TTC a 2012 baby - the GRADUATES!

[Carlitawantsababy]

As requested/suggested this is a thread for those graduating from the TTC a 2012 baby -this is our year thread! Bring your BFPs and get yourselves comfy

Yes trope I'm in London, Tottenham in fact! Our supermarket and corner shops are shut but I haven't seen any trouble myself, my neighbourhood is fine! bun I love Hastings, my mum lives there and if we move there we can just about manage with me as a stay at home mum, can't even afford for me to go on maternity leave in London!
Welcome davina! glad you joined us! Wasn't meaning to make anyone feel bad about the negativity, just wanted some people to be happy and celebrate with! I thought you were one of the positive ones!
I don't have much in the way of symptoms either piggy at 7 + 3, no nausea anyway!

DP is home at last... what a horrid evening..

Glad you are OK carlita - am seeing scary things on BBC news atm.

trope I've been looking on the news and there is so much damage, it's quite scary, it's only (max) 10 mins walk from my house! I was in Hastings for the weekend and worked from home yesterday, think I'll do the same today especially if your partner said the trouble was affecting public transport! I have to go in tomorrow and Thursday so hope it settles soon!
piggy things I have bought... A bassinet, a bath seat, one of those bouncy chairs you hang from doorways, a highchair, gro bags, and lots of tiny clothes.... Disclaimer: they are all second hand and the bootfair season is limited, it is nearly over and won't restate until after I have the baby so apart from the bouncy seat and highchair I needed to buy them early! The bouncy seat cost £2, the highchair is a Tripp Trapp from eBay had to get it as was a very good price (they hold their value) and it'll go in my mum's loft until we need it! The clothes are amazing, new condition, some with tags still and were 20 - 50p per item! I have also bought 4 maternity tops and a pair of maternity jeans (eBay)! Oh, and DH is collecting a breast pump from freecycle, gotta get these things when they come up! I realise I probably now sound crazy!

Morning ladies!
morning davina! I've got a very sweet tooth so would love a huge chunk of that cake

trope glad your dp is back ok - looks awful on the news. I'm looking on from my situation of safety in Yorkshire!

carlita wow you have loads! I'm really excited about going out and buying bits. I think I'll start with lists - love lists- and then build up to buying bits in a couple of weeks. We got married in March and still have nearly £150 of Debenhams vouchers so I might use those for some baby bits - only problem is Debs is really expensive so it seems silly when you can buy stuff for half the price elsewhere. I hope things calm down where you live - I'd be feeling very vulnerable :(

hi bun hope you're well this morning :)

Glad your DP got home safe Trope and that you've not had any problems Carlita. I've got some friends in Clapham who filmed a terrifying video from their living room window of the crouds charging at about 6 riot police Thankfully they're fine, up on the 3rd floor so out of the way.

Piggy I love a good list too I had fun writing one out when we were TTC! Haven't bought anything yet though, waiting until we have our flat sorted.

Trope it is lovely feeling movement, it's pretty difficult to differentiate between the baby and belly rumbles at the moment though!

carlita that sounds terrifying - glad you are OK. DP has gone back into work today - big deadlines so can't really stay home.. He's promised to leave london by 7pm latest so hopefully he'll be home before things kick off again tonight. Got no confidence that tonight will be better than last night; police are using tougher tactics to clear the rioters, which is good, but concerned about just what they will do to clear the streets - all too often it's the innocent that get caught up / hurt...

I'm amazed at how much you've already got - sounds like you've found some real bargains! I need to declutter at home before I can buy much! But I do have a little space in the attic if I find anything perfect! Looking forward to rooting around at NCT sales (with bun!) - going to be so much fun!

piggy debenhams do some lovely baby clothes though - got some gorgeous sleepsuits for my cousins kid last year. They often have huge reductions in the sale - so maybe wait for a big sale so your vouchers will go further?

bun glad your friends in clapham are OK - sounds awful. Love the idea of confusing belly rumbles and baby - got a mental image of me getting excited at the baby moving, only to "pass wind" shortly afterwards... Saw an amazing video a while back of a heavily pregnant woman lying on the sofa, and you could see the most amazing movements going on - hands, feet etc pushing out! Was equal parts awesome and "Alien" belly bursting scene!

Am starting my list of stuff to get today! Saw my GP this morning who is faxing my referral to the obstetrician over to her today so I can get in and see her asap! Is very exciting! He wasn't sure if I'd still do a booking in with midwife or whether the obstetrician would co-ordinate with them and share all my notes/tests etc. Hoping they will - otherwise i'm going to spend a lot of time going over the same info in the coming weeks!!

It's starting to feel properly real now - every now and again I forget, then remember and can't stop grinning!! Am meeting an old friend today and somehow need to keep it to myself (we're not sharing the news with many people yet) - is going to be torture keeping schtum!

Evening!

Trope I had a quick look on the NCT website and it appears the the soonest and closest sale is at Portslade Town Hall on November 6th!

You've reminded me of how wierd fantastic the abuse movements are at the later stages! I had bruised ribs could totally see a perfectly clear foot jabbing pushing at my belly!

I ended up telling more people than originally intended because I was just so excited!
I was a bit disapointed with people's reactions this time round though, most people just don't seem as excited about this pregnancy as they were with my first My mum, DP and I are suitably giddy about it though, so the people that count I guess

Hope your DP gets back with no problems and Carlita, I hope you have another quiet night. Not looking forward to tonight at all and I'm not even there - it's just so bloody awful.

Thanks everyone! I'm staying home so nice and safe!

Hey ladies, ooh, can I join? I love a thread with cake! I believe I was on the TTC a 2012 baby thread back in the mists of time - but I'm almost 18 weeks now (EDD 12 Jan) so it was a while back that I got my BFP. Congrats to you all too!

I have my '20 week' scan next week which is very exciting! Am also starting to feel the odd kick and had some exciting floaty swirling when I went swimming last night. And feel sooo much better now the nausea has gone (after about 14 weeks). I was never sick, though.

Wow - carlita & trope - so glad you are all ok. I can't imagine living so close to all this - it must be terrifying. I'm with piggy in West Yorkshire & on holiday from work at the moment, but I work in Manchester & London a lot normally, & I'm a bit worried about going back to work next week. Hopefully they'll have it all under control by then, but not looking so good so far FX it calms down in your areas if it hasn't already, and you all stay safe.

On a positive note, Sounds like a fab shopping spree carlita! I need to get all DS's stuff out of storage to decide what I need to buy before I start going mad and then realise I've got most things Think I'm going to have to dig out the maternity clothes now though, as my size 14 jeans are now too tight I'm normally a 12, so not much of a difference, but enough to have me sat here with my top button undone - & I didn't even have a big tea!

Hi ghosteditor - 20 weeks already! It goes so quickly! So exciting having the first kicks I cant wait till I feel them too - I was lucky enough to get mine at about 16 weeks first time round so hoping it will be earlier this time and not just me deluding myself with the wind rumbly in my tumbly Let us know how the scan goes!

Hi Ghost! I'm on the same 'January 2012' ante-natal thread as you [waves] I'm sooo jealous of you having your 20 week scan next week! Mine's not until the 9th September and it feels so far away, dying to know if DS is going to have a brother or a sister
Has anyone decided on whether or not you'll find out the sex or have a suprise?

DP's gone off for the day on his boss's stag do. They were supposed to go to the England match and go out around London but they've sensibly changed their plans! Such a shame, they were really looking forward to it.
So, I have the delight of dinner-bath-bed time all by myself tonight, wouldn't usually mind but my hips and pelvis are really painful today. It's going to be a looong day!

Hope you all have a nice day!!

Morning ladies!
I'm in west yorkshire too davina - it's peeing it fown today - ugh :( I'm procrastinating working from home today and it's so depressing looking out onto grey.
How exciting about your scan ghost! Which has been the quickest bit of the pregnancy so far and which bit dragged the most?
Bun I can't decide about finding out - sometimes I think I'd like a surprise to keep me going through the last half of the pregnancy, but then I'm a bit of a planner and like to organise, so would like to get sex-specific clothes etc. Hmmm, probably won't decide until I'm in the room! Just counting down to my 12-week scan which seems like aaaaaggggggeeeesssss away!

I've updated teh stats list to include ghost

Ghosteditor EDD 12th January
Bunmyoven (23) DC#2 EDD 27th January
Davinaaddict (32) DC#2 EDD 9th March
Carlitawantsababy (29) DC#1 EDD 23rd March
Trope (32) DC#1 EDD 13th April
Piggymad (26) DC#1 EDD 14th April

Davina yes it's been fab for the last couple of weeks - not least because as soon as I bought some maternity clothes I realised how uncomfortable I'd been in my regular clothes. Stretchy waistband = joy.

Bun yes hello! [waves back]. That is a while until your 20 week scan! I'm glad to have it coming up so soon, but I'll actually be 18+6 so it will feel like a long time until anything else happens, I think.

It's funny you should mention about hips & pelvis hurting - after all that posting about hypermobility yesterday, my sacro-ileac joints were unusually painful last night. I must get back into stretching routinely. My yoga class has been cancelled and I have to wait until Sept 1st to start the antenatal yoga classes locally. I could normally do a session at home but DH and his dad are doing our kitchen so the contents of said kitchen (plus the new one waiting to be installed) are in our living room at the moment, and even the cats can't find a space to sit down!

On finding out the sex - we really can't decide. I think we're going to try to find out next week but not tell anyone, and not be too upset if we can't see. Last time, little bump had his/her legs crossed so it could be the same again...

Thanks piggy! Am on the PC instead of the phone now so can actually add to the list - will complete my details below.

I'm from W. Yorks originally but don't live there these days - my family are all still there though. As for the slowest bit - well, probably the interminable wait between finding out (3+4 I think!) and telling people (at 12 weeks). And waiting to see the MW (8 weeks) the first time to really kick things off. Since 14 weeks when I stopped feeling unwell, things have flown by, but DH and I have also had loads on at work and home which helped to fill the time. DH was away with work (forces) for the vast majority of the time between 4 weeks and 12 weeks too, so it was a bit lonely at home with no one else knowing.

Ghosteditor (27) DC#1 EDD 12th January
Bunmyoven (23) DC#2 EDD 27th January
Davinaaddict (32) DC#2 EDD 9th March
Carlitawantsababy (29) DC#1 EDD 23rd March
Trope (32) DC#1 EDD 13th April
Piggymad (26) DC#1 EDD 14th April

For me, the first 12 weeks flew by and this stage, between the two scans is taking an eternity! Though, we had moved house just before the first scan so I suspect the stress helped time fly a bit! DP keeps laughing at me and reminding me that 9 months is a long time and it won't feel like 9 weeks no matter how excited I am

I was contemplating not finding out the sex but DP insists that he wants to know and there's no way I'll be able to stand 20 weeks of him knowing and not me!! I do think it'll help it all feel more 'real' though, it's still doesn't!
Ghost I was just saying last night that we might not even be able to tell from the scan.
Not sure about telling other people yet, think it'll be nice for DP and I to have it as our little secret and announce the sex and name (oh names! So exciting!) at the birth. Might just tell everyone that we couldn't tell to avoid the inevitable nagging if we told them 'it's a secret'!

I'm definately not hypermobile Ghost! sounds horrible! Hope it doesn't give you too many problems through your pregnancy.
I had SPD, though I think it's now called PGP(?), in the last 2 months of pregnancy with DS, and I'm pretty sure that this hip pain is that rearing it's ugly head. Quite concerning that it's starting so early if it is the PGP though. Have my 16 week MW appoinment on Tuesday so I'll bring it up with her then.

Trying to find a nice dress atm as I've got 2 weddings to go to next month - it's proving tricky! I tried a few maxi dresses but just looked really fat and not remotely pregnant in them. Have ordered a nice JoJo Maman Bebe chiffon dress from eBay. If that fails I'll be dragging my hips round the shops!

Bun - re the SPD/PGP - whatever your GP/MW tells you, I've read (and firmly believe) that physios can and do help, especially if you go to them early. Do push for it if you're starting to feel pain. If you see a physio early they will be able to do more, and a good physio will not just treat you there and then but will recommend strengthening exercises which should help to limit the damage.

As valuable as the NHS is, it is rubbish at preventative remedies and alternative therapies (by which I mean physio, and the like) and favours drugs and scans when they're not always the best way forward. I've also been told to stop exercise for weeks/months to see if the pain goes away when that was absolutely the last thing I should have done. And in my limited experience the private physios have been much more experienced and strict with me than the NHS ones.

My physio has been a legend over the last couple of years with hip and knee problems and basically told me I was a bit of a wreck and needed to get my head on straight. Under his advice I've stopped running/playing hockey 5-6 times a week and have a much more balanced program of hockey, cycling, yoga, pilates, swimming, stretching etc - and am in much less pain these days (if you don't count the fractured ankle from a few months ago). (I am a bit fatter though ) And he insisted that I do stretches/exercises on my own instead of just charging me to fix me all the time.

Seriously, insist on a physio if you have PGP flaring up again. Or I will evangelise about physios at you every week until you cave

Haha! ok! ok! I surrender Ghost!
Thanks for the advice, it's what I was thinking so nice to have that confirmed. Will definately push for physio. I was so stressed out at the end of my last pregnancy as it was all so late notice, I just put up with the pain
Wish I could afford private treatment but will just have to hope that I get 'one of the good ones' via the NHS

In other (possibly TMI) news, I've started lactating! At 15 weeks. Didn't expect that!

Off to do some painting with DS - he's trashed the place so much this morning that painting will make no difference to the sorry state of affairs!

Wow. I do love my smileys don't I? Sorry.

Great! Hope the symptoms stay away in any case

Since you ladies all seem much much more organised than I am, I thought I'd ask about prams. We only have one set of friends with a child but unfortunately (from a borrowing perspective at least!) they are expecting their second child the same week as our first, so there will be no borrowing of baby things for us. I am not at all opposed to buying a second hand pram but since the resale value on many prams is so high it may be worth buying a new one and then ultimately reselling. Any thoughts about this?

I was also wondering about a travel system but I've heard from various sources that they don't tend to be used as much as the adverts would imply, and of course they're very expensive. Does anyone have a Bugaboo Bee? They're well reviewed! DH is quite a lot taller than me so we have to factor that in, plus the usual boot size, storage, versatility, off-road capabilities to consider etc...

I know we just need to go try them, and we will do that at some stage, but in the meantime I'm driving myself nuts reading reviews and threads about this kind of thing. Any and all advice appreciated!

I borrowed a Silver Cross travel system from DP's mother and hated it. It was just too big and heavy to have around a city, I couldn't go into the smaller shops without pissing everyone off getting in the way! On the other hand though, she lives in the countryside and loved it so it does depend on your individual needs.
I ended up getting an iCandy Cherry which we'll be using for DC2 too - love it
The Bugaboo Bee looks good though, nice and compact. No help there sorry!

I've heard people suggest just getting a good sling at first so that you'll learn what it is you actually need before forking out your money - thought that was a good idea.
If you like slings, they're really lovely for those first few months when the baby's after lots of physical conact and you get lots of snuggles [soppy smile] DS loved his and I'm definately getting another one this time too.

Wow you lot can talk the thread's been busy!
ghost welcome! Brilliant that you've joined us, I like having the old gang back together! Glad you're getting on so well, everything sounds very exciting! I have hypermobility in all my joints but problems just with my knees. My wonderful NHS physio pretty much fixed me and as long as I wear my orthotics I'm good. It was the one thing that worried me about pregnancy though. I asked GP about it at my initial 'I'm pregnant' appointment but she said it worsens for some people and not for others, how have you been affected?
bun loving the TMI comment! I'd be a bit at 15 weeks too!
I am feeling a bit nauseous today so may be entering a sickness phase! Been so lucky so far I probably deserve it!

Oh yes, prams, I know an awful lot about twin ones from helping my sis! But, I'm planning on trying to use just a sling do the first 5 or 6 months then going straight for a buggy. Will probably get a three wheeler type thing as need to get across fields and beaches (lots of dog walking and camping) but not fussed in brands so will probably pick something up from a boot sale. We're a bit hippyish I suppose but want to try to make baby's carbon footprint as tiny as his/her real one! Please rest assured though I don't feel that everyone should do this at all - personal choice! Any one else going for washable nappies btw?
Oh yes and gender..DH like the romanticism of having a surprise but is already realising it isn't that practical. I'm convinced we're having a boy but would love either, I'd like to find out as gender neutral clothes just aren't much fun. All the ones i've boug

carlita that's interesting. I definitely want a sling but have been told a few times that you often need a pram too. It can't hurt to try to manage without one at first I guess! My main concern with that is the weather in January when I'm due - a couple of years ago I spectacularly face-planted on my walk to work (in hiking boots!) in the snow. I didn't hurt myself (used to falling from sport) but obviously that would not be good for a small person in a sling. I accept that this may be a strange neurosis rather than a real risk, btw.

I will be walking to town a lot and taking the baby to sports matches so the pram will need to survive muddy fields and lumpy car parks as well as (hopefully) some on-road running.

Also very keen to hear about reusable nappies and am seriously considering it for the obvious reasons. In my area, the council has recommended a few reusable nappy advisors and I can have sample packs of various brands on load for a couple of weeks. Has anyone else used them? I'm planning on taking the year off work so should have time at first for all the washing and drying...

oh and on the hypermobility front - no real differences as yet, except a couple degrees more rotation in my hips (I can very easily sit on the floor with knees rotated out and touching the floor, for instance) which I need to be careful with. Hopefully I won't have too many problems! Am keeping up with pilates for as long as I can, but soon I won't be able to lie on my front, and apparently we're not supposed to lie flat on our backs for too long* so my instructor keeps making dubious noises about that. Once they're gone I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do in the class!

• I'm a bit about this but apparently lying flat on the back during later pg increases pressure an the aorta and can lead to dizziness and fainting. I feel a bit like I may as well carry on until I find it's a problem, but am not sure how much of a danger or risk this really is!

oh and bun interesting on the silver cross travel system too! The iCandy cherry looks awesome and is on my list of things to test. High resale value too I think. Perks for me would be lightweight and relatively small (small town; small shops!) as well as durable and suitable from birth to toddler but key would be functionality and manufacturing quality. Sigh. Who knows.