First timmers and mid 20's

Well almost straight away....

Oh Good luck Natty for the 31st.

Im due mine next sunday if I have a 28 day cycle this month(they vary between 28-30 days) but I'm going to give it until the 1st of august then I'll test.

So it's just the boring part now... fingers crossed for you nicki.

Like I said I dont think that I am pregnant though as I don't have any funny feelings and with dd I felt different straight away.

Well i'm due my AF next wedesday but I'm sure it will come but i'm still so tempted to test and I want to test now i'm currently on CD23!

Hiya Xavielli - How are you? I'm also very pleased with the unprotected BDing although I must say that it has been very tiresome to have sex in this weather (but at the same time enjoyable).

I don't know which TTC thread I should join though as I test on the 1st of August if AF doesn't arrive. So do I go to the July and be a late joiner or the August thread. It seems that all the July TTCers have hopped over to the August thread already.

I'm not very confident that I will have a BFP as it is only the first month and I don't really have any symptoms as yet (with dd I had symptoms from moment of conception). But heres to hoping

Hey Bubblez! It's good to see you again!
It's great that DP is agreeing to humping without pretection (pill... not knives! lol) Will look forward to your BFP

Natty... hows the tummy? did you take a test?

How is everyone on this thread getting on then??

Oh BTW I agree with Xavielli, picknmix - they are hard work, they are a blessing and it doesnt matter what day or age it is no one is ever ready hun. There are always people who want to help and buy things and babies really don't cost as much as people say. Good luck with what every you decide.

Hello everyone,

OMG I have been at a complete loss without my mumsnet for the past few days, I feel like so much has gone on in my absence and I have to play catch up. (PC went down)

Oh and I have borrowed my dads laptop (in desperation) and really am not use to the keyboard so sorry in advance for any typing errors.

How is everyone? How are the TTCers getting on??

DP still hasn't said that he wants another baby but has started BDing without protection knowing full well (cos I told him) that I have been at my most fertile. Guess there is no need for him to say then hey!

CD18 now so I think that I'm going to have to just play the waiting game untill the 1sgt august. How is everyone else getting on?

Xavielli, thank you for your very wise words - you're the first person to tell me that you think its more of a decision than a gut feeling and I'm so pleased you've said that as it kind of takes the pressure off a bit.

Going back a few posts - in my area there is a huge 'baby sale' held every 6 months or so where new or nearly new baby items are sold at incredibly low prices. My friend went and bought an Ikea changing table for £12 (usually over £100 new). Must be worth a look!!

TBH PicknMix....you will always be unsure until you hold your baby, then you will know that it was right. I was so unsure when I had DS, it didnt end until he was here. I think its because although people can try and tell you what it will be like, you won't know until your there!

Re: Friends. You wont lose touch if they are real friends. I was 19 when DS was born so I was the only one with kids. One of my friends doesnt like anything to do with babies/ children but she adores DS and loves coming to see him. Yes, you don't see them as much as you would like, but there is nothing to stop you going out to see them on a regular basis. DP pretty much pushes me out the door every wednesday night to do a pub quiz with my friends and I am so grateful for that. Makes me remember that I don't have to stop being me or having mates because I have babies.

As others have surely said.. Only you can decide when is right for you to have a baby, but I think it is just that, a decision and not a gut feeling or instinct that some say it is. There is a primal urge to have children, but only you can choose when. But they are great! I recommend it strongly

Hi

(sorry - only just got to a computer)

Thanks for all your help and advice - I know that its an entirely individual thing and no-one else can tell me what to feel but it helps to know the practical stuff to!

I think one of my biggest fears is losing touch with my friends - I only have one friend who already has children (am Godmum to one of hers) but the rest of my friends are nowhere near ready to have children.

My DH says that 'you'll know when you're ready' but I'm not so sure I will!! I'm such a ditherer and hopeless at making decisions - one part of me is so excited about having children with my DH but the other part of me is just so unsure.....

Apologies for rambling AGAIN! Its just nice to have people who understand where I'm coming from to talk to!

If anybody lives in London there are also lots of great second hand baby shops around, I found them in the london baby guide. They have everything from prams to sterlisers and clothes. Also a bargain place to pick up really expensive baby clothes at a bargin price!.

I'm sure there must be these all over the country but I've only researched where I live.

God I am obsessive I haven't even got a baby yet and I know where to find the bargain shops!

Agree with the boots club Aprilmeadow!

I buy all my nappies,wipes, snacks, baby milk, toiletries and stuff there and put the points on my card. Then every 2-3 weeks I can get wipes for free... they are permanently BOGOF so you get 2 packs of wipes for £2! Bargin!
Also they have alot of BOGOF's on baby wash etc... I didnt use anything on DS til he was 6m + as it can upset the natural skin balance. They sometimes have offers for nappies too... economy packs of pampers baby dry (between 52 and 72 nappies) buy 2 for £16 so thats over a months worth of nappies for £2 less than you would normally pay! Plus in a new mum bounty pack you get £2 off vouchers so can get for £14. Newborn nappies are over £2 cheaper than the baby dries btw... so don't have to worry about that for about 2 months.

I am a bargin hunter! lol

What great advice Xavielli, i totally agree.

Dont forget that you will also be given a lod of things by friends and family, and dont forget hand-me-downs. We got given so many things when our ds was born that we needn't have bothered buying him clothes for the first 6mths of life. Neighbours that had little ones that had outgrown play gyms and other bits and bobs brought them over - not because we couldnt afford to buy new, but because they didnt want to see them shoved in a cupboard or the loft.

Also you get about £68-69 every four weeks Child Benefit. Maternity pay is 90% for 6 weeks then a meesly £106 per week for 20 weeks.

Re nappies, wipes and milk if you know anyone with a cash and carry card see if you can go with them as the savings on nappies especially are great. Boots do a Parenting Club scheme that sends you vouchers for money off, double points etc

A friend of mine said that there is never a good time financially to have a baby, and no matter what situation you some how manage to cope.

Sorry went on a bit there!

Nappies are about £6 a week again.

We put £250 away a month to pay for essentials and to help pay for the loss of my wages as with my job it would be impossible to go back to work with a baby so I will be off work for at least the first 5 years.

It is slightly unrealistic even when DS was weaning the only thing extra we bought was some breadsticks and baby porridge! everything else I took a small portion of my dinner and wizzed it... they only need a couple of tablespoons of food a day at first.

Now all I buy him is baby crisp and biccys and about 100 bananas! He still has whatever I have at dinner time ... and lots of it.. but I have never had to buy anymore of it. we used to eat too big a portions anyway! lol good for my waistline!

trust = Thrust