sparklyval's profile

sparklyval
sparklyval has 30 days to go and is now in week 35
	Age: 37 Country: United Kingdom Province/region: Lincolnshire City: Lincoln Partner: Antony Children: Yes, 2 Pregnant: Yes Due date: 08 Oct ,2008 Occupation: Enjoying being a Mum
	Online: 13 days ago. Last updated: 108 days ago. Member since: 185 days
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A Bit About Me, and the the rest of my Family.........

Antony and I have been married for 16 years this year! We left it a while before starting our family so I was 28 when our first daughter Bethan was born on 24th October 1999. By some strange coincidence our second daughter Kate was also born in October - four years later on 14th October 2003 when I was 32.

It was very difficult to decide whether or not to have a 3rd baby, but somehow our family didn't seem complete with the two girls, so this year we thought we would give it a go. As I am now 36 we thought age would be against us, but unbelievably I fell pregnant straight away and guess what ...... our 3rd baby is also due in October! This time about 08th October.

I'm not sure if there are any other mum's out there with 3 children all having birthdays in the same month - I am sure it isn't a record or anything - but October is already a busy month with two birthdays to organise, so it will be interesting to see how things work out with 3 birthdays to fit in to one month!

Bethan and Kate are very excited about the prospect of having a new baby in the house and being 'big sisters'. I am going to try very hard to enjoy every minute of it this time as I am pretty sure this will be the final addition to our family!

UPDATE: 23rd April 2008, (16 weeks) My pregnancy seems to be progressing well, if the size of my waist line is anything to go by! I have somewhat belatedly discovered that there is a blog facility on this site, so I have moved my pregnancy diary there....a much better place for it as it probably isn't all that exciting for anyone else to read!

Thank you to everyone for visiting my page, and thanks especially to everyone that writes me a little message! I don't always get a lot of time on the computer, but I always write back (eventually!) :-) Best wishes to everyone Valerie x

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debora - Tuesday, 8 July
Hey, there:

How is your week coming? I am sure you must be busy.

Getting busy for me....hubby to arrive this Friday and of course, I am not ready.

The girls I am babysitting mom return to America on Wednesday and all ready I miss them!

Anyway, we have done our weekly shopping and for the first time the 2 year old actually kicked me out of bed last night! So, glad I wasn't pregnant as this might not have went over too well.

Otherwise, all is well and I am so tired these days. The kids are a bit draining, but so worth it.

Smiles,

Debora :-)

kathy24 - Tuesday, 8 July
Hi Val!!
I think my little man is just stuborn!! The non stress test they do is for high risk patients, its a monitor that monitors the babys heartbeat, fetal movements, and contractions. In 20 minutes your suppose to have so many movements and stuff. I always have to go longer than 40 min and then they order an ultra sound to make sure he isn't in stress. Todays non stress test I sit there hooked up to the monitor for 40 min and he just would not cooperate so they let me go home since I had an ultra sound this afternoon and of course the ultra sound looked good. However, my blood pressure was pretty high so they told me I needed to go home and do nothing and I have to go back tomorrow to have it checked. I'm so ready to have this baby and get it over with!!

I'm glad you got alot done this weekend, the more you can get done the easier it will be on you toward the end. I'm so glad I have everything done, I just need to pack my bag for the hospital. Well I better go talk to you soon!

RoosterMom - Monday, 7 July
Hi Val!
So good to hear from you. It sounds like you really got a lot done over the weekend. That is wonderful. And, no, I don't think that you are stressing to much about preparing for the baby. You are just trying to get things done in advance. It will make the time that you have with Kate and Bethan much more enjoyable. And you are right, they don't need that much!
We are having a wonderful summer. It's been busy, but in a good way. This week Kaitlyn will got to 2 days of day camp at church. Next week, she starts 5 weeks of dance classes. Busy - but with fun things. She will be starting school at the end of August. We are sending her to a private school that requires uniforms, so I will have to go uniform shopping sometime soon. I will also have to pick up school supplies (crayons, paper, scissors, paper, etc.) for her to take to school. She wanted to do some of that today, but we didn't have time!
Riley had her 2 month checkup today. She is doing wonderfully. I am thrilled with how she is developing. And she sleeps fairly well, too. That is a good thing because I can be quite a grump when I am tired :-)
Well, keep in touch. I am uploading a recent picture of Riley to my site.
Take care!
Jennifer

mama40 - Monday, 7 July
thank you. I'm tired and busy, but it is so good to have a little baby again:) Everything seems like first time. And ar the same time I am able to enjoy those baby moments more, because I know how fast they will pass, and how I will miss this in a while. How are you doing?

shocked - Monday, 7 July
Glad to hear you thought the Bon Jovi concert was so awesome, and you got a night away. Those are few and far between! For 46, he looks amazing - I actually think he's better looking than he was 20 years ago!

Nothing too new here - I have my Dr. check-up on Tuesday and the 1 hour glucose test to check for diabetes. I had that with my 2nd daughter, so I'm hoping it doesn't happen again. That was NOT fun. I didn't have it so bad as to take insulin shots; I controlled it by diet. But even still, it was a pain in the butt! Always pricking your finger and deciding what to eat next to even out the whole carb-protein-fat cycle.

I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable at times. The baby is so low, I can't cross my legs while sitting anymore and in fact can't really sit with them together (isn't that ladylike?).

Hope you're having a good weekend!

kathy24 - Sunday, 6 July
Hi there, are you having a good weekend? We had a holiday weekend so its an long weekend Yay!!! I think my little man is very stuborn!!! I had to have a non stress test done last Thur and he fluncked it so they sent me to the hospital for an emergency ultra sound to make sure he wasn't in stress. The ultra sound turned out fine so they sent me home, by then I was stressed out. I have to go for another non stress test on Mon so who knows whats going to happen with that test.

The baby shower was wonderful, I got tons of great gifts and almost everything I needed. His bedroom is going to be a sports theme. We painted it a soft yellow color and I'm looking for a sports theme bedding. With all men in my house I figured a sports theme would be perfect.

I do love seeing my little man all the time in ultra sounds but at the same time I worry about is it safe. He is getting much bigger now so its hard to see him during the ultra sound. He is in fetal position with his knees to his chest so they have a hard time seeing him and getting measurments now. I'm hoping to make it to Aug 1 so I only have around 4-5 weeks left, and I'm so ready!!!

Well I hope your having a great weekend and getting everything done, your right get as much done now because towards the end its hard just walking much less organising your house.

Talk to you soon!
Kathy

RoosterMom - Sunday, 6 July
Hi Val!
I hope that you had a relaxing weekend away with your friend from work. That sounds very enjoyable. It makes me think of people that I would like to catch up with. I may have to do some of it via the phone or email right now. The only travel plans we have are to go see my in-laws this next weekend. It should be an interesting trip. They live out in the country, have a pasture, 3 horses, a pond, etc. My daughter wants to go fishing in the pond. She also likes to help with the horses.
Riley is growing. She is over 10 pounds now. I cannot believe that she is that big. She is definitely more alert. She is still sleeping good, too. I hope that continues. I will post another picture soon.
Take care of yourself. October really isn't that far away. (Although, the last month of pregnancy always seems to last a long time!)
Jennifer

wilsonwilson - Thursday, 3 July
Hi Val, How are things with you and your family? How is the pregnancy going?

Today I have to say is the first good day I have had for a week and a half it has been that bad I have not been on line to check my mails I just really have not felt like doing anything. So much has happened. I have had a tummy bug and it worried me terribly. I have done a speeding protest outside school, and the school did not want to know or help in anyway, I had police involved and 2 newspapers. I have taken on 2 part time children one from lunch til 3 and one after school during school times, I am so excited and feel so much better now I seem to have the cleaning bug and feel on top of things near enough. So much to do though and get even little things like bottle brushes even though I am breastfeeding I remember my little one Mollie not wanting anything from me but was so hungry and she cried for 4 hours non stop but all was fine after that. My mum has come out of hospital and she is asking me to change her dressings but at the moment I am feeling so squeemish and the thought of it reduces me to tears and nearly faint and I am so not like that normally I have to say.

I can't believe you got to see Bon Jovi, he is the sweetest and the cutest and has good music too it is almost unbelievable lol. I would love to see him in concert, and to get a night with my DH too although we keep missing each other in the house it is weird.

Meadowhall sounds fab and without kids you are so lucky. We have not yet got Joseph's first outfit as yet just some things to put in the wardrobe but my DH will get him something as he would really like to do that himself.

My best friend lives in the Czeck Republic and I miss her so much and at the moment her Nan is in hospital after a stroke and they are just waiting for the doctor to see what is going to happen. I miss doing things with her I have to say.

Sounds like your DH missed you loads wheny ou went to see your friend, and what a treat to come home to, chocolate mouse, my DH makes great cheese on toast but the poor man that is about all he can cook lol.

SO MUCH TO DO SO LITTLE TIME and it is getting shorter. I hope all is well with you and your family and all is going well with the pregnancy, I seem to be doing a lot better and have nothing much to complain about as I do not have the time lol. My kids have been really good today and it makes me so proud when they are so good. Can't wait to hear from you, take care *hugs* Kat xxxxx

babblefishie - Thursday, 3 July
Sorry for silence, I'm back in Ontario visiting folks because... OUR apartment flooded again! the mildew was SO bad this time, Jeff begged me to just get the heck to higher ground. Our landlord dissolved our lease which is the one blessing to come of this. So now we have to find an apartment within the next three weeks and move again :(

I've been better, but I'm being spoiled by my parents which is nice. Glad your concert rocked and baby was responsive! Hey no apologies about the Bon Jovi... I sure sang Bon Jovi songs into a hairbrush on more than one occassion whilst wearing stirrups and a "bad attitude" in my day! ;)

My parents computer is reallllly slow... so I don't use it much, but will try to pop in once in a while and say hello

Have a happy rest of the week :)

Pam

maha55 - Thursday, 3 July
..preparations for bubba..good point..I have just been seriously thinking lately I had better get my head around getting baby stuff together!! I have some clothes, no nappies, a baby hammock bed and thats about it!!! after more than 8 years I have been out of baby mode!!!..mmm guess its time to think a bit more clearly on this..thanks for yr reminder!!!!you seem to be getting organised..good on you...well I have to say I have had friends now approach me with some of their old baby stuff, although many of us all in same boat kids in middle years!!!....I will start the list and as I am having a homebirth better start thinking bout what I need there too!!!!! xx

LGK616 - Thursday, 3 July
The trip to the beach was excellent thanks! And we may be cooler temperature wise but I am certainly not feeling it unfortunately!! I always seem to be hot these days!

Oh I hate when people say that!! They just don't know when to keep their mouths shut!! I am suffering from that "mask of pregnancy" - I have very fair skin and lots of freckles. Well my freckles are clustering and my face just looks dirty in places - I have had people say to me countless times "you should wear a face cream". I look at them for a few minutes before saying "yes, I do" but I really want to say "REALLY??? WOW!!! I wish I had run into you earlier - I had no idea I should wear a cream!!" -ha ha. People just make me crazy right now I think!!! :)

Good for you for making the first tackle on your baby items. Excellent that you have kept most of your daughter's clothes for this little one. My SIL did the same and I am expecting a couple of loads of clothes from her soon - LOL. September is definitely our "tackle the baby room and things" month. I think I have decided I want to go with a lady bug them - still tossing that idea around however! But I really like lady bugs - and I saw some drawer pulls that I would put on her dresser - too cute!!!

Anyway - aside from the "cankles" syndrome and anxiously awaiting to be set free from the office in 1 month - all is going very, very well! Hope this note finds you well! We'll have to share pics of their rooms!!!

L
xox

mplsmama - Thursday, 3 July
Hi there! Good to hear from you. I hope all is well w/ you and your family, and that you're feeling well w/ the pregnancy!
We're doing well. I'm finally starting to feel slightly back to normal w/ this c-section healing. It has sure been a long road! I really didn't think it would take this long to heal, but it really does. I really did overdo it in the beginning, so I had to start taking it a bit more easy, and now I'm finally feeling better.
So what do you do at the university? Do you teach? I am a very new lawyer, so unfortunately I do need to go back to work the end of August. I'm very sad about it too. I'd like to be a stay-at-home mom, at least for a while. But I have a lot of loans from law school, so I don't have the option of staying at home.
My husband teaches special education -- he primarily works with learning disabled children, and they are in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. He's very talented & very good at his job. Plus he gets summers off, so at least he'll be able to be at home with Maisie in the summers. I'm trying to count my blessings!

Glad to hear your husband is feeling better! I agree, good thing men don't go through labor & childbirth... my husband is the 1st to admit he could never handle it!
Maisie has started her new "fussy time," between 8-10 pm. She is just unable to be consoled during that time. But then once we get her down, she's usually out cold. She slept from 11 pm until 4 am last night! I thought that was pretty good. I was totally engorged by the time I got up at 4 am!
How long do you get for maternity leave? It seems that everyone else gets a decent amount of time... of course, not here in America! I really think it's a shame that we don't get more time to spend with our babies. I always thought I would spend at least 6 mos at home, but it just didn't turn out that way. I'm a little bummed about it, in case you can't tell! I just keep thinking about it a lot... it's been on my mind a ton.
Enough of my griping! Hope your week is going well... talk to you soon!

shelm2 - Tuesday, 1 July

Well, I did it, I worked out today over lunch again. It was sort of sad and hilarious at the same time. Before I got pregnant I would always go to the restroom, change into my workout clothes, hop down to the gym and get in a good workout and then come back to work again to change and eat. Today was a little different. It took me forever to get my pants off in that tiny stall. I had a hard time reaching my tennis shoes to tie them, I found out that my workout t-shirt now appears to be a few sizes too small and my belly button was poking out as if I was a done turkey. Instead of ��hopping�� down to the gym I waddled and it took me a bit longer than usual. Of course my workout was not the same but sufficient. The walk back was another arduous matter and then I got to change again. Wow! That was quite an experience but one I am going to have to get used to. I agree, the slightly less beautiful body is worth the getting to love my sweet babies but it would be nice to be rock hard just one more time ��.

Your story of you and Antony really cracks me up. Josh and I were the exact same way. I was way too tired and sick in the beginning and then he was just so weirded out by the idea that we weren��t ��alone�� that he couldn��t get over it. Speaking of TMI I am a bit swollen and I think that it would be way to painful to be worth it anyway. I better not tell the girls on the site or they will be completely unimpressed with my lack of enterprise!

Josh hasn��t been nearly as impressed with the movement of the baby as I have either. I am still amazed to watch my stomach do all these rolls and things and he just looks for a second and, of course, misses it and moves on. Don��t know why he is so lackluster about it. I am trying to enjoy what is left of this pregnancy as well. Josh is going to get a vasectomy in a couple of months so we are really going to be done. I want to be done but I know that this is a special time that will never happen again and so I want to try and mentally preserve as much as I can. Although I am reading a book called, ��the power of now�� and it says not to live in the past. It��s a bit hokey but summer reading is supposed to be light, right?

I��m so glad you had fun with your friend. I laughed at that as well because I have a bit of an anxiety problem myself. I think I am getting better though. I work on it regularly and feel like I am making progress. I can just imagine that you are one of those people that would try anything once, within reason of course. I am always calculating risk (hence my job) so I tend to hang back a bit, but now I try to do everything that is asked of me just because it is asked. It has been difficult but my husband is a lot happier with me ��.

I think everyone has someone ask them if they are having twins at least once per pregnancy. I have had it to. I am short and I don��t have a very big torso so I pop out right away and stay way out. It��s just the way I��m built but people think that my baby is going to be enormous. Ava was not quite 7 lbs and Ella was 8lbs. I remember when Ella came out I felt like I had taken the biggest poo ever!!! Sorry, to be gross but it was such a great feeling to be relieved of all that baby!!! I remember I sighed really loud cause it felt so good and Josh looked at me a bit funny. Who cares, it was great! I can only imagine what it felt like to get a 9lb baby out ��.

Well, I think it is time to start getting things ready. I don��t think you are early at all. Who wants to put all of this off until we are super big and cranky. I want to do it while I can still move without having to take breathing breaks ��. I am concerned because my garage sale is not until Aug. 1st and I will be 30 weeks by then, yikes, and it will be extremely hot here. I may back out at the end and just give it all to good will. I��d like to recoup some of the cost that we accrued though. We went a bit overboard thinking we were only going to have two.

My weekend was ok, we had to put our last dog down due to stomach cancer. She was 12 years old and had a great life so it is not as hard as it could have been. She was a sweet sweet puppy but I am looking forward to living in a pet free environment where I don��t have to sweep and vacuum everyday, or clean up dog pee and dog puke. I do wish her well though, she was a loyal friend.

Alright, alright, I��ve gone on long enough. I am supposed to be working ;) so I��m going to get back at it, or pretend to anyway ��.

Sarah

kathy24 - Tuesday, 1 July
Hi! How are you doing? I'm doing better I had my doctors appt yesterday and the ultra sound, my little man finally breathed 3 times in the ultra sound so I feel so much better, he weighs 3# 13 oz now. Also at my doctors appt I found out that my cervix is starting to thin out and normally it shouldn't start thinning out till around 36 weeks so hopefully I will make it to 36-38 weeks.

I bet your girls would love seeing the baby from a 4D scan its so amazing. I look at my pics all the time!!

I think we pretty much have everything done now, I have all his clothes washed and put away, just a few small things I need to do but I guess I better get on it since it sounds like he is coming early.

Talk to you soon!
Kathy

shelm2 - Monday, 30 June
Hello Valerie!

I completely forgot about your concert! I am so glad that you had such a great time. I love to hear stories of people that are still energetic and doing great into their 40��s and 50��s! Sometimes I get a bit doomsday-ish and start thinking that my body will never be the same and I might as well accept that I am going to have a saggy old body no matter how hard I work at it. I love it though because my husband has always always been a very skinny guy. Since I have been pregnant (thanks a lot for rubbing it in Josh!) he has started to work out rather diligently and has put on quite a bit of muscle. It is exciting to see him change this way and now he wants a huge tattoo! I think it is kind of amusing to see him go through a mid-mid life crisis�� But it is really fun to see this new body. Although we are different from everyone on our website in that we are both a bit grossed out by the idea of having sex. I am physically uncomfortable and he is afraid of ��the baby��. Oh well, probably too much info on the last part but it just seems we are so unique in our preference on this subject. It should make getting back to it after the baby all the more fun.

Little man��s movements are definitely in a transition stage. We are getting away from the ��butterfly flutters�� and getting more to the stretching out and punching phase. I could feel an elbow or fist or foot last night just sticking out for a good few minutes. I wonder what he thought about me rubbing it ��. I am glad to hear that you are not uncomfortable yet. I do ok most of the time but I go through periods where I just feel really rough for a few days and then I adjust. You sound like you are a bit tougher than I am though ��, I find myself complaining more than I (or Josh for that matter) would like. How would you compare this little one to your other two girls in the womb? I think this one doesn��t kick as often as my second one but it definitely stronger.

Yeah, Father��s Day was a bit interesting. I am not actually related to the guy with the interesting attitude though. He is the brother of my sister-in-laws second husband so I rarely have to deal with him, only twice now, so it is not too bad. At least I can laugh at it at this stage. I am lucky in that I love my brothers and sisters and parents and Josh��s are well, a little different but certainly tolerable. It��s funny though I think his mother is starting to get worse with her constant nagging and unhappiness. It is kinda sad really. She��s always been a bit on edge but now it seems she can��t think about anything else except what makes her unhappy and she will say it over and over. Josh is very respectful of his mother but he is actually starting to tell her she needs to cut it out and relax. She just spends so much time worrying about things that are completely out of her control. I am sure my daughters will feel completely comfortable with telling me to shut it when I start doing that ��.

The weather has calmed a bit. We have entered summer and that always makes the atmosphere a lot more stable. Spring is just nuts around here! I am with you, I tried to paint my toenails the other day and it was an exercise in futility for sure. I was just hoping that I hadn��t flattened my baby in the process. Anyway, I think that was the last time I will be able to do that in this pregnancy. Josh will have to get his painting skills up-to-date.

How was your girl��s weekend? It sounds wonderfully fun! Man, the idea of getting away sounds so enticing. I don��t know when I will ever be able to do that again! It just seems so impossible at this point. Josh is sooo busy with work and he has all these outside obligations that I end feeling like I am his babysitter sometimes.

As for politics, I don��t know if you heard but it sounds like Bush is the anti-christ ��. It sounds like he is on a war path with Iran. I was hoping that he would be just lay low until he is out of office but I heard this weekend that him and our Vice President, Cheney, feel it is their responsibility to rid the world of Iran��s (non-existent) nuclear facilities before they leave office. It appears he is trying to start a world war so let��s hope that January comes quickly!!! Yes, I am being a bit dramatic but every time I think there is a cap on his damage capabilities he blows the top off and goes for more.

Well, you take care of yourself and I will chat with you soon!

LGK616 - Friday, 27 June
Hello there!! Happy Friday!! We are doing very well thank you - just waiting for the next hour to pass so I can leave - hubby and I are escaping this weekend!! :)

I'm not sure how much truth there is to the yellow thing - because I would honestly love to keep the color. But now I'm hesitant - lol.

The traditions are great and I can respect them - to a point! I hate that I am "expected" to just go along with everything! I have to keep reminding them that where I come from, I have traditions too! They forget this but when I remind them - they back down. Guess they just see me as one of the Greeks too!!! LOL

I like the name Erin Iris - I love Iris!

Unfortunately, we are still melting away over here! But nothing that a few days at the beach won't cure for me! I haven't bought a single thing for her yet!!! My SIL has a ton of stuff to give me. I have seen plenty of things that I want to buy but the heat has stopped me from wanting to walk around after work - my husband is thankful!! HA HA But come September when we go to purchase the furniture and such - he'll be in big trouble!!!

So we are on our final countdown for work aren't we? It will be July on Tuesday!! So I am at 7 weeks till I stop -seriously cannot wait! But don't want to rush it because then I'll be in my last trimester and am loving being pregnant so much!! I think I am really going to miss her being inside when she is here!!!

Have a fabulous weekend!!!

xox

maha55 - Friday, 27 June
Hi Val
Funny when I write all that I have done in last few weeks I have sounded like superwoman but believe me I felt it!!All that moving and travelling, but like anything we women do, when its got to be done we just DO IT!!! multi taskers..good practice for when bub comes!!! Am also starting to feel bigger...the first time in my pregnancy..am sure I am bigger than my first sons....
As for your sister in laws bellydance teacher, maybe give her my website, she might like to purchase my world first book on the subject to give her some insights..( www.bellydanceforbirth.com) in the future I will develop an antenatal weekend workshop for those wanting to teach my method but I think the criteria will be that they already have a background in childbirth (midwife..doula etc) bec you really do need an understanding of the birth process to "get it" fully...

oh and thanks re sleep..i am sleeping a bit better ..the more I settle..generally v tired by 8 at night..how are u going anyway???
m xx

kathy24 - Thursday, 26 June
I'm glad your husband is doing good then yes your right men would never make it through a pregnancy! Could you imagine them delivering a baby that would be quite a site! I have been feeling prttty good I had a scare on Tues and I was really down most of the day, my doctor ordered a special ultra sound that takes 40 min and during this 40 min the baby is suppose to move its hands & arms twice, sallow fluid twice and breathe on its own twice, well my baby did everything except breathe on its own so the ultra sound tech had to get the doctor and of course she was in surgery so I had to go home and wait for the doctor to call me and of course it was late in the afternoon when she finally called me but she said that she thinks he is still a little on the small side and thats probally why but they are making me have the ultra sounds weekly now. Of course I love seeing my little man every week but I'm scarred thinking that there might be something wrong with him now. He weighs 3# 11 oz so I don't know if thats good or not considering I only have about 6 weeks left. I didn't want a big baby but I don't want such a small baby that he could have breathing problems. At least I'm keeping my sugar levels down and I'm trying to eat right! Bon Jovi was in concert here about 5 months ago we didn't go to it but now after hearing what you said I almost wished we did go. Well I better go I have a busy afternoon, how are you feeling? Take care and talk soon!