What a day!!!!!

The baby is not breach nor back to back although it does seem to be quite big!!! The new boiler is being fitted on Monday!!!! I am going to bed now and relaxing safe in the knowledge that all is tickety-boo!!!!!

38 weeks

today and off for a scan this afternoon to see what position the baby's lying in and whether the size is OK. When I last saw the midwife 2 weeks ago it was still breach and back-to-back and measuring 2 weeks larger than it should be for my dates. Hoping so much that it's decided to turn and can be delivered naturally. If it's still breach I'm going to ask if they can try turning it. Neil and I also need to make a decision on whether we want to know what sex it is as I'm sure it'll be difficult not to look!!! If we do find out we're not telling a soul - the kids won't be there as my parents are coming over to look after them. Had a call yesterday from the heating engineers about the new boiler we should be getting through Warm Front and they wanted to come and put it in next Tuesday. I cancelled that as we didn't know what would be happening that day but after much discussion last night I need to ring them today to see if it is possible for them to still come on that day. Right off to get kids ready for school and then can do all my jobs - need to do some washing, go for a paper, pre-make a sausage casserole for tea tonight, make some chicken Tonight dishes to shove in the freezer .......oh and I think I'd better pack my hospital bag!!! I did manage to get the bag out of the wardrobe yesterday but that was as far as I got!

Guess what?!?!?

Still not packed my bags yet!!!!LOL! Spent Saturday cleaning and tidying - managed to blitz the hallway which was full of stuff that had just been chucked on top of shoe-rack or left lying on floor under the coat-rack and then on into the kitchen. After that it was up the stairs and then into the bathroom where the entire vanity unit was emptied and all old stuff disposed of. All that took a good six hours at least! Sunday was much of the same - into Matthew's room first where I completely emptied the wardrobe in his room, sorted out any of his clothes that were too small, sorted out all my cross stitch stuff that was in there too, got rid of some of my stuff I've been hanging on to for about 20 years and then into Jamie's room. In here I emptied his wardrobe, moved all his stuff into the semi-empty one in Matthew's room and then Neil demolished the wardrobe which is now sat out in the garden waiting to go to the tip. Having done all this we moved the bed in Jamie's room to another corner then got the bed out of Matthew's room and joined them together to make bunks. Totally cleaned Matthew's old room and brought up an armchair from the lounge so I can use that room for sitting in to feed the baby (as I find the chairs much more comfortable than bed) and moved Matthew's blanket box down in to the lounge where it can double up as seating and a toy-box. The kids seem to have claimed it as their chair for now. Then all the baby stuff that's threatening to make the loft collapse came down into the baby's room (was Matthew's) and we think we're sorted for the moment!! We haven't put the cot up for the baby yet as we're using the moses basket in our room to start with and if the baby is anything like Matthew it won't fit in a basket past the age of about 4 weeks anyway in which case we'll move it into the travel cot in our room. We're also hoping to go out next weekend and buy a new carpet for the baby's room in a neutral coloour as I detest the one that's been in there since I bought the place nine years ago - it's a truly foul primary colour scheme! Today I vowed I wasn't doing any cleaning so I spent an hour having tea and a chat up at the school after dropping the kids off and then went to the local charity shop to drop off 2 bin liners full of books and clothes followed by the Co-op to get a few bits. True to form their bananas looked crap so ended up going to Morrison's where my bananas cost me £24!!! (along with everything else that was on offer). Also managed to do a couple more loads of washing and then this evening have sat down and made 2 birthday cards:

One for my Dad who's birthday is on Sunday using DCWV card and paper with Scrapworks Rubz, dotz and some ric-rac. Not 100% convinced I like this card but it'll do.

The other card is for OH's uncle who's birthday is on April 1st:

This one was DCWV card again with some Patchwork paper, Carolee's rub-ons and American Crafts rub-ons. Much prefer the colours of this one I think.

Plan of action for tomorrow is go to a local breastfeeding group and put my order in for my free nursing bras and then I intend to come home and do some scrapping. May also do another few loads of washing and then my friend is coming around for a cuppa after we pick the kids up from school and the kids can play together for a while. In the meantime I think I need to go to bed and put these hideously swollen ankles up!!!

So...

still haven't packed anything for the hospital yet but have been to Asda for the week's shopping. Here's the other LO I finished last night of Matthew in his school nativity last year:

Not a very good scan as I think the scanner bed needs a clean and also you can't see that the black border goes all the way around the LO.

It's a 12" x 12" and not my usual style but nothing else seemed to work with the colour of his outfit so I tried to do my best!! Doesn't he look angelic though!

Scrapping!!!

Done a few LO's over the past couple of days - this first one of Matthew lying on the floor to do his drawing.

Used KI Memories and DCWV papers along with some old alphabet stickers from Deluxe Cuts and the new Papermania foam stamps.

This next one is also of Matthew:

This is him in March last year after he'd eaten his way through 6 pots of fromage frais but seemed to drop an awful lot on his clothes! I used the gorgeous K&Co Addison papers for this and then an abundance of rub-ons and stamps. Was great to get those inky fingers again!

I've just finished another!!!! LO but I think I'll leave that one for tomorrow as it's a 12" x 12" (gasp, shock, horror!) so I need to scan and stitch it.

Will have to wait until after I've been to Asda in the morning and then I think I really need to get those hospital bags packed and ready before I get caught out!

Loads....

to report!!! Monday I had a midwife appointment and have been told that not only is the baby breach still it's also lying back-to-back. I now have a scan booked for the 29th but it looks at the moment as though they won't let me deliver naturally like I wanted to and it'll be a C-section. Was really upset when I was told but think, thanks to what loads of people have said, that I'm now resigned to it and feel slightly happier. Went to the workshop in the afternoon and got my form so I can now claim 2 free nursing bras. Yesterday I was out for the day with Mum - mostly so we could go to a warehouse in Newton Abbot to look for a car seat as the one I have is really old and doesn't fit properly. The woman in the shop took one look at the car and told me which seat would fit and then checked to make sure it fitted OK which it did. Then my wonderul Mum paid for it!!!

So we are now the proud owners of a Britax Rock-a-tot. I bought a mirror to fix on the rear headrest so I can see the baby whilst driving.

After leaving there we went on to have a troll around Matalan where I ended up buying 3 long sleeved tops and 3 pyjama tops for the grand total of £13.50. I'm not usually a PJ wearer but seeing as I'm probably going to be in hospital for a few days and then up in night times feeding I thought they'd probably be quite handy.

Off to Tesco for lunch - a pot of tea and some sarnies and then down to Trago Mills where I bought the boy's Easter eggs. We don't usually get them eggs and buy a small toy or book instead but I spotted a mint Aero's egg with an Aero mug and as Matthew is totally addicted to his "green minty Aeros" I just had to get it for him. Jamie has a Yorkie one with a "no girsl allowed" mug. Also found them a Regatta waterproof coat each for £3.49 which am really chuffed about as the lightweight coats they have a re only showerproof and they have been known to get absolutely drenched while wearing them.

The rest of the day was picking kids up from school, cooking tea, putting kids to bed and then putting feet up in the evening.

This morning my fab new KI Memories stamps have arrived from Jill:

Bubbleletters and Disco Dots

Hoping to have a play with them later. I also need to go to the bank and pay a cheque in and go to the library to return my 3 days overdue book. Ooops!!!

Also had a report back yesterday that Bluebelle's new owner is completely besotted with her and she is starting to settle in OK although not eating much - she always was a small eater anyway but tends not to eat when she'd sulking or upset. Hopefully she'll pick up soon. Was great to hear that she's doing OK though.

She's gone....

.......and I miss her like hell :(

Gutted...........

With the baby due in a few short weeks we (OH and I) have had to have a long talk about the future of Bluebelle - our beloved Ragdoll cat. Being the cat that she is she is very sociable and hates being kept out of a room when someone is in there (especially me) and will scratch at the door, pull up the carpet and miaow loudly. We know this'll just get worse when the baby is born and I'm up feeding etc in the middle of the night and will lead to the entire house being woken up and also there is no way I could put the baby down to sleep in either a bedroom or the lounge and get on with other stuff leaving Bluebelle in the same vicinity as I would be paranoid that she'd try jumping in to the Moses basket/cot with the baby (I know a baby who was almost smothered by a cat jumping on top of them when they were tiny). Because of all this we've decided that we need to try and find her a house where she'll be loved as much as she is here, but will not be shut out of rooms and can get more of the attention she deserves. I spoke to my neighbour about it a couple of days ago and she has a workmate whose brother is looking for a house-cat like Bluebelle. He is disabled due to arthritis and so at home nearly all day and has had loads of cats previously. After speaking to him and his sister this morning on the phone they are both coming over on Sunday afternoon to see Bluebelle. I'm gutted but I know that in the end it'll be best for all of us if she finds another home. I juts know how strange I'll find it if she's not here as she follows me everywhere all day to the point where I can't shut the bathroom door when I'm in there. We'll just see what happens on Sunday.

Result!!!!!

Yay!!!! Matthew actually co-operated and completed his eye test - perfect vision! I then had to buy him a toy in Tesco like I promised so he is now the proud owner of the red mystic ranger from Power Rangers Mystic Force! Also bought a gorgeous snowsuit in Tesco ready for the baby in autumn/winter - it's cream with a teddy on and was half-price. Managed to make 3 Mother's Day cards this evening all fairly close to this one: Why 3? I hear you ask - well Mum, step-Mum and MIL! Just as well I don't have a step MIL!!! Got my 3 Prima bitty bags from the US Ebay seller today so had to use some of the Primas didn't I?! Was a fairly good day on the mail front as well as I also received the cute little toy I bought on Ebay for the boys to give the baby as a present when it's born. The boys will be getting Power Rangers from the baby - what a clever child!!!

How cute is this duck? It has a little rattle inside it, is suitable from birth and as an added bonus is machine washable too!

Tomorrow is "D-day" that's "Dishwasher-day"!!!!! Did I mention that I can't wait? May also be looking after a friend's boy for some of the day as he's off sick from school at the moment and she has an aerobics class in the morning followed by a First Aid course in the afternoon.

Busy day!

Met Mum in Morrisons and bought a few bits and pieces this morning then came home and had lunch. Then off to the Co-op as they had dishwasher tablets on BOGOF - did I tell you I'm getting a dishwasher?!?!?!?! After that it was off to Asda to stock up on a few bits and add some more bits to my baby pile of stuff that's being kept in the airing cupboard. So far I'm quite well stocked with nappies and wipes!! Tomorrow morning I have to take Matthew for his eye-test (that he refused to do last time) so I'm hoping he'll co-operate and then in the afternoon I'm off to Tesco with my neighbour although I don't actually need very much at all! Friday the dishwasher is coming. Saturday and Sunday - no plans (as yet although I supppose I really ought to have my "hospital bag" packed! Monday - antenatal appointment in the morning and then a breastfeeding workshop in the afternoon (which I really need to go to as I can claim 2 free nursing bras) Tuesday - off for an expedition with Mum to a local(ish) baby shop so I can try out car-seats in my car and see what fits. Went on to AMLT today and just managed to bag myself 2 sets of KI Memories stamps - disco dots and bubble letters. Yes I know I hvae other things to spend my money on but having had a little unexpected refund from British Gas I had a small amount of dosh to play around with! What the OH doesn't know won't hurt him!!!!!! Saw that my old workplace was on the news today -(a certain immigration detention centre near Oxford) and that some staff were unfortunately hurt. Hopefully it's none of my past colleagues - we used to be such a tight-knit group but then you would be with people that you work with for 12 hours a day , 6 or 7 days in a row. I started working there when it opened in 1993 and have to say it was a fab job which I loved even though it was bloody hard sometimes and we had to put up with loads of abuse. Whoever said that the detainees have a hard life never saw what the staff were subjected too (says she who was assaulted twice!). Off my high horse now!!!! Also found out today that our summer holiday is booked - YAY!!!!! We never had a holiday at all last year so looking forward to this one. Uusally we go camping with OH's parents and his sister and her family but decided this year that taking a 3 or 4 month old baby camping probably wasn't such a hot idea so we have a static caravan booked on the same site that everyone else is camping on. We're back up to North Wales as we all love it up there so really looking forward to that!!!!

About time too!!!!!

Well. with less than 5 weeks to go until the baby's due I finally got around to scrapping my scan photo last night!!!

Didn't quite work out how I wanted it to but at least it's done now! Used a lot of DCWV stuff along with some Provocraft paper and eventually got to try out my new Lil Davis stamps.

Well in the past week I've met Fiona when we were both in the local craft shop at the same time buying up their stocks of the latest Papermania foam stamps along with one of her gorgeous daughters.

I've also been busy washing yet more of the baby clothes stockpile that came out of the roof and now have enough stuff washed to see us through the first 3 months at least.

The kitchen cupboards have all been tidied up and useless stuff chucked out as I have now lost an entire cupboard to make way for my new dishwasher which is being delivered on Friday (she says crossing her fingers!).

Had a phone call from the loft insulation compamy during the week asking if they could come and do out our loft (for the Warm Front thing) as they had a cancellation. Now I thought I'd already cancelled then but it obviously hadn't worked properly and they were most put-out when I said they couldn't come that afternoon! I mean - to empty our roof would have taken at least a week and we have nowhere to put everything. When they asked when they could come I had to explain that with a baby due fairly soon it was nigh on impossible so they have now cancelled it. I just hope we manage to get a new boiler fairly quickly as that would definitely be better and a lot easier to sort out!

Warm again!

The man came to fix the boiler and after paying £135 we now have a new thermocouple, hot water and central heating!!! The sooner we get a new boiler, the better! Had a quiet weekend not doing much at all apart from lying around on the settee and watching tv with the kids as I was feeling really tired. This morning I went to an antenatal class - I don't really need to go to any but thought I may meet some local women who are due around the same time as me so I took the bull by the horns and went. I usually hate new situations with people and places I don't know as I am very shy but I did it! I'll be going back next week and I've also booked a place on a breastfeeding workshop. Even thought the 2 boys were breastfed it'll be nice to have some form of support and meet other Mums and we also get provided with free nursing bras which'll help the budget a bit! Not much planned for tomorrow apart from some washing, tidying the kitchen and I think the lounge sould do with a blitz! I know I keep saying that I'm going to do some scrapping so I think I really ought to try and fit some of that in to my schedule too!

Fab day!!! (mostly)

Woke up to a freezing cold house yesterday as the boiler isn't working! Had to wait for OH to get home from work in the afternoon to look at it - the pilot light isn't staying on! Now waiting for the boilerman to come today hopefully so there goes another load of money we didn't want to part with and will have to find! Went out with Mum yesterday and managed to come home with loads but spend very little. Had 2 book tokens for the boys for World Book Day so managed to get 2 books for £1.49 -Matthew has the rather excellent The Story of the Little Mole who Knew it was none of his Business - if you haven't read it you have to!! In Boots I came out with No7 HydroQuench Day Cream, A single use camera, packet of Huggies nappies and a Huggies changing bag for the grand total of £4.98 thanks to my Boots Parenting Club vouchers!! Also had a mooch around Mothercare looking at all the gorgeous stuff and then around a few more shops buying less interesting stuff like a Windows Vista magazine, some Velcro and 20 scouring pads!!! Mum bought us all tea of fish and chips which was lovely but not something I could eat every week and the best thing is - no washing up!! Hoping to get some scrapping done this weekend - it's been sorely neglected recently!

Arrrrggghhh!!!!!

Just when we thought we had no more "big" purchases to make for the baby we find we may have to buy another car seat! It's not very easy to fit our old seat in my new car so we need to go searching! Unfortunately our Mothercare doesn't have a car park near it so we can't try out seats there and the only other place is ToysRUs - will try and get in there tomorrow to have a look. Off shopping with Mum tomorrow - girly day out (for day out read "few hours"!!!!)