Getting Ready For Baby Challenge Thread 5

Awww Grumpy I don't envy the pressure you are under. The past few weeks I have been trying to adopt a better work/life balance and literally not allowing myself to work too late of an evening even if it means blagging lessons the next day (luckily my industry allows for that!)

Parsnips - I'm sure you look lovely in the dress. Don't worry and just be confident and it will look fab.

Jupiter Hope you are feeling OK. I'm an emotional wreck at the best of times (had tears today when y6 played 7 Nation Army on their instruments) God help when I'm preggers!

Home alone is quiet. Left DH boxers in the middle of the floor where he left them just because I miss him! Secretly enjoying the peace and just had a nice bath but I'm sure the novelty will wear off in an hour or so when it's bed time!

Aw dancing poor you... how long until you get to see your kumquat?

Roald Dahl fan also... can highly recommend the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, super interesting!

Really love the resolution wiggley
I made a life changing one last year,
"Say No More"
Sounds mean but i really struggled to say no (work mainly) and used to end up doing stuff i didn't want to, in places I didn't want to go etc. I've got really good at it now and has led to pretty much a stress free life!

Oh grumpy sounds like you've got such a juggling act on... so unfair to feel judged for reasons that are beyond your control. At least you've taken steps to delegate like your life PA (still amazed this exists- i quite want to be one!!)

Feeling way better today... just a random off day clearly!

I'm sorry, I need a little moan moment. Feel so unbelievably pathetic. Had to leave work early today because I felt so dreadful, had a two hour nap and already about to go to bed. :( I absolutely cannot wait for this stage to be over and to know my little kumquat is safe in there. My eyes actually ache from trying to keep them open!

Wiggley your self kindness sounds wonderful! Definitely something I could use!

Grumpy it's so hard, because you know men can make the choice to have children without having to worry about the implications. It's something I've thought so much about recently. (I'm sure some men do and obviously wish they could work less!! But just in general) I really hope your work surprise you and react well when you get your bfp hopefully later this month!

Wiggley - love Roald Dahl, that man knew what he was talking about with that one :)

Oh grumpy that’s so rubbish and totally unfair that you’re made to feel that way. I think because I work in the NHS (which is so women and child friendly) that I forget the pressures from other organisations. Can’t imagine. Stay strong though, you are completely entitled to make whatever decisions you want for your life. You can have a balance and that is definitely okay.

Forgot to add ... I love than resolution wiggley!! It's definitely something I need to practice.

Oh grumpy that's a difficult one! You're clearly trying so hard to keep everyone happy - well done on taking some time for yourself by doing some yoga today! Your work situation really makes me think that women are still far from equal in the workplace, your needs clearly just aren't considered

Honestly no wonder so many women quit the work force at this age. The pressure is so much.

Ahh wiggley I need to take your advice. Currently just feeling massively guilty all the time. Guilty I can't stick to low carb. Guilty for leaving work on time early. Guilty for not spending more time with DD. Maybe I need to give myself a break on at least one of those items.. trying REALLY hard to stop being paranoid about work but it is so tough now I know I'm being judged for being a 30yr old married woman

Yes it's definitely an on-going struggle! It's also so subconscious sometimes I don't realise I'm doing it. "Why can't I just eat healthy like x or z?! Stop fantasising about ttc when you should just be enjoying your time without commitments. I wish I was one of those people who were incredibly organised and planned their meals for every week rather than rushing around at 6pm working out what we have in the house. "

That's just some of them. They can all be put in a box labelled "not helpful thoughts" and in its place I shall "have positive thoughts that will shine out of my face like sunbeams and I will always look lovely!" Love Roald Dahl!"

Oh Wiggley that's a fab resolution and something we probably all need to do. Do you consciously keep yourself in check when those thoughts creep in? I suppose the more you practice it the better it is. Lovely.

grumpy yes it does lead to loads of speculation.. my friends are always asking. I'm going to have to work out what the hell to say (or just avoid them all for the next few weeks! :) )

Yay for the bridgets parnsips, bet you look fab!

Jupiter I wouldn't want them all speculating - DH is super private so would probably want to keep it secret. We shall see!

Penguin they aren't officially compulsory but they are great networking opportunities with some industry VIPs so I would be seen as not committed /interested in my career if I don't go. Urgh I hate that balance is still often seen as a negative in my industry. But I just escaped work to go to yoga early as I feel I deserve it!

Parsnips don't worry about how you look in your dress, just try to feel fabulous and that's all that matters! Please don't make yourself miserable by not eating over the next week. Im sure you will look beautiful regardless!

My New Years resolution this year was to be kinder to myself. I spend so much time telling myself off and feeling guilty for so many things! From eating too much/the wrong foods to feeling broody, I used to get so annoyed at myself. It never changed anything I just felt like I was failing all the time. Then I realised we are all doing our best so I'm trying really hard to stay positive and allow myself the odd mistake. No ones perfect and I forget that sometimes

That doesn't sound very fair, grumpy! Why are they compulsory? If they're in "your" time, you should definitely get time in lieu.

Aww Jupiter count each and every blessing! Don't feel silly about getting emosh, it's perfectly natural... you're embarking on a new adventure and a whole other phase of your life, so it's natural to reflect on what has been and what you're now leaving behind!

Hb spermies are so stupid aren’t they! Can’t believe how badly designed the whole thing is.. although going by this thread they aren’t doing too badly. Ohh just remembered that the only thing we did differently this month (apart from the magic lube) was that MrJupiter started the wellman tablets at the end of my last cycle. They should help power the sperm even more. Will be counting down the week for you! (by the way are you feeling any less nauseous?)

grumpy could you tell family that you’re trying which is why you aren’t drinking? Could be really casual and say that you and DH want to start a family at some point this year so just getting into a detox mode? Or could you say you have a hangover from the night before so want a night off the alcohol?

Feeling all emotional this afternoon. Just reflecting on the last 15 years and the ups and down (parents health, crap boyfriends, the usual struggles) and just feeling so grateful for the wondrous Mr Jupiter, my family and now our little poppy seed. Hope that doesn’t sound smug. Just good to count blessings sometimes I suppose. Saw some tulips springing up in our garden earlier (friend planted them as a spring surprise in the shape of our initials) and welled up. Christ, these pregnancy hormones are going to be the end of me!! Need to go and toughen up!

Oh wow missed lots of updates there!

Hb that is super exciting fingers crossed 🤞🏼 for this weekend!

Parsnips I would never normally advocate this but on honeymoon I went off food and lost half a stone at least in like 10 days.. so if you super restrict before the event it will work (even if it's mostly water weight).

MrsC thanks - yes unfortunately will be a quite small event to celebrate our wedding with the French family that couldn't come to the actual wedding last year .. oh well hopefully won't be pregnant yet!

I have two compulsory work dinners this week which I'm resenting a lot! I don't even get time in lieu and I won't see DD and they are super boring..

Hi red glad you are feeling back to your old self!

Jupiter if it works this month I would be only be 6 weeks by Easter weekend which I'd worry is too soon to tell extended family but not sure how I'd get away with not drinking!

Thanks buzz I am not expecting anything this month - it feels exciting weird to think it is possible but the potential bad timing is making me kind of hope this isn't my month, so I won't be disappointed at all if it isn't!

Eeek exciting times hb, I'll be keeping my fx for you! I read that article too... it said that many sperm die in the vagina, I wonder why that is??

I'm not holding my breathe!! First month & all that.... also just read a BBC article about the challenges sperm face, of the 150,000,000 that get released, only 10 will get anyway near the egg... they sound pretty dumb to me!! The vagina is a hostile environment for them!! (Coincidentally just stocked up on wellman vits again to ensure super sperm is being produced in case we need it next month!!)

How exciting hb keeping everything crossed for you this week!

How exciting Hb, sending loads of positive vibes your way!! Could be your month :)

buzz am sure they will ring back with a date soon, it really does make it feel more real :)

parsnips no carbs for a few days, plenty of water and some control pants and you'll look great (you probably already do!)

Glad you're feeling better red, the first half of the cycle does always go really quickly! Good to know vaguely when ovulating. Not OPK-ing should take some pressure away. Loving your relaxed attitude this month.

Penguin always good to have an MOT blood test to check everything okay.

MrsC sorry you're struggling.. when did you nausea start? Am dreading it.

I'm sure you're far from a dog's dinner parsnips although that did make me laugh!! A few days detox & fat pants will make all the difference!

Glad you're on the mend red Respect for getting back on the running already!

I'm testing this weekend if AB hasn't put in an appearance before then (ovia predicts Sunday but that is off the back of a four day longer cycle last month) Just bought some tests... first time I've bought them and wanted it to be positive!!

Cute bun in the oven story MrsC
I'm going to buy a baby doll and put a sign on saying "to prepare for cousin [insert surname here]" and give it to my nephew to unwrap in front of the family! (Whenever that may be!!)