FTMs - what are you looking forward to?

[ElleDubloo]

My OH and I have been walking in the South Downs this weekend, feeling terribly romantic and happy, and imagining how much more fun the whole thing would be when the baby is finally with us. I've heard quite a few negative things about all the things we won't be able to do when the baby arrives - but we're determined that our lives won't be limited by the baby, but only enhanced! Having a baby/child will only be an extra excuse to go out and do fun things, because everything we do will be a new experience for her too!

I can't wait to... (at various ages)...

• Take her to the seaside
  
• Take her to the zoo/museums/parks
  
• Teach her how to swim
  
• Bake cakes/bread with her
  
• Let her help me plant seeds in the garden, water them and watch them grow
  
• Sit her on my lap at the piano, and play and sing to her
  
• Read her to sleep
  
• Teach her how to pray
  
• Take her to the USA to visit my cousin
  
• Go on long nature walks (with baby in a sling) and teach her about all the things we see
  

We want her to have a rich and happy childhood, and we're looking forward to all the fun we'll have in the process :)

What are some of the things you're looking forward to?

[squizita]

I always loved going to the park and the local library for a book-and-a-cassette (LOL showing my age), followed by lunch 'out' (as in fish and chips, McDonalds or a coffee shop), it was such a treat. When I have my little one and she's old enough I will definitely be doing that!

[Sleepyhoglet]

My husband teaching her how to play the piano.

Carols around the tree at Xmas.

Splashing in the paddling pool- need a bigger garden first!

[MrsWones]

My DH and I went to Anglesey for the weekend and found a beach I'd not been to since childhood. We were talking about how wonderful it will be to bring DS next summer. We both love the coast and can't wait to pass that on to him.
I'm excited to spend my day with him where he can see everything we do.
I am looking forward to reading him my favourite childhood stories and finding new ones that are special to us.
It's so exciting planning all these lovely things. I'm not sure I can wait another nine weeks until he gets here.
Congratulations OP

[Sleepyhoglet]

Lovely thread idea btw. When are you due?

[ohthegoats]

Not being pregnant anymore, probably not being pregnant ever again, and stopping feeling trapped by my own body's limitations.

Playing in a sandpit without it seeming odd for a 40 year old!
Coaxing a child onto things it's a bit scared of, and having it eventually love it.
Watching a child be really excited by things we find quite mundane.
Lying on the ground watching ants.
Working out the many, many uses for sticks.

Loads of things. I just want the medical bit (which seems controlled by other people) to be over, so that we can just enjoy being a family. I'd probably like more than one really, but I can't bear being pregnant again.

[FoodieMum3]

I'm expecting my 3rd but have tears in my eyes reading this thread

[Taura]

... Learn how to ride a bike
... Introduce baby to my granny while she is still alive (so sad we lost my grandpa before we had children)
... Be a mother to my child like my mother is to me as an adult: best friend, close confidant, sharers of jokes, ideas, dreams etc.
... See my DP as a father as he's always been so good with friends' children and has wanted his own for years
... Share Classic children's books and hope they love them too

[ClaretAndBlue30]

Love this thread!!!

Mine are (from a loooong list):

Rediscovering Christmas
Showing them the world, different cultures and languages etc
Enjoying experiencing things through a child's eyes where everything is new and amazing

Being a mummy, which I've wanted all my life

[CatFaceCrayola]

Brilliant thread (there's far too much "oh you won't be able to do THAT anymore" going round!)

-proper Christmas's
-camping trips
-teaching them to swim
-lots of singing and dancing
-walking along pushing my pram
-seeing my parents with their first grandchild
-cuddles, lots of cuddles

:) this thread has cheered me up

[ohthegoats]

I'll add 'proper Christmas' to mine too. I've been anti Christmas for the last 5 years since my grandparents died (it stopped being a family thing at that point), and have been away every year... but this year I'm going for it - tree, have a party, decorate the house properly, do presents. Small will only be a couple of months old, but still...

[KateTheHuman]

Just introducing them to new things! Seeing them seeing things for the first time. Oh and introducing them to animals! Gotta try and instill my love and respect of animals in them. :-)

[porcito]

Great thread.

Being able to be excited about 'childish' things without looking strange
Showing her new things, giving her experiences of different places and people
Camping, exploring
Giving her to grandparents to hold for the first time
Seeing her dad interact with her
Seeing how she grows into a real human thanks to the things we're doing with her
Bathtime
Holidays
Christmas

[squizita]

...nevermind Christmas, is anyone's going to be out by Halloween.
Photo in cute pumpkin or black cat babygrow.
Endless "ooh MUUUUUM" eye rolls as I whip out the photos when she's older.

[Pregnantagain7]

I'm expecting my fourth but can safely say Christmas is the best thing ever with kids!! Me and do start getting excited about now

[Missingcaffeine]

Finding out what his little personality will be like
Seeing OH as a dad - I think he will be amazing
Teaching him things and playing
Cuddles

[WhatAHooHa]

I'm pregnant with my second so hope you dont mind me joining in, but things I've loved with ds (who is 2) so far... rediscovering nature - we sat and watched a snail crossing the garden path for about 10 minutes the other day and it was wonderful to see the world through his eyes; watching him throw pebbles into rockpools with absolute joy; camping - the first time we went he hopped across the entire tent in his sleeping bag; going walking and pointing all the new, exciting things out to him; watching him play ball with the dog and very very very gently stroke the cat, realising he understands that different animals need different interactions; seeing him stuff his face with strawberries, gooseberries and raspberries straight off the bush at the pyo... and that's just been in the last 4 weeks!

Ignore all the negative 'you just wait', 'you won't be able to do x, y, z anymore' etc etc. Yes, life is different but not necessarily in a bad way.

[blankfornames]

What a lovely thread!
I have my first scan so can't wait to see my little bean for the first time(Fx!)
I can't wait to introduce bean to my parents.
I can't wait to see who bean looks like.
...that time when you have to work hard for a smile but then finally get one!
...introduce to all bean's little cousins
...the very cute first sentences
...camping in France with my two siblings who bring their young families to France every year!
So much to look forward to!

[MrsMonkeyBear]

Dd due 24th October Squizita

I'm looking forward to:

First cuddles and kisses
Watching DH and her snoozing (I always think daddy n baby look so cute asleep together)
Watching her take her first steps.
Feeding the ducks in the park.
Her first smile.
Seeing her grandparents/aunties/uncles faces when they first meet her.

[Eminybob]

Seeing what he looks like for the first time
Sleepy cuddles
Showing him off to everyone
Trip to the duck pond
First beach holiday
Trips to the park
First words
First steps
Learning what sort of person he is going to be

Everything. Our lives are never going to be the same again. In the best possible way

[Eminybob]

And now I'm crying

[JennyBlueWren]

I'm welling up too!

[ElleDubloo]

I'm so glad you're all enjoying this thread :)

Sleepyhoglet - I'm 24 weeks.

I want to dress her up in this:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DQ5KTYI/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[weebairn]

Lovely thread thank you!

[trilbydoll]

I think DD was about 10 days old when I first followed the centile line to see when she would be big enough for Disney! She is 14mo now, and not quite tall enough yet...

[Gen35]

The first time dd said she loved me was magical, she was squiffling past me to get to something and I lifted her over a chair in her way. Also, her being delighted to see me at the end of the day never gets old. The intent look on her face when she's really interested in something. Waking up to find her snuggled up under my arm. And her first word after mummy and daddy being our cat's name!