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

Aly My DH was calm as well, I think men are more linear. They don't really plan for something unless it's in front of their faces. The old saying that women become Mums when they're pregnant and men before Fathers when the babies are born is very true. Once DS was born, DH became a different man overnight. He became interested in things such as breastfeeding and nappies, where as before he was a bit disinterested.

oneof8 good luck!!

Mrswajs I'd mention the pain to your MW anyway. I was so glad to go on ML and get stuff done around the house and prepare myself mentally, you sound like you need the break!

Oneof8 Best of luck! Hope you are about to meet your LO soon.

lucky Beth looks gorgeous and so cute in her moses basket. You look really well too. Hope you made it to M&S for snacks. I ate loads on NYE (had to make up for not drinking somehow!)

mumsnerves Your birth sounds really positive, thank you for sharing. Brilliant news about not tearing (one of my worst fears!) Am very pleased Sean is gaining weight now too.

cherry Hope you are feeling better. Glad you are sorted maternity clothes wise for going back to work. I got a few more things too so should be able to see things through now (2 dresses which are much more comfy than my too small trousers!) Very exciting that DH felt a kick, my LO seems to kick me internally only and DP isn't sure he's felt anything definite yet.

mrsw I think we are all allowed a few treat outfits for our LO's! I wonder if not knowing the gender is saving me money at the moment because I find white/cream rather boring. You sound very organised, am impressed. I don't blame you for finishing work earlier. Do you finish at end of Feb like me now? I have 8 weeks to go and am hoping my energy boost seems me through until 36+5 (doubtful!) Hope the pain doesn't happen again, sounds horrid!

aly 2-3 weeks! Best of luck. My DP also seems to be far too relaxed. I'm taking comfort from everyone else's experience but also hoping that mine will be a calming influence when I am getting stressed/panicky/hysterical.

Am reading the pump info with keen eyes although I've not thought about it too much yet. I got my AN classes through and they start 26 Jan. There is also a special bf one at the very start of March which hopefully will prove useful (and maybe give me info about hiring an electric pump?)

I am struggling a bit with cots as I've no idea what I'm buying. (The one from dad's partner could do with a clean/dust/sand and paint and even then seems a bit old for my PFB! It's terrible I know, I should save money where I can but new stuff just seems so much nicer ) As for mattresses I don't even know where to start! Do I buy the best? Middle of the road? What are the most important things to consider?

Phew sorry for all the questions, third trimester nerves kicking in I think!

Haloflo I've got a cot bed, to get a basic foam matress I would have to spend about £40. I went on Kiddicare and spent the same on a matress that was in the sale but was a lot better quality. Kiddicare have a sale on cot matresses at the moment as well so it might be worth checking it out.

oneof8 good luck!!!

halo we have been given a cotbed from a friend and I was a bit stuck on mattresses too. I had a look on a few of the usual sites like mothercare, M&P, kiddicare etc and found that a middle priced one was around £70 so I am going with that as a price marker. If you think about how long it will last (particularly with a cotbed) £70 doesnt seem that much to me. As luck would have it, ours is an odd size and the only mattress we can find for it is £75 so it seems the decision has been made for us anyway! Hope that helps...

hermya thanks for the MLU feedback. The more I read about them the more I am keen to go. Just hope I am 'uncomplicated' enough!!

bunny and mumnerves thanks for the massage feedback! I think DH might have to help me which is what I am worried about most

bunny Will is adorable and his suit!!!! He is getting really big already!

mrsw glad to hear you are taking ML early, it sounds like you have quite an active role so it should do you well. I have started thinking about mine too but I can't really make any decisions until I know what my new commute will be like. I hope you havent had any repeats of that pain - I agree that you should mention it to your midwife.

x

very quick one from me to just say eeep oneof8 re: unexpectedly early waters breaking, hope all goes well and best of luck, will be thinking of you!

Hi everyone and happy new year!

I've been meaning to get on here and catch up for days but things have just been manic around here.

oneof8 good luck!

MrsW it sounds like a good idea to start ML early if things are going to be hard at work.

crazyb glad to hear you've got lots of lovely stuf for your LO

Aly hope your hip's okay, so close to DD now

mumnerves glad to hear Sean is better.

Loving the baby pictures people have been putting up as well, all the Little Frolickers are absolutely adorable!

Well we told DPs family on Christmas day, he handed them the scan picture as a Christmas present, and they seemed really pleased for us. Had a slightly weird moment in te evening though when our nephew (who's 3) asked his mum why I had a baby in my tummy as she was getting him ready for bed and then went on to say it was going to be a girl and we should call it one of my favourite girls names (that I had actually mentioned as a name suggestion to DP a few days previously). We hadn't said outright to the kids that I was going to have a baby, and although we had talked a little about it I don't think anyone had said outright that I was having a baby so a little weird that he picked up on it! We told the rest of my family around Christmas too and our friends who were round on New Years Eve. Again, news seems to have gone down well but I've not enjoyed telling people as much as I thought I would. Bit strange as I've been waiting 9 weeks to share the news and ten felt very apprehensive about it.

My parents came up to visit for a few days after Christmas, they're very excited about our pip! We had a lovely few days seeing them and had some lovely meals out and a nice time walking around town.

Everything was going well until yesterday when I started spotting again, just the same as last time, so have been panicking again. Spoke to NHS 24 doctor who said most of the time spotting is nothing to worry about and a few people have told me it's very common around 12 weeks but I can't help feeling terrified. Will be 13 weeks on Wednesday so was going to share the news at work but now nt sure whether I should leave it Feeling a bit fed up that every time I start to relax and enjoy myself and enjoy my pregnancy we seem to have another scare. Suppose it just makes our little pip even more precious to us.

Hope everyone is well and ready to head back to work soon, I could do with another few weeks off to sleep to be honest

Thanks hermya I like the idea of sale shopping and getting something worth more than the price.

You too crazy, £75.00 seems a good price to me. I am hoping for £200.00 cot & mattress together.

highheels Really sorry to hear about the spotting & hope it stops soon. Maybe call your MW tomorrow for further info and reassurance?

I know what you mean about sharing news, its hard when you are still so tuned into worrying about your LO. I didn't share the news at work until 15 weeks (started to show a little at that point) Tell them when you are ready and feeling happier.

There's been another BFP on the frolickers thread. Congrats to slowshow!

haloflo if you want to paint the cot, the guideline is that you do it at least 3 months ahead so....have you got the time to do that now if not, you may just have to buy a new one! Sorry for being naughty and trying to lead you astray :(

Crazy I didn't get DH to help me with the massage, that was just too so I did it myself, couldn't reach with thumbs but just used fingers (sorry if TMI)

HH hope the spotting stops soon and you can relax. Also hope the 2nd trimester energy hits you soon and you'll be wondering what all that tiredness was about (till the 3rd trimester of course)

I've finally figured how to put a pic of Sean on my profile if anyone wants a nosy :)

halo and mumnerves thanks for the thoughts. Unfortunately I can't phone the MW until after 14 weeks. Have tried phoning the EPU but they're closed with the bank holidays and think they're closed again tomorrow but will try again anyway. Am also going to try and get a doctors appointment when they open again on Wednesday and see if they can get me an appointment with the midwives before 20 weeks as I'm so anxious. Failing that, DP says I can book another private scan if it'll help me relax over the next couple of weeks. Am still feeling completely wiped out and unless I eat exactly the right amount at exactly the right time a little sick as well, plus I'm sure my boobs grew again overnight on Saturday so hoping these are all good signs. DP says that the placenta's busy burrowing at 12 weeks so that can cause spotting, don't know whether that's true or he's making it up to make me feel better but either way it's a little bit of reassurance. Keep everything crossed for me that it stops very soon and I don't have another 3 weeks of feeling terrified every time I go to the loo!

Oneofeight Sorry I totally miss the fact that your waters have broken. I hope your well, good luck!!

HH Gosh that sounds horrid, I hope they get you sorted tomorrow, I would think that they would be open tomorrow tbh. I hope you get sorted.

HH I'm so sorry everything is so stressful. Your symptoms sound right on track, and the fear is completely normal. I had spotting a bit before 12 weeks, but I have several friends who had it at 12 weeks and after. Unfortunately, there is always something to worry about, but it'll be very nice when you can feel the baby and get a little reassurance.Fingers crossed that you get in to see the doc soon.

Oneof8 hoping all is well with you and the little one! Eagerly awaiting news.

And, Yay!!! for a new BFP! Congrats Slowshow!

Mumnerves, I'm going to check out Sean's pic asap! I missed that part of your post before I started typing.

I wish I could just send all of you my maternity clothes! I'm so sick of them now. I felt like I was buying so many, but it just seemed like I kept wearing the same thing every day.

I don't really have any need of anything fancy anymore since I've pretty much been grounded. I've got sciatica and loads of pain. It looks like I've got to learn to just let things go and accept that I'm down for the count. DH finally agreed to let me schedule a cleaner to come in a week or so to o many of the things I was dying to do- serious mopping, steam cleaning the bed an couch, etc. I think I'm also going to try to get him to agree to drive me for a massage next week as well. This just sucks. I was actually really enjoying being pregnant... Good news is that it'll probably go when I deliver. Now I'm torn between wanting the baby out now- and wanting him to wait till after I can get the house cleaned. Good news is that we basically have all the essentials.

Thanks for the info regarding pumps. I think I'm going to start with a manual for the first few months (unless I end up having to go electric). Then, I'll get my medela a few weeks before I go back to work. That way, I won't be out the cash if something goes wrong and I have to stop early.

Ok, off to rest. Take care all!!!

Eeeeee buggy/pram arrived today!! I am soooo excited, DP and I have had it built, unbuilt, swapped all the bits and bobs in and out and generally acted like big kids with it all evening - until I had to come to work - boooo! It's lovely
I just want a real live baby in it now!

Halo as for spending sprees . . . . GrandmaWajs is now the guilty culprit! She went sale shopping the other day (very unlike her) and she got a dress for LO from . . . Monsoon it should have been £50 but was reduced to £25 and then as she was paying she noticed a tiny water mark on it (it's silk btw) and got another £8 knocked off the price!! All in all a bargainous purchase but seriously - silk for a teeny ickle baby!! We do have 3 weddings to attend quite soon after LO arrives so it'll be ideal for that but I can imagine it being ruined before wedding no. 1 is over! She has gone insane since I've been pregnant I'm sure!

Haven't decided on a definite ML date yet but probably sometime around early - mid March, am going to try and work it out tonight.

Haven't had any repeats of groin pain from the other night but will mention it at 25 week appt.

Highheels Sorry to hear about the further spotting, I'm sure it will be nothing to worry about but would definitely say get checked out sooner rather than later anyway, even if just to put your mind at rest :)

Mumsnerves Glad Sean is doing better, can't seem to access your profile for a look at your picture though?

Aly Sorry to hear you're not feeling too great, keeping my fingers crossed for you that the next 2-3 weeks go past quickly for you.

Oneof8 hope all is going well, can't wait to hear baby news

Hermya good advice re: cot mattress I actually hadn't even given it a second though as didn't realise it didn't come with the cot silly me, will be checking it out asap, anyone know how long the kiddicare sale is on, or is it finished now the VAT has gone up??

Just tiptoeing in to say hello

Thanks haloflo and Aly

It's only been about 36 hours and I'm totally neurotic already. Mad knicker-checking going on several times a day. Keep thinking it must be a mistake - three pregnancy tests say otherwise!

HH poor you :( I can't believe that no one will see you! Maybe ring NHS direct and they may be able to direct you to a service who will? I know it's easier said than done but do try and put your feet up and rest x

Aly I felt the same about my maternity wear and couldn't wait to lose some weight and wear something nice. Do try and go for the massage, it was something I really wanted to do but never did and now wish I had, it'll probably help with your sciatica too!

Mrswajs good news on the buggy, sounds like christmas has happened for you all over again!

I got my medela electrical pump today, it's the swing and looks like it's got a flying saucer attached to it....IT's ACE!!! Pumping was just so easy, would recommend to anyone thinking of getting a electric pump!

I didn't realise I had to activate my profile to show pictures I've done it now so you can see his photo :)

slowshow welcome! the knicker-checking and mass testing is true frolicker behaviour! :o Congratulations on the 3 tests, before you know it you'll be having your first scan x

mumnerves Sean is gorge, he really looks like a little boy already and what a mass of hair!! Please give him a squeeze from me

Welcome slowshow and congrats. Try not to worry too much, a line is a line is a line and you have the next 9 months (and a lifetime) of worrying so don't use it all up too soon

hh same goes for you, try not to worry hun, I am sure DP is right and spotting is normal around now. A lot of the women here have said they've experienced it throughout (and some have babies now!) so try to stay positive till you can see someone.

Happy resting aly not long now!

xx

congrats slowshow, welcome! try not to worry too much, much easier said than done though, the first eight weeks went by soooo slowly for me (and I still knicker check, even at 21 weeks ). fingers crossed for a very uneventful nine months for you!

highheels so sorry to hear you're spotting again, you poor thing. As you say it doesn't mean its sinister but you really deserve some time off the worry. Private scan sounds like it might be a good idea if you can't speak to anyone.

mrsw I am soooo impressed by your buying efficiency, we have yet to buy anything at all and I feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer choice/ amount of things out there! Bringing your ML early sounds good, particulaly given you're on your feet all day with work.

aly boo re not feeling great, I think your new plan to give in and take it easy is a really good one. Could be your body asking you to slow down and build your reserves in prep for the Big Event. Hope you feel much better soon with lots of rest.

Gosh its miserable being back at work. Still not feeling well and this horrible cold seems to have brought back the morning sickness so am just on the sips of lucozade at the moment and trying not to throw up on train/ at desk/ on the street - blugh. Tried to book antenatal yoga but all the saturday slots are gone so will have to be Mon eve - work looks like it will be mega busy for the next couple of months so am quite worried about escaping on time for it but as DH says I will have to be much more disciplined about my work once LO is here so maybe its good practice...

Welcome slowshow, you are now in the 12 week wait (and you thought you were neurotic during the 2ww!)

aly poor you with the sciatica, although I can't beieve you were planning on doing all that work with the cleaning! It does give me hope that my house will not look like a bombite forever though..

MrsW you will have to post photos of LO in her posh frock when she gets to wear it :)

cherry sorry to hear about your cold and work being busy, I think sometimes you just have to decide what time you're going to leave and stick to it no matter how much work it seems like you have to get done.

EPU is still closed (bloody Scottish bank holidays) and already spoke to NHS 24 on Sunday, they said to phone back if it got worse or I developed other symptoms but didn't seem keen on seeing me. Feeling more positive today but still would like to see/hear a heartbeat just to make sure. Still undecided about telling work tomorrow. Am considering just telling my head of department and saying we've had some problems and asking her to keep it quiet for another few weeks, at least then I might be able to get away for appointments over the next few days is needed. Or maybe I should just try to think positive and go ahead with sharing the news as planned, we shall see. Either way I am really not looking forward to having to stay upright and awake for a whole day! At least there are no kids tomorrow so I can get a gentle start to the term

this thread has kept me amused for the last hour... thought i would share!

I totally understand what you mean about 12 week wait hh. If this sticks I'm going to be certifiable by March.

Super paranoid cos boobs aren't sore now, though they're still bigger than normal. Keep poking them

Took another test this morning. Freaked when it looked fainter than Monday. Had a shower and came back to it, and actually it looked kind of the same, if not a little darker than the old ones. But difficult to compare dried out Internet cheapies, right? God, this is horrible!

Hello everyone, happy new year!

Sorry not been around much the last couple of weeks, but just been catching up with all your posts.

Firstly, congratulations and welcome to slowshow :)

and good luck to oneof8

Good news is we painted our spare-room / nursery-to-be during my week off work between christmas and new year. Gone for a lovely pale yellow. Have ordered some very funky curtains with jungle animals on them so just waiting for them to arrive.
Not bought a cot yet and not planning to buy one for a few months as nowhere to put it.
My sister bought us a moses basket for xmas, which is lovely. So the plan is that baby will sleep in that, in our room, to start with. Then when he grows out of that we will move him into cot in his own room.
In the meanwhile there is a single bed in the room which will stay where it is for now as will be useful for visitors coming to stay. When we get the cot though, the bed will have to go as no room for both.

We also unexpectedly got given a car seat from some friends who are moving abroad and can't take it with them. Although we were planning to buy a new car seat, this one is in really good condition as only used for a few months, so we now don't need to - very pleased.

slowshow your boobs will be sore soon enough! My DP invented the "jiggle test" as I was obsessing about whether my boobs were sore every day, he jiggled my bum and said "that's what it's supposed to feel like when you wobble body parts" then jiggled my boobs and when I winced said "see that hurts" then looked exasperated when I replied "yes but I'm sure yesterday it hurt more!" I also POAS just about every morning till I was 7 weeks until the midwife at the assisted conception clinic told me to stop, I also took photos of the digi ones and kept 4 of the 'good' ones! (maybe I should stop confessing things now) I've had quite a few scares over the past 9 weeks but have found that a few things help. Firstly, keep remembering that you've actually managed to conceive a child :) Secondly, try to think positively every day (even if the negative thoughts creep in too). I also found having little goals helped, like 7 weeks then 8 weeks, then 10 weeks, then 12 so it's less of a neverending countdown. It'll feel like time is moving at a snails pace if you're anything like me but you'll get there and everyone here has been lovely throughout all of my panics and obsessions :)

Well I managed to speak to the EPU today, they were very nice and said it could be the same as last time or it could be something else, there's no real way of knowing without having a look, but as long as I'm still feeling pregnant it's probably fine. (Am trying not to obsess over what 'feeling pregnant' means and decided that being exhausted by 1pm, peeing every hour and eating everything in sight is evidence enough). They've given me an appointment for next Tues (seems like an age away but I've already been waiting since Sunday so I suppose I can hang on a few days longer) so fingers crossed everything will be fine and we'll have another chance to see our pip.

Going back to work today was a shock to the system, especially after waking up about 3 times between 12 and 6 this morning dying for a wee. Also decided to tell my head of department and headteacher today, decided that if we get bad news now I'll want school to know so I can get support, and we've decided that I'll tell the rest of the department after the scan next week. Alternating between excitement and terror just now but keeping smiling.

Hope everyone's doing okay, nearly the weekend again now