Hey girls!
How are you all? I've missed you!
I've read up on all your exploits but promptly forgotten everything - so I hope that this will suffice - group

. Are you all going to the meet next week? If so, I want to hear all the REAL gossip in this thread! M - lovely wedding pics - you look stunning!
I think I'm up at this time as I just can't believe what was about to happen to me a week ago tonight - I went into labour and felt my first real contraction at 2.39am, exactly one week ago. It's just been such an amazing mind-blowing overwhelming week and I couldn't believe I could ever be so happy. My OH and I keep crying and hugging (saps) and can't believe how happy we are.
My beautiful baby girl is so good and content - we're not sure if she's lulling us into a false sense of security but she hardly ever cries (and if she does, she cries her name - EHHH-LA, EHHH-LA - so cute!) and is so chilled out and relaxed. We're all having so much fun learning together.
I have recovered really well from the birth - I'm still quite sore down below (2nd degree tear, no stitches and labia grazes and my piles are back with a vengence) but I feel on top of the world. I have had really teary moments, mostly when I think of how in love with my daughter I am or how much I just want her to stay a tiny precious newborn - but I really am so so happy.
Ella is feeding really well. We had a rocky couple of days but I got some great advice from my local midwives re. my attachment technique and since then, she's been great. She feeds every 3.5/4 hours and doesn't appear to be very sicky. Her poos have just changed to yellow mustard and very squitty, which has been interesting today! Her bellybutton thing still hasn't fallen off and it's really SMELLY - how many days old was your LO when it fell off as it's HONKING!?!
Our visitors have been great and so kind - we've been given some beautiful things for Ella. We've also had a couple of days to ourselves too which has been lovely. I am finding having visitors quite tough - even though I am loving showing off Ella, I miss my time with her (I know that's selfish) and just want to grab her back! My M-I-L was down today (M-I-L moaning is allowed in this thread, isn't it?!) and she made me really upset. OH can let her insensitive comments wash over him but I can't help taking them to heart - she really doesn't think before she speaks. Here are a few choice examples from today:-
(to OH): "Watch the baby's neck when you pick her up!" (Um, he knows how to pick up his own baby)
(to a room full of people without Ella in it): "Where's the baby gone?" (Um, I'd taken her next door to change her, not run away with her)
(to me) "I think she'll need fed earlier as she was a bit sick this morning" (Um, thanks for that advice, I'd never have come to that conclusion myself)
(to Ella) "Aren't your mummy and daddy naughty for not doing x/y/z" (this is a favourite)
...I know they don't sound too bad and I'm just touchy, but she comes over and b*tches furiously about everything my S-I-L and B-I-L are doing wrong with their new baby so I asked her today if she does exactly the opposite and tells them everything I'm doing wrong when she goes over there. That shut her up. I know I sound a bit irrational and she isn't as bad as some, but I wish she would just get out of my face and stop getting over-excited, I can't change Ella without her hovering behind me and making 'helpful' suggestions and comments - b*gger me if I'm ever feeding in front of her as undoubtedly I'll be getting that wrong too. She's just the kind of person who doesn't know when to bite her tongue and keep her opinions to herself and doesn't think that 6 days post birth, OH and I are still learning and making our own mistakes - which is fine.
Oooops - that turned into a bit of a rant!

Oh well, I must have needed it!
Anyway, I'm sure I've bored you all to sleep

. I'd better go and get some sleep before the next feed. I'll be back properly soon, but until then

.
Valentine xxx