h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have decided to come clean (only with the h2g2 community and close family at the moment). I'm pregnant again. Total surprise, Mick is still in shock. Can't think how it happend! (actually I do know, I held a baby at a wedding recently).
So now here it is. Baby number 3 on the way (due date: 27th March 2001) and I can't afford the 2 I have. And the elder daughter is still only 3 and a half.
And the reason I have decided to write this? Well, I didn't keep any sort of diary last time, and you never know, someone might find it useful/helpful. And so, if you're sitting comfortably, I'll begin:
9th July - conception day. And that's all I'm going to say about it.
18th July - no period. (I have a short cycle, so this is a bit of a bummer)
20th July - still not there
21st July - tested (home) negative - good thing: pregnancy tests have come down in price in the last 3 years!
24th July - finally tell Mick about the possibility of a baby
25th July - tested positive. We're both in deep shock
Using the following formula I have calculated due date: date of 1st day of last period (22 June), minus 3 months (22 March), plus one week (27th March)
Spooky coincidence: Saskia due 27th December (born 31st) Eveline due 27th July (born 31st) ?? due 27th March (born??) Is there a pattern emerging?
Now I'm at nearly 5 weeks, so anything could happen. I hope not, I would be very sad about it. Can't say I'm looking forward to the actual event, didn't enjoy the last 2 (despite the short labours)
I have told Ellen (work colleague) but won't tell the bosses and other colleagues here until 12 weeks. (I'm just about to sign my permanent contract, and German law can really bugger up a pregnant woman's chances of a job - I don't feel too good about it, but I have a good reason. 1st time I was pregnant the company closed and I was fired - illegal here - and despite it's illegality my company didn't pay me. I'm still paying off the huge overdraft we incurred then and as the consequence of not finding any more work until 6 months ago)
My plan is not to take the statutory 6 weeks off before due date, I'll work (as long as I'm ok) until 1 week before. Then take the 8 weeks off afterwards, and then back to work. Hopefully the best laid plans of these mice & men will work out. For once. Please.
Hope it's a girl!

Congratulations!
Good luck with the all mouse plans ,
Hope it all goes well.

How are your daughters,
Reacting to this big news?
Or do they not know?

Zeitgeist

Thanks. Still reeling is shock, although it's getting almost to the point where we can be pleased about it!!
I can't tell the gruesome twosome yet, I still have 8 months *sigh* to go! And when we told them last week that their grandma is coming to visit them today... they haven't slept all week!

Congratulations. Good to hear some good news, as I finding it hard to get the video footage of Concorde out of my mind, mustn’t dwell on that those, congratulation once more. By posting your message twice is that an omen for twins?

Gedge

Congratulations!!! Whow, triple- mum. Be a strong girl, Dear, you'll get it! Take care!!!

Thanks everyone, I'm over the worst of the shock now (which is probably what caused me to post twice!)
It's not twins. I saw the bean-like-blob on the scanner yesterday and there is only one. Really. I just saw the one. *checks picture* but there is a shadow... nope, definately one. Hope it's a girl - I've loads of girly stuff.
But this means I don't get to any rock festivals next year or the year after either and another alcohol-free Christmas and birthday and I'll be broke for ever and ever amen but a baby........ I love 'em I'll be looking for suggestions for names soon, watch this space...

Kayleigh???

You'll be about my age then???
About 15 years ago, when we just got married and I still had stars in my eyes, we thought we would call our daughter Kayleigh (after the Marillion song) but now there are about 5 million 15 year old Kayleighs in UK..... so thanks, but no thanks.
I was thinking of Innez or Miriam. But no doubt I'll change my mind. For a boy I don't have any ideas. Not a one. No German names though, and nothing "too common".
Maybe it will be a girl (fingers crossed) and I'll call her Willow.

Willow like Gartenzwerg?
Sorry, I didn't know that there are so many Kayleighs. Hmmm- Jolene? (nice song, too...) No, I think I am not really your age... I am 22, can't think of being married for 15 yrs Call a boy Uwe, no british person can speak the name! Sounds like You- we, certainly not common. (My boyfriend's name is Uwe, when we visited GB the first time, it was terrible for him to hear his name the british way, now it's okay...)

22!!! How come you like AC/DC then???? I thought they were for oldies like me!
I'm not really thinking about names yet, although I have a stack of girls' names from last time. I'm hoping for another girl (loads of girly things at home) although I'll be happy if it's healthy.
Did you have a good weekend?

Apparentely mothers who are vegetarians are more likely to have girls, see the H2G2 Vegetarian site (sorry no direct link), so it looks like you may get your wish

Gedge

Oh. There are sooooooo many theories about veggies having girls, and then I read in an American science journal (in a waiting room) that "older" (I'll come clean here - I'm an "older" mother) mothers have girls. Which goes against all scientific "proof" since the sperm dictates the sex! So, my 2 theories (personal, no scientific basis in fact) are: older mothers are more likely to have older partners, and older sperms tend towards girls (btw. I know the plural of sperm is sperm, but it looks silly). Also, veggie mothers are more likely to have veggie partners (not in my case though) so maybe veggie sperms are girly. Just goes to show: girls is best
Also, putting a pillow under your bum after sex is supposed to increase the chances of conception. But surveys show that people who did this (first two times I admit to doing this *blush* ) - wait for it - are more likely to have girls.
But thanks for the tip, I'll have a look at the site.
Sho