The Bumper Edition of the First Time Frolicker Graduates

[Hermya321]

Right then , what's everyone having? I have all sorts behind here both alcoholic and non alcoholic and an array of snacks as well.

Here is a link to the Future Grads Thread

Stats:

ARRIVALS:

Fulhamgirl - EDD 30th May - DOB 9th Apr - Girl - Lily Ann - 4lb
Trying4Baby1 - EDD 25th Apr - DOB 6th May - Girl - Emily - 10lb 2.5oz
Pepperonipizza -EDD 24th May - DOB 28th May -Boy
CurlyCasper - EDD 21st July - DOB 24th June - Girl
Spirael - EDD 25th Jul - DOB 7th July - Girl - Miranda Jane - 8lb 3oz
DesperateHousewife21 - EDD 18th July - DOB 9th July - Boy - Dylan James
Sazziej - EDD 1st Sep- DOB 24th Aug - Girl - Evie - 7lb 8oz
Ozziegirly - EDD 24th Aug -DOB 25th Aug - Boy-Thomas - 7lb 1oz

CURRENT GRADUATES:

NovemberAli - BFP 24th Dec - EDD 2nd Sep - Surprise
WhiteRoses - BFP 11th Jan - EDD 15th Sep - Boy
Hobnob - BFP 17th Jan - EDD 26th Sep - Girl
Pixiestix - BFP 18th Jan - EDD 24th Sep - Surprise
Addie81 - BFP 28th Jan - EDD 7th Oct - Girl
Chancewouldbeafinething - BFP 1st Feb - EDD 10/10/10 - Boy
WorrisomeHeart - BFP 29th Jan - EDD 12th Oct - Boy - Lochlann
Hermya321 - BFP 12th Feb - EDD 24th Oct - Boy
Fudgecat - BFP 19th Feb ? EDD 28th Oct
Pidgin - BFP 27th Feb - EDD?
YorkshireTeaDrinker - BFP 1st Mar - EDD 6th Nov
Bunnygirl80 - BFP 12th Mar - EDD 19th Nov-Boy
Mumnerves - BFP 1st Apr - EDD 8th Dec
Luckyseven - BFP 8th Apr - EDD 17th Dec
Capricorn76 - BFP 12th Apr - EDD 1st Jan 2011
Homebound - BFP 30th Apr - EDD 8th Jan
Seablue - BFP? - EDD 10th Jan
Oneof8 - BFP 18th May - EDD 17th Jan
Aly323 - BFP? - EDD 31st Jan - Boy
Muser - BFP 22nd June - EDD 27 Feb
Superpenguin - BFP 1st July - EDD 4th March
Haloflo - BFP 22 July - EDD 20 March
SaorAlba - BFP 7 Aug - EDD 4th April
MrsWajs - BFP 13 Aug? - EDD 10th April

hermya you have had a bit of a time of it! I think crazy's suggestion sounds sensible and a nice way to handle it. I am a bit clueless but a friend at work's wife went for some traditional chinese thing to turn the baby - seemed to basically involve burning some special stick near her feet. It is completely non invasive, you don't take anything, didn't hurt and it worked - although friend says he has no idea how it works and it may well have been just baby deciding to wriggle around of her own accord!

Thanks all for asking about my Great Day Out. Managed not to be actually sick (had sick bag in handbag just in case) but felt bit rough. Also had to snack all day which my friends thought was really wierd. Think they may well suspect but what can you do?

Felt fine on Sunday (cue: why am I not feeling sick? Whats wrong with the baby? Have I imagined this pregnancy?) but awful today - bit sick but mostly just exhausted. Def more tired than before, really hope am not coming down with something. Thought I was going to faint on the train as kept seeing stars and thinking I was going to through up so had to get off early and sit on the platform until I was sufficiently recovered to get another train

crazy after going bit mad on Sunday DH and I have decided to go for an early private scan and so I followed the link you posted aages ago and I think we'll go there too - would you recommend it? I know its only reassurance that things are fine at that moment but 4 or so more weeks seems so long to wait to check that there is in fact a baby in there. Yay for RL preg buddy but don't let it make you feel bad! You have no idea how sick or tired she is feeling compared to you. Or, for that matter, how sorry she does feel for herself when its just her and DH!

Done hardly any work as felt so awful so best get to it so don't have to work till silly o clock tonight. Hope you all had good weekends!

cherry I have mailed you hun x

Aaaaaaarrrrgggghhhhh!!!

Sorry, just needed to do that! There is no longer just one person suspecting my pregnancy (as mentioned before) but now a whole 4 of them have been discussing it as though it's common knowledge!!!!!!

I am absolutely f***g livid! (excuse the language!)

Why do people feel this is any of their bloody business, it really has ruined things for me - what's the point of making an announcement when everyone already knows?? :(

Oh and I've bloody put on half a stone too - not happy about that either.

Rant over..........

Oh MrsW I am sorry, it's horrid when that happens. I'm sorry they ruined it for you.

oh MrsW some people really are inconsiderate. You are quite right that it is none of their business.

Hello all!
Just popping by quickly while Teg has a snooze on her Daddy. They are so cute together - it makes me go all wibbly and tearful Life after pregnancy is so weird! I am so in love with my little girl but at the same time I have had a bit of a cry every day since she was born over the most random things. My hormones are shot to hell! Not to mention my stomach... Oh my god, I had no idea the carnage that would have taken place down there. Its really horrific. But la la la, I'm sure you all don't need to hear that

Glad to hear that all the first trimester-ers (a new word?!) are doing well despite the sickness. Its such a scary time. I think its a good idea to get a private scan if you can afford it Cherry - there is nothing like seeing your little bean on screen to give you a week or two of peace of mind. I can't remember where you are, but I went to the FMC in Harley Street and they were fab with me. And gave me free hot chocolate too, which is always appreciated!

That totally sucks MrsW. It seems to have happened to so many of our Frolickers. What the bloody hell is wrong with people that they can't just mind their own business.

Glad you are feeling serene about the baby's position Hermya. If there is anything that my labour taught me, its that the little buggers will do what they like and there is very little that you can do about it. Teg was perfectly positioned all the way through my pregnancy - then on Day 2 of the labour suddenly became back to back and wouldn't shift. Ouch!
You have excellent taste in films by the way. North and South, and Sense and Sensibiity are two of my all time faves. Perfectly cast, and doing absolute justice to the novels which is very very rare

Fudge - I'm sorry I haven't had a chance before now to say how very sad I was to hear the news of Elliots death. What a brave little boy you had. He touched lives all over the world with this thread, and that is really astounding. I can't imagine the pain that you must be feeling, but I hope that you and your DH are leaning on each other.

Chance, Worrisome, Addie - eeeeeeeeeeek!!

Pixie so great to hear from you! And it sounds like you are in utter bliss, which is fab. Interesting what you say re the crying - one of my close friends who has a 9 week old said that one of the most surprising things she found was the amount of tears (the watery kind, as opposed to the yucky painful kind! ) Better make sure I have a good stock of tissues in my hospital bag...

Well, no news from me except that at my m/w appt yesterday she said that his head was 'floating free' so it looks like we've lost whatever engaged ground we'd made! Ah well, still a week of his due date, I guess I can't be too impatient yet, can I?? Am really quite bored of this whole thing now, and just want my baby!!!!!

Right, enough of a rant, am going to have a nice soothing bath to take my mind of it - whale noises at the ready ladies!

hermya hope your scan went ok today and the LO has moved into a better position!

Hi to everyone else, sorry for the short post.

Quick update from me, baby is head down and is ready to go.

Worrisome I'm already impaitent and I'm only 37 weeks.

Fab news Hermya you must be so relieved!!

I think part of the problem is being told from 37 weeks 'oh, it could be any time now' so I already feel like the baby is late because I'm 39 weeks! Silly!

Hermya glad LO is head down. Hopefully he'll stay prefectly positioned for a speedy exit

Pixie it's great to hear that you're enjoying motherhood. I've heard from lots of friends that you will spend the first few weeks post-birth randomly crying, so you're not alone on that front.

Had to deliver the bad news to DH the other day that my tummy won't go back to being perfectly flat and toned straight after the birth. He's seen SIL 2 days after she had given birth and she still looked 6 months pg, but for some reason he thought that was just because she had a c-sec, not that it happens regardless of the exit route. Poor bloke, I feel bad for shattering all of his illusions. Hopefully my mahoosive boobs will distract his attention from the carnage that is my belly

MrsW some people are so inconsiderate. I'm on your behalf

worrisome how disappointing that your LO has unengaged. Hope he doesn't keep you waiting too much longer

I got some mummy practice in the other day babysitting my friend's 9 month old dd. It was really hard work keeping her entertained all afternoon. I don't think it helps that our house is completely unbaby-proofed, so I couldn't leave her unsupervised even for a couple of seconds. Poor thing had to come to the toilet with me every time I had to go...which is quite a lot at the moment I was quite pleased with myself as she survived the afternoon uninjured, and only cried once and I was able to get her to stop pretty quickly. Maybe I'll actually cope with parenthood better than I thought

Hi All - hope everyone is ok?

Must be so exciting to be so close to due dates for some?!?

I start my Maternity leave from the part time job in a months and a half - plan being this will give me the energy to stay at the full time role till December as planned... Knowing I'll soon be classed as "Mat Leave" is quite scary as makes the birth aspect seem more real (or I am just crazy!)

Just a really quick question to those past 25 weeks and claimed the Health in Preg Grant - is there a cut off point for the paperwork?

My next appointment is around week 28 and I forgot to ask for it at my last appointment (was going to be cheeky and ask the midwife to post date it as was only 23+3!) Only just thought of it as came up in random conversation.

I have only heard you cant apply early, nothing about if it has to be done in a timescales...

Hope everyone is feeling well xx

one of 8 I think the only date issue with the HIP grant is that you must send it in within 31 days of it being signed by your m/w. Be prepared that you may then have to wait a bit - it took 5 weeks for mine to come through, for absolutely no reason!

bunny well done on the test run! I'm sure you'll be fab!

Hermya Fab news :o

Bunny of course you'll be a good parent, the thing is I don't think you'd be questioning your parenting skills if you weren't going to be a good mum!

oneof8 Mine came within 2 weeks of me sending it, sorry don't know how long you've got to send it.

Ouch ouch ouch!! LO keeps kicking my bladder and it really really hurts!!! Another 3 weeks till I'm off work and can't wait :)

Evening, sorry I've been quiet for a while, been busy at work and attempting to have a social life still. When I'm not busy I'm wiped out so like to get early night's and naps in!

I've quite a bit to catch up on so hopefully I won't miss anything.

pixie Congrats on your baby girl. Tegan is a gorgeous name! Your labour sounds awful but glad you feel it was worth it. I hope you are recovering well.

crazy Congrats on the early scan. It is such a relief to know that there is something there! How did the booking in appointment go? Mine was a bit of a non event as bloods weren't taken until after my scan & I have a good family history so there was no major concerns.

oneof8 I bet you are counting down to start ML on your second job. It's very impressive that you've kept everything up for this long - clearly you will be a super mum!

kurly I hope you are doing ok and coping with your nausea. How many weeks are you now? I hope the end is in sight for you. I can't exactly say when I started feeling better but it was around 11 weeks. When I told my colleagues there were a couple who said "oh you have got a little bump, I wondered but didn't want to ask" but most were surprised. I was quite shocked that people asked if I pleased (er yes, over the moon!) and if it was planned (er none of your business?!) Mostly people have been lovely and supportive and keep saying how well I'm looking. I will thinking of you next Thursday - 1 week to go!

hermya I am thinking of your LO every day willing to arrive early. C'mon! Am glad he isn't breeched and you still get your birthing centre. I love the smell of bio oil, I've found it reduces the itchy feeling of growing skin too. Worth it even if stretch marks happen!

mrsw Not long now til your scan! I will be thinking of you next Tuesday. I am angry on your behalf over your friends gossiping. I hope you don't mind me saying but they seem immature and clearly have no idea how hard the first trimester is. One day they will get it. Do not worry about your weight, just make it through the days. I'm hoping my weight gain in the second trimester with balance out. I think spirael found she put a normal amount on over the pregnancy even after a first trimester gain.

And yes I have a lot of nights where I toss and turn. Part of the course I think. And don't get me started on the dreams...

lucky I would like to hear your names but I'm very indecisive so probably won't be much help. You tried the DVD yet? I've done the first 20 mins of the 70 min programme but felt a bit too early on in my pregnancy for it.

cherry You booked your private scan yet? I bet your friends didn't guess but when you tell them your news they will suddenly realise why you were constantly munching! Hope your are having some easier days sickness wise.

bunny I hope ML is going well and the building works aren't too noisy.

mumsnerves Hooray for ML. I can't believe you only have 2 months to go! I remember your BFP so clearly!

addie, chance & worrisome Who is going first? I wonder if any of you are having your babies as we type!

News from me is that I think I might be feeling flutters. I keep feeling a tickle. Its faint but noticeable and seems to be getting more obvious. I'm 16+4 now so it's very early but fingers crossed that's what it is. Still 4 weeks to go until my 20 week scan and with no MW appointment in between I need the reassurance. I am hoping it's not my imagination.

It's quiet round here at the moment - hopefully it's because addie, chance, and worrisome are busy having their babies.

halo sounds like you're feeling LO moving. I found the weeks between the 12 week scan and when I started to feel proper movements the hardest for worrying - you're stuck in a period of time where the yucky but reassuring first trimester symptoms have gone, but you're not feeling LO moving around to get reassurance that everything's ok.

Not much to report from me. I'm 34 weeks today, should probably make a start on my hospital bag. The problem is that lots of the stuff on the list to go in it is stuff that I want to use on a day to day basis anyway, like my make up and ipod. Think I'll end up just throwing most stuff in it when we're heading out the door to the hospital

I'm fuming at Lord Huttons report, that man is an idiot. He wants public sector workers to pay more into their pensions and work longer. I love my job, I do. One of the scant benefits of it is the fact that I get a semi decent pension, I contribute a lot of my salery to my scheme. They reformed it two years ago under the last government and now they want to change it again. I think the government are signing their death warents at the moment. Everybody can appreciate the need to cut back, but there is a line and I think they've crossed it.

Sorry that was a bit of a soapbox moment .

Anyway, no real news from me. I've been getting a lot of aches and cramps recently. I've cleaned everything in my house and managed to snag a free tumble dryer. I highly doubt there is anymore nesting I can do at the moment.

Come on baby!!!

Bunny I bought minitures of some of my more regular used stuff so I didn't have to stress going out the door. But I think I will be packing my favourite blusher as I go. Also you will be a fab Mum, just remember at first all they need is feeding and changing and as they grow so do you as a parent.

Halo Thats fab news!!! Just be aware, you may not feel it every day. Your LO has a lot of room to move about in there and will take full advantage of it.

One No cut off point, but you have thirty one days from when the MW signs your form.

Pixie Why thank you!!

Mumsnerves Ooooo thats not nice is it.

I hope everyone is well!!

Sorry ladies, I'm still here! Second of my NCT group has had her baby now, we're next in line so hopefully there will be no queue jumping! I am v jealous that she's popped - which is daft when I think (rationally) that in a few weeks my boy will be here too. I WANT HIM NOW!!! Ahem.. right, sorry will chill out now! Have been having lots of BH's but no show, no real contractions and I think he's still sitting quite high so I think it will be ages yet.

bunny I second the miniatures thing. I've packed what I can and have a carefully written list that DH will use to pack the final bits just before we head into hosp.

Hermya Nice work on the tumbledryer!!! Am v , I wish we had room for one.

mumnerves Hope the next 3 weeks go ok - being off work is blissful!

halo fab re the flutters, it's sooo exciting feeling them for the first time isn't it?

addie and chance hope you are both ok/cooing over lovely babies/having a pain-free birth...

hello all! Just quickly checking in to say we had our private scan last night and it was amazing. I was so nervous beforehand I couldn't look at the screen, but turns out it is a baby, it is in the right place, and its heart is beating (171 bpm!)! DH and I were v v excited. She dated me at 8 weeks plus 5, which is 2 days ahead of where I think I am (I had calculated based on when I think I ov'd and when we did the deed!), and 3 days behind what my LMP date would be.

halo I can't believe people asked you if you were pleased/ if it was planned!!! The rudeness of some people! V exciting re the flutters.

hermya a free tumble dryer - brilliant!

worrisome can't believe there is really not very long to go now at all...

mrsW did you decide whether to announce before your scan on Tues?

kurly and crazy hope you are doing ok - its nearly the weekend, hurrah!

Can I ask when all of you lovely ladies started to feel less sick and exhausted? I would quite like to be able to get my appetite back so I can have proper meals instead of constantly munching rubbish all day and feeling like I'm about to puke, and would like to be able to not have to go to bed at 9pm!

ps pixie must be the hormones but I felt all emotional at you describing your gorge daughter sleeping on her daddy!! hope all is going well xx

Hi everyone! Just a really wuick hello from me, I have been lurking and catching up on all your posts but haven't had much time this week to post much.

cherry so chuffed about your scan . I am 9 weeks today woohoo!

halo that fluttering sounds awesome! Did you have a 16 week midwife appointment or just a booking-in then 20 week? That's all I get and I'm pretty disappointed - apparently London is overstretched or something the booking-in was pretty non-eventful for me too despite it taking 90 minutes!! The midwife was s-l-o-w, I felt like grabbing the pen and file off her at some points and doing it myself!

MrsW so excited for your scan on Tuesday, I hope you'll post some photos for us nosey parkers!

Hermya and worrisome this must be such an exciting and impatient time for you, I hope the baby arrives very soon! This whole pregnancy thing is such a blimmin waiting game!!!

Hi to everyone else, happy Friday and have a great weekend xx

Hmm... may have posted too soon earlier... BH's are intensifying and now include back pain - we might be on our way ladies! DH is on his way home so that he can work from home this arvo just in case.. oooh I really hope this isn't a false alarm, will keep you all posted.

Worrisome - Good luck!! Very excited for you! xx

Thanks Worrisome, Mumnerves & Hermya Glad there appears to be no "do by" date, as had to move my next appointment back a week due to work commitments... not that I'm complaining as will only be 28+2 at that time rather than 27+2. I booked it for 15.00 but don't have to think about coming back after as a "compromise"! Normal finish is around 6/6.30 so would have been able to...

Halo, How exciting you are feeling LO! I know I was feeling something prior to the 20 week scan but was so nervous I wouldn't believe it till I saw LO on the screen!

Also, I think I have just been "lucky" that despite feeling pooh, I have been well enough to make it in the office and swimming as some people seem to have suffered far worse than me. Been doing more than one job since college, so just used to it really... but thank you for the reassurances!

Cherry isn't it wonderful seeing your baby! I was exactly the same, I wouldn't look until I was told everything was ok!

Cant believe in just over 3 months I will be seeing the baby "for real" and not via a screen... OMG - Two things I have just realised typing that... 1) baby will be here soon, and 2) I am still mentally a teenager using expressions like "OMG" when realising a shocking piece of information such as the further you get the less to go. One would have thought I would have realised this sooner.

I'll slope off to work out why this is such a shock by hoping everyone is ok and giving cheers of encouragement to Addie, Chance & Worrisome xx

Hello all!

Just popping in to say I'm 19 weeks today! Saw my midwife on tuesday and was able to hear the heartbeat through speaker for the first time which was amazing! all seems well so I'm really pleased :)

worrisome good luck!!

Well, we're still here. After having regular BH's all day (every 10-15 mins) things seem to have changed - not so much BH's as just ongoing pain/discomfort in my back and bump. Not sure if this means that things are progressing or slowing really. I'm aiming to go to bed in an hour or so and see if sleep helps. Will update you all tomorrow!

Worrisome Try having a hot bath before you go to bed, it could help speed things up. If nothing else you'll be nice and relaxed.