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

Reading and running (stupid work getting in the way of everything, plus only getting worse...)

Glad everyone is fine, and doing well.

MrsW We chose a range from Babies R Us. As we had vouchers to use, seemed silly to wait and extra few weeks till on Mat leave so got the items we wanted at the weekend.

So glad we did, the range was no where near as nice and vibrant as the net/catalogue. Quality of the curtains (only thing we opened as needed to test length) was shocking - really rubbish (was using much stronger langue on the night!). Material was poor quality and drab, but the same as what had been used for the mosses bedding so decided to take it back and look for something else.

It may be that range, may have even just been those curtains BUT before you buy anything in Babies R Us, open and touch it first, so you don?t get disappointed like us.

When we tried to return what we had purchased we were told that unless it was faulty they did not do refunds.

We did get a refund after arguing with the Store Manager and threatening calling the local papers (like I said, having a bad one at the moment, so this was not over the top! ) but no point in risking your blood pressure!

I know some of their stuff is lovely, so just check it out before you part with any money in there!

If the range you chosen is ok, then sign up for the baby club before hand (think I did it about 3 weeks before) as you get money off vouchers - we would have save about £15 in total if had kept the range - so worth it if you do get any bedding etc from there.

Yep I would buy new then sell on, then you know it's nice and not misshapen etc, some of them go for over £50 so it seems cheap with that knocked off . which one are you lusting over? Post a link!

No I can't be ar$ed. The girls I work with are p1ssing me off at the moment and being really cliquey and a bit snide, so I think I would be making more trouble for myself. I think its the WFH Fridays they are not happy about. Meh. They should try having morning sickness then see if they are still so resentful!

Good luck tomorrow! xxx

crazyb and cherry thanks for replies. Yes its for booking in appointment. Just worrying as 8 weeks already, been waiting more than 2 weeks already and don't want to wait anymore!! [impatient face]

PS: Thanks for muffins cherry and hope your consultant appt goes well.

Meh indeed - I suggest being sick on colleagues desks crazy - or is that too passive aggressive?!

Will let you all know how it goes tomorrow (its in the afternoon) x

Afternoon all!

highheels Hope you are enjoying your snow days. I was really tired for the first few weeks, more tired than nauseas. I hope your appointment comes through fast as it feels good to get things moving. It was different for me as I could ring the surgery and get a MW appointment direct. Have you decided what to do about your friend yet? I think diet is a good idea but if she isn't the type to ask too many questions I'd not give a reason. I had a lovely friend who said she guessed when I wasn't drinking but knew I didn't want people to know. I didn't mind that she guessed (as she didn't share the theory) and she was still really happy when I told her the good news at 12 weeks.

cherry I say go for the bargain pram, I am being very fussy about this one thing due to weight. Anything else I would love second hand as i'm worried how expensive things are. Glad to hear you are starting to feel better. Thanks for the muffins (one for me, one for LO) Hope tomorrow goes well (and you do get a sneak peak)

kurly I have an anterior placenta and movement has felt like this:

weeks 16-18 maybe something
weeks 18- 20 I think there is something but not every day
weeks 20- 22 Defiantly something but not everyday.
weeks 22 onwards Starting to feel something each day but still have quiet days. All movement is currently around the knicker line.

Still nothing from the outside so poor DP has felt nothing. What's happening with you at the moment?

My maternity tights were £7.00 from mothercare. I've not tried them on yet though. They are my Christmas party tights and are purple. They should go with a black jersey dress I got from new look. Your nursery sounds gorgeous, I don't even know where to start with mine but then I've never been into decorating.

mumsnerves I hope the snow isn't too bad round your way. What pram did you decide on it the end?

mrsw V exciting to start feeling movement! I've had no BH yet but have had lots of stretching pains and they seem to pass so hopefully your will too.

lucky Hope ML continues to go well and glad you and LO enjoyed Ellie Goulding! Thanks for the car seat tips. Am I right in thinking only cars after 2005 can have isofix? Just have to hope my seatbelts are long enough (2001 vauxhall corsa) I found the maxi cosi website very confusing as my car wasn't on there so I might just ask in the shop.

crazy Glad your sickness is going too (even if Broccoli Woman doesn't help things.)

In pushchair news: For all my good intentions towards the local shop I'm now tempted to buy the babystyle oyster from boots. I joined their parenting club as you get 10 points for every pound you spend on baby stuff and they send you vouchers including 20% pushchairs when you spend over £75 and also a free changing bag when you buy some nappies. As the pushchair part of the oyster costs £249.00 the discount would save me some money. Also add the car seat and carry cot into the equation and I could be getting nearly £40.00 worth of points .

Going to talk to mum tonight but won't be rushed into a decision just yet.

PS Have put my 20 week scan picture up & also a bump pic if anyone is interested. Not the best quality for the bump picture as it was on my phone in the mirror. Also please excuse the mess!

Halo love the scan and bump pictures! Am thinking that I'll phone the midwives next week if I still haven't heard anything. Haven't yet decided about friend, may tell her but feeling a little superstitous (sp?), will decide before Sat!

Well we have yet another snow day tomorrow (didn't believe it until my PT phoned me to tell me!). So am planning on having another lazy day :o just what I need right now. Only problem is that sitting around the house means I'm thinking and worrying more, literally counting down the days until 12 weeks!

Flo your bump is really high!! Mine is much much lower, can't remembe how much further on you are though??

Also now wondering if perhaps I have anterior placenta going by your prescriptions, mine are still very weak and infrequent but I can definitely feels something, in saying that I am still only 19+2.

Rush post once again as I am at work and shouldn't be on here!!x

*descriptions!! lol

Oh do you think so? Does that mean according the old wives tale I'm having a girl or have I got that the wrong way round??! I think its got quite a big bigger in the couple of weeks though and as its got bigger, its risen. I think im 4 weeks ahead of you? I'm 24+2 today if that helps.

highheels Have you ever watched 24? Something like that on a dvd box set might the ideal antidote to sitting around the house worrying. Enjoy your day off and try not to worry too much (easier said than done I know).

Having a panic here. Had some spotting after going to the loo last night and then again in the early hours. After phoning NHS 24 and then phoning my GP surgery this morning verdict is that the medical profession do not want me risking my life driving in this weather so have to wait till roads are clear until I can go to EPU for a scan. Feeling absolutely terrified and helpless. Worried that my boobs don't feel as sore and praying that I start feeling terrible again today. Was almost starting to think the most worrying part was nearly over and starting to look forward to sharing the news etc and now just don't know what to think. Alternating between hoping, praying, worrying, feeling sure everything's gone horribly wrong then feeling guilty for thinking that and desperately trying to stay positive. I know that spotting can mean nothing and this is not like when I had my mc but I will not relax until I see a heartbeat. Terrified and so :(

highheels didn't want you to be panicking alone. I have read lots and lots of stories of people having bleeding and spotting throughout their pregnancies, especially in the early weeks, and everything has turned out to be fine.I think spotting is relatively common and people say that it is only when it is lots of reddish blood that it may be a concern. Even then it can just be from the cervix so isn't automatically the worst case scenario. Hang in there my love, I can't imagine how you are feeling, but the advice is right not to drive xx

Thanks MissFlick. I know that it's sensible not to venture out and that there's nothing anyone can actually do anyway but this waiting is so horrible. Spent all night waiting to speak to Dr and now waiting again. Terrified to go to the loo in case I see red.

Hello everyone -

Just saw your last post highheels - so sorry that you're stuck there worrying. I had spotting at 6/7 weeks and completely freaked out. Rang the EPU at St Thomas' who were lovely but said I might as well just wait and see unless it got a lot worse. So even if you could get there, perhaps they'd tell you to wait and see too? It was a horrible 5 days - constantly knicker checking and boob jiggling, so I completely sympathise. I've since read that there a number of harmless little internal changes that can cause spotting in the first 12 weeks, which makes sense as I was fine in the end (as were lots of friends I subsequently found out had had a similar experience). That's not to say you shouldn't worry, but just to try to reassure you a bit. This may not be helpful, but in that week I eventually found some comfort in thinking that there was nothing I could do about it whatever was going on. A good friend of mine talked about it being part of what she'd found to be the biggest lesson of pregnancy and early parenthood, which is that you can't control everything, which is hard if you're used to being in control. Fingers crossed for you - I really really hope all is well for you. x

Hello everyone else -

Day 3 of Maternity Leave in the seablue house, and gradually working my way down the humungous list of things to buy before D Day. Think I'm getting there - but tbh some of my decisions seem fairly random however much I research - I mean I've never even seen a breast pump. Anyway. But loving online shopping rather than struggling over the ice with my SPD waddle!

luckyseven - sounds as if you're enjoying your ML too. Very impressed you're ready in the practical sense (would you like to come and sort out our "nursery"? If there were a way of writing heavier inverted commas, I'd do so. A tiny room filled with my clothes and bags and things - where's it all going to go???) I din't think it's at all strange to be feeling mentally unprepared - it feels as if it's something that's going to take us by surprise however we prepare; both the experience of birth and the fact that we'll have another person sharing our house. I've found myself hoping the baby will be late to give me more time, but I'm not sure what I want the time for...even given the state of the room upstairs, it's not going to take me more than 5 weeks to clear it up! Glad you and LO enjoyed concert - and you've got Laura Marling tickets too? Lucky you!

mumnerves well impressed about packed hospital bag. I've just looked the horror of maternity pads in the face and ordered some, but actually putting them in a bag will be another watershed moment I think! Hope you're feeling ok and not too desperate for it all to start.

hermya and bunny - sounds as if it's all going well! Liking the sound of those lunches. Thanks again hermya for your SPD post - it seems to be liking the rest now I'm on ML, so that's something. After 5 months of it I just want to get to the end still walking. Could go either way when the head engages though. But crossing fingers for a recovery like yours after the birth - I remember your posts about crying as you crossed the car park into work, and now look at you. Congrats on reaching 10lbs!

crazy how exciting about the new house and the move to the country. New baby, new life. On the tights front, I found leggings (Top Shop normal, not maternity) that sat under my bump so much better than tights. But then I don't have to look that smart, so could do the boots/leggings/nice tunic top thing. Leggings obviously no good if you need to have 15 denier going on. Got some maternity tights from JoJo MB, which were £8 or something stupid. Useless when I tried them on at home at 20 weeks or whenever I bought them. Now at 35 weeks, they make complete sense, but you need quite a hefty bump (and believe me, mine is hefty) before they stay up.

bellaby - really hard re the MIL. Mine keeps trying to buy things too. She's very kindly bought us the buggy, which is great as they really are eye-wateringly expensive aren't they! But she also wants to pay for help after the birth and alternative therapies for my SPD before the birth, which would be fantastic but I have no idea whether she can afford it, and money is taboo in DH's family so he had no idea either. Also complicated by the fact that my mother died a long while ago and so I worry that MIL is over-compensating. Yours probably isn't going to stop, so perhaps you should find some things you really need and say how much you'd like them, but be firm about not wanting anything else - that way she'll feel she's doing what you want but she won't be wasting her money and you can keep control of how much she spends?

mrswajs - so glad this year is looking better for you. Hoorah for DH's new job and a gold star for improved behaviour.

haloflo - congratulations on being viable! And glad to hear you enjoyed Harry Potter. Going tonight, allegedly, though I know for a fact that DH has a pile of reports to do (this really is the worst bit of the school year as far as I can see) so I'm not holding my breath.

Sorry to anyone I've missed. Ah - oneof8 - sorry you're having a rubbish end to your job. It will end, though. I found that it was hard for people to get their heads round the fact that I was leaving but not Leaving For Good. They couldn't get my leaving date into their heads at all. It only got better when I had to start working mostly from home as I couldn't really walk - not physically being there seemed to drive the message home a bit, so by last Friday they'd realised what was going on and there were flowers and cake and things, which was lovely.

Hope the snow isn't causing too much chaos where you all arex

highheels big hug, sorry you are going through this extra worry. Nothing i can say will make you stress less but like the others have said there are lots of people we all know that have had similar experiences and everything has been ok. You just need to get your scan so you know what is going on and get the reassurance you need.

seablue i have led you on, stuff is bought and lives in the """""nursery"""" alongside the bags of washing and ironing and the tool box that dh has not put away yet. I am tempted to take a photo to make you feel better and this morning i watched America's Next Top Model and wrapped Christmas presents instead of finishing the hospital bag! i am my own worst enemy and need to rethink my priorities!

Back later to catch up properly as have to go to a Tens workshop at the hospital, I am sceptical but forewarned is forearmed!

Hi flick i was so jealous of your pretty topshop spree!

Hi lucky you're so sweet! Hope your workshop goes well and cherry good luck with your consultant today. Hope you're doing ok HH xxx

highheels If it helps I had spotting at 6 weeks 3 days and 4 days (was a weekend so couldn't rush to my GP) and felt my symptoms were less in those couple of days. It stopped by the Monday and 2 days later I had a scan and all was ok. The spotting was old blood probably implantation and it's likely I felt better because I wasn't at work (like you now) My thoughts are with you and I really hope it's just the LO getting comfy. Every emotion is normal, look after yourself.

Thanks for the messages, am trying to stay positive. Suppose I'll just have to wait for the snow to clear and see what happens.

HighHeels Nothing that can be said will stop the worry, and also know that feeling of absolute helplessness until you can be reassured.

I had a bright red bleed and it was a lot (TMI - not just spotting but like mid-period, which for me is heavy). Everything did turn out fine so try to stay positive as so many of us have experienced bleeds during our pregnancies. I know this is easier said than done.

As they have said, if it will be a risky journey, you are better waiting till it is safe to travel. I hope you get to do this soon as the limbo is a real killer xx

Thanks SeaBlue - its just bad timing at work that everything that was delayed or planned for next year/after my return suddenly needs to happen now. It will be fine, just need to keep at it!

Hi to everyone else, will do a proper catch up soon x

highheels big hugs hope you manage to rest and put your feet up, just think at least it's just spotting and not a bleed. Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Can't even imagine how you're feeling, is there not a community midwife tho with a machine locally that could just have a quick listen for you? I'd ring the GPs back and ask.

crazy Thanks for the muffin, it tastes better now it's 'rested' yum I got asked whether I was having twins early on too, and was measuring ahead, but after the 2nd trimester my bump growth slowed down and now am measuring 1cm behind so you may be just like me and grow very quickly at first and then slowly after.

Kurly how's your cough? If it's still chesty maybe try a menthol chest rub? Get DH to rub your back too, it'll help. I'm glad I'm not the only one with a 'junkroom' that was exactly what our nursery was before and it was just the room where we piled things up. It'll be worth it after, now it's the nicest room in the house!

luckyseven Glad you enjoyed the concert, I don't think it's bad to go, infact I'm quite glad LO enjoyed it!

Mrswajs don't worry too much, LO was just the same when I was at your stage and now seems to be most active throughout the day till around 11pm then settles, hopefully that's the sleeping pattern we'll have to 'put up' with

haloflo am loving your bump!! We got the Britax B-smart and on the 20% off at Boots too, don't forget to get your coupon put through for the 10 points per £1 offer too. We chose that one because intend to go for walks with the dog and need one which is quite sturdy. BTW they have an offer on prams at the moment. I love the scan of LO, how clear is that little hand??! my bump was quite high too and apparently it's more likely to be a boy but I had both guesses from different people so...

Cherry ta for the muffin..chomp chomp chomp!

seablue thanks for asking, am trying to hold out till weather improves atm. I just chucked stuff into a bag untill 2 weeks ago when my friends said that I had 'dropped' and that it could be anytime now, made me have a well needed panic and kick up the bs to pack the bag properly!

Well, it's 6 inches of snow outside at the moment, DH is stuck at work with the car, thankfully (touchwood) no twinges yet, not a good time to be 39 weeks! Hope LO holds out till the snow thaws, at least we're not stuck for food as we always have the frozen food I got for after the birth!

On the other hand, I think my body is telling me to eat high energy fatty foods to keep warm, as I've been craving pork all week. I've so far this week scoffed 4 bacon sandwiches, eggs, spam you name it, usually foods that are a treat for me!

Have a nice week everyone, waves to anyone I missed

highheels sweetie, like everyone above has said this is quite common, try to stay positive although I know it's easier said than done.

My SIL had spotting at 10 weeks and was really worried, went to A&E and everything was ok. Fingers crossed the same thing happens for you. Sending you lots of love xxx

Have been snowed in at home today, really nice to have a surprise day off with DH although he actually worked from home

Thanks for the advice about the leggings seablue - I can get away with the same sort of things as you for work so I'll give them a try. I have been a bit wary of things under the bum until now because they've made me feel sick! Hope you're enjoying ML so far, lucky thing!

cherry I agree with the others, go for the bargain buggy! We have been really lucky to have been given a cotbed which we'll only need a mattress for which will really help us out. I'm taking everything I'm offered - I sort of think the more money we can save the longer I might be able to stay off work!!

halo love the pics! Like mrsw mine is a lot lower than your bump but then I think I am a good 2 months behind you!!

mumnerves I hope you're right about the bumpiness - I feel HUGE at the moment but at least it gets me a seat on the train sometimes

Hi to everyone else and to lovely flick xx

afternoon all - highheels hope spotting has stayed away, hope you are managing to be positive and just wait it out till you can get to EPU.

halo fab pics! Your bump is a lovely shape. Mine is still quite low but think thats usual.

I am LOVING the santa smileys!!

mumsnerves 39 weeks and snowbound!!! You sound very calm though . Enjoy your bacon sarnies - I love them and seem to have had quite a few more in the past four months than I have in the past couple of years....

Consultant appt was fine, he was really reassuring and just booked me in for an extra scan at 30 weeks to check on growth. He had a listen to the heartbeat on the doppler and felt my uterus (that sounds so wrong - basically just pressed around on my tummy and said, yes that all seems fine, no idea what he was looking for) so at least I know that LO is seems to still be ok in there.

Worked from home today because of appt, absolutely dreading the trains tomorrow. Am usually fine standing except for the very last bit when I feel like I am seconds away from fainting (get the whole nausea, bright lights, swimming vision thing). As soon as I sit down its fine, really odd. Have been getting slow trains in so always get a seat which is fab, but there's a very stupid snow timetable in place which means packed trains and very infrequent. If it looks too awful then I may work from home in the morning and try to go in at lunch. Sigh.

cherry do you use london midland?? You know we can sit in first class right?? If the conductor comes, tell him you're waiting for your MAT1B form to come through so you can get the letter. (and then when you get the form send a copy of it to london midland, then they send you a letter saying you're allowed in first class

My hairdresser told me about it last week and I was happy!! I think most train companies offer it...ask at the station.

xx

oooh thanks for the tip crazy, will check it out. I use first capital connect and they are so awful that I bet I can only use first class when I am over 38 weeks pregnant or something like that. When the trains are on the snow timetable and awful they usually declassify first class but if it is less packed in there tomorrow I am definitely going to use it!

aly323 are you out there? Haven't heard from you in a while, hope you are ok x