown and slippers 1
Sanitary towels 24
Pants 6
Washbag inc toothbrush, shampoo, hairbrush, contacts, glasses 1
Day clothes 2

Terrifying eh? I better get applying for the various maternity grants, on £60 odd quid benefits a week, I'm going to need it!!!

Quote of the day

Someone posted this on the forum I go on, and it made me laugh:

"I once heard pregnancy and childbirth described as mother nature's equivalent of painting oneself into a corner....."

Genius!

Bump Watch @ BBC 05 August 09

"Your baby's teeth have formed in the gums and the first tiny buds for the permanent teeth are forming now, too."

Nom nom nom nom!

Bump Watch @ BBC 04 August 09

"Almost all mums will feel their baby's movements during this week – some women say it feels a bit like trapped wind at first, or a sort of fluttering, as if you have a butterfly in there. Later, you'll feel proper kicking." Fluttering? Feels like the bean is stamping on my bladder today. It's like having a miniature tap dancer in there sometimes!

Twelve things they don't tell you about the second trimester...

... you might get a hairy belly. Sexy!
... morning sickness doesn't always disappear at 12 weeks
... tiredness doesn't necessarily disappear at 12 weeks
... you think you are desperate for the loo, only to get there and find you only pee a thimble full.
... you get strangely vivid dreams
... your sense of smell is insane, to the point you can smell people's halitosis at 20 paces
... you lose sight of your nether regions alarmingly quickly
... you can give yourself a stabbing pain by roling over incorrectly
... a normal night's sleep is a distant dream, thanks to the weird hours your bladder has decided to keep
... you spend far too many hours obsessing about how big your bump is getting
...sneezes hurt and are dangerous on a full bladder
... People tell you that you'll bloom and glow in your second trimester. Actually you just get horrible heartburn, backache etc and get fatter! tee hee

First practical baby purchase!

Just bought a rather groovy pop up travel cot on eBay. It went for about 80% of the price they normally go for, and this one came with two free fitted sheets - bargain! It's rather groovy, and folds into a bag the size of a large dinner plate apparently. So now I'll have no excuse not to go and stay with lots of people and thoroughly infringe on their generous hospitality! WHOOP!


PS. Yes, I know it's blue and I don't know what I'm having yet, but I'm sure if the bubba's a girl, she won't give a monkeys that the cot is blue!

Cats n bumps

Time flies, except when it comes to scans... oh, and bump watch @ BBC 03 August 2009

Time is flying, I can't believe I'm 18 weeks already. However, I'm so desperate to know the gender of the bubba, that three weeks to the scan seems soooooo long! I wish I was being scanned at 20 weeks like I'm meant to be, then it would only be 14 days, which feels a lot closer than 21!

In the meantime, let's hit the Beeb...

"Your baby's length is about 16 centimetres, and weight is 135 grams, or about five ounces." Really? Mine feels like double that! Tee hee

Bump Watch - week 18

Fatty! lol

Baby playlist

I'm going to start putting together a playlist of tunes to play to the bubba in the womb. I've posted messages on both Facebook and Twitter, so I'm hoping for lots of suggestion. If you have any, feel free to email me - helen.crook@gmail.com.

I'll keep you posted as to what goes on the playlist!

Bump Watch @ BBC 02 August 09

"Can you predict the sex of your baby? Researchers found guesses based on so-called old wives' tales – keys, rings and the shape of your bump – were no more reliable than chance." Guess I'll have to wait 23 days then... hopefully, unless the little blighter keeps his/her knees together! lol

As I keep fluctuating between thinking I'm having a boy or a girl, today's thought is.... boy!